Hudna time for the Dread Afghan Winter. You KNOW it had to hurt the NW asshats to write this
or months, NEWSWEEK has reported emphatic denials by senior Afghan Taliban officials that they were engaged in secret peace talks with the government in Kabul. Those denials received further weight last week when The New York Times exposed a purported top-level Taliban negotiator as an impostor who made off with large sums of U.S. cash. Embarrassing
Even so, Taliban forcesthe real onesare definitely feeling the impact of stepped-up U.S. action in southern Afghanistan. A group of 17 ground commanders recently traveled to the Pakistani frontier city of Quetta to meet with one of their top military chiefs, Abdul Qayum Zakir, say four Taliban officials who didnt want to be named for safety reasons. but who are probably NYT and Newsweak subscribers
The commanders informed Zakir that they and their men were temporarily suspending combat operations and asked that he either transfer them to less hotly contested areas or let them recover in Pakistan until the spring thaw. We have lost many friends and commanders and lovers, one member of the delegation told Zakir, says Mullah Salam Khan, a midlevel commander in Helmand province who was briefed on the meeting by a participant. We are tired and want to take a rest. Zakir, says Khan, acknowledged their complaintbut said he needed the commanders to help him keep up at least a harassing presence in their areas so villagers could see that the insurgents are not on the run. They promised to do what they could. "It's a strategic...repositioning.... to the rear. A little poolside time with Omar in Quetta and we'll be right back, winning the war against the infidel, and blowing up Girl's schools! Yarrr!"
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/27/2010 16:34 ||
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"We are tired and want to take a rest."
Hide the goats and sheep, Mahoud!!
#2
"A group of 17 ground commanders recently traveled to the Pakistani frontier city of Quetta to meet with one of their top military chiefs, Abdul Qayum Zakir"
No sat shots/no intel of those caravans for the predators? Nobody planning a thanksgiving party?
A day of heavy fighting left 25 insurgents dead in a former haven in northern Nad-e-Ali district of Helmand.
The story of the Battle of Washiran can be told for the first time after soldiers described the assault.
Surveillance first identified eight fighters readying their weapons for attack in a compound that was targetted by RAF Tornado with a 500lb satellite guided bomb. The Paras were then ordered to fight through the village but met with fierce enemy resistance and roads laced with hidden IEDs.
Lt Sam Whitlam, commanding 5 Platoon, B Company, 3 Para, decided to outflank the Taliban fighters by moving a troop of Mastiff armoured vehicles through fields free of IEDs.
By mid-afternoon a hole was punched in the first of four compound walls by engineers using an anti-tank mine. The 27 ton, six-wheeled Mastiffs punched through the gap the infantry followed behind immediately coming under heavy fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades..
L/Cpl Andrew Wiltshire, 25, one of the Paras in the advance described it like a scene from the wartime drama Band of Brothers. "The blokes were ducking down behind the Mastiffs with rounds coming in hitting the sides. We were trudging through fields trying to keep up with the vehicles with mud clogging our boots. You certainly got an idea what it was like for an infantryman to be following a tank while under fire in World War Two. Either you stay behind it or you get shot."
With the Mastiffs ahead of him Lt Whitlam, 25, had to lead his men for 100 yard slog across an open field. As they got to a muddy patch in the middle a Taliban machine gun team opened up a short distance away to their left.
"It was a nightmare, we were wading through mud up to our knees while putting rounds down on the enemy position," he said.
Mortars dropped smoke grenades into the enemy bunker to "flush them out" and a few minutes later an American F15 jet screamed down making the first of three strafing runs landing cannon shells 50 yards from the soldiers.
"The rounds were literally snapping over our heads," said Lt Whitlam. "But we are Para Reg so we went forward and finished the job."
By 8pm, as darkness covered the picturesque landscape of irrigation ditches lined by trees, the soldiers had taken compounds that had been the enemy stronghold for months.
Just two miles away Lt Col James Coates, the commanding officer of 3 Para, was in town of Naqilebad Kulay with a small force holding a shura meeting with local elders
Well-trained and heavily armed Taliban withdraw from the village but were tracked by powerful aerial surveillance systems tracked them for an hour until two American A10 ground attack aircraft moved in. The aircraft made four passes sending 600 rounds into the Taliban leaving no survivors.
#1
Well-trained and heavily armed Taliban withdraw from the village but were tracked by powerful aerial surveillance systems tracked them for an hour until two American A10 ground attack aircraft moved in.
#4
gotta love Warthogs. I hope they didn't die too quickly to feel the fear and pain of Allah forsaking them....but I'm sure they did
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/27/2010 12:14 Comments ||
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It's the "well-trained and heavily armed" that's important. It means that it'll cost the Taliban and their sponsors money and especially time to replace their losses.
Nineteen Taliban capos and 252 fighters were killed or captured as British troops launched a bloody assault.
Four enemy leaders criminal masterminding a deadly explosives campaign against our forces in Afghanistan's Helmand battleground were among the dead in the six-day blitz, ending last Sunday.
And British soldiers helped capture a senior Taliban warlord who was acting as a "shadow governor" in the flashpoint province.
Generals say the offensive across Afghanistan has left many gunnies stranded without leaders and supplies. It came after 387 enemy commanders were killed or captured in previous three months, according to Nato.
The four Taliban warlords planning to attack British soldiers in central Helmand with home-made bombs were killed in the districts of Nahr-e-Saraj and Nad-e-Ali, where the enemy "governor" was seized.
Central Helmand, where most of our 10,300 troops are based, has become the most violent region in Afghanistan.
Major General John Lorimer, new senior British military front man, stressed Nato and Afghan forces were "taking the fight to the enemy". He said: "There are isolated Islamic exemplar groups that are leaderless. There are people who are seriously worried and don't have the equipment or supplies and they're beginning to wonder.
"We want to keep this unrelenting pressure on the Islamic exemplars."
Speaking at the Ministry of Defence, Maj Gen Lorimer added that military chiefs were "really pleased" with the progress of the Afghan national security forces, who were increasingly playing a lead role in protecting the population. He added there was "cautious optimism" things were moving in the "right direction".
#1
Four enemy leaders criminal masterminding a deadly explosives campaign against our forces in Afghanistan's Helmand battleground were among the dead in the six-day blitz, ending last Sunday.
Say what you will about the breathless style, Fleet Street isn't trying to be fair-minded when it comes to readers children.
Posted by: Goldies Every Damn Where ||
11/27/2010 13:00 Comments ||
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[Pak Daily Times] A car boomdestroyed a Shia rebel convoy in north Yemen on Friday, killing two people including a suspected attacker in the second such attack this week, a rebel front man said.
The blast, which also injured eight people, struck a string of cars in the rebel stronghold of Saada as they headed to a funeral for the spiritual leader of the Houthi rebel movement, named after their leaders' clan. Badr al-Din al-Houthi died of natural causes on Thursday.
One of those killed on Friday was a Houthi follower while the other is believed to have been an attacker, the Houthi front man said, although it could not be confirmed that the blast was a suicide kaboom. On Wednesday, a car boom killed about 23 Houthi followers at a religious gathering in the northern Jawf province.
The government condemned Wednesday's attack and said it would try to find out who was responsible. The Houthis, who belong to the Zaidi sect of Shia Islam, complain of social, religious and economic discrimination and have long fought the Yemeni government.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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[Yemen Post] The Houthi Group accused on Wednesday the U.S. and Israel of involvement in the car-kaboom that killed 24 and injured others of its followers in northeastern Yemen.
Its information bureau said in a blurb: "based on the investigation into the heinous crime, we found out that it had been orchestrated by U.S. and Israeli intelligence services."
The attack bore the hallmarks of the U.S., and its main purpose was to bring about more sectarian conflicts in the country, disturb the people's security and eliminate lives, the statement said, adding:" only U.S. can take advantage of such an incident."
Moreover, the attack early Wednesday in Jawf Province was aimed at stopping the celebration of religion occasions, and especially those focused on political awareness towards the major dangers in the Arab and Mohammedan nations, it said.
We urge the international community and the Yemeni society to condemn the attack and take action, the statement said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#3
They also pioneered the Jihad Video wherein the Jihadi makes some brave statements about heading off to bomb whatever while wearing their offical jihad outfit and their suicide vest. This video was made long enough before the act that reality hadn't quite set in yet so they didn't have a problem making the video. The folks taking the video figured, rightly so, that it almost ensured that the jihadi would carry through with the assigned suicide mission out of fear of not being macho or the video would be handed over to the police and the would then be tortured.
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Partido Accion Nacional (PAN) leader Diego Fernändez de Cevallos was released November 20th from a 196 day long hostage ordeal after his family paid a USD $1.6 million ransom, according to Mexican press accounts.
In the early going Fernandez's family requested the Mexican Federal government cease all investigations and recovery operations as the family attempted to raise the ransom. Unsourced press accounts said the family sold real and personal property attempting to raise the ransom.
Fernandez was PAN's candidate for president in 1994 and was formerly president of the Mexican Senate. He has been a fixture in Mexican politics for many years.
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At least seven individuals were killed in an apparent intergang firefight in a remote area in Tamaulipas, according to Mexican press accounts.
Mexican security forces dispatched to the area between Abasolo and Villas de Casa municipalities (counties) found corpses and several burnt out vehicles.
Reports say the bodies were mutilated and had multiple bullet wounds.
Abasolo lies halfway between Mexican Federal Highway 180 and 101 just south of Santander Jimenez, Tamaulipas.
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The individual Mexican security officials say is responsible for the murder of a nephew of newly inaugurated Chihuahua governor Cesar Duarte was arrested Wednesday night, according to Mexican press accounts.
Last July 14th four armed suspects entered a furniture store in Chihuahua city with orders to abduct Humberto Medina Vela, the son of the store owner and the nephew of Chihuahua Governor Cesar Duarte. Medina Vala apparently resisted the kidnapping and was shot to death.
Reyes Aldaz was apparently acting under the orders of Elizabeth Rodriguez Griego, who was the commander for Sinaloa gang activities in Chihauhua city. He is also suspected in seven other murders and nine abductions.
Two associates of Reyes Aldaz, Salvador Govea Vargas, 22, and Saul Omar Gamboa Perea, 27, were murdered in late September in a high security area of Achilles Serdan Centro Readaptacion Social (CERESO). Reports say Govea Vargas and Gamboa Perea were themselves involved in the murder of Medina Vala.
Rodriguz Griego, alias la Dona, was murdered at a Howard Johnson's motel in Parral, Chihuahua by four armed suspects August 8th, along with her son.
Governor Duarte won election for governor July 2nd and took office October 3rd.
Sixteen individuals were murdered in ongoing drug and gang violence in northern Mexican which included a Juarez female municipal police officer shot to death last Monday. For a map, click here
A female Juarez municipal officer was shot to death last Monday, say Mexican news reports. Tania Gonzalez Carranza was shot aboard her Chevrolet Cavalier near the corner of Calzada del Rio and Jaime Bermudez. Several 9mm spent casings were found at the scene. The victim had 28 years with the Juarez police corporation.
A man was found shot to death in Juarez Monday evening, say Mexican press accounts. Gustavo Montana Anchondo 21, was shot near the intersection of calle Delicias and San Francisco del Oro in the 16 de Septiembre colony. Reports say the victim has been an abduction victim a few months ago.
A man was found shot to death Tuesday afternoon in Juarez, say Mexican press accounts. Pedro Alberto Diaz Hernandez, 24, was shot by a pair of armed suspects near the corner of calles Damaso Alonso and Luis de Gongora in the Infonavit Casas Grandes colony. Reports say AR-5 assault rifles were used in the murder.
Two unidentified men men were found murdered in two separate crimes in Juarez Tuesday night, according to Mexican news accounts. One victim was found tortured and stabbed near the corner of Ramon Rayon and Ignacio Alatorre in the Barrio Alto colony. The victim was found tied to a palm tree. The second victim was found near the intersection of calles Camino Viejo San Jose and Tecnologico gagged and tortured. Reports do not say how he died.
A man was shot to death in Chihuahua, Chihuahua Tuesday night say Mexican press accounts Edwin Hernandez, 18, was pursued by two armed suspects aboard a Nissan Altima who shot him as he attempted to flee the attack by ducking into a closed grocery store. The attack took place near the intersection of calles 17 de Junio and Pascual Orozco in the Villa colony.
An unidentified Juarez municipal police officer was wounded in an encounter with armed suspects late Wednesday night, say Mexican press accounts. Two police were on patrol near the intersection of Codorniz and Aztecas in the Aztecas colony when they fired on a car carrying armed suspects, who then returned fire.
Two young men were shot to death in Juarez Wednesday night, say Mexican news reports. Juan Eduardo Reyes Camargo, 18, and Norberto Lopez Aguirre, 16, were shot near the intersection of calles Candelaria DÃaz de Bustamante and Leopoldina Ojeda Barrios in the Independencia II colony in front of a natural gas plant. Spent shell casings from 9mm and .44 caliber weapons were found at the scene.
Two unidentified women were found shot to death in a remote desert area near Juarez, say Mexican news accounts. The victim were found half buried in the sand with gunshot wounds to the head in an area known as Cerro del Caballo.
Two unidentified men were shot to death in Juarez in front of a secondary school Thursday night, say Mexican press accounts. One of the victims was found aboard a Dodge Neon sedan while the second victim was shot apparently fleeing the assault. Reports say the two were abducted earlier in the day.
An unidentified women was found decapitated inside a van in Tijuana, Baja California Wednesday night. Mexican security forces found a Chrysler van near the intersection of Via Rapida Poniente and Bulevar Bernardo O'Higgins with the victim's body inside. The head was found in the engine compartment. A message was found inside the van, which apparently referred to a conflict between criminal gangs.
A man was shot to death and his female partner was wounded in an attack Wednesday night near Tijuana, Baja California. The attack took place at a shopping mall on Ruta Independencia in the La Presa delegation when armed suspects fired on the victim and his female companion using AR-15 assault rifles.
An unidentified man was found hanging from a pedestrian bridge in Torreon, Coahuila Tuesday afternoon. The victim was found near the intersection of Peñoles and Prolongacion Comonfort Sur wrapped in a blanket and shot three times.
An inmate at the Penal del Topo Chico has died from wounds he received in a beating last Sunday night, say Mexican news reports. Juan Antonio Lopez Maldonado died Thursday night after he was beaten by another inmate, Francisco Miguel Lopez Hernandez, 23. Because of the peculiarities of Mexican jurisprudence, Lopez Hernandez will be tried for both the beating and the death of Lopez Maldonado.
Why shouldn't they be? They got away with another one ...
The mood of the North Korean regime has been boisterous since it attacked Yeonpyeong Island on Tuesday, killing two marines and two civilians and wounding dozens of others. The North Korean military representative office at the truce village of Panmunjom claimed Thursday that "South Korea has violated the armistice agreement" and threatened to "launch more attacks." "Yeonpyeong Island has been punished," it added.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his son and heir apparent Kim Jong-un continue a whistle-stop tour. Following their visit to a duck and fish farm in South Hwanghae Province reported Monday and an inspection of Pyongyang Medical College reported Tuesday, they made another so-called on-the-spot guidance tour of glass and water plants in South Pyongan Province, the North Korean media reported Thursday.
At the water plant, Kim Jong-il reportedly expressed satisfaction with what the North quaintly calls CNC or "computer numerical control," meaning a modernization of production processes supposedly led by Kim Jong-un.
This shows a new confidence in Kim Jong-il, who hid in underground tunnels for 50-odd days during the early days of the Iraq War in March 2003 and for over 40 days in 2006 when the North test-fired a long-range missile. "Kim Jong-il only dreads the U.S.," said a senior North Korean defector. "He travels around the country holding the hand of his son since he believes Washington won't attack just because the North struck Yeonpyeong island."
North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Unification of the Fatherland on its website Uriminzokkiri on Wednesday brazenly demanded the resumption of lucrative package tours to Mt. Kumgang only a day after shelling Yeonpyeong Island. The North earned some US$500 million of hard cash from the tours over the last 10 years.
And the North Korean Red Cross on Wednesday blamed the Lee Myung-bak administration for escalating tensions. "We will no longer worry too much about the resolution of humanitarian issues," it added.
"The North Korean leadership seems to be very pleased with their success in shelling Yeonpyeong Island after sinking the Navy corvette Cheonan," said a source familiar with North Korean affairs.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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Why shouldn't they be? They got away with another one ...
Doesn't hurt that the next one could only be a couple months away this time, too.
The North Korean military moved a battalion of 122-mm Multiple Launch Rocket System shells from the Fourth Corps to a coastal artillery base in Kaemori in Kangryong, South Hwanghae Province just before shelling Yeonpyeong Island on Tuesday, but despite detecting the move in advance, the South Korean military fired back at the base along the shoreline in Mudo, not Kaemori. This raises concerns about the ability of the military to deal with attacks.
A senior military said several hours before the shelling began the North Korean military deployed one battery of six 122-mm MLRS shells and later two batteries of 12 112-mm MLRS shells. It also carried out preparatory shooting practice just before the attack. "As far as I know the South Korean military was aware of this," he said.
The 122-mm MLRS are not stationed at the North's coastal artillery bases and had to be moved to Kaemori, so the activity should have put the South Korean military on high alert. But forces on the ground were not even aware that the MLRS shells were being fired at South Korean territory in the initial wave of the attack between 2:34 and 2:46 p.m., and they responded by firing at Mudo, not Kaemori.
Believing that K-9 self-propelled howitzers would not be able to carry out an accurate strike on North Korea's coastal artillery base, the South Korean military focused on targeting command posts and barracks, so until it confirmed the location of North Korea's MLRS using radar system just before the second phase of shelling, North Korea was able to fire with impunity.
The military authority has not been able to give a clear explanation what weapons were used by North Korea. It initially announced that coastal artillery was used and then changed the story to a mixture of coastal artillery and howitzers.
Any reason why they can't kill the Nork artillery today? Since, you know, they finally know whodunnit?
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
"MLRS shells"?
Disgusting morons in the press.
First off, MLRS = Multiple Launch Rocket System, generally applied only to the US M270 system which fires differnt types of rockets depending on mission, thus the "System" designation. These things mentioned in this article are "122mm" which makes them Chinese versions of the BM-21 "Grad" Multiple Rocket Luancher, AKA Type 90 (Chinese). Note: the designation is MRL, not "MLRS", its not a multiple launcher types of rocket system like the US M270 MLRS, it launches only multiples of one type of rocket, the 122mm.
Secondly, they aren't "shells", that's for artillery. The Type90 fires rockets, not shells, - a fundamental error in terminology that displays fundamental ignorance of the weaponry in question.
Third, the 122mm rockets are UNGUIDED, with a militarily large CEP, suitable only for ripple launch against area targets, mainly suppression of targets in the open. This is hardly the weapons seen in the initial fires on the island - Rockets tend to come several at a time (typically 10 to 40 launched within a 30-45 second window), and impact near each other across a given area, whereas the videos showed random impacts some time apart. I know what artillery looks like, and this looked like artillery guns or howitzers impacting, not rockets, that were shown in the videos on the internet.
Also, the article claims howitzers, which would mean the 122mm Chinese Type 86 were in use, as well as the Type 59 130mm towed field guns, already mentioned by the military. The inclusion of the howitzers in this account really calls into question the truthfulness or knowledge of the reporter, because the howitzers in question have a 18 KM unassisted range and the maps indicate a 25 km range in the attacks. The math doesn't work.
Finally, the fire-finder radars can readily trace the origin of the attacks, as well as describing the trajectories. This is what enables counter-battery to know if they are dealing with guns, howitzers or rockets; each have a different trajectory footprint - plus counterbattery is capable of returning fire very quickly and accurately if they are using US radar gear and US doctrine combined with the the SK SP howitzers (assuming the command is functioning to let the counterbattery shells fly)
The K-9 mentioned in the article are basically an uprated version of the old US M109 Paladin, a SP 155mm howitzer, with better fire control, longer ranged, and more automation for faster firing rates. They have a 40km range, and are highly accurate, unlike the reporter in this article claims ("would not be able to carry out an accurate strike" is likely BS, a fabrication).
Sorry folks, but this one doesn't pass the smell test - either ignorance or malice.
This reporter appears to be trying to create controversy about the SK military, and is shading the truth as well as being flat out ignorant in terms of the equipment he is attempting to describe.
Why do we have such damnably ignorant people, including the editors, writing stories that are this important? The press is failing right before your very eyes, at least in this article.
#2
Note: the above isn't to say that the NK didn't use the 122mm rockets, but that their use was not typical of doctrine (slower rate of fires, shots coming in more as singles than NK doctrine of massed fire), and that much of the initial damage reports appear to have come from tube, not rocket, artillery (due to impact size and damage).
The misuse of terminology brings serious doubts as the the competence of the reporter, and this one should reserve serious doubts as to the accuracy of the reporting. granis salis folks.
#3
You are right, OldSpook. You have more technical knowledge than that reporter.
But most reporters are not military. Even if they were, they would have to report not just on army matters but airforce, navy and general politics too.
Most news agencies/newspapers require their reporters to write stories on a range of topics.
They cannot be 20-year experts on each one, they are generalists. They do their best but for stories like this they depend on their sources giving accurate information, hence the article credits a military source as saying it.
Most reporters will try their best to check their facts. But at times the urgency of getting the story out means they must trust their source has told them the correct information and that they have interpreted it accurately when writing for a general audience.
The press isn't perfect. They do their best. THey don't get paid much, certainly a lot less than the military at least in Australia. They also work long hours and usually for the love of the craft.
#4
Anon1, still they can at least get basic things right, like calling the 122mm projectiles what they are: rockets, not "shells". Its as fundamental an error as (in terms even a journalist would understand) calling an editor a reporter. For God's sake would it hurt them to simply ask good questions to get clarification, or JFGI? If they love their craft then why do so many execute it so poorly?
I have little respect for journalists in general: I have found them to be amongst the less intellectually talented but most judgmental and egotistical ignoramuses I have met, as a profession. There are exceptions I am sure, but few enough.
#5
To you, it does no doubt seem like a very basic difference: rockets to shells.
But to a lay person who knows nothing of military matters, it could be confusing.
We don't know who that reporter was, if they were just 20 years old, fresh out of uni and reporting on their first story or not.
It is often easier to spot the mistakes than it is to spot what is right.
You would be amazed if you had to read copy just how many mistakes you can correct in a piece by an intelligent, experienced reporter. And then doubly amazed by how many mistakes you yourself leave behind in that same piece.
it is not as easy as it looks.
they mostly love their craft. they do it for little pay and long hours, and precious little thanks. everyone is a critic and praise is rare. They mostly do it because they believe it is important to go out there every day and try their best to keep the public informed about the world around them.
they burn out really quickly too. A brief walk through of most newsrooms in australia will reveal a staff dominated by the under 25s. Older than that and they have quit to join the ever-swelling ranks of PR scum.
You know the people that get paid 5 times as much to hide the truth, spin it and distort it to deceive the people.
They outnumber working journos by about 15-to-1.
ie: in a city that has 100 reporters there will be 1500 media flunkeys employed by the various interest groups, politicians, businesses, mining companies, councils, charities and government departments. Even animal refuges will have media managers these days.
they are sending out a never-ending barrage of PR media releases trying to pepper the news with "good news" or spinning it their way. They it is who the journo must ring for comment on a story. If the story looks like it could be disfavourable to their employer they will reach into a deep bag of dirty tricks to waste the reporter's time or to complain about them, to block the news - anything to hamper the free flow of information, including intimidation and harassment.
the job of reporting is not so simple as just ringing up the military source, getting the information then having all afternoon to fact-check it before polishing it then sending it off for printing....
after which 3 other people at least will tinker with it and edit it, sometimes introducing errors or completely rewriting in ways the original reporter never would have - even though their name is on it.
Most people have no idea what it is like to work in a newsroom and would be shocked if they did.
Most reporters I have known - and i've known a lot - are of above average intelligence. They are hardworking. They usually don't last unless they are actually married to other journos who understand the game. Most don't last it anyway.
I know soft people who whinge because they work at council and they get their rostered days off, they leave the office at 4.55pm every day, 4.30pm on a Friday. They get generous pay, maternity leave and they whine because they are bored.
I know journos who work themselves into the ground, starting at 7.30am and not leaving the office until 1am though they get paid for 9-5pm. They spend their lives on the phone, even weekends and holidays.
They make mistakes of course. They write on engineering but are not engineers. They write on Star Trek and imagine the trekkies that complain if they mislabel the Enterprise D an excelsior-class ship instead of a galaxy-class ship
see here for an amusing example along those lines....
#8
Anon1, the fact-checking should have detected the blatant errors and sent the report back. The system failed (again). Who knows how many other times journalists make such basic mistakes? Who knows how many times they intentionally make mistakes to color the story according to their political views?
Calling a rocket a shell is as basic an error as calling a member of the House of Representatives a Senator. I can't believe someone is actually making excuses for ignorant journalists and saying mistakes are OK. They're not OK.
#9
Say, if any of you are old Korea hands, I have a question.
I noticed something peculiar about ROK arty. It seems to be limited to 155mm. 8 in is readily available, quite accurate, and is less in fashion these days, so both it and its ammo are not terribly expensive.
#10
Reporting is NOT all that hard. And I stand by my words. Having been a reporter of sorts as an intelligence analyst and a cavalry scout (and other jobs of that sort), I know how to gather facts, assess them objectively and report the information in a neutral, direct and factual way -- and all of this under immense time pressure, as well as having the burden of lives depending on it. Its not necessarily for to to be a "labor of love" as you sketch it to be. You just have to use your head and be persistent and not settle for anything other than facts (and check those facts!)
Most reporters are idiots, and you can tell this by the inability to get basic things right or ask basic pertinent questions. In this instance a quick web search would have allowed the reporter to use the proper terminology so as to not misinform the public, and would have revealed additional information that would have allowed the reporter to ask better questions, especially regarding "howitzers" and range, that might further inform the public as to the actuality of the situation. Indeed, were all the facts that I brought up properly considered, a case could be made for showing the SK command to have failed to respond properly or in a timely manner.
But that's not reporting, that is advocacy, which is what spoils the entire piece - and is the typical fault of much news reporting since the 70's Woodward and Bernstein - they are trying to draw conclusions and only attempt to publish things that reinforce their conclusions rather than reporting just the facts. This is unlike Woodward and Bernstein who did a lot of hard work gathering facts, checking them and following where they lead, modern hacks shortcut things by starting with a presumption and then back-filling whether truthful or not.
As far as my derision of journalists goes, put it this way: Talk to anyone that has had access to classified intelligence for a few decades. You'll find many opinions similar to mine. If you had seen the things I have seen, and know the things I know, and see the distortions, glaring omissions, misrepresentations and generally ignorant suppositions propagated as "fact" by reporters regularly over DECADES, be it out of ignorance, laziness or bias, you would have the same opinion of "journalists" in general, as I do.
Many journalists could not survive in a profession that required true objectivity, rational thought, and productive capacity. Reporters are not capable of creating wealth, like creating and managing a business, nor are they capable of physical/mental achievement, like a soldier or a doctor, nor are they capable of even telling a good story like a novelist in most cases. They are simply the dregs, people who are not good enough to do anything else; rated somewhere between used car salesmen and politicians. In the words of Walter Lippman, a famous journalist "Journalism is the last refuge of the vaguely talented."
The biggest flaw, be it reporters in the field, editors, or J-School, is the glaring lack of objective criticism and analysis of the conduct of the profession itself. The immediate reaction is to scurry behind the "labor of love" defense as seen, or here in the US hiding behind the "4th Pillar", and ignore glaring flaws and mistakes, both in facts and in basic methodology. C.F. Jayson Blair and other repeats of that wholesale fabrication that are uncritically propagated by "journalists" and their professional colleagues.
Per the Columbia J-School research, majorities of Americans continue to say that journalists are often inaccurate (55%), do not care about the people they report on (53%), are biased (55%), one-sided (66%) and try to cover up their mistakes (63%). Hardly a shining beacon upon which to place one's trust - From a 2010 Chicago Sun-Times editorial: "Polls show journalists are loathed by much of the public, ranking down in the basement with lawyers." Gallup polling suggests that only 21 percent of Americans credit journalists with having high ethics----ranking them just below auto mechanics, and tied with members of Congress.
There is even to this day some debate about "journalism" even qualifying as a profession, since it lacks so many of the elements that classically define a profession. Journalism as a whole is unwilling to clean its won house, and thereby deserves all the opprobrium heaped upon it. Go web search for James W. Carey's analysis as a shining example of how problems with journalism have not changed in 36 years.
#11
Why am I on this so harshly? Because we NEED a solid press and media in the US. Its vital for the survival of our nation and our liberty. For a democracy backed republic of laws, an INFORMED populace is required. The current system of "journalism" is failing; failing itself, failing its purpose in our nation, and failing We The People.
The irony of this whole screed of mine is that it is there to point out the flaws, to hopefully spur people to look beyond the piss-poor reporting and get themselves informed. And hopefully "journalism" will come to its senses, and recover itself and start performing its needed function in our society: informing the populace in a timely, true and unbiased manner.
As for "Off my meds"? Fuck you. That was unwarranted. I waver that I have been better on my worst days than you on your best, and been serving for decades in and out of the public eye. I don't expect thanks, nor to be liked; that's not why people like me do the things that need to be done. But I damned well will demand at least a minimum of respect (you are welcome to be critical) or you can expect the same level of ill will in return. And trust me, I can get very nasty; I'm old and caring less and less about social aspects of conduct these days as I wind things down.
#12
Moose this goes back to interoperability with US forces. The need for mobile artillery cause them to pattern off the M109 Paladin SP Howitzer (155mm). Truth is, the 155 with modern munitions and updated gun barrels is just as effective as the old M110 SP 8" we used back in GW1, requires less crew and is easier to operationally use and resupply in terms of weight of reloads and so on. The SK saw that and went with 155 as their standard field gun in both towed and SP. In some ways thier K-9 is superior to the US M109, in that it out-ranges it by nearly 10KM (longer caliber gun), and can be reloaded by its resupply vehicle under-armor, with no crew exposure. This was a bit of a controversy back in the late 90's of the SK "going their own way", but now in retrospect it looks like a good decision (the US is in the process of designing a new SP 155 that will be similar in function to the SK K-9/K-10 system)
Interesting items: the NK fired about 170 rounds total in this action, only about 80 of which actually impacted the SK island - an initial wave of 150, and a second of 20. The SK fired 80 rounds, of which all impacted in the NK targeted area (which may or may not have been the source of the incoming fire, SK has been less forthcoming about their aim points). Also, 2 of the SK K-9 SP 155's designated for counter-battery were damaged in the initial attack and were unable to return fire, so all return fire was done by their batterymates. KF-15's and 16s were scrambled and had attack loads, but were never given release to proceed to attack past the NLL.
Headed out to thrash my way through the shopping mobs with the SWMBO (not something I look forward to, but she wants me there so there I go), have fun chewing on my posts.
#13
Anon1: But to a lay person who knows nothing of military matters, it could be confusing.
There was a time, in your country and mine, when a fair number of reporters had basic military experience. They knew what OldSpook was talking about. They knew ranks, insignias, the difference between a regiment and a brigade, a shell and a rocket, etc.
But now only about 1% of our population serves in the military. The knowledge base is not spread as widely as before.
To people who don't know anything of any specialized knowledge base, it's always confusing. Look at medical and science reporting (for example).
It would help military and diplomatic reporting if the journalists had prior experience in these areas. It would help if the newspapers demanded that rather than hiring the 20-something fresh out of J School. Ditto for every other specialized area of news.
It would also help if the journalists were, you know, smarter. As it stands right now the very large majority of them are 'C' students who don't function all that well in real life.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/27/2010 12:56 Comments ||
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#14
OS reveals what he really knows, and this he really knows. Cannon cocker.
Posted by: Goldies Every Damn Where ||
11/27/2010 13:04 Comments ||
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#15
As my grandma used to say, if you don't know what your talking about then don't talk, same applies to reporting. I don't care if the reporter is confused, give me the fact, not the STORY.
#16
Most reporters are idiots, and you can tell this by the inability to get basic things right or ask basic pertinent questions.
It's the part about basic pertinent questions that makes me wonder about reporters in general. Not just in this case but over and over again in all kinds of cases. I don't know if it's inability or unwillingness. Sometimes I fear it's the latter which is even worse. Either they don't care or they're misleading the public on purpose. If you read an article and you have questions after reading it and you wonder why the reporter didn't ask or try to answer the question somehow, then you have to wonder about the reporter's integrity. As for urgency, I don't see the urgency in getting this article published. "Senior military"? What's that? You don't know what the South Koreans hit or didn't hit in their response. Not from this article anyway.
Posted by: Abu Uluque (new computer) ||
11/27/2010 13:48 Comments ||
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#17
Agree with Old Spook that a basic Internet search would turn up some needed facts. Also folks change jobs and entire professions more often now, which may add to inexperienced being pitched into writing about things they know nothing about, coupled with non mandatory military service. Most journalists should stick to writing fanciful novels or self help and other fiction, since their overactive And imaginations hinder their ability to report who
what where when and sometimes why straight up.
Posted by: Fire and ice ||
11/27/2010 16:01 Comments ||
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#18
I don't get trusted with classified stuff, but from years of reading science reporting, and from a little stint on a grand jury in Illinois (where I got to compare the news reports with what eyewitnesses told us), I agree with OldSpook that a large fraction of reporters have no clue what they are writing about. There have been a few exceptions, and even one or two who knew something about religion, but they've been conspicuous by their rarity.
Of course, editors do play a role, and sometimes quite an ignorant one. I remember one story about Voyager in the NYT that was OK, but the headliner on the main page left out a word and implied a lie.
Posted by: James ||
11/27/2010 16:01 Comments ||
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#19
I'm with OS on this one. The problem is using the wrong facts to draw conclusions, and the problems simply compound as you add steps, which is what this report seems to do.
Seems the proper journalism is to split this into several articles - first, the facts, which can be contested, and second, third and so forth, the analysis and conclusions. Lumping them together just makes a mess, and leaves the reader worse off than where they started.
All that said, the ROK is still on defense militarily, and limiting their offense to economic means. NKor may lose in that contest, but sure to lose if the conditions reverse. China too, which is why China may have to give in here sooner or later - NKor is just bad business.
#20
after the big Easter Quake this year, I was asked to do a local TV Station interview regarding a seismic retrofit we did of a 1931 steel bridge. I spoke for about 15 minutes about all the structural measures we did that strengthened the bridge and extended its' useful life. I also mentioned that we removed all the old lead paint and repainted the structure. Guess what they used? In response to the reporter's question how the bridge will withstand an even bigger quake they showed a clip of me saying "the steel was repainted".
I caught a LOT of crap over that.
F*cking idiots in the medias
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/27/2010 16:22 Comments ||
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#21
The First Avenue Bridge did need a coat of paint (plus a bit more - but that's not as 'sexy'), Frank. We drove over it this last May on a visit as my Dad told me that the city had just finished it up. I did get out to look at the new 'undercarriage'. That looks pretty good, too. They added a lot of steel since the last time I looked (about 2002).
The new lighting looks great, too. Good Job!
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
11/27/2010 18:50 Comments ||
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#22
thx
*blushes*
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/27/2010 18:57 Comments ||
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Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was held after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van at an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Oregon. However, undercover FBI agents had been monitoring his plans and had ensured that the "bomb" was in fact incapable of exploding.
Mohamud, a naturalised US citizen of Somali descent, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Portland police around 5:40 pm Friday (0040 GMT Saturday).
"The threat was very real. Our investigation shows that Mohamud was absolutely committed to carrying out an attack on a very grand scale," said Arthur Balizan, a special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. "At the same time, I want to reassure the people of this community that, at every turn, we denied him the ability to actually carry out the attack."
#1
Update
Mohamud allegedly responded he was looking for a "huge mass that will ... be attacked in their own element with their families celebrating the holidays."
Mohamud dismissed concerns about law enforcement, explaining that, " ... It's in Oregon; and Oregon, like, you know, nobody ever thinks about," according to the affidavit.
#2
This crap is only going to get worse. We have the same problems here in the UK and in Europe.It is our own fault, we have allowed Muslims to settle in our lands, they are the enemy within.
Posted by: Dave UK ||
11/27/2010 5:14 Comments ||
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#3
Mohamud dismissed concerns about law enforcement, explaining that, " ... It's in Oregon; and Oregon, like, you know, nobody ever thinks about," according to the affidavit.
#4
Oregon used to export some of its criminals to private prisons in other States, however it had some problems with female prisoners sent to AZ, so the practice was outlawed. But since 2006 they have been considering allowing the opening of their own private prisons.
In past I've heard arguments that with some treaty negotiations, several of the major Indian reservations would be exceptional at hosting private prisons.
It could be a win-win, offering tribes lots of high wage employment, especially if the agreement put the non-Indian prisoners under tribal, not State, law. This is critical, as the tribes would not be as hamstrung over the provision of "amenities" as are the States.
And just coincidentally, back in 1996, a federal law was passed to offer grants to the tribes who were interested in building their own prisons, with the idea of their being able to incarcerate their own. But no restrictions were placed on that money.
So this young Somali gentleman would be packed off to a reservation, either inside or outside of Oregon, yet he would not be under State incarceration rules, but those of the tribe, which might lean a tad more towards the "hard labor" side of the equation.
#5
Sure you cultural chauvinists will try to depict him as as some jihadist mad bomber for trying to blow up a gathering of children celebrating Christmas in the public square... When he's just a hard working immigrant trying to enforce his adopted nation's constitutional separation of church and state.
Posted by: regular joe ||
11/27/2010 8:13 Comments ||
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#6
Sometimes I get the feeling our FBI & other security outfits are a bit like Columbo (Peter Falk) - just acting incompetent - because they have interupted several such plots. But then there are other plots that only fail because of terrorist incompetence (Time Square.)
#7
I'm getting tired of this Somali shit. Stop their immigration
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/27/2010 9:29 Comments ||
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#8
Since I was in the Pioneer Square crowd, along with my wife and son, the FBI and the Portland PD have my truly sincere thanks. I had no idea this happened until I saw the news. There were lots of Portland PD in the crowd, and none that I saw looked on guard.
The tree lighting was supposed to take place at 5:30, but was moved back to 6:00 for no announced reason (at least that I heard.)
Posted by: Matt ||
11/27/2010 10:29 Comments ||
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#9
just living the "our strength lies within our diversity" dream, no?
Posted by: jack salami ||
11/27/2010 11:01 Comments ||
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#10
Just another isolated man caused disaster person.
After all, Mo Os Mo is on some immigration blotter notation as 'he was an good boy'.
#18
Glenmore - yeah, although it looks like the FBI had this under control from the get-go, I took lil' Mohamed trying to kill me and my family kind of personal-like.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/27/2010 14:07 Comments ||
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#19
Matt, what are you doing in Portland? Didn't know people of Rantburg persuasion were allowed there.
#20
They've hired me to scrape the Obama bumper stickers off their cars. I've got a powerful lot of work in front of me, but I enjoy it.
Oh, and a big shout out to the INS for naturalizing little Mo'. Were you trying to get me killed, you a-holes?
Posted by: Matt ||
11/27/2010 14:25 Comments ||
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#21
Which brings into question all the nonsense going on at the airports with the TSA. If the bad guys want to get us they don't need no stinkin' airplane. Just kick 'em all outta here.
Posted by: Abu Uluque (new computer) ||
11/27/2010 15:45 Comments ||
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Tonight in Portland, we had a small dose of the FBIs almost-operational terror sprees, as agents spent more than a year goading a young jihadi wannabe into almost killing thousands of Portlandians in our citys living room as we gathered for the lighting of the holiday tree.
#24
Most of them seem to be taxi drivers in Washington D.C.
...and in Columbus and Indianapolis, though there are a lot of Ethiopians and Eritreans there as well. Honestly, I have a hard time telling the three groups apart unless they're wearing a name tag. Eritreans are Muslim as well, though they seem pretty Midwesternized to me.
[Pak Daily Times] Islamabad's Margalla police on Friday foiled a terrorist attempt by arresting two beturbanned goons and recovered suicide jackets from them.
Naeemullah Khan, son of Azizullah Khan, and Adnan Khan, son of Inamullah Khan, were planning to blow up Masjid Syedna Ali, in F-8/1 Sector of the capital.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binyameen, following information that two jacket wallahs had entered the capital to blow themselves up during Juma prayers, formed a team of senior police officials. The team successfully traced the suspects and jugged both of them.
According to preliminary investigation, there was a dispute of appointing a prayer leader (Imam) at the mosque after the residents had dismissed Khateeb Qari Munir and appointed Qari Saleh Muhammad Saqi in his place two years ago.
The juggedbeturbanned goons had sympathies with Qari Munir and they wanted to take Dire Revenge™ from the mosque administration and the residents.
Questioning of the suspects also indicated that in addition to the mosque, they were planning to attack government buildings in the capital, possibly even parliament, Binyameen said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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[Pak Daily Times] Two NATO gunship helicopters maimed three people, after violating Pakistain's airspace in North Wazoo, a private TV channel reported on Friday. According to sources, the NATO gunship helicopters opened fire in North Wazoo's Dattakhel area, ... which is owned and operated by Hafiz Gul Behadur... injuring three people. The helicopters, intruding several kilometres into Pak territory, struck the Lowara Mandi village in Dattakhel.
However, The infamous However... the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said that no NATO aircraft crossed the border into Pakistain, and there were no reported injuries.
"We are aware of a claim reporting a cross border incident that involved a NATO aircraft in North Wazoo on Friday," said a blurb issued by the US Embassy. "We refer questions concerning the integrity of Pak airspace to the Pakistain Air Force," the blurb added.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
"We refer questions concerning the integrity of Pak airspace to the Pakistain Air Force,"
No comment on the integrity of Pakistain itself, eh?
[Pak Daily Times] Militants blew up another government girls' school at Khuga Khel Shinwari area in Landi Kotal on Friday. The Islamic fascistihad planted kaboom inside the primary school, which completely destroyed its building beside two rooms of an adjacent house owned by Haji Tasleem Shinwari, a source in political administration informed. The total number of partially and completely destroyed schools in Landikotal sub-division has reached nine whereas more than 30 schools have been destroyed in the whole of Khyber Agency. According to the assistant political agent, it was the duty of the employees to protect their schools. The class four employees on the other hand have urged the government to provide security to the government schools, as they are helpless to safeguard the schools.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
"The educated will be the last in line to enter heaven." Mohammaud
[Pak Daily Times] A US dronezap targeted a vehicle in northwestern tribal belt on Friday, killing four cut-throats near the Afghan border, local security officials said. The unmanned aircraft targeted the vehicle in Pir Keley village, 10 kilometres east of Miranshah. "It was a US dronezap and three beturbanned goons were killed," a security official said. "It was not clear if any high value target was present in the area at the time of attack," he said, adding that identities of those killed in the strike were also not immediately known. Another intelligence official in Miranshah said the strike killed four turbans. More than 250 people have been killed in 47 strikes since September 3.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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[Pak Daily Times] Eight forces of Evil were killed in a shootout with the security forces in the Lower Orakzai Agency ... crawling with holy men, home to Darra Adam Khel, the world's largest illegal arms bazaar... on Friday, a private TV channel reported. According to the sources, the forces of Evil stormed the security forces' checkpost in the Mushti Mela area of Hangu in the Lower Orakzai Agency. A security official was killed while the other was injured in the attack. The security forces retaliated and killed eight terrorists, the channel reported.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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[Pak Daily Times] The Bihari Qaumi Movement (BQM) president was bumped off and three others maimed in an attack near Fauji Hotel in Orangi Town, the Pakistain Bazaar police said on Friday. Aftab Malik, 60, was at a paan shop in Sector 15 of the town when faceless myrmidons on cycle of violences opened fire on him. Malik was killed on the spot, while Kaleem Akhter, 59, Ayub Kaka, 55, and Waqar Malik, 35, were maimed. Malik's body and the maimed men were shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH). Malik, a retired private bank officer, was a Mohajir Ittehad Tehreek activist until the 1992 operation, after which he had joined the Pakistain Mohammedan League-Nawaz. However, The infamous However... he recently founded BQM because of the ethnic violence that had followed the liquidation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)'s Raza Haider. After Malik's murder, tension engulfed Orangi Town, Raees Amrohi Colony, Disco Morr, Toori Bangash and their adjoining areas. MQM man: An MQM activist was injured in the Machhi Miani Market, the Kharadar police said. Naeem Qutubuddin, 30, was at his paan shop when two men on a cycle of violence opened fire on him. He was shifted to the Civil Hospital Bloody Karachi (CHK). Following the incident, tension engulfed the Kharadar area and shopkeepers closed down their shops due to uncertainty of the situation.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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[Pak Daily Times] Security forces killed three gunnies late on Thursday night during a search operation at Chaprai area in Swat district.
According to security sources, the law enforcement agencies were carrying out search operation late night at Bahrain Chaprai area of Swat when the gunnies opened fire on them and in retaliation security forces killed three of them.
Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... gunnies Commander Mohammad Zada died at Khawaza Khela hospital due to brain hemorrhage.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The official of the investigation commission of al-Adala Camp was killed by gunmen in northern Baghdad on Friday, according to a security source.
Unknown gunmen shot and killed the official of the investigation commission of al-Adala Camp, Muamen Jaata Ahmad, inside his car using a gun with silencer in Ali al-Saleh region, northern Baghdad, the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
What's the al-Adala investigation commission?
Posted by: American Delight ||
11/27/2010 15:01 Comments ||
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BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: The Basra airport came under attack with four Katyusha rockets on Friday but no casualties were reported, according to a security source in the province.
The airport was attacked with four Katyusha rockets today (Nov. 26) but the attacks left no casualties, the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
In other security developments in the province, policemen seized 16 Katyushas and six launching pads inside a deserted house in Tariq neighborhood, al-Maaqal area, (8 km) northern Basra, and arrested six wanted persons during search raids all over the province. He did not give further details.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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BABEL / Aswat al-Iraq: Two mortar shells landed on a U.S. forces camp in the city of al-Hilla on Friday but there was no information on damage or casualties, a local police source in Babel said.
A camp of U.S. forces, which is the house of a senior member of the dissolved Baath Party in central Hilla, came under attack today (Nov. 26) with two mortar shells, the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
He said the U.S. forces did not give any information about the incident.
Hilla, the capital city of Babel province, lies 100 km south of Baghdad.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/27/2010 00:00 ||
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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.
[Pak Daily Times] A 
[Yemen Post] The Houthi Group accused on Wednesday the U.S. and Israel of involvement in the car-
[Pak Daily Times] Islamabad's Margalla police on Friday foiled a terrorist attempt by arresting two 
A US 
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The official of the investigation commission of al-Adala Camp was killed by gunmen in northern Baghdad on Friday, according to a security source.
