For those of you unaware, our own General Lucky has had a bit of trouble with his noggin of late; specifically a brain tumor. He's stopped by the 'Burg for a bit as he convalesces; all y'all stop here in the thread and say "hi"!
From Lucky: "Brain surgery chemo, radiation and funky meds. I can use my left hand again, some, but it twits about, hard to hit the shift key. I've got a walker and I can gt in and out of the car, Woo hoo! Wheel chairs, give those folks some crdit. I've missed ya all,I saw angels, no bull, Someday I'll tell you all about it. Global prayers MAN! I'm going to hang out for awhile if my head stays cool"
#2
We've missed your creative comments, Lucky. You keep working on that recovery, and eat lots of blueberries. Blueberries encourage the creation of new brain cells -- and you have a hole in your head that needs to be refilled ;-D.
Really, though, it sounds like you are making good progress. Carry on!
#7
Lucky--Glad to see you back, buddy! Take care of yourself! I am declaring a 48-hour moratorium on all bedpan and well-ventilated hospital gown jokes in your honor!
Posted by: Dar ||
10/28/2004 15:55 Comments ||
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#8
Glad to see you back Lucky. Have a nice tall stack of blueberry pancakes!
Words of experience - though I'm not sure there was anything "medical" about Ship's experience(s)... unless you wanna include his Carlos Castaneda moments... ;-)
I don't know you are but I hope you get well soon. I have seen a lot terrible situations in my life. But, "seeing" and "going through" are totally different things and I will leave it that. I wish you the BEST!!!!!!
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 16:28 Comments ||
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#19
Hey Ship, sorta. Thx PR. I'm just an RBU student. usually sit in the back making things up as I go along. Frank G and Ship do it all the time. For armed assistance see PD.
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 16:34 Comments ||
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#23
Kick ass, Lucky.
Posted by: Matt ||
10/28/2004 16:36 Comments ||
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#24
The rhythm, the patter, the spelling, the utter lack of reasonable puntuation, the raw Joycian syntax, the je ne se quios. Nope - never seen anything like it before, mucky... *recuperative period* I don't think I could take his homepage, lol!
#27
Welcome back Lucky. Get well soon!!
(got to watch what I type.)
Jack
Posted by: Jack Bross ||
10/28/2004 16:45 Comments ||
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#28
And yes it's good to have armed assistance. Especially when there's a shortage of quality throw Kofi in the Jailhouse Links. The Link shortages' root cause is a lack of NGO funding.
The above is the kind of garbage we're stuck with until you come back fulltime Lucky. Remember quality links, zulu time.
#37
This is turning into a TERRIFIC week... the Sox win the series, NYT/CBS get slammed *AGAIN*, Arafat's (almost) dead, and now Lucky's back at Rantburg!
I could go with this trend, yes I could! Welcome back!!
Posted by: Old Grouch ||
10/28/2004 18:16 Comments ||
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#38
Lucky!
Yah hoooo! Great to have you back. You're in my and my wife's prayers. And, if anybody's not treating you right . . . I'll, I'll be glad to sue them . . . ; )
#40
General. very glad to read the message on your advancing recovery. About the angels, it's no bull is right.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/28/2004 19:57 Comments ||
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#41
Yea!! Lucky--glad you're back! It hasn't been the same here on Rantburg without you. I remember I was amused when your comment patched things up between me and one of my favorite guys, .com, during our little tiff way back when (You said, "Don't worry about .com. He's just ready.") Thanks.
Now you eat your blueberries or I'm going to go on a rant and kick your butt! : )
#43
Mark---Looks almost like leftover cumulonimbus mammatus **shudders**, bad turbulence.
Lucky---verrrry glad that you are back! Miss your righteous comments on RB. Eat plenty of blueberries, but not enought to s**t like a bear, heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/28/2004 20:16 Comments ||
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#44
Did we tiff? Lol! Senility rules! I thought we wuz pals just practicin' for when we get the green light from the General to clean out Berkeley! And General Lucky, well, what can or should a measly private say about The Leader of Lucky's Legions - other than "Yes, sir. How high, sir? Dig the hole and fill it in, yes, sir." I've been lax and lost while he was playing with the nurses. Time to get back into shape!
The United States repeated on Wednesday its advice that private US citizens leave Saudi Arabia and a US official said Washington continued to receive general information about threats to Western interests in the kingdom. The United States has twice this year strongly urged US citizens to leave Saudi Arabia after attacks on Westerners in the world's largest oil exporter and pulled nonessential diplomats from its embassy in Riyadh. A US State Department official said the recommendation to Americans remains the same because the threats persist.
"The embassy continues to receive information concerning potential threats to American and Western interests. We believed it was appropriate and in keeping with our no-double standards policy to make sure the general public had updated information," said the official who asked not to be named. The official stressed that the United States had not received any new information on a specific threat.
Posted by: Seafarious ||
10/28/2004 10:24:39 AM ||
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#8
We should pull EVERYONE out of that sh*thole and let it implode. Then jointly manage the area with the Russians and whomever else understands that there's no such thing as a peaceful Islamic regime.
#9
All the warnings that need to be issued have been issued. What needs to be communicated is the following:
Anyone that decides to stay after the issuance of the previous notice stays at their own risk, and in the event of being taken hostage, no efforts will be made to secure their safe release. That is all.
It has all the makings of an incendiary story: a chilling pre-election videotape featuring a supposed member of al Qaeda, declaring in English that "blood will run red in the streets of America." The problem, say ABC News executives, is that they can't determine whether the tape, obtained by a producer, involves a real threat -- or even the identity of the figure on it, a man wearing an ammunition belt and a headdress that obscures his face. The network enlisted the aid of the FBI and CIA but still can't authenticate the 75-minute videotape. "We're not quite there to broadcast something that would be quite frightening," investigative reporter Brian Ross said yesterday. "I'd love to have the exclusive, but first we'd like to get it right."
#3
Kudos? Give me a break. If they thought it would harm GW, they would have run with it to get the full 380 ton explosive impact...instead of just the 3 ton one.
#4
Not sure either kudos or brickbats are in order here. Yes, I have little doubt that ABC would rush to hurt Bush is they could do so without suffering a hit to their reputation or ratings. But I also believe that the marketplace here is performing a very useful check on the irresponsibility of the anti-Bush partisans in the broadcast industry. These jackals are more than glad to tear each other apart if given an opening to do so. and this, ironically, is a better spur to responsibility than a thousand Accuracy in Media watchdogs.
#7
Maybe they just don't want to be seen as stooges broadcasting terrorist propaganda nonsense. It could be as easily argued that Kerry could be helped by the airing of it, since he claims that "the country is less safe" with Bush as president--the "threat" on tape being "proof." I think they possibly may not want to join the idiocy of CBS--it's a long shot, but possible.
#9
Whatever the motivations of ABC, the fact that they are:
1. Submitting it to the govt first for authentication and security issues
2. Thinking it through before airing it
implies that ABC is learning. Their prime motivation may be CYA, but they are doing the right thing. They want the story, but they also do not want to be seen as "useful idiots" in running a foaming propaganda cd. Unfortunately, or otherwise, CBS has not learned from their little foray into fraud.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/28/2004 13:18 Comments ||
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#11
Put down the crack pipe, boys. The only reason they're not running it is it's bad for Kerry. Peter Jennings would interrupt the last pitch of the World Series if he thought the story was bad for Bush, as long as it were a remotely plausible story.
#14
If you want to push the cynicism meter up, I'll bet ABC will air it November 8th or so. That way they can get the good ratings, but not remind people who is backed by our enemies before the election.
I remember in 1992 all the news about the recovery and the big employment gains came about 3 days after the election.
ABCNEWS withheld portions of an alarming new al Qaeda videotape which warns the next terror attack will dwarf 9/11 from the feds when they submitted the video for analysis, a top federal source tells the DRUDGE REPORT.
ABC strongly denies the charge.
...
One ABC source, who demanded anonymity, said Thursday morning, the network was struggling to find a correct journalistic "balance" before airing any story on the video.
"This is not something you just throw out there while people are voting," the ABC source explained.
Must be a pretty strong pro-Bush message.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 17:32 Comments ||
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#22
Peter Jennings would interrupt the last pitch of the World Series if he thought the story was bad for Bush,
Well, that would solve the Tim McCarver problem...
My guess is that the tape ends with: "I'm John Kerry, and I approved this message."
Posted by: Matt ||
10/28/2004 20:35 Comments ||
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#24
Would the ABC of 1942 air propaganda from the Third Reich? Why does the ABC of today think it's good to spread enemy propaganda?
Posted by: ed ||
10/28/2004 20:37 Comments ||
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#25
the ABC of 1942? Bzzzzzzzt!
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 20:43 Comments ||
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#26
but, point taken...
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 20:43 Comments ||
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#27
ed - the Blue Network
After watching the ABC news for the first time in 20 years to see the tape, I thought they handled it pretty well. They definitely did not give al-Q any propaganda victory and did not stir up any hysteria; coverage in the middle of the show. But they didn't hide it either. They were sending a message that they don't want to become the al-Jizz of the US or CBS.
If al-Q is so damn smart why didn't they give the tape to CBS? They would have run the whole thing Sunday night without giving a copy to DoD.
Jenings made no comment about giving only a partial tape to DoD. To me this signals that they want to appear not to take Drudge seriously. As Drudge cannot fully verify things, this may be one that doesn't pan out. If it does pan out, screw ABC. But if not, and I suspect that is highly probable, I think they've done a pretty good job.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 20:55 Comments ||
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Marine Dad Tony M. asks "Lord...what kind of son have we raised?" His narrative about a recent phone call gives you a look into the mindset of one Marine . . . and there are so many more just like him.
Another one of those calls out of the blue, Saturday afternoon (about 2 a.m., sandbox central time)
We talked to Cpl Jeremy almost a half-hour. Amazing, in and of itself.
But if you could've heard this kid. This was so inspiring, so scary, and so full of life...
Cpl Jeremy said, once again, that he was fine. He said that his platoon has had about 1/3 casualties, but none of them were life threatening, during this tour.
But he said, "I can't imagine a better time to be a Marine. We're seeing history written with lightning."
And he talked at length about the whole esprit de corps, about how he was closer to his brother Marines than any bio brother he could've had. He talked about their hardships, their joys, about the pure exhiliration of being in the worst place in the worst country...
He talked about IEDs, about how just about every convoy had experienced being bombed, but that the armor they had now was so effective ... he said that as long as you kept your head down, chances are you'd be fine...
He talked about a buddy of his that a mortar round landed about 20 ft. away, and while shrapnel flew everywhere, this friend didn't even get so much as a scratch...
And - VERY non-typically - he talked about the pride of being part of the best group of fighting men ever fielded. "I'll never, ever forget this," he said. He even (gasp!) talked about putting in some time as a RA while home at the end of this deployment. "None of those guys can say they've had two combat tours," he said.
And he talked about "The Big One," what, to their minds, is just around the corner. "To think," says he, "that I may be part of one of the most significant offensives ever."
Proud? You betcha. Scared? Witless.
But, it seems to me that its not so much what kind of son WE'VE raised... it's how the United States Marine Corps has taken this shy, gangly, unassuming kid to the next level. I'm lost in admiration for him and his Corps.
By Gretchen Peters EFL to get to the new information
. . . The chilling 75-minute digital videotape, seen by a Christian Science Monitor reporter in Pakistan, where it was obtained by ABC News, shows a high degree of sophistication and bears the logo of Al Qaeda's video production house, As-Sahab. . . . Analysts at Pakistan's spy agency, the ISI, say the tape is genuine, explaining the material bears the same "signature" as previous As-Sahab video releases, which are unique in the world of jihadi video for their sophisticated editing techniques.
It features the same gold logo that appeared, among other places, in a 2003 statement from Mr. bin Laden. There's also simultaneous Arabic subtitling - a complicated and time consuming process to put together - and a scrolling message across the bottom of the screen (similar to the news tickers on CNN and Fox) that was featured on a recent statement from al-Zawahiri.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, as-Sahab has consistently pushed the frontiers of jihad media, publishing everything from "Nineteen Martyrs" (the story of the 9/11 hijackers) to live action terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia captured on video, says terrorism consultant Evan Kohlmann, who saw a portion of the material. "For someone to put that amount of advanced effort into fabricating an as-Sahab video sounds a little far-fetched," he says.
Ahmad Muffaq Zaidan, Pakistan's bureau chief for the Arab-language network Al Jazeera and the recipient of past As-Sahab material here, also rated the material genuine. "We have seen this style before - the translation, the logo, the scroll," he says.
The US intelligence official agrees that "there's a production value" to the tape. "The tape itself was edited and portions were spliced together," he says. "It probably was worked on for a period of time - probably done fairly recently, as recently as late summer."
The tape's speaker references the conflict in Darfur, the 9/11 commission, Massachusetts same sex legislation, and the upcoming US presidential election.
But while it seems genuine, do keep this point in mind: Nevertheless, it's become easier and cheaper to produce a relatively sophisticated video. With about $3,500, one can purchase a small digital video camera and a laptop with video editing software, and create output, which as Kohlmann puts it, is worthy of "a half-decent Hollywood studio."
[The jihadi on the tape] issues several bursts of Arabic, mainly from the Koran, speaking the language well, but not as a native, say Arabic speakers who've heard the tape. And he's clearly a sophisticated news consumer - quoting sources ranging from BBC's Arabic language radio to US comedian Bill Maher. His rhetoric - both in English and Arabic - closely mirrors past statements by Al Qaeda: calling US leaders crusaders and weaving a picture of America as a corrupt empire about to expire. . . .
Fred? Old Spook? Your comments please.
Posted by: Mike ||
10/28/2004 3:46:36 PM ||
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ABC withheld the final 15 minutes of the tape from the CIA, where the alleged terrorist warns about Bush, Cheney, federal sources tell DRUDGE... MORE
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 16:57 Comments ||
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#5
Why do all the high octane nuts come from California? I grew up here and I never thought of becoming a Jihadist or Moony or any other nutball religeon. Also only the converts seem to have this extreme gene, why not the lifelong faithful?
CIA, FBI AUTHENTICATE NEW QAEDA TERROR TAPE; ABCNEWS EXECUTIVES CONSIDER POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AIRING
**Exclusive**
The CIA and FBI late Wednesday authenticated a disturbing new al Qaeda videotape which warns the next terror attack will dwarf 9/11.
"The streets will run with blood," and "America will mourn in silence" because they will be unable to count the number of the dead, a man claims on the video. Further claims on the video: America has brought this on itself for electing George Bush who has made war on Islam by destroying the Taliban and making war on Al Qaeda. . . .
Intelligence officials believe:
Videotape message likely produced in late summer '04 due to references to current events such as the 9/11 Commission.
Individual is college educated, either American born or raised in the U.S.
The U.S. is actively seeking to identify the individual. Adam Gadhan - aka Adam Pearlman of Southern California - remains the chief candidate but another still unknown individual may be possible.
Pearlman was highlighted by the FBI in May as an individual most likely to be involved in or have knowledge of the next al Qaeda attacks.
US intelligence officials say the danger is that if this individual is an American citizen, he will be immersed in the culture and customs and have the ability to travel in America freely and unnoticed.
. . . I think that so far, ABC has done what it is supposed to do. If an al-Qaeda tape falls into my hands, the first place I want it is in the hands of the folks who can do the most good with it - the FBI and CIA.
If Election Day (or perhaps Monday) rolls around and they still haven't said anything about the tape, then the right will have a legitimate gripe. But we folks on the outside have to give the ABC folks the time to do their job right. Do background research. Compare it to other al-Qaeda tapes. Figure out what is new and what is different about this one. Interview a terror expert from a think-tank or two.
I mean, if CBS had put half the effort into checking Bill Burkett's memos as ABC put into checking this Pakistani terror tape, the world would never have heard of the word, "Pajamahadeen."
Posted by: Mike ||
10/28/2004 12:34:22 PM ||
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#1
But we folks on the outside have to give the ABC folks the time to do their job right. Do background research. Compare it to other al-Qaeda tapes. Figure out what is new and what is different about this one. Interview a terror expert from a think-tank or two
How much time? What if they won't (or don't) "do their job right"?
This is a perfect example of why blogs and bloggers need to step up to the next level and start to source and research stories themselves rather than merely comment on the passing MSM spectacle.
#2
Start with this one. Old Spook, any ideas? Could/would you point a blogger to some colleagues who can help us track down the provenance of the tape?
The CIA is analyzing a purported terrorist videotape obtained in Pakistan in which a disguised man claimed to be from the United States and warned of a coming wave of violence against America, according to U.S. intelligence officials and sources familiar with the contents of the recording.
The hourlong tape contains markings that indicate it was produced by al-Qaida, makes reference to recent events including bloodshed in Sudan, and includes warnings that U.S. "streets will run with blood," officials and sources said. But U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials said that they had not been able to verify the authenticity of the recording, and that U.S. authorities did not have any information linking it to plans for a specific attack. "We don't yet have a positive ID on the speaker," said one U.S. intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official added that the speaker's face was almost completely covered by a head scarf and dark glasses. "He may or may not have been born" in the United States, the official said. "But he does say in the tape that the United States is the country of his origin and he speaks English."
The tape was first obtained over the weekend by ABC News in Pakistan, according to Jeffrey W. Schneider, vice president of the network's news division in New York. He declined to elaborate on the source of the recording, but said ABC provided a copy to the CIA and the FBI. Because the tape had not been authenticated, Schneider said the network had no immediate plans to broadcast it. "It would be grossly inappropriate for a news organization to go ahead and air a tape like this without confirming its authenticity," he said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
10/28/2004 1:23:25 AM ||
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#1
The CIA is probably trying to figure out if it helps Bush or Kerry if it authenticates before the election.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 7:40 Comments ||
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#2
DRUDGE SIREN : FBI & CIA says tape authentic. ABC trying to decide whether to air tape...
#3
I believe it hurts Kerry - they'll sit on it - claim it's "too inflammatory to show" like the 9/11 tower attacks and the jumpers. We "little people" just can't handle it
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 12:17 Comments ||
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#4
Much like the video of the Italian defying his captors before he was killed was "too sensitive" to air on al-Jazeera.
#5
OK, so a BS horror story about a few tons of Iraq's ordnance allegedly whisked away under the noses of our troops-- who have accounted for and destroyed 99.9% of the remainder-- that was probably leaked by the IAEA to embarrass Bush is deemed crucial for the public to know about. And a terror warning from an American jihadi is deemed "too inflammatory." Right.
Screw these idiots. Create our own broadcasts. Research our own stories, with our own sources.
From Geostrategy-Direct, subscription req'd.
Seoul is planning to dispatch warships to escort South Korean ships near the piracy-plagued waters near the Philippines and Malaysia, according to U.S. officials. The South Koreans are studying a plan to send two destroyers, a support ship and a Lynx helicopter to the region. These would guide South Korean ships passing through the strategic waterways. The region is a major sea lane that has been rife with piracy. Chinese officials have said they to are looking at security for Chinese shipping through the region. The U.S. Pacific Command has sought to engage the key nations of the area, Malaysia and Indonesia, in talks on joint patrols. Both those nations have rejected having U.S. warships in the region and, instead, launched an effort at joint maritime patrols.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/28/2004 3:12:37 PM ||
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#1
If they catch 'em it would be best they had a yardarm to hang the bastards from. And I wonder just what percentage of these pirates feel the need to face west 5 times a day
#3
Pirates have also threatened folks on land, too.
Ben Franklin, in one of his first civic activities, helped organize, fund, and arm an artillery company to defend Philadelphia (before the War for Independence) from potential pirates. That he got cooperation means other people saw the need, too.
Now, with fast ships, pirates can get in and out pretty fast. In the eighteenth century, most fleets attacking fortified positions won, because they could put together enough firepower to do the job--or if not, stay away--while the forts were limited to what they'd been given by a stingy government which had lots of places to worry about.
What would, for example, New Zealand do about a raid on a seacoast town? Besides call for Aussie or US help, I mean?
Posted by: Richard Aubrey ||
10/28/2004 18:59 Comments ||
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#4
damn Richard, couldn't you have posted as Jack Aubrey? ;-)
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 19:05 Comments ||
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Shi'ite Muslims living in the volatile southern city of Latifiya have been thrown out of their homes by insurgents and told to go to the heavily Shi'ite city of Nasiriyah further south, Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) officials working on the problem told IRIN. The fighters, who are Sunni Muslims loyal to former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, sent messages to families in Latifiya telling them they would be killed if they didn't move out, said Emad, a worker at the MoDM who asked that his last name and position not be publicised for fear that he would also become a target.
"When they saw the terrorists in their city, they were afraid," Emad said. "They saw the killing of six Shi'ite truck drivers in Fallujah six months ago." Nasiriyah was seen as a safe place where some people had relatives, he said, adding that as many as 500 families may have moved there. Latifiya and neighbouring Mamoudia are about 70 km south of Baghdad. Another road connects them directly to Fallujah, about 40 km west of the capital where many residents are believed to be loyal to Saddam Hussein. Two French journalists kidnapped on the road near Latifiya in September have not been released - the area is considered too dangerous for foreigners to visit. "The insurgents are trying to establish a Sharia [Islamic] state, according to their understanding. Maybe now families will not be allowed to move back to their homes in Latifiya," Emad said. Insurgents beginning a little 'ethnic cleansing'?
The ailing Yasser Arafat was expected to be moved from his West Bank compound to a hospital in the Jordanian capital of Amman later Thursday, a Palestinian official said. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader spent most of the day Thursday sleeping, was unable to stand up and had to be moved in a wheelchair. Doctors have conducted a battery of tests, but have declined to say what he is suffering from. If Arafat goes to the hospital, it will be the first time since 2002 that he has left his headquarters compound in Ramallah.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/28/2004 11:08:09 AM ||
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#1
Doctors have conducted a battery of tests, but have declined to say what he is suffering from
I hope he's suffering from death...
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 11:29 Comments ||
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#2
If it is AIDS, contacted because he's a promiscuous "switch-hutter", will he be granted "36 of each" in "paradise"?
#6
I doubt the Jordanians want him dying in their country ... this sounds like the Palestinians are trying to make it a "done deal" by pre-announcing it.
Posted by: too true ||
10/28/2004 12:00 Comments ||
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#7
Ironic that all the best doctors in the region are Jewish isn't it. Perhaps some Jordanian leeches can suck out the bad blood and fix him right up.
#10
The PA have just released a video of arafat, who still seems to be wasting oxygen, surrounded by his doctors. Their treatment seems to involve dressing him as a smurf (you'll have to see the video to appreciate it).
#11
The ailing Yasser Arafat was expected to be moved from his West Bank compound to a hospital in the Jordanian capital of Amman later Thursday, a Palestinian official said.
If Abdullah were smart, he wouldn't have bothered. I wonder, does he remember what happened around the time he was eight years old?
#12
its now confirmed he'll be going to Paris. Reports he as some kind of immune system disease (his immune cells reported to be destroying his platelets) origin either cancer, a virus, or poison.
#13
Aha, as I thought. Cherchez l'argent. I'll bet much of his non-Geneva loot is stashed in French real estate. ChIrak will protect him the way his predecessors protected Mombassa and Baby Doc.
#14
well of course the medical care in Paris is alot better than he could find in Jordan, or anywhere in the mideast outside Israel. I doubt Chirac will have to protect him for long, or he'll have much opportunity to enjoy his wealth.
The info in my previous post is from Haaretz, although the Paris destination is now widely confirmed. The disorder isnt.
#15
Drudge now has a bit up that says he's headed for Gay Paree. Great pic of Yasshole in his jammies, wearing a do-rag and surrounded by the grinning vultures waiting for him to die.
#18
Acc to the Telegraph, MI5 estimates that Arafat has stashed away nearly $2 billion. That could have funded a hospital or two in the territories, methinks.
#20
Lex, awhile back the Onion had one of those funny "Man-in-the-Street" interviews where they asked the passersby about their opinion of Arafat's loot. One guy said: "I'll be darned. He really does have a nickel for every time someone called him a terrorist."
#27
Rush just reported that bulldozers are clearing a landing zone at Arafats compound for a helicopter. Must be getting ready to fly him out. It'll be handy having those dozers close by afterward, if you know what I mean.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/28/2004 14:49 Comments ||
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#28
An hour ago I made the mistake of switching on CNN. The outpouring of sympathy for Arafat was quite nauseating. Against a background of a bulldozer clearing the obstacles the Palestinians had placed in the compound to block any Israeli attempt to remove Arafat, CNN even managed to make it sound as though the Israelis were somehow suggesting that he may not be allowed back in once he's left the country. In fact there's been nothing but full cooperation from the Israeli side.
Then there was an interview with Jack Straw looking and sounding sincere when he wished "President Arafat" a full recovery. The cherry on the top was a studio interview with a woman who's apparently close to Arafat and was talking about his diet and lack of exercise and the length of time that he hasn't seen his wife and daughter and how traumatic it will be for his daughter if he is very ill by the time she sees him.
I thought at first that they were just going through their PC exercises, but genuine concern appears to be coming across here. Words fail me.
I'm sure they'll roll the red carpet out for him in Paris.
#29
"But a close Arafat associate said the Palestinian leader spent most of the day sleeping. When he awoke, he was moved into a wheelchair because he was very weak and could not stand up, the associate said. At times, Arafat appeared confused, not recognizing some of his visitors, he added.
"Arafat has been unable to hold down food, and also suffers from diarrhea, the associate said."
I don't see how he'll survive a flight to Paris. With any luck his duodenum will explode while he's in transit.
#30
Steve, maybe the bulldozers are just there for sound effects to give him nightmares. A little extra stress may be useful.
Posted by: Tom ||
10/28/2004 15:05 Comments ||
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#31
Let's see... Should he fly to Paris tomorrow, die there early Saturday am, and be given a red-carpet state funeral in Paris on Monday, the spectacle of France mourning the man who is responsible for the slaughter of more thousands of Israeli men women and children than anyone else would hit the nightly news here on election eve.
Wonder what Sen Kerry would have to say about his proud French "ally" then? Think he might lose another 10% or more of the jewish vote in Miami, Philly, and Detroit?
Militants in Iraq say they have taken hostage a Polish woman and are demanding that Poland withdraw all its troops from the country.
Thanks again, Spain
Footage showing a woman was passed to the al-Jazeera television network by a group calling itself the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Fundamentalist Brigades. The militants claim the woman, who has not been named, worked with US forces. A Polish defence ministry official said the woman did not appear to belong to any of Poland's military units in Iraq. Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski told a Polish television channel he could not verify the kidnap report but no soldiers were missing. He rejected demands for the withdrawal of Poland's 2,500 troops from Iraq, saying: "Poland is not in the business of meeting demands of hostage takers."
Good for him.
Iraqi interior ministry spokesman Adnan Abdul Rahman told the Associated Press the woman was a long-standing Iraq resident, with Iraqi citizenship, who had been abducted from her Baghdad home on Wednesday night.
Another one, like the British hostage Margaret Hassan, who had been living there a long time and thought that protected her.
He did not release her name and her voice was not audible on the tape. The militants' video shows two masked gunmen pointing a pistol at the head of a middle-aged woman with grey hair.
More brave fighters of Islam. Bastards
Posted by: Steve ||
10/28/2004 9:25:16 AM ||
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The Poles don't like to be bossed around. They won't take kindly to this. : )
Yes that's right, more than half the population is already demanding a pullout.
BTW, something smells here. This woman was an Iraqi citizen for some 30 years now. She worked for the Polish embassy in Baghdad but was fired in 1994 for (allegedly) taking bribes and working with Saddam's goons. She worked in the visa office.
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/28/2004 17:19 Comments ||
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#6
Keep in mind that nowadays roughly 2/3 of Poles living in Poland are solidly anti-American (I used to claim roughly 50%, but I've revised that figure recently). It wouldn't be a far stretch to suggest this woman is among the 2/3. It all depends I guess on which side of the fence her Iraqi husband is. I sense a huge payoff coming from the Polish government.
If I'm wrong on this, I hope that GROM is on the way.
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/28/2004 17:28 Comments ||
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#7
Thx Rafael! I suspected as much (and from the Brit female), but didn't want to throw out an acusation. Everybody thank Spain for their 'Leadership' when facing Islamofacism.
#8
Geez that was fast. Latest (unconfirmed) news is that she was released. This is from a local news broadcast and I haven't found separate confirmation yet (not even on Polish sites).
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/28/2004 18:39 Comments ||
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#9
Well no, looks like she wasn't released. Sheesh. Rumours have it that she was working for Halliburton. In which case, she may be a genuine hostage.
The Polish Foreign Ministry asserts she was fired from the embassy for disciplinary reasons (giving Iraqis visas who should not have otherwise received them). There are suspicions she worked with Saddam's agents. Her Iraqi husband is nowhere to be found, though he worked in Poland prior to the war, and may too have been one of Saddam's henchmen.
This may be a case where she was simply used and abandoned, and now kidnapped. I'm starting to feel sorry for her and I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. For now.
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/28/2004 20:24 Comments ||
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Algeria has taken custody of one of its most wanted terror suspects, handed over by Libya, the government says. Amar Saifi, known as ' Abderrezak El Para ' is accused of being behind last year's kidnapping of 32 tourists from Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) he leads is allegedly linked to al-Qaeda. He was reportedly arrested in March by rebels in Chad. It is not clear how he fell into Libyan hands.
Interesting just how many of these "deals" with rebel groups Libya pulls off.
"Speak softly and carry a big bombload" really does get attention.
The GSPC is one of the last groups fighting a 12-year civil war in Algeria, in which some 150,000 people have been killed. Germany issued an international warrant for his arrest in September 2003. The warrant accuses him of kidnapping, extortion, membership of a foreign terrorist organisation and attempted blackmail of the German government. Germany is reported to have paid a ransom for the hostages, but the government has refused to confirm or deny this.
Which means "Yes" in diplospeak.
The tourists were captured in small groups during a spate of kidnappings in the Sahara desert. All but one of the hostages - a German woman who died of heat stroke - were freed.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/28/2004 8:56:16 AM ||
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hope it's a slow and painful decline in health
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 11:16 Comments ||
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From Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Iraq's southern tribes have vowed to avenge the 23 October killing of some 49 national guardsmen who were taken from buses and killed execution-style by militants, the Shi'ite news agency (http://www.ebaa.net) reported on 26 October. Sources told the website that members of the Al-Nasiriyah, Al-Amarah, and Al-Basrah tribes have launched a search to hunt down the perpetrators. Sources also said that the killing of the guardsmen has led to increased cooperation between citizens and Iraqi security forces towards eliminating terrorism. Diyala Province Deputy Governor Aqil al-Adili said that he suspects that persons working at the National Guard Training Center fed information to militants about the route that the guardsmen were to take.
I'm not taking this particularly seriously. Sounds like another loya jirga, followed by a tribal lashkar.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
10/28/2004 9:18:34 AM ||
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Could this mean that the "Shiite's" about to hit the proverbial fan!
#2
Iran's border was miles away - who do YOU suspect?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 10:13 Comments ||
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Whoops! I think the massacre-ers have just realized they made a terrible error. The American soldiers take a much more civilized approach to killing and being killed ;-)
#4
One piece of fallout from the abortive attempt to establish the Iraqi Falluga Brigade was the knowledge that, from the top down, many of those trained "sunni's" went immediately over to the insurgency. They not only took their weapons, they took intelligence with them. Intelligence as to who was being trained, where they were being assigned and who would be the leaders.
Remember, almost immediately upon assuming command of regional Iraqi security forces, key officers, or members of their families were held captive by the terrorists, murdered out of hand, or assassinated themselves. It's tough to build from the ground up where there's been generations of corruption. You're either part of the problem, are related to the problem, or know someone who is. I salute those Iraqi's who are trying to do what's best for all Iraqi's.
Who did the dirty deed on the NGuardmen? I'd say it was members of Saddam's RevGrds who'd been previously deployed to the Shiite region and responsible for beating down the post-Desert Storm uprising.
#6
...or at least "good enough" intelligence to justify nailing somebody. I don't think the tribes will wait on "beyond reasonable doubt" niceties.
Posted by: Old Grouch ||
10/28/2004 13:36 Comments ||
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#7
I like this news--as Old Grouch points out, its unlikely that those seeking revenge will be deterred by "committee meetings" or "paperwork-waiting-to-be-signed-off-on", and its much more likely that they'll simply get to whacking.
#9
according to healing Iraq, the southern (shiite) tribes have stated that they are capable of raising an army and taking Falujah on their own, and that theres nothing the interim govt or the Americans can do to stop them. Clearly this risks civil war and disorder - i think the main reason for this statement is to put added pressure on the govt to deal with Fallujah.
#11
The American administration is stupid. You go into someone else's home, steal, plunder, rape, murder, and then get all tensed up when the owner of the house wants to fight back. You end up telling the whole world: this guy's going to attack! Bring in reinforcements! I think it has got something to do with Aryan-Viking balls. Think with the groin fruit, not the head.
A Briton was among three foreign election workers believed kidnapped in the Afghan capital Kabul, said police. The three - two of them said to be women - were abducted, along with their vehicle, near an office of the joint UN-Afghan electoral body set up to oversee the recent presidential election, said Abdul Khaleeq Samimi, a senior police official. The other two victims were said to be from Kosovo and the Philippines.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/28/2004 6:20:42 AM ||
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Whatever happened to those two French "hostages" ?? Are they still helping the "resistance" to buy French materials for roadside bombs ? Oops, I mean being held by vicious terrorists ?
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke with his Palestinian counterpart today and agreed in principle to permit the ailing Yasser Arafat to be flown abroad for medical treatment, an Israeli official said. It remained unclear whether Arafat would be allowed to return. Israel has said in the past that Arafat could leave the West Bank, but might not be allowed to come back. Israel has confined Arafat to his headquarters for more than two years. The Palestinian prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, called Sharon late Wednesday, after Arafat's health deteriorated sharply. It was the first conversation between the two men in several months. Qureia asked Sharon for permission, in principle, to let Arafat seek medical treatment abroad, said Asaf Shariv, a Sharon aide. The official said Qureia did not ask Sharon whether Arafat would be allowed to return. However, Israeli security officials said today that Arafat would be given permission to come back to the West Bank, in an apparent change of Israeli policy.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/28/2004 5:31:31 AM ||
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. . . Israeli security officials said today that Arafat would be given permission to come back to the West Bank . . .
Incurable optimist that I am, I think that's a leading indicator that they do not expect him to come back in a live and breathing condition.
Posted by: Mike ||
10/28/2004 6:01 Comments ||
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Yea can come back as long as he is boxed or in an urn.
#3
and no burial in Jerusalem, bitch. Throw his ashes in the Dead Sea
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 8:30 Comments ||
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Oh shit, we seem to have lost cabin pressure...
Posted by: Tom ||
10/28/2004 8:32 Comments ||
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#5
Israel absolutely does not want to be blamed. Of course theyll be blamed anyway, ive already seen references to "conditions in the Mukata". If its cancer, that probably falls out of play, so lets hope for that, rather than an infection. Ive also seen speculation of a stroke. Haaretz says some Pals say he was continually unconscious since the vomiting, some that he was in and out of consciousness, some that he was delirious.
Evidently he was awake this morning, and ate breakfast.
Re burial - Israel seems to plan for it in Abu Dis, a Pal village near Jerusalem, which Israel has suggested as a Pal capital, eliding the "capital in Jerusalem" issue.
Even if he doesnt die, a prolonged period where he is more or less out of it presents major political issues.
#10
It'll be interesting to see who attends the funeral. Peanut Man and Not-So-Bright are locks.
Posted by: Matt ||
10/28/2004 11:29 Comments ||
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#11
Fidel (AKA "The Gimp") also....
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 11:31 Comments ||
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#12
We've got carriers in the Med, don't we?
"Maverick, this is Quarterback. Your target is bearing zero-nine-zero at angels three-zero-zero. Weapons free. . . ."
Posted by: Mike ||
10/28/2004 11:55 Comments ||
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The DU moonbats are speculating that the "Eeeeeeevil Bushitler/Rove/Halliburton Axis" had Arafat poisoned--by a Zionist Death Ray, no doubt! At least a few of them are starting to become self-aware of how over-the-top they're becoming; one writes:
They've just gotten me on edge. In half an hour I'll be wondering what the heck those bush bastards did to the moon.
Posted by: Mike ||
10/28/2004 12:49 Comments ||
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All the more reason to hope for a blowout Bush win. At least some of these clowns will get their sense of humor back, and tone it down a bit.
#24
Calm down everyone - this thread isn't about the South-West, it's about the last few days (one can only hope) of a vile murderer.
Personally, I fully expect to piss off quite a few people in the pub when I raise a glass to the passing of his shade into the netherworld. I can only hope his passing is painful, and that he sees all the faces of the people whose deaths he is responsible for as he does die (which means he'll be dying a looong time)
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
10/28/2004 16:53 Comments ||
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#25
Too true, Tony.
May flights of demons guide him to his rest......
#26
His death will probably not cause him any reflection or pain. He's never cared a whit for "his people", whom he sleeced to the tune of a couple billion, any more than his Paris-bound wife does. His only regret will be that his grand adventure in murder and theft has come to an end.
A 163 [member]-strong Fiji military unit will fly to Iraq on November 7 to provide security for United Nations personnel, a Fiji Military Force statement said. A RAAF aircraft arrived in Fiji on Tuesday [Oct. 26] with arms, ammunition and equipment for the unit. The Australian Defence Force helped train the troops.
Posted by: Pappy ||
10/28/2004 12:48:32 AM ||
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Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika offered peace on Wednesday to any Islamic rebels willing to lay down their arms after more than a decade of fighting a brutal holy war or "jihad". "We are willing to welcome those who want peace with milk and dates," Bouteflika said in his first ever speech to parliament as president. His comments were more conciliatory than usual.
Less than 1,000 rebels, most belonging to the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), still fight. They pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network in 2003 and continue deadly attacks on Algeria's armed forces. Bouteflika was re-elected for another five-year term in April this year largely because he brought stability for Algerians, many of whom lived in fear for years. After his limited amnesty offer to rebels he has over the past year promoted a "national reconciliation" policy to end the conflict, which isolated Algeria and deprived the oil rich country of much foreign investment. "National reconciliation is the main mechanism granting stability in the country," Bouteflika said.
He has not specified whether that means a blanket amnesty including militants suspected of deadly attacks and threatening state security. No mercy would be offered to those who rejected his offer. "We will not give in to merchants of violence and death and to those who harmed the reputation of our religion and destroyed what a whole generation had built, he said. "There will be no meeting with those who don't denounce violence and don't fight it." Abassi Madani, the former FIS leader, told Reuters last week his banned party was ready to help government peace efforts. "The FIS wants to work with the government ... there is no other option but to have true reconciliation -- as opposed to the false democracy and false freedom that we were offered in the past," said Madani, who has lived in Qatar since his release from prison in 2003.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
10/28/2004 1:27:54 AM ||
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Throw in some doe-eyed virgins, and you may have a deal...
Palestinian Authority National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub denied Arafat is in a serious condition. Speaking to al-Jazeera from Cairo Rajoub described media reports on Arafat's health as "blatant exaggerations, which only reflect our enemies' bad wishes." Rajoub argued that if Arafat's health were so critical he would have been called back home, which has not happened.
"I'm big, see? And if the old boy is ailing, I'm the first person he asks for! Happens every time! So he ain't ailing, see, 'cause I'm big!"
I find that encouraging. I think I can recall somebody saying that when Brezhnev croaked, too...
It's the new movie release from Ramallah Filmworks: "Weekend at Yasser's." It's the sleeper hit of 2004!
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
10/28/2004 1:04:06 AM ||
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Palestinian Authority National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub denied Arafat is in a serious condition.
Some 40 Israeli tanks and armored vehicles moved into the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin on Wednesday, exchanging fire with Palestinian militants, witnesses said. No injuries were immediately reported. Military officials said the raid was intended to root out Palestinian militants in the camp and was expected to last a number of days. Israel has frequently raided West Bank towns and refugee camps during the last four years of fighting.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/28/2004 11:32:26 PM ||
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will the same guys get "massacred" as last time?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/28/2004 11:17 Comments ||
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An ailing Yasser Arafat collapsed Wednesday night, was unconscious for about 10 minutes and remained in a serious condition. A team of Jordanian doctors was urgently summoned to treat the ailing Palestinian leader, whose wife headed to her husband's side from Paris. An official in Arafat's office said the Palestinian leader had created a special committee of three senior officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, to run Palestinian affairs the while 75-year-old Arafat during his continuing illness. Other Palestinian officials, including his spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh, denied a temporary leadership group was formed. The Palestinian leader was eating soup during a meeting with Qureia, former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, and another official between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. (2 p.m. or 3 p.m. EDT) when he vomited, a bodyguard said. Arafat was taken quickly to the clinic inside his Ramallah compound, where he collapsed and was unconscious for about 10 minutes, the guard said.
Palestinian officials soon descended on the sandbagged, partially demolished compound where Arafat has been confined for 2 1/2 years. The officials milled about the courtyard, waiting for news outside Arafat's three-story headquarters that was bathed in spotlights. Israeli security officials said Arafat's wife, Suha, who lives in France with their young daughter, was expected to arrive Thursday, as were the Jordanian doctors who were called to treat Arafat.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/28/2004 11:23:43 PM ||
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Generalissimo Yasser Arafat is still (almost) dead!
Posted by: Sheik Abu Bin Ali Al-Yahood ||
10/28/2004 0:43 Comments ||
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#2
This sounds like one for the Futures. Will he or won't he? Anybody have the numbers from Vegas?
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/28/2004 0:50 Comments ||
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#3
September 25th, 1969: PLO 'Chairman' Yasser Arafat, in Arab Fatah commando uniform with an automatic weapon over his shoulder.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/28/2004 4:35 Comments ||
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#4
That's a commando uniform? He looks like he's fighting in pajamas.
Posted by: Steve White ||
10/28/2004 5:40 Comments ||
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#5
Looks like Walter Matthau in the Odd Couple with a dishrag on his head.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 7:20 Comments ||
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#6
There was a cartoon in the Jerusalem Post a few years back which was so over the top I was amazed they'd printed it. It showed a suicide bomber in the form of a pig complete with explosives belt descending to hell with a grinning Charon waiting with his trident - at least I think it was Charon since he's the boatman who rows the condemned across the River Styx. There was also a burning cauldron waiting for the suicide bomber who says, "Where are all these virgins I was promised?"
Event: Fin tag for Yasser
Group: God
Narrative: Yasser Arafat kicks the bucket and good riddance.
Window: 15 Months (1/22/2006)
Probability 75% entered by Steve from Relto on 1/23/2004
Probability 95% entered by dataman1 on 2/5/2004
Probability 100% entered by Frank G on 3/4/2004
Probability 90% entered by BigEd on 6/8/2004
Probability 40% entered by Liberalhawk on 6/23/2004
Probability 100% entered by tu3031 on 6/26/2004
Probability 95% entered by Mark Espinola on 10/26/2004
Overall opinion is Probable (85%)
Current opinion is Probable (87%)
Posted by: Steve from Relto ||
10/28/2004 10:23 Comments ||
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#12
AP reports Arafat unable to stand, or eat this morning, and reportedly confused, unable to recognize some visitors (abu WHO?)
Hmmm.
Arafat wakes up.
Ah Mr President, youre awake this is good
Im President of what? A country?
No, we have an entity, Ehud Barak offered us a state in 2000 but you turned it down.
Oh, he must have offered us only half of, what its called again, the West Bank.
No he offered us 90% of it - together with Gaza its where 99% of our people live.
Oh cmon, its impossible we would have rejected that, stop trying to fool me ....
#14
I wonder who is behind the scenes on the various Palestinian factions. Debka said the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood was the mother organization for Hamas, and Hezbollah is Iranian, but I don't know who's who for the rest. I suppose some factions will be simply local thugs, but I'd guess that the winning factions will have foreign backers.
Posted by: James ||
10/28/2004 13:35 Comments ||
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#15
"Serious condition", eh?
Come on critical! Let's see a critical condition! Come on critical! Woo woo woo woo!
#17
They better search him and his people throughly before boarding them into a plane - including cavity searches. AfaFart and company may be making a last ditch effort to gain their 72 raisins.
#18
Yes LH - I wonder if he'll have a moment of striking clarity just before he snuffs it (hopefully in extreme pain) and realises what could have been. Instead, the World Sympathy Meter(tm) is stuck hard over on the left for the Palestinians.
BAR - surely you mean 'terminal' condition?
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
10/28/2004 17:06 Comments ||
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An uptick in airstrikes and other military moves point to an imminent showdown between U.S. forces and Sunni Muslim insurgents west of Baghdad _ a decisive battle that could determine whether the campaign to bring democracy and stability to Iraq can succeed. American officials have not confirmed a major assault is near against the insurgent bastions of Fallujah and neighboring Ramadi. But Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has warned Fallujah leaders that force will be used if they do not hand over extremists, including terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
A similar escalation in U.S. military actions and Iraqi government warnings occurred before a major offensive in Najaf forced militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to give up that holy city in late August. And U.S. and Iraqi troops retook Samarra from insurgents early this month. Now U.S. airstrikes on purported al-Zarqawi positions in three neighborhoods of eastern and northern Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, have increased. And residents reported this week that Marines appeared to be reinforcing forward positions near key areas of the city. Other military units are on the move, including 800 British soldiers headed north to the U.S.-controlled zone. The goal of an attack would be to restore government control in time for national elections by the end of January. However, an all-out assault on the scale of April's siege of Fallujah would carry enormous risk — both political and military — for the Americans and their Iraqi allies.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/28/2004 11:26:08 PM ||
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an all-out assault on the scale of April's siege of Fallujah would carry enormous risk — both political and military
Doubt it. What it would do is kill more terrorists, perhaps even Zarqman himself. And that, Martha, is a good thing.
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/28/2004 0:39 Comments ||
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Win or lose Bush has to order the attack and break the back of the terrorist scum operating in Iraq. It's probably even more critical if he loses as US support for Iraq will only continue through 20 Jan.
#3
However, an all-out assault on the scale of April's siege of Fallujah would carry enormous risk — both political and military — for the Americans and their Iraqi allies.
And right after this last sentence, the beginning of the next paragraph reads:
A series of policy mistakes by the U.S. military and the Bush administration have transformed Fallujah from a shabby, dusty backwater known regionally for mosques and tasty kebabs into a symbol of Arab pride and defiance of the United States throughout the Islamic world.
WTF? Well what are we supposed to do? Clean it out, or hold back/think of something else because doing so carries "enormous risk"??? Damn, these MSM-types just can't be satisfied.
The reason why Fallujah ended up this way is because WE PULLED OUR PUNCHES THE FIRST DAMN TIME. We DIDN'T take the baddies out then. We didn't sweep it clean. And look what happened.
Now shut the hell up and leave our guys - political and military alike - alone to do what needs to be done.
#4
I'm not entirely certain that it wasn't a good plan to let the Fallujahans (?) stew in the pot with the terrorists for a while. Indications are that a bunch of them are willing to make a more intelligent choice among their available evils this time.
#5
A series of policy mistakes by the U.S. military and the Bush administration have transformed Fallujah from a shabby, dusty backwater known regionally for mosques and tasty kebabs into a symbol of Arab pride and defiance of the United States throughout the Islamic world.
Doncha love it when our fifth column press slips in leftist editorial remarks in an AP "news" story?
However, an all-out assault on the scale of April's siege of Fallujah would carry enormous risk — both political and military — for the Americans and their Iraqi allies
Lessee
1) Fallujah is surrounded, check.
2) Fallujah is surrounded by Marines, check.
3) Terrorists been mown down at astronomical kill rates, and not just by non-Iraqis, check.
4) Since the investment of Fallujah, bombings and attacks have been down quite a bit, check
Now what was that about 'enormous risk' for the USA and its allies? Help me square reality with this "news" story.
#6
1. War is ALWAYS attended with risk. Count this as both a defense of what AP said, and a criticism of them (for implying otherwise).
2. WaPo this AM had a very interesting story - similar facts, less negative spin. Talks go on with the locals, but it really doesnt seem like the locals are strong enough to take out the Zarqis even if they can be pressured to a deal themselves. The Iraqi govt (VP Jafari is quoted) seem resigned to a military solution.
Posted by: Steve from Relto ||
10/28/2004 12:17 Comments ||
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#10
AzCat I agree. Everytime a read an article by Ralph Peters I have my doubts but my logical mind says giving the Fallujians a taste of the Taliban type administration their quasi allies are fighting for would change a lot of hearts and minds, and also give Allawi a chance to be the hero in the Iraqi minds.
I'm willing for the US to be the bad cop once in awhile if it serves our goals. This time I think it does.
#11
Question: Assuming Bush loses on Nov 2nd (which I am *not* rooting for), will he then cry havoc and try and kill all the bad guys in Fallujah *and* settle the Nuclear issue in Iran before the administration change-over? Is this constitutional?
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
10/28/2004 17:29 Comments ||
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#12
No, he won't do either, unless circumstances demand it. Fallujah would be constitutional and may already be planned, Iran would not in the absence of any Congressional authorization or an attack by Iran.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 17:35 Comments ||
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#13
Tony (UK) - "Is this constitutional?"
He is the CINC until the moment the other guy take the Oath on Jan 20th... So yes.
Would he start serious military actions knowing he could not finish them - and his opponent would undoubtedly not endoerse them? I do not believe that - even for a minute, although it would be par for the course for an alGore or a Skeery to do so. In fact, to everyone here's dismay, I believe this is precisely why some items that badly need attention have not been attended to - Bush is not an asshole.
If circumstance force him, something extreme and in the national interest or involving national security, such as a new nasty bit of intel on the Mad Mullahs readiness to deliver a nuke, then he would be failing his Oath of Office not to act. I believe it would have to be of great consequence, however.
This is one of those defining issues - the character of the man or woman would accurately predict their actions.
#15
Iran would not in the absence of any Congressional authorization or an attack by Iran.
Actually that's not true. If, for example, Bush is defeated but determines between the election and a hypothetical Kerry innauguration (shudder) that Iran presents a threat the the US, he could choose to use force against Iran immediately and remain well within the bounds of the historical powers of the President. No President has ever been required to seek Congressional approval for the short-term use of force when he believed said use was in the best interests of the United States.
A most likely scenario / justification would be a few days of airstrikes on Iranian WMD & ballistic missile assets in an attempt to set them back far enough to prevent their acquisition of nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them to North America during a Kerry administration. Longshot? Yep, but not at all out of the question and very clearly not unconstitutional.
#16
As you can tell Tony, having a written constitution is no guarantee there will be no disagreements about what it says.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/28/2004 18:57 Comments ||
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#17
Indications are that a bunch of them are willing to make a more intelligent choice among their available evils this time.
Regardless of whether it was or wasn't a wise move to pull our punches previously, Fallujah cannot be allowed to escape a thorough cleaning out on the second go-around. It HAS to be done, and the sooner they get on with the task, the less painful the consequences will be for all.
A kidnapped British aid worker made another plea for her life in a video aired Wednesday, urging Britain to withdraw troops from the country as some 800 British soldiers headed north toward Baghdad to bolster U.S. forces. The tape broadcast on Al-Jazeera television showed a distraught Margaret Hassan, the 59-year-old head of CARE International in Iraq, blinking back tears as she spoke. "Please don't bring the soldiers to Baghdad. Take them away. Please, on top of that, please release the women prisoners," she said.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/28/2004 11:27:38 PM ||
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#1
Somebody suggested this is all show: She was anti-invasion before GWII (GWI rebooted), and a rabid-anti american. No shots of Muhajadeen masked and holding long, sharp, and pointy knives. Heck, wasn't it the Getty kid who had his ear sawn off so that the family knew the kidnappers were serious?
#2
She's been working and traveling freely in Iraq since at least 1991. And campaigning in the West against sanctions (because they hurt the kids) and liberation (because it would be a humanitarian disaster).
I'd like to know what her relationship was to the Baathist regime. Same for her Iraqi husband.
#3
...Guys,
I saw pics of her this morning on Fox - I do not know for sure if they are from the latest tape to not, but if they are...she is clean, well fed and well dressed. There are no bad guys in the background. There are no flags, banners, or posters visible. There does not appaear to have been a deadline mentioned in either video.
I cannot and will not flat out accuse anyone of faking this - yet. But there is a lot about these two videos that does not ring true.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
10/28/2004 14:19 Comments ||
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#4
I've not watched the videos Mike, so I can't comment on them.
I will comment however, that someone who left Britain 30 years ago (and to the best of my knowledge has not been back here since), who became a Muslim and lived the life of an Iraqi all this time, has very little call on this nation any more.
Sorry, but if you're a Western civilian in Iraq at this time, you *must* realise that it's a war zone and that you may be captured and killed simply because you're a Westerner.
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
10/28/2004 17:46 Comments ||
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#5
There might only be one way to know if Mrs. Hassan's situation is on the up-n-up: If she comes out of this "kidnapping" alive and unharmed, then we'll have good reason to believe it was a put on from the get go. And once she starts harping to the MSM about the "evil coalition" occupying Iraq, then all doubt will be removed just as it was when the two French chickies were "released" several months back.
Posted by: Mark Z. ||
10/28/2004 18:09 Comments ||
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#6
Those were two Italian ladies, not French. The only French person closely involved in recent Iraq events is the jihadist killed in Fallujah (applause!). Oh, and the two journalists who may have been transferred to Syria...
Posted by: Fred ||
10/28/2004 11:31:47 PM ||
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#1
big tough masked men killing un-armed women. Such lower forms of life are not true warriors and do not deserve a warriors death, I hope we hunt them down like the sewer rats they are and dispose of them in the same manner.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/28/2004 11:34:00 PM ||
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#1
The demonic driven jihadic murders spread to Algeria.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/28/2004 4:29 Comments ||
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#2
Spread?
Posted by: Steve White ||
10/28/2004 5:22 Comments ||
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#3
Nothing new there. In the Algerian war of Independence (50's), beheadings were quite common. In these times, the Salafist jihadi thugs are mostly satisfied with throats slitting.
Same for Lebanon war in late 70's early 80's.
Why you did not hear about that on the news? Yea, that is the main difference.
Seems that it is coming into fashion in Arabistans again.
#4
Aye, beheading is the new black, everyone knows that.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
10/28/2004 7:53 Comments ||
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#5
As far back as the beginning of Islam (7th Century) followers of Mohammad could be, and frequently were, barbaric in their treatment of Christians and Jews. As his armies swept the infidel tribes from Mecca and Medina, Mohammad approved this judgment over the vanquished Jewish Qurayza tribe: the women and children would be sold into slavery and the men killed, thus 600 or so Jewish men were led into the market square in Medina and beheaded.
Early in the First Crusade, the Turks dealt similarly with German and French prisoners captured prior to the sacking of Jerusalem. Those who renounced Christ and converted to Islam were sent to the East; the rest were slaughtered.
The Saracens (mostly from present day Iraq) who often held captured soldiers to ransom, would take no such risk with Templars. They were always beheaded.
At the Battle at the Horns of Hattin (1187) the military orders of knights were among the crusaders trapped by Saladin (born in the Iraqi town of Tikrit, Saddam’s home town). First Saladin himself killed Reginald of Karak with a single stroke, and even though he allowed most of the other knights to be ransomed, the Templars and Hospitallers were beheaded one by one. As a curious display of his sense of humor, Saladin assigned the task to a group of Shiite mystics who were in his party. Not being warriors as such, the Shiites handled the job poorly, often using knives rather than swords, sawing through the neck of the knight.
Appears to me beheading was and continues to be the method of choice for execution. Where’s Amnesia International or the ACLU now?
#6
RN, dont forget that Mo and company would often rape the women and children before selling them into slavery. After beheading some 800-odd jews in Medina (in front of their wives, mothers, and children) Mo and company raped the women and children the very same day.
Afghan security forces have arrested eleven-suspected Taliban on the border between Helmand and Nimroz province, BBC reports. According to Nimroz officials, the arrests were made in a retaliatory attack of the security forces after Taliban's attack on security post. Meanwhile, Afghan Defence Ministry officials said that coalition and Afghan forces have stepped up joint operations against suspected Taliban in Deh Chopan district of Zabul province. Deh Chopan is considered a significant hideout of the suspected Taliban where constant operations are taking place. The operations involving hundreds of troops, armoured vehicles, helicopters and spy planes is expected to dismantle this hideout of the Taliban. However, Defence Ministry officials have not yet commented on the outcome of the operations.
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The ailing Yasser Arafat was expected to be moved from his West Bank compound to a hospital in the Jordanian capital of Amman later Thursday, a Palestinian official said. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader spent most of the day Thursday sleeping, was unable to stand up and had to be moved in a wheelchair. Doctors have conducted a battery of tests, but have declined to say what he is suffering from. If Arafat goes to the hospital, it will be the first time since 2002 that he has left his headquarters compound in Ramallah.
Algeria has taken custody of one of its most wanted terror suspects, handed over by Libya, the government says. 
An ailing Yasser Arafat collapsed Wednesday night, was unconscious for about 10 minutes and remained in a serious condition. A team of Jordanian doctors was urgently summoned to treat the ailing Palestinian leader, whose wife headed to her husband's side from Paris. An official in Arafat's office said the Palestinian leader had created a special committee of three senior officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, to run Palestinian affairs the while 75-year-old Arafat during his continuing illness. Other Palestinian officials, including his spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh, denied a temporary leadership group was formed. The Palestinian leader was eating soup during a meeting with Qureia, former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, and another official between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. (2 p.m. or 3 p.m. EDT) when he vomited, a bodyguard said. 
Arafat was taken quickly to the clinic inside his Ramallah compound, where he collapsed and was unconscious for about 10 minutes, the guard said.
Afghan security forces have arrested eleven-suspected Taliban on the border between Helmand and Nimroz province, BBC reports. According to Nimroz officials, the arrests were made in a retaliatory attack of the security forces after Taliban's attack on security post. Meanwhile, Afghan Defence Ministry officials said that coalition and Afghan forces have stepped up joint operations against suspected Taliban in Deh Chopan district of Zabul province. Deh Chopan is considered a significant hideout of the suspected Taliban where constant operations are taking place. The operations involving hundreds of troops, armoured vehicles, helicopters and spy planes is expected to dismantle this hideout of the Taliban. However, Defence Ministry officials have not yet commented on the outcome of the operations.
