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Fierce battle rages for Taliban stronghold
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Arabia
Yemen denies Cole bomber freed from jail
Yemen denied reports that an Al Qaeda fighter convicted of taking part in the bombing of the USS Cole had been freed from jail for a second time, saying he had never been released. “Jamal Al Badawi, who was convicted for the (2000) attack on the American warship USS Cole is still in prison and continues to serve his sentence,” an interior ministry official was quoted as saying by the official Saba news agency.

The comments followed reports published on Tuesday by Yemeni daily Al-Wassat that Badawi was free and was living in Maareb province. “Badawi has good relations with the political security leaders,” the newspaper added, without providing further details.

He was sentenced to death in September 2004 for his part in the bomb attack, which killed 17 sailors, and which was claimed by Al Qaeda. An appeals court later commuted the sentence to 15 years in jail. He broke out of jail in February 2006 with 22 other Al Qaeda militants and was put on a US most-wanted list with a $5m bounty on his head. Locals from Badawi’s village said that after more than a year on the run he handed himself in to authorities in October but was allowed to return home after making a pledge not to engage in violent or Al Qaeda activity.
This article starring:
JAMAL AL BADAWIal-Qaeda in Yemen
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Yemen

#1  Le's see now, which set of lies to believe?
1 He was never released.
2 And he wasn't released this time either.

Decisions, decisions.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 13:24 Comments || Top||


Britain
Cash shortage to keep navy in port
Posted by: Thaising Unegum1224 || 12/09/2007 04:16 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Meanwhile, the RUSSIANS are making their presence known, ala RIAN/TOPIX.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 17:58 Comments || Top||

#2  OTOH, there's CHINA, ala ASIA TIMES > THE COMING CHINA CRASH. See also REDDIT > BLOOMBERG NEWS > Vietnam's wage scales are 1/2 of China's, and may supplant China as Asia's new low-cost center. WALL STREET TO ATTACK, INVADE VIETNAM???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 23:46 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
The Monroe Doctrine - Equador To Offer China An Airbase
Ecuador’s president has offered the Chinese government an airbase currently serving as one of the last U.S. military outposts in South America.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said during his recent visit to China that he would offer Beijing a lease on the Manta Airport, the presidential website reported last week.

Currently, Manta is used by U.S. military forces for operations. The contract is up in 2009 and Correa will not renew it, a transport and public works ministry communications official told BNamericas.

Correa said access to the air base is part of a plan for Manta to become a "doorway" for China’s entry to Latin America.

Air base operations are limited to one building, but it shares the runway with the city's Eloy Alfaro international airport terminal.

Terminales del Ecuador, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings, is already operating Manta’s port. Government officials have already spoken of additional Chinese investment for such projects as a rail system. Hutchison has close ties to communist leaders in Beijing and also operates ports at both ends of the Panama Canal.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 12/09/2007 10:14 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I'd tell China this will be a potentially fatal problem.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 12/09/2007 11:16 Comments || Top||

#2  apparently Ecuador wants to be on the embargo list? Oh well, they can trade with Venezuela
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 11:51 Comments || Top||

#3  China can pretty much do whatever China wants to. There are more Chinese than ammo.
Posted by: crosspatch || 12/09/2007 11:52 Comments || Top||

#4  Senor Correa should get a Xmas card from teh White House: "Good tidings for 2008. Hope you're still alive to receive a card next year"
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 11:53 Comments || Top||

#5  China can pretty much do whatever China wants to. There are more Chinese than ammo

A red herring when air- and missile-delivered armaments are concerned.

The issue isn't ammo, it's our doctrine and whether / where we are willing to draw a line.
Posted by: lotp || 12/09/2007 12:33 Comments || Top||

#6  China and SA a match made in heaven. You fear Imperialism from the Empire of the North? LOL!
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 12/09/2007 12:40 Comments || Top||

#7  The Monroe Doctrine was about nations conquering and making colonies out of nations in the Western Hemesphere. I don't think that sort of thing is liekly in the modern world. The Monroe Doctrine is dead.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 12/09/2007 12:54 Comments || Top||

#8  Indeed. Apparently the irony mines in SA are either closed or depleted.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/09/2007 13:05 Comments || Top||

#9  China can pretty much do whatever China wants to. There are more Chinese than ammo

We can make ammo faster than they can breed.
Make it so.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 13:27 Comments || Top||

#10  I don't see any mention of Chinese military use of the base. I suspect that it has more to do with trade (i.e. -- supplying WalMarts in Latin America).
Posted by: Darrell || 12/09/2007 13:56 Comments || Top||

#11  The Monroe Doctrine was about nations conquering and making colonies out of nations in the Western Hemesphere. I don't think that sort of thing is liekly in the modern world.

Optimist.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 12/09/2007 13:58 Comments || Top||

#12  rjs: I don't think that sort of thing is liekly in the modern world.

I don't think it's got anything to do with modernity. As long a Western nation with a strong navy serves as an offshore balancer, this is unlikely.

But the idea that non-Western countries wouldn't send colonists abroad is something we haven't had a chance to prove out - they've never been powerful enough. Historically, they have generally expanded to the limits of their military power, and sent colonists to conquered territories to solidify their grip. The fact that they haven't been powerful enough to conquer non-geographically contiguous places says nothing about their desire to do so.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 12/09/2007 14:23 Comments || Top||

#13  NS: Optimist.

More like an end-of-history type. The idea that geographical boundaries are fixed for eternity because mankind has changed is silly. Western man has changed - the rest of the world is red in tooth and claw. Continued peace hinges on a balance of power provided by Uncle Sam's thumb on the scales in opposition to ambitious regional powers.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 12/09/2007 14:27 Comments || Top||

#14  The Arabs, Turks and Pakistanis (various tribes) are doing a fine job colonizing Europe without any help from their military establishments. There may be 1.5 million muslims in Canada within four years.
Posted by: Excalibur || 12/09/2007 15:01 Comments || Top||

#15  I propose we demilitarize the airbase before we leave by pouring irregular 20' deep slabs of concrete with I-beams sticking out of it at odd angles. Then just before we leave, seal off the ends of the sewers, and pump them full of water until they burst, the whole mess collapsing in on itself.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 12/09/2007 15:23 Comments || Top||

#16  Dubya appears determined to continue the Regional-Global ENTRENCHMENT OF AMER - the Monroe Doctrine isn't dead as per the Dubya agenda i.e. "Global America" etc,.
"JAMES", "KENNEDY", "CARTER", "REAGAN", and "BUSH 1", even "BILL", only went GLOBAL AND BEYOND thanx to 9-11!

RIAN > RUSSIA has announ it does not have to share military info wid US-NATO, etc. after its CFE moratorium/suspension. IMO, PUTIN/RUSSIA > THE COLD WAR IS NOT ONLY BACK, + REAGAN/
REAGANISM DEAD [IN AMERICA?], BUT THE COLD WAR IS TO BEGIN HEATING UP TOWARDS A FOGGY, GLOBAL SELF/MUTUAL DESTRUCTIVE? FUTURE.
*
Lest we fergit, 2016-2022 [espec 2018] > RUSS-CHIN > "WAR AGZ AMERICA NOT ONLY POSSIBLE BUT DESIRED". CHINA > iff TAIWAN [NK] formally declares its total independence, A US-CHIN WAR > CAN BEGIN NOW.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 17:50 Comments || Top||

#17  I like it Mr. Moose!
My idea is to pack the whole thing up and put it in a Klein Bottle and send it to Swanson Bar in Omaha.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 12/09/2007 19:16 Comments || Top||

#18  OTOH, CHINA MIMICKS THE USA + IS CHINA TURNING INTO THE USA?

All together now, wid feeling, D *** NGED UNDERWATER WALKING "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" - AGAIN! GHOST [Patrick Swayze]> For a dead man to walk out of the Pacific he must will/think it. A future Mendiola babe will see and meet you.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 19:21 Comments || Top||

#19  If we still cared about the Monroe Doctrine, we would not have let San Franciso end up like it did.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/09/2007 20:15 Comments || Top||

#20  A future Mendiola babe will see and meet you.

Daughter or granddaughter, JosephM? :-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/09/2007 20:22 Comments || Top||

#21  I feel I almost understand that JosephMendiola says---I'm scared.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/09/2007 20:57 Comments || Top||

#22  Joe nailed it again. 2018 and I'm out of here to meet the Mendiola babe in Equador.
Posted by: Phinater Thraviger || 12/09/2007 21:17 Comments || Top||


Europe
Germany to release assassins who worked for Teheran
KARLSRUHE, Germany - Germany is soon to release two assassins who were convicted of shooting opponents of Teheran in a Berlin restaurant 15 years ago, prosecutors said Saturday. Kazem Darabi, an Iranian, and Abbas Rhayel, a Lebanese national, were sentenced in 1997 to life imprisonment for the four murders.

A newspaper, Die Welt, said they would be paroled and deported on Saturday, but a spokeswoman for Ehrhart Koerting, interior minister of Berlin state, said, ‘The deportation of the two is not taking place today.’ She declined to say when the date was. Federal prosecutors in the southern justice capital, Karlsruhe, announced the parole two months ago and later said the duo would be paroled by December 24.

The court that convicted them said they were leaders of a gang set up by the Iranian Islamist authorities to kill the leaders of the opposition Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran while they were dining at a small Greek-cuisine eatery, the Mykonos, in September 1992.
So the Mad Mullahs™ stage a political hit in Berlin, and German authorities release the murderers. Wonder if the Mullahs will try it again?
It found the assassinations were ordered by a ‘commission for special affairs’ comprising top figures of the Iranian regime. The other two members of the murder gang to be convicted in Germany were deported in 1999 to Lebanon.
They've been living well ever since.
Over the years it has repeatedly been suggested that Berlin might swap them with Iran to obtain the release of Germans, but the federal government always insisted their punishment was not negotiable. The German Foreign Ministry said Saturday there had been no accord with Iran involving the men.

Germany commonly paroles life prisoners after a total 15 years in pre-trial and penitential custody.
Even though the victims are still dead.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Release them to the custody of the KDP. There, settles it.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/09/2007 3:23 Comments || Top||

#2  why doesnt the USA just start to recognize someone other than the mad mullahs as the 'legitimate' government of iran? then do business with the ones we consider as legit...
Posted by: Abu do you love || 12/09/2007 16:31 Comments || Top||

#3  Inject them with something really nasty(Rabes?)then allow them to return "Home".
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 19:54 Comments || Top||


Turkey investigates alleged ties between police, alleged killers of Christians
Turkey has launched an investigation into alleged collusion between police officers and at least one of the suspects charged with killing three Christians earlier this year at a publishing house that produces Bibles, an official said Saturday.

Two senior police inspectors will be assigned to investigate whether any officers provided assistance to the suspects, an Interior Ministry official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. He did not provide further details.

The three Christians - a German and two Turks - were killed in the southern city of Malatya on April 18. The killings - in which the victims were tied up and had their throats slit - drew international condemnation and added to Western concerns about whether Turkey can protect its religious minorities.

Five people were arrested and charged with murder. The trial opened last month, but was quickly adjourned until January 14 because defense attorneys requested more time to prepare their arguments.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad


Home Front: Politix
White House rejects Dems' "compromise" on war funding, domestic spending
Sounds like someone read the polls and knows the Donks are sinking as fast as the Surge is working
Congressional Democrats are poised to hand President Bush upward of $50 billion in Iraq funding with no strings attached, and they've already offered to cut $11 billion from their domestic spending bills.
since they larded up a lot more than $11 billion...
But in an unusual Saturday afternoon statement, the White House said it would veto any omnibus spending bill that exceeds the president's domestic spending request, a clear sign that the administration is unwilling to compromise on appropriations as the Christmas holidays approach. The House is expected to vote Tuesday on a $520 billion bill that wraps all domestic spending into one package, along with billions for Iraq with no troop withdrawal conditions, and the Senate is likely to follow with a vote later in the week.
one big package of pork and shit, tied to funding they know the POTUS wants to do the first priority: National security and funding/protecting our troops
Still, White House Budget Director Jim Nussle said Saturday it's too much money for domestic programs - and not enough for the war.

"If Congress insists on sending the president a budget-busting bill they know he will veto and that will not become law, they should also pass a continuing resolution that keeps the government running and provides the troops in the field the funds they need," Nussle said.
hmmm wonder if they've heard from those getting civilian defense layoff notices?
It's not clear if Democrats will further give in to White House demands and cut more from their domestic spending bills, or whether they'll challenge him to veto an omnibus funding measure for virtually every agency of the federal government. Democrats were hoping that Bush would embrace a compromise on domestic spending that met the White House halfway on its spending figures if Congress gave the administration war money with no conditions.

If Democrats cut their spending bills further, they risk alienating even more in their own party who are already disappointed with the proposal to drop demands for troop withdrawal from Iraq.
and I worry so much about the alienation of those lying crapweasels
"This is the kind of reckless and irresponsible statement that the American people have come to expect from this White House," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "While the president and his Republican allies continue to stubbornly cling to a failed war policy, [the] Democrats will continue to push for a responsible way forward."
LOL - who's clinging to a failed war policy??
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has been asking for Democrats to compromise on spending, will stick with the president, at least for now.

"While I appreciate the movement in the right direction on the part of congressional Democrats toward concluding this Congress, we must not overspend the taxpayers' money and we must protect our troops," McConnell said.

UPDATE: Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have responded this afternoon with a strong statement, ripping the president for being unwilling to compromise.
unwilling to compromise = unwilling to give them what they cannot force on him
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 11:56 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1  GO GEORGE GO! I wanted the Republicans to grow some stones for Xmas and I got my wish early! Now Pelosi (et al) will have to rush this through without their pet pork or face a legislative deadline. Yup he is lame duck which means the Donk are lower thjan a lame duck.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge || 12/09/2007 12:21 Comments || Top||

#2  If only Dubya had the same stones when the republicans were pushing their pork.
Posted by: Helmuth, Speaking for Omomose8395 || 12/09/2007 12:47 Comments || Top||

#3  Wel-l-l. CHIN MIL FORUM > NIE REPORT ON IRAN FUELS ARAB FEARS. Despite the new NIE, regional Arabs DON'T TRUST MOUD's + IRAN'S INTENTIONS.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 19:05 Comments || Top||

#4  CHIN MIL FORUM > CHINA CALLING THE SHOTS IN CENTRAL, SOUTH AMERICA NOW. Ecuador air bases, Panama making Chinese language instruction mandatory, Mexican, etc, Mega-Ports for Mega Cargo Ships from China,... REGIONAL-CONTINENTAL, CHINA-CENTRIC/ANTICIPATORY TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. See also from CMF > ASIAN/CHINESE IMMIGRATION CHURNING CANADA'S CULTURAL MAKE-UP; + CHINA BUILD'S LARGEST PRESS FORGE - PAVES WAY FOR JUMBO PLANES [manufacture].
POst-OIl/RESOURCES CATACLYSM [Radical Mullahs], andor Oliver STone's Texas-sized Asteroids, WILL USA + JIM MORRISON AS VAL KILMER AS SLASH [THE DOORS] STILL GIVE CHINA OLD B52 PARTS [Theme from DRAGNET here]???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 19:14 Comments || Top||


Pelosi Briefed on Waterboarding in 2002
The WaPo turns on the Dems? Front-page Sunday!

In September 2002, four members of Congress met in secret for a first look at a unique CIA program designed to wring vital information from reticent terrorism suspects in U.S. custody. For more than an hour, the bipartisan group, which included current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was given a virtual tour of the CIA's overseas detention sites and the harsh techniques interrogators had devised to try to make their prisoners talk.

Among the techniques described, said two officials present, was waterboarding, a practice that years later would be condemned as torture by Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill. But on that day, no objections were raised. Instead, at least two lawmakers in the room asked the CIA to push harder, two U.S. officials said.
Posted by: Bobby || 12/09/2007 08:10 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad

#1  Congressional officials say the groups' ability to challenge the practices was hampered by strict rules of secrecy that prohibited them from being able to take notes or consult legal experts or members of their own staffs. And while various officials have described the briefings as detailed and graphic, it is unclear precisely what members were told about waterboarding and how it is conducted. Several officials familiar with the briefings also recalled that the meetings were marked by an atmosphere of deep concern about the possibility of an imminent terrorist attack.

"In fairness, the environment was different then because we were closer to Sept. 11 and people were still in a panic," said one U.S. official present during the early briefings. "But there was no objecting, no hand-wringing. The attitude was, 'We don't care what you do to those guys as long as you get the information you need to protect the American people.
'

"the environment was different" = "It wasn't an election year". Disgusting
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 8:20 Comments || Top||

#2  It would take a good waterboarding to make a liberal tell the truth.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 12/09/2007 12:18 Comments || Top||

#3  The WaPo is probably being demonized by now on the pages of Kos, DU and Move-On.

However, they are doing the Dems a favor by getting this out early.
Posted by: mhw || 12/09/2007 15:12 Comments || Top||

#4  It would take a good waterboarding to make a liberal tell the truth.

i think you are being overly optimistic... for a liberal to tell the truth he/she would need to know what it is...
Posted by: Abu do you love || 12/09/2007 16:35 Comments || Top||


Bolton calls report on Iran 'quasi-putsch'
U.S. intelligence services attempted to influence political policy by releasing their assessment that concludes Iran halted its nuclear arms program in 2003, said John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Der Spiegel magazine quoted Bolton on Saturday as alleging that the aim of the National Intelligence Estimate, which contradicts his and President Bush's position, was not to provide the latest intelligence on Iran. "This is politics disguised as intelligence," Bolton was quoted as saying in an article appearing in this week's edition. Bolton described the report, released Monday, as a "quasi-putsch" by the intelligence agencies, Der Spiegel said.

The hawkish Bolton has long criticized Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, who has said that there was no hard evidence that Tehran was pursuing nuclear weapons. ElBaradei said the report "somewhat vindicated" Iran, which has denied allegations that it was secretly trying to build nuclear weapons.
Just in time to get the word "quasi-putsch" nominated for the Best New Word or Phrase 2007 awards.
Posted by: ryuge || 12/09/2007 07:55 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  I fear we may never learn the real reason for this clearly facetious NIE.

It is too important to be mere politics, that is, these agencies would never risk their livelihood to attack a lame duck president. What could they possibly gain versus what could happen to them if they lost?

Bush might still have enough power to rattle them to their bones. He could chew the heck out of them, and not lose any sleep over it. And they know this as well.

That being said, Bush probably supported or even ordered the NIE. But again, the inertia of these agencies is such that it would be like a man pushing an elephant. Which in turn implies that it was more than Bush doing the pushing.

And none of that comes close to explaining why the Iranians are also so suddenly cooperative, within bounds...
Posted by: Anonymoose || 12/09/2007 10:00 Comments || Top||

#2  It is too important to be mere politics, that is, these agencies would never risk their livelihood to attack a lame duck president

It is not hard to understand when you understand it is not about hating President Bush, they are simply on the other side. The other side being any side against America and western civilization as we knew it in the 20th century. I've met some of these people (well, not these people, but people like them) and this is about being smarter and better than everyone else. There is a reason they like being refered to as "intellectual elites". They hold the keys to wisdom. Why they hate Bush so much is because he exposed them for the petty, traitors that they are. They are so brainwashed in political correctness and in hating all things Anglo Saxon and western that they will not realize the damage they are causing until western civilization is actually gone.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 11:21 Comments || Top||

#3  And none of that comes close to explaining why the Iranians are also so suddenly cooperative, within bounds...

They're stalling until "Pres Hillary" (Shudder) Is in office, recall their attitude toward women.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 13:38 Comments || Top||

#4  By the end of 2007 the Intelligence community can "estimate" what Iran did in 2003. I'll await the 2011 report as I am more intersted in what Iran is currently doing.
Posted by: Super Hose || 12/09/2007 13:57 Comments || Top||

#5  I'm waiting for the handwringing and recriminations after Iran sets off its nuke. The MSM/etc. will then blame Bush for it.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/09/2007 15:13 Comments || Top||

#6  WND > IRAN is reportedly seeking nuclear info from Ukraine, and not necess the energy kind.
D *** NG IT, BORIS YELTSIN WAS ON GUAM? Once again, PAULA ABDUL doth rememberin' too much, causin' the Pacific/Tropics to faint in horror by kicking a coconut???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 17:56 Comments || Top||

#7  The Ukraine connection is reported in the The Times (UK). The head of Ukrainian intelligence met with MI6 in 2004 and said Iran was "pestering" the Ukrainians for access to their nuclear technology.

It's becoming obvious that the first mistake of the NIE was allowing any of it to be made public in the first place. Since, as Cheney says, "everything leaks", the only solution would be to eliminate the NIE as a formal mechanism. Break up the intel reporting into smaller pieces so that any leak can be denied by claiming it is just one small piece of a larger intel puzzle.
Posted by: moody blues || 12/09/2007 18:24 Comments || Top||

#8  The first mistake of the NIE was letting those malicious idiots write it up. On the other hand, there is a fair amount of amusement value when the "newspapers of record" and just about anyone who knows anything about Iran or the malicious idiots have slammed the report (and the writers) in the most public forum they can find. *wistful sigh* Oh, to be at some of the dinner parties next weekend!
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/09/2007 19:12 Comments || Top||

#9  I'm now reading that Pat Lang, former DIA guy, is pointing the finger at certain senior CIA analysts as having threatened to leak the report, at the risk of jail time. He has not named names though.
Posted by: moody blues || 12/09/2007 20:48 Comments || Top||

#10  Diddn't get it right on India, didn't get it right of Pakistan---why break a winning streak?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/09/2007 21:18 Comments || Top||

#11  An Israeli intel analyst says:

"The Syrians were working on their nuclear project for seven years, and we discovered it only recently. The Americans didn't know about it all."
Posted by: moody blues || 12/09/2007 21:34 Comments || Top||


NBC Decides to Run Conservative-Group Ad
NBC reversed course Saturday and decided to air a conservative group's television ad thanking U.S. troops.
The instant they thought their cover might be blown and might lose a few bucks off their bonuses they dumped their principled stand and doubled back.
The ad, by the group Freedom's Watch, asks viewers to remember the troops during the holiday season. NBC had refused to air the ad because it guides viewers to the Freedom's Watch Web site, which NBC said was too political.
The truth hurts, eh?
But in a statement issued Saturday evening, NBC said: "We have reviewed and changed our ad standards guidelines and made the decision that our policy will apply to content only and not to a referenced Web site. Based on these amended standards the Freedom's Watch ad will begin to run as early as Sunday."
That's our pathetic excuse and we're sticking to it!
NBC's dickhead of standards and practices, Alan Wurtzel, notified Freedom's Watch's media consultant Saturday by e-mail, writing: "This will confirm that the Freedom's Watch spot is approved for air, you patriotic ba$tards."

NBC initially said that airing the spot would violate the network's prohibition on controversial issue ads. Wurtzel, in an interview Friday with The Associated Press, said NBC found nothing wrong with the ad's content, but rather objected to the link to http://www.FreedomsWatch.org, viewing the Web site as too political.
If it goes against your leftist agenda, maybe.
The group's home page is critical of liberals and has a link to a page urging lawmakers not to "cut and run" from the war in Iraq.
Which upset the NBC lawyer who made the decision, since he's been giving cash to the Dems, which is supposedly against NBC policy. Now does their initial decision become clear?
The home page also links to another Freedom's Watch page dedicated to ways to assist the troops and provides links to organizations that send care packages to soldiers.
They must not have seen that. Right?
News of NBC's initial rejection caused an angry reaction on the Internet. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, appearing on the Fox News Channel on Friday, called for a boycott of NBC.
I'll bet NBC wouldn't air that, either!
Freedom's Watch, a group backed by wealthy Republican fundraisers, has emerged as one of the best-financed conservative groups. It seeks to be a vocal advocate of President Bush's current policy in Iraq.
And now it's serving double duty as a thorn in NBC's side! :-)
Posted by: gorb || 12/09/2007 03:09 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Too late, NBC. While you may have chosen to avoid the flack in this instance, you have been exposed. Sure, we may tune in when it suits us, but we won't forget.

Take a good look at the NYT stock and CNN's ratings. You're disdain for the people whom you need for viewers has been noted.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 16:04 Comments || Top||

#2  any network that employs Olbermann and Matthews i snot an objective news org and is deserving of an advertiser boycott- free speech, bitches
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 17:53 Comments || Top||

#3  i snot
heheh...freudian typo
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 19:39 Comments || Top||

#4  as in they Olbermann and Matthews are snots :-)
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 19:39 Comments || Top||


Anger as library makes exhibition of Bush
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Yawn. Another unimaginative display attempting to shock. The library staff must be so excited to make the national news. Mug shots of Bush. How daring. How Vogue. How childish and silly.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 3:23 Comments || Top||

#2  Lets see them make a mug shot of Mohammend....
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/09/2007 8:19 Comments || Top||

#3  On January 28 2003, weeks before the invasion of Iraq, Bush makes what is now known to be the false claim that "the British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa".

A lie - Saddam *had* sought uranium.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/09/2007 8:24 Comments || Top||

#4  Don't confuse 'em with the facts, CF.
Posted by: Swamp Blondie || 12/09/2007 8:42 Comments || Top||

#5  Lets see them make a mug shot of Mohammend....

I'd perfer a chalk line for Mohammend holding the Koran.
Posted by: Slappy || 12/09/2007 9:26 Comments || Top||

#6  A lie - Saddam *had* sought uranium.

More to the point, the British government had claimed that and, if I remember correctly, still stands by that particular claim.
Posted by: Angie Schultz || 12/09/2007 13:48 Comments || Top||

#7  "six black-and-white prints on display in an unassuming corner of the New York Public Library"
Yawn. The looney left probably expects men in black to arrive at any moment. I'd be more concerned about any copies of the NYT laying around.
Posted by: Darrell || 12/09/2007 14:01 Comments || Top||

#8  Awsum bravery, man. Yeah, speak Truth to Power. Hey, can I have a hit off that bong?
Posted by: SteveS || 12/09/2007 19:39 Comments || Top||

#9  The more little tantrums the left throws - the worse it will be for them in '08. Let 'em make fools of themselves.
Posted by: DMFD || 12/09/2007 22:53 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Jirga reaches Parachinar to negotiate peace
A 16-member tribal jirga on Saturday reached Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency, for re-negotiating peace with the representatives of rival groups.

There was no break on Saturday in the curfew imposed in Parchinar city and other parts of the agency. Tension mounted in the agency on Friday when armed men attacked a coach in Sadda bazaar, killing its driver. The coach was on its way to Parachinar from Peshawar. The attackers took the passengers away, which included some women. Four truck drivers and an unknown number of cleaners were also reported to have been kidnapped.

Sources in Sadda said the people were kidnapped on “disinformation”. They said locals wanted peace in the areas, but some miscreants were creating law and order situation. They said the jirga would play its role to restore peace and recover the kidnapped people.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Only male Muslims should be president, PM: JUI-S
Maulana Samiul Haq’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) has demanded that only male Muslims should become the president and prime minister of the country. “We will declare that only male Muslims become the president and prime minister of the country,” said the election manifesto of the JUI-S, a copy of which was also available to Daily Times.

The JUI-S in its manifesto also demanded banning non-muslim’s from appointment to all important posts in the country. It said that all local non-muslims would be allowed to run religious educational institutions, however, no missionary institutions would be allowed to setup their institutions in the country.

Co-education discouraged: The manifesto also says that the JUI-S would discourage co-education in the country and separate women universities would be opened in this regard; the Arabic language would be introduced as a compulsory subject whereas English would be an elective subject; and interest based banking would also be stopped across the country.The party also promised to curtail the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.

This article starring:
MAULANA SAMIUL HAQJUI-S
JUI-S
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami

#1  Readers: This is about Pakistan.
Posted by: Jules || 12/09/2007 10:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Looks like he's just been rousted out of bed, didn't even have time to doff his nighties and bedcap.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 13:33 Comments || Top||

#3  Sounds like JUI-S should be branded as a terrorist group, and treated that way. "Let's all go back to the 7th Century, so we can do things Mohamhead's way."
Posted by: Old Patriot || 12/09/2007 16:56 Comments || Top||

#4  No doubt this oppresion of women will be widely denounced on college campuses everywhere.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/09/2007 19:36 Comments || Top||


Western reports are international terrorism: Memon
Caretaker Information Minister Nisar Memon has termed the extensive coverage of the vulnerability of Pakistan’s nuclear assets in the western media as “international terrorism”, adding that “no interference” would be tolerated. “We take this international terrorism very seriously,” Memon told journalists here, adding that all “steps are taken to protect the country’s nuclear assets”.
He said no interference, even if it comes from a “powerful friend,” would be tolerated with regards to guarding the country’s national assets.
He said no interference, even if it comes from a “powerful friend,” would be tolerated with regards to guarding the country’s national assets.

Three people: “I think three people have had a key role in shaping our nuclear programme. The first man is Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the second is Nawaz Sharif and third is President Pervez Musharraf, who devised a command and control structure for the nuclear weapons’ safety,” the minister said.

Memon said Pakistan was facing two types of international terrorism. “The first is the kind we see in Swat or Waziristan. The second, however, is what we call propaganda about our nuclear programme.
"Certain things are being said that we cannot allow to continue,” he added.
Certain things are being said that we cannot allow to continue,” he added.

Regarding US and Saudi envoys’ increased presence in pre-poll-linked activities, he said any diplomat going beyond diplomatic norms would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He denied an impression given by a journalist that the Saudi ambassador was “behaving like a viceroy”.
He denied an impression given by a journalist that the Saudi ambassador was “behaving like a viceroy”.

Memon said Afghans, Chechens and Uzbek militants were involved in Swat and people from southern Punjab also took part in the violence. He also said that elections would take place as scheduled, regardless of whether the opposition boycotts.
This article starring:
Nawaz Sharif
Nisar Memon
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  said no interference, even if it comes from a “powerful friend,” would be tolerated with regards to guarding the country’s national assets.

How about a "powerful enemy"?
Posted by: gorb || 12/09/2007 1:20 Comments || Top||


Claims of Qaeda in Pakistan are 'wild guesses': Musharraf
President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday bristled at assertions that Al Qaeda leaders are present in Pakistan. In an interview aired by CNN, the president said, “It is just their guess. So I don’t want to make such wild guesses.” According to AP, he challenged anyone to provide him with firm intelligence, adding, “They (Al Qaeda) can be anywhere.”

No support: He also underlined that he would not support any political party in the upcoming polls, stressing that all political parties would be given an equal chance, reported Online. He said the elections would be held in a free and fair manner, and said foreign observers would be welcome to review the polls.

Speaking in the exclusive interview, the president said emergency would be lifted from the country next week. He said growing militancy in Pakistan’s north was a reason for imposition of the state of emergency, adding that the Swat operation was ongoing successfully. He said security forces have managed to destroy important militant bases, which is a good sign for the country.

Emergency ending: Musharraf said once the emergency was lifted on December 15, the situation in Pakistan would be much better. He said the legislation to revoke the Provisional Constitution Order was in its final stages and the constitution would be revived by December 15. He also maintained that Pakistan is determined to fight terrorism and will continue its role in the war against terror.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda

#1  "Wild Guesses" but I dare say accurate.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/09/2007 3:25 Comments || Top||

#2  Two weeks agao he was saying that the State of Emergency was necessary because elements were threatening both his country and the international community.

Now he back tracks and talks only of those threatening him and now denies those who are a threat to the world are now in Pakistan.
Posted by: www || 12/09/2007 10:30 Comments || Top||


JI, PTI pressuring PML-N to boycott elections
The fate of the APDM hangs in balance as the component parties will meet today (Sunday) with divergent views on boycotting the January 8 elections. After the PPP and the JUI-F refusal to boycott the elections, and due to dissent within the party, the PML-N has given a green signal to its party ticket holders to prepare for the elections. The APDM component parties, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), the Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), and the Balochistan National Party-Hayee (BNP-H) would pressure the PML-N to stick to boycotting the polls.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami


Saudi Arabia ready to 'broker exile deal' with sacked chief justice
(AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - Saudi Arabia is ready to offer Pakistan's sacked chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, shelter in the kingdom, Pakistani government sources told Adnkronos International (AKI). High-level sources told AKI, on condition of anonymity, that this was discussed when the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Awaz Al Asiri, called on the deposed chief justice at his residence in the capital Islamabad on Friday. They said that the meeting was set up by the Pakistani government.

Al Asiri is believed to have invited Chaudhry and his family to make the Haj or Muslim pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, this year. The Haj is scheduled to take place this month. Al Asiri is also believed to have offered Chaudhry and his family a prolonged stay in Saudi Arabia. Sources within the Saudi consulate in Karachi, on the condition of anonymity, also confirmed to AKI the offer of shelter to Chaudhry and said that the government of Saudi Arabia had tried to bring stability to Pakistan.

Chaudhry was sacked as chief justice after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on 3 November, citing rising extremism and an unruly judiciary. The former head of the Supreme Court was placed under house arrest. While opposition leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was prevented from meeting Chaudhry on Thursday, just a day later Al Asiri was allowed to meet him.

It is believed that the potential deal would help break the deadlock within opposition parties who are divided on whether to contest the January general elections if the sacked judges are not reinstated. A Saudi-brokered deal would be a face-saving gesture for Chaudhry and the entire opposition who need to deal with Musharraf's government and also support an independent judiciary to gain public support.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Sounds like they want to set up a "Government-in-exile" then stand by waiting to whack Musharraf.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 19:50 Comments || Top||


Musharraf more popular as civilian president, says survey
(AKI) - A majority of Pakistanis believe that President Pervez Musharraf's popularity will increase since he stepped down as army chief and became a civilian president. According to a survey conducted by the US-based International Public Opinion Polls (IPOP), 74 percent of those surveyed said that Musharraf would get a boost in popularity as a civilian president. The survey was conducted before he resigned as chief of the armed forces and sworn in as civilian president last week. But the results were only published on Thursday.

The IPOP survey was conducted among 773 people from all of Pakistan's major cities through the internet and by telephone. The poll also found that 79 percent believed that democracy would be strengthened in Pakistan after Musharraf stepped down as army chief.

“I don’t agree with such surveys," said Syed Hafizuddin, a prominent constitutional lawyer and leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party - the party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif - in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI). "The real benchmarks are different."
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Iraq
Al Qaeda changing tactics in Diyala
A US commander has described the fresh wave of attacks in Iraq's volatile Diyala province as a change of tactics by the al-Qaeda militants. "As far as an upsurge in attacks, we have not seen that. What we have seen is some instances of different types of attacks," said Major-General Mark Hertling commander of forces in northern Iraq in reference to the use of suicide vests and "desperate" attacks against neighborhood police units. "Additionally, because of reduced attacks in other areas, the attacks in Diyala province may appear to be more than what existed in the past," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Religiously and ethnically mixed Diyala has become one of the epicenters of violence in Iraq after al Qaeda and other fighters were squeezed out of western Anbar province, Baghdad and other areas by security crackdowns this year. "But the bottom line is that (al Qaeda in Iraq) and other extremists continue to try and affect the security situation in Diyala province ... Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces ... will continue to pursue them there and in the other northern provinces," he concluded.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq

#1  There were Net reports that WHITNEY HUSTON FAN OSAMA BIN LADEN may be shifting focii to AFGHANISTAN - IMO, no reason for hima and AQ to do so despite any Paki probs except to destabilize China???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 19:35 Comments || Top||

#2  They're probably thinking that Pakistan is too hot for Mr. bin Laden, now that the Pakistani Army is actually going against the Taleban who are hosting him, JosephM. But Afghanistan isn't safe for Mr. bin Laden and his Al Qaeda cronies either. Perhaps they can make their way back to the Sudan -- they were happy there once before, and it doesn't look like the U.N. is going to interfere in their internal affairs after all.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/09/2007 20:27 Comments || Top||

#3  OBL and the Taliban may be shifting their focus to Afghanistan, but they're about to lose 2,000 fighters there in a single battle. As far as destabilizing China, I don't think AQ can accomplish that. Now, Chinese government corruption ... may be another story.
Posted by: DMFD || 12/09/2007 22:51 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Paleos demand $7.1 billion and pony at donor conference
RAMALLAH, West Bank - The Palestinian Authority will request 7.1 billion dollars (4.8 billion euros) in economic aid at an upcoming donor conference in Paris, the Palestinian economy minister said on Saturday.

The funds are earmarked for two plans aimed at reviving the Palestinian economy in the wake of a seven-year uprising and to provide an economic foundation to recently revived Middle East peace negotiations.
Remind me why the Paleo economy sucks so bad to begin with?
‘The first plan is for rebuilding the economy for 2008 and requires 1.6 billion dollars, and the second is an interim plan for 2008 to 2010 with a budget of 5.5 billion dollars,’ economy minister Mohammed Kamal Hassuneh said. ‘The funds will go towards government projects, security, the building of infrastructure, salaries for civil servants and other projects.’
Lots and lots of civil servants.
The projects include an industrial zone in the northern West Bank town of Jenin to be constructed with German assistance and processed food and packaging plants in Jericho to be built in a partnership with Japan, he added.
How long after they open before Hamas loots them?
The requests will be made at a donor conference on December 17 aimed at providing economic support for the Middle East peace process relaunched last month in the United States.
The do-gooders are at it again. "Why if we just give them stuff and help their economy then the Paleos will give up their struggle and settle into suburban life!" Whereas the rat-bags in Hamas, IJ and the rest of the looney bin have already told us what they want -- all the land and all the Jooooz dead. And they have a track record of busting up stuff -- why not, they certainly didn't pay for it.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Sorry boys, I gave at the office.
Posted by: Jurong Guelph8602 || 12/09/2007 0:40 Comments || Top||

#2  There are hundreds of millions of people in Asia and Africa who eat just one meal a day... no 7 billion for them...
Posted by: john frum || 12/09/2007 7:54 Comments || Top||

#3  Bailing out banks for their subprime adventure or pouring more money into the Paleo black hole. Banks or Paleos, banks or Paleos. This is so tough. No.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 12/09/2007 8:26 Comments || Top||

#4  I'm kind of dumb, could you explain the connection between banks and paleos, and how we are bailing out the banks.
Posted by: bman || 12/09/2007 11:55 Comments || Top||

#5  Bman, he's referring to the sub-prime mortgage crisis. The only connection between that and the Paleos is where the $7 billion goes.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 14:14 Comments || Top||

#6  Only 7.1 billion? Hells Bells! US Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana was demanding $250 billion after Katrina, and she did not even have a sketched out laundry list yet. Paleos are small thinkers.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/09/2007 18:17 Comments || Top||

#7  Only 7.1 billion?

That's why they call Fatah, "moderates".
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/09/2007 21:20 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran accuses US of nuclear espionage, demands explanation
Iran has sent a formal protest note to Washington for "spying" on Iran's nuclear activities, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday in the wake of the latest US report on the alleged Iranian weapons program. Mottaki said the American report earlier this week concluding that Teheran halted atomic weapons development in 2003 and hasn't resumed it since indicated US intelligence agencies based their findings on "satellite and espionage activities," according to official IRNA news agency.

IRNA said the note was handed over to the Swiss Embassy in Teheran, which looks after US interests in Iran in the absence of diplomatic relations between Teheran and Washington. "The day the report was issued, the Foreign Ministry submitted a formal note of protest to the Swiss Embassy and demanded explanations over (America's) espionage activities taking place (on Iran's nuclear program)," Mottaki was quoted as saying.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  We didn't because we don't didn't trust you. Obviously, we were wrong. Since this has all changed , we'll gladly retask all the reconaissance satellites. And take half of your nuclear scientists off our payroll. Nighty night!
Posted by: gorb || 12/09/2007 1:26 Comments || Top||

#2  Mr. Mottaki, it all goes back to why there is no US Embassy in Teheran to deliver your protestations to. I'm sure you remember the details.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/09/2007 3:28 Comments || Top||

#3  WND > IRAN REFUSES US CURRENCY FOR OIL - moves closer to war with the USA.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/09/2007 18:07 Comments || Top||

#4  I'd love to send them a detailed map of all their nuke-related sites, and the megatonnage assigned to each one, sure it blows some plans, but watching the mad scramble to relocate ALL sites would be worth it.(Chinese fire drill?)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 12/09/2007 20:01 Comments || Top||


Assad replaces communications, religious affairs ministers
President Bashar Assad on Saturday replaced Syria's communications and religious affairs ministers, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

Assad issued a decree naming Imad Abdul-Ghani Sabbouni as minister of communications, replacing Amr Nazir Salem. He also replaced Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Ziyad al-Ayoubi, who held the post since October 2004, with Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayed, SANA said. Sabbouni had been Salem's adviser, while al-Sayed was al-Ayoubi's deputy and the mufti of the coastal Tartous province in northern Syria. The news agency did not give a reason for the Cabinet changes.
This article starring:
Amr Nazir Salem
Imad Abdul-Ghani Sabbouni
Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayed
Mohammad Ziyad al-Ayoubi
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria



Who's in the News
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5Global Jihad
4Govt of Iran
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2Taliban
2Islamic Courts
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1Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami
1Lashkar e-Taiba
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1al-Aqsa Martyrs
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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2007-12-09
  Fierce battle rages for Taliban stronghold
Sat 2007-12-08
  Berri postpones Lebanon presidential election to Tuesday
Fri 2007-12-07
  Pak troops capture Mullah Fazlullah's base
Thu 2007-12-06
  Suicide attack on army bus in Kabul kills 16
Wed 2007-12-05
  Somali leader taken to hospital
Tue 2007-12-04
  Abu Maysara Positively Deader Than a Rock
Mon 2007-12-03
  40 Taliban killed, 14 held in Afghanistan
Sun 2007-12-02
  Walkout in Iraq parliament over Sunni leader raid
Sat 2007-12-01
  Binny: Euroleaders 'like living under shadow of White House'
Fri 2007-11-30
  Perv Sworn In as Civilian President
Thu 2007-11-29
  Perv finally quits army
Wed 2007-11-28
  Sistani tells Shiites to protect Sunni brothers
Tue 2007-11-27
  Perv to bid farewell to troops
Mon 2007-11-26
  Nawaz returns, vows to contest elections
Sun 2007-11-25
  Sharifs reach deal with Perv


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