Nice little bit of blackmail. Let's see how the Euroweenies respond
His remarks, made during a controversial three day visit to Italy, were condemned as "unacceptable blackmail" by Italian MPs, who likened the demand to the protection money that mafia gangs demand from businesses.
Speaking at a ceremony in Rome while standing next to Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's prime minister, Col Gaddafi, 67, said that unless his request for money was met, Europe would otherwise become "another Africa" as a result of the "advance of millions of immigrants".
"Tomorrow Europe might no longer be European and even black as there are millions who want to come in," he said.
"We don't know if Europe will remain an advanced and united continent or if it will be destroyed, as happened with the barbarian invasions".
There's a nice rhetorical touch. Rome fell to barbarians in part because it no longer wanted to defend itself. It hired mercenaries and forced slaves to do all the heavy work. When Aleric sacked Rome in 410 AD the slaves in the region helped him.
Europe doesn't have slaves today, but it does have an underclass (Euro-Muslims) who would help the sackers. It has America, not mercenaries, but one shouldn't count on Obama's America for much.
Tens of thousands of desperate African refugees and economic migrants have reached Italian soil by boat from the North African coast, although the influx has been stemmed by the Libyan navy in the last year under an accord with the Berlusconi government.
An MP from the opposition Italy of Values party, Silvana Mura, accused the Libyan leader of holding Europe to ransom, demanding mafia-style protection money in return for a promise to safeguard the continent from unchecked immigration.
"Nice little country you got here. Sure would be a shame if anything happened to it."
Another opposition MP, Luigi de Magistris, accused the Libyan regime of keeping tens of thousands of African migrants in "concentration camps" in the desert.
#1
Europeans decided to risk letting Europe "no longer be European" when they stopped having children at a sufficient rate. Someone will be living there, "European" or not, whether from Libya or elsewhere.
#2
Precisely Ryuge. When one culture enthusiastically embraces pharmaceutical birth control while another categorically rejects it, the outcomes are soon manifested.
#3
The BBC's David Willey says Col Gaddafi's visit to Rome was overshadowed by another controversial speech he made - to two groups of several hundred young Italian women, hired at a fee of 70 or 80 euros each from a local modelling agency.
He told them that Islam should become the religion of Europe and gave them free copies of the Koran, after he had lectured them for an hour on the freedoms enjoyed by women in Libya.
Nuff said on your motives - A friend of the west - I dont think so
#4
IMO ROME didn't somuch "fall" as was bloodily
"VISITED" by the Barbarians.
* HISTORY CHANNEL + OTHER > By most accounts, ALERIC/ALARIC is portrayed as not personally hating Rome, + is depicted as MIL OR VIOLEN DEFEATING + SACKING ["Robbing"] ROME, BUT NOT DESTROYING IT PER SE EITHER A CITY OR AS A WORLD POWER.
Ditto POST-ARMADA SPAIN vee the RISE OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, AUSTRIA, + the DUTCH. Many Perts argue that Spain's wealth + geopol power was actually GREATER FOR CENTURIES AFTER THE DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA THAN PRIOR???
"FALL OF ROME" = IMO is correctly more akin to contemporary Pert arguments that its not the POST-COLD WAR USA THAT IS "WEAKENING" PER SE AS MUCH AS THE REST OF THE WORLD IS "RISING" TO
NEWFOUND LEVELS OF STATE, REGION-SPECIFIC GEOPOL INFLUENCE ALA "GLOBALISM" = OWG-NWO.
e.g. DRUDGEREPORT ARTIC > THE US = US ECON IS "RUSTING" WHILE OTHER WORLD NATIONS ENJOY BETTER OR HIGHER ECON GROWTH RATES.
#7
I'm not buying drinks, but if there was an #rclight needed....
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/31/2010 22:22 Comments ||
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#8
I'm not so sure Gaddafi is in the wrong, here. Think about what he is asking for. There is a flood of Africans heading to Italy via Libya. He is offering to stop them, if the Italians make it worth his while.
Why should he spend a fortune protecting Italy? Just because he is a nice guy? He would have to go out of his way, and spend some big bucks, to stop these illegals. Think of it as reimbursement for the costs.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- The United States Monday blacklisted several more North Korean entities and North Korean citizens for their involvement in weapons of mass destruction and other activities banned by U.N. resolutions.
U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order to "expand the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008," to reinforce existing sanctions on North Korea. The U.S. currently blacklists more than 20 North Korean entities and individuals.
Among the five North Korean entities and four North Korean individuals newly listed by executive orders 13466 and 13382 are "Office 39" of the North's ruling Workers Party, believed to manage slush funds for North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and Ri Je-son and Ri Hong-Sop of the General Bureau of Atomic Energy.
Also on the list are the Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea's premiere intelligence organization, suspected of being involved in the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan, and Green Pine Associated Corp., the Korea Taesong Trading Co. and Korea Heungjin Trading Co.
The new executive order takes note of the "unprovoked attack" on the Cheonan, which resulted in the deaths of 46 sailors in March, and North Korea's nuclear and missile tests, which "destabilize the Korean peninsula and imperil U.S. Armed Forces, allies, and trading partners in the region."
It also cites North Korean actions in violation of Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874, "including the procurement of luxury goods; and its illicit and deceptive activities in international markets through which it obtains financial and other support, including money laundering, the counterfeiting of goods and currency, bulk cash smuggling, and narcotics trafficking."
Robert Einhorn, the State Department's special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control who oversees U.S. sanctions on North Korea and Iran, visited Seoul early this month and is likely to fly to Beijing early next month to seek Chinese support for new sanctions on North Korea and Iran.
The sanctions on North Korea are seen as less stringent than those on Iran, as Washington did not embody them in laws as it did with Iran.
Some analysts say the U.S. is looking for a way to end the showdown with North Korea over the Cheonan incident, noting that in 2005 Washington had difficulty unfreezing US$25 million in North Korean assets at Macau's Banco Delta Asia due to technical matters. That significantly delayed the resumption of the six-party talks at the time.
So we're not really serious ...
U.S. officials said they will try to persuade the international community to voluntarily cut off ties with listed North Korean entities and individuals amid concerns that sanctions will be ineffective without support from China, North Korea's biggest benefactor.
Beijing is considered a key to effective sanctions on Pyongyang because it is a lifeline to its impoverished communist neighbor, providing fuel, food and other necessities. China has been reluctant to slap sanctions on North Korea, focusing instead on reviving the six-party nuclear talks.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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The Chinese Navy will conduct training in the West Sea using live ammunition from Wednesday to Saturday, China's Ministry of Defense said Sunday. Beijing said the naval exercise will be held off the coastal city of Qingdao ahead of joint anti-submarine drills planned by South Korea and the U.S. in the West Sea in September.
China has voiced strong opposition against the naval drills on its own doorstep and threatened its own war games in response. But China's Defense Ministry said the drill is "an annual routine" mainly involving the firing of shipboard artillery.
How about that! All our drills are 'routine' as well!
Meanwhile, Admiral Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, during a visit to Japan last week said China's anti-ship ballistic missile, known as the "carrier killer," is close to becoming operational. According to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, Willard said the weapon, which "has undergone repeated tests" is "probably close to being operational." But he added, "We have not allowed the development of these capabilities and capacities to deter our right to navigate in international waters in areas around China."
Hong Kong and Chinese media reported that China has built two strategic missile bases in Guangdong Province and plans to deploy the state-of-the-art Dongfeng-21C and Dongfeng-21D missiles there soon. The Dongfeng-21D, which has a longer range than the 1,800 km Dongfeng-21C, would place 70 percent of the South China Sea within its reach, which includes disputed areas.
Assuming it's allowed to live long enough, and manages to get a radar-lock ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
ION DAILY TIMES.PK > CHINA PLACING MISSLES IN G-B, ENCIRCLING INDIA:JASWANT SINGH [Opposition BJP Leader]. "G-B" = Gilgit-Baltistan.
* CHINA = denies any CUTOFF oF MIL, OTHER BILATER EXCHANGES WID INDIA, nor receiving any Official Communiques from India or other related to same.
* WMF > US NAVAL COLLEGE: CPLA CAN PREEMPTIVELY PARALYZE OR DESTROY THE REGION-STRATEGIC/VITAL US AIR BASE AT KADENA, JAPAN WID 172 DF-15 BALLISTIC MISSLES, + AFTERWARDS MAY NEED ONLY 12 DF-15's IN SECOND, FOLLOW-ON MISSLE STRIKES AGZ KADENA. PREEMPTIVE CPLA DESTRUCTION OF US MILBASES THROUGHOUT JAPAN. US ARMY BMD-TMDS ON GUAM BASE MEANT TO COMPLEMENT, SUPPORT + PROTECT, US BASES ON OKINAWA.
* SAME > CHINA WOULD HAD ATTACKED, DAMAGED OR SUNK, THE USS "GEORGE WASHINGTON" NUCLEAR CARRIER IN THE YELLOW SEA IRREGARDLESS OF US MILITARY OR TECHNOLOGICAL SUPERIORITY AGZ THE CPLA.
* PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUM > CHINA'S NEW H-10 STEALTH BOMBER SECRET FLIGHT - CAN CARRY NUCLEAR BOMB. Former US monopoly of MIL STEALTH TECHS is now BROKEN. Also, the H-10 poses a SERIOUS THREAT TO JAPAN'S NATIONAL SECURITY.
NET > CHIN'S NEW STEALTHY H-10 repor can strike US MilBases as far away as GUAM.
* WMF > US FAILURE TO DEFEAT AL QAEDA + ISLAMIST MILITANT GROUPS IN IRAQ + AFGHNAISTAN [AFPAK] RISKS EXPANSION OF THE ISLAMIST THREAT TOWARDS CHINA, RUSSIA, CENTRAL ASIA, EAST ASIA + PACIFIC REGIONS. THE ISLAMIST MILITANT THREAT TO CHINA IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE OBSTRUCTIONS OF THE "FIRST ISLAND CHAIN" AGZ CHINA + THREAT TO CHINA FROM JAPAN + OTHER ASIAN STATES BECOMING NUCLEAR.
North Korea's official media on Monday simultaneously reported leader Kim Jong-il's "unofficial" visit to China that ended Monday, saying it came at Chinese President Hu Jintao's invitation.
Photo at the link shows a distressingly healthy-appearing Kimmie ...
According to the [North] Korean Central News Agency, Kim said at a reception hosted by Hu in his honor at the Nanhu Hotel in Changchun, Jilin Province last Friday, "In the complicated international situation, it is our historical mission to hand over the baton of the traditional friendship of the two countries to the next generation smoothly."
A South Korean government official said Kim appeared to be seeking China's consent for the succession of his son and heir apparent Jong-un.
Hu the following day mentioned the upcoming extraordinary congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang early next month, the first in 44 years. "On behalf of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, I wish the Workers' Party every success in its congress," KCNA quoted Hu as saying.
Kim junior is expected to be given a senior party post during the congress that will establish him as the official successor to his ailing father.
But the reports did not say whether Kim junior accompanied his father on the trip. They did mention other members of the entourage, including Kim Yong-chun, the minister of People's Armed Forces; Kang Sok-ju, the first vice foreign minister; party secretaries Kim Ki-nam, Hong Sok-hyong, and Tae Jong-su; party directors Jang Song-taek, Kim Yong-il and Kim Yang-gon; and senior secretaries of regional party committees Choe Ryong-hae (North Hwanghae Province), Kim Pyong-hae (North Pyongan Province) and Pak To-chun (Jagang Province).
A diplomatic source in Beijing quoted the Chinese International Liaison Department as saying that Kim junior was "not on the list of invited guests."
Meanwhile, China's state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Kim Jong-il as saying in a summit with Hu, "I hope we'll maintain close communication and cooperation with China and see the resumption of the six-party talks at an early date to ease tension and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."
Hu asked Kim for an early return to the six-party talks about North Korea's nuclear program and for cooperation to reduce tension, while speaking of tension created recently between South Korea and the U.S., and North Korea and China, Xinhua said.
That's for public consumption. Behind the scenes they got schnockered on cognac and planned how they were going to twist the American tail once again ...
While the North Korean media focused on China's consent for the succession, the Chinese media homed in on the six-party talks.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Behind the scenes they got schnockered on cognac and planned how they were going to twist the American tail once again ...
Considering conditions in the DPRK, who is twisting whose tail? :-)
Posted by: Mike Ramsey ||
08/31/2010 22:39 Comments ||
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Socialist-Front Civil-liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the legality of the Obama administration's expansion of the U.S. fight against al Qaeda terrorists beyond Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Because fighting terrorists before they blow up stuff in America is ucky ...
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights are taking aim at what the government calls its "targeted killing" program, which mostly uses Central Intelligence Agency-operated drones against suspected terrorists.
The CCR is, if anything, worse than the ACLU in their dislike of all things right and good with America.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court for the District of Columbia on behalf of the father of Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Islamic cleric of Yemeni descent, who is believed to be targeted for extra-judicial killing for his alleged involvement in terror plots against the U.S. Maybe Daddy should tell Sonny to come in and answer a few questions...
The weakness in the Obama case is that Bambi hasn't publicly declared Anwar to be a traitor. If we did that and stripped him of his citizenship then he'd be fair game, and international law wouldn't protect him in any way. But Bambi doesn't want to appear to be forceful.
Declaring a traitor is easy, since Mr. Al-Awlaki is a natural-born American citizen. Stripping him of that citizenship raises constitutional issues not present for those who were mistakenly naturalized. And while the issue of tourism babies is overdue to be addressed, this administration is not the one to do it.
The administration hasn't publicly described its deliberations about Mr. Awlaki's fate, nor how it uses the secret drone program against suspected terrorists.
Nor should they.
Mr. Awlaki is believed to be skulking about hiding in Yemen, which is far from the battlefield in Pakistan and Afghanistan,
But right in the middle of the Arabian battlefield, oddly enough. We aren't heavily involved there, at the moment, but it's important not to be parochial about the war against the Caliphatists.
where al Qaeda launched the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. In recent months, U.S. officials have been weighing expanded attacks on the al Qaeda-affiliated groups Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia's al Shabaab, The Wall Street Journal reported recently. The U.S. military previously has launched operations in that region.
The simple point is, wherever the terrorists go, that's where we go ...
The expansion would exceed the legal limits of the program, the civil-liberties groups say. Jameel Jaffer, director of the ACLU's National Security Project, said "Yemen is not Afghanistan or Iraq. The legal limits on the authority they claim hasn't been specified." It's called taking the war to the enemy, irrespective of what map grid he's hiding in.
The legal limits can be fixed with a presidential order ...
Vincent Warren, executive director of the CCR said: "The government chose Awlaki and put him on the targeted killing list. The government has to show he is an imminent threat to the U.S. in order to justify him being killed like this."
He wants stuff in our country blowed up. I think that counts ...
The man coached Major Nidal Malik Hasan of Ft. Hood fame, and the Pantibomber. I think he has passed beyond the imminent threat stage.
In June, CIA Director Leon Panetta was asked on ABC News's "This Week" program whether Mr. Awlaki was targeted for assassination.
"Awlaki is a terrorist and yes, he's a U.S. citizen, but he is first and foremost a terrorist and we're going to treat him like a terrorist," Mr. Panetta said. "We don't have an assassination list, but I can tell you this: We have a terrorist list and he's on it."
Attaboy, Leon, I always figured that you had a spine, even though you're a Democrat. Nice to see that we have at least one adult in the Bambi administration.
#1
What is war but targeted killing? Wars would go much better if the ACLU kept out of it. Thought the name was "American" Civil Liberties Union not "Afghanistan or Pakistan Civil Liberties Union."
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and one
Joint Resolution
To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.
Whereas, on September 11, 2001, acts of treacherous violence were committed against the United States and its citizens; and
Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad; and
Whereas, in light of the threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by these grave acts of violence; and
Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States; and
Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This joint resolution may be cited as the `Authorization for Use of Military Force'.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.
(b) War Powers Resolution Requirements-
(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.
(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Nothing in this resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.
#5
The government has to show he is an imminent threat to the U.S. in order to justify him being killed like this.
I agree. al-Awlaki is an US citizen and as such is granted unalienable rights. Right now, I believe, he is classified as a suspected terrorist regardless of what uncle Leon says. In fact, has he even been charged with a crime? Not to be obtuse but suspicion alone doesnt grant the government the right to exterminate a citizen in good stead. And like it or not thats what this dirt bag currently is. Look, until the Feds prove imminent threat and change his classification, there are legitimate legal and ethical questions regarding this program.
#6
Perhaps a lawyerly type can explain how the ACLU has standing to get involved in this fight. And try not to invoke Spanish-style universal jurisdiction.
#7
This problem goes all the back to president Jefferson, when federal judges decided they had jurisdiction over pirates captured by the US Navy. More than anything, it was an ego trip on their part, as the international law of the sea was very clear about the authority of warship Captains.
The USA should, under special terrorism courts, charge him with Treason, invite his lawyers to submit evidence, hold proceedings, etc.
The procedure by which this is done during the age of terrorism, should be in the U.S.Code. (it isn't now, nor are there special terrorism courts).
Unfortunately, this will take both brains and hard work by the Dept of Justice to draft a bill for congress to deliberate and pass and then for it to withstand challenge (and yes, the law may end up having to be amended because the SC of the US likes to pick and choose what laws it likes). The folks in the Dept of Justice didn't want to take this on during the W admin and I'm pretty sure the gang there now doesn't want to either.
Posted by: lord garth ||
08/31/2010 13:46 Comments ||
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#9
Ways to lose citizenship.
Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1481), as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain specified acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship. Briefly stated, these acts include:
1. obtaining naturalization in a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (1) INA);
2. taking an oath, affirmation or other formal declaration to a foreign state or its political subdivisions (Sec. 349 (a) (2) INA);
3. entering or serving in the armed forces of a foreign state engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or serving as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (3) INA);
4. accepting employment with a foreign government if (a) one has the nationality of that foreign state or (b) an oath or declaration of allegiance is required in accepting the position (Sec. 349 (a) (4) INA);
5. formally renouncing U.S. citizenship before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer outside the United States (sec. 349 (a) (5) INA);
6. formally renouncing U.S. citizenship within the U.S. (but only under strict, narrow statutory conditions) (Sec. 349 (a) (6) INA);
7. conviction for an act of treason (Sec. 349 (a) (7) INA).
#10
From a Yahoo answer to "How was the term fifth column coined?"
Who came up with the phrase, and what's with the columns? Emilio Mola Vidal, a Nationalist general during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), originally coined the term. As four of his army columns moved on Madrid, the general referred to his militant supporters within the capital as his "fifth column," intent on undermining the loyalist government from within.
So the fifth column is a group of secret sympathizers or supporters of an enemy that engage in espionage or sabotage within defense lines or national borders.
The ACLU and CCR can try to use America's own institutions against it but they will fail. The majority of Americans are conservative in their beliefs. As long as good men continue to speak out, they will fail.
Posted by: Mike Ramsey ||
08/31/2010 22:34 Comments ||
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James Cromitie had dozens of conversations with an informer recorded from October 2008 to May 2009. Cromitie and three other men were arrested in May 2009 on terror charges for having planted bombs outside two Bronx synagogues, plotting to fire missiles at military aircraft.
During several hours of tapes that were played in Federal District Court in Monday, Cromitie's remarks ran the gamut from boasting to complaining to threats. He whined about Jews and discussed "jumping up and killing one of them."
He bragged about acts of violence that never occured, such as "ashcan" bombing a Bronx police station. He expounded about Islam, justifications for brutality and possible targets, including a Brooklyn synagogue and a power plant. But he also talked about peace.
Way to make Islam seem a trustworthy member of our national religious rainbow, guys.
Prosecutors say that Mr. Cromitie, the leader, and the other men -- David Williams IV, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen -- willingly participated in a plot presented to them by the informer, Shahed Hussain. During an 11-month investigation, Hussain, using the name Maqsood, posed as a Pakistani businessman who tried to recruit the men for a non-existent terror plot. Defense lawyers claim that their clients were entrapped by the government.
Bad guys choosing to act badly when presented with the opportunity. It's hard to find sympathy for that.
In the recordings that prosecutors played for jurors, Cromitie didn't seem to need much encouragement. He talked about making "a big noise," and said he "agrees" with an imam who talked about the need to "make jihad right here in America."
Really? Which imam was that? Never mind, I'm sure the various ladies and gentlemen in black suits have him under all sorts of surveillance... and all his little friends. We'll find out one day, no doubt.
"Somebody need to send one, one great big message, bigger than the World Trade Center," he said. Hussain could be heard cautioning Mr. Cromitie not to do things for the money.
At other times, Hussain's words appeared more inflammatory. He mentioned overseas terrorism attacks of which Cromitie was unaware. Hussain also mentioned that the president's advisers were Jewish.
He's already an apostate, our president. What matters it that he also has advisers of the accursed race of pig-Jews?
Hussain testified that Cromitie talked a lot about a so-called security team that he was never able to meet. Cromitie talked about guns he had stolen from his employer, Walmart, but the chain was not selling guns at that time.
A lying jihadi? Say it ain't so!
Other recordings seemed more prescient. "Don't be surprised if one day you might see me in handcuffs again, I have zero tolerance for people who disrespect Muslims.", said Cromitie.
In another conversation, Hussain told Cromitie he did not want to be manipulative. "With your intelligence, I know you can manipulate someone," Cromitie said. "But not me, because I'm intelligent. I'm Muslim. I know how far to go. You understand?"
Taliban guerrillas are taking advantage of the large-scale misery caused by the devastating floods in Pakistan by attempting to enlist 50,000 new fighters -- in return for food and medicine. Where else would aid come from? They kill the government and NGO aid workers.
The Taliban is eyeing the floods as an opportunity to begin their biggest recruiting drive in a decade, officials told The Sun.
Thousands of guerrillas are heading out to flood-ravaged areas to 'help' starving victims.
Their agenda is clear. For providing food and medicine, they demand that men pledge to take up their cause. This could lead to a significant upswing in Al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan and in adjoining Afghanistan.
But not necessarily enthusiastic ones. Not to mention ones easily persuaded to tattle on their new friends. These are the built-in problems when an ideological organization goes for raw numbers of new recruits.
The media report pointed out that activists of the Al Qaeda supported Al Rehmat Trust and Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) were behind the campaign to recruit new fighters. Experts have described it as 'the Talibanisation of the flood'.
A Pakistan intelligence official said there were reports that the Taliban had set a target to recruit 50,000 new guerrillas. Ambitious. But even half that number half-trained could cause the government problems.
Spies of all sorts, get ready to infiltrate. Take your mark, get set, go!
A team from the daily Monday visited the Swat Valley in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
'The Taliban are bringing us rice. We are hungry. People here have simple lives and are easily influenced,' Abdul Jabbar, 50, whose home was destroyed in Mingora town, was quoted as saying.
'They have short memories and don't remember the blood spilled when the Taliban were more active here,' he noted. I'm sure the Taliban will remind them in no time...
I'm sure they do, actually. But needs must, when the Devil's at the door.
Thereby avoiding the whole issue of Hindooo cooties ...
NEW DELHI: Following Pakistans request, India has decided to route its aid of $5 million for flood victims through the UN. Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vishnu Prakash on Monday said, India had no problem with routing the relief material through the UN.
During a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Friday, Pakistan had welcomed Indias aid offer but asked New Delhi to route it through the UN. Prakash said the Indian government would keep in touch with the UN agencies concerned to work out the modalities. The money would now be donated to the UN appeal fund of $460 million.
We welcome Pakistans decision to accept the offer of assistance made by the government of India, Prakash said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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Iraq's prime minister says the end of American combat operations is an important step toward restoring Iraqi sovereignty.
Prime Minster Nouri al-Maliki said Tuesday in a televised address that relations with the U.S. were entering a new phase between two sovereign countries.
He spoke on what the U.S. has deemed its final day of combat operations in Iraq. Starting Wednesday, the remaining 50,000 American troops will be focused on advising the Iraqi forces although they will still be able to protect themselves and their bases.
Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq to commemorate the official end of combat operations.
BAGHDAD Vice President Joe Biden sought Monday to reassure Iraq that America is not abandoning it as the U.S. military steps back and a stalemate over who will run the war-battered nation's next government approaches its sixth month.
Even though Joe and his boss wanted to many a time ...
Biden flew into Baghdad a few days before a military ceremony formally marking the end of U.S. combat operations seven years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. He will also try to spur the nation's leaders to forge a power-sharing agreement to bring some much-needed political stability to Iraq after March parliamentary elections failed to produce a clear winner.
"We're going to be just fine. They're going to be just fine," he said during a brief photo opportunity at the U.S. Embassy, sitting next to Ambassador Jim Jeffrey and surrounded by top U.S. generals overseeing Iraq and the rest of the Middle East.
Thanks for the reassurance, Joe, you bumbling fool ...
The Sept. 1 ceremony marks the start of the so-called "Operation New Dawn" symbolizing the beginning of the end of the American military's mission in Iraq.
Now, officials said, the American military will take a backseat to the U.S. State Department's efforts to help Iraq's security, economy and government stand alone as all U.S. troops leave by the end of 2011. Even after that, officials said, the U.S. will continue to assist Iraq in what Biden adviser Tony Blinken called "a long-term partnership."
"We're not disengaging from Iraq," Blinken told reporters. "And even as we draw down our troops, we are ramping up our engagement across the board."
Rather how John McCain said we should do it. Might take fifty years, John said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
The Left won't be happy until Iraq is the new Vietnam, which means they will be abandoned, especially as the bloody, futile, but UN approved, Afghan war drags on endlessly.
#2
which Iraq did he visit? Kurdish Iraq? Shiite Iraq, Sunni Iraq?
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/31/2010 8:38 Comments ||
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#3
You've got a long memory, Frank. LOL
Posted by: Matt ||
08/31/2010 10:17 Comments ||
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#4
He will also try to spur the nation's leaders to forge a power-sharing agreement
So, the President tasks Joe Biden to help expedite an Iraqi unity government. You mean Joe tripartite Biden that guy one of the least trusted men in Iraq him? So what if he fucks things up and makes the situation worse. Obama gets to do what he does best - appear like hes doing something. Joes shout out in tonights speech should be special.
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The visit of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Iraq aims at imposing foreign agendas by encouraging certain blocs to exclude others from the ongoing process to form the new Iraqi government, a leading Sadrist figure Moshriq Naji said on Monday.
Then again, he's a Sadrist and they don't like us very much, so who knows ...
Bidens projects are unsuccessful, Naji said in a statement as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He explained that there had been hope that the Iraqi government would be formed soon, but Bidens visit will delay the process.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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Well, it seems they know an idiot when they see one. In which, they have your typical Democrat voter beat.
They claim otherwise, but I keep thinking, 'hudna' ...
RAMALLAH, West Bank - While the prospect of peace between Israel and the Palestinians appears remote, so too does the chance of open conflict -- for now at least.
A repeat of the Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, that erupted in 2000 when U.S. President Bill Clinton's peace diplomacy failed, is ruled out in the near-term by many Palestinians, including those who fought in the last one. Weak and divided, the Palestinians appear neither willing nor able to wage another sustained, organised uprising against Israeli occupation in the foreseeable future.
Over 500 Israeli civilians died in 140 Palestinian suicide bomb attacks from 2000 to 2007. More than 4,500 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the same period. Many Palestinians question what the bloodshed achieved.
It achieved financial separation -- which sent Palestinian living standards crashing down toward pre-June '67 levels -- the building of the security wall, and a uniting of Israeli opinion from left to right that the Palestinians are not trustworthy negotiating partners.
The most critical say the tactics used in the uprising set back their cause in the court of world public opinion.
How perceptive of them.
The Western-backed Palestinian so called government in the West Bank -- which would be the main theatre in any future Intifada -- is categorically opposed to any repeat. Their retrained security forces have taken action against those who act or think differently.
"We don't want no Operation Cast Lead here!"
That has been reflected in a West Bank security situation which Jewish settlers say has never been better. Half a million of them live in the West Bank and Israeli-occupied land around Jerusalem -- land the Palestinians seek for a state.
And which they aren't likely to get. Hence the Jewish neighborhoods.
In another sign of calm, Israel this month took down protective blast walls put up in 2002 in Gilo, an urban settlement on the outskirts of Jerusalem that came under fire from the West Bank during the Intifada.
Relative, if fragile, stability has even reached the Gaza Strip. Run by the Hamas movement, it remains an "enemy entity" to Israel.
Which is another way of saying that Hamas considers itself an enemy of Israel.
But the Iranian-backed Islamists are enforcing a de facto ceasefire that has somewhat reduced curbed rocket fire into Israel.
Hamas's critics argue that the group's current policy differs little from that of Abbas's Palestinian Authority: it is seeking to halt attacks that will draw Israeli reprisals. That's a comparison Hamas rejects. Part of an alliance including Syria and Hezbollah, Hamas is still committed to fighting Israel but argues that Gaza is in need of calm to recover from a devastating Israeli offensive 20 months ago.
"It's a hudna, dammit, not a de facto surrender!"
Hamas activists are regularly detained by West Bank security forces trained with U.S. support. The territory would be the main front in a future Intifada because there are no Israeli settlers or soldiers in Gaza. Israel withdrew them in 2005.
"The Palestinian Authority has taken many steps to destroy the roots of any new Intifada," said Zakaria al-Qaq, a political analyst. "Not just by targeting the Islamists, but also any party that might think of doing anything."
Political commentator Samih Shabib added that there is little appetite among Palestinians for another uprising. "There is no popular conviction that an Intifada is the right thing and there is no party in the field to launch it," he said.
"The Intifada had deep lessons for the Palestinians: that the use of weapons will lead to Israeli incursions, killing, destruction, economic, political, social siege and without any benefit," he said.
This doesn't mean that the Paleos have learned their lesson; just that they'll be more crafty next time ...
The uprising erupted when Clinton failed to forge a deal between the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak, then Israel's prime minister.
Mr. Arafat literally ran away, rather than agree to an offer that was 90% of what he'd demanded. I don't think this is President Clinton's failure.
Palestinian leaders at the time declared the Intifada as the route to liberation. Unlike the first Intifada, which began in 1987 and was defined by confrontations between stone-throwing Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers, the Palestinians resorted to guns and explosives in the second uprising. Suicide bombers struck inside Israel itself.
Zakaria Zbeida, a prominent figure in the uprising, said another Intifada was inevitable unless the Palestinians could secure an acceptable peace agreement -- something he believes unlikely. But it would need time to break out.
"Maybe in four, five or seven years. But in the near future, no," said Zbeida, who was spokesman for the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in the West Bank. "Resistance needs a political umbrella. That is not present now," he said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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This doesn't mean that the Paleos have learned their lesson
The question is "have Israel learned the lesson?".
#2
Knowing the Isslami Nazi mentality I must agree with Zbeida on this issue.
I just hope our leaders have learned the lessons and will retaliate massively at the first sign of such "intifadah".
I predict that if this happens, the west bank will be turned into a hellhole and hope the first bomb has Zbeida's address etched on it.
Posted by: Elder of Zion ||
08/31/2010 17:21 Comments ||
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JERUSALEM - Israel is in talks to build the wings for about a quarter of the United Statess new F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, an Israeli official said on Monday.
A friendly reminder to the Mad Mullahs of Tehran: this is what a true technologically advanced state does. Enjoy, and don't look up ...
Lockheed Martin currently plans to build some 3,200 F-35s costing about $96 million each. Lockheed Martin declined to comment on the details of a possible deal involving the aircraft, also known as the Joint Strike Figher (JSF).
An Israeli official who declined to be named said state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries would build the wings. We are in advanced talks for the IAI to produce around 800 sets of wings, he told Reuters.
Earlier this month Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak approved in principle the purchase of 20 of the radar-evading fighters, in a deal worth $2.75 billion.
Israeli and US officials expect final approval of that deal by the end of September. The planes would be delivered in 2015-2017. The cost of the purchase would be covered by an annual US defence grant of $3 billion. Israel would be the first foreign country to sign an agreement to buy the F-35 outside the eight international partners that have helped to develop the plane.
Israeli and US officials with knowledge of the deal said Israel has an option to buy a further 55 aircraft.
Israel possibly will end up building a significant portion of the F-35, said one US official familiar with the deal.
An Israeli official said reciprocal purchase deals worth $4 billion had been secured for Israeli companies for their participation in the planes manufacture and might be increased to $5 billion although it would be conditional on Israel exercising its option to buy the additional 55 planes.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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Indirectly, 'tis Another reason why the POST-2012 DANGER from a NUC IRAN stems notsomuch from a Nuc Iran per se BUT THE PROLIFERAT OF ADVANCED NUKE/MILTECHS TO HIGHLY DECENTRALIZED, VARIOUS ISLAMO-JIHADIST, OTHER MILITANT GROUPS + THEIR SIMIL DISPARATE REGIONAL, TRANSREGIONAL, + GLOBAL NETWORKS.
Again, ala "RISING CHINA" NUC IRAN > will likely need up to year Year 2030 MINIMA to DEV + PRODUCE its own indigenous NUCWEAPONS = NUC ARSENALS JUST TO TECH PAR WID ISRAEL. Iran must be aware that Israel will do its utmost to stay ahead of Iran + Other in MilTechs Superiority including as per Nukes.
IOW, iff NUKE-HAPPY ISLAMIST IRAN wants to quickly become a MAJOR WORLD POWER OR SUPERPOWER = MIL, NUCLEAR "GREAT STATE", ALREADY PRE-EXISTING GREAT POWERS MUST BOMEHOW BECOME GEOPOL DESTABILZED + WEAKENED RELATIVE TO IRAN.
* Shade of 1980's GORBACHEVISM > Iff the USSR + Commie Bloc = EAST cannot be raised to the levels or standards of the US-WEST/NATO, then the latter US-WEST/NATO MUST BE LOWERED OR BROUGHT DOWN TO THAT OF THE USSR + COMMIE BLOC = EAST.
Which is what happened.
[MADONNA "Borderline" + "Live to Tell" Videos here].
D *** NG IT, BEFORE 9-11 + GWOT, BEFORE PENN STATE, BEFORE OSAMA BIN LADEN + HIS MTV BABE WHITNEY HUSTON, BEFORE AL GORE'S "M-16" + OLIVER STONE'S TEXAS-SIZED ASTEROIDS, THERE WAS IMPERIAL MADONNA + 1960's "BORDERLINE".
"This used to be Her Playground...She's learned Her lessons well...Whom will live to tell the Secrets she had learned...LIKE THE DARK ARCH-ANGEL GABRIEL THE TRUTH IS NEVER FAR BEHIND...KEPT IT HIDDEN WELL".
The problem, though, with Islamist nukes is they don't need sophisticated defense or delivery systems. They just need to "get there". The ultimate suicide bomb, say.
The UN Security Council decided unanimously Monday to keep its peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon another year because of the unstable situation along the border with Israel.
The council voted 15-0 to keep the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until August 31, 2011, saying that force and the Lebanese army have established a "new strategic environment" in southern Lebanon since 2006, following the brief Israeli-Hezbollah war in the region.
UNIFIL has been deployed for decades in southern Lebanon. But its mandate was strengthened with the addition of more troops after 2006 to monitor the ceasefire that ended the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. It currently has 11,492 military personnel on land 794 personnel serving in the maritime task force patrolling Lebanon's coastlines.
The council said in the resolution that "all parties" must implement the 2006 ceasefire, prevent violations and respect the blue line in its entirety, and to cooperate with UNIFIL.
The resolution "strongly deplores" the August 3 incident, stressing the importance for all the parties not to impair the ability of UNIFIL to operate in the region under its mandate.
It called for the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the blue line and the Litani River, except for the presence of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL.
Sure. Ask the French to remove the Hezbies dug in there. Shouldn't take more than a day or two ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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UN To Keep Schleppers Peacekeepers on Israel-Leb Border
#2
The day draws near when our bombers pay Lebanon another visit. Only this time there would be no mercy and no hesitation to use below the belt tactics.
I must say the idiot Hariri and the Hizzbies has earned this coming on their heads.
It has now become a major strategic goal of Israel to dismantle the Hezballa permanently and defang Baby Assad for At least 10 years.
We dont believe any F**ked-up "peacekeepers" any more, they better pack up and go before they get caught between the hammer and the anvil !
Posted by: Elder of Zion ||
08/31/2010 17:14 Comments ||
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TEHRAN - Iranian MPs have praised the judiciary for suspending Tehrans former prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi over the torture deaths of three protesters in custody after last years presidential election, a newspaper reported on Monday.
Not nearly justice enough ...
Earlier this month, the judiciary announced the suspension of three high-ranking but unidentified judiciary officials, paving the way for their trial over the deaths in Irans Kahrizak detention centre.
The suspension of the former prosecutor and two other judges accused in this case is comforting, said 216 of 290 lawmakers in a statement published by the Shargh newspaper. What happened in Kahrizak ... broke the heart of ... our Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei).
No it didn't: Khamenei was in on it, ordered it, approved it, and protects those who did it. Mortazavi drew the short straw but they'll take care of him when people aren't watching ...
Kahrizak was closed in July on the orders of Khamenei after at least three people, arrested during the post-election unrest, died in custody there.
The son of an adviser to the defeated presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaie was one of the three detainees over whose deaths the judiciary officials face charges.
It was the first time in the history of Irans judiciary, established in 1908, that high-ranking judges had been suspended, the newspaper said. Under Irans Islamic law, a judge can be tried only after being suspended.
Now that Mortazavi and the other two judges have no judicial immunity, they can be put on trial for their crimes, said a lawyer who asked not to be identified.
In January, a parliamentary investigation found Mortazavi responsible for sending protesters to Kahrizak, a detention centre south of Tehran, demanding his punishment. After the investigation, Irans top judge demoted Mortazavi to a lesser position. Mortazavi rejected the inquiry, accusing lawmakers of showing sympathy for a bunch of hooligans.
Ahmadinejad, in a clear gesture of support, appointed Mortazavi as the head of an anti-smuggling committee.
Iranian police confirmed in August last year that serious violations had taken place at Kahrizak. The authorities initially said the detainees had died of meningitis, but the coroners office denied this.
The broken bones, shattered skulls and bruises were not quite in keeping with a death from infectious disease ...
In June, two prison officials were convicted and sentenced to death for torturing and killing the three detainees. Nine other suspects were sentenced to prison terms and flogging.
Mortazavi was involved in the case of Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi who died in custody in 2003. He has ordered closure of dozens of reformist publications and sentenced dissidents to jail in the past 10 years.
So he's been a bad boy for a long time ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/31/2010 00:00 ||
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ION VLADVEDEV NEWS.AM [Armenia] > RUSSIA NOT TO ADMIT TURNING SOUTH CAUCASUS INTO [its]MILITARY FOOTHOLD.
* SAME > [Various Experts] TURKEY'S [direct] CHALLENGE TO RUSSIA'A CAUCASUS TRIUMPH; +
[Proposed]TURKISH MIL BASE IN AZERBAIJAN A THREAT TO RUSSIA, ARMENIA, + CENTRAL ASIA.
ARTICS = Among other Perts, RCMF Head ANATOLY TSYGANOK believes that TURKEY truly desires to expand its GEOPOL INFLUENCE in CENTRAL ASIA, SIBERIA, the CAUCASUS as far as the VOLGA RIVER + TATARSTAN, + CRIMEA + UKRAINE REGIONS.
* Also from SAME > [post-Gaza Flotilla]ISRAEL THREAT TO TURKEY'S NATIONAL SECURITY: ZAMAN; + TURKEY SHOCKED AT IRANIAN VICE-PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT [Iran's formal recognition of TURK-led ARMENIAN GENOCIDE].
IRAN + TURKEY don't feel the Other's love thanx to that Armenian hussy.
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.
JERUSALEM - Israel is in talks to build the wings for about a quarter of the United Statess new F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, an Israeli official said on Monday.
