(SomaliNet) The Somali Council of the Islamic Courts raided homes that were showing the World Cup and foreign films. The Alliance has intensified its action against foreign influence. The Islamists entered private homes yesterday that they suspected of showing the World Cup and foreign movies without permission.
Permission, of course, isn't to be had...
Witnesses said that the militiamen destroyed televisions in the Hamar-Jadid neighbourhood of Mogadishu. The Alliance led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, banned the World Cup and foreign movies cutting off power supplies in the cinemas shortly after they had taken control of Mogadishu. The Islamists believe that this form of foreign influence will corrupt the minds of the muslims and turn them away from God. This move came after the Alliance changed its name from the Islamic Courts Alliance to Somali Council of the Islamic Courts.
You don't need liberty as long as you've got that Olde Tyme Religion...
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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That Real Old Time Religion:
We will worship Aphrodite,
Though she's real wild and flighty,
She looks purty in her nightie,
And that's good enough for me!
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
06/28/2006 8:09 Comments ||
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ALGIERS - About 200 Algerian Islamist fighters have so far surrendered under an amnesty aimed at ending years of violence, Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said in remarks published on Wednesday. The number represents a quarter of the total amount of guerrillas estimated by officials to have been at large when the amnesty came into effect in February
The amnesty, which runs out in August, is part of a package of reconciliation measures intended to put a definitive end to years of bloodshed during which 200,000 people died in a nation whose stability is important for the security of north Africa and the wider Mediterranean.
The government-backed El Moudjahid newspaper quoted Zerhouni as saying the number of rebels who had given themselves in recent months must not be far off 200.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/28/2006 21:20 ||
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A government critic once hid his children upstairs each time the doorbell rang, fearful they would see him being hauled away by state security agents. Now that critic sees reason for hope in unlikely advocates of democracy: Leaders of a military junta that seized power in Mauritania last year. On the weekend, the junta held a constitutional referendum in which voters overwhelmingly adopted changes ensuring future heads of state will never again be able to stay in office for life.
Similar pledges to restore civilian rule have rung hollow in the wake of other African coups, but Mauritania's junta leaders appear to be following through. The constitutional amendments, which authorities announced Monday had been approved, limit future heads of state to two five-year terms in office no small feat in a coup-prone country that has never seen power change hands via the ballot box. Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine announced Monday that final results showed nearly 97 per cent of voters had adopted the changes. The constitutional court must confirm them before they can become law. Turnout was more than 76 per cent, Lemine said. About 980,000 of Mauritania's nearly three million people were registered to vote.
"Mauritania has changed for good, there is no going back," said the government critic, 46-year-old journalist Mohamed Fall Ould Oumeir, who was jailed four times under the former regime and had entire editions of his weekly Tribune newspaper repeatedly seized.
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Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Is this guy f*cking nuts?
Military Juntas dont have the best track record for their "Blessings of Liberty".
They may start off playing the nice guy. But in the end the only way they can end up is like Burma.
#2
Weeelllll BJ I'm kinda sorta thinkin' that maybe this could really happen.
There have been Military men who have established a gov't and then left the stage (see Turkey). Damn few I'll grant, but it could happen... I'm more concerned with Interior Ministers named Mohamed in a mostly Arab state.
#3
Military Juntas dont have the best track record for their "Blessings of Liberty".
See, Portugal for an example of the opposite. For examples of military men who keep or restore democracy see also George Washington and de Gaulle (a bastard in many things but who had more genuine respect for democracy than any of his successors: unlike Chirac he resigned when he lost a referendum).
I haven't done any numbers, and I'm not saying the numbers are astronomically high, but it seems to me there is a better chance of moving to democracy from an authoritarian military government than a civilian dictatorship.
Military leaders don't have a perfect record by any stretch of the imagination, but they can be patriotically motivated as opposed to the craven power hunger that seems to dominate civilian dictators. Part of it may also be that they know their brother officers will protect them from the repercussions after the transfer.
#5
#1: Is this guy f*cking nuts?
Military Juntas dont have the best track record for their "Blessings of Liberty".
They may start off playing the nice guy. But in the end the only way they can end up is like Burma.
UUMMMM, Like George Washington?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
06/28/2006 23:43 Comments ||
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Thus staying true to the famed french Arab policy of the quai d'Orsay, whose european outgrow is better known as "Eurabia".
Same thing that Shiraq/"De Villepin" unwilling to fight back the Libya/Burkina Faso backed (islamic) rebels in Ivory coast, alienating the rest of the country, and losing on both sides, leading to a mass-exodus of french people chased out of Ivory Coast, and left without any kind of help in France, while the gvt literally spends billions to provide free healthcare to illegals.
EASTERN PROVINCE:The French ambassador Dominique Decherf, on Tuesday June 20, opened a Frw17.9 million administrative bloc for Lycee Islamic de Rwamagana in Rwamagana District. The French Embassy contributed Frw12.6 million to the total cost for the construction of the block. The multimillion administrative bloc includes a library, staffroom, a computer laboratory and offices.
Just what Rwanda needs after strife, civil war and genocide: a madrassa. Brilliant.
In his opening remarks during the ceremony that was also attended by the Mufti of the Rwanda Islamic Association, Sheikh Swaleh Habimana, Decherf said that France is committed to contribute to the education development of all religious sects in the country. We try to contribute financially to all religious sects in the country in many development activities aimed at improving the socio-economic development of people. We feel education is an important tool for human resource development and enhancing national development, the Ambassador underscored, adding that the French government wants peace and stability among all religious groups.
The youngins' in this school will learn to memorize the Qur'an and not much else, which will be a big help in finding just the right job after graduation ...
He urged all religious groups in the country to participate in income-generating activities and other development projects like education, health care and environment, all of which are geared towards improving peoples welfare. He pointed out that there are more than four million Muslims in France ... Actually, official figure since quite a few years is 6 million, and it is more probably estimated at 8-10.
Four million, six million, they've integrated so well it really doesn't matter, eh?
... and that more than 50% of the Frenchs former colonies are Muslims, emphasising that there is a great bond with Islamic speaking countries. He said, the bond is strong for us to maintain our financial assistance for any developmental activity. We are willing to make any other financial assistance in other projects."
Unfortunately there's nothing here for all the Rwandan Catholic kids, but that's a minor oversight soon to be corrected ...
The Mufti said that the Frenchs contribution to complete the administrative bloc is very important to developing the human resource capacity among the Islamic community and the country in general. Your contribution is very important and an indication that youre committed to developing the social welfare of Rwandans through education. The Muslim community in Rwanda is committed to peace, unity, reconciliation and development, Sheikh Habimana emphasised, urging all parents to take their children to school as it is the only asset a parent can offer to his or her child. He said that human capacity is the only resource for viable economic development of the country.
Nice words, but the madrassas don't have the best track record in this regard ...
The ceremony was also attended, among others, by the Director of Co-operation and Culture at the French embassy in Rwanda, Jean Baptiste Luciani, Stephanie Aubin the technical programme co-ordinator at the Embassay and the District Vice-Mayor in charge of social affairs, Alphosine Murikatete.
(SomaliNet) At least eight members of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA)rebel group were killed by in attacks in Gulu and Pader districts over the weekend New vision reported. Some eight other members of LRA crossed to the Ugandan army. LRA under the leadership of Joseph Kony has led to more than 20 years of untold suffering in Northern Uganda.
According to Army spokesman based in the north Lt. Chris Magezi, The army's mobile forces killed three rebels along River Omee in Kilak county and one west of Bungatira sub-county, Aswa county in Gulu district on Friday. He added that three other LRA fighters were killed during an ambush in a garden west of Pajule sub-county in Pader district on Saturday.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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LONDON - Signs of a deeping split between seething British Muslims and the rest of the community over policing and the authorities reaction to information about terrorist threats emerged in a poll published on Tuesday.
British Muslims have lost confidence in the countrys most senior police officer and reject the authorities right to pre-empt potential terrorist attacks, even if intelligence on the threats turns out to be wrong, according to the survey.
They especially reject it when the intel is right.
The ICM survey for The Guardian newspaper found that 54 percent of Muslims thought the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair should resign after a high-profile, but fruitless, anti-terrorism raid last month.
Their opinion and two pounds will get you a decent beer in a pub.
The poll, carried out two weeks after the raids, shows a widening gulf between Britains Muslim community -- seen in a separate survey last week as the most anti-Western in Europe -- and non-Muslims.
Some 57 percent of Muslims believed police were wrong to pre-empt possible terrorist attacks even if the intelligence, information and warnings may turn out to be wrong. In contrast, 74 percent of the wider public said police were right to act, the survey showed. Only 31 percent of Muslims agreed.
The other 69 percent need to pack their bags.
Muhammad Abdul Bari, the general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, told the Guardian the lack of confidence was understandable. The police must, of course, have the right to act upon credible intelligence and try to pre-empt potential terrorist attacks against our country, he was quoted as saying.
They have a duty to maintain public safety of all of us -- Muslims and non-Muslims.
But he pointed to the hundreds of Muslims arrested in Britain since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, the vast majority of whom were then released without charge. He added: Serious questions are being asked about how they (the police) have reviewed and assessed the intelligence, not just in the case of the Forest Gate, but many other similar raids since 9/11.
Just like intel officers everywhere. You're not right 100% of the time, but the Brits aren't wrong 100% of the time, either.
The American Pew Foundation last week highlighted the great divide between Westerners and Muslims after riots over cartoon depictions of the prophet Mohammed, the London bombings and conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. The survey, involving some 14,000 respondents in in 15 countries, suggested 61 percent of British Muslims viewed relations between Muslims and Westerners as generally bad.
The 1.6-million-strong British Muslim community, most of whom originate from south Asia, also appear to be the most anti-Jewish, with only 32 percent having a favourable opinion of Jews compared with 71 percent of French Muslims.
That's hard to believe. Not the 32%, the 71%.
British Muslims are also by far the most fond of the conspiracy theories surrounding the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, with only 17 percent believing Arabs were involved.
Send the other 83% back to their home countries and let the seethe in solitude.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
I wonder what the numbers would look like in France if you compared the 60 year old pensioned Maghrebis with their 20 year old unemployed grandsons.
#13
They "reject the authorities right to" and they are forming their own councils as preparatory to Sharia laws ? The British method of standing around and peeing in their own shoes and gathering information is not working. You had better get rid of these useless bastards while you still can. You will soon be on the level of the French and Belgians who have been occupied and no longer can muster the will to resist.
#15
In my terrorism play-book one of the important rules (right under false claims of persecution and torture) would be to provide false information to ensure a few big profile mistakes by police. This would have the effect of alienating my people from Western culture as well as overload the police who would not be able to tell real from false alarms.
Not saying that's what happened, but I'm saying that would have been a smart and fairly risk free move.
OK, Stealth, come out of invisible mode, Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets joked as he led a group toward the B-2 bomber inside the Andersen Air Force Base hangar last week. Tibbets is the grandson of Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets, who piloted Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber used to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II in 1945. Interview here with Gen. Tibbets, conducted by Studs Terkel. Highlight:
ST: One last thing, when you hear people say, "Let's nuke 'em," "Let's nuke these people [terrorists]," what do you think?
PT: Oh, I wouldn't hesitate if I had the choice. I'd wipe 'em out. You're gonna kill innocent people at the same time, but we've never fought a damn war anywhere in the world where they didn't kill innocent people. If the newspapers would just cut out the shit: "You've killed so many civilians." That's their tough luck for being there.
Tibbets also flies bombers, but his subsonic, low-observable stealth machine is considerably more high-tech than his grandfathers. The B-2 has proven through time that its the best bomber in the world, said Tibbets, who commands the 393rd Bomb Squadron, part of the 509th Bomb Wing based at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. We kick down the door. Hear that, Kimmie?
But the flip side of sophistication is maintenance, as the B-2 requires care above and beyond most planes, Tibbets said. Thats especially true on Guam, where humidity and heat must be kept at bay. The $2.1 billion B-2s avionics must be kept at 60 degrees to work, Tibbets said.
A climate-controlled hangar was built recently to house the B-2s, but all four cannot fit in at once. The $32 million hangar was built to house both the B-2 and other bombers here as part of a continuous bomber presence on Guam.
Different bomber groups B-52s, B-1s, B-2s cycle in every four months, Tibbets said. The 393rd, with about 25 aviators and 230 maintainers, arrived in May to replace B-1 bombers. This is the squadrons second rotation; the first was a year ago. This time, the maintainers said, they brought more replacement parts with them because they are hard to get on Guam. No Wal*Mart
Even so, the B-2s are doing well here, Tibbets said. For instance, the group recently completed a 10,000-mile, 24-hour sortie to Alaska and back during the Northern Edge exercise and has an overall 77 percent mission-capable rate, he said meaning the percentage of the time the planes are ready to fly. Im pushing the fleet as hard as I can, Tibbets said. I do think about my grandfather and feel connected to this area. Its a humbling experience.
#4
I'm surprised that lefty bastard Terkel didn't keel over dead when Tibbet's laid that answer on him.
Maybe Joe Mendiola can drop by to buy his grandson a drink and discuss current affairs...
#8
interesting historical note in that Gramp was also in the 509th.
Take it from one who knows the score
The 509th is winning the war
I read somewhere that this was a taunting song on Tinian in the summer of '45. Many knew that the 509th was training for some s00per sekrit mission, which (I gather) the other men thought was extremely unlikely to actually win the war. Surprise!
The Defence Minister has hinted that if North Korea pushes ahead with a missile launch there will be an international effort to shoot it down. Brendan Nelson is in Washington and has held talks with the United States vice-president Dick Cheney, as North Korea prepares to test fire a missile.
Dr Nelson says there has been no discussion about a pre-emptive strike against North Korea, but has left open the possibility of shooting down the missile in-flight. "If that missile is launched, the world will deal with it as it sees fit and Australia would certainly support any reasonable and determined effort, if the missile is launched, that it does not cause injury or harm to anybody," he said.
He says the Australian and US Governments are communicating frequently at the highest levels about what to do if North Korea goes ahead with a missile launch. "We will support every reasonable diplomatic and other effort that may be taken to prevent that missile causing harm to any human being," he said.
#1
North Korea is running out of time - Dubya t'aint Clinton, and iff the Norks don't fully and publicly identify what their missle is for, and where it will land, the USA and any other regional nation(s) has the right to pre-empt by mil force/means.
#6
I'm sure there are those in the know here. Someone told me that the Aussies are the only country who's backed us in every single war we've ever partaken and even the Brits can't claim that....'tis true????? Even if not, I for one thank the Aussies in their support.
Posted by: BA ||
06/28/2006 13:26 Comments ||
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#7
True for 20th century on. Aussies were in Nam, Brits weren't.
U.S. military officials say no guard at the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects flushed a detainee's Koran down the toilet, but they disclosed that a Muslim holy book was splashed with urine. In other newly disclosed incidents, a detainee's Koran was deliberately kicked and another's was stepped on.
On March 25, a detainee complained to guards that "urine came through an air vent" and splashed on him and his Koran. A guard admitted he was at fault, but a report released Friday evening offering new details about Koran mishandling incidents did not make clear whether the guard intended the result.
In another confirmed incident, water balloons thrown by prison guards caused an unspecified number of Korans to get wet, and in a confirmed but ambiguous case, a two-word obscenity was written in English on the inside cover of a Koran.
The findings, released after normal business hours Friday evening and after the major TV networks had aired their evening news programs, are among the results of an investigation last month by Brig. Gen. Jay Hood, the commander of the detention center in Cuba. A Newsweek magazine report later retracted that a U.S. soldier had flushed one Guantanamo Bay detainee's Koran down a toilet triggered the investigation.
The story stirred worldwide controversy, and the Bush administration blamed it for deadly demonstrations in Afghanistan
Posted by: Captain America ||
06/28/2006 19:12 ||
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Kind of makes me want to skip on over to the local book store, buy a koran, and then use then pages as toilet paper. I would take pictures of the various pages with "smudges", call them "ART", and demand funding from the NEA.
#3
CS5111 - we could just burn a Koran and kill 2 birds with one fire stone. ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/28/2006 20:43 Comments ||
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maybe Barbara, but imagine the smell....ugh
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/28/2006 21:00 Comments ||
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I've seen websites that allow anyone to draw a picture with their keyboard and mouse online. If you like your picture, you can email it to others or save it.
No reason not to use scanned pages of the Koran as a backdrop for your grafitti.
Rep. John Murtha (D.-Pa.) appears to be suffering "Daschle-itis," a figurative disease which makes entrenched incumbents become national celebrities and, in the process, risk alienating the voters that put them in office.
Since seizing his party's anti-war mantle, Murtha has become a great draw for Democratic fundraisers, helping his party boost its prospects for a congressional takeover. Naturally, this helps his party-leadership bid as well.
But at the same time, his outspokenness made him a huge target for the Internet right. His district went for John Kerry with only 51% in 2004. What originally seemed like a long-shot bid by Diana Irey (R.) to unseat Murtha has taken on new credibility as she raises money from the Internet and as Murtha makes more and more outrageous statements.
Murtha's opposition to the war has never been the real issue. His assertion that the U.S. is the greatest danger to world peace is only the most recent and perhaps most striking example of his potentially dangerous venture into the great left. Even more offensive were his statements condemning Marines who allegedly participated in a massacre in Iraq, which gave no regard to the presumption of innocence or the existence of evidence (the Marines involved maintain their innocence).
#1
This is an article of the Democrat faith. His assertion that the U.S. is the greatest danger to world peace is what the Democrat core believes he will get re-elected.
You have to understand that have "faith" that what they believe is true. No facts just faith.
#2
I heard that the quote attributed to him was false, but I believe he think the U.S. is a greater threat. It would serve him right if the people of his district turned him out of office. I am not sure am I ready for another big name Demoncrat getting tossed from office? I am still recovering from my drunk after Daschle got tossed and I still havent figured out what I did with my pants. But if the times call for it I will rise to the occasion. On that note how about we start planning a west/east coast Rantapolooza say November 10 to celebrate the 2006 elections?
Legislation that would end a quarter-century ban on drilling in most of the Outer Continental Shelf advanced in the House on Wednesday. The measure would allow oil and gas development in restricted offshore waters unless a state prohibited it. The House Resources Committee approved the legislation in 29-9 vote, and its sponsors say it has a good chance of being approved by the full House But the bill's prospects in the Senate are poor as Florida's two senators as well as others from coastal states have threatened to filibuster any legislation that would end the drilling moratorium in most coastal waters outside the western Gulf of Mexico.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Impeach the bastards then. I know we can't impeach the 2 we have here so indict them instead.
#6
As I recall, 6, drilling platforms are wonderful bases upon which reefs can form, and in the meantime a great many species of fish, etc happily shelter underneath... a great attractant to the scuba diving community. Feel better? ;-)
#8
Why should a pair of US Senators have say over what happens 50-200 miles off the coast of the nation? THAT's the area under consideration for drilling. You can see oil platforms (three or four, I don't remember exactly) from Galveston beach, and people still flock there by the thousands. This is just bullshit, and the senators need to be burned for making such stupid statements. The US needs to become oil and gas independent in the immediate future, with expansion of nuclear to replace oil, gas, and coal-fired generating plants to follow in the next decade or two. Those that stand in the way are modern-day Luddites, and need to get the same degree of "respect" - NONE.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
06/28/2006 15:26 Comments ||
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OCEANSIDE, Calif. It seems miscommunication is to blame for last weeks security mix-up that delayed a trio of leathernecks escorting the body of a fallen Marine through the Philadelphia airport.
The sergeant and two corporals were escorting the body of Sgt. Lea R. Mills, who was, like them, a member of the Camp Pendleton-based 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, to Mills family in Gulfport, Miss., on May 3 when they were taken over to secondary screening at the Philadelphia International Airport. It was there where the Marines were taken to a nearby room by Transportation Security Administration agents and told to remove their blue dress coat, belt and shoes.
According to a TSA official, military escorts usually follow a different set of screening procedures. They did not follow these procedures, said Darrin Kayser, a TSA spokesman in Northern Virginia, told Marine Corps Times on May 8. I think in this instance, there was definitely some miscommunication, Kayser added.
According to Kayser, TSA has special screening guidelines in place for service members who are accompanying the bodies of fallen service members to their families for burial. These guidelines reflect the agency's utmost respect for those who have lost their lives in service to this country, their families, and those who bring them home with honor, TSA officials said in a statement provided by Kayser.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience that Marines from the 1st [Marine] Division experienced during the screening process at Philadelphia International Airport, the statement said. We take their concerns very seriously and have communicated directly with Marine Corps leadership.
Kayser said that provisions are intended to help smooth the process. It is a fairly regular occurrence, unfortunately, that we have soldiers coming through with remains. There is a process in place that they should follow.
Its likely the three escorts, who had come from their Camp Pendleton base to accompany the casket from Dover Air Force Base, Del., werent aware of the special rules. The Marines had gone through the security line to reach their flight that would take them to Houston and then onto Gulfport, and they wanted to ensure that Mills body was properly placed on the airplane, said Sgt. John Stock, speaking by phone on May 5.
Stock, who was accompanied by Cpls. Aaron Bigalk and Jason Schadeburg, all wearing their dress uniforms, had expected that they would zip through the screening process. But, they were stopped by several TSA agents, who instructed each Marine to remove their dress blue uniform blouse, belt and black dress shoes before scanning them with a metal detector. The agents then scanned the Marines with hand-held detecting wands. Then, they were taken to a nearby room, where TSA workers patted them down. All of us. We all got searched, Stock said.
Under TSAs rules, military escorts are screened at a separate checkpoint, Kayser said, adding that he would not specify the security procedures.
The agencys procedures have been in place for some time and are known to the military services and federal security officers at the airports, Kayser said. We have a federal security director at the airport who will (liaison) with the military, he added. For escorts who stay with a casket, TSA sends security officers to their location for screening and does not require those escorts to go through the regular passenger checkpoint, the statement said. If escorts elect to travel through the regular checkpoint, we conduct our usual screening, sensitive to any special needs that may be presented. Miss-communication my ass. Complete idiots is more my guess.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
06/28/2006 11:50 ||
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Kind of a metaphor for the whole war, though: our military people risk their lives, while the civilian officials do stupid shit and get in the way.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
06/28/2006 13:40 Comments ||
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#4
Words fail. When I flew out of San Diego Sunday morning, there was a problem in the security line. An elderly lady tried to retrieve her purse after it started throught he scanner and after the situation had escalated wound up being led off in handcuffs. Had she been a Marine, perhaps the TSA would have shot her.
#7
Mineta's No profiling rules ecourage Blind Stupidity. I'd bet the TSA dolts who did this took great pleasure in asserting their unlimited authority to harrass the Marines. Miscommunication my *ss.
#8
You know when I was in Korea and we came into Kimpo there was a separate tranfer area manned by American uniformed military. They took care of customs, checks, and screening. Maybe its time to do the same at some major airports in the states as well.
#11
Miscommunication? Then why didn't someone from from TSA quietly direct The escorts to the proper check point? Mistakes happen it's what happens next that separates the professionals from the slobs. My take is these TSA idiots are more suited to pissing off the American public than maintaining airport security.
#12
My guess is that these "screeners" are dyed in the wool Democrats. The reason we have this multi-culti bullshit screening and not screening based on profiles. This suituation is to be laid at the feet of the Multi-cilti Dems and RINOS.
No Service member who can produce a military ID should be impeeded by anyone working for the TSA or as a "screener". We are in a WAR. These stupid bastards just don't get it. I am totally fed up with this horse crap.
#14
"Mistakes happen it's what happens next that separates the professionals from the slobs."
"Slobs"? These are no ordinary slobs: these are Philadelphia International Airport security workers. A lady friend of mine, arriving at PHL on a visit, called them "a bunch of apes trained to feel people up."
This is Philadelphia, where an investigation once found that 18 of the airport's security workers were convicted felons.
"Slobs" ain't the half of it...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
06/28/2006 18:48 Comments ||
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#15
TSA inspectors Jawad Sahfluhjari, Jamal Jihadi, and Allan Kumestami have issued verbal, non-English apologies, to TSA supervisor Hugo Menendez.
#16
I travel about every other week and always show my DOD ID card at screening. Usually I get thanked for my service and moved through quickly. These idiots, like the ones mentioned from buzzard bay, should be removed.
Lets not sound like the Dems who argue that if one soldier screws up then the whole Army is bad. TSA has a lot of folks and the pay sucks. This sets them up for failure and our congress is who funds them. Congress needs to increase saleries to attract better quality workers.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
06/28/2006 20:07 Comments ||
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#17
At the risk of sounding like a Democrat, The TSA personnel seem like the ones who couldn't pass the test for the USPS. They may have some effective personnel hiding behind a curtain somewhere, but I doubt it. I also doubt they have made flight one iota safer. The folks on flight 93 did that. But they do get to act like little Hitlers ordering 80 year old female terrorist suspects to take off their shoes and prepare for the wand inspection.
Further, Congress does not fund the TSA, I do. And I'm getting ripped off by this make work agency that won't screen the obvious prime suspects but will harrass innocent Americans.
#18
49 Pan: I seriously doubt better pay would get "better workers." This is all about being P.C. and NOT using profiling for screening. Good gawd you can't seriously think if they suddenly raised the pay to $80,000/year that the 80 year old grannies would stop being groped. In fact, I bet they're better paid than the contractors before (who were paid by airlines) if you include gov't benefits. It's all in the policies (Mineta's shop), rules and regulations (Congress' shop) they have to follow. PLUS, not be non-P.C. and actually use common sense to just search Islamic passengers as POTENTIAL jihadis.
Posted by: BA ||
06/28/2006 22:05 Comments ||
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A day after a key committee in the Congress endorsed a bill to implement the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, a bitter Pakistan on Wednesday said it would not accept any "discriminatory treatment" and that a "package deal" for the two neighbouring countries would have better served the strategic stability in South Asia. "Pakistan does not accept any discriminatory treatment," a Foreign Ministry statement said, reacting to the House International Relations Committee's approval of a draft bill to make exemptions in US energy laws for implementing the deal.
"Strategic stability in the region would have been better served if American Administration has offered the agreement to Islamabad too as a package deal to prevent nuclear arms race in the subcontinent," said the statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam. "We have cautioned the international community about the consequences of this agreement for the shared objectives of stability in South Asia and a strong global non-proliferation regime," Aslam said of the Indo-US nuclear deal.
"...the objective of strategic stability in South Asia and the global non-proliferation regime would have been better served if the US had considered a package approach for Pakistan and India, two non-NPT nuclear weapons states, with a view to preventing a nuclear arms race and promoting restraints while ensuring that the legitimate needs of both countries for civilian nuclear power generation are met."
"While we will continue to act with responsibility in maintaining minimum credible deterrent and to avoid an arms race, we will remain fully committed to our security requirements and the needs of our economic development which demand growth in the energy sector including civilian nuclear power generation," the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
Pakistan's reaction followed reports that President Pervez Musharraf once again asked visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to extend the nuclear deal to it.
For her part, Rice said, "we've been very, very clear. We believe that the situation with India is a special circumstance."
"We have not had a chance to discuss that specific issue, but we eventually will. We will. We will discuss it," she said at a Joint press conference with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri. "But we're having very fruitful discussions with Pakistan about how to meet Pakistan's energy needs. This is a question of how to meet one's needs for reliable, safe, clean energy that can support economic growth," she said.
"And I mentioned that the Energy Dialogue took place in Washington just yesterday and Secretary Sam Bodman was himself participating in that, and so I think we're going to continue to have discussions about how to meet Pakistan's energy needs," the Secretary of State said. She was referring to talks between US and Pakistan in Washington on non-nuclear energy options to help Islamabad meet its energy requirements.
Posted by: john ||
06/28/2006 16:43 ||
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#1
Pak upset on India N-deal, snubs Rice
Analysts in Islamabad say that the fact that neither the Pakistani foreign minister nor any other government minister was present at the Chaklala airport to receive Rice as per the standard protocol procedure was significant and should be seen in the light of Pakistans complaint that the Bush administration is showing favouritism to Pakistans arch rival, India.
Pakistan has complained unsuccessfully that it should receive the same civilian nuclear help the United States intends to give India.
Posted by: john ||
06/28/2006 16:56 Comments ||
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#2
Sure thing, Pakis. Just hand over Khan and his Day-Timer, and we'll talk.
After receiving fresh intelligence reports about the abundant circulation of dangerous hate material, especially by jihadi extremists, the top quarters in Islamabad have asked the provincial governments to launch an onslaught against those involved in the dangerous game, sources said. Sources in the ministry of interior in Islamabad said it had received reports about the circulation of provocative material being used by banned extremist groups to lure and indoctrinate naïve youth to be involved in the terror game especially in large cities, with particular emphasis on Karachi.
Karachi has seen a number of suicide bombings since May 2002 when the first of the suicide attacks killed 11 French engineers among 14 people and injured over 50 more outside the Sheraton hotel. The latest incidents reported this year were near the US consulate building in March, which killed four and a US diplomat and injured 52 others, and during a congregation in Nishtar Park on April 11, which killed over 60 people and injured more than 100. Many religious parties dispute the governments claim that the Nishtar Park blast was a suicide bombing but any evidence to assert their counterclaims is still awaited.
Sources in the provincial home department said they had received the instructions from Islamabad to keep a beady eye on the circulation of videocassettes, audiocassettes and DVDs and CDs. There are reports that some banned groups of extremists are behind this practice to arrange discreet gatherings at remote locations in Karachi and other cities in which they are indoctrinated with published material and visuals, said an official on condition of anonymity. Similarly, sources said a large number of audiocassettes were conveniently available in the open market and were being sold at cheap rates. There are many mosques and madressahs across the country where such audiocassettes are kept on sale. Sources said it was difficult for the authorities to locate the expert jihadis involved in the circulation of such stuff.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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Hey, is that a bolt in your neck or are you jus glad to see me
Posted by: Captain America ||
06/28/2006 18:18 Comments ||
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MIRANSHAH: The North Waziristan chief administrator expressed hope on Tuesday that the ceasefire announced by militants in the tribal agency would become permanent, and vowed to try to solve all problems through a traditional jirga. Dr Fakhar Alam said this in a meeting with a jirga composed of around 400 tribal elders in Miranshah, the North Waziristan headquarters. The jirga was convened a day after a suicide bomber killed six security personnel at a checkpoint near the town. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Abdur Rehman repeated demands outlined by a Taliban spokesman on Sunday after announcing a month-long unilateral truce in North Waziristan. Dr Alam promised the jirga that he would examine the demands.
Rehman said that the time had come to welcome the tribal people and address their complaints and problems. Innocent people should be released and privileges should be restored, he said. Taliban spokesman Abdullah Farhad welcomed the chief administrators announcement, and said that the ceasefire was holding. He said that 18 tribal elders on the groups hit-list had been pardoned. He also said that masked Taliban gunmen would no longer patrol the town. If anyone sees a masked man on the street, he will not be from the Taliban, he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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Pakistan said on Tuesday it would deploy another 10,000 troops along the border with Afghanistan to control cross-border infiltration.
That's a pretty big triabl lashkar...
At a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said Pakistan would deploy another 10,000 troops to dispel the impression that it is not doing enough against terrorism. Kasuri suggested that Pakistan would take action against alleged militants in its own areas if it were provided with actionable evidence.
How about those guys with no heads?
Rice, who earlier had a detailed meeting with President General Pervez Musharraf, said Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US need to unify our efforts to eliminate Al Qaeda and Taliban. The United States role is to keep pressing to eliminate the terrible enemy. She said the three countries were improving their tactical and strategic cooperation. Pakistan is a friend and a partner. We recognise President Musharrafs commitment, she said. However, she stressed we need to commit as strongly as possible to make it impossible for Al Qaeda and Taliban militants to operate in the region. She said President Hamid Karzai had launched a process of political reconciliation in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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President Musharraf has stressed upon the visiting US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice to ensure United States respect and consideration for the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan in its ongoing war against terrorism citing repeated violations by allied forces in Afghanistan as a source of growing reservations among Pakistani masses and intelligentsia.
If we cross the border and kill Mullah Omar or Zawahiri or Binny, that'll be a violation of Pak sovreignty. Should we do that, we'll also be demonstrating yet again that either Pakland can't control its territory — which means they lack sovreignty over it — or that they've been providing shelter to our sworn enemies, which would indicate they're not really on our side despite their protestations. Only if we violate their borders and kill the wrong people do they have a bitch.
The American Secretary of State ensured President Musharraf that America gives due respect and consideration to Pakistan as an important ally in war against terrorism.
Yep. Due and appropriate respect. If we find them, we'll kill them, just like we did with the Zawahiri zap a few months ago. We missed him, but we took out other bad guyz, along with the puppies and kittens and baby ducks and fluffy bunnies.
Condoleezza Rice met President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday evening in the President House, where both discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations pertaining to war against terrorism, political situations of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, Pak-America Defense and economic treaties, regional situations and ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India. Musharraf briefed Condoleezza Rice about serious and steadfast implementations of all the policies agreed upon with President Bush during his visit to Pakistan, and expressed his vow and need for a unified war to end terrorism in the region, assuring her that contrary to malicious propaganda, Osama bin Laden is not present in Pakistan.
"No, no! Certainly not!"
Referring to maintaining balance of power in the Sub-continent region, President Musharraf stressed on USA to sign a pact for delivery of civil nuclear technology to Pakistan as well, since Pakistan requires such technology to fulfill its growing energy need.
And Dr. Strangelove is now under lock and key with a "heart condition."
He also stressed USA to play its part to influence positive outcome of the ongoing peace talks between Pakistan and India, so that the core issue of Kashmir could be resolved amicably and quickly.
But without stopping the flow of hard boyz across the border...
President Musharraf also raised the issue of tirade of rampant and baseless allegations of the Afghan leadership against Pakistan, upon which Ms Rice contended that US stands by its already stated position over the controversy. Pakistan and United States of America reiterated their desire to further strengthen defence relationship so as to cope with the emerging challenges in mutually beneficial ways.
#4
Interesting - so now both Russia and China not only have to contend with a surreally future strong, nuclearized, empire = geopol ambitious Iran, but a closer, deeper America in-between as well. Assuming that Radical Iran gets its nukes, it in LT will not accept being a second fiddle, perm minor trading/econ partner to Russia-China within the SCO. KEEP BUYING DAT POPCORN.
#6
Fair play: alongside this, run the article of a few weeks back in which several Rantburgers thought it was a good fallback idea that Musharraf cede control of bordering territories. This territorial sovereignty assertion on the part of Pakistan was raised by me as a potential flaw in the argument.
#8
"We'll respect your sovereignty as long as you turn over the following list of terrorists residing in Quetta, Mirinshah, Tank, and Rawalpindi. You have 90 days. At the end of that time, we will totally destroy the beforementioned cities, and any others you might have, followed by an armed invasion of five to seven US divisions and assorted allied personnel."
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
06/28/2006 15:59 Comments ||
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#9
#8: "we will totally destroy the beforementioned cities, and any others you might have, followed by an armed invasion of five to seven US divisions and assorted allied personnel."
"And then we really might get mad." ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/28/2006 18:54 Comments ||
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As the old saying goes:
IF YOU DON'T START NO SH!T, THERE WON'T BE NO SH!T.
In a little-noticed announcement in President Bush's news conference on June 14, the day he returned from Iraq, he said that he would send two personal emissaries to New York to consult with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on the political and economic future of Iraq. The next day, still with remarkably little public attention, Philip Zelikow, the counselor of the State Department, and Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt met with Annan and his deputy, Mark Malloch Brown, at the secretary general's Sutton Place residence. There was no one else present. So let's guess who leaked to Clintonista Holbrooke...
The two presidential envoys asked Annan to use his unique "convening powers" to help organize international meetings that would lead (by this fall, the Americans hope) to the unveiling of a new "Iraq Compact" -- an agreement between the Iraqi government and major international donors that would commit Baghdad to a series of political and economic reforms in return for substantially more international aid. (Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Annan the same day to make an identical request.)
It is, however, impossible not to note the irony and the implications of what has happened in the past two weeks between Washington and the United Nations. Once again, an administration that has underfunded, undersupported and undermined the United Nations has turned to it, almost in desperation, for help. Or asked it to demonstrate that it is useless. All depends on how things turn out.
The lesson should be clear: Despite the enormously self-destructive actions of many other member states, especially the group of developing nations called the G-77, the United Nations still serves U.S. foreign policy interests in many important ways. That's not clear yet. Not only Iraq but also Iran, Darfur, Afghanistan and the difficult negotiations just started over Kosovo's final status -- all issues of vital importance to the United States -- have now ended up in the United Nations. to little or no effect in each case. To weaken this institution further, as has happened in recent years, serves no clear American national security interest. To strengthen it would make it more valuable to the United States and to every nation that seeks conflict resolution, stability and economic progress. With the maneuvering over the selection of Annan's successor underway, it is time for Washington -- and this must include Congress -- to put behind it a sorry period of confusion and offer the United Nations more support, both financial and political, in return for the things it needs in Iraq and elsewhere.
#2
Not only Iraq but also Iran, Darfur, Afghanistan and the difficult negotiations just started over Kosovo's final status -- all issues of vital importance to the United States -- have now ended up in the United Nations. (to little or no effect in each case.) To weaken this institution further
I'm not sure this organization could get much weaker, but the author's contention is clearly not founded in any realistic understanding of the situation. Holbrooke is an obvious supporter of the UN and its failed policies around the world.
Everywhere that Holbrooke mentions above, when the UN has interfered in the situation, the result has always been the lessening of freedom and democracy, the reinforcement of extremist policies and dictatorships, and the continued suffering of the very people the UN is ostensibly attempting to help.
The truth is the UN specializes in anti-Americanism, and is hardly pro-democracy, pro-freedom, or even pro-people. They support the most ruthless dictatorships, the most ruthless ethnic cleansing, and the most ruthless regimes and policies rather than the pursuit of freedom and democracy as promulgated by the United States and its allies.
In Iraq the UN's interference has the new government negotiating with the very people responsible for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Iraqi civilian casualties rather than bolstering freedom and democracy and rooting out the killers.
In Iran, the UN's interference has bolstered and enabled the mullocracy and reinforced the hardliners to the extent that they now believe they can become a regional power and challenge the forces of freedom and democracy.
In Darfur, the UN's interference can reasonably be said to have reinforced the governments hardline stand, supported the terrorist factions, and contributed to the deaths of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of civilians.
In Afghanistan, the UN's interference can be said to have given rise to the Taliban in the first place, and to have significantly contributed to their current attempts to come back to power through an insurgency. The UN's interference can also be said to have contributed to the escape of bin Ladin from Tora Bora, and his continued avoidance of US, Afghan, and Pakistani forces in the Waziristan region. In addition, the UN's interference can be said to be contributing to the rise of insurgents inside Pakistan and to be contributing to their reinforcement of cross-border Taliban insurgents into Afghanistan.
The only way the UN could get any weaker would be for the US to withdraw its funding, all of it, and to boot them the hell out of NYC.
All of this is only my humble opinion, of course, but those are my (and your) tax dollars going to fund this corrupt and criminal organization.
#3
To strengthen it would make it more valuable to the United States and to every nation that seeks conflict resolution, stability and economic progress.
To strengthen it would serve fatal to any nation that wants to keep its children un-buggered, its sovereignty respected, and its wallet unopened!
Bolton, put a bullet in the thing's head and be done with it.
June 20 2006 at 0310 UTC at Lagos Roads anchorage, Nigeria. Three robbers armed with guns and knives boarded a bulk carrier from forecastle. They took hostage a duty A/B and held him at gunpoint. They lowered ship's stores into a waiting motor boat and escaped.
And from the Better Late Than Never Desk:
June 04 2006 at 0630 UTC in position 25:40.0N - 057:04.0E, off NE coast Oman, Arabian Sea. Three armed pirates in a high speed fibre glass boat with green hull followed a chemical tanker underway. They came within two metres and engaged the crew in meaningless conversation. Master took photos of the pirates and at this stage a masked pirate started shooting at the master. Bullets missed the master and crew locked themselves inside the accommodation and secured all entrances. Pirates realised that they were photographed and aborted attempted boarding.
#1
Pirates realised that they were photographed and aborted attempted boarding.
"Yar, mateys, its the paparazzi pirate hunters! We best be turnin' tail or it's the front page of the National Enquirer fer the lot o' us!"
Posted by: Mike ||
06/28/2006 7:24 Comments ||
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They lowered ship's stores into a waiting motor boat
What would be the big prize on a motor freighter? Maybe a little morphine from the first aid kit? Likker? Lifeboats are sellable. I'm kinda curious about this because it seems to happen a lot. It's not so much the cargo as the crews maintenance items they're after.
Saddam Husseins regime paid millions of dollars to a South Korean businessman to create a secret backchannel to top UN officials, including Boutros Boutros Ghali, then the UN Secretary-General, US prosecutors alleged today. The claim, formally naming Dr Boutros Ghali for the first time, was made at the start of the first US trial over the UNs Oil-for-Food scandal. Prosecutors said that Tongsun Park received $2.5 million (£1.4 million) in cash plus promises of lucrative business deals in return for providing access to Dr Boutros Ghali and at least one other top UN official.
Tongsun Park has access at the highest levels of the UN. Tongsun Park had his price. Tongsun Park sold his access to the UN. He sold it to the Iraqis, Michael Farbiarz, a federal prosecutor, told the jury. Cash by the bagful was sent to the US and doled out to Tongsun Park by an agent for Iraq. The prosecution did not allege that Dr Boutros Ghali had received any money during negotiations on the creation of the $64 billion humanitarian programme in 1996. But Mr Farbiarz said that the money Iraq paid to Mr Park appeared to have had its desired effect.
Mr Park, 71, who was born in North Korea, faces up to 12 years in prison on charges that he acted as an unregistered foreign agent for Saddams Iraq during and after the creation of the programme. Prosecutors alleged that Mr Park was recruited by Samir Vincent, an Iraqi-American businessman, who has admitted working illegally for Saddams Iraq. Mr Vincent handed Mr Park large sums of cash, prosecutors allege. But it was just a down payment, and both men were promised business deals once sanctions were lifted.
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Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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#5
At least someone received some respectable compensation out of this. Most of the guys I've read about seem to be willing to sell themselves for dimes on the dollar.
#3
Honest broker in Arabic means letting Arabs exterminate the Jews;
Now if Us really acted as a honest broker it would find Arabs guilty on all carges and would demand them on pain of nuking them sky high to indemnify not only Israel but also all the remaining victims of arabo-islamic fascism: Kurds, Soudanese Blacks, North African berbers, Afghans and last but not least 9/11 victilms and all the other victims of arabo-islamic fascist terrorism.
Oh, and it would force Arabs to take the Paleostinians in their countries, to feed them if they love them so muc h and to refund the civilized nations for every single cent spent supporting them since 1948. 58 years and counting without earning their food.
#5
Oh, and it would force Arabs to take the Paleostinians in their countries, to feed them if they love them so muc h and to refund the civilized nations for every single cent spent supporting them since 1948
Ever notice if any of the hand wringers about the Paleos never say a thing about the Silesian Germans or their former lands? Something that predates the ME issue by a mere three years. They were resettled and integrated into the post WWII boundries.
#6
Ever notice if any of the hand wringers about the Paleos never say a thing about the Silesian Germans or their former lands?
They would tell you that they had it coming for supporting nazism and its crimes. However we can notice that the hand wringers are strangely silent about say, the Greek Cypriots, the Iraki Kurds expelled by Saddam and Oriental Jews who had been living in Middle east and North Africa since well before Christ (ie for muuuuuch longer than the Arabs). It also seems that Soudanese Blacks are only dirty niggers to them given how little they care about their plight.
And while, I don't expect the shock troops of moonbatism to care for eeeeeeeeevil colonizers the fact is that many of the French "Pied Noirs" had been living in Algeria for decades when the ancestors of most Palestinians were still living in Egypt and other Arab countries.
#7
They would tell you that they had it coming for supporting nazism and its crimes
Probably, but they then ignore the even bigger body count turned in by the communists of the 20th Century. If 'collective guilt' is going to be assigned, they need to stand in the very first position in the line. Usually, the same culprits.
#8
Arab League: US urged to play role of honest broker in Mideast
There's good news and bad news.
The good news is that the United States is the "honest broker" in the Mideast. Anyone tried Russia, Iran, China or Europe lately?
The bad news is that the United States is the "honest broker" in the Mideast. And that means that Russia, Iran, China and Europe will all do their best to thwart American interests even though it means snapping the fragile taproot of Democracy as it begins to set in the Mideast's parched soil.
PS: Note to Arab League, your inability to recognize earnest attempts at rescueing your Muslim brethern from countless centuries of incessant bloodshed wins you a hearty f&ck off and die.
He and six co-defendants will face charges of having killed an estimated 100,000 Kurds and destroying thousands of Kurdish villages in the 1980s, including the chemical attack in Halabja, Kurdistan, in 1988 that killed some 5,000 civilians, mostly women and children. In a trial that began last October, Saddam and seven co-defendants are accused of killing Shiites in Dujail in 1982. The defense is to present its final arguments in that trial next month.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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Um, what happens if he's sentenced to death in the first trial? Do we have to wait until the second trial's over before he kicks heels at the end of a rope? Will there be third and fourth trials? The man could live for another forty years, accumulating death sentence after death sentence, and consuming more in legal resources than he stole in oil profits.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
06/28/2006 8:14 Comments ||
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#2
A prediction if you will.
He will be sentenced to death, but never hung. He will spend the rest of his miserable life being tried for and convicted of a myriad of crimes and by the time his appeals and trials are over he will pull a Milosovic and croack off in his cell.
Executing Saddam Hussein would fuel more sectarian violence in Iraq, a U.S. lawyer for the deposed Iraqi leader said on Tuesday. "That execution would inflame a country that's already incinerating," former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark said. "I hope the American people can realize that if there is ever a time to call for an end to executions, it is in this case."
Saddam's trial for crimes against humanity has been a miscarriage of justice, depriving a death sentence of legitimacy, Clark said. He added that the trial has been unduly influenced by the United States, which has attracted international criticism for its own high rate of executions. Clark, a communist and founder of International ANSWER veteran defender of unpopular high-profile cases, spoke at a news conference to highlight his call for better protection of Saddam's lawyers, three of whom have been killed since the Iraqi trial started in October. The third was killed on Wednesday. Prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for Saddam in the case, which involves a 1982 crackdown on Shi'ites in which hundreds were killed and tortured.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/28/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
We'll compromise, Ramsey. How about you drop dead instead?
#2
Clark, it's obvious that you will do and say anything to be in the spotlight. Did you know there's a show called "Jackass" that would suit you quite well. All you have to do to get on it is swim in a pool of $hit (or something equally intelligent). Perhaps you'd like a whiff (or two, if you're quick) of that gas that poor Saddam used on that Kurd village. That would get you all kinds of coverage, and you'd never have to worry about what you were going to do next!
Posted by: grb ||
06/28/2006 4:08 Comments ||
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#3
Hey! I know! Why not let the soverign nation of Iraq's judicial system decide?
the trial has been unduly influenced by the United States, but not enough by Ramsey Clark? I second tu3031's motion.
Posted by: Bobby ||
06/28/2006 7:27 Comments ||
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#4
We can't hang him, he's going to be the president!
#5
That execution would inflame a country that's already incinerating.
If it's already incinerating, then it's in flames, and you can't inflame something that's already inflamed. There, see! I've run rings 'round you with logic!
Posted by: Mike ||
06/28/2006 9:12 Comments ||
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#6
You're the lawyer for the DEFENSE, Clark, and you lost, and you're sh*tmouthing the Court because you're a f*ck*ss loser.
#8
Executing Ramsey as a traitor to the US would help things considerably. He has been causing problems for this country for more than 50 years. Can we arrange a beheading ?
#1
"In not one Muslim population polled does a majority believe that Arabs carried out the attacks of September 11, 2001, on America. The proportions range from a mere 15% in Pakistan holding Arabs responsible, to 48% among French Muslims. Confirming recent negative trends in Turkey, the number of Turks who point the finger at Arabs has declined to 16% today from 46% in 2002. In other words, in every one of these 10 Muslim communities, a majority views September 11 as a hoax perpetrated by the American government, Israel, or some other agency."
"All the Muslim populations polled display a solid majority of support for Osama bin Laden. Asked whether they have confidence in him, Muslims replied positively, ranging between 8% (in Turkey) and 72% (in Nigeria). Likewise, suicide bombing is popular. Muslims who call it justified range from 13% (in Germany) to 69% (in Nigeria). These appalling numbers suggest that terrorism by Muslims has deep roots and will remain a danger for years to come."
Not very encouraging. Not at all...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
06/28/2006 9:16 Comments ||
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#3
They lie to themselves tho. It's their way. They've had a cultural lobotomy which gives them the weird ability to hold two completely stupid thoughts at the same time and believe them both, while holding outing their hands for a payment to believe a 3rd stupid idea and being willing to betray all 3 thoughts for a quality camel.
#4
The situation in Britain reflects the "Londonistan" phenomenon, whereby Britons preemptively cringe and Muslims respond to this weakness with aggression
Darwin in action. The liberal countries are weak, declining, passive. The Muslims are agressive, ruthless and united together in a cause.
Liberals likewise have a cultural lobotomy which gives them the weird ability to hold two completely stupid thoughts at the same time . While the Muslim's believe in conquest, the liberals are willing to stake their freedoms on the idea that good intentions are good enough.
Darwin isn't concerned with good v/s evil. Just strong v/s week. If liberals can't get it together quickly, they will lose.
#7
Enough of this "united in a common cause" crapola. There is also the simple fact that Islam, as a whole, is entirely self-deluded with respect to its quality of life, proficiency of leadership and overall level of corruption. Just as the extreme left has deluded itself into believing that multiculturalism and communism are valid concepts, so have Muslims absolved themselves of the need for self-examination, revision or reformation. It is this severely misplaced sense of certitude that will most likely result in their extermination.
That so much of the Muslim world can fool itself into believing the 9/11 atrocity was self-inflicted or perpetrated by one of our own allies goes to show just how distorted and malignant Islam has always been become.
#8
Well, I hate to defend the Mideast Crazies, but opinion polls taken in unfree states are worthless in determining how people really feel...
Pollster: Excuse me, I came here in a government car, with a government translator. Answer this question honestly, but remember, if you answer 'B' you may be dragged outside tomorrow by thugs and beaten to death...."
#10
The Islamic nations are like retarded children playing with knives. At some point the adults need to start acting like adults and deal with them.
Ummmmm ... no. It's more like two morons in a powder magazine arguing over who has the most matches. If it weren't for the nuclear weapons aspect, I'd almost have to ask, why stop them?
A Hamas video just released on their web site focuses on the broader Palestinian Islamic ideology, promising the eventual conquering and subjugation of Christian countries under Islam. The way Israel "ran" from Gaza after terror is presented as the prototype for future Israeli and Western behavior in the face of Islamic force. The video is a collection of statements by Hamas terrorist leader, Yasser Ghalban, killed last week by Palestinians, in the ongoing internal fighting.
The following is the transcript of selections from the Hamas video:
"We will rule the nations, by Allah's will, the USA will be conquered, Israel will be conquered, Rome and Britain will be conquered
The Jihad for Allah... is the way of Truth and the way for Salvation and the way which will lead us to crush the Jews and expel them from our country Palestine. Just as the Jews ran from Gaza, the Americans will run from Iraq and Afghanistan and the Russians will run from Chechnya, and the Indian will run from Kashmir, and our children will be released from Guantanamo. The prisoners will be released by Allah's will, not by peaceful means and not by agreements, but they will be released by the sword, they will be released by the gun".
The video identifies itself as from the "Al-Qassam Brigades Media Office." "Al-Qassam Brigades" is the name the Hamas calls its military wing.
The ideology is similar to the Al-Qaeda ideology, and this can be seen by viewing an Al-Qaeda video seen now on many sites on the Internet, likewise anticipating battles with other religions throughout the world. "They Are Coming" is 12 minute collection of scenes of Al-Qaeda's training around the world: Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, Eritrea, Indonesia, Kashmir, Somalia, Philippines, UK, Algeria and Pakistan. This propaganda video addresses the American public with captions in English, images of dead and injured American soldiers, and threats such as: "They Are Coming", "Start digging your graves", and ends with a burning US flag.
#2
Why shouldn't the US State Dept. send Hamas (and the UN for form's sake) a letter asking if this truly is a declaration of War on the US, and if so where would they like our response dropped off?
#4
"This propaganda video addresses the American public with captions in English, images of dead and injured American soldiers, and threats such as: "They Are Coming", "Start digging your graves", and ends with the burning of Mecca."
Posted by: Steve ||
06/28/2006 8:26 Comments ||
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#5
Well, I have to say I admire their chutzpah, but I think they should prolly focus on fixing their own electricity and mastering the intricacies of indoor plumbing first - but that's just me.
#8
Just proves that the only solution to the Middle East problem is to eliminate the current inhabitants and move esquimaux in to replace them. We never have any problems with the esquimaux.
Either that or turn sand into glass - also easily done.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
06/28/2006 16:53 Comments ||
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#9
At the rate it's going, what's left of Hamas will have to swim to Britain just to survive.
The Most Advanced Quadruped Robot on Earth BigDog robots trot around in the shadow of an MV-22 Osprey while given commands via remote control at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., June 26, 2006. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is considering plans such as weaponizing the BigDog robots and using them to carry extra gear to free Marines of the burden of extra weight.
BigDog is the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics family of robots. It is a quadruped robot that walks, runs, and climbs on rough terrain and carries heavy loads. BigDog is powered by a gasoline engine that drives a hydraulic actuation system.
BigDog's legs are articulated like an animal's, and have compliant elements that absorb shock and recycle energy from one step to the next. BigDog is the size of a large dog or small mule, measuring 1 meter long, 0.7 meters tall and 75 kg weight.
BigDog has an on-board computer that controls locomotion, servos the legs and handles a wide variety of sensors. BigDog's control system manages the dynamics of its behavior to keep it balanced, steer, navigate, and regulate energetics as conditions vary.
Sensors for locomotion include joint position, joint force, ground contact, ground load, a laser gyroscope, and a stereo vision system. Other sensors focus on the internal state of BigDog, monitoring the hydraulic pressure, oil temperature, engine temperature, rpm, battery charge and others.
So far, BigDog has trotted at 3.3 mph, climbed a 35 degree slope and carried a 120 lb load.
BigDog is being developed by Boston Dynamics with help from Foster Miller, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Harvard University Concord Field Station.Development is funded by the DARPA Defense Sciences Office.
Posted by: DanNY ||
06/28/2006 06:45 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
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#1
Interesting. So now I suppose I'll soon have to add to my canine commands - Sit, stay, heel, acquire target, fire, reload.
#3
Fiction becomes reality. Right out of Anime. The phrase given as a command "Duran load Silver Cartridge" is spoken and the robotic dog loads and fires a huge round at the target it has already been attacking without prompting. It is capable of carrying a human and jumping distances a human can not.
#10
If they make it work, then good for them, but I think wheels, which evolution never figured out is a better option.
Legs are better for offroad travel than wheels or even tracks. Specially when ditch/obstacle is over 5 or 10% the size of the vehicle. Cheetahs can reach 70 Mph off road as they jump their way around obstacles, try that with wheels and you will find crew jelly.
BTW your novel is great but one of the vehicles gets stuck. :-)
#14
I kinda like the idea of a 278th ACR (Imperial Walker/Mech).
Need to scale them up, install a 120 and a coax, etc. Need a crew of at least 4, including one who look out below for the Skywalker wanna-bees.
Posted by: N guard ||
06/28/2006 14:13 Comments ||
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#15
When they get too old for active duty, wonder if you could get one at Property Disposal and mount a 48" mower deck on him?
#16
I bet you could rig up some really nasty looking claws on that puppy to scare the bejesus out of anyone who comes across their tracks...
Now if they could power it by having it ingest biodegradeable material found everywhere...
Terrorist du jour? Bon Apetit!
*Burp*
Posted by: DanNY ||
06/28/2006 14:38 Comments ||
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#17
Link here to see a full video of the BigDog. It's very, very impressive. You WILL see more of this technology in the future.
Downright creepy... that thing moves its legs like I would imagine a real life-alien to move its... they should have designed it with six of them, the effect would have been even "better".
I wonder how haji would react to that?
Anyway, the balancing act is very impressive, I'm not sure one of my dogs could stay standing if I pushed him/her like that.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has established a new body to supervise foreign policy in a move seen by some politicians in Tehran as a way to counterbalance the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad.
The move comes as Iran faces fresh pressure from US and European Union officials to respond quickly to an incentive package presented earlier this month by western powers. The package, drawn up by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, was crafted in an effort to persuade Tehran to limit its nuclear programme. Mr Ahmadi-Nejad said last week that Iran would respond to the package by August 22. However some US and EU officials want a much swifter response.
In a letter appointing Kamal Kharrazi foreign minister under former President Mohammad Khatami as head of the new Strategic Committee for Foreign Policy, Ayatollah Khamenei said it should help facilitate macro-decision making find new horizons and make use of intellectuals.
Mr Kharrazi said on Tuesday the body would have no executive function but would devise strategies and present them to the leader.
He spoke of including experts from previous governments. Mr Kharrazi was foreign minister throughout Irans two-year talks with the EU, a time when Iranian diplomats developed wide contacts in Europe.
Shargh, the reformist newspaper, on Tuesday splashed Return of the moderates to foreign policy as its front-page headline. Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the former vice-president, said the bodys composition meant the continuation of détente.
Among those appointed is Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei, who has acted as contact between the leader and Saudi Arabia in improving the two states relations over recent months. But Ayatollah Khamenei may also be acting to build consensus within Irans leadership, where different tactics have been aired in recent months over how to proceed with the nuclear programme.
Addressing top officials last week, Ayatollah Khamenei said the term principleist usually claimed by fundamentalists including Mr Ahmadi-Nejad should apply to anyone of any trend ... committed to the principles of the revolution.
Regime insiders recently told the FT the leadership was uncertain how to interpret the US decision to take part in talks if Iran accepted the wests offer.
Ayatollah Khamenei said on Tuesday the ground was prepared for negotiations over Tehrans nuclear programme but reiterated that Iran would not negotiate over its right to obtain and use nuclear technology.
His comments came as Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said Moscow believed it was counterproductive to insist Tehran give an early response.
#1
propane was at least $5/bottle more then than now...perhaps they need to be punished, harshly? Jailtime for American participants (yep), fines (yep), and banning from the American market (might be counter productive...)?
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/28/2006 21:55 Comments ||
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NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) today announced plans to develop approximately 10,500 megawatts (MW) of new generation capacity over the next decade to help meet the energy needs of its high-demand, capacity-constrained markets and to support NRG's continued growth. This repowering initiative, which will be funded with the support of partners and project finance debt, would represent a total investment of $16 billion.
With this repowering initiative, NRG will:
-- Enhance its dispatch mix with almost 8,000 MW of new baseload capacity - including 2,700 MW of nuclear - and 2,500 MW of new, highly efficient intermediate and peaking capacity;
-- Further diversify its fuel mix and reduce reliance on higher-priced, imported fuels, not only through its solid fuel repowerings, but also through the acquisition of a new wind development company with wind projects in active development in Texas and California;
-- Create thousands of new construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs; and
-- Reduce the carbon intensity of NRG's baseload fleet by 20-25 percent.
Mostly due to the Nuke plants.
I have been informed by friends that the new NRC licensing process forces the wingnuts to express their concerns up front, and only about the site and local population characteristics with respect to emergency planning. NRC has also pre-approved a set of standard designs, so the moonbats posing as scientists have already questioned the designs and have been swatted down. This utility is smart, in that they are expanding an existing site, in an area with an existing emergency plan, and which already benefits from the jobs the plant provides. I've been told that there are many sites in the USA that have one or two units, but could handle up to four, so there are many opportunities to expand nuclear power.
Good news all around, and coupled with the announcement that GM will produce a hybrid car that you can plug into the wall to recharge overnight, this is a big, and necessary, step toward nuclear independence.
And it's a big jump up for the communities that host these sites: They're mostly rural, but the addition of a Nuke plant nearby boosts the local economy so much that they punch way above their weight.
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.
(SomaliNet) The Somali Council of the 
ALGIERS - About 200 Algerian Islamist fighters have so far surrendered under an amnesty aimed at ending years of violence, Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said in remarks published on Wednesday. The number represents a quarter of the total amount of guerrillas estimated by officials to have been at large when the amnesty came into effect in February
A government critic once hid his children upstairs each time the doorbell rang, fearful they would see him being hauled away by state security agents. Now that critic sees reason for hope in unlikely advocates of democracy: Leaders of a military junta that seized power in Mauritania last year. On the weekend, the junta held a constitutional referendum in which voters overwhelmingly adopted changes ensuring future heads of state will never again be able to stay in office for life.
(SomaliNet) At least eight members of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA)rebel group were killed by in attacks in Gulu and Pader districts over the weekend New vision reported. Some eight other members of LRA crossed to the Ugandan army. LRA under the leadership of Joseph Kony has led to more than 20 years of untold suffering in Northern Uganda. 
LONDON - Signs of a deeping split between 
OK, Stealth, come out of invisible mode, Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets joked as he led a group toward the B-2 bomber inside the Andersen Air Force Base hangar last week. Tibbets is the grandson of Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets, who piloted Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber used to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II in 1945.
The Defence Minister has hinted that if North Korea pushes ahead with a missile launch there will be an international effort to shoot it down. Brendan Nelson is in Washington and has held talks with the United States vice-president Dick Cheney, as North Korea prepares to test fire a missile.
Legislation that would end a quarter-century ban on drilling in most of the Outer Continental Shelf advanced in the House on Wednesday. The measure would allow oil and gas development in restricted offshore waters unless a state prohibited it. The House Resources Committee approved the legislation in 29-9 vote, and its sponsors say it has a good chance of being approved by the full House But the bill's prospects in the Senate are poor as Florida's two senators as well as others from coastal states have threatened to filibuster any legislation that would end the drilling moratorium in most coastal waters outside the western Gulf of Mexico.
After receiving fresh intelligence reports about the abundant circulation of dangerous hate material, especially by jihadi extremists, the top quarters in Islamabad have asked the provincial governments to launch an onslaught against those involved in the dangerous game, sources said. Sources in the ministry of interior in Islamabad said it had received reports about the circulation of provocative material being used by banned extremist groups to lure and indoctrinate naïve youth to be involved in the terror game especially in large cities, with particular emphasis on Karachi.
Pakistan said on Tuesday it would deploy another 10,000 troops along the border with Afghanistan to control cross-border infiltration.
Recently reported incidents
Saddam Husseins regime paid millions of dollars to a South Korean businessman to create a secret backchannel to top UN officials, including 
He and six co-defendants will face charges of having killed an estimated 100,000 Kurds and destroying thousands of Kurdish villages in the 1980s, including the chemical attack in Halabja, Kurdistan, in 1988 that killed some 5,000 civilians, mostly women and children. In a trial that began last October, Saddam and seven co-defendants are accused of killing Shiites in Dujail in 1982. The defense is to present its final arguments in that trial next month.
Executing Saddam Hussein would fuel more sectarian violence in Iraq, a U.S. lawyer for the deposed Iraqi leader said on Tuesday. "That execution would inflame a country that's already incinerating," former U.S. Attorney General 
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has established a new body to supervise foreign policy in a move seen by some politicians in Tehran as a way to counterbalance the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad.
NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) today announced plans to develop approximately 10,500 megawatts (MW) of new generation capacity over the next decade to help meet the energy needs of its high-demand, capacity-constrained markets and to support NRG's continued growth. This repowering initiative, which will be funded with the support of partners and project finance debt, would represent a total investment of $16 billion.
