Time to ban "Rock and Roll Part 2" (The Hey Song) from being played at sports events.. not one more cent to this freak. The disgraced rock star Gary Glitter paid more than £2,000 to the families of two under-age Vietnamese girls he is accused of sexually abusing, it was reported today. Glitter gave £1,100 each to the families of the 11 and 12-year-old girls he allegedly had sex with, his lawyer said. Last week, both families were reported to have written letters to the court asking for the case against the 70s' star to be dropped.
The reported payments are equivalent to around three times the average annual wage in Vietnam. "If we pay the money for the two families, when this case goes to court maybe Mr Gary will receive a lighter penalty," Glitter's attorney, Le Thanh Kinh, said. "After receiving the money, they informed the investigation bureau that they don't want to go to court and they want to drop the case."
Prosecutors in Vietnam said the money would have no bearing on whether the case went to trial. However, the court could consider it as a form of compensation during the sentencing phase, the deputy provincial chief prosecutor, Nguyen Van Xung, said. "It will not affect the investigation and the trial process, but the court may consider it as one factor to lessen the sentence," he added.
Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was arrested last month at Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City as he tried to leave Vietnam. The 61-year-old had left his rented home in the southern resort of Vung Tau amid allegations about his relationships with two teenage girls. He was taken back to Vung Tau for further investigation by the police, and has been detained in a regional prison on suspicion of engaging in obscene acts with a child - a charge punishable by up to 12 years in prison. Police completed their investigation into the case this week, and handed over their conclusions to Glitter and his lawyer today.
The campaign group, Fair Trials Abroad, condemned the payments and described them as "shameful". Prosecutors have said they are likely to charge Glitter with engaging in lewd acts with a child. Police investigators said there was not enough evidence to press child rape charges - which carry a maximum penalty of death by firing squad - against Glitter.
Glitter, who found fame as a flamboyant glam rocker, was convicted of possessing child pornography in Britain in 1999, and served half of a four-month jail term before being released. He later went to Cambodia and was permanently expelled in 2002, but Cambodian officials did not specify any crime or file charges.
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 15:55 ||
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Dang, if he could have held out just a little while longer, he could have gone to Canada and had orgies with a dozen 14-year-olds legally!
Geez, I bet every pedophile on the planet is moving there.
Just read these"guidelines". Ok, so what is the point of having a Non-Wot category if you don't want anything non-wot posted? I ask because I ran across this really cool site and thought at least 1 or 2 of you might be interested. http://www.spaceislandgroup.com/home.html
I won't link to the site (wouldn't want to step on a "moderators" toes).
Hmmm,isn't a moderator's job to moderate? I thought there was a difference between moderating and dictatorial control.
Silly raptor, moderating is for kids. In the Rantburg Editorial Department, we moderate with a whip and a chair. And sometimes, posters are found in a deserted lot behind a bus depot with a shutter gun at their feet.
Hang on a sec while I dial up the Halliburton Earthquake/Tsunami machine: what's raptor's coordinates again?
Whois sez Seattle, aim for Cascadia Suduction Zone, that faults primed and ready for a big one
#2
Um, can't do that, raptor, that would require me to 'moderate' :-)
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/28/2005 11:50 Comments ||
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"extreme moderation in all things" is my motto
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/28/2005 12:09 Comments ||
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Wow! And they like Raptor.
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 12:57 Comments ||
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Sometimes I stick my foot in my mouth,Leon,and push the right buttons.
Still haven't answered my question,though.Why have a Non-Wot category if we are not allowed to post Non-Wot there?
Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika will arrive here on Saturday after undergoing one-month treatment in France, said an official Algerian source on Tuesday. According to Algeria's state-owned television, the source said Bouteflika went through a stomach hernia operation that required observation for one-month, adding that the president will sign the 2006 financial law on the same day of arrival. The president, said the source, left Paris-based Mal-de-Mer Val-de-Grasse military hospital last December 17 and conducted medical checkups that were positive and assuring. Bouteflika was admitted into Val-de-Grasse on November 26 after gastronomic complications.
A Haj guide received a beating by angry Afghani pilgrims after promising, but not delivering, nice accommodations near central Madinah, the Al-Madinah daily reported. A group of about 400 pilgrims was angered when the tour operator took them to an old, decrepit building outside of town. The pilgrims began attacking the guide and police were called in to rescue him. The Haj Ministry has set up alternative housing until the problem can be resolved.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/28/2005 00:00 ||
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Can't say that I can argue with giving travel fraudsters a good beatdown.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/28/2005 9:19 Comments ||
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That woodcut would look nice on a certain coffee mug or stein.
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 11:09 Comments ||
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Felt like doing the same last week when American Airlines lost our luggage and then threatened to call the cops when we complained about it.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/28/2005 11:27 Comments ||
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Isn't attacking a Saudi rather dangerous for third worlders ? Even though muslim, they're quite low down the pecking order for Saudis.. little better than kafirs..
These Afghans are likely to find themselves on the wrond end of the Saudi "justice" system...
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 15:38 Comments ||
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Never that, john. The Saudis are unfailingly and abidingly fair and tolerant to all their Moose limb brethren and sistren. Magnaminous, even. I mean, they tell us so each and every day!
Security forces arrested over 1,500 overstayers in security operations that targeted three districts in Jeddah yesterday. Officials said they apprehended 1,388 men, 108 women and 15 children in the pre-dawn operation that lasted four hours. The raids occurred in Bani Malik, Al-Suhafa and Aziziah, areas with high concentrations of expatriates.
A drug dealer was among the detained. Various types of drugs, including qat (the leaves of the Catha Edulis tree that are chewed for their narcotic effect), were found in his possession. Police also said nine criminal cases were filed yesterday and are being investigated. âItâs a war against crime,â said a police officer. Eleven Security and government departments took part in the operation that was led by the chief of Jeddah police.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/28/2005 00:00 ||
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LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - President-elect Evo Morales will reject U.S. economic and military aid if the United States requires continued coca-eradication efforts to get the money, a close aide to the former coca growers' leader said Tuesday.
Morales also plans to withdraw Bolivia's military from anti-drug efforts and leave the job to police, said Juan Ramon Quintana, a member of the Morales' transition team.
Morales, who won Bolivia's presidency Dec. 18 with a decisive 54 percent of the vote, campaigned on promises to stand up to the U.S. on the coca issue and the eradication of coca plantations. Coca eradication is a condition for aid from the United States, which gave Bolivia $91 million in 2005. The decision was made "mainly for reasons of sovereignty," said Quintana, who described Bolivia's Special Force to Fight Drug Trafficking as "an appendix" of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Yeah, sure, whatever; we'll use the returned money on a southern border fence ...
Morales also announced that he will travel Friday to Cuba to meet with Castro as the first stop in a world tour that will include visits to Europe, China, South Africa and Brazil before assuming office. "We have a lot of invitations from governments from presidents," Morales said Tuesday.
The United States also has congratulated Morales on his victory and said that relations between their countries will depend in large part on whether the president-elect respects democratic norms. A U.S. embassy spokesman said Tuesday that there would be no official comment on the announcement that Bolivia will forego financial aid that comes with anti-drug strings attached.
Bolivia's national police commander, Gen. David Aramayo, acknowledged that the United States offers "important support" in the coca-eradication campaign, but insisted that his force has been ultimately responsible for the drug unit.
Morales once wrote on his Web site, "Thanks to coca, we've made it through the endless suffering caused by the white man's infamous war on drugs." But he's also made a point of saying he'll crack down on cocaine trafficking while protecting the plant's traditional uses.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/28/2005 00:00 ||
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Morales once wrote on his Web site, "Thanks to coca, we've made it through the endless suffering caused by the white man's infamous war on drugs." But he's also made a point of saying he'll crack down on cocaine traffickingby others than his cronies while protecting the plant's traditional uses.
#3
CUBA's Castro should be ecstatic - PRAVDA quotes him as criticizing CONDI RICE and assuring that any alleged US-led "democratic transition" for Cuba will fail. The interesting thing about the PRAVDA article was that Fidel insists that Cuba's, Bolivia's and Venezuela's resistance ags America are evidence OF A CUBA = WORLD MOVING TOWARDS SOCIALISM AND ULTIMATELY COMMUNISM, NOT AGAINST THESE - dare Fidel be telling PRAVDA what American pols-Demolefties are NOT to their own people or voters?
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 11:11 Comments ||
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I need something explained to me:
Morales, who won Bolivia's presidency Dec. 18 with a decisive 54 percent
of the vote
Let me see if I have this straight: Morales gets 54% - in an election where massive corruption is ASSUMED as routie - and that's 'decisive', but Dubya gets 51% and the highest number of votes of any candidate in history, but he's 'tainted', 'illegitimate', a 'pretender', etc.
My brain hurts.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
12/28/2005 11:52 Comments ||
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Mike,
In fairness to the prospective totalitarian filthpig Morales, 54% is an historically high total in Bolivian multi-party elections.
Posted by: Ernest Brown ||
12/28/2005 12:57 Comments ||
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Morales gets 54% - in an election where massive corruption is ASSUMED as routie - and that's 'decisive', but Dubya gets 51% and the highest number of votes of any candidate in history, but he's 'tainted', 'illegitimate', a 'pretender', etc.
The next party in the Bolivian elections got about 29% percent or so. That's a difference of 25%, and can be quite sanely be called a decisive one.
Both the Bush-Gore and the Bush-Kerry votes just were 1 or 2 percentage points apart (and I still heard some Republicans say that the Democrats were "crushed" and so forth).
Posted by: Mark E. ||
12/28/2005 17:03 Comments ||
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Mark E, I've heard far far worse. Just in the other thread someone called Cassini "Cassinifascist" for no reasonable definition of fascist that one could perceive -- did you object to that?
Nonetheless my sincere apologies to Mike Kozlowski. Rude behaviour by others doesn't justify my own arbitrary rudeness, especially against people who haven't (AFAIR) insulted so.
#2
Here's a thought - offer to let the Russians base the Black Sea Fleet in Norfolk or Charleston. The infrastructure is there, it's not like the Soviets Russians can actually DO anything with the fleet, they get the best maintenance/training money can buy, and US communities hit by defense cuts get some bucks.
(Honestly not sure if I'm kidding or not.)
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
12/28/2005 11:57 Comments ||
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Think of the crew retention problem Mike. Maybe MayPort, Jacksonville would keep them on their ships.
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 13:00 Comments ||
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So. from potens domestic "American Hiroshima(s)" to various "Geopol Hiroshima(s)", the Rogue crises hits the fan in 2006 [Limited Wars], but to end NLT 2007 so Mother Hillary can run and show us mere Men/Heterosexual Males how to run a planet unto PC, Good-for-Everyone anti-US Universal Regulation, Registration, Government, Global Welfarism, Global Recession, and Global Regression. Global Socialist Utopia > no more Wars because no one will have any Guns, Rights, Private Wealth or Private Freedoms - you know, Universal Laissez Faire- save those living in Mackinder's World Island weirdly and mysteriously but only coincidentally aka Commie Asia, sub-aka Russia-China.
Please ignore the Mountie in the picture; remember, firearms are banned.
TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- Canadian officials, seeking to make sense of another fatal shooting in what has been a record year for gun-related deaths, said Tuesday that along with a host of social ills, part of the problem stemmed from what they said was the United States exporting its violence.
Because we all know Canadians aren't violent any more.
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Toronto Mayor David Miller warned that Canada could become like the United States after gunfire erupted Monday on a busy street filled with holiday shoppers, killing a 15-year-old girl and wounding six bystanders -- the latest victims in a record surge in gun violence in Toronto.
The shooting stemmed from a dispute among a group of 10 to 15 youth, and the victim was a teenager out with a parent near a popular shopping mall, police said Tuesday. "I think it's a day that Toronto has finally lost its innocence," Det. Sgt. Savas Kyriacou said. "It was a tragic loss and tragic day."
Must be an election coming up in Canada.
While many Canadians take pride in Canadian cities being less violent than their American counterparts, Toronto has seen 78 murders this year, including a record 52 gun-related deaths -- almost twice as many as last year. "What happened yesterday was appalling. You just don't expect it in a Canadian city," the mayor said. "It's a sign that the lack of gun laws in the U.S. is allowing guns to flood across the border that are literally being used to kill people in the streets of Toronto," Miller said.
Next: he'll blame it on violent video games imported from America, and demand a total ban.
Miller said Toronto, a city of nearly three million, is still very safe compared to most American cities, but the illegal flow of weapons from the United States is causing the noticeable rise in gun violence. "The U.S. is exporting its problem of violence to the streets of Toronto," he said.
Miller said that while almost every other crime in Toronto is down, the supply of guns has increased and half of them come from the United States.
That means the other half were local. Doesn't that suggest that the problem is more than just guns coming from the evil neighbor to the south?
Miller said the availability of stolen Canadian guns is another problem, and that poverty in certain Toronto neighborhoods is a root cause.
Oh, I'm relieved we've gotten to the root causes!
"There are neighborhoods in Toronto where young people face barriers of poverty, discrimination and don't have real hope and opportunity. The kind of programs that we once took for granted in Canada that would reach out to young people have systematically disappeared over the past decade and I think that gun violence is a symptom of a much bigger problem," Miller said.
How in the world did social welfare programs disappear during the tenure of the Grits? Perhaps the Conservatives should be voted into power, after all, they stand for .. almost exactly the same nonsense.
The escalating violence prompted the prime minister to announce earlier this month that if re-elected on January 23, his government would ban handguns. With severe restrictions already in place against handgun ownership, many correctly criticized the announcement as politics.
Try owning a firearm legally in Canada today. Just try.
Martin, who says up to half of the gun crimes in Canada involve weapons brought in illegally from the United States, raised the smuggling problem when he met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in October.
We patrol our side of the border, what about yours? I don't think anyone in the U.S. will have a problem if you seize smuggled guns. I just wish we knew Condi's response, but I'm guessing she was diplomatic.
Martin offered his condolences in a statement Tuesday, saying he was horrified by the shootings. "What we saw yesterday is a stark reminder of the challenge that governments, police forces and communities face to ensure that Canadian cities do not descend into the kind of rampant gun violence we have seen elsewhere," Martin said.
John Thompson, a security analyst with the Toronto-based Mackenzie Institute, says the number of guns smuggled from the United States is a problem, but that Canada has a gang problem -- not a gun problem -- and that Canada should stop pointing the finger at the United States. "It's a cop out. It's an easy way of looking at one symptom rather than addressing a whole disease," Thompson said.
This being Canada, he'll be subjected to a court ban shortly for daring to make sense.
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/28/2005 12:07 ||
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For those playing with maps, Canukistan is that part of Canada east of Saskatchewan and west of PEI, above 54'40" N and below 60' N.
#3
PM Martins comments got a lot of press coverage because there is an election. But I think what has happened is that the general public has realized how stupid his comments were. Blaming the Americans AND banning hand guns would seem like the perfect play. But I think what happened is it caused the public to think about the issue.
There was a great cartoon in the editorial pages of a paper here that some guy mugging an elderly couple at (hand) gun-point. The eldery man said "you can't rob us. That gun is illegal." I am a big believer that editorial cartoons follow public opinion....
There is also some irony with respect to blaming the Americans on gun smuggling. We always go into a snit when the Americans say that we let terrorists into the US. One of the things we say is that we do not "let" anyone into the US. It's up to the US to decide who gets into their country....So, following that logic, it should be up to us to decide how many handguns we allow to be smuggled in. In other words, it is our problem.
#5
The shooting stemmed from a dispute among a group of 10 to 15 youth,
I notice they pointedly do NOT state what race, nationality, religion those "Youth" are.
I for one want to know, since what we've seen so far is agression by the Muslim "Youth" followed by a extremely well publicised backlash by the "WHITE YOUTHS" (With absolutely no mention of the Muslim agression that preceded the backlash)
I'm seeing a pattern here, and disarming the general populace fits very neatly into this pattern, (make sure the Victims cannot retaliate)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/28/2005 15:23 Comments ||
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I'm not nearly so worried about the Nountie as I am with the babe with the shotgun muzzle right next to his ear.
#9
So what I took away from the Article is that the criminals STILL have guns but the people do not. Well that sounds like a winning recipe, good luck with that.
#11
Background on Martin's proposed "handgun ban":
Handguns are already banned, except for licenced gun collectors and target shooters. Martin's proposal is to get rid of the gun collector's permit, which would force gun collectors to become target shooters. What this means practically, I have no idea, but presumably target shooters keep their guns at the range, therefore theoretically no guns will be kept at home if Martin has his way. So there's your handgun "ban".
BTW, Toronto doesn't have a gun problem, it has a gang problem. And with a socialist mayor, it's never the criminals' fault...it's ours!
Posted by: Rafael ||
12/28/2005 17:06 Comments ||
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The Canucks have always been interested in American violence, exported or otherwise. During the Detroit riots in 1967, Windsor's (little Canadian burg across the river from Detroit) 50,000 watt powerhouse CKLW played "Come on baby light my fire" almost nonstop and ran a wonderful promotion called "CKLW time bomb time". Helpful fellows, eh?
#13
The change from colector to target shooter means the firearms could not be kept at home but under lock and key some place else where of course they can be gathered up without interference from their rightfull owners.
#14
Miller said that while almost every other crime in Toronto is down, the supply of guns has increased and half of them come from the United States.
Probably why it's called Cana-Duh, name another nation that borders Cana-Duh and has open borders?
None?
Gee what a surprise.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/28/2005 20:19 Comments ||
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The bad guys will always have guns and other deadly things no matter what side of the border they're on, and no matter whom prevails in the WOT - many of these recognize that since 9-11 the choice for SOcialism/OWG-happy moonbats, Commies, Lefties and Anarchists-Mafiacrats, etc. is to either kill the USA, be killed by the USA, or be killed by America's enemies both domestic andor international. Canada = Lebanon-Syria > chose btwn IRAN vs US-ISRAEL > control your nation's territory or you don't, AND ALL THE MACKENZIE BROS. BEER BRANDS, BRIT TEA & BISCUITS, & FRENCH CROISSANTS IN THE WORLD OR TORONTO ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE THE MINDS OF NEITHER CANADA'S ENEMIES NOR AMERICA'S NOR OF WESTERN DEMOCRACY.
Actually, it was a comment on Mr. Martin exclusively. If he actually believes what he says on the subject of guns and the U.S., then his problems run a little more deeply than one might suspect.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- A former Congressman sentenced to four years in prison is getting a send-off from his supporters Wednesday. Frank Ballance will be honored at the "People's Freedom Rally" in Roanoke Rapids.
Ballance was the guest of honor at a luncheon earlier in December. He received a 4-year sentence for conspiring to commit mail fraud and money laundering. Ballance is expected to report to prison Friday.
I guess we all noticed what is missing from this story. Sad to say, I'm not surprised
Posted by: Steve ||
12/28/2005 10:21 ||
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Keep an eye out for the next piece on the happenings with Duke Cunningham. I'll bet you anything his affiliation WILL be mentioned.
#2
I took a quick look thru all the WRAL links about the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina. None of the articles that mention investigations, charges, indictmens, etc. use the "D" word anywhere.
And then there's this gem:
As a state lawmaker, Ballance allegedly funneled more than $2 million in state funds to his organization, the Hyman Foundation, and used more than $100,000 of it for personal and family use. Authorities said he paid his legal bills, directed money to his mother's day care, and gave $20,000 to his son, Garey Ballance, for a Lincoln Navigator.
"[He] got caught up in handling the money and it caused him some legal problems," said Rep. Edd Nye, D-Bladen County.
#3
I took a quick look thru all the WRAL links about the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina. None of the articles that mention investigations, charges, indictmens, etc. use the "D" word anywhere.
And then there's this gem:
As a state lawmaker, Ballance allegedly funneled more than $2 million in state funds to his organization, the Hyman Foundation, and used more than $100,000 of it for personal and family use. Authorities said he paid his legal bills, directed money to his mother's day care, and gave $20,000 to his son, Garey Ballance, for a Lincoln Navigator.
"[He] got caught up in handling the money and it caused him some legal problems," said Rep. Edd Nye, D-Bladen County.
#4
Reminds me of an NPR piece a few weeks back on the investigation into several Congresspersons' involvement with a certain lobbyist. 4 Republicans were named and identified as republicans but the Democrats were not named simply refered to as, "several democrats are also involved". No bias there, nope, don't happen.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
12/28/2005 11:58 Comments ||
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EFL
The Chinese are in Bhutan â its soldiers are building roads and bridges deep inside the country and setting off alarms in both Thimphu and Delhi. Over 200 Chinese soldiers crossed into Bhutan in mid-November and since then, the relations between the two countries have been on the edge.
On November 13, the Chinese soldiers entered the countryâs northern districts, including Paro, and marched 20 km inland, claiming that they had been forced by melting glaciers and heavy snowfall in Tibet to breach the border. But they also went on to infiltrate remote places like Haa, Boomtang and Wangdi Phudrang, which have no human habitation. The Chinese have built pucca bridges in Paro and Haa districts, prompting concern among the peopleâs representatives from Paro, Haa, Laya, Lunana, Zhemgang and Thimphu.
âThey told the Bhutanese that they were over-reacting and that the roads were being built as part of the economic development programmes for western China,â an Indian intelligence officer said. âIndia and Bhutan enjoy a special relationship, and the current developments have come as a matter of serious concern for India,â the official added.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
12/28/2005 13:35 ||
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Sometime in the last five thousand years, some representative of the Chinese Emperor took a crap in Bhutan.. it is therefore Chinese territory and will soon return to the motherland...
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 13:45 Comments ||
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Oh but surely some son of Allan has bled one drop on Bhutanese soil... thus surely it must return to the Caliphate...
#3
I heard that Mohammand himself farted in Bhutan once in a drug-induced 'holy' vision. So the entire region must be the 13,234th holiest place in Islam or something and must be returned! If only to respect the Islamic culture.....
#4
Rumor has it the Ruler is stepping down at the end of the year. Wonder if China is looking to influence and destabilize. Haven't read the Kuensel lately. But it's time for some joint military excersizes with Dehli and Thimphu.
India's beleaguered main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been dealt another blow, this time a scandal involving the alleged sexual high-jinks of an avowedly celibate official.
Whoa! Caught him with a doxie, did they?
The Hindu nationalist party is holding a five-day meeting to celebrate its 25th anniversary, but the media has instead trumpeted the resignation of Sanjay Joshi, a party secretary. Joshi stepped down on Tuesday after an allegedly sexually explicit CD with an unidentified woman made the rounds among BJP members and the media.
And they got him on tape. It was prob'ly a setup, but he didn't have to take his pants off...
"Keeping in view Joshi's request, he was being relieved of his responsibility till the completion of a probe," Lal Krishna Advani, the BJP president, told party leaders at their meeting in Mumbai, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. Joshi, who is also a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's hardline Hindu backers, had apparently taken a vow of celibacy as some full-time RSS workers do.
I'm not sure why, but I guess it's like Islam: once you sign up, there's no going back...
The sex scandal may also overshadow the official announcement of a new party president to replace Advani, expected to take place after the close of the party meeting on 30 December. Rajnath Singh, a low-key party member, has reportedly been chosen to succeed the hawkish Advani. But it is not clear whether he will able to end the turmoil which has hit the BJP since its election defeat by the Congress party in May last year. Since then, the party has become polarised between moderates wanting the party to move to the centre, and hardliners who feel a return to the core values of hardline Hindutva (Hinduness) will win more votes.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/28/2005 11:49 ||
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an allegedly sexually explicit CD with an unidentified woman made the rounds among BJP members
Likely a fund-raiser.
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 13:17 Comments ||
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BANGALORE â A Kiran trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed here yesterday, but its two pilots managed to eject out of the cockpit and are safe, an IAF spokesperson said here. The trainer jet was on a routine sortie from the Airforce Systems and Training Establishment here when it crashed in a southwestern Bangalore suburb and caught fire. A technical fault is suspected to have caused the crash.
"Both the pilots â Squadron Leader Papat and Squadron Leader Deepak â jumped out in the nick of time before the aircraft hit the ground. The pilots have been rushed to the air force command hospital for treatment of injuries," the spokesperson said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/28/2005 00:00 ||
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There is only one IAF, and its jets do not crash.
#2
Another crash - keep it up and the Indian Air Force pilots may all get to meritoriously qualify as de facto Chinese aces wid out ever having to dogfight or battle China!?
#3
Joe that's mean. They would be known as Black Aces. I think B-1 Bob Dornan was a Black Ace.
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 11:13 Comments ||
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here is only one IAF, and its jets do not crash.
Really? The Indian Air Force (IAF) was founded in 1932.
From a 2003 news report...
"February 25, 2003 - Yesterday afternoon an F-16 fighter jet crashed in the northern West Bank."
"Six Israeli F-16s have crashed since September 1997, including three in 2000."
Only boutique air forces keep their planes on the ground, preserving them imdefinately.
Real air forces train constantly and this leads to periodic crashes due to bird hits, engine problems etc.
The Indian Air Force is saddled with a huge Mig 21 fleet that should have been retired years ago.
Its airbase environment is also quite hostile. There are many open air abbatoirs near air fields that attract large numbers of birds, that cause quite a few crashes. Indian politicians have preventing the closing of these abbatoirs for fear of offending the muslim community. There is also the problem of unreliable spares bought from eastern europe.
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 11:30 Comments ||
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#5
Reading Indian newspaper reports, one would think that aircraft in other air forces do not crash.
Fact is that if one maintains the flying hours that the IAF does (average 180 hours per pilot per year) and uses aircraft beyond the manufacturer airframe life, there will be crashes.
Based on 1997 figures, the IAF attrition rate is 0.32 per 10,000 flying hours.
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 11:42 Comments ||
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Former in 1932, the IAF was bestowed with the prefix "Royal" in March 1945 and was then known as the Royal Indian Air Force RIAF.
It reverted back to IAF in 1950 when India became a republic.
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 19:57 Comments ||
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Shahbaz Khan, the self-proclaimed âImam Mehdiâ, and his followers are being funded by Younas Al-Gohar, the founder of Gohar Shahi group, who lives in the United Kingdom, sources in the investigation team told Daily Times. Sources said that the investigators had also forwarded a report to higher authorities demanding Interpol help to arrest Younas. Shahbaz told investigators that British national Younas, who is a billionaire and an expert hypnotist, was their main financer. Shahbaz was also learning hypnotism from Younas.
I'm starting to get really interested in this story, even though it doesn't make a lick of sense.
Younas, I'm convinced, is surrounded by fanatical minions. He can freeze a strong man with a single glance, and he has a grip of steel. He drops his enemies into pits full of hungry alligators. He punishes minions with death for the slightest screwup.
He has a beautiful daughter named Fatimah, who favors 4-inch, blood red fingernails and slinky dresses. Her maid's name is Mei-ling, and Fatimah abuses her.
Younas has Professor Hodgkiss locked in a tower, where he's forced to work on the tsunami machine. If he doesn't, his beautiful daughter Cynthia will be ravished by Mungo, Younas' hunchback.
Secret Agent Armstrong has been trying to infiltrate Gohar Shahi so he can rescue Cynthia and Professor Hodgkiss and destroy the tsunami machine that devastated Sumatra last year. He's got a sidekick named Gus, who says all sorts of amusing things...
Sources said that Shehbaz told the investigators that he had also been publishing a newspaper, Hatif Mehdi. He said that he was in contact with Younas through mind rays email and gave investigators five email addresses belonging to his advisers. Shahbaz said that their group was working in Europe under the titles of AFSM and ARGO to preach their new religion through two websites.
That's where they get all their fanatical minions. We can't publish the URLs, 'cuz if you go there you'll be hypnotized with one look. You won't even make it past the popups, so don't even try...
Sources said that Shahbaz was a follower of Gohar Shahi and Younas chose him for his activities after the death of Gohar Shahi.
Gohar Shahi, of course, isn't really dead. He's actually being held in the dungeon. Mei-ling brings him something to eat once a week. She's fallen in love with him, because he's actually a kindly old man...
Shahbaz said that Younas ordered him to return to Pakistan and announce the new religion.
It takes some kind of evil genius to announce a new religion in Pakistan. Do it in Copenhagen and nobody pays attention...
He arranged a new setup in the last six months with the collaboration of his previous Gohar Shahi network.
They think the old man is dead, but they all went to the website to read the obituary and that was it â now they're all myrmidons...
Shahbaz told investigators that he was trying to recruit poor people to his cause. He and his followers would attract people through money and other facilities. They also preached to their followers about a free society in which anyone can have sex with any woman of his choice.
Younas, y'see, is kinda physically unattractive, for all his billions. That's the only way he can get laid...
Shahbaz said that they were working under different names including Hizb-e-Riaz, Mehdi Foundation, Deen-e-Younas, Deen-e-Elahi, Sarkari Sufi and Anjuman-e-Sarfoshan-e-Islam.
Sometimes they refer to themselves as SPECTRE, and sometimes as KAOS. Every once in awhile they call themselves Boskone, but only on special occasions...
Sources said that the culprits were also in contact with their supreme leaders in Hyderabad âwhere they have set up a state titled Khuda Ki Bastiâ.
They've got a golden idol they sacrifice goats and sometimes virgins to, when they can get ahold of them. It's only got one eye, a great big jewel that Baron von Schtinken was trying to steal...
âThey invite their followers there to go on Haj and give them travelling and other expenses,â sources added.
Some, of course, never return...
Shahbaz also confessed to hypnotising people and giving them hashish.
"Whoa! Good weed, man!"
"You like it? You can learn all about it at this URL..."
I think Shahbaz tried to sell me a bumper sticker outside of Barnes & Noble the other day. Younas has obviously figgered out that the secret to success lies in becoming a Multi-Level Mullah. It's kinda like Amway, only with live ammo and no customer satisfaction guarantee.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/28/2005 00:00 ||
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#1
Sources said that the culprits were also in contact with their supreme leaders in Hyderabad âwhere they have set up a state titled Khuda Ki Bastiâ
OW--I think my brain melted at this point.
Why am I reminded of some 60's-70's kooky religious cult? And why do I feel an overwhelming sense of apathy? These people deserve each other
Posted by: N guard ||
12/28/2005 0:15 Comments ||
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#2
NASA reportedly had observed a small explosion on the Moon - Shahbaz and Osama have serieuse Mahdi issues to resolve for the big one circa 2030. True Madonna fans know about 2030 - didn't everybody! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA...........
Secretary-General Kofi Annan "warmly welcomed" on Tuesday the adoption by the French Parliament of levying a tax on airline tickets issued locally to benefit the health sector in developing countries, urging other countries to follow France's lead with similar measures, his press office said in a statement. "This is a significant step, raising additional sources of innovative financing in support of the efforts by developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)s," the statement said. "The Secretary-General strongly urges other countries to follow France's lead with similar measures," the statement added.
"Yasss, yass. The French have got it going on."
Taxing airline passengers will begin next July.
You get the sense that the French are desparately trying to equate themselves with Senegal ...
#1
Secretary-General Kofi Annan "warmly welcomed" on Tuesday the adoption by the French Parliament of levying a tax on airline tickets issued locally to benefit the health sector in developing countries, urging other countries to follow France's lead with similar measures, his press office said in a statement.
Screw you, Goo-fi. Keep your slimy hands out of our pocketbooks, idiot.
#2
Well now this is a'mighty interestin' =- French naval propellers have a history of falling off the CHARLES DE GAULLE; they're have serious probs paying for regular workdays, vacations, and sick-days, let alone burying the dead or aborted fetuses; the Muslims are rioting due to lack of jobs, opportunity, andor Govt-sponsored benefits; so NOW ARE FRENCH SOCIALISTS WILFULLY TAXING THE LOCALS TO PREVENT ANY ESCAPE FROM FRANCE!?
#3
At least in California, Gays-Lesbians and other Alternatists are NOT being forced to stay and pay higher local-state taxes by the over-Socialized, tax-heavy State Govt led by Da Arnuuuuulllddd.
#4
Next news release will be Goofie's son will be running the program for France. God thore has got to be more than one rational guy living in France, Moose youe the only one I know.
Posted by: 49 pan ||
12/28/2005 8:16 Comments ||
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#5
NOW ARE FRENCH SOCIALISTS WILFULLY TAXING THE LOCALS TO PREVENT ANY ESCAPE FROM FRANCE
JOE 2008!
Posted by: Leon Clavin ||
12/28/2005 11:17 Comments ||
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#6
This is, of course, after the French have refused to cut the massive subsidies paid to their farmers and allowed farm products from developing countries into their markets.
An ethnic Indian was on Wednesday buried according to Islamic rites after the Malaysian High Court rejected his Hindu widow's claim over his body, saying the Shariat court has ruled he was a Muslim.
The body of 36-year-old M Moorthy, who was part of Malaysia's 1997 team which scaled Mount Everest, was lying in a Kuala Lumpur hospital after it was caught in a legal battle since his death on December 20 after seven years of paralysis.
Insisting that Moorthy died as a Hindu, his wife Kaliamaal Sinnasamy had moved the court claiming his body for last rites according to Hindu rituals. She was told by Moorthy's colleagues that the former armyman had converted to Islam last year and changed his name to Mohammed Abdullah.
Ending the legal battle, the High Court accepted the plea of the Islamic Affairs Department that he was a Muslim as the Shariat court had last week ruled that he had converted to Islam. It said it had no jurisdiction in the Shariat court ruling.
Following the court's ruling, officials of the Islamic Affairs Department took the body and washed it according to Islamic rites and buried it.
Kaliammal's lawyer, A Sivanesan, said Moorthy's widow felt that anybody could take the body, but her husband's soul "is still with us."
Sivanesan said the ruling was a "setback" for non-Muslims in the country.
Haris Mohamad Ibrahim, a lawyer representing Malaysia's Bar Council, said the verdict was a "human tragedy."
The case has drawn the attention of the media and the public in Malaysia where its minority population of Chinese and ethnic Indians freely practice their own religion.
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 15:41 ||
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Well, I'll probably be a Democrat after I'm dead.
Posted by: Jackal (from Moms house, like people on DU) ||
12/28/2005 17:52 Comments ||
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#2
You'll probably be a reliable voter too...
Posted by: john ||
12/28/2005 17:54 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
The disgraced rock star Gary Glitter paid more than £2,000 to the families of two under-age Vietnamese girls he is accused of sexually abusing, it was reported today. Glitter gave £1,100 each to the families of the 11 and 12-year-old girls he allegedly had sex with, his lawyer said. Last week, both families were reported to have written letters to the court asking for the case against the 70s' star to be dropped.
Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika will arrive here on Saturday after undergoing one-month treatment in France, said an official Algerian source on Tuesday. According to Algeria's state-owned television, the source said Bouteflika went through a stomach hernia operation that required observation for one-month, adding that the president will sign the 2006 financial law on the same day of arrival. The president, said the source, left Paris-based 
A Haj guide received a beating by angry Afghani pilgrims after promising, but not delivering, nice accommodations near central Madinah, the Al-Madinah daily reported. A group of about 400 pilgrims was angered when the tour operator took them to an old, decrepit building outside of town. The pilgrims began attacking the guide and police were called in to rescue him. The Haj Ministry has set up alternative housing until the problem can be resolved.
Security forces arrested over 1,500 overstayers in security operations that targeted three districts in Jeddah yesterday. Officials said they apprehended 1,388 men, 108 women and 15 children in the pre-dawn operation that lasted four hours. The raids occurred in Bani Malik, Al-Suhafa and Aziziah, areas with high concentrations of expatriates.
India's beleaguered main opposition 
I'm starting to get really interested in this story, even though it doesn't make a lick of sense. 
Secretary-General Kofi Annan "warmly welcomed" on Tuesday the adoption by the French Parliament of levying a tax on airline tickets issued locally to benefit the health sector in developing countries, urging other countries to follow France's lead with similar measures, his press office said in a statement. "This is a significant step, raising additional sources of innovative financing in support of the efforts by developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)s," the statement said. "The Secretary-General strongly urges other countries to follow France's lead with similar measures," the statement added. 
