#1
These operations, believe it or not, have an unbelievable impact on the people in these countries they change and reinforce very positive perceptions of the United States across the region.
No disrepect to Admiral, but unfortunately I think his notion of positive perceptions is a tad naive.
#2
Less naive than the assumptions that seem to permeate State Dept. He's making the case that military presence during e.g. disasters is not a matter of stepping on State's toes, but rather helpful according to the criteria State recognizes.
Pakistan vowed on Wednesday to help its neighbour fight terrorism as Afghanistan battles its worst violence in five years. After lengthy talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, President Gen Pervez Musharraf said he was committed to crushing the Taliban, their Al Qaeda allies and Talibanisation, a reference to the spread of hardline Islam. The best way to fight this common enemy is to join hands, trust each other and form a common strategy, he told reporters in Kabul days before the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks that prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.
"I suggest letting them take control of Kunar and Paktia."
The use of Pakistani territory by the Taliban, other militant groups and criminals has soured relations between the two countries. Rebels and criminals can freely cross the rugged mountainous frontier, barely controlled in parts.
And not controlled at all the rest of the way...
Some Afghan leaders have accused Islamabad of failing to do enough to stop infiltration, or even of continuing to support its former protégé, the Taliban. Islamabad says it does all it can and on Tuesday struck a deal with pro-Taliban rebels in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan under which the militants agreed to stop raids in both Pakistan and across the border. Musharraf pointed to that deal as proof of his commitment.
I'll bet Karzai's eyes about rolled right out of his head...
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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(SomaliNet) Some of former Somali national forces have rallied on Wednesday in the Somalia capital Mogadishu in protest of the IGAD deployment plan to Somalia displaying a military show to express their strong objection to any foreign troops in Somalia.
General Mohamed Nor Galal, former military veteran who attended today the military show in the capital said former members of Somali armed forces are ready to defend their land against the Ethiopian intruders. I am asking all Somali national forces to be ready for war with our historic enemy, Ethiopia. They should defend their territory and teach the Tigre army painful lessons, Gen. Galal said noting that there are a lot of military Somali experts who battled with Ethiopia in 1977. I know there are many soldiers who were disabled in the Ogaden war." He said.
In which the Somalis got whacked. Wasn't his fault, of course.
During his speech, Gen. Galal called on all Arab and Muslim world to help former Somali national forces and Islamic Court fight against Ethiopia who he said is going to occupy Somalia. I am asking Arab League states and all Islamic countries; from Iran to Malaysia to support us and provide military supply in order to keep our country from the enemy, Ethiopia that has help from the Jewish state, Galal in angry mood said.
Trotting out the traditional anti-Semitism.
I am telling the Muslim brotherhood governments that our country is in danger of falling into enemy hands, it is in brink of getting into occupation by Ethiopia.
He said we are vowing to make the Ethiopians withdraw immediately from our land if the Islamic countries offer us their total support.
General Mohamed Nor Galal who was among the former military chiefs and spearheaded the 1977 war with Ethiopia, said they are in favour of the recently peace accord signed in the Sudanese capital Khartoum between Islamic Courts and transitional federal government. Among the deal was to unify the forces of TFG and Islamists. We would recommend re-establishing neutral Somali forces in the country to go between government troops and Islamic forces and also former military experts to provide trainings to the rising soldiers, he said.
With himself as the army leader, of course.
Galal praised in his address the Islamic Courts who he said succeeded to establish peace and security in the capital Mogadishu rooting out the fueding warlords that had been ruling the city for so long.
Currying favor to get the job.
He said the defence minister of the government in Baidoa Bare Adan Hirale has ordered the former national forces to turn out and show their spirit of anti occupation movements. We are in favour of Bare Hirale, the minister of defence whom we are in a same position of defending the country from he enemy, I dont know how Hirale and the so called pro-Ethiopia government can be in common ground and understand each other, Galal said.
"C'mon, Bare, hire me, me, me, hire me!"
It is the first time general Galal speaks in public since the newly powerful Islamists seized the control of much of south and central Somalia from US backed warlords in early June 2006.
"I need this job, man!"
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Yesterday dawned with Labour MPs taking bets on the likelihood of Tony Blair staggering on as Prime Minister until next May. But hour by hour, as the crisis facing their wounded leader became clear, the calculations surrounding his survival began to change.
Suddenly, the end of the year looked too long. By lunchtime, Mr Blair's chances of surviving the party conference later this month seemed slim. By the afternoon the political lifespan of the man who led his party to three general victories was being counted in days, and even hours. Like Margaret Thatcher before him, he faces being overwhelmed, not by the opposition or the voters but by his own MPs.
Mr Blair was holed up in Downing Street with a circle of his closest aides for most of the morning. Every half hour or so, news reached them of another resignation or statement calling for the Prime Minister's removal.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
When Mr. Blair goes, he goes with my profound thanks. I never thought I'd be able to say that to a member of the Labor party. He stepped up when almost nobody else did. Thank you sir.
#2
Blair deserves America's deepest thanks for sharing a vision of this world free of terrorism. If he should choose to relocate, he should have his choice of jobs in domestic American-British relations.
#4
Question for our British correspondents: the last time this was noised about -- a few months ago -- there was nobody strong enough to carry Labour in elections, nor anybody on the Tory side either. Has anything changed, or is this just posturing for the home folks?
#9
Of course he's no Mrs. Thatcher. But the courage it took to go against long-standing Labour party doctrine and side with a Republican American administration, when all the rest of the euros were dancing their typical socialist dance, is laudable. While I disagree with nearly every plank in the Labour party's platform, let's give credit where credit is due.
I'm with you. He has been a good friend on the WOT, but if his like was occupying the White House, most of us in this forum would be popping Tums every 15 minutes, so sick to our stomachs we would be.
Don't forget this is the Tony Blair who fought to lower the age of sexual consent as a sop to his homosexual supporters. The Tony Blair who has consistently been pro-EU. The Tony Blair who forced GWB to take the UN route, wasting precious months.
Yes, we must take our allies where we find them, but Mr. Blair, I knew Margaret Thatcher, and you, sir, are no Margaret Thatcher.
#13
"at least you'll always have Hillary Cherie....that's better than nothing. No? Oh well..."
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/07/2006 21:11 Comments ||
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#14
Tony Blair has been a staunch ally in the war against islamofascism, and we who are free men need to recognize that, wherever we live. He may have done many other things that we might despise, but we have to acknowledge and recognize the help he and Britain have given us in this war. It's a shame that the help he's given us is the main reason he's being sacked by his own party. Some people never grow up, and the British Labor party is filled with them.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
09/07/2006 21:38 Comments ||
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The United States is interested in talking to countries outside the existing six-nation forum about North Korea's nuclear issue but still sees the existing format as the primary track, State Department officials said Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, the officials in charge of Asia affairs said the United States is not going to abandon the six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. The forum, involving South and North Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, has been dormant since November last year due to Pyongyang's boycott.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the top U.S. negotiator at the talks, is traveling through Asia and talking to counterparts about how to revive the forum. While in Tokyo, he suggested a different track to the negotiations, such as the so-called "five-plus-five," which would bring together members of the six-party talks, except North Korea, and five other regional states.
C'mon in, the water's fine. Bring all the kids.
This format was tried in July during a regional security forum held in Kuala Lumpur. North Korea was invited but refused to attend. "We can look at other formats," Hill had said. "The time for organized, multilateral diplomacy in Asia is now."
The time for bilateral diplomacy with Kimmie is never.
A State Department official said the basic message is that the United States is open to a diplomatic solution.
Another official said North Korea is not interested in coming back to the six-party forum, "but that doesn't mean that we don't want to talk about the problems and their (North Korean) behavior with other countries." But discussing another track of dialogue is "bit further" than what Hill said, according to the official.
"If noone salutes we never ran it up the flag poll," he added.
South Korea said yesterday it is open to multilateral talks on regional security alongside the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear problem. "We agree with the view that there must be multilateral efforts to secure stability in the region on a long-term basis. But we also believe that the six-party talks framework must be maintained in order to solve the immediate issue of North Korea's nuclear intentions," said Lee Kyu-hyung, the South Korean second vice foreign minister in a press briefing.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
What is the maximum capacity for a circle jerk?
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 0:22 Comments ||
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The United States said that a North Korean nuclear test would be a "deeply provocative act" and urged the world to let Pyongyang know such a test would further isolate the already reclusive nation. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called for "all the members of the international community, including China, to state very clearly to North Korea that this would be a very provocative act and it would only add to and deepen their isolation."
South Korea's main spy agency warned last week that Pyongyang could test a nuclear device at any time. "This is a matter of concern," South Korea's national security adviser, Song Min-soon, said of a potential nuclear test after meeting Wednesday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "We will remain watchful on any possibilities."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Don't make the State Dept mad Kimmy, a furry of spiteful letters will ensue
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 0:23 Comments ||
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US: N. Korean nuclear test would be 'provocative'
Diplospeak translation: The mullahs will get a stiffie.
#3
I think they may well have tried once already and been sorely disapponted. Remember that explosion something like a year ago and NorK suggested it was just a civil works project or something like it? Any confirmation on that either way?
DEBKAfile: Russia and Germany lean for the first time towards sanctions against Iran to fend off military action In other words, don't worry about the atom bombs, just keep the oil coming.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that UN economic sanctions against Iran are possible, but pointed to the relevant article excluding the use of force. He was speaking on a visit to Capetown, South Africa. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the international community cannot stand back and watch Iran damage the United Nations by refusing to suspend uranium enrichment. But she too reiterated that military action against Iran is not an option. Because that might actually solve the problem.
DEBKAfile adds: Both have reason to believe that continuing to keep sanctions off the UN table will increase the danger of the United States and Israel resorting to a military solution to halt Irans dash for a nuclear weapon as the only remaining option. Sanctions are therefore beginning to look to Germany and Russia like the lesser evil. Meanwhile the start of last-ditch talks on the crisis tentatively scheduled for Wednesday in Vienna is up in the air. Irans chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has delayed confirming his attendance at the meeting. On Thursday, senior officials from the six countries which presented Iran with an incentive package to give up nuclear fuel work - Germany, the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia - are due to meet Thursday in Berlin to discuss imposing sanctions. The only "incentive package" that will have any effect needs to be dropped from a plane.
Defending Germany's refusal to send ground troops to serve with United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that German soldiers must never be put in a position where they might even accidently shoot at Israelis.
Merkel, in a speech to parliament, underlined her government's pledge to send naval forces to serve off Lebanon's coast. But she won strong applause by adding: "German ground troops cannot be stationed in Lebanon."
Merkel, while not mentioning the Holocaust, said Germany had a special obligation to ensure Israel's security. "It has to be prevented - even if it is unintentional - that German soldiers ever shoot at Israelis," Merkel said.
#1
"German soldiers must never be put in a position where they might even accidently shoot at Jooooos Israelis"
Damn, that'll be a change! Probably need extra training for that.
(I am so going to Hell for bit of snark.)
Seriously, thank you, Kanzler Merkel. It's nice to see that someone in Europe recognizes who the enemy actually is. And has the guts to stand up for what's right.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/07/2006 19:58 Comments ||
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#2
perhaps TGA's wise influence?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/07/2006 20:26 Comments ||
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#3
Besides, the Israeli Army includes some Druze, some Bedouins, and some Christians.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
09/07/2006 21:03 Comments ||
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France issued an implicit criticism of U.S. foreign policy on Thursday, rejecting talk of a "war on terror". Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, speaking in parliament, expressed these views on global terrorism, while President Jacques Chirac backed France's claims to the international front rank with a fresh defense of his country's nuclear arsenal.
Villepin noted Chirac's strong opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and said the Arab state had now sunk into violence and was feeding new regional crises. "Let us not forget that these crises play into the hands of all extremists," the prime minister said in a debate on the Middle East. "We can see this with terrorism, whether it tries to strike inside or outside our frontiers," he added.
"Against terrorism, what's needed is not a war. It is, as France has done for many years, a determined fight based on vigilance at all times and effective cooperation with our partners. But we will only end this curse if we also fight against injustice, violence and these crises," he said.
Villepin's remarks, which came a day after U.S. President George Bush admitted that the CIA had interrogated dozens of terrorism suspects in secret foreign locations, did not explicitly mention the United States. But his rejection of language employed by Bush, who often uses the expression "war on terror" underlined the longstanding differences between Paris and Washington.
In separate remarks, Chirac stressed that France was committed to maintaining a nuclear arsenal of its own. "In an uncertain world, facing constantly evolving threats, nuclear dissuasion guarantees our vital interests," Chirac said on a visit to France's Atomic Energy Commission nuclear simulation facility at Bruyeres-le-Chatel near Paris.
He stressed that France was committed to funding continuing research and development into nuclear weapons technology. "There can be no great ambition without adequate means, that's clear," he said. "The position of countries is never guaranteed. In the 21st century, only those which make science a genuine priority will stay ahead."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 11:07 ||
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#1
"A spokesman for the police said the campaigner had not behaved in a violent or aggressive manner, but that officers arrested him because 'the leaflet contained Biblical quotes about homosexuality'..."
Well Brits, your argument is with the message, not the messenger. Go tell God you're offended by him. I'm sure He'll listen.
STRASBOURG, France - Syria risks harming relations with the EU if it does not commit itself to respecting Lebanons sovereignty, helping to disarm Hezbollah and supporting wider Middle East peace efforts, the EU warned on Wednesday.
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, whose country holds the EU presidency, said he hoped Damascus would play a positive role on de-escalating tensions in the region. He said it was crucial that Syria, a neighbor to both Lebanon and Israel, support United Nations-led reconstruction and peace efforts in Lebanon. 'We need to be ready to engage Syria, Tuomioja said during a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
He added that it was Syrias choice whether to play the role of a constructive partner or a spoiler; this will also determine the future EU relations with Syria.
That has Baby Assad shaking in his shoes.
Tuomioja last month described EU-Syria relations as quite cool and distant already, and stressed that the 25-nation bloc expected Syria to comply with UN resolutions.
Last week Syria said it would step up border patrols and work with the Lebanese army to stop the flow of weapons to Hezbollah. Tuomioja said the EU welcomed the stated intention and readiness of Syria to respect UN resolutions on Lebanon and also to be constructive in the comprehensive Middle East peace process.
Assad and the generals are laughing as to how gullible the Y'urp-peons are ...
Ties between the EU and Syria have been on ice after last years assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri _ a killing many Lebanese blame on Syria. The EU also recently criticized human rights violations by Syrias government against activists there.
Working well, huh?
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Yep, it is funny...don't make me send a stern memorandum, Baby Assad, on tough letterhead
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 0:28 Comments ||
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I'm sure Assad's first concern is what a bunch of whiney EU governments who are always looking at each other for strength and encouragement in the WoT are thinking about him.
A furious Bill Clinton is warning ABC that its mini-series "The Path to 9/11" grossly misrepresents his pursuit of Osama bin Laden - and he is demanding the network "pull the drama" if changes aren't made.
Clinton pointedly refuted several fictionalized scenes that he claims insinuate he was too distracted by the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal to care about bin Laden and that a top adviser pulled the plug on CIA operatives who were just moments away from bagging the terror master, according to a letter to ABC boss Bob Iger obtained by The Post.
The former president also disputed the portrayal of then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as having tipped off Pakistani officials that a strike was coming, giving bin Laden a chance to flee.
"The content of this drama is factually and incontrovertibly inaccurate and ABC has the duty to fully correct all errors or pull the drama entirely," the four-page letter said.
The movie is set to air on Sunday and Monday nights. Monday is the fifth anniversary of the attacks.
Based on the 9/11 commission's report, the miniseries is also being provided to high schools as a teaching aid - although ABC admits key scenes are dramatizations.
The letter, written by Bruce Lindsey, head of the Clinton Foundation, and Douglas Bond, a top lawyer in Clinton's office, accuses the ABC drama of "bias" and a "fictitious rewriting of history that will be misinterpreted by millions of Americans."
Clinton, whose aides first learned from a TV trailer about a week ago that the miniseries would slam his administration, was "surprised" and "incredulous" when told about the film's slant, sources said.
Albright and former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger also dashed off letters to Iger, accusing the network of lying in the miniseries and demanding changes.
ABC spokesman Jonathan Hogan last night defended the miniseries as a "dramatization, not a documentary, drawn from a variety of sources, including the 9/11 commission report, other published materials and personal interviews."
"Many of the people who have expressed opinions about the film have yet to see it in its entirety or in its final broadcast form," he said. "We hope viewers will watch the entire broadcast before forming their own opinion."
Executive producer Marc Platt told The Washington Post that he worked "very hard to be fair. If individuals feel they're wrongly portrayed, that's obviously of concern. We've portrayed the essence of the truth of these events. Our intention was not in any way to be political or present a point of view."
The miniseries' creator and the 9/11 panel's former co-chairman, Tom Kean, who was a paid adviser on the film, said some scenes are made up and plan to include a statement at the show's beginning.
In the movie, FBI anti-terror agent John O'Neill, played by Harvey Keitel, and a composite CIA operative named Kirk grouse about bureaucratic red tape following a meeting with Berger and Albright.
"How do you win a law-and-orderly war?" Kirk asks.
"You don't," O'Neill snaps.
The movie then cuts immediately to a newsreel close-up of Clinton insisting he did "not have sex with that woman" - Monica Lewinsky.
Although the movie thrust Lewinsky into the mix as a White House distraction, the 9/11 commission's report found Clinton was "deeply concerned about bin Laden" and that he received daily reports "on bin Laden's reported location," Clinton's letter notes.
In another scene, CIA operatives working with Afghani anti-al Qaeda fighter Ahmed Shah Massoud, the leader of the Northern Alliance who was assassinated by bin Laden days before 9/11, gather on a hill near bin Laden's residence at Tarnak Farms - the terror thug easily in their grasp.
"It's perfect for us," says Kirk, a composite character played by Donnie Wahlberg. But the team aborts the mission when an actor portraying Berger tells them he can't authorize a strike.
"I don't have that authority," the Berger character says.
"Are there any men in Washington," Massoud asks Kirk later in the film, "or are they all cowards?"
The reps for an outraged Clinton wrote to Iger that "no such episode ever occurred - nor did anything like it."
The 9/11 commission report echoes his denial, and found that Clinton's Cabinet gave "its blessing" for a CIA plan to capture bin Laden and determined that ex-CIA Director George Tenet squashed the plan.
The third contested scene focuses on Albright, who is depicted alerting Pakistani officials in advance of a 1998 U.S. missile strike against bin Laden in Afghanistan - over the objections of the Pentagon. The movie claims the tip-off allowed bin Laden to escape.
But the 9/11 commission reported that it was a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff - not Albright - who met with a senior Pakistani Army official prior to the strike to "assure him the missiles were not coming from India."
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 06:19 ||
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#1
What did any of these folks say about Farhenheit 911?
Oh, that's right.
It was a 'documentary' without any disclaimers.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/07/2006 6:36 Comments ||
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#2
Mr. Clinton is a lawyer. Let him sue for libel or slander or something, if he really means it. Ms. Albright and Mr. Berger can join in, too, if they are that upset. Of course, then they'll have to answer questions under oath, and the defendants will have the opportunity for discovery, and...
#6
What fragile people! Let there be a hint that 10% of the crap they fling about is coming back at them, and they squeal like stuck pigs. Almost as if they believe that they are on the verge of extinction.
#10
Link to the official website here. Rush Limbaugh has seen the movie and says it's devastating to the Clinton administration.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/07/2006 8:47 Comments ||
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#11
repeating the same tripe twice in a thread is not smart, it merely reaffirms the first impression
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/07/2006 8:50 Comments ||
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#12
"troll in asile #10."
Aisle Five, too. I could sinktrap this fool on grounds of stupidity, I suppose; but it wouldn't be worth the effort.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/07/2006 8:58 Comments ||
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#13
Oops. Somebody already did it!
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/07/2006 8:59 Comments ||
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#14
Just a yapping puppy from Starbucksistan. But since my back is hurting and I'm feeling cranky this morning, I had to kick something.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/07/2006 9:02 Comments ||
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#15
Who is he to demand anything?
Former Lord High God of the Democrats, of course.
Oh, you should read the letter quoted over at LGF. Lots of bitterness directed towards Disney. Now, I know the left loves to slander Walt himself (he resisted a communist-backed unionization drive; the animators were unionized, but not by a group connected with the CPUSA), but the bitterness seems to overflow in that letter.
That's it, Dems. Stake yourselves out as being in opposition to Walmart and Walt Disney.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
09/07/2006 9:04 Comments ||
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#16
Cry us a river Clinton. We put up with your stupid propaganda for years. Now let some light in on the lies.
#18
Republicans are mercilessly attacked, smeared, lied about, slandered, demonized on an HOURLY basis by both the MSM and nearly every member of your party, Bill. You dirty hypocrite. You're not worth talking to.
#20
Bill delayed a civillian flight for an hour or so so that he gets his haircut on Ai Force One. That seems okay. When Bush flew low over New Orleans to view the hurricane's destruction, it was considered not correct.
#25
although ABC admits key scenes are dramatizations.
All dramatizations of historical events of importance should have a disclaimer especially if the content is proven to be factually inaccurate or in dispute.
#28
"Have you guys noticed something? No one squealed about this series, they were blindsided."
Good point; I hadn't noticed that. I don't know what to make of it, though. Brain fart? Sabotaging Hillary? If so, on whose behalf? Quest for ratings? Genuine concern for the issues?
Whatever it is, they've strayed off the reservation. There's gonna be some red asses over this, guaranteed...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/07/2006 15:22 Comments ||
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#29
Could be much more simple Dave D. They looked at reality, lost 'faith' in the leftist meme. or lost a loved ones to terrorism.
#32
ABC probably "caved" because Burglar told them "I never said X. If you put X in my mouth it will be with malice. and I will sue." and probably had a good case. So the insurance company and lawyers said take it out. And they did. And Burglar proably signed a release on the balance of the script.
But that will create even more publicity and audience.
And Rush will spend all Monday and Wednesday talking about the differences.
And there will be a DVD with the censored portions included that will sell very well, thank you.
Clinton had tried to become an international hero by destroying hundreds of terrorists being trained by Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan and a chemical weapons plant in Sudan. Those two missile attacks were chosen through use of the SIOP computer to which Clinton has access, according to Tomlin.
The computer predicted the result of the attacks would bring about the death of hundreds of terrorist forces and eliminate a chemical weapons factory. Someone intervened to change the results, according to an intelligence source who spoke only on condition of anonymity.
Reports in European newspapers after the attacks by Clinton corroborate what that source claimed. "There were no dead terrorists, and the chemical weapons plant was an innocent pharmaceutical plant. Instead of being a hero, Clinton is an international laughing stock. The terrorists were tipped off and cleared the area. The real chemical weapons plant was two miles away. It was a combination of bad intelligence and purposeful intervention," said the source.
Clinton has been searching the SIOP system ever since the failure in an effort to find another opportunity to prove himself to the world and become the international hero he envisions for his legacy, according to the source. Tomlin agrees.--
#36
Ed - Whatever held up your plane that day, it wasn't Clinton: LINK. Excuse the frequent reference to "wingnuts" in the post, but it refers back to a Newsday story that seems solidly sourced.
#38
I'm confused. ABC is obviously MSM, but they're showing something that makes Dems look bad...?? Any idea what the reason behind the switch is? Going to compete head to head with Fox?
#39
Hillary say "Bill, you gotta fight this or I won't stand a chance in 08".
Posted by: john ||
09/07/2006 21:12 Comments ||
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#40
Conspiracy theory #1: ABC is running this to "harm" the Donkeycritters in order to provide cover for why they lose in 2006, and give them a talking point for 2008.
Conspiracy theory #2: The polls have shown that Hillary would get beaten in 2008 by a complete unknown Republican who was also a congenital moron. ABC is politely telling her not to run under any circumstances.
Hey, this is FUN!
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
09/07/2006 22:00 Comments ||
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#41
another convienient rewrite of history for the folks at BUSH ,inc.
Posted by: bk ||
09/07/2006 8:11 Comments ||
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#42
another convienent rewrite of History for the folks at BUSH, inc.
Posted by: bk ||
09/07/2006 8:40 Comments ||
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Top officials of the Clinton administration have launched a preemptive strike against an ABC-TV "docudrama," slated to air Sunday and Monday, that they say includes made-up scenes depicting them as undermining attempts to kill Osama bin Laden.
Clintonords unhinged
Former secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright called one scene involving her "false and defamatory." Former national security adviser Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger said the film "flagrantly misrepresents my personal actions." And former White House aide Bruce R. Lindsey, who now heads the William J. Clinton Foundation, said: "It is unconscionable to mislead the American public about one of the most horrendous tragedies our country has ever known."
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 01:18 ||
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#1
Fine then, sue assholes let us see whats up in discovery
#4
The louder the Clintoon stooges squeal, the higher the ratings... I'd like the entire country to see it, given how many and how vocal these creeps have become. The show's producer claimed today on Fox it was entirely faithful to the 9/11 Commission Report... Funny, I thought the Clintoon assholes thought they had pulled off a clever coup there, since they had successfully stacked the panel with their tools, e.g. Gorelick and Ben-Veniste, etc. Maybe I should go back and read the entire thing.
#7
"It is unconscionable to mislead the American public about one of the most horrendous tragedies our country has ever known."
The arrogance of these bastards-- and their utter lack of shame-- is just breathtaking. The Democratic Party has been doing nothing BUT misleading the American public about terrorism and 9/11 for the past five years.
The Clinton team was the pinnacle of foreign policy incompetence. God help us if we're ever so stupid as to let their ilk back in the driver's seat.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/07/2006 6:13 Comments ||
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#8
Great minds, djohn66. Of course, you thought it hours and hours earlier, but I thought it on page 1. ;-)
#10
Dave D. I think you're forgetting that the foreign policy incompetence trophy was retired for all time by the last Dhimmicrat that preceded Clintoon.
Bright P. while Bush certainly isn't perfect I think any harsh critique of him has to include that he'd only been in office for 7 months prior to 9/11 and had started the process already.
#11
I don't give Bush a free pass either for doing not very much about fixing the Clinton mistakes.
Nine months vs. eight years.
Some of the hijackers were already in the US when Bush took office.
Toss in the endless treason since, and the Donks should STFU and be glad Bush isn't another Lincoln.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
09/07/2006 9:09 Comments ||
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#12
"Dave D. I think you're forgetting..."
You're right. I plead traumatization, though: my subconscious mind tries to prevent spontaneous recollection of the Carter presidency-- it was just too damned horrible.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/07/2006 9:14 Comments ||
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#13
"false and defamatory." "flagrantly misrepresents my personal actions." "It is unconscionable to mislead the American public about one of the most horrendous tragedies our country has ever known."
You know in elementary school we were taught to do on to others as you would want to have done on to you. Considering that every quote is representative of how each and everyone of them has publicly portrayed the Bush Administration, turn about is more than fair play. Fortunately, the absolute gall of their behavior and statements will be preserved for posterity. May you be viewed as well as self righteous slavers are considered today.
#2
Something(s) is about to strike/happen, and I'm not convinced its only "normal" Amer elex-year two-party electioneering. The dialectic Waffle-crats need "justification" for their waffle-ins + Defeat-cratisms + OWG + geopol retreat/
isolationism + US-specific anti-sovereignty, etc like fish need water. LISA SIMPSON LOSING HER MIND/SANITY UNLESS SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, GIVES HER A SCHOOL GRADE REGARDLESS OF THE MERITS. "GRADE HER", D *** IT, A'FORE LISA KILLS US ALL.
President George W. Bush will announce Wednesday that 14 key terrorist leaders have been transferred from CIA custody to the US military-run prison at Guantanamo Bay for eventual trials, a senior administration official said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Leftist whining and 'human rights' group protests in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...
Pakistan appears to have replaced Afghanistan as Al Qaedas centre of gravity, according to a report by CNN.
Picked right up on that, didn't they?
Al Qaedas production company, As Sahab, does much of its work in Pakistan, the report says, and the latest Al Qaeda video was probably uploaded in one of the thousands of Internet cafes in Pakistan. Waziristan is one of the places where Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to have hidden out and where As Sahab produces its work, says CNN. Their latest video featured a message from American Adam Gadahn calling on his countrymen to convert to Islam.
Gadahn's another of those misunderstood California boyz. When he's caught, Mom and Pop will no doubt plead that he be released, since he's suffered enough...
Whether this was Al Qaedas fifth-anniversary message after 9/11 wasnt clear, but the video had been anticipated since a flashing graphic had advertised it on Islamist websites two days earlier. As Sahab had struck again, showing how easily and effectively Al Qaeda was in getting its message out.
What's hard about posting messages on the internet? Did we miss something here?
Al-Zawahiri was on the tape, but Gadahn was the star of the show. The 28-year-old bearded and chubby-cheeked Californian prefers to use his alias, Azzam the American.
It's scarier.
Gadahn grew up in Riverside County, California, on a goat farm. His father was a rock guitarist before starting the farm with his wife.
Whoa! Heavy, dude! I suppose the goat farming's good training for becoming a Muslim, though...
Gadahn left when he was a teenager, according to his father. After a heavy metal phase, he turned to Islam in 1995 and wrote about it on the Internet. As I began reading English translations of the Quran, I became more and more convinced of the truth and authenticity of Allahs teachings contained in those 114 chapters.
"And those goats just kept looking better and better!"
Gadahns call on Americans to convert came with an explicit warning of what would happen if his call went unheeded. Anyone who pays any attention to the messages of the leaders of the jihad, like Sheikh Osama bin Laden and Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri, may God protect them, will know that they have been consistent in inviting the Americans and other unbelievers to Islam and in pressing upon them that they want the best for them. And making it clear to all that we have no choice but to fight those who fight us, Gadahn said.
There's the difference between Muslims and the rest of us. It's the only religion whose adherents claim a right to kill anyone who doesn't agree with them...
Gadahns family had no comment about the latest tape. In the past, his father has said Gadahn moved to Pakistan in 1998 and that the family lost touch with him in 2002.
We're sure he's a good boy, though, and that he's suffered enough.
The report says As Sahab also produced the martyrdom video of Shehzad Tanweer, one of the London subway bombers. What the tape made clear was that when Tanweer and Mohammad Siddique Khan came to Pakistan in late 2004 (both were the children of Pakistani immigrants in Britain), they had been given training and direction from Al Qaeda to carry out their plot, says the report.
That'd be courtesy of Lashkar-e-Taiba...
The reports authors also visited Punjabs Chak 477, Tanweers family village. Chak 477 has just a few houses and a mosque with mostly dirt roads that quickly give way to lush farmland Outside the mosque, we try to find out how the villagers feel about Tanweer. One man kept telling us that Tanweers acts had brought trouble to the village because it meant that journalists kept coming to ask questions. But he wouldnt be pinned down on whether he condemned Tanweers actions.
He didn't.
Another man in the crowd kept asking him, in Urdu, why he was even talking with us. Inside the mosque, after news of Tanweers death reached the village last summer, prayers were said for him in something resembling a memorial. When we knocked on the door of the Tanweer family home, one of the biggest in town, a woman answered. Her voice was full of anger as she asked when she would get her son back. This wasnt the bombers mother but an older relative who did not believe that Tanweer had been the suicide bomber. After a few more words, she shut the door. As we drove out of town, we stopped at the village cemetery. The largest marker was for Tanweer. At the gravestones bottom was inscribed the date of his death, when he blew himself up on a London subway. It was a reminder of the troubling connection between Pakistan and Al Qaeda.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Pakis have never stopped buying bin Laden dolls and celebratory plastic sculptures of the Twin Towers on fire. Also, al-Qaeda, etc casettes and t-Shirts are sold everywhere. The post 9-11 alliance with the US has enriched Pakistanis, but has not led to anything but good relations between Pak elites and the US government. PEW polls repeatedly find 90% Paki hate for Americans. Unfortunatlely for Pakis, Americans have more allies in Afghanistan than do their Muslim neighbors, who are popular only in Pashto centers. NATO could play ethnic cards and will if terrorism escalates.
Again, jihad terror incitement must be criminalized. Muslims should not be allowed to promote terror in mosques in Boston, or Kandahar, when doing so puts Western Civilization at risk.
#3
Balochs are NOT afghans and in fact have often fought the "real" Afghans (until around 1925, Afghan designated only the Pashtouns). But I agree it is time to cause the implosion of Pakistan, a state whose only cement is Islam and thus needs to incite hate against non-Muslims in order to prevent Afghans, Balochs and Sindhs from seceeding.
The United States on Wednesday refused to endorse but did not criticise a peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban militants in North Waziristan near the Pak-Afghan border. Pushed for a US response to the accord, White House spokesman Tony Snow replied: "We've been apprised of it" and added that "it does not provide great concern."
Pakistan has assured the United States that "the ceasefire is, in fact, not going to diminish efforts to apprehend Osama bin Laden or bring him to justice," or open the border to Al Qaeda terrorists, said Snow. The peace deal aims to end years of violence in North Waziristan. "It is part of the (Pakistani) government's efforts to eliminate extremism in border areas by addressing root causes through security, political and economic development," Snow said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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The philosophy of al-Qaeda and Taliban are identical. Peace is hardly a core value of either.
Iraq takes control Thursday of its armed forces command, a major step in its painful path toward independence and an essential move before international troops can eventually withdraw. "This is such a huge, significant event that's about to occur tomorrow," said U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell. "If you go back and you map out significant events that have occurred in this government's formation in taking control of the country, tomorrow is gigantic." But despite the optimism, the bloodshed continues, with at least 33 people killed across the country in car bombs, mortar attacks and drive-by shootings and police finding a total of 29 bodies.
The highly anticipated ceremony, which will put the prime minister in direct control of the country's military, comes five days after it was originally scheduled to be held — when the Iraqi government abruptly called it off at the last minute. Neither side publicly revealed many details of the disagreement, other than to insist that it was more procedural than any dispute over substance. The handover is so important that it was "not something you want to rush into. If there's even a question, if there's even a slightest misunderstanding, you would absolutely want to get that thoroughly resolved and have complete understanding," Caldwell said.
The U.S.-led coalition has been training and equipping the Iraqi military, hoping it soon will be in a position to take over securing the entire country and allow foreign troops to return home. But how fast this can be achieved is still unclear. "It's the prime minister's decision how rapidly he wants to move along with assuming control," Caldwell said, adding that in Thursday's ceremony, he would take complete control over the country's small naval and air forces, and the 8th Iraqi Army Division. "They can move as rapidly thereafter as they want. I know, conceptually, they've talked about perhaps two divisions a month," Caldwell said.
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Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Seems to me they will need the US around to help them as long as they need to drop bombs on terrorists.
How did they end up with a 50:20 kill ratio? Given what I have seen in the past, I would think that 50:5 would be more indicative that they were about ready to take over.
BAGHDAD - Iraqs dominant Shia alliance submitted on Wednesday a draft of a new law to govern the division of the country into autonomous regions. The United Iraqi Alliance, the dominant Shia parliamentary bloc, is promoting a law of regional formation so that the oil-rich Shia southern Iraq can win self-rule on the model of the autonomous Kurdish north. The law will define how the regions are formed and whether it will be done by the governing council or through popular referendum, said party member Hamid Mualla al-Saadi.
Sunni lawmakers have vociferously opposed the draft law on autonomous regions, saying it is a prelude to the division of the country, which would leave them with just the resource-poor center and west of Iraq. But in recent days they appear to have softened their opposition, saying they would support the administrative application of federalism as long as a strong central government remains.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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It won't matter to Iran's Mullahs - there's only Iran/Persia, and Iran-centric Regional = Global Islamist fundamentalism + OWG.
#2
A de facto partition hidden behind de jure confederation might be just the ticket. It gives the Kurds a Kurdistan without upsetting the Turks, it gives the Shia someplace to be away from the Sunnis, and it reminds the Sunnis that unless they play nice they'll be stuck with sand and fleas. A good result all around.
Posted by: Jonathan ||
09/07/2006 9:55 Comments ||
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#3
What suprises me is that the Shia are pushing for this. They are the ones with the most to gain by a centralized government in that they'd control the whole thing.
Still I agree with Johnathon. I think we'll also see some of the mixed ethnic regions slowly become unmixed if we have autonomous regions. Not counting Baghdad of course.
According to a panel of Israeli experts, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is for Israel the "best" of the potential 2008 US presidential candidates. Giuliani was followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Arizona Senator John McCain and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. The eight-man panel was assembled by the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, and will continue to rate the potential candidates every month for the next year.
Giuliani enjoyed a particularly strong relationship with the Jewish state during his time as mayor. That bond further strengthened following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. While the panel believes Giuliani would be most sympathetic to Israel, it sees Clinton as the candidate that would most vigorously press for a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
As an interesting side note, the experts feel none of the leading candidates are likely to order future military action against Iran over its nuclear program.
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 1:06 Comments ||
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#4
As an interesting side note, the experts feel none of the leading candidates are likely to order future military action against Iran over its nuclear program.
Knowing Israeli politics, several will stand up. Let's see if they get elected when the time comes.
#5
Like Americans at this point, Israelis respond to the familiar names, especially of the candidates for a country half way round the world. More interesting to me would be a panel of those Israelis feel would be the worst candidates for American president. As for their own politicians, I suspect the next government elected will be the one Israeli think will win the war against Hizb'allah and Iran.
#7
No, bk, Mayor Giuliani was New York City's leader on 9/11, which was quite enough responsibility. Little baby W., as you so cleverly put it, took charge of the rest of the country.
Moderators, is this that stupid Oregon bk again? Or has the original gone feral on us?
Staff from the Palestinian prime minister's office went on strike Wednesday, joining a widespread work stoppage by civil servants demanding overdue salaries from the Hamas-led government. The strike was especially embarrassing to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, who has been leading opposition to the walkout. Hamas accuses the rival Fatah party of orchestrating the strike, which has emerged as a formidable challenge to a government already embattled by international sanctions and widespread anarchy. Without the foreign funds, the government has been unable to pay regular salaries to its 165,000 workers for months, instead handing out small, sporadic stipends.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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I'll fire up the movie theater popcorn machine, and pop into the O Club storeroom for extra supplies. Bring your own bowls and help yourselves, y'all!
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH Defying Israeli objections, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams met with a Hamas legislator in the West Bank on Wednesday and advised Israel and the Palestinians to solve their problems using the Northern Ireland formula negotiations. Adams, whose Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein party is the major representative of Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, said ahead of his trip he wants to inspire parties in other conflicts following the agreement to end decades of fighting in his land.
Israeli officials boycotted Adams because of his intention to meet Hamas members. Hamas, which controls the Palestinian parliament, is sworn to Israel's destruction and has rebuffed international demands to recognize Israel and renounce violence. Visiting Ramallah, the Palestinians' West Bank administrative capital, Adams met with several Palestinian lawmakers including Ayman Daraghmeh of Hamas. He spoke by telephone to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a member of the moderate Fatah Party, who is traveling in the Gulf.
At a news conference, Adams urged Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate a two-state solution to their conflict and said Israel must talk to the Palestinian leadership. "I think it is right that the occupation of the Palestinian territories should end and I think it's right that there should be dialogue and an end to the conflict," he said. Israel must "understand that the strategic interest of Israel and the prosperity and the security and freedom of Israel is interlocked into them upholding the rights and the freedom and the security of the Palestinian people," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Negotiation only works when both parties are working in good faith, as well you know from your own experience, Mr. Sinn Fein ass. Please go to Hell, and take your platitudinous advice with you.
#7
Adams... said ahead of his trip he wants to inspire parties in other conflicts following the agreement to end decades of fighting create an Irish version of Hudna in his land.
GAZA CITY - Life in the Gaza Strip has become miserable and dangerous after six months of fiscal and political crisis, John Ging, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, told AFP in an interview.
Every day seems to get worse. The prospects are very bleak because we have seen nothing in six months but deterioration, he said. All the elements of a civilised existence are falling apart: there is a lack of food, no electricity, no salaries, the public services are crumbling.
There is a solution to this, but I'm betting that John can't think of it, let alone the Paleos.
Tens of thousands of civil servants have only been partially paid for the last six months, affecting the livelihoods of around one million people -- a quarter of those living in Gaza and the West Bank.
The living conditions of the 1.4 million people living in Gaza, one of the most densely populated places on earth, have deteriorated sharply owing to the cut in Western aid, Israeli closures and Israels ongoing offensive in Gaza. Life in Gaza is miserable and dangerous. There have been more than 200 killed during the last couple of months, among them 44 children, said Ging.
Since March, Ging says the UN has added another 100,000 people to the number benefiting from food aid, an increase of 15 percent to a total of 830,000.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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"Gaza miserable and dangerous"
Other news: water wet, fire hot.
Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres said in an interview broadcast Wednesday that Hizbullah militants had used Russian-made weapons against Israel during the fighting in south Lebanon, despite Russian officials' claims to the contrary. Peres told Ekho Moskvy radio that Israeli authorities were aware that Russia had asked Syria to explain how the weapons had gotten into the hands of Hizbullah. "We saw these weapons, they had certain markings," Peres said. "As far as we know, the Russians demanded explanations from Syria."
Israeli officials said last month that a senior delegation went to Moscow to complain that Russian-made anti-tank missiles were used by Hizbullah guerrillas in their 34-day conflict with Israeli forces in Lebanon. They said that Iran and Syria passed the anti-tank missiles to Lebanon-based Hezbollah after buying them from Russia. The Fagot and Kornet anti-tank missiles proved to be one of Hizbullah's most-effective weapons in combat, killing many of the 118 Israeli soldiers who died in the clashes. Russian officials have rejected the allegations, saying that Moscow has maintained strict controls over its weapons sales to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Geez, for as old as Peres is, you woulda thought he wouldn't fall for the old Ruskie line (we're shocked, how'd those weapons get over there?)
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 1:03 Comments ||
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#2
If I remember right, a few weeks ago Russia asked for proof. Well, there you go. If they were planning on saying anything what they just did anyway, why bother asking for proof? Stalling tactics ==> They knew it all along.
Posted by: Matt K. ||
09/07/2006 3:55 Comments ||
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#4
I also recall seeing some pictures of US TOW missiles that the hezzies were using. No, not old Iranian surplus, but rather new, 2001 manufacture dates on them. Haven't seen much about that. Anyone heard where they came from?
#5
My guess would be from Lebanese Army stocks. Since the Israelis have the missiles, a serial number check will confirm.
Posted by: ed ||
09/07/2006 10:59 Comments ||
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#6
Russian officials have rejected the allegations, saying that Moscow has maintained strict controls over its weapons sales to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
Israel will be terribly surprized when these weapons surface in the hands of Chechen "bandits".
IRANIAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today responded to a harsh verbal attack from George W. Bush by saying the US President was "nothing" compared to God's will. "I am telling him (Bush) that all the world is threatening you since the general path that the world is taking is towards worshipping God and divinity," Mr Ahmadinejad told a conference in Tehran. "This massive stream is moving and you are nothing in comparison to God's will."
Bush yesterday branded Iran's leaders tyrants as dangerous as al-Qaeda terrorists and said they must not be allowed to get nuclear weapons — "the tools of mass murder".
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Unless we do something about him he is right. He is building Nukes, supporting Hez and Hamas, driving the oil market crazy and all we have done is complain through the UN. At what point will we decide enough is enough and end this tyrant? Hopefully before he does any irreversable damage to the US.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
09/07/2006 12:23 Comments ||
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#8
"Bush is nother" eh? Saddam, what's your take on that comment?
France's military on Wednesday loaded hefty tanks onto ships set to leave for Lebanon while President Jacques Chirac gave tentative support to a U.N. request that French navy vessels patrol the Mediterranean to thwart any secret weapons shipments to Hezbollah. Chirac expressed a willingness to respond to a request by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan that France help monitor sea lanes off Lebanon's coast, once the details are worked out, Chirac's office said Tuesday after the two men spoke by telephone.
France already has two frigates, the Cassard and the Montcalm, and the transport ship, the Siroco, in the eastern Mediterranean. They arrived to support humanitarian and evacuation roles during the more than month of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants. Annan is working to strike a deal in which French, Italian, Greek and later German ships would agree to patrol Lebanon's coast. Israel said it would lift its sea blockade of Lebanon on Thursday night.
On Wednesday, France's military was loading 13 Leclerc tanks onto ships bound for Lebanon to join the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in the country, where a fragile cease-fire appeared to be holding. The deployment was in response to a new U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing an expansion of UNIFIL to up to 15,000 troops -- from 2,000.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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Eurabia's darkest force wants to make Lebanon a safe place for Hizbollah terror.
BEIRUT - Israel said on Wednesday it would lift an eight-week-old air and sea blockade against Lebanon on Thursday, handing over control to international forces. It said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had been told by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan that international forces are ready to take over control posts over the sea ports and airports of Lebanon.
Reeeaaally? Which international forces?
Thus it was was agreed that tomorrow at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT), Israel will leave the control positions over the ports in conjunction with the entry of the international forces, a statement from Olmerts office said.
Lebanon had vowed to bust the blockade if it was not lifted by Friday.
Them and whose army?
In a sign the end of the embargo was imminent, British Airways said it was resuming direct flights to Beirut after the British government gave assurances it would be safe to do so. Lebanons Middle East Airlines and Royal Jordanian began flying regularly into the capital last month, but have complied with Israels insistence all such flights go via Amman. Qatar Airways resumed direct flights to Beirut on Monday.
But Israel said it reserved the right to take action to stop any arms smuggling across the Syrian border to the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla group until the U.N. Security Council that ushered in the Aug. 14 truce was fully implemented. We will continue to supervise to see that no weapons arrive through the Syrian-Lebanese border, Miri Eisin, a spokesman for Olmert, told Reuters.
Doubt it, unless you want more international condemnation every time an IAF plane overflies Lebanon.
We see international forces as the best solution ... Until there is an accepted solution to the way (the U.N. Security Council ban on arms shipments) can be implemented, Israel will continue to act in self-defence to make sure no arms arrive.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 00:00 ||
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No problem, the Syrians said they would help...
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/07/2006 1:05 Comments ||
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When Arabic and English languages experts listen to the speech and compare his debit and shifting from one idiom to the other, they would conclude that M Adam Gadahn has been under an intense linguistic program to learn the Arabic language. He attempts to speak it rather like Bin Ladens Peninsula accent then Zawahiris Egyptian intonation. Besides, he has also developed significant skills in Koranic citations as well as media training. However, when it comes to the logic of the arguments as presented in English, and compare them with literature disseminated in North America, or with online chats in English, or even with speeches by radical clerics touring US and Canadian cities, the language is amazingly one. For any seasoned analyst of Jihadi rhetoric in English, or even North American English, it is a fact that the level and type of arguments, the chain of issues cited, and other details, if anything could indicate that the speech writer may well be a well-versed leading militant in Jihadi affairs with academic training and American political know how. In short, Azzams videotaped message is indeed American. Experts have heard it in US and Canadian cities and on internet.The bones of the speech are Jihadi but its beef is American. Whether Gadahn was reading from a prompter or not and I believe he was with great skills- I tend to believe that such a speech rather than being dismissed as mere propaganda- is a message coming to us from whats already inserted inside America, which leads me to the second point
2)Who is it destined to?
It is basically addressed to those who will carry a Jihad in America, possibly asserting Adam Gadahn as their leader. Also, this is a very intelligent move to pierce the linguistic shield of Americas media and reach US citizens directly, as a way to spread confusion at least among those who have a hazy understanding of the Jihadists. By the way, expect this speech to be aired on al Jazeeras English Channel in the near future, repetitively.
3) The ideological platform
In a summary, as he clearly assert, the essence of Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and other religions are false and against Allahs will. In his words, Islam is the only true religion, and not following it as prescribed, will lead to fire afterlife, but also to defeat to infidels in this world.
4) Argumentation tactics:
Azzams speech exposes the streams of ideologies he is attempting to merge. While his rhetoric is pure Jihadist, he uses many arguments produced by radical anti-American intellectuals, mixing American politics with Islamist concepts.
[..]
5) The enemies of Jihad in America
All citizens-taxpayers are legitimate targets for al Qaeda, repeats Gadahn after Bin laden and Zawahiri. But now Americans can hear it in an American accent not through the translations offered by the networks. Only those who are actively fighting the enemy are to be spared. Otherwise the wrath of al Qaeda will punish the infidels at large and the American and European Crusaders in particular.
6) The friends of al Qaeda?
Azzam performs another unusual move in this speech. He names sympathetic personalities for whom he has messages for action because of what he considers- good deeds or sympathy to al Qaedas cause. Regardless of what would this identification leave as political consequences in the US and Britain, the American voice of al Qaeda, M Gadahn, calls on well known journalist Seymour Hirsh to reveal more than what was published in a New Yorker article on the War: Obviously an open call by al Qaeda to M Hirsch to resume the verbal attack against the present US War on Terror. Then Azzam turn to two British journalists and thank them for their admiration and respect for Islam and encourage them to do the final step: Convert. He names British MP George Galloway and journalist Robert Fisk. M Galloway has been very vocal in his support of the Jihadist causes worldwide and has accused the West of planning on destroying the Arab and Muslim peoples, including on al Jazeera, few days ago. M Fisk is a long time critic of Western policies and has for many times sided with the arguments of radical regimes and organzations against their opponents in the region. But more troubling in Gadahns tape was his direct call to Jihadists within the US Armed forces to work patiently till the time comes. He reveals that they have been involved in a large number of conversions, and that they should continue to aggregate while escaping the surveillance of their military authorities. This theme, which I covered briefly in Future Jihad, is of great concern to US national security. The Azzam speech brings further concerns as to the credibility of this threat.
7)The Al Qaeda offer: Conversion or fire
Azzams mission in this tape was to deliver a message. His bottom line is this: We the Jihadists- have you cornered everywhere and you are not going to win this war. He seems to say that the US led coalition wont win the War in Iraq, Afghanistan and no where else. And he announces that war will ravage this country (America) as well. He tells Americans that the Jihadi hand is already inside the US and Azzam is the kind of voice you will be hearing in the future. His central message is typically Jihadic: Surrender, convert or the fire: Meaning war on Earth, all of it, and Hell fire after death.
#1
In short - First, surprise surprise, means the Spetzlamists want the world, not just America or Israel or the West; Two, "YOOHOO, DUBYA-GOP, WATCH YOUR BEHINDS BECUZ HILLARY'S AND CAMEL-KAZE CORPS ARE A'COMING TO GET YOU"; and THirdly, "Arguments of Radical anti-American Intellectuals, mixing Amer politics with Islamist concepts" > SECULAR COMMUNISM-SOCIALISM-GLOBALISM-LEFTISM, etc. with GOD/FAITH-BASED COMMUNISM-SOCIALISM-GLOBALISM-LEFTISM, etc. IS A WAR AGAINST [FORM(S) OF] FASCISM/RIGHTIST SOCIALISM = WAR FOR COMMUNISM-/LEFTISM-SOCIALISM? LIMITED WAR-REVOLUTION vs PERMANENT WAR-REVOLUTION? LIMITED SOCIALISM vs UNIVERSAL/TOTAL SOCIALISM? IN-YOUR-FACE POPULAR TOTALITARIANISTS vs THEY-WHOM-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED SHADOW TOTALITARIANISTS? How does Britney SPears get herself into these thingys!?
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/07/2006 1:13 Comments ||
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#3
But more troubling in Gadahns tape was his direct call to Jihadists within the US Armed forces to work patiently till the time comes. He reveals that they have been involved in a large number of conversions, and that they should continue to aggregate while escaping the surveillance of their military authorities. This theme, which I covered briefly in Future Jihad, is of great concern to US national security. The Azzam speech brings further concerns as to the credibility of this threat.
Bull.
Somebody trying to sell a book perhaps? There are a few I'm sure, but nothing like this guy is fantasizing about.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
09/07/2006 9:50 Comments ||
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#5
I personally know of one US soldier who converted. I don't believe Jihad is on his mind, however. Nothing to back that up, just my gut feeling.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
09/07/2006 12:11 Comments ||
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#6
There has been at least one case where a Muslim-American murdered his tent-mates in their sleep by rolling/throwing in a grenade, and several cases where information was smuggled out of Guantano Bay and such. I'm sure there are more sleepers, most likely who joined before 9/11 and were already Muslim at that point.
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.
Pakistan vowed on Wednesday to help its neighbour fight terrorism as Afghanistan battles its worst violence in five years. After lengthy talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, President Gen Pervez Musharraf said he was committed to crushing the Taliban, their Al Qaeda allies and Talibanisation, a reference to the spread of hardline Islam. The best way to fight this common enemy is to join hands, trust each other and form a common strategy, he told reporters in Kabul days before the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks that prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. 
(SomaliNet) Some of former Somali national forces have rallied on Wednesday in the Somalia capital Mogadishu in protest of the IGAD deployment plan to Somalia displaying a military show to express their strong objection to any foreign troops in Somalia. 
Yesterday dawned with Labour MPs taking bets on the likelihood of Tony Blair staggering on as Prime Minister until next May. But hour by hour, as the crisis facing their wounded leader became clear, the calculations surrounding his survival began to change.
The United States is interested in talking to countries outside the existing six-nation forum about North Korea's nuclear issue but still sees the existing format as the primary track, State Department officials said Tuesday.
The United States said that a North Korean nuclear test would be a "deeply provocative act" and urged the world to let Pyongyang know such a test would further isolate the already reclusive nation. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called for "all the members of the international community, including China, to state very clearly to North Korea that this would be a very provocative act and it would only add to and deepen their isolation." 
France issued an implicit criticism of U.S. foreign policy on Thursday, rejecting talk of a "war on terror". Prime Minister 
In separate remarks, Chirac stressed that France was committed to maintaining a nuclear arsenal of its own. "In an uncertain world, facing constantly evolving threats, nuclear dissuasion guarantees our vital interests," Chirac said on a visit to France's Atomic Energy Commission nuclear simulation facility at Bruyeres-le-Chatel near Paris.
Pakistan appears to have replaced Afghanistan as Al Qaedas centre of gravity, according to a report by CNN.
The United States on Wednesday refused to endorse but did not criticise a peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban militants in North Waziristan near the Pak-Afghan border. Pushed for a US response to the accord, White House spokesman Tony Snow replied: "We've been apprised of it" and added that "it does not provide great concern."
Iraq takes control Thursday of its armed forces command, a major step in its painful path toward independence and an essential move before international troops can eventually withdraw. "This is such a huge, significant event that's about to occur tomorrow," said U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell. "If you go back and you map out significant events that have occurred in this government's formation in taking control of the country, tomorrow is gigantic." But despite the optimism, the bloodshed continues, with at least 33 people killed across the country in car bombs, mortar attacks and drive-by shootings and police finding a total of 29 bodies. 
BAGHDAD - Iraqs dominant Shia alliance submitted on Wednesday a draft of a new law to govern the division of the country into autonomous regions. The United Iraqi Alliance, the dominant Shia parliamentary bloc, is promoting a law of regional formation so that the oil-rich Shia southern Iraq can win self-rule on the model of the autonomous Kurdish north. The law will define how the regions are formed and whether it will be done by the governing council or through popular referendum, said party member Hamid Mualla al-Saadi.
Defying Israeli objections, 
GAZA CITY - Life in the Gaza Strip has become miserable and dangerous after six months of fiscal and political crisis, John Ging, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, told AFP in an interview.
IRANIAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today responded to a harsh verbal attack from George W. Bush by saying the US President was "nothing" compared to God's will. "I am telling him (Bush) that all the world is threatening you since the general path that the world is taking is towards worshipping God and divinity," Mr Ahmadinejad told a conference in Tehran. "This massive stream is moving and you are nothing in comparison to God's will."
BEIRUT - Israel said on Wednesday it would lift an eight-week-old air and sea blockade against Lebanon on Thursday, handing over control to international forces. It said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had been told by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan that international forces are ready to take over control posts over the sea ports and airports of Lebanon.
