The Dutch Labour party wants to pass a law making unsolicited toe-licking an offence after police were unable to prosecute a would-be Casanova with a taste for female toes because he had committed no crime. A police spokesman said on Friday a man had been detained after women sunning themselves in Rotterdam's parks and beaches claimed he would sneak up on them and begin to lick their toes. Jack the Licker!
"The officers had to let him go. Licking a stranger's toes is rather unusual but there is really nothing criminal about it," the spokesman said.
I'm sure it was unpleasant, having Jack jump out of the bushes and lick the ladies' toes, but I'm also wondering how widespread the problem is. Is the cost and effort of adding unsolicited toe-licking to the lawbooks justified by the return?
Dutch press reports said the man, who is about 35, had been licking the toes of strangers for about three years but was only recently caught by police. Lick and Runs?
Peter van Heemst, a Labour member of parliament, asked Christian Democrat Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner on Friday to explain why Dutch laws forbid littering but not uninvited toe-licking. van Heemst demanded an amendment prohibiting it. er, because no-one in their right mind... nevermind
"It is a violation of one's privacy and one's physical integrity," he told a local news agency. "The norm... is that no one should touch your body if you haven't asked them first." A spokesman for Donner said the minister could not immediately comment.
#2
Didn't somebody post an article about some new crime-preventing stink fluid last week? I think this would be an excellent application for that product.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
08/07/2004 2:38 Comments ||
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Coming soon: the commitees to "Defend our Tree Bark" and "Defend our Barnyard Grass"...
The Women's Committee of the Reunification Solidarity and the "National Federation of Woman Peasants Associations" (Jonnyonong) of south Korea reportedly held an inaugural ceremony of the "Women's United Grand March Team to Defend Our Rice" in Seoul on July 31. Yun Kum Sun, chairwoman of the Women's Committee of the Reunification Solidarity and chairwoman of Jonnyonong, said at the inaugural ceremony food is sovereignty and, if sovereignty is lost, the people will be burdened by sadness at national ruin and this is why even children have turned out in the fight to defend rice and sovereignty of this land, braving blinding heat. They'll form one of these commitees in North Korea as soon as they have some rice to defend.
Hyon Ae Ja, assemblywoman from the Democratic Workers' Party, chided the government for its indifference to the reality of agriculture. Now the people should turn out in the fight to defend their rice, their agriculture, she said. You gotta fight... for your rice...to parrrrrrrrrrrrrrty!
The resolution read out at the inaugural ceremony declared that they were starting the "women's united grand march to defend our rice involving mothers and children" with the resolve to defend the lives of the people. So that must mean... RICE IS PEOPLE!! It's made out of PEOPLE!!!
MADRID - Five months after the worst terror attack in Spain's history, a parliamentary inquiry into the March 11 Madrid train bombings has little to show save a spreading discomfort among Spaniards about its members' jockeying for political gain. What about the major concessions to Islamists?
The inquiry — now recessed after a month of hearings — has drawn unflattering comparisons to the recently concluded U.S. 9/11 investigation, which was perceived here to have been far more comprehensive, forward-looking and bipartisan. "The comparison with the Sept. 11 commission is lacerating," the leading El Pais newspaper said. Francisco Jose Alcaraz, president of the Association of Victims of Terrorism, called the proceedings "more political than anything" and said he learned "absolutely nothing." Your government essentially surrendered. What more is there to learn, Mr. Alcaraz?
The 16 members — 11 supporters of the now-ruling Socialist Party, and five from the Popular Party in office the day of the bombings — will reconvene Sept. 7 to schedule final witnesses or move straight to Parliament to debate findings. It was unclear whether the panel planned to present a written report with security recommendations. "[A] written report with security recommendations?" That's asking a lot from a decorative government investigative panel.
Regional parties allied to the Socialists clearly want to censure the Popular Party for its alleged mishandling of the crisis, which of course the conservatives hotly deny. And exactly how has the newly installed socialist government not mishandled this in a far worse fashion?
"It's evident there was a lack of preparedness on the part of the Popular Party government before March 11," Joan Herrera, spokesman for the United Left group, claimed Thursday. Socialists tried to prove the Popular Party, notably former Interior Minister Angel Acebes, knew they were wrongly blaming the Basque separatist group ETA for the attack that killed 191 — even as police focused on Islamic militants, now held responsible. Sixteen suspects, most of them Moroccan, are now in jail, and authorities believe that the case presented to courts will be strong. But financing Spanish mosques still remains a high priority.
The commission investigated whether the attacks could have been prevented, reviewed police bungling work and tried to determine whether the conservative government tried to manipulate public opinion ahead of March 14 general elections that the Popular Party won — a result that was seen to have been in part determined by the bombing. For many Spaniards, the commission's intent was mainly political all along. "They want to crush the Popular Party," said Antonio Pena Izquierdo who listened to proceedings daily on the radio in his taxi. Socialists "want to wash their hands" of any links between the March 11 bombing and their upset victory over the conservatives in elections three days later. "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!"
But polemics often trumped the facts during 100 hours of hearings in which testimony by 38 politicians, police, academics and Islamic experts was broadcast live on radio and cable TV, and made front page headlines. "I believe you're not telling the truth," Alvaro Cuesta of the Socialists told Acebes, who insisted he truly believed "everything pointed to ETA" until the first arrests of Muslims, not Basques were made. Both sides seem satisfied they presented a persuasive case to Spanish public opinion that their actions were apolitical.
Spaniards seem unimpressed
A poll published last week by the state-run Center for Sociological Studies indicated 58 of every 100 rate the commission's chances of clearing up what happened as either "poor" or "not at all." The poll surveyed 2,487 adults and had a two percent margin of error. "They really weren't looking for what happened, the truth," said Alcaraz of the victims association. "What they wanted was to blame the other." Too late, you're dhimmis now!
While the 9/11 commission suggested an intelligence failure, in Spain there appears to be a feeling that the Madrid attack might have been beyond reasonable expectation. And, there can be no guarantee any other attack definitely will be prevented. "I think that they will accomplish nothing," Miguel Angel Pollo Albacete, a 36-year-old mechanic. "Commissions of inquiry in this country don't do much good." Then change the government that installs these impotent "commissions of inquiry."
Hat tip LGF
SAN FRANCISCO — A video aired Saturday that purportedly showed an American being decapitated in Iraq was a hoax.
The man shown in the video, reached by The Associated Press in San Francisco, said he videotaped the staged beheading at his friend's house using fake blood.
Benjamin Vanderford, 22, said he began distributing the video on the Internet months ago in hopes of drawing attention to his one-time campaign for city supervisor. When his political aspirations waned, he thought the video would serve as social commentary.
"It was part of a stunt, but no one noticed it up until now," Vanderford said. "I did this for a couple of reasons. One is to attract attention. But two is to just make a statement on these type of videos and how easily they can be faked." What of the heads in the freezers, beauzeau?
On the tape, Vanderford sat on a chair in a dark room, his hands behind his back, trembling and rocking back and forth. The tape showed a hand with a knife cutting at the motionless man's neck, but did not show any militants.
"We need to leave this country alone. We need to stop this occupation," he said on the video, adding that he had been offered for exchange with prisoners in Iraq. "Everyone's going to be killed this way." "We need to be killed on our OWN turf."
The videotape was posted on a militant Web site and aired on Arab television Saturday. Vanderford was clad in a T-shirt, not the orange jumpsuit that other hostages have been dressed in.
The video was titled "Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Slaughters an American." Zarqawi is an Al Qaeda-linked militant whose group, Tawhid and Jihad, has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks across Iraq, including the beheading of U.S. businessman Nicholas Berg.
Vanderford's video also showed images of disfigured and injured people in Iraq. A recording of the Quran, Islam's holy book, played in the background.
Sipping soda in his kitchen, a shirtless Vanderford said he spliced images he took from a Hamas Web site showing mutilated bodies. He later edited the 55 second video to downgrade the quality so it would look similar to beheading tapes distributed since the war in Iraq began.
"We had to make it more lower quality to make it more realistic," said Vanderford, who works at a bank. "That was another experiment that was part of this to see how quickly that system will spread news."
He said he understood if relatives of those killed in Iraq thought his stunt was misguided, but he offered no apologies for the hoax.
"I see how it could be considered disrespectful. But I think people, if they look at it, will understand two other big issues it brings up," he said. "A small group of disgruntled people in Iraq or Saudi Arabia could just get more attention just by easily releasing something like I did on the Internet."
#2
Time for a vacation in the Grey-Bar Hotel. Exactly what did this retard think was going to happen? Crap, the Berg family could probably find some local ambulance chaser attorney to sue his ass into the poor house for emotional distress.
#3
So . . . is he supposed to be showing himself being beheaded? Exactly how would this help in a local political election? Vote for the martyr despite his deadness?
This was not just poor taste, this was poor . . . everything. This youngster needs someone to explain a few things to him, before he becomes the next Michael Moore.
Posted by: The Doctor ||
08/07/2004 18:16 Comments ||
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#4
Hey, back off, man...I'm a "social commentator"!
#6
In a Reuters article this asshat did not rule out trying something similar again. "I plan to constantly explore how things work," he said.
Maybe exploring how the federal prison system works from the inside might dampen his curiosity.
#7
I've found a good blow with an axehandle across the bridge of the nose raises the "consciousness" of these mental morons a few degrees, as well.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/07/2004 23:57 Comments ||
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"I've found a good blow with an axehandle across the bridge of the nose raises the "consciousness" of these mental morons"
-lucky for him he pulled this in 'hyper sensitive to morons' Frisco and not in Texas where his dumb ass would've gotten whipped by some good ole boys by now.
via SFGate (h/t Lucianne)
BETH DeFALCO - 19:52 PDT Friday, August 6, 2004 Radar surveillance technology is being tested along the Arizona-Mexico border to detect illegal immigrants. The system was developed under a contract with the Air Force by Scottsdale-based Sensor Technologies and Systems Inc. It's being tested for 12 to 18 months, STS President Walker Butler said.
The company has been doing trials in southwestern Arizona for several months and plans to add a site in southeastern Arizona within the next several weeks, he said. Testing of the technology is another component of the Arizona Border Control Initiative -- an effort to add more agents and better technology to deter illegal entries. The initiative already uses remote-controlled aerial drones and infrared thermal imaging cameras to search for migrants and smugglers.
A problem with the Border Patrol's current ground system is that daytime and infrared cameras on poles are fixed on areas where agents think immigrants will cross, Butler said. Unlike infrared cameras alone, radar can scan 360 degrees. With the radar system, sensors are placed above the cameras and wired to control where the cameras scan. Once something is detected, sensors activate an alarm and focus cameras on what set it off. That's helpful for border agents staring at multiple TV screens for hours, Butler said. Not to rant, but I wrote a chunk of an automated system (generating alarms of different levels) over 20 years ago to do almost the same thing with sound sensors in the Sinai - so big innovation? Uh, not exactly, but I'm sure the INS is happy they are finally getting some help.
Posted by: .com ||
08/07/2004 2:18:06 AM ||
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.com your software probably could'nt turn up the power. Remember radar can have unusually high power pulses. Cooked intruder anyone?
Posted by: dorf ||
08/07/2004 8:21 Comments ||
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#2
What the hell is new about this? We had radar sensors covering topside on Titan missile sites when I worked in the patch 20 years ago. Now, wire them to robot guns and ypu'll have something.
Posted by: Steve ||
08/07/2004 13:48 Comments ||
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#3
Uh... Steve.
Pack your bags.
Posted by: dont ask ||
08/07/2004 15:06 Comments ||
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what's new is the willingness to use the technology. I've been predicting our swarthy AQ friends will cross the Mexican border to committ an attack. Once that happens the border will close. F*&k Vicente's pressure relief valve and cheap labor
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/07/2004 15:32 Comments ||
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Dudes, cheap Doppler radar sensors were used in Vietnam 35 years ago.
#6
Frank G: It won't matter if AQ cross the border. Hell, they captured something like 70 Arabs there just the other day. The illegal alien workforce is worth billions to the US--but only as long as they stay illegal. And that's the irony.
If they're legal, they can demand more money and expensive perks like health care and unions. If they're illegal, you kick them out if they try.
Call them "business heroin", if you like; but there are thousands of businesses out there that will scream bloody murder if you cut them off.
There is virtually *nothing* AQ could do that would make it worth sealing that border.
From IntelWire, an article by J.M. Berger
.... INTELWIRE has recovered two pages hosted on Azzam.com prior to the September 11 attack, which praised the Taliban and defended the sect's decision to protect Osama bin Laden against U.S. extradition attempts. The pages, recovered from the Internet Archive, are mirrored here for the use of news media and terrorism researchers. ...
The first page, an index of Taliban-related material, bears the headline "Taliban: Allah's Blessing on Afghanistan." It contains pictures and links to various articles about the Taliban, as well as to a page titled "What you can do to help the Taliban (01 Feb 2001)." That page could not be loaded as of this time of this update.
The second page defends the Taliban's policy of harboring Osama bin Laden, despite U.S. attempts to apprehend him for trial. ...
Babar Ahmad was arrested in the U.K. and faces extradition charges related to publishing the Azzam Web site, soliciting funds for use in terrorism and conspiracy to support terrorism. U.S. authorities also said Ahmad was found in possession of classified information sent by an active U.S. Navy enlistee stationed with a carrier group in 2001. As reported previously on INTELWIRE, al Qaeda is known to have infiltrated the U.S. military both before and after the Gulf War, and the terror network actively recruited U.S. veterans during the early 1990s with the assistance of at least one active duty serviceman.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/07/2004 7:29:54 PM ||
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al Qaeda is known to have infiltrated the U.S. military both before and after the Gulf War, and the terror network actively recruited U.S. veterans during the early 1990s with the assistance of at least one active duty serviceman.
Well, that's been really effective so far, hasn't it!
Aug 7th, 6:45 PM EDT
U.S.: al-Qaida Suspect Cased New York
By TED BRIDIS
Associated Press Writer
(There is a photo of this mook terrorist in the link)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An al-Qaida terror suspect detained in England was sent to the United States in early 2001 by the principal architect of the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings to perform surveillance on economic targets in New York, according to U.S. officials and government interviews with other captured terror suspects.
They said the suspect claimed he has associates in America, possibly in California.
Abu Eisa al-Hindi was arrested in a roundup last week in Britain along with 11 others.
The disclosure that al-Hindi also was known as Issa al-Britani provides tantalizing details that further link al-Hindi to recent Bush administration warnings about possible terror attacks against U.S. financial buildings in New York, Washington and Newark, N.J.
It also has spurred a furious investigation in New York and elsewhere to trace al-Hindi's travels in the United States and to try to identify his associates during the American period.
"They're looking pretty hard to find anyone in the United States who might be part of this network, but they haven't found anyone so far who's still here," Vince Cannistraro, a former CIA counterterror chief, said Saturday.
The FBI believes al-Hindi may have had two collaborators helping perform the reconnaissance, said a high-ranking law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.
U.S. counterterror officials have said previously that they believe al-Hindi, known by dozens of aliases, was the author of documents describing surveillance at U.S. financial buildings during 2000 and 2001. The documents, written in fluent English, were found among a trove of papers, computer files, sketches and photographs recovered during mid-July raids in Pakistan.
The FBI and city detectives on a federal terrorism task force are looking for witnesses with information about al-Hindi's time in New York, the law enforcement official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation.
Police efforts include trying to identify people in surveillance photographs. The official described those people as New Yorkers unintentionally captured in the photographs who may remember information about people conducting the surveillance.
"One of the things to do is try to identify the individual," the official said. Detectives are seeking, the official said, "any possible link between the reconnaissance material, whether it's photographic or written, that might link to somebody, whether involved or not. It's an intense effort.
Under interrogation by U.S. investigators, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has described al-Hindi as a trusted senior al-Qaida operative.
The government commission that investigated the 2001 attacks included in its final report accounts of Mohammed's interviews after his arrest in Pakistan in 2003. Throughout the report, al-Hindi is referred to as al-Britani but U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have confirmed they are the same person.
Mohammed told interrogators he sent al-Hindi in early 2001 to do surveillance on possible economic and "Jewish" targets in New York. The mission was ordered by al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, Mohammed said.
A U.S. official told The Associated Press that al-Hindi is not believed to have traveled to the United States since that mission, which ended before the hijacking attacks.
Mohammed also revealed that he sent al-Hindi in late 1999 or early 2000 to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to meet with Riduan Isamuddin, known as Hambali. Hambali is accused of collaborating closely with al-Qaida in Southeast Asia as operations chief of the Jemmah Islamiyah terror organization and of perpetrating deadly attacks in Indonesia. He, too, is in U.S. custody.
Hambali told interrogators that al-Hindi gave him two addresses where al-Hindi said his allies could be contacted, one in South Africa and another "possibly in California," according to the commission's account of Hambali's interviews in September 2003. Hambali said he had not given the addresses to anyone else.
Al-Hindi's arrest in Britain came just weeks after the arrests in Pakistan of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, who was indicted for his role in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, and a Pakistani computer expert, Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan. Khan was arrested July 13 in Lahore, followed by Ghailani's arrest on July 25. Both men speak fluent English.
Both Ghailani and Khan are cooperating with investigators, a Pakistani official said Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Khan agreed to send e-mails after his capture to al-Qaida members as part of a sting operation, and some of the recipients responded by e-mail, the official said.
British police this week said they also arrested Babar Ahmad, Khan's cousin, who was indicted in the United States on charges he tried to raise money for "acts of terrorism in Chechnya (Russia) and Afghanistan" from 1998 through 2003. Ahmad also possessed a document on battle group plans for U.S. Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf, U.S. government lawyers said at Ahmad's court appearance in London.
---
Associated Press writers Michael Weissenstein in New York and Paul Haven in Islamabad, Pakistan, contributed to this report.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
08/07/2004 7:06:16 PM ||
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How many 'sleepers' are living within a mile of all of us?
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
08/07/2004 19:35 Comments ||
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August 7th, 2004 -- A British man used the Internet in the United States to raise money and promote terrorism — and had a copy of an attack plan to use against an American naval battle fleet, U.S. prosecutors said yesterday as they sought his extradition.
"Weakness: they have nothing to stop a small craft" armed with rocket-propelled grenades, said the never-used attack plan, which contained classified information on the fleet's size, composition and planned movements, court documents charge.
The existence of the chilling 2001 document was revealed in a London courtroom, where U.S. federal prosecutors asked a British judge to extradite alleged terror Webmaster Babar Ahmad to Connecticut.
"I don't want to go," Ahmad told a court clerk.
Asked if he understood the charges against him, the married father of two told the judge, "Not really. It's all a bit confusing to me."
Prosecutors say the case is actually very straightforward — Ahmad is a terror booster who used Internet providers based in Connecticut and Nevada to promote "material support of terrorism," to conspire "to kill persons in a foreign country," to support the Taliban, and to launder money.
The criminal complaint says that in addition to helping the al Qaeda-sheltering Taliban in Afghanistan, Ahmad also supported militant Islamic guerrilla fighters in Chechnya through his Web site, azzam.com.
And he had links to the e-mail account of a Chechen terror leader behind the October 2002 Moscow theater siege in which more than 100 people died, prosecutors said.
The site was named after Abdullah Azzam, the mentor of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
The complaint quotes the site, which has been shut down, as saying it was established "to propagate the call for Jihad . . . to 'incite the believers' and secondly to raise some money for the brothers."
It also declared that "the best way of helping Jihad and the Mujahedeen is by actually going to the lands of Jihad and physically fighting" — and an offshoot of the site offered tips on how to get into Afghanistan to fight against U.S. forces in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the complaint says.
The site also offered how-to advice on directing money to the Taliban, what sort of equipment terrorists were in need of, and how believers could prepare themselves for waging holy war.
"Muslims must use every means [at] their disposal to undertake military and physical training for Jihad," the complaint quotes the site as saying.
"It is suggested that individuals read up on certain topics, including sniper training, mine/counter mine operations, mortars, and combat skills for soldiers."
The most disturbing charges in the complaint center around the classified Navy battle fleet information, which investigators discovered on a floppy disk inside Ahmad's parents' home during a raid this past December.
The document detailed planned movements of a battle group that included the San Diego-based USS Benfold, and a drawing of the group's formation when it was to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East, the affidavit said.
It also detailed the ships' vulnerabilities to attacks by small boats.
"The document states that the battle group was scheduled to pass through the Straits on April 29, 2001 at night, under a communications blackout, and explicitly describes the group's vulnerability to a terrorist attack," the complaint says.
"Navy officials have confirmed the battle group composition, the dates and locations of the movements . . . are accurate and were classified at the time this document appears to have been written."
The battle group was never attacked — but a sailor on one of the ships in the group, the USS Benfold, had been exchanging e-mails with Ahmad, the complaint says.
Lt. Ohene Gyapong, a U.S. Navy spokesman, would not release the sailor's name and said there's no tie between the sailor and the classified documents.
Officials said they don't know how much money Ahmad was able to raise — but they do know of two U.S. citizens, one in Connecticut and one in New Jersey, who contributed. Their names were not released, though their identities are known.
The arrest came after a 21/2-year investigation — and investigators learned Ahmed was planning on fleeing his native England.
He faces life in prison if convicted.
Ahmad's sister, who declined to give her name, said her brother is "innocent" (Sure he is ..)
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
08/07/2004 7:01:06 PM ||
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AFGHANISTAN: The war in Afghanistan is ongoing. Since Soviet troops withdrew, various Afghan groups have tried to eliminate their rivals. Although the Taliban strengthened their position in 1998 they have not achieved their final objective. Afghanistan harbours Osama bin Ladin, a wealthy Saudi Arabia dissident responsible for terrorist acts around the world. On 11 September 2001 members from bin Ladin's el Qaeda group highjacked 4 passenger jets in the USA, crashing one into the Pentagon and 2 into the World Trade Center, killing more than 2,000 citizens. The USA and its allies declared war on terrorism and counter-attacked, removing the Taliban from power. The war on terrorism and the el Qaeda continues.
ALGERIA: Armed Islamic groups formed and since 1992 have carried out attacks on key economic points, security forces, officials and foreigners. In 1995 Algeria's first multiparty presidential elections were held and the incumbent president Liamine Zeroual won 60% of the votes in a poll with a 75% turnout. The first multiparty legislative elections were held in June 1997 which were won by the National Democratic Rally, which holds the majority of seats along with the FLN. Although the armed wing of the FIS declared a ceasefire in October 1997, an extremist splinter group, the Islamic Armed Group (GIA), continued attacks. There is also evidence that many attacks are carried out by militias backed by the Algerian security forces. After years of civil strife, Amnesty International estimates that around 80,000 people have died
The Caucasus and Russia: The Central Asian republics have a long history of conflicts. Fighting breaks out regularly between warlords and religious groups calling for the establishment of Islamic states outside the Russian Federation. Russia is trying to hold on to the federation because the Caucasus is a vital supply route for the oil riches of the Caspian and Black Sea. With the break-up of the Soviet Union various groups fought for control in the republics. Conflicts from one republic spills over to the other and they continually blame each other for attacks. Chechnya, still part of Russia, was flung in an almost full-scale war in 1994-96 and, after a disastrous campaign, Russia was forced to re-evaluate its involvement in the area. In August 1999 Russia stepped up security in the Caucasus region as rebels from within Dagestan - a small republic where more than 100 languages are spoken - went on the attack in support of Chechnyan Muslim groups who claim independence from Russia. In September 1999 Russia launched a ground invasion into the area to cut rebels off from Central Asian supply routes. By January 2000 Russia was once again involved in a full scale conflict in Chechnya. The Caucasus issue is complicated by the more than 50 different ethnic groups each insisting to proclaim their religious convictions on the area. The situation holds serious danger for neighbouring countries, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Russia itself.
EYGPT: Fundamentalist Muslim rebels seek to topple the secular Egyptian government. At least 1,200 people have perished since the beginning of the rebellion. The conflict was primarily waged as an urban guerrilla/terrorist war. The opposition Muslim Brotherhood took part in elections in 2000, indicating that they felt armed force would not work.
INDONESIA: The struggle on the Indonesia islands is complicated by leaders of pro- and anti-independence movements, and by religious conflicts. More than 500 churches have been burned down or damaged by Muslims over the past six years. Both the Christians and Muslims blame each other for the violence and attempts at reconciliation made little progress. After a bloody struggle East Timor gained independence in 1999. The hostilities on other islands continue to claim dozens of lives, to such an extent that the break-up of Indonesia seem imminent.
INDIA/PAKISTAN: Muslim separatists in the Indian section declared a holy war against the mostly-Hindu India and started attacks in 1989, mainly from Pakistan-occupied section of Kashmir, and from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The conflict continues, with Pakistan also crushing rebellions with brute force in their section.
IRAQ: Supports Islamic terrorist acts around the world. Differing culture and religious groups within Iraq continues to clash with Shiite Muslims.
ISRAEL: Within its own borders, Israel continues to battle various Muslim organizations that seek independence for a Palestine state, areas made up of the Gaza strip, West.Bank, and part of Jerusalem. There is heavy international pressure on Israel to recognise a Palestinian state. The area of what today is Palestine was settled by Semitic tribes at a very early date. It was then called Canaan, and controlled by Canaanite tribes for more than 1,000 years. In about 1500 BC Hebrew, or Jewish, tribes began to enter the area. They later came into conflict with a people of Greek origin known as the Philistines. It is from them that the term Palestine is derived.
IRAN: After the Iranian Revolution in 1979 toppled the government of the Shah, the Mujahadeen Khalq soon began a bloody guerrilla war against the new Islamic government. The Mujahadeen are currently based in Iraq and conduct cross-border raids into Iran, as well as conducting urban guerrilla operations in the cities and conducting political assassinations. Iran occasionally launches raids against Khalq bases in Iraq.
KOSOVO: The ethnic Albanian KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) in this Serbian province fought a guerilla war against Serbia to claim the region. Beginning in February 1999, Albanians were forced out of the province, prompting NATO to attack Serbia. By July 1999 Serb troops were forced out of Kosovo, only to open an avenue for Albanian Kosovars to attack Serb Kosovars. The Albanian Muslims have since burned down dozens of centuries-old Christian churches. In an effort to establish a Greater Albania, Albanian Muslim rebels also launched attacks in Macedonia.
NIGERIA: There are violent religious clashes in the city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria beginning February 21 2004 and have continued. Kaduna is the second largest city in the north. The clashes followed a march by tens of thousands of Christians to protest the proposal to introduce Muslim sharia law as the criminal code throughout Kaduna state. Reports speak of rival armed gangs of Christians and Muslims roving the streets. Churches and mosques have been put to the torch. Corpses were seen lying in the streets and people's bodies hanging out of cars and buses, apparently killed while attempting to flee the violence. Local human rights workers said that more than 400 had been killed as a result of the clashes.
SUDAN: The largest country in Africa, has been plagued by a succession of unstable civilian and military governments since it gained independence in 1956 from an Anglo-Egyptian condominium. The long-running conflict continues between the Arab Muslim northerners of Sudan, (the base of the government), and the African Christians of the south. In the mid-90s Sudan was home to Osama bin Ladin, the international terrorist responsible for the World Trade Center attack. It is estimated that more than 1,2 million people have been killed in the Sudan war, brining devastation to the Sudanese economy.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: At war with terrorism.
PHILIPPINES: The Phillipines armed forces, with assistance of US troops, are fighting Moslem rebels - they have been linked to Osama bin Laden's el Qaeda terrorist group - on the southern islands of the country. Muslim rebel groups seek autonomy/independence from the mostly Christian Philippines. One rebel group, the Abu Sayaf Group, is believed linked to Osama bin-Laden's Al-Qaida. This connection, plus their tactic of kidnapping and beheading Americans, led the United States to send Special Forces to aid the Philippine Army.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
08/07/2004 5:51:01 PM ||
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Sometimes a simple chart makes everything a lot more clear:
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6.3 million Muslims in the Balkans, mostly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania and Republic of Macedonia
62.4 million Muslims in Turkey
284.4 million Muslims in the Arab League including Iraq (with about 15 million Shia, 60% of the population)
254.0 Muslims in Sub-Saharan Africa
65.4 million Muslims (90% Shia) in Iran
48.5 million Muslims in Central Asia - in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan - formerly republics of the Soviet Union.
26.7 million Muslims in Russia
22.7 million Muslims in Afghanistan
230.0 million Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh
133.3 million Muslims in India - the world's largest minority population
196.3 million Muslims in Indonesia
30.0 million Muslims in the rest of South-East Asia, especially Malaysia
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Notice how those regions containing the largest Islamic populations read like a laundry list of genocide, terrorism, torture, border conflicts, repression, theocracy, abuse of women and just about any other sort of criminal activity you want to name?
From Policy Review, an article by Walter Laqueur, co-chair of the International Research Council at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
.... At present, Islamist terrorism all but monopolizes our attention, and it certainly has not yet run its course. But it is unlikely that its present fanaticism will last forever; religious-nationalist fervor does not constantly burn with the same intensity. There is a phenomenon known in Egypt as "Salafi burnout," the mellowing of radical young people, the weakening of the original fanatical impetus. Like all other movements in history, messianic groups are subject to routinization, to the circulation of generations, to changing political circumstances, and to sudden or gradual changes in the intensity of religious belief. This could happen as a result of either victories or defeats. One day, it might be possible to appease militant Islamism — though hardly in a period of burning aggression when confidence and faith in global victory have not yet been broken.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/07/2004 1:51:17 AM ||
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#1
It is unlikely that Osama and his close followers will be challenged on theological grounds ...
And this exonerates Islam's negligence as regards pruning extremists from their ranks, exactly how?
... but there has been criticism for tactical reasons: Assuming that America and the West in general are in a state of decline, why did he not have more patience? Why did he have to launch a big attack while the infidels were still in a position to retaliate massively?
Perhaps, because complete fanatics tend to discard all timetables. Aside from 9-11, reflect momentarily upon Japan's attacking Pearl Harbor. Both of these unwise moves "have awoken a sleeping giant" each time and our assailants don't usually get much rest until we are satisfied.
This freedom of action was considerably greater than that enjoyed in the Arab and Muslim world; not a few terrorists convicted of capital crimes in countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Algeria were given political asylum in Europe. ...
And Europe is now harvesting the fruits of their soft approach to extremism.
Terrorists want total war â not in the sense that they will (or could) mobilize unlimited resources; in this respect their possibilities are limited. But they want their attacks to be unfettered by laws, norms, regulations, and conventions.
Which is why some extremely unconventional measure may be needed to prevent future terrorist attacks. Profiling, monitoring of movement, and gathering genetic information may all become a routine part of antiterrorist efforts.
But, at present, radio and television has to be beamed to an audience 70 percent of which firmly believes that the operations of September 11 were staged by the Mossad.
Massive stupidity upon the part of our foes cannot serve as any source of pity or sympathy. It is exactly this sort of denial that has permitted Islam as a whole to stagnate horribly over the past centuries. Should these populations prove unwilling to examine their own cultures' involvement with terrorism, they will merely be lumped together with the terrorists in their midst and be annihilated en masse.
While the topic is being discussed, I'd like to introduce a novel concept that may have exceptional use in fighting terrorism.
MAKE TERRORISM A DNA CRIME
Numerous aspects of terrorism make it vital to gather DNA evidence related to potential and known terrorists. Biometric data, including retinal scans, ear shape and facial profile parameters should be combined with genetic sampling to provide comprehensive identification of suspects. Some factors driving this concept:
1.) Terrorist reliance upon destructive methods and explosives often render subsequent identification of perpetrators via conventional means (i.e., photos, fingerprints, dental charts, remains et al) ineffective.
2.) The clandestine nature of terrorist conspiracies makes crucial the ability to forensically evaluate minute physiological traces in order to connect individuals with specific locations and other co-conspirators.
3.) The cell structure of many terrorist organizations often relies heavily upon familial ties. Mitochondrial DNA would assist in indentifying close relations to those directly involved in terrorist activities.
4.) The frequent use of false identities, plastic surgery and other disguises inhibits ready identification via conventional means like passports.
Using DNA profiles would make it much easier to match even the microscopic tissue residue left behind from bomb vest killers and other mass murderers. Correlating familial ties would be of equal use in identifying high risk individuals as well. A single hair follicle left behind at a meeting place could be analysed and traced to existing records.
Most terrorist activity is specifically aimed at committing brutally violent criminal acts on a par with sex crimes, homicide, serial murder and other offenses that already require DNA sampling of offenders. Various levels of "blind" matching could be used to protect those who are only suspected of terrorist activity versus convicted individuals whose genetic identity would be a matter of record.
Because Rantburg is one of the few places that seems to take terrorism seriously, comments and observations regarding this idea would be welcome. While DNA gathering is not going to stop terrorism in its tracks, it could easily be of use in connecting lone individuals to larger groups or families with known extremist members. This could prove of great value in monitoring preparations for future attacks and analysing evidence resulting from them.
Actually, like the high probability of getting caught/killed has significantly reduced the incoming waves of Jihadi wannabees crossing the borders into Afghanistan and Iraq, simply announcing the existence of a DNA/biometric database will discourage many in the terrorist establishment.
Think of the mania these idiots have for multiple passports and noms de guerre. What fun is all that romantic "false nose" activity if simply walking down the street in England (police video cameras everywhere) or a finger prick at the airport/border/bus station renders all the disguises moot. Not to mention having to cart around extra wimmenfolk to steam clean meeting sites and rental cars!
#3
I'd make it clear that since terrorists do not represent Islam there is no harm inembalming them with pig blood and filling their coffin with pig guts.
Maybe it won't stop 'em, but it might slow down recruiting and cause an end to the silly "do not represent Islam" crap.
#7
Think of the mania these idiots have for multiple passports and noms de guerre. What fun is all that romantic "false nose" activity if simply walking down the street in England (police video cameras everywhere) or a finger prick at the airport/border/bus station renders all the disguises moot. Not to mention having to cart around extra wimmenfolk to steam clean meeting sites and rental cars!
This is the precise idea, trailing wife. You have summarized it quite well in how stripping away the layers of intrigue and obscurity will render participation far less attractive. Swift identification and apprehension are solid disincentives. Lugging around the clean-up crews is just icing on the cake!
While DNA matches take more time than bus stop identity checks will permit, a fast retinal scan does not and provides a similarly unique basis for comparison. If America does not have the brains to bar any attempted entries by people from nations known to harbor terrorists, obtaining genetic samples from all arrivals (no profiling, 100% sampling) would certainly be of use.
Intrusive? Minimally so. Costly? No more than other surveillance methods. Effective? Probably, in that it would provide both a deterrent and tools to identify conspirators before and after the fact.
One day, it might be possible to appease militant Islamism
Barbara, thank you catching this little nugget. How the author thinks that is of any value is beyond me. Can't let crap like that slip under radar.
#9
Nope Zen, still looks like 3 fonts for a dollar helvicter too me. Prehaps its me brooser. But if ye need a bigger I'd advise usenig wood type, which will give the eye a chance to relax before getting bored by the content.
Nope, ain't gonna. Web designers who use those high contrast strobing banners and "bouncing" icons need hot sand enemas.
And, pray tell, where's the "screech" in suggesting a more comprehensive method of tracking and identifying terrorists?
Now, if I had used such a font for the "Environmentalists lash out at Russia on anniversary of Hiroshima bomb," I'd cheerfully submit to red ant torture on my own. Who can forget the horror that was the mega-font titling of that "Iran: Mass Arrest of Girls and Women" from last night. My monitor was scarred for life, I tells yez.
The United Nations investigator on executions has blamed Sudan's government for extra-judicial killings in the western region of Darfur. "The government of the Sudan is responsible for... summary executions of large numbers of people," Asma Jahangir said in a report. The UN investigator on executions said the killings amounted to crimes against humanity. She added that "millions of civilians" caught up in the crisis were at risk. Khartoum has denied supporting the Janjaweed rebels which is blamed for much of the violence. Of course, any demands for immediate military intervention or use of force against the rebels was omitted.
For several weeks, it has been trying to absorb Janjaweed elements into the paramilitary Popular Defence Force, and into its police force. "Absorb" = Recruit
Government 'involved'
Ms Jahangir, a Pakistani human rights lawyer, said many of the atrocities were carried out by the Popular Defence Force, which is under the formal command of the Sudanese army. She said it was frequently impossible to distinguish between the army, the Popular Defence Force and the Janjaweed militia which has been widely blamed for massacres. Let's have a "Big F&%king D'uh!" here folks.
The report says the Sudanese government appears overjoyed by oblivious to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and described the persistent denial of the disaster by most government officials as genocide "shocking". "Such a reaction despite the huge international outcry would appear to indicate either complete disrespect for the right to life of the population of Darfur, or, at worst, complicity in the events," she wrote. Is she talking about Sudan's government or the UN? It's hard to tell.
UN deal "You can have the crackers, we'll take the caviar."
The UN report came after a catered twelve course luncheon Sudan and the UN concluded a plan to tackle the crisis. The programme has been approved by the Sudanese cabinet, after an ultimatum to the government from the UN Security Council to improve security in Darfur or face the threat of sanctions. It includes steps to improve security and disarm the Janjaweed militias militia whose attacks on the civilian population have driven more than a million people from their homes. The Governor of North Darfur, Osman Yusuf Kibir, has said that more than 200 members of a group fighting the Sudanese government in Darfur, have surrendered - although this has been denied by the Jem rebels. The US has approved $30m in emergency food aid for Darfur, where more than two million people are expected to need emergency food supplies by October. A couple of passes over the Janjaweed rebels with AC-130H Spectres and a rasher of JDAMS lobbed into Khartoum would cost a lot less than $30 million.
Note that the pro-Taliban group has the court order. From the New York Times, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm: Muslim factions at odds over involvement with the Taliban and terrorism squared off yesterday at a Queens mosque, where the issue divided the congregation after the Sept. 11 attacks.
--More at above link.--
Posted by: ed ||
08/07/2004 12:37:34 PM ||
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When this happens at 1001,000 10,000 mosques, let me know. Islam's sole route to redemption relies upon just such brave souls as those seeking to reclaim their place of worship from violent fanatics.
#2
Say again? Unless I'm reading the article wrong, this is a case of violent fanatics-- Taliban supporters armed with a court order, of all things-- seeking to reclaim the mosque from those who had kicked them out in 2001.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
08/07/2004 15:34 Comments ||
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#3
I predict the following. If there is ever another 9/11 type attack, the American people will demand that all of these folks be rounded up, detained and interrogated. We are just one or two attacks away. These folks are living on borrowed time.
#4
Unless I'm reading the article wrong, this is a case of violent fanatics-- Taliban supporters armed with a court order, of all things-- seeking to reclaim the mosque from those who had kicked them out in 2001.
You're reading it correctly, Dave D.. But at least one congregation somewhere is trying to defeat those who preach violent Jihad.
#5
Simple: if the Jihadis manage to cut loose with a nuke, its open season on ALL Moslems who do not repent and ACT on the words by actively weeding out the mass murderers from their own ranks.
If they do not do it, the rest of American society will do it for them -and we will not be nearly as nice as their Moslem bretheren.
#6
Simple: if the Jihadis manage to cut loose with a nuke, its open season on ALL Moslems who do not repent and ACT on the words by actively weeding out the mass murderers from their own ranks.
Old Spook, this is what I've been trying to say for some time. "The Three Conjectures" (at the Belmont Club) has it down pat. The loophole of secular religious freedom is shrinking at a tremendous rate. Too bad Islam does not realize it ... NOT!
Those of you who get the Trio channel on digital cable or satellite (this does not include me) might like to check out TEXAS: America Supersized, written and narrated and hosted by Christopher Hitchens, premiering tonight at 9pm Eastern. The Houston Chronicle is understandably nervous: Christopher Hitchens can be nasty when he wants to be, which is often. The renowned British journalist has taken infamous swipes of his poisonous pen at Henry Kissinger, Princess Diana and, for goodness' sake, Mother Teresa...[I]t pays to be wary when Hitchens comes calling, as he does Sunday with the documentary Texas: America Supersized. But it's safe to come out now...Hitchens leaves the Lone Star State intact.
This Slate article says,Hitchens...asks: "With a Texan in the White House, are Texan values taking over America?"...[Hitchens is] a dapper chap who appears to enjoy the limelight as he drives around the state, buying elephant-leather cowboy boots or riding in a border patrol vessel along the Mexican border, his lank locks flowing behind him in the wind.
The New York Daily News has a photo of Hitchens in cowboy get-up. Spot of all right, ain't it? Molly Ivins, Kinky Friedman, and Larry McMurtry are interviewed.
The documentary airs several times over the month, and is part of a month-long Texas focus by Trio, including programs such as Teenage Texas Virgins, Turning Muslim in Texas, and Good Clean Porn: Debbie Does Dallas. (No, really. I think it's a kind of "making of" thing.) See the Trio site for details and times.
Ordinarily I would not shill for a TV channel, especially one I can't watch, but I thought y'all would get a kick out of Hitchens as cowboy.
#1
DateLine 2044
Texas, the Lone Star Republic. A closer ally than even Great Britain, takes Frances old position in the Security Council and demands 5 vetoes because of historical reasons and that they have 20 million Texans who are extra moody. CowBoy State demands beer for 6 million horses, whiskey for 12 million voters, threats made.
#2
Compliments the 100 million firearms and billions of rounds of ammo, Ship, heh.
Whether Hitchins will understand diddley-squat in some little short tour is neither here nor there... I doubt that many people are such quick studies that they can "get" the people in a very different locale in a single short pass. I've spent well over a year in Thailand - and I just barely "get it" - I'll view or read Hitchens with amusement, nothing more.
Texas is a damned interesting place. Lots of BS, sure, but underneath there is a very real sense of individualism, the self-determination and self-reliance kind, and that's the heart and soul of America. You see it in many locales, still going strong, such as in the mountain states full of ranchers, the plains states full of farmers, *flyover country* and those hardcore old New Englanders who fish for a living. I really found a "home" in Jackson Hole when I was a kid working on a dude ranch, heh. Wild place back then!
America's loonies are concentrated in those places where individualism has been twisted and PC-ized - the self-reliance part has been snuffed out and the self-determination replaced by lock-step loonyism or PC-gutlessness.
#3
DateLine 2045
Oklahoma and New Mexico given ultimatum on boundary dispute. 1st Ranger divison is said to be moving north from occupation duties in the City of Mexico. Texas Senate calls for Peace and Understanding Or Else, UN ponders the message.
#4
.com, I guarantee you've got more of it than you think you do. Take a trip home if you don't believe me. (I lived in Thailand for two years.)
Culture shock is way more fun when it's your own culture that's shocking you.
That said, Hitch has a reasonably good understanding of the US. That might help him in Texas, or might confuse him. Unfortunately, I can't watch this any more than Angie can.
Posted by: Kathy K ||
08/07/2004 16:22 Comments ||
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From The New York Times, a book review by Ethan Bronner about a book titled The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace, written by Dennis Ross
... Dennis Ross began his service under the first George Bush and continued it through eight years of Clinton and several Israeli governments. For that reason alone, this is a work of historical significance. To the question of what went wrong, Ross offers two answers, one simple and one messy but no less true or important.
The simple answer is that in the end Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, was the principal cause of the failure. ... As Ross puts it: "A comprehensive deal was not possible with Arafat. He could live with a process, but not with a conclusion."
The second explanation, the messier one, is that neither side had taken sufficient steps to grasp the needs and neuroses of the other. Ross says "the Israelis acted as if all decisions should be informed by their needs, not by possible Palestinian needs or reactions." Regarding the Arabs, he writes, "The kind of transformation that would make it possible for the Arab world to acknowledge that Israel has needs has yet to take place." As for the American role, Ross puts it this way: "Our great failing was not in misreading Arafat. Our great failing was in not creating the earlier tests that would have either exposed Arafat's inability to ultimately make peace or forced him to prepare his people for compromise." ...
There has been much dispute over what was offered to the Palestinians in the 2000 Camp David meeting and in the months that followed. This book should end that discussion. The final deal, made orally to the Palestinians and Israelis by Clinton, is laid out in the appendix. Broadly, the ideas were these:
Territory: The Palestinians would get all of Gaza and between 94 and 96 percent of the West Bank. In exchange for what they would not get of the West Bank, Israel would be required to give up between 1 percent and 3 percent of its own land.
Security: Israel would withdraw from the West Bank over 36 months with an international force gradually introduced into the area. A small Israeli presence in fixed locations would remain in the Jordan Valley under the authority of the international force for another 36 months. Palestine would be defined as a "nonmilitarized state" with a strong internal security force and an international presence for border and deterrence purposes.
Jerusalem: What is Arab in the city would be Palestinian and what is Jewish Israeli. Palestinians would have sovereignty over the plaza of the mosques and Israelis over the Western Wall.
Refugees: Palestinian refugees would either move to the new state of Palestine, be rehabilitated in their host country, resettle in a third country or be admitted to Israel if Israel so chose. None would have the right to return to Israel against Israel's will.
... There is also one exceptionally poignant and prescient moment near the book's end. It is Dec. 29, 2000, and Arafat still will not say yes. Ahmed Qurei, known as Abu Ala, a top Palestinian negotiator (later he became prime minister), has come to see Ross, who tells him the new president, George W. Bush, will want to have nothing to do with Arafat after Clinton's experience.
"Mark my words," Ross reports telling Abu Ala, "they will disengage from the issue and . . . you will have Sharon as prime minister. He will be elected for sure if there is no deal, and your 97 percent will become 40 to 45 percent; your capital in East Jerusalem will be gone. . . . "
"He looked at me sadly and with a note of complete resignation, replied, 'I am afraid it may take another 50 years to settle this now.'"
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/07/2004 9:26:55 AM ||
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So sad for the pali peoples.
ummmmm....... fuck 'em.
#3
I don't care if the Paleos ever get their own state. It will only be the next Sudan or Afghanistan: a safe harbor for terror
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/07/2004 11:18 Comments ||
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Mike, thanks for the reference, this is a must-read book. Excellent summary of why Arafat can never be trusted. Since Ross worked in the Clinton administration, perhaps even the Democrats will listen to him ... ... ... nah!
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/07/2004 13:46 Comments ||
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The paleos have pissed away every opportunity. They are just wired wrong. Their mischief will stop when their funding stops, and it looks like even that is tapering off. The smart ones (if any) will leave. The oxy morons will jihad till they are popped and that will be the end. They will go out with a whimper inside the wall. Devolution instead of evolution.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/07/2004 13:52 Comments ||
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Shame of it is, at one time, the Palestenians were, outside of the Nazi sympathizers (like Araft's cousin the Mufti of Jerusalem), well regarded as an educated people, bankers, doctors and the like.
From The New York Times
.... the soldiers charged with mistreatment [of Iraqi prisoners] have defended themselves by saying they were simply following orders. But as of the end of testimony here on Friday in a military court hearing for Pfc. Lynndie R. England - the last, the longest and the most closely watched of the proceedings to determine whether the seven soldiers should be court-martialed - there have been no witnesses and no evidence to back up that central assertion. ... No one has said there were direct orders to carry out the treatment seen in photos, or even, as Private England has told investigators, that the military police soldiers were encouraged to "keep it up" as a way of encouraging better interrogations.
"To my knowledge, ma'am, they were never ordered to do anything," Specialist Joseph M. Darby, the soldier who first turned in the photos, replied to a question from a prosecutor here on Friday.
Witness after witness has said that the treatment in the pictures, including forcing prisoners to masturbate and piling naked detainees in a pyramid, would never be allowed under any stretch of the rules. "It was wrong - it was more than wrong," testified Specialist Matthew Wisdom, who like the charged soldiers, is a member of the 372nd Military Police Company. "It was absolutely wrong."
Capt. Donald Reese, the commander of the company, testified that military intelligence soldiers conducting interrogations would ask the police soldiers to strip detainees or deprive them of sleep. Then a prosecutor asked him about whether there had been requests for the behavior seen in the photos: Slapping? A dog pile of naked detainees? Forced masturbation? Taking nude photographs? "No, ma'am," he replied grimly.
However, other testimony has contradicted the government's argument that the Abu Ghraib abuses were solely the work of seven rogue soldiers. Witnesses have described varying degrees of mistreatment or sexual humiliation committed by soldiers beyond the group accused. Some testimony has included the assertion that high-ranking officers, including Col. Thomas Pappas, the highest-ranking intelligence officer at the prison, knew about the improper use of dogs, as well as some abuses, including the death.
The testimony in the hearings also leaves unclear what the rules were for interrogations and how harsh the treatment was. Soldiers have testified about seeing detainees being kicked and
handcuffed with their hands so high above their heads that their toes barely touched the ground. ...
According to other testimony, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, who came to Abu Ghraib in August to improve interrogations, said the military police should "set the conditions" for military intelligence soldiers doing interrogations. .... Yet the soldiers did not say that meant harsh treatment of prisoners. As Capt. Carolyn Wood, of the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, described it, military police were to collect information on detainees' families or personalities that interrogators could use in questioning, and to help move an increasingly large population of detainees between several wings of the prison. The soldier who investigators call the ringleader of the abuse, Cpl. Charles Graner, wrote in a log that military police soldiers should not deprive an inmate of sleep without a written order from military intelligence.
Although the accused soldiers say they received orders, none could recall who gave them. "Initially there was some, 'They told us to do it,' " testified Special Agent Tyler Pieron, an Army investigator. "Never could figure out who 'they' was." ...
Private England's lawyer, Richard Hernandez, said he had names of military intelligence soldiers who had given orders to carry out the acts seen in the photographs, but he would not produce them yet because the burden of proof in this hearing, he said, "is on the government." By the end of the four days of testimony, Private England's legal team has seemed to have embraced an "everyone else was doing it" defense, pushing witnesses to say that higher-ups had not vigorously prosecuted or even investigated abuse by other soldiers, or inappropriate conduct. They argue that Private England, who is pregnant, faces more jail time for her alleged sexual misconduct than for prison abuse, while other sexual misconduct went unpunished.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/07/2004 9:08:32 AM ||
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...I said it before - PFC Snookums should have gone with an Army ADC instead of some hotshot civilian counsel, because she'll be looking through the plastic at her baby while the lawyer gives interviews on how unfair the system is and reminds her family that another payment is due.
Don't know if anyone saw the wire service stories on Thursday re the hearings: turns out she was on restriction to her quarters (not permitted to leave unescorted except for work, chow, chapel and latrine) because she had a bad habit of sneaking out after lights out and ending up in CPL Graner's bed, then sleeping all day at work. She'd been counseled FOUR times and was considered a serious problem child - but no heavy duty disciplinary action seems to have been taken against her. To put that in some sort of perspective, my experience in the USAF was for the first two offenses, a Letter of Counseling (first one almost always remained in flight, the second usually went to their jacket at the squadron), third was a Letter of Reprimand (direct to the squadron jacket and sometimes to the official jacket depending on the offense). Fourth offense was almost certainly an Article 15 (or Motivational Flight, again depending on the offense and the individual). WHY were PFC Snookums and CPL Graner still in posession of all their pay and stripes? (That was a rhetorical question, BTW, supervision in the 519th seems to have been about as abysmal as I have EVER seen.) And NO one ever seems to have asked why a file clerk - for 'twas PFC Snookums' MOS - was hanging around a PRISON, f'r God's sake.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
08/07/2004 12:53 Comments ||
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It sure looks to be that some idiot senators owe Rummy an apology -- will never happen.
Posted by: Capt America ||
08/07/2004 15:32 Comments ||
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Does anyone know where Gen. "Kaos" Karpinski is right now?
Is she still active or has she been released back to her civilian occupaton of hazing junior executives?
From Slate, an article by Lee Smith
... [Sudan] President Jafaar an-Nimeiri's decision to impose sharia, or Islamic law, throughout the country in 1983 renewed tensions ... and war broke out again. Nimeiri's Islamicization project was urged on by Sudan's Muslim Brotherhood, including its leading ideologue and the country's attorney general, Hassan al-Turabi. The man who would later become known for inviting Osama Bin Laden to make his home in Khartoum in 1991 has long been a central figure in Sudanese politics. Turabi's brother-in-law Sadeq al-Mahdi ran the country from 1985 until 1989, when the NIF and current ruler Lt.-Gen. Omar al-Bashir came to power in a military coup that Turabi supported. Indeed, as the one-time spiritual guide of the NIF, Turabi was said to be the power behind the throne and thus most likely supplied the government with its additional rationale for continuing the war—jihad. ...
Turabi was arrested in March for allegedly plotting against Bashir and, for reasons that remain unclear, he is expected to be released soon. Four years ago, Turabi was put under house arrest and formed the Popular Congress. When the PC was looking for allies to bring down the central government, writes Danish aid worker Anders Hastrup, "The marginalized region of Western Darfur, with its Islamic tribes and its ambivalent and, occasionally, rebellious attitude towards Khartoum was an obvious place to look." The PC made common cause with the Darfur rebels and also circulated The Black Book, a pamphlet that, Hastrup writes, documented "Khartoum's neglect and ostracism of the western tribes in the decision-making process, and showed that the great majority of important positions in the country were filled by figures from a northern Arab background."
Ammar Abdulhamid is a Syrian writer and rights activist whose Tharwa Project Web site documents the status of minorities throughout the Middle East and North Africa. He explained to me that "there is a very serious issue of racial discrimination, of Arabs against non-Arabs, in Sudan," which Turabi turned to his advantage. "He was reaching out to non-Arab elements in his struggle against Bashir," says Abdulhamid. "And he's become the rebels' spiritual guide."
It's worth remembering that, as the NIF's chief ideologue, Turabi played on the other side, against Africans, when he boasted of wanting to "Arabize Africa." Over the last several decades, this spiritual guide for hire has not only determined most of Sudan's political and military battlegrounds, he also helped turn the country into a well-known international jihadist resort: Bin Laden, who reportedly married one of Turabi's nieces, and Ayman al-Zawahiri both spent part of the '90s in Sudan. ....
... An-Na'im, a liberal Muslim thinker who teaches at Emory Law School [and] An-Na'im, who advocates a reinterpretation of Islam in accordance with human rights, was a disciple of Mahmoud Muhammad Taha, the Sudanese Muslim religious leader and political activist hanged in Khartoum for apostasy in 1985. Taha understood that the biggest problem facing Islam was its historical treatment of women and non-Muslims, and his work is a powerful argument against the forced Islamicization and sharia that have plagued Sudan for 20 years. If there's a positive side to Sudan's troubles, an-Na'im contends, it's that Taha's legacy has been partly realized. "The Islamist idea, Wahhabism, the Muslim Brotherhood project are totally discredited. Not just for the Sudanese, but throughout the Muslim world." .... Sudan's Islamist experiment has been exposed as a murderous authoritarianism. ...
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/07/2004 2:08:19 AM ||
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So is Turabi on our side or not? If he's a mercenary, I'm still holding my nose and feel that he's not cutting the mustard as "worth the annoyance cost".
(The infamous "he's an SOB but he's our SOB" remark; the description of him makes me feel that he's not holding up his end of the bargain enough to make us support Turabi himself.)
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
08/07/2004 3:27 Comments ||
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#2
Why does this leave me thinking about "blow back" from giving aid to these "refugees" because this guy is linked to them?
#3
I agree, #2. We need to give Sudan a pass and especially this Darfur mess because this is Muslim on Muslim fighting. If we were to jump in, both groups of former Muslim "enemies" would unite in an instasecond in their hatred for evil America.
Why other RB posters are itching for the USA to get involved in this black hole-quagmire is beyond me. Let the EU and/or African countries send peacekeeping troops to Sudan. We currently have 2 wars on the go, neither of which seem to be winding down anytime soon.
Let's pick our battles carefully and Sudan is not a battle worth one single GI's life or any taxpayers' $. We have already committed $15 Billion to Africa for AIDS relief. I am tired of sending $ to a continent that loathes America by and large.
Posted by: rex ||
08/07/2004 19:31 Comments ||
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I wouldn't argue, Rex, but I'm not advocating a big mission for us in Sudan. There's a simple reason for that --
-- we don't need one to break Khartoum's hold on the region.
As I've advocated elsewhere, we need to train the Furians to fight for themselves. We can do that with a small mission. Let the French wave their flag and help coordinate relief. We'll train the Darfur Liberation Front so that they can defend their homes from the Janjaweed. We could end up with an ally that will help us with a lot of things in the region, destablize Khartoum, and tweak the French. What's not to like?
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/07/2004 20:58 Comments ||
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Tens of thousands of people have marched through the Sudanese capital Khartoum to protest against any Western intervention in war-ravaged Darfur. The government-backed protesters said they were ready to die in a jihad if any Western troops entered the country. "Darfur will be a foreign graveyard," said one placard spotted by BBC correspondent Paul Wood at the protest.
The African Union says it has boosted the armed force it plans to send to Darfur from 300 to 2,000 troops. The United Nations has demanded Sudan take action over what has been called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. In a Security Council resolution, it gave the Sudanese government 30 days to disarm the Arab militias, called Janjaweed, that have driven hundreds of thousands of black Africans from their villages in the west of the country. The UN says refugees, especially women, have been intimidated Our correspondent in Khartoum says the Sudanese government will be emboldened by the popular support on show at Wednesday's street rally to reject the demands unless rebels from the Darfur region are disarmed as well. He says several ministers of state and senior politicians took part in the government-organised march to the United Nations building in Khartoum. A group of youths was also seen wearing black shirts and red headbands marked "martyrs brigades".
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2004 12:14:50 AM ||
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#1
Africa has many problems, few of which can be solved with bullets. Luckily, bullets may very well be a good solution to the Janjaweed.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
08/07/2004 0:45 Comments ||
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Luckily indeed SH! If there is no khartoum will france cry? Will anybody cry? These guys are playing a different game, last seen in Cambodia.
The politicals there must have a very cush life to be so bold. Kill the blackies, take the land, peace be to the prophet and all that fake shit.
#4
A few thoughts: What is the point of having a "martyrs brigade" if you arn't going to simply kill them? "Darfur will be a foreign graveyard" Darfur is already a foreign graveyard, the fact that not enough RAG HEADS have been buried is irrevelant.
Dorf
Posted by: dorf ||
08/07/2004 8:07 Comments ||
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The government-backed protesters said they were ready to die in a jihad if any Western troops entered the country
I'm insulted! They actually think we need to set foot inside the country to kill them.
Posted by: Charles ||
08/07/2004 10:46 Comments ||
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I'm insulted! They actually think we need to set foot inside the country to kill them.
Agreed, Charles. If Americans were meant to fight on the ground, we would never have invented AC-130H Spectres.
United States troops are in Chad training some of the country's elite forces in how to fight al-Qaeda or any of its allies in the region. The US is giving equipment as well as training to the soldiers. This is the latest battleground in what United States President George W Bush calls the global war on terrorism. Twenty-five US marines have been stationed at a base 50km south of the capital Ndjamena at a military base, Camp Loumia, working with 170 Chadian soldiers. It is all part of what the US calls the Pan-Sahel Initiative, with US forces improving military training in Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
Before he set off for last year's tour of Africa, Mr Bush declared security to be the first priority of what he said was a partnership with African states. "We will give them the tools and resources to win the war on terror," he said. Those words are now being put into action and Major Paul Baker is in charge of this operation. "The enemy is anyone who passes illicit arms, goods or people, through the territory of Chad. Predominantly up in the north, where the borders are a little more porous, there is a little more of a threat of terrorism. Ultimately this company is the anti-terrorism unit for Chad," he said.
The US had almost lost interest in Africa following the end of the Cold War. But since 11 September 2001, the continent is now firmly back on the Pentagon's agenda as a breeding ground for terrorism. The train bombs in Madrid earlier this year, planned from Morocco, only underlined how dangerous this region could be.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2004 12:11:07 AM ||
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Nice post Fred! Um, GW is getting great council. Africa, the place of backward, is the place.
This war will ebb and flow, the Phillapeans, South America, Gatwick. But it's time to pick the next major battle ground. Seems Africa has the biggest potential to stunt jihad.
#4
Someone was mentioning that more innocents are killed in Phillipines terrorism than in Iraq. Is that true? The MSM totally fails in its responsibility to give the public the BIG PICTURE in what is happening. Their pablum presentation is suicidal to western society.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/07/2004 13:36 Comments ||
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Hmm. Looks like Steve's suggestion looked pretty good to someone of importance.
France has appealed for greater international involvement to help refugees from Sudan's Darfur region. The French defence minister - after visiting camps for Sudanese refugees in Chad - said more needed to be done. Meanwhile, the United Nations says that the Sudanese cabinet has approved an action plan to ease the crisis. It commits Sudan to begin disarming the Janjaweed militia whose attacks on the civilian population have driven more than a million people from their homes. France has sent about 200 soldiers and begun airlifting relief supplies to eastern Chad - where 150,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed the border to escape the fighting in Darfur. With the rainy season well under way, many roads are impassable and relief supplies are increasingly having to be transported by air. After visiting eastern Chad, French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie on Friday said refugees were not starving and sanitary conditions in the camps were quite good. But - she added - more needed to be done to provide shelter and hygiene, and the real problem was the shortage of helicopters to move supplies.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2004 12:09:01 AM ||
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Maybe they should do the rounds and see if they can get the security council to vote on it. Not that I disagree with any move to get into Sudan and cause trouble for the government here but France could use a bit of begging, pleading, and buying off if they want to do the right thing.
#2
French politicals seem pretty smug about it all. Camps seem to be clean and sanitary, toilets are moved daily I'm sure. The idiots who are the brunt of the thing sing all the old folk songs!
#3
The French are showing up awful late on this one.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
08/07/2004 2:21 Comments ||
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FUCK france!! They can kiss my East Texas ass.
Posted by: Halfass Pete ||
08/07/2004 11:58 Comments ||
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What's that you say, the French are calling for help? Why do I keep thinking of a certain Iraq matter when it comes to the French resistance. And why aren't the French dealing with the root of the Sudanese matter rather than the result? Could it be their commerical holdings in Sudan? Yep, you bet it can.
Posted by: Capt America ||
08/07/2004 12:11 Comments ||
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LOL. Some vague something told me you might be from East Texas HA. A certain cadence, the passion, a prediliction for knifes. :)
#7
I'd invite the French to lead the UNSC to a resolution authorizing the use of force to deal with the situation in Darfur. And I'd veto any resolution about Darfur that didn't authorize the use of force. No help for the refugees unless the resolution also deals with the root cause.
In the meantime, I'd have a vewy, vewy quiet contingent of Green Berets in eastern Chad teaching young Furian men and women how to handle weapons, basic field tactics and the like. And I'd have a couple of State Dept field agents (who are by and large decent chaps) working to get a "Darfur Liberation Front" pulled together. Nuttin' like an official-like liberation front to make the LLL swoon.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/07/2004 13:16 Comments ||
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I like your idea Dr. Steve. I like the idea of analyzing the problem, getting all the variables pinned down, as well as the objectives, and working with people to empower themselves, instead of them becoming wards of the UN. The leverage gained helps us, helps them, and raises consciousness in a part of the world where you have to look up to see down. I like it.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/07/2004 13:31 Comments ||
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I say don't touch this with a ten foot pole. Let the French and EU sort it out. This is muslim on muslim crap and the blow back can be on France not the US for once. They will certainly bite the hand that helps them, they are muslims after all.
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