#1
I saw Chertoff fawn over Ted Kennedy calling him a genius or some such thing when the immigration bill was trying to be shoved down our collective throats. Yesterday, he chided the Senate for not passing the immigration bill.
I have no confidence in this guy to run Homeland Security. What is his background? What turnip truck did he fall off of?
#2
He was a prosecutor under Giuliani in NYC, took on the Mafia cleanup there. US attorney for NY, then Court of Appeals judge. Then federal prosecutor and asst Attorney General.
#4
Hard on org crime but wants to allow 12 million lawbreakers to stay and uses rhetoric involving lettuce to make his case? Fairly counter-intuitive I'd say. There's prolly some money angle.
They are up to their eyeballs trying to keep track of the Hizb'allah, Al Q. and other agents they already know are here. If they are tasked with deporting the 12 million illegals, it would throw the whole system into such chaos that they would be less able to protect us against identified threats.
#6
Chertoff has raised the stakes, claiming he/DHS/ICE "just can't do their job" intercepting and deporting illegals. He and upper/middle management need a house clearing. Anyone that says "can't" should be fired on the spot. Promote BP agents/ICE investigators and clear out the deadwood/illegal apologists/Chamber of Commerce tools. Chertoff fisrt.
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/02/2007 21:09 Comments ||
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#7
That about sums it up, Frank. I saw that "can't" comment and thought the same thing. Give that man A ticket to the bread line.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
07/02/2007 21:16 Comments ||
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#8
would've been better if I hadn't mangled "first". I guess it's the second syllable that trips me up
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/02/2007 21:41 Comments ||
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A NEW Zealand soldier has become the first person since World War II to be awarded the country's highest honour for bravery, after a daring rescue of a wounded comrade in Afghanistan in 2004.
Corporal Bill Apiata of the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) was given the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. The medal is based on Britain's Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for British soldiers.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said Cpl Apiata, 35, was awarded the medal for carrying a severely wounded soldier across open ground while coming under heavy fire.
Cpl Apiata's patrol came under attack from machine gun and grenade fire when it had taken cover for the night, setting two vehicles on fire, his citation notice said. During the fight, Cpl Apiata found himself isolated with two of his comrades, one of whom was badly wounded from shrapnel.
Cpl Apiata carried his wounded comrade 70m to where the rest of his patrol had taken cover, despite being clearly visible by the light of the burning vehicles. "This brave action saved his comrade's life," Miss Clark said.
There are 22 New Zealand soldiers who have been awarded the British Victoria Cross, the last of which was in 1946 for service in World War II. New Zealand separated its system of honours and awards from Britain's in 1999, creating the new award. Like New Zealand, fellow Commonwealth countries Australia and Canada have established their own version of the British Victoria Cross.
Three other awards for bravery were handed out to SAS soldiers for service in Afghanistan.
A survey by NATOs force in Afghanistan found that fewer than a dozen civilians were killed in foreign air strikes that village elders said had left 45 civilians dead, an officer said Sunday. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) however welcomed an investigation appointed by President Hamid Karzai into the bombing on late Friday in the southern province of Helmand, an ISAF spokesman said. At this time we believe after our survey of the situation on Saturday when the fighting ceased that there may be less than a dozen civilian dead, Major John Thomas said. The dead included women and children who were found among the bodies of killed Taliban in trenches, he said. A significant number of Taliban were also killed, Thomas said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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Saudi Arabia has started forming special security units to protect the kingdom's oil infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz said Sunday.
"We have begun to create such units," he said, according to the SPA news agency.
Security forces thwarted an alleged Al-Qaeda attack against Saudi Arabia's massive Abqaiq oil processing facility in February last year. Two members of the security forces and two assailants were killed.
The kingdom has been battling suspected Al-Qaeda militants since they launched a wave of shootings and bombings, many targeting Westerners, in May 2003.
In April this year the interior ministry said 172 terror suspects had been rounded up along with weapons and cash. Some of the militants were allegedly plotting airborne attacks on oil facilities and army bases.
Posted by: anonymous5089 ||
07/02/2007 10:22 ||
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#1
Where are the dueling banjos?
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:05 Comments ||
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#2
The one kneeling looks like a slimmed-down Michael Moore.
UK Islamist leader claims Brits ready to carry out 'many attacks'
By Aaron Klein
JERUSALEM The thwarted car bombings in London last week and the terror attack this weekend against Scotland's busiest airport were "completely justified" and likely the beginning of many more attacks in Britain, a prominent UK Islamist leader connected to terror supporting groups told WND yesterday.
"There is no doubt whatsoever that there will continue to be attacks against the British government, its interests and the home front as long as we see the continued British and American occupation of Muslim land in Iraq and Afghanistan, support for criminal Israel, and draconian measures taken against Muslims in the UK," said Anjem Choudary, founder and former chief of two Islamic groups disbanded by the British authorities under antiterror legislation.
"A war is being waged against Muslims on every level. There are many in Britain who take their ideology from Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida and are ready to carry out many more attacks," Choudary said.
Choudary said the attempted terror attacks the past few days were "probably carried out by local British Muslims."
Choudary currently presents himself as an Islamic lecturer and a leader of Britain's Shariah Islamic court. He is a founder and former chief of Al Muhajiroun, a British group that sought to impose an Islamic state on the UK and that was allied with the goals of al-Qaida.
Al Muhajiroun, officially disbanded by the British government citing antiterrorism laws in 2004, and its main leader, Omar Bakri Muhammad, were banned from the UK in 2005. Choudary then became a leader of Al Ghurabaa, which was reportedly a continuation of Al Muhajiroun. Al Ghurabaa was banned in 2006 by the UK for reportedly supporting terrorism.
Former Al Muhajiroun members led by Choudary reportedly continue their activism at public protests and on Internet forums under a new banner group called Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.
Choudary last weekend led a protest outside London's Central Mosque attended by WND and Talk Radio Network's "The Rusty Humphries Show." The protest called for the downfall of the British government for offering knighthood to novelist and essayist Salman Rushdie, who was accused by Muslims of defaming Islam and Muhammad in his 1998 book "The Satanic Verses."
Depictions of British flags were burned at Choudary's protest. Ralliers chanted, "Down with Britain, down with the Queen."
Choudary told WND the perpetuators of the attempted terror attacks in London the past few days "have their own justifications for carrying out their plans."
"Muslims in Britain are under siege. There has been unjustified internment, innocent Muslims are in prison, extradition laws have been applied for made up crimes, individuals are arbitrarily arrested. ... Don't be surprised when Muslims fight back," he said. "Resistance!"
#5
Exactly, Rob. He seems like a prime candidate for re-patriation to whatever benighted hell-hole he crawled out of. If they whack his ass so much the better, in my opinion.
#6
Wonder if he's any kin to the Paki chief justice that Perv sacked. They sound alike in their philosophy. This piece of fecal matter needs to just disappear, without a trace or a shred of a clue. That would do far more to "send a message" to the rest than anything else the Brits could do.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/02/2007 16:32 Comments ||
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#8
It is rare to see a hardcore Islamist in the West not dissimulating about their collective mindset and intentions. I hope that Choudary's words wake up the public to the danger they pose and that appropriate measures are taken, starting with Excalibur's in post #3.
#10
I pray somebody w/some gumption would handle this guy - prolly save a bunch of lives in the long run. I have no faith that any western gov't will - I'd love to be proven wrong though. Wonder what would happen if this drooler said some sh*t like this in the former USSR - think the ruskies wouldn't handle business?
The European Union is risking an Islamic backlash in Turkey, according to the EU's enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn.
The EU is risking an 'Islamic backlash' with everything they do, why should their relationship with Turkey be any different?
A survey showed attitudes in the country souring towards the West.
My attitude is souring towards Turkey. Got a survey to record that?
Mr Rehn told the European Voice weekly: "If you look at the current political situation in the Middle East, in Palestine, in Lebanon, not to speak of Iraq, we don't need another nationalist or Islamist problem in the neighbourhood of Europe."
The survey revealed Turkish approval of Europe to be falling rapidly. Just 27% of Turks have a favourable opinion of the European Union, compared to 58% in 2004, according to this year's annual global survey by the Pew Research Center. "The ongoing frustration in Turkey over its on-again, off-again membership negotiations with the EU are vividly reflected in these data," Pew said in the poll report.
EU member states this week opened accession negotiations with Turkey on two new policy areas - statistics and financial control. But after French objections talks were delayed on a third topic - economic and monetary policy.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy also said he wanted to reopen the debate on Turkey's accession when the leaders of the EU member states meet in December. The French president is not in favour of Turkish entry to the EU, stating that Turkey is not a European country.
But Portugal, which takes over the rotating presidency of the EU from 1 July, is in favour of Turkish membership. Portuguese Europe Minister Manuel Lobo Antunes said Portugal would be trying to get Turkey's membership talks "back on track".
Earlier this week, Turkey's chief negotiator, Ali Babacan, said Ankara hoped the problems would be overcome in the next six months. "We are not satisfied with the technical justifications that were given to us and we hope that there will be progress in this matter during the Portuguese presidency," he said.
According to the Pew survey, Turkey is currently the most anti-US country in the world. Only 9% of the country favours the US, compared to 52% in 2000, putting Turkey below the Palestinian territories with 13% US approval, and Pakistan with 15%. In the United Kingdom, 51% approved of the US. While 37% of Turks like American science and technology, according to the survey, 81% of Turks dislike American ideas about democracy, and 83% dislike American trade habits.
#1
81% of Turks dislike American ideas about democracy
I wonder what they think that American ideas about democracy might be...
I understand the background of their dislike of American trade habits. Euros are more likely to involve baksheesh in their trade relations than Americans.
#3
If the Turks were smart, they'd for a Middle Eastern version of the EU with themselves as the Germans. They need to realize they are not Europeans born in the wrong place.
#6
I don't trust surveys when they are US firms like Pew working in places like Turkey. You need to do representative sampling based on education, income, family status, etc. Hard to do in Turkey. Use of locals can skew all the results the way they want to go (anti-american, pro-islam). My ex biz did billions in Turkey, we were partnered up with big Turkey firm to do JVs all over the world. Army is very pro-American. And when it comes down the hard choices the Army will always prevail much like in Indonesia, another secular muzzie country under threat.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:10 Comments ||
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#7
Invade them, kill their leaders and convert the people to Christianity.
Shhhhhhhh - dont give away the plan, it has to happen in stages!
First create an independent Kurdish state, re-consecrate Ayia Sophia in the newly created Western state "Constantinople", then cut off the smelly bit & leave to wither.
If the last bit takes too long, use it as a playground / creche facility for all of our home grown Jihadi networks.
#8
Turkey has been facing a backlash from Europe and only now noticed. Perhaps Turkey would have been wise to note who was their friend in 2003 rather than bet on the EU and Islamists and lose control over their own destiny.
Heck, we probably would have given them Syria and Iraq to administer if they'd played ball and it allowed us to avoid peacekeeping. Now I'm more likely to support Greek claims to Cypress than ever before.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The top U.S. military commander in South Korea said Monday that last week's North Korean missile tests were provocative and a threat to Seoul. Gen. B.B. Bell said that although he welcomed moves by Pyongyang to live up to its commitment to dismantle its nuclear program, the country still remains a military threat.
Last week, North Korea test-fired three surface-to-surface missiles that landed in the North's territorial waters, according to Defense Department officials. It was the third time in a month that North Korea has test-fired a short-range missile, following launches May 25 and June 7.
Yup, the Norks would use short-range missiles (and artillery) to bombard the snot out of Seoul if it came to war. So every once in a while they'll test one.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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Writer, producer and director, Michael Moore is to come to Iran for the screening of his new production SICKO in the first international documentary film festival held here.
This festival will be held from the 15th to the 19th of October in Tehran... Just this one time would the State Department PLEASE revoke his passport, after he gets there?
Posted by: Anonymoose ||
07/02/2007 10:46 ||
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#1
What a piece of shit.
Take some film of how they embrace freedom of speech in Iran Michael. Better yet, film a stoning of somebody that opened their big fat mouth and pissed off the wrong mullah.
#2
Well, IIRC, "farenheit 911" was promoted and distributed in lebanon with the help of hizbollah, so it's a polite quid pro quo. Anyway, what's up with all those "provocative" leftists (who are very good capitalists at selling their provocation)? Why must have they such an huge blindspot? Chavez, castro, the angry midget, even for an USA-hater, one should honestly acknowledge they're fiends and predators for their own people who don't support them as normal rulers. But, noooo, as long as they oppose The Empire, it's ok to court them and associate with them, even for self-promotion. Blah.
#3
We have what, 3 or 4 Iranian-Americans being held captive in Iran as spys. Sure, some are naive academics but they are still being used as pawns by the mad mullahs little dipshit there. So, why can't we spread a little disinformation about Fat Mike - you know, how the CIA could stop him but isn't. What does that tell you? This really shouldn't be too hard to set up right here at Rantburg.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:20 Comments ||
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#4
Michael Moore is, of course, the deepest agent in a COINTELPRO scheme. His job has been to discredit the left by making them look like buffoons.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
07/02/2007 11:55 Comments ||
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#5
Shhh! We sent him to Iran to spy.
Posted by: CIA ||
07/02/2007 12:07 Comments ||
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#6
Maybe the fat load will have a heart attack over there and get to check out Iran's health care system.
#11
I really could care less what Moore says anymore about anything. I just find him amusing, kind of like pro wrestling except without the credibility.
All the stupid dorks who go out and pay $15.00 a ticket to see his tired schtick deserve to get ripped off at the movie theater. I hope he buys another huge house w/it and entertains his whole hollywood entourage on some lear jet thanks to the American lemming. Mike 'elmer gantry' Moore is one of the best snake oil salesmen I've seen in a long time. (well, right next to Gore & the global warming scam anyhow)
#1
Reminds me of earlier episodes in the DOD where B35/49 Northrop flying wings and P6M Martin Seamasters were destroyed; except here it is (ostensibly) to keep parts out of the hands of the bad guys. Why not just ensure the previous existing regs about the DeMil-ing of equipment got followed and if you violated the rules, you paid the price? Lots of the -D versions had little time on them, still good airframes for a reserve action......
#2
Let me suggest that these F-14s are also being destroyed to keep them out of the hands of congressmen. That is, if they are destroyed, the congress can't order the Pentagon to "refurbish" them and keep using them, instead of getting new aircraft.
I think the navy is doing much the same thing, by scuttling old ships instead of mothballing them.
#3
'Moose, while there was at one time a rather strong lobby in DC to refurbish jets, the success of stealth technology and the 'Light Attack Mafia' made anything Grumman built obsolete (as in very un sexy) same for the EF-111 for the USAF. the A-6 is now listed in the Foreign Military Sales Catalog (with advanced weapons radar removed) as either a daylight visual bomber or tanker (only land based, so that presumes removal of the tailhook and launch mechanism as well as wing fold) and only the RAAF still flies the Aardvark, and I am not aware of any purchases by them of our old inventory. On a personal note, we had just comlpeted a rewing effort of the A-6 prior to its retirement and it would have been a wonderful refueling platform for the CAs, but that is where the Light Attack mafia stepped in and hung a buddy store on the Hornet. another story another time.
re scuttling ships: i was at Bremerton Naval Shipyard just yesterday and it was rather melancholy to see 3 CVs sitting there instead of launching jets, doubly so since I had been stationed on them. Future fish hatcheries???
A secret U.S. law enforcement report, prepared for the Department of Homeland Security, warns that al Qaeda is planning a terror "spectacular" this summer, according to a senior official with access to the document.
For when traditional fireworks just aren't enough.
"This is reminiscent of the warnings and intelligence we were getting in the summer of 2001," the official told ABCNews.com.
U.S. officials have kept the information secret, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said today on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that the United States did not have "have any specific credible evidence that there's an attack focused on the United States at this point."
Unlike the United States, officials in Germany have publicly warned that the country could face a major attack this summer, also comparing the situation to the pre-9/11 summer of 2001.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Gotta love the MSM definition of secret.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
07/02/2007 0:09 Comments ||
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#2
A "great power" or superpower confrontation, including Amer Hiroshimas, is steadily becoming Moud and Radical Islam's best option, both agz regionally-globally entrenching Dubya-USA, and unreliable anti-Western Westies = Lefty politicos more concerned now about preserving personal power than friend Moud or "Globalism", etc. To stop the USA from entrenching, let alone to get out of the ME, the Radics need to start using their Nuclear War = Nuclear-WMD Terror, etal. cards.
#4
If the Islamofascists feel they are near destruction in Iraq & Afghanistan they will be in a situation which DEMANDS they mount a 'spectacular' attack against the US (or an ally) in order to maintain credibility, funding and recruiting.
#5
Interesting leak. I wonder if this was officially chosen as the means to disseminate the information in order to get broader coverage. A straight forward press release would have been ignored by the MSM. But the chance to hound administration officials to concede the deleterious information uncovered by our media sleuths could stay in the news cycle for a week.
#10
I say we send Joe aid in the form of a new caps lock key. His broke apparently.
Al-Qaeda NEEDS a hit on the west if they are to maintain any sort of respectability in the Islamic world. Especially since the planned fireworks in England really didn't do much. Except prove that Islamic doctors really suck at bomb making.
#11
Sheez, can't this wait. According to the New York Times Sunday mag, the world is going to end 2012 anyway. And the damn Mayans were no threat to anyone. Go figure.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:24 Comments ||
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#12
I expect the leftos to start squaking about this being nothing more than an attepmt to gain public attention and support for the 'obviusly' failing WOT. When will Harry and Nancy chirp in???
#13
Aug 12 will be the anniversary of the collapse of the 1350 year run of Caliphates. They probably wouldn't do anything on that day, but 7-7-7 would have even greater symbolic value than 9-11. The Gas-Bomb jihad should at long last prove that the West in NOT on top of the mosque based terror within our midst, and Muslims believe - with good cause - that they operate under extreme indulgence. I am as worried as Charles Johnson - littlegreenfootballs - that Muslims took the wrong message from both the President's Islamic Center speech, and his deference to the OIC.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. is adding air marshals to overseas flights because of concerns about potential terrorism threats originating in Britain and Europe, the homeland security chief said Sunday. "I think given what we know now, we're comfortable that we're at the right posture," Michael Chertoff said during a round of talk show appearances.
U.S. airports and mass transit systems are tightening security ahead of the Fourth of July holiday and more air marshals will travel on overseas flights. "We will be doing operations at various rail locations and other mass transit locations in cooperation with local authorities. Again, not because of a specific piece of credible threat information, but because we are going into a holiday season. There will be a larger number of people traveling," Chertoff said.
Airports are at the second of five security threat levels - orange - indicating a high risk of terrorist attacks. The current national threat level is yellow, or the third highest, indicating an elevated threat.
Chertoff said he has spoken out for some time about U.S. worries involving potential terrorist threats originating in Britain and Europe. "I think one of the issues we're increasingly concerned about is the movement of Europeans, including people with European citizenship, into areas of South Asia to get trained and get experience and then the prospect of these people coming back to carry out operations in Europe or in the United States using Europe as a departure point," Chertoff said. "It's one of the reasons we've been very focused on increasing our security for people incoming from Europe. And that's something we're going to be looking at for the rest of the summer," he said.
The U.S. increased the number of air marshals on flights between the United States and Europe last August and stepped up the pace over the past few months, Chertoff said. "We haven't singled out Glasgow until a couple of days ago as a particular location for focus, but there has been a strategy of mixing up the deployment of these air marshals, sometimes more in one destination, sometimes more in another destination," he said. "Going forward, we will be doing some enhanced air marshal work and similar types of activities with respect to U.K. travel."
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Heard that they are specifically targeting flights to Prague. Anybody know what thats about?
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:26 Comments ||
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#2
US intel gave specific into to the Czechs a couple weeks ago of planned attacks in Prague.
Speakers at an academic discussion arranged by Iqbal International Institute for Research, Education and Dialogue (IRED) on the issue of the knighthood of Salman Rushdie on Sunday called upon the Muslim youth to conduct academic research to give a logical response to such issues.
The discussion titled What is Satanic in Salman Rushdies Satanic Verses? was held at IRED secretariat.
IRED Executive Director Dr Riffat Hassan said Salman Rushdies book Satanic Verses was a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims. Muslim scholars must give a rational response to the blasphemous book by logical argumentation to expose its malicious contents, said Dr Riffat.
She said the main objective of the discussion was to educate the Muslim youth about the important aspects of the book such as its structure, themes, language and the reason of its universal condemnation by Muslims.
Despite giving an emotionally intense reaction, Muslims have made little effort to refute the distortion of facts by the author. She added. Muslim youth should be equipped with the necessary knowledge to give a correct interpretation of Islam and to dispel the false attributions made to the faith and its Prophet (PBUH) by Islam-bashers like Rushdie, Dr Riffat added.
She said Muslim masses had expressed their anger through worldwide protests against the knighting of Rushdie.
She characterised the blasphemous book as hate literature and said it was the duty of Muslim scholars to present the true picture of Islam.
Prof Naveed Shahzad, dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts at Beaconhouse National University, said Muslims should not be surprised at the act, because history was replete with attempts to malign and misrepresent Islam.
Quoting various passages from the book, she critically evaluated the text and disproved the writers claim that the novels contents and characters were fictional. She said Rushdie had been a student of history at Cambridge University and was well aware of the history of Islam.
He intentionally distorted facts pretending that whatever was said in the book was a fantasy and that his characters, especially Mahound, had nothing to do with Islam or its Prophet (PBUH), she said. Columnist Eraj Zakaria questioned the award of knighthood by the British Crown in spite of Rushdies sharp criticism of Britain and his use of un-parliamentary language against the Queen. Dr Riffat said that even the majority of the British people were opposed to the decision of knighting Rushdie.
Prof Naveed Shahzad, dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts at Beaconhouse National University, said Muslims should not be surprised at the act, because history was replete with attempts to malign and misrepresent Islam.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Muslims should respond rationally
When was the last time that happened? If they did, we wouldn't be in this mess.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
07/02/2007 0:03 Comments ||
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#2
"Rational Muslims". Goes well beyond "Military Intelligence", eh?
O/T: Mike N., you mentioned elsewhere how yesterday's responses were limited to cell phone texting. I just wanted to say that your own replies seemed both timely and well-thought out.
As to squaliformes settimana, that is another matter entirely.
#5
"Dr Riffat said that even the majority of the British people were opposed to the decision of knighting Rushdie."
Err, where's your source Riffy? Me, I normally couldn't give a monkeys who gets a knighthood (they're usually people who have helped Bliar and co. along), but on this occasion, and for the one reason that it's totally pissed off the RoP (TM), I wholeheartedly endorse his investiture and wish Her Majesty would do it again - and then post it on YouTube.
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/02/2007 2:14 Comments ||
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Muslim scholars believe they are giving a rational response. That's the problem. allan says kill, and they kill. allan says rage and seethe, and they rage and seethe. allan says froggy, and they jump.
#9
Most muslims havent even read the book.They rely on their so called Scholars/Imans to pass judgement.Brainwashing is easy in Islamic countries.
We need to target the messengers of hatred ie the Scholars and the so called Holy men!!!!!
That is what this War on Terror is all about is to take religion out of state policy.Countries like Iran,Saudi and Pakistan the religious authorities have too much say/Power which they fearlosing!!!
Posted by: Paul ||
07/02/2007 10:44 Comments ||
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#10
lots of good pts. A strong attempt needs to be made toward muslim youth. Especially the females - like we a trying in iraq. Great target audience for the debunk message I advocated last night.
Personal anectdote; Some of the iraqi interpreters I knew ("terp" for short) were real even keel about islam - most of these guys liked to play soccer in their off time and all of them wanted to come state side. We also had one Jordanian female who we all liked. A lot of the American muslims I trained w/in Cali were of different sects and often argued about the koran but they were all fairly agnostic or deistic in their beliefs - though so am I pretty much so we hit it off real well. I thought it was funny listening to them jabber about the koran when all of them didn't follow 80% of it. Most of them just wanted to chase girls and drive nice cars. Pretty much like any normal 20-something kid in the U.S. I did not worry about them in any 5th column or subterfuge sense - these guys actually had to protect their real i.d.'s for obvious reasons. They hated the Hussein regime, had family histories to prove it and knew the great deal they had in the U.S. - I've no problem w/these types of folks because they keep the religion to themselves. It's the idiots in Dearborn wearing burkas, disparaging inner city blacks & talking about how great the culture of the old country was who are trying to make "Dearbornistan" that need to leave most rik-tik.
Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousufs plane on Sunday narrowly escaped disaster while landing at the Turbant airport when a tyre on its landing gear burst.
The CM, along with Chief Secretary KB Rind, Inspector General Police Masood Khausa and Provincial Finance Minister Syed Ehsan, was returning from a tour of the rain-affected areas when his planes tyre burst. The plane managed to stop at the side of the runway, which was subsequently shut down. Until repairs could be completed, an emergency was declared at the airport. The incident occurred a few hours before Prime Minister Shaukat Azizs scheduled arrival, which was eventually delayed.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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The British High Commission has refused to issue a visa to Senator Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of his own Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam faction, for the oppositions all parties conference in London.
The senator cannot appeal now against the denial of the visa for another three years. This issue was discussed in the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs several times in the presence of Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri.
The senators asked the committee chairman, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, to take serious notice of the issue and tabled a requisition for an immediate meeting of the committee to discuss the matter. The requisition was signed by Professor Khurshid Ahmad, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Tahir Hussain Mashadi, Telha Mahmood and Maulana Samiul Haq.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami
President Pervez Musharraf has told the Interior Ministry to ensure the security of foreigners in the country following the kidnapping of Chinese women from a massage parlour in F-8 Markaz by students of Jamia Hafsa a few days ago. Interior Ministry sources said on Sunday that the ministry had received a letter from the president telling them to tighten security. The ministry was also instructed to increase the number policemen and other law enforcement personnel deployed for the security of foreigners, sources added. The president assured the Chinese government of the protection of the Chinese people working in Pakistan. The president also warned Jamia Hafsa to avoid such action in the future.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Taliban
Iran is using the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah as a "proxy" to arm Shiite militants in Iraq and Tehran's elite Quds force helped militants carry out a January attack in Karbala in which five Americans were killed, a U.S. general said Monday.
A senior Lebanese Hezbollah operative, Ali Mussa Dakdouk, was captured March 20 in southern Iraq, U.S. military spokesman Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner said. Dakdouk served for 24 years in Hezbollah and was "working in Iraq as a surrogate for the Iranian Quds Force," Bergner said.
The general also said that Dakdouk was a liaison between the Iranians and a breakaway Shiite group led by Qais al-Kazaali, a former spokesman for cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Bergner said al-Kazaali's group carried out the January attack against a provincial government building in Karbala and that the Iranians assisted in preparations. Al-Khazaali and his brother Ali al-Khazaali were captured with Dakdouk.
Dakdouk told U.S. interrogators that the Karbala attackers "could not have conducted this complex operation without the support and direction of the Quds force," Bergner said.
Documents captured with al-Khazaali showed that the Quds Force had developed detailed information on the U.S. position at the government building, "regarding our soldiers' activities, shift changes and defenses, and this information was shared with the attackers," Bergner said.
The Karbala attack was one of the boldest and most sophisticated against U.S. forces in four years of fighting in Iraq, and U.S. officials at the time suggested Iran may have had a role in it. In the assault, up to a dozen gunmen posed as an American security team, with U.S. military combat fatigues, allowing them to pass checkpoints into the government compound, where they launched the attack. One U.S. soldier was killed in the initial assault, and the militants abducted four others who were later found shot to death.
The U.S. military in the past has accused the Quds Force the external arm of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards of arming and financing Iraqi extremists to carry out attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces. Tehran has denied the U.S. accusations.
Hezbollah spokesmen in Lebanon said they were checking into the claims Dakdouk was a member of the group and would not comment. The group has in the past denied any activities in Iraq. In late 2005, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said his government suspected that Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah might be supplying technology and explosives to Shiite Muslim militant groups operating in Iraq, but he provided no proof.
Bergner said Iraqi extremists were taken to Iran in groups of 20 to 60 for training in three camps "not too far from Tehran." When they returned to Iraq, they formed units called "special groups" to carry out attacks, bombings and kidnappings.
"Our intelligence reveals that the senior leadership in Iran is aware of this activity," he said. Asked if Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be unaware of the activity, Bergner said, "That would be hard to imagine."
Dakdouk was "tasked to organize the special groups in ways that mirrored how Hezbollah was organized in Lebanon," the general said. Dakdouk was ordered by Hezbollah's leadership to work with the Quds Force and went to Iran in May 2006 to meet with Quds Force commanders, Bergner said. He then made four trips to Iraq over the next year.
Hezbollah, he said, helps the Iranians as a "proxy ... to do things they didn't want to have to do themselves in terms of interacting with special groups," Bergner said. He added that Hezbollah did not appear to have an extensive network in Iraq, saying Dakdouk was "being used specifically as a proxy by the Quds Force.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
07/02/2007 09:05 ||
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[11127 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
And this means the President is going to... do nothing.
#3
Or bacon like they do those delicate steaks with prOk wrapped edges. You know, the kind that are too good for us Rantburg types.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
07/02/2007 11:00 Comments ||
Top||
#4
The Army is almost as bad as those left coasters who paint the windows of their cars: "No war - Use your words". Google that phrase and you'll see what I mean.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:31 Comments ||
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BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Islamic Party, a Sunni political faction in Prime Minister Nuri Al Malikis cabinet, published a statement on Sunday alleging that more than 350 people have been killed by a US military operation in Baquba to hunt down Al Qaeda-affiliated members.
Camp-followers, I'm guessing.
They termed the operations collective punishment in Baquba, the capital of Diyala province which lies 57 kilometres north-east of Baghdad.
If that's the case, are you getting the message?
Neighbourhoods in western Baquba have witnessed, since last week, fierce attacks by occupation forces within Operation Arrowhead Ripper, the party said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq. The forces shelled these neighbourhoods with helicopters, destroying more than 150 houses and killing more than 350 citizens, their bodies still under wreckage, in addition to arresting scores of citizens, the statement added.
Soon to be distributed without further verification by the AP and thence to be a subject of a screed in a Daily Kos diary.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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[11127 views]
Top|| File under: Iraqi Insurgency
#1
To me, you hold all of the wreckage of all of civilization in you bloody hands.
#3
destroying more than 150 houses and killing more than 350 citizens, their bodies still under wreckage,
Analysis of above statement:
1)THEY HAVE NO BODIES! JUST ASSUMING!
2) Calculation which assumption is based upon:
150 houses assumed destroyed
Must be a man and woman in each one giving 300 dead.
300 is too small a number so they added 50.
So there is no proof that anybody is dead based on this story but they managed to spin it into 350 dead.
#4
Even assuming that the U.S. operation against murderous militias and insurgents resulted in 350 civilian deaths (proof?), it would not have taken those groups more than a week or two to massacre that number of civilians anyway. Pacifying that country is ultimately the only hope for saving Iraqi lives.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon said Friday it changed the status of two soldiers who have been unaccounted for since an attack on their unit in Iraq on May 12 from "whereabouts unknown" to "missing/captured." The change reflects an official determination that Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., and Spec. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass., were seized by hostile forces. The earlier designation is typically used when a soldier goes missing but military officials have not confirmed the circumstances.
The change does not mean the military has gained any new information about their whereabouts.
An Army review board convened in Alexandria, Va., on June 12 to review the facts surrounding the case. It recommended that the two soldiers be declared "captured/missing," and on June 27 that was accepted by the Army's adjutant general. Relatives were notified of the change of status on Thursday.
Jimenez and Fouty were snatched in a raid on their Army unit on May 12 near Youssifiyah, south of Baghdad. The body of a third soldier taken in the raid, Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., was found May 23 floating in the Euphrates River. Four U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi translator were killed during the ambush. On June 16 the U.S. military disclosed that it had found the identification cards of Jimenez and Fouty in an al-Qaida safe house near Samarra, more than 100 miles north of the area where they disappeared. The house contained video production equipment, computers and weapons but no people, officials said.
The soldiers are assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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[11128 views]
Top|| File under: Iraqi Insurgency
Hamas's attempts to take over control of the Temple Mount as well as spread its ideology and recruit new members in Jerusalem have been foiled by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), a senior security official announced Monday.
According to officials, Hamas has invested millions of shekels in recent years in Jerusalem charities and religious institutions, as well as in construction on the Temple Mount, in an effort to recruit Israeli Arab residents of Jerusalem into its ranks, thus bolstering its presence in the capital.
The official said that Hamas has recently enlarged a library and several prayer halls in Solomon's Stables and also built a public bathroom facility.
"Their goal is to gain full control over the Temple Mount," a high-ranking security officer said Monday, adding that Hamas also tried to infiltrate members into the Temple Mount as maintenance staff, in addition to its religious leaders who preach, give tours, and teach Koran classes there.
The official said Hamas had taken advantage of the Jordanian Wakf, which is responsible for the holy site. The Wakf has been suffering from financial constraints since 2000, when the Temple Mount mosques were closed to visitors.
Officials said the Hamas takeover of the Temple Mount was a "strategic" move to bolster its standing in the Palestinian territories and throughout the Muslim world.
During a year-long operation, Shin Bet arrested 11 Hamas officials based in Jerusalem, 10 of whom are Israeli identity cards holders.
Hamas's Jerusalem headquarters were funded by Hamas headquarters in Syria, as well as a chain of charity institutions based in Saudi Arabia. In addition to Hamas's efforts to take over the Temple Mount, the movement increased in recent years its activity in east Jerusalem, where it had set up religious institutions and used what seemed to be innocent festivities to "brainwash" Muslims with Hamas ideology.
In order to implement its goals, Hams had also set up a number of institutions of a semi-religious nature to front illegal activities. According to officials, there are no Hamas institutions currently active in Jerusalem.
The Shin Bet also focused its operations in curbing the flow of money into Hamas. A senior Hamas official, Yakub Abu Assab, was arrested for allegedly running a courier service that transferred funds from the West Bank and abroad to the Hamas headquarters in Jerusalem.
Israeli efforts to stop Hamas also included the arrests of Hamas parliamentarians, including Khaled Abu Afa, former Hamas minister for Jerusalem affairs.
All 11 detainees were due to be indicted for membership in a terror group and financing illegal terror activity.
A US-based human rights group said on Sunday that Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli artillery strikes showed appalling disregard for civilian life and urged both sides to learn lessons from two years of bloodshed.
In a report released on the eve of a High Court hearing about Israeli military policy allegedly allowing troops to fire closer to civilian areas, Human Rights Watch examined the use of rockets and artillery following Israels withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005.
It said Israel reportedly reduced the safety zone between artillery targets and civilian areas from 300 to 100 metres (yards) in April 2006.
Human Rights Watch found that all fatalities and all but eight injuries from artillery fire between September 2005 and May 2007, which Israel claimed was in self-defence, occurred after this change in policy, its report said.
Examining the conflict between the two sides, the report said: From September 2005 to May 2007, Palestinian armed groups fired almost 2,700 locally made rockets toward Israel. They killed four and injured 75 Israeli civilians.
The rockets, notoriously inaccurate, also caused at least 23 Palestinian casualties when they fell short of the border, said the report, which also said groups placed launchers deliberately close to civilian areas.
From September 2005 through May 2007, the IDF fired more than 14,600 155mm artillery shells into Gaza. Shells fired close to populated areas killed 59 people and wounded 270, most if not all of them civilians, said the group.
It added that Israel had not fired artillery into Gaza since an attack on November 8, 2006 killed 23 Palestinian civilians. Despite its moratorium, the IDF says that it still considers artillery fire a legitimate response to Palestinian rocket attacks subject to the limitations of international law.
Tit-for-tat abuses cant be justified by arguing that the other side violated the law first: the laws of war are meant to protect civilians from harm, whatever the reason, said Joe Stork, deputy director of the groups Middle East division. Otherwise, the cycle of violence spirals out of control, as happened in Gaza and Israel.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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[11131 views]
Top|| File under: Hamas
#1
Otherwise, the cycle of violence spirals out of control, as happened in Gaza and Israel.
I agree he's got a point. Something ought to give. Okay, Israelis, next time kassams hit, please buldoze the whole strip. I have a feeling that the violence would stop almost immediately afterwards.
#2
It said Israel reportedly reduced the safety zone between artillery targets and civilian areas from 300 to 100 metres (yards) in April 2006.
When the other side is violating the laws of war, namely by intentionally targeting civilians, you're no longer required to hold to the laws of war. The Israelis should have reduced the "safety zone" to 100mm.
And Human Rights Watch might want to focus on the side that has zero "safety zone".
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
07/02/2007 7:50 Comments ||
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#3
Human Rights Watch should kill themselves to protest the plight of the paleos.
#4
Tit-for-tat abuses cant be justified by arguing that the other side violated the law first: the laws of war are meant to protect civilians from harm, whatever the reason,
...thus betraying a basic misunderstanding of the bedrock of international law: reciprocity. That is, assuming that there's anything like a sovereign entity on the Palestinian side... something both I and this HRW dork are presuposing. We're probably both wrong.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
07/02/2007 8:48 Comments ||
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#5
Siddown and shaddap, Chauncey. We'll let ya know when your pacifistic ass is safe.
#7
It said Israel reportedly reduced the safety zone between artillery targets and civilian areas from 300 to 100 metres (yards) in April 2006
And what was the palestinian "safety zone?"
They make it sound that, because the kassams are "notoriously inaccurate" they deserve no response. The fact of the matter is, Israel does what it can to reduce civilian deaths. Palis do what they can to maximize it. Israel regrets that a few civilians were killed. palis regret that more weren't. A fact that escapes HRW.
Jordan's King Abdullah II flatly rejected a confederation with the Palestinians on Sunday, calling any such proposal at the current time a "conspiracy" against his kingdom and the Palestinians, a local newspaper reported. Despite government assertions to the contrary, speculation has mounted in recent weeks that Jordan may want to assume a protectorate role in the West Bank by forming a confederation with the Palestinians. In newspaper remarks published Sunday, Abdullah said he was "fed up talking about this issue." Hussein said a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation was possible once the Palestinians had an independent state.
This key US ally fears that any confederation before a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict could give credence to Israeli hard-liners, who have urged making Jordan a home for the West Bank's Arabs. Under a 1950 deal, Jordan administered the West Bank and east Jerusalem until Israel captured them in the Six Day War. Abdullah's father, the late King Hussein, severed administrative links with the West Bank in 1988, handing responsibility to the Palestine Liberation Organization under its late leader, Yasser Arafat.
In May, the Israeli Maariv daily said that Jordan was pressing hard for a confederation with the Palestinians. But Abdullah echoed his father's position Sunday, saying it was "premature to talk about the shape of future relations with Palestine and we will not tackle this issue until an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil is established."
When asked if there was Israeli or US pressure on Jordan to accept a confederation with the Palestinians, he said, "We will not accept such solutions no matter what the pressures are." The king harshly rebuked Israel in the interview, underlining his frustration with its peace policies.
Despite cordial relations with his neighbor under a 1994 peace treaty, Abdullah described Israel as a "solid enemy" of the Palestinians, saying the Jewish state "will not achieve the security it desires, unless Palestinian political rights are addressed."
Abdullah also rebuked the Hamas for its military takeover of the Gaza Strip last month. He warned that Hamas's conquest of the coastal strip would "undermine Palestinian hopes for ending the Israeli occupation and setting up an independent Palestinians state."
The king said he had hoped for a "better outcome" for the Palestinians from last month's Mideast summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm e-Sheikh, but did not elaborate. The meeting brought him together with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders as a show of support for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.
#1
Abdullah II flatly rejected a confederation with the Palestinians on Sunday, calling any such proposal at the current time a "conspiracy" against his kingdom
LOL, knowing the propensity of Arabs for producing conspiracies in vast quantities on daily basis, it is somewhat ironic that once a while, they may be right, akin to a broken clock that is right no less than twice a day.
#2
"calling any such proposal at the current time"
IE its not off the table.
But this isnt the right time to talk about it. Cause
A. Jordan really doesnt want any formal role in the WB. They will take one only IF everything else appears to be failing, and we are NOT at that point yet
B. For decades Fatah has stood for an independent Pal State, and against the "Jordan Option" To refloat the Jordan Option now, would undermine Abbas' position. Until it looks like Abbas position is hopeless, its unwise to float the option.
#4
armed hamasniks running around in public in the WB, Hamas bombers blowing up PA govt installations in the WB, and Abbas facing the more or less imminent prospect of losing to Hamas on the WB.
US State Department officials, looking to shift US Security Coordinator Lt.-Gen. Keith Dayton's work with Palestinian forces to the West Bank, have begun holding discussions with Congressional staff on how to restructure an $86 million funding program previously allocated to bolster Dayton's Gaza activities.
The earlier package was whittled down to $59m. before Congress signed off on it and would have gone largely to non-lethal equipment and training for the presidential guard to secure the Gaza border crossings and help Fatah leaders and institutions there. Now the US, caught off-guard by Hamas's speedy defeat of Fatah forces in Gaza, is scrambling for new ways to strengthen Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and isolate Hamas in Gaza.
Strengthen Abbas? He's terminally weak.
"They have a great appetite to work with Abbas and [PA Prime Minister Salaam] Fayad," said one Democratic Congressional staffer. "But I don't think they've quite figured out what that cooperation looks like, where that money ought to go."
"They don't have good answers right now," he said.
I do. Not. One. Dime. Do not fund the Paleos until they realize that they're at the bottom and it's necessary to re-visit some cherished assumptions.
State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said last week that America was waiting to hear more about the new Abbas government's agenda before presenting an aid package for Dayton's security coordination program. "There are still a number of plans that the Abbas government is formulating and [the US] will be working with them as their plans develop to determine how best we can utilize this money," he said. "But we're still conducting consultations with them and internally amongst ourselves as to how to proceed."
One senior Western official said the Dayton team was staying, for now, essentially in the same configuration as before the Hamas takeover of Gaza. Dayton's team "continues to actively engage and is in place and prepared to continue with US efforts with Palestinians in the security field," he said.
The Democratic staffer cautioned that in the administration's eagerness to help Abbas, they might find themselves running afoul of Congressional barriers put in place to make sure no money ends up in terrorists' hands. "I'm a little concerned that they're going a little too fast. I'm worried that they might have obstacles down the road if they discover, as they have in the past, that there are bad guys on the [Palestinian security forces] payroll," he said, pointing to a tightening of laws governing money given to the Palestinians recently passed under the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act. "PATA wasn't set up to make it easy. It was set up to make it hard."
Critics of US efforts under Dayton were quick to point to the events in Gaza to question whether his mission should continue. "I see no evidence that [Dayton's mission] succeeded," said Shoshana Bryen of the Washington-based Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs of efforts to reform the Palestinian security forces and secure the Gaza crossings. "They simply didn't fight, they abandoned their posts," she said of the Fatah forces outgunned but not outnumbered by Hamas. She said, though, that the failure was larger than the battle in Gaza and stemmed from flawed American expectations that any US security coordinator could lead Fatah security services in a direction amenable to US and Israeli interests rather than their own.
More hand-wringing at the link. We're at fault and we're also indispensable. Wear a neck-brace to guard against whiplash.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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[11129 views]
Top|| File under: Fatah
#2
Im not sure what assumptions Fayed-Abbas need to revisit right now. Theyve set up a completely Hamas free cabinet. Theyve gone about arresting Hamasniks, even clamping down on Hamas "charities". Theyve refused to even talk to Hamas (at least in public)
Theyve at least proclaimed on paper the need to disarm AAMB. They havent yet done so, but when the Israelis went after AAMB, they only did the standard meaningless protest.
I think Abbas-Fayed are doing all anyone could reasonably expect at this moment.
Now Im not sure how valuable training would really be. I wouldnt rule out the possibility it could be of some use though.
#5
The State Dept. began going off the rails during the Dulles years, but this State Dept. seems to be at war with the American people and its interests. This is madness. Any chance that Arabs exterminate Arabs is a plus, but giving them $86 million worth of arms, which they will employ against Israel is looney tunes territory.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Tens of thousands of Palestinian civil servants will be paid in full this week for the first time in over a year after Israel released millions of dollars in tax funds frozen during Hamas rule, officials said Sunday.
None of this is going to matter, it just delays the day when the Paleos hit rock bottom.
The transfer of the funds was Israel's first concrete gesture of support for moderate President Mahmoud Abbas in his battle with Hamas, which violently seized control of the Gaza Strip last month. Dispensing the salaries allows the West Bank-based government to assert its legitimacy, disputed by the Hamas rulers in Gaza. The salaries will bypass employees hired by Hamas, including the 6,000 members of the militant group's security forces. Security forces in Gaza were told they would be paid only if they stayed home and refused to work under Hamas command.
Under Hamas, the 165,000 government employees had only received irregular, partial payments because of an international aid boycott imposed over the group's refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
The Israeli government said $119 million were transferred Sunday, and Palestinian officials confirmed they received it. The Israelis said there would be another transfer in coming days.
Since Hamas came to power in March 2006, Israel had frozen roughly $600 million, mostly customs duties that it collects on behalf of the Palestinians under interim peace accords. The tax funds account for roughly half of the Palestinian government's operating budget, and the cutoff had crippled the economy.
"Israel is committed to ... strengthening the new (Palestinian) government and to cooperate fully both in the financial and security realms," said Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin.
"Some of the actions already taken by the Palestinian government ... will help us to find, slowly and cautiously, paths of cooperation," Olmert said. "At the same time, the war on terror continues and will not cease."
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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[11130 views]
Top|| File under: Fatah
#1
I suppose this might not be the worst idea. Better though would be to relocate them and give them buildings in which to play games of chance.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
07/02/2007 0:15 Comments ||
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#6
Well then Steve seems to be in agreement with a number of leftie commentators, who say that Hamas support on the West Bank is considerable, that Fatah is divided and incompetent, and that Hamas will inevitably beat Fatah on the WB as well. (And of course its not just Steve, as far as I know Bibi and lots of other well-informed non-lefty people hold that as well)
Well it MAY be true. I think the chance that Fayed and Abbas can make it through are worth the costs of the measures proposes so far. And the "hasbara" (PR) value is important.
#7
"Israel is committed to ... strengthening the new (Palestinian) government
The very same "Palestinian government" that is publically and privately committed to destroying Israel--how nice of the Israelis. This is bad craziness.
#9
LH, I'm not convinced that the Fayed gummint is committed to anything other than 1) it's own survival and 2) death to the Joooz.
Fayed doesn't have to say he's committed to the destruction of Israel -- all his fellow Paleos understand. Note that he hasn't said anything about a two-state solution, foregoing the right of return, etc. Any of those things would be a death sentence and thus violate rule #1, above.
I am in agreement with those who say that Fatah is incompetent -- they're the old boys who were there to help Arafat hold and divide the boodle. They know little about fighting and thus got their asses well and truly kicked. If they have a shoot-out with Hamas in the West Bank, they'll lose there as well. I don't know if that's 'left' or 'right', but it does seem to be reality.
Public relations has its place, of course, but throwing money at Fatah seems (to me, at least) do delay the necessary day of reckoning when the average Palestinian finally decides that he/she has been well and truly beaten, and it's time to have a true peace.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 13:20 Comments ||
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#10
"LH, I'm not convinced that the Fayed gummint is committed to anything other than 1) it's own survival and 2) death to the Joooz."
I see no particular evidence they are committed to 2.
"Fayed doesn't have to say he's committed to the destruction of Israel -- all his fellow Paleos understand."
I disagree.
"Note that he hasn't said anything about a two-state solution,"
I'll have to do some googling. My understanding is he has. Certainly Abbas has accepted Oslo, and the Road Map, and my impression was the the new govt had done so explicitly as well.
" foregoing the right of return, etc."
We've been over that before. Its a bargaining chip, one of the few the Pals have. They are not going to give it up BEFORE negotiations. They will give it up (except for some face saving device) as part of negotiations, in exchange for something else.
"Any of those things would be a death sentence and thus violate rule #1, above."
Well again, Abbas has explicitly accepted a two state solution.
"I am in agreement with those who say that Fatah is incompetent -- they're the old boys who were there to help Arafat hold and divide the boodle. They know little about fighting and thus got their asses well and truly kicked. If they have a shoot-out with Hamas in the West Bank, they'll lose there as well. I don't know if that's 'left' or 'right', but it does seem to be reality."
Hamas didnt have much experience with conventional war either. Yeah they won in Gaza. Again, thats the center of their strength. And Dahlan, Fatahs man in Gaza, was absent.
I obviously cant guarantee Fatah can beat Hamas on the WB. I dont think one can generalize from Gaza, though. And I do think the idea is to weaken Hamas so much, they cant even get to that point.
#11
BTW, need I remind everyone, that when folks here were talking about popcorn, and looking forward (implicitly) to an extended Pal Civil war, I indicated that Civil Wars are often won? Who here predicted IN ADVANCE that Hamas would blow away Fatah?
The captors of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston said on Sunday they have prepared 30 100, I mean 500, and Morgan Fairchild booby-trapped cars that will be used against Hamas militiamen if they try to release the journalist by force. Johnston is being held by members of the notorious Dughmush clan in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. The captors, headed by Mumtaz Dughmush, call themselves the Army of Islam. Oh, the brave, brave lions!
And an original name. They're prob'ly using an Arabic version of Fred's name generator.
Mumtaz, Killer of the Kuffarim9111
I'm not sure I could live with myself after being kidnapped by someone named Mumtaz Dogmush. Then again, Johnston may not have to.
Members of the clan accused Hamas of kidnapping and killing one of their sons on Saturday night. They identified the victim as Ahmed Dughmush, 28. The clan said his bullet-riddled body was discovered in Gaza City shortly after he was kidnapped from the street by members of Hamas's paramilitary Executive Force.
Hamas was sending a message, were they?
"Ahmed was a Fatah member who was working for the Palestinian Authority before the Hamas coup in the Gaza Strip," said a member of the clan. "He was executed by the Hamas murderers less than an hour after he was kidnapped." And? Seems sensible to me. In fact, the most sensible thing you could do is to initiate attacks against Hamas leaders before they get you.
He said that Hamas was trying to drag the Dughmush clan into a confrontation in order to release Johnston. "Hamas thinks that by executing and terrorizing us they will achieve their goals," he added. "But they are mistaken." 'I will fight to the last of my cousins but not my sons!"
Another clan member threatened to kill Johnston if Hamas tried to release him by force. "We have prepared 30 bobby-trapped cars for them," he said.
Hamas militiamen have been surrounding the compound where the clan lives for the past two weeks. Hamas officials said it was only a matter of time before their men raided the compound to release the journalist. They described Mumtaz Dughmush as a "big thug" who is using Islam as a cover for his criminal activities. How can you tell? Experience?
Relief workers yesterday accused the Lebanese army of using "excessive force" to disperse a protest in which dozens of displaced refugees in northern Lebanon were killed or wounded.
"The protesters were more than 10 metres (yards) away from the (army) checkpoint and there was gunfire," said Caoimhe Butterfly, an Irish member of the Nahr Al Bared Relief Campaign, a non-governmental organisation. Mahmud Halimi, the NGO's coordinator, called for an independent probe into Friday's violence as Palestinian refugees demanded the right to return to the Nahr Al Bared camp where troops have been battling Islamists since May 20.
"The demonstration was going peacefully and unarmed. The soldiers fired first in the air. We sat down to de-escalate, but after that there was gunfire at the demonstrators. There was no communication before opening fire," he said. "Men, women and children were victims of an excessive use of force. We ask for an independent investigation," Butterfly told reporters in Beddawi, a Palestinian camp near Nahr Al Bared and close to the scene of the violence.
Medics said three people were killed and about 40 wounded as the demonstration by hundreds of refugees who fled Nahr Al Bared came under fire from Lebanese soldiers at a checkpoint outside Beddawi. A wounded Palestinian, Salim Shamaa, said, "I got shot because I was raising my hand to talk to the people," while 22-year-old Mohammed said he was knifed by Lebanon counter-demonstrators.
"People are very angry. They thought they had left Nahr Al Bared to be safe ... The last thing they thought was they could be killed or wounded by coming here," said Mona Waked of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
But the Lebanese army insisted its troops had taken all necessary measures to avoid casualties among the protesters. "They were trying to force their way through the checkpoint, carrying metal objects and sticks, ignoring warning shots in the air," an army spokesman said.
#4
Excessive force? Are they sure they've got the right army? I didn't know the Lebanese Army had any force; they've certainly never used it against the Syrians or Hezbollah.
#7
UNRWA is the UN relief agency. They've been administering the various Palestinian "camps" for so long that as far as I can tell, they're the closest thing to an actual Palestinian adminstration in existence.
As for NGOs... what the hell is the "Nahr Al Bared Relief Campaign"? What's the chances we're looking at a minor militia which has cleverly disguised itself as a NGO charity? That testimony slides interestingly from detached third-person to alarmed first-person. "We sat down to de-escalate"? So the "Relief Campaign" was leading this riotprotest, were they?
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
07/02/2007 9:32 Comments ||
Top||
#8
I didn't know the Lebanese Army had any force; they've certainly never used it against the Syrians or Hezbollah.
I soooo glad you approve of suicide missions, Spot.
Do you ever do homework? Research? Perhaps research on the TO&E, relative strength to Hezb'allah and Syria, and what kind of materiel the Lebanese Army has?
No. Of course not. Posting stupid schidt is always easier.
#9
Don't get yer suspenders in a bunch Pappy. I've followed Lebanon since their civil war in the 1970s. One consistent element has been the ineffectiveness of the Lebanese army. They've been routed by various militias and neighbors for a long time. Inasmuch as one of Hezbollah's goals is to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon, you'd think it's army would oppose them or at least have the honor to try (after all their motto is: Honor, Sacrifice, Loyalty). They are basically a militia used to control limited areas and weak types such as Paleo refugees. I would love to see them use excessive force against Hezb and keep their country from being used as a battlefield by outsiders. Wouldn't you?
#10
What's the religious makeup of the LA? Does it follow the country's, or are shiite or perhaps christians over-represented (I take druzes are not significant)?
I don't wear suspenders. And I apologize for using the term 'schtupid'. I meant 'ignorant'.
I've followed Lebanon since their civil war in the 1970s. One consistent element has been the ineffectiveness of the Lebanese army. They've been routed by various militias and neighbors for a long time.
Then you would have realized that the Leb army was deliberately set up to be ineffectual by the various factions (one of the few things they ever agreed upon).
Inasmuch as one of Hezbollah's goals is to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon, you'd think it's army would oppose them or at least have the honor to try (after all their motto is: Honor, Sacrifice, Loyalty). They are basically a militia used to control limited areas and weak types such as Paleo refugees.
When you have army with (until recently) little national respect, formed of 60,00 troops of dubious fealty and little combat experience, an air force consisting of unarmed helicopters, and equipment of 1960s vintage, Honor Sacrifice and Loyalty tend to take a back seat.
I would love to see them use excessive force against Hezb and keep their country from being used as a battlefield by outsiders. Wouldn't you?
And I would have loved to have seen the Polish cavalry destroying Panzers with their lances and stopping the Blitzkrieg. Can't find that in my history books, though.
#13
Yes. Which, barring the fog-of-war aspect (something the IDF is really 'good' at), it tends to support the 'dubious fealty' aspect of the Leb army.
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz held talks Saturday with Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora about Lebanon's security and political problems, a media report said. The two leaders discussed the situation in Lebanon as it battles Islamist militants and deals with a protracted political crisis, as well as cooperation between the two countries, SPA agency said without disclosing further details.
Siniora traveled to the Saudi Red Sea port city of Jeddah from Cairo, after a European visit which took him to France , Spain and Italy. In Cairo, Siniora told reporters that ongoing fighting between the Lebanese army and Islamist radicals in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp was not a war against Palestinians but against "terrorism."
"It is a war between the Lebanese and the Palestinians on one side, and terrorism on the other," he said in remarks aired on Arab television.
Saudi Arabia is a major backer of the government of the beleaguered anti-Syrian Siniora, and has been closely involved with France in efforts to break the deadlock in Lebanon's political system caused by the walkout of pro-Syrian opposition ministers last November.
Following the meeting ,Siniora praised the king saying " every time we come to Saudi Arabia we find the King who has a big heart and big mind willing and ready to support Lebanon all the way."
After meeting with the king, Siniora had a working meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud el Faisal, which was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon and parliament majority leader Saad Hariri who is currently visiting the kingdom.
Many of the Lebanese members of parliament are currently living overseas for fear of being assassinated by the Syrian regime. It appears that there is a hit list that targets many of the anti-Syrian leaders and Saad Hariri is on the list. Siniora returned to Beirut last night.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Siniora praised the king saying " every time we come to Saudi Arabia we find the King who has a big heart and big mind
Be carefull! He also has a big wallet known for many to drown it it.
Brigadier General Mir-Faisal Baqerzadeh has announced the release of documents detailing the use of chemical weapons against Iranian armed forces and civilians by Saddam Husseins Baathist regime during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Baqerzadeh, who is also the director of the Foundation for the Preservation and Publication of Sacred Defense Works and Values, made the announcement during a press conference here on Saturday.
In order to inform all generations about the details of the war, the foundation plans to gradually reveal the facts to prevent a falsification of history, he explained.
Since Iran was not given the opportunity to file legal complaints against Saddam during the special tribunal that tried the former dictator, the foundation is releasing the documents to shed light on the issue and for the historical record, he added. He went on to say that the the documents prove that Saddam used chemical weapons against Iranian forces.
According to a letter dated July 29, 1982, Brigadier General Taleh Khalili Arhim, who at the time was the chairman of Iraqs command headquarters, informed the Iraqi Air Force commander about his concerns about Iranian forces attacks and called for extensive chemical weapons attacks against Iran, Baqerzadeh said. Lieutenant General Hamid Shabban Khazir took the proposal to Saddam, and the former Iraqi president approved it, Baqerzadeh said. According to this document, Hamid Shabban Khazir and Taleh Khalili Arhim are war criminals who should be brought to justice in an international court.
Posted by: Pappy ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
And this legal battle is why you were ordered to depose that dictator. Not to relieve these assholes from their complicity in the war by way of plastic key. I do not like you either mullahs.
#2
Dear Iran: Like the Holocaust, the use of chemical weapons against you never happened. We'll be sure to send you the proceedings of a conference stocked with 'scholars' of our choosing as proof. Have a nice day.
#5
Why would they need to release documents? They have a bunch of weezing war veteran that can be be examined by doctors. I think it would be reasonable to allow Iranian representation at trials of Sadaam's regime members ... just as soon as the Iranian backed shoot-em-up ends.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
07/02/2007 23:26 Comments ||
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The largest aromatic petrochemical complex of the world is to be inaugurated Monday morning in southern Iranian Port of Asalooyeh in a ceremony attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez. The petrochemical plant "Borzooyeh" is designed to produce parazayline, artozayline, benzene, rafinit, heavy aromatics, liquefied gas, heavy and light hydrocarbons and penthane cut.
According to a statement issued by president's office on Sunday evening, they are scheduled to visit the South Pars energy region in Asalooyeh and also attend the ground breaking ceremony of a refinery construction project for 15th and 16th development phases of South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf.
The signing of cooperation documents by both presidents and formal departure ceremony for the visiting Venezuelan president are to take place in southern Port City of Bushehr on the same day.
Posted by: Pappy ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#2
South Pars is a gas condensate field. There will be some gasoline.
The key question, unanswered by the article, is, does Iran have customers for the gas. I suspect not and it wouldn't surprise me if they just flared off the gas to get the liquids (including petrol).
#5
twobyfour,
Many natural gas fields produce a very light liquid hydrocarbon, a 'condensate' from the gas as its temperature and pressure drop. Condensates are, for practical purposes, natural gasolines (petrols, benzines, etc.) Back in the day in Oklahoma etc. the local farmers etc. would tap our condensate tanks in the fields (generally found in the middle of nowhere) and put the stuff straight into their tractors and trucks. It probably wouldn't work so well today, in our finely-tuned, emission-controled engines - but that might not be an issue in Iran!
Glenmore is right. Gas condensates (or some fraction off) is for practical purposes gasoline. A Prius wouldn't like it, but a 1960s GM vehicle wouldn't notice.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday held talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also present in the meeting.
Chavez, heading a top-level Venezuelan delegation arrived in Tehran late Saturday and was accorded formal welcome at the President's Office this morning.
Posted by: Pappy ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Darn, another target rich environment goes by....
#5
If you think the Iranians are having problems with gasoline production and distribution, wait to you see what happens to Chavez in Venezuela in next few months. With Exxon Mobil and Conoco pulling out, they have zip expertise in refining extra-heavy crude. And while we are at it, why don't we take over their refining capacity (4 refinerys) here in the US that they own. They also have partial ownership of 5 other refinerys here. Their exports to USA equal 60% of their total but only 11 % of our imported oil. So, not that big a hit on us but on them. Who has the refining capacity to handle extra-heavy crude? Us, thats who. Sooner or later we need to use the "oil card" on Chavez.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
07/02/2007 11:45 Comments ||
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#6
The wheels are going to come off Venezuela. Chavez is going to destroy this country in short order.
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told his Iranian counterpart on Sunday the two oil-rich states, which have forged close ties in opposition to the United States, should cooperate to defeat imperialism, Iranian media said.
Working well, too.
Chavez and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who both regularly whine about rail against Washington, met during an official visit by the Venezuelan leader to the Islamic Republic. Chavez arrived on Saturday after visiting Russia and Belarus.
Real bevy of winners there.
The Venezuelan leader, who wants to forge an alliance of leftist states to counter U.S. policies, told Ahmadinejad according to the official IRNA news agency: "Cooperation of independent countries such as Iran and Venezuela has an effective role in defeating the policies of imperialism and saving nations."
Because when you think of world-beating anti-imperalist powers, you think of Iran and Venezuela.
Ahmadinejad took a similar line: "The pillars of the global arrogance have become shaky and victory (can) be achieved with resistance and standing firm." "Global arrogance" is a term Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials use to refer to the United States and its allies, but like Chavez he did not name America in comments on IRNA.
Daily Kossacks will figure it out and rejoice.
Ahmadinejad and Chavez will take part on Monday in a ceremony to officially start construction of a joint methanol complex, it said, adding the petrochemical plant would annually produce one million tonnes of the derivative.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/02/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Imperialism? As in setting up the Hizbollah terrorist group on the borders of a state to which you are hostile?
#6
Because no cocaine-running second hand submarine is complete without a set of nuclear missiles? If Iran had nukes, they'd have sent them flying toward Jerusalem and Berlin already.
#7
Sure. But Hugo wants some anyway ... or at least he wants us to worry that he's going to get some.
He's the epitome of the sly playground bully who grows up to be a nasty little thug with a diamond pinky ring and a bad guy suit that doesn't quite fit right.
'bout friggin time. Now Patrick Fitzgerald....
President Bush commuted the sentence of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term that Bush said was excessive. Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case.
That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.
"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison."
Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush said his action still "leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby."
Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.
Bush said of Cheney's former aide: "The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting."
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/02/2007 18:43 ||
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Likely presidential candidate Fred Thompson (R) released this statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President's decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/02/2007 19:26 Comments ||
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#2
About friggin time but it should have been a pardon. Now it's time to charge Fitz with Presecutorial misconduct, once he knew NO CRIME was committed he should have folded up his tent and went home.
#3
I'd keep a career-limit on Judge Reggie Walton who was so concerned for the safety of the US that he wouldn't allow Libby to remain free while on appeal. Too concerned with his media limelight and sucking up to the Donks (future admin?) and the lefty blogs? When Firedoglake sez you're a genius....you aren't. When Kos sez you have integrity....you don't. He was appointed by Bush, btw. Another "courageous maverick"
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/02/2007 19:53 Comments ||
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#4
Patrick Fitzgerald Nifong Scooter Libby. He knew from DAY 1, before the Grand Jury was impaneled that Richard Armitage ex Deputy Secretary of State was the source naming the pair of Prima Donnas, Valerie Plame and Joseph Wilson.
How Fitzgerald managed to manufacture from a faulty memory "I can't recall" to a conviction for Obstruction of justice, I can't quite compute.
Washington DC is the the ring around the Solars Systems Craper. It contains one of the highest concentration of Con Men and Women, Liars, and Thieves East of the Mississippi.
At least Scooter ain't doing time for a very questionable crime. Too bad President Bush didn't commuted the fine .
#7
The fund raising to continue the appeal is well under way, a private sector/think tank sinecure is swell, but it's just a shame that he cannot move home to a lightly populated western state to run for the Senate.
#10
NS, the selective disregard of Tim Russert's and Andrea Mitchell's lying discrepancies (along with allowing them to testify with atty's present - a no-no for ALL other GJ testifiers) conveys a partisan witch-hunt. Fitz also knew - as others noted - the source of the info, not Libby, all the time. He posted a perjury trap to throw a bone to the left and justify his costs and damage to the gov't for his resume self-improvement. If you disagree, NS, I'll use Just One Minute's archives to tear you a new one. Take a minute to think about it - your everlasting RB credibility for a snap comment vs a trial's worth of commentary (backed by evidence and case law) that the prosecutor ran wild. Do you feel lucky....? Do I need a new "project"?
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/02/2007 22:40 Comments ||
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#11
NS, sounds like Frank's going to open his own "AH Ripper" campaign on you ifn you're not careful!
Posted by: Mac ||
07/02/2007 23:42 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Saudi Arabia has started forming special security units to protect the kingdom's oil infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz said Sunday.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The top U.S. military commander in South Korea said Monday that last week's North Korean missile tests were provocative and a threat to Seoul. Gen. B.B. Bell said that although he welcomed moves by Pyongyang to live up to its commitment to dismantle its nuclear program, the country still remains a military threat.
Speakers at an academic discussion arranged by Iqbal International Institute for Research, Education and Dialogue (IRED) on the issue of the knighthood of Salman Rushdie on Sunday called upon the Muslim youth to conduct academic research to give a logical response to such issues.
BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Islamic Party, a Sunni political faction in Prime Minister Nuri Al Malikis cabinet, published a statement on Sunday alleging that more than 350 people have been killed by a US military operation in Baquba to hunt down Al Qaeda-affiliated members.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon said Friday it changed the status of two soldiers who have been unaccounted for since an attack on their unit in Iraq on May 12 from "whereabouts unknown" to "missing/captured." The change reflects an official determination that Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., and Spec. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass., were seized by hostile forces. The earlier designation is typically used when a soldier goes missing but military officials have not confirmed the circumstances.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Tens of thousands of Palestinian civil servants will be paid in full this week for the first time in over a year after Israel released millions of dollars in tax funds frozen during Hamas rule, officials said Sunday.
The captors of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston said on Sunday they have prepared 30 
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told his Iranian counterpart on Sunday the two oil-rich states, which have forged close ties in opposition to the United States, should cooperate to defeat imperialism, Iranian media said. 
