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Clashes kill 25 more Taleban in southern Afghanistan
Today's Headlines
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Judge to Rule if 'Meowing' Is Harassment
Hat tip:Lucianne.com
Meow. A district judge has been asked to decide whether that word is a harmless taunt or grounds for misdemeanor harassment. Jeannette police charged a 14-year-old boy for "meowing" whenever he sees his neighbor, 78-year-old Alexandria Carasia.

The boy's family and Carasia do not get along. The boy's mother said the family got rid of their cat after Carasia complained to police that it used her flower garden as a litter box. The boy testified Tuesday that he only meowed at the woman twice. Carasia testified, "Every time he sees me, he meows."

The boy's defense attorney, David Martin Jr., argued that the charge should be dismissed. "This should never have been filed," Martin said. "This is not something that police should be wasting their time with or wasting the court's time."

Jeannette District Judge Joseph DeMarchis decided to wait 90 days before ruling. DeMarchis said his decision will be based on how the boy and his neighbor get along in the meantime.
Posted by: ryuge || 08/24/2006 01:40 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Someone please tell judge DeMarchis to go bark at the moon.
Posted by: Zenster || 08/24/2006 2:18 Comments || Top||

#2  A 90 day cooling off period seems reasonable to me as it's best for people to work things out themselves, if they can. Howevermuch the 78-year-old woman is acting like a moonbat, who among us would slap her down before before other options are tried. She's 78. It's cases like this that make me believe that it's possible to live too long.
Posted by: Randy (Duke) Cunningham || 08/24/2006 5:13 Comments || Top||

#3  Everytime the boy meowed she should have flip him off and the they could of got on with the day.
Posted by: djohn66 || 08/24/2006 9:23 Comments || Top||

#4  Message for the litigious old biddy: MEOW!
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 9:44 Comments || Top||

#5  Even a twelve year old has first amendment rights.
However, you can't meow in a crowded kennel.
Posted by: wxjames || 08/24/2006 12:11 Comments || Top||

#6  I don't know. I see this story a bit differently.

Shame on the parents for getting rid of the family cat just cause the neighbor was complaining. How about standing up for your kid in a cirucmstance that warranted it?

And shame on the parents for raising a little brat who meows at the crotchity old neighbor. It's not a big deal - but she's an old lady who is obviously beginning to lose it. How about a little compassion for the elderly. I hope when I old and getting senile - my neighbors will cut me some slack.

I think the parents of the kid are weak and wimpy. Show some spine and class and the court won't need to get involved.
Posted by: 2b || 08/24/2006 13:02 Comments || Top||

#7  "And shame on the parents for raising a little brat who meows at the crotchity old neighbor."

Meh. Having had a few unreasonable elderly neighbors, I have some experience in this area. Just cause someone is old, or this, or that, doesn't mean you should excuse bad behavior. Even more so, because the elderly should know the consequences of their actions. When I was a kid, and if I had found out that a neighbor had something to do with me no longer having my pet, I can guarantee something would have happened involving sugar, a gas tank, a bb gun and some windows. Of course, times have changed. As an adult today, every time I saw that person, i'd say in clear, measured and calm tones, "fuck you for making me get rid of my cat."

A little mewing at her is very minor, and is much better than she deserves for being such a jerk. In fact, the fact that the kid only meows at her shows that he is a pretty smart youngster. What she deserves is the face to face ridicule of the whole community. Then maybe she'd stop being a such a jerk.
Posted by: Mark E. || 08/24/2006 13:17 Comments || Top||

#8  I guess I'm a little sensitive cause I had a very nice neighbor who got old and crotchity as dementia kicked in. It's tough for everyone involved. I was just thinking of her. I think when you get past 77, you deserves some slack in the crotchity department.

fact, the fact that the kid only meows at her shows that he is a pretty smart youngster. I actually agree with you here. It's actually pretty funny.

His parents are losers. They got rid of his cat just cause it pooped in a flower box and they were too wimpy to stand up for him - his options were limited - poor kid.
Posted by: 2b || 08/24/2006 13:35 Comments || Top||

#9  I think when you get past 77, you deserves some slack in the crotchity department.

I completely agree, my now-confused grandfather in mind.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 08/24/2006 13:40 Comments || Top||

#10 
I also think I see this a little differently!

Shame on the parents for letting their animal roam lose, probably in violation of city ordinances.

Shame on his parents for not having a little respect for the old gals property.

Shame on the parents for not smacking his teeth lose for being an impudent little shit, and not having better manners towards the elderly.

"Just cause someone is old, or this, or that, doesn't mean you should excuse bad behavior."

Yes it is, particularly when it is provoked. Dealt much with the elderly on a direct basis have we? Let's see what your attitude is when you reach that age.

"His parents are losers. "

They sure are! But not for the reasons you cite here.

Side Note: I'm a cat owner and have been for years, none of my animals are ever allowed to roam free, doing so is the mark of an irresponsible pet owner. However, free roaming cats in my neighborhood find themselves at the pound PDQ!
Posted by: Texas Redneck || 08/24/2006 18:30 Comments || Top||

#11  oooh. meeow!
Posted by: 2b || 08/24/2006 21:13 Comments || Top||

#12 

#11: How appropriate, I always knew you were a pussy! Cat.

-M
Posted by: Manolo || 08/24/2006 22:07 Comments || Top||

#13  / /
o o
>o<
. =
Posted by: 2b || 08/24/2006 23:56 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
This Just In: Scientists decide Pluto’s no longer a planet
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.

Well that didn't last long. All the planets that were added a week ago--Charon, Ceres, etc.--are now to be destroyted outright dwarf planets. Charon is back to being a satellite, and I know if I lived next to Pluto, I'd be keeping an eye on THAT situation, what with how Charon was strutting around after being named a full-on planet.
Posted by: eLarson || 08/24/2006 10:06 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Funny the sh*t that astronomers worry about.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 10:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Plutanese officials are monitoring the situation carefully.
Posted by: Choluque Gluns1303 || 08/24/2006 11:04 Comments || Top||

#3  Walt Disney is turning in his grave.
Posted by: wxjames || 08/24/2006 11:57 Comments || Top||

#4  Disney will be Happy. Pluto will be a Dwarf Planet. Probably going to be seven of them.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 08/24/2006 12:10 Comments || Top||

#5  Does this mean the Plutanese delegation will be expelled from the UN?
Posted by: kelly || 08/24/2006 12:10 Comments || Top||

#6  The Bush administration's reckless policies toward global warming have now resulted in an 11% reduction in the number of planets in the solar system. How long can this continue?
Posted by: Matt || 08/24/2006 12:35 Comments || Top||

#7  Nyah nyah, Pluto--you can't join in our reindeer games!
Posted by: Dar || 08/24/2006 13:00 Comments || Top||

#8  This Just In: Scientists decide Pluto’s no longer a planet

there goes the neighborhood!
Posted by: RD || 08/24/2006 21:08 Comments || Top||

#9  Makes a lot moe sense than adding three more. Besides Pluto has an irregular orbit (it's sometimes closer to the sun than Neptune), and it's orbit is not even in the plane of the ecliptic.
Posted by: DMFD || 08/24/2006 21:58 Comments || Top||

#10  no matter - I'll still call it a planet and mispronounce Uranus just because it makes me smile
Posted by: Frank G || 08/24/2006 23:20 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Authorities in Saudi Arabia ban sale of pet cats and dogs
DUBAI - Authorities in the Saudi city of Mecca have banned the sale of pet cats and dogs at the request of religious police, the Arab News reported on Thursday.
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice made the request after many young Saudis had gone outdoors with their pet dogs thus violating the kingdom’s culture and traditions. Authorities in the city of Jeddah have also begun enforcing the decision, the report said.

The commission complained that Saudi youth, apparently influenced by Western culture, were bringing their pets into public places, allegedly causing distress to families with young children.
"Mommy, mommy, why can't I have a puppy like him?"
"Because they are evil. Now shut up and play with your Jihad Joe doll."
The Jeddah Municipality had received a letter from the Mecca governorate banning the sale of pet dogs and cats in the city, the report added. Islam considers dogs unclean and Muslim traditional families do not keep dogs as pets, while there is no mention of cats.
Unless the Koran sez big Mo had a cat, they must be banned, oh wait, he was a cat lover
Saudi Arabia applies a strict interpretation of the Islamic law. The religious police is a special force that makes citizens comply with the strict social norms.
Posted by: Steve || 08/24/2006 10:05 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under:

#1 
"dogs and cats, living together, mass hysteria!"

-----Dr. Peter Venkman
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 10:40 Comments || Top||

#2  I don't trust people that have an aversion (for whatever reason) against pet cats and dogs.
Posted by: twobyfour || 08/24/2006 10:45 Comments || Top||

#3  Look for a significant increase in vermin, followed by episodes of bubonic plague and other flea-carried diseases. Has there ever been a culture so enthusiastically self-destructive?
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/24/2006 11:02 Comments || Top||

#4  FILTHY INFIDEL BEASTS!!!
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/24/2006 11:38 Comments || Top||

#5  Just when you can't imagine these nut cases to get any crazier...THEY DO !
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 08/24/2006 11:38 Comments || Top||

#6  Reading "Before the Dawn", a book which attempts to summarize what we know about humanity's history before we started writing things down. One of the interesting theories is that the domestication of the dog enabled humanity to settle down, meaning dogs, in part, gave us civilization.

I don't trust a "culture" that hates dogs.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 08/24/2006 12:20 Comments || Top||

#7  Interestingly, you can find out alot about a person by seeing how dogs react to him. I don't trust a person who dogs don't like. I imagine that if my dog met most Saudis, he'd be chomping at the bit.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 12:32 Comments || Top||

#8  But I thought Mohammed _did_ have a cat?
Posted by: Abdominal Snowman || 08/24/2006 13:06 Comments || Top||

#9  What about "working" dogs? Do blind folks start bumping into lightpoles and wandering out into traffic now?
Posted by: mojo || 08/24/2006 14:22 Comments || Top||

#10  Did a Google search on Mohammad and cats and found a lot of references to the fact he loved them. Examples:

"Many tabbies have a distinct 'M' marking on their forehead, which is the mark of the true tabby. There are several legends about where this came from, including one that the Virgin Mary bestowed an M on a tabby's head because the cat helped keep the baby Jesus warm. There is another legend to explain the M, where the prophet Muhammad bestowed the marking upon his beloved cat's brow after it warned him of danger. According to the legend, the M remains today to remind us of Mohammed's blessings upon cats"

"In Arabia, where cats have been sacred since the sixth century, there springs the myth of Muhammad's cat Muezza, the first nine-lived cat in history. It is said that when the cat was asleep on the Sleeve of Muhammad's robe, rather than disturb the cat Muhammad cut off the sleeve so the cat could sleep on. When Mohammad returned, Muezza bowed in a gesture of appreciation. Mohammad then stroked Muezza three times down the length of the back, which, according to some myths, is the thing that puts cats safely on their feet when they fall."

"The cat receives much respect in Islam, because of tales that the Prophet Mohammed was a cat lover. One story says a cat saved Mohammed from being bitten by a deadly snake. In another, when Mohammed’s cat Muezza fell asleep on his sleeve, the Prophet cut off his sleeve rather than disturb his cat."

"The Messenger of Allaah , taught Muslims to have mercy for all of Allaah's creation. There are many reports of his love for cats, resulting in their historical acceptance among Muslims. Cats were very common amongst the people during the time of the Prophet , and he said: "They (cats) are not impure and they intermingle with you." The cat is such a clean animal that according to authentic narrations one may make ablution for prayer with the same water that a cat drank from. Yet, it is known that some people nowadays have opposed the traditions of the Prophet , by taking up the evil practices of torturing and poisoning cats. Do they think that Allaah will not punish them for this? Certainly Allaah's punishment for such acts is severe, if we bear in mind the Hadeeth of Allaah's Messenger , as reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim regarding a woman who locked up a cat, refused to feed it and did not release it so that it could feed itself. Allaah's Messenger , said of her punishment that she was tortured and put in Hellfire."


So, a curse upon all you cat haters!
Posted by: Steve || 08/24/2006 15:14 Comments || Top||

#11  Inshallah.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 08/24/2006 15:37 Comments || Top||

#12  Everybody face S.A. and in unison: "Meow"
Posted by: USN, ret. || 08/24/2006 16:08 Comments || Top||

#13  BAST: the Egyptian Goddess for those who worship pussy...
Posted by: borgboy || 08/24/2006 17:33 Comments || Top||

#14  I know the problem with dogs in SA is that they can lick themselves and the Muzzies are jealous.
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 08/24/2006 17:50 Comments || Top||

#15  The story about Mo and the cat sounds like another story I read somewhere.
Posted by: James || 08/24/2006 18:25 Comments || Top||

#16  Considering that one of the cleanest household locations is a pet dog's mouth, I'd prefer to be licked by my dog than shake hands with someone who wipes their @ss with their hand.

(For those of you about to argue regarding use of the left hand. The left hand still touches the right, 'nuff said.)

As to the whole cat and dog thingie, when they make housecats that can chew up a burglar better than my wolf hybrid, let me know. Yes, I have a cat. He and the mutt are best friends, but my cat still has the IQ of a celery stalk.
Posted by: Zenster || 08/24/2006 18:55 Comments || Top||

#17  Zenster is the one pissing in the tub.

Don't blame the cat.

Posted by: The Celery Stalks || 08/24/2006 19:39 Comments || Top||

#18  I recall your puppies name was.... :>
Posted by: 6 || 08/24/2006 19:40 Comments || Top||

#19  Zenster is the one pissing in the tub.

You wanna know what really hacks me off? You're at a kegger for a few hours, you find there's this huge line at the bathroom door and the sink's full of dishes when you go to piss in it!
Posted by: Zenster || 08/24/2006 20:02 Comments || Top||

#20  ewwww.
Posted by: Ewwww || 08/24/2006 20:11 Comments || Top||

#21  LOL Zen! 'course I've never pissed in a sink myself!!
Posted by: RD || 08/24/2006 21:03 Comments || Top||

#22  I figure...hey! they're not my dishes....
Posted by: Frank G || 08/24/2006 21:22 Comments || Top||

#23  Damn right Frank, and even if they are, I know where my rig has been. Kind of like the dude that gets out of the shower to piss in the toilet.
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 08/24/2006 21:47 Comments || Top||

#24  Y'all have never heard of ... a shrubbery?
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/24/2006 22:48 Comments || Top||

#25  LOL
Posted by: Frank G || 08/24/2006 23:16 Comments || Top||

#26  Back to the topic at hand:

"In Arabia, where cats have been sacred since the sixth century, there springs the myth of Muhammad's cat Muezza, the first nine-lived cat in history. It is said that when the cat was asleep on the Sleeve of Muhammad's robe, rather than disturb the cat Muhammad cut off the sleeve so the cat could sleep on. When Mohammad returned, Muezza bowed in a gesture of appreciation. Mohammad then stroked Muezza three times down the length of the back, which, according to some myths, is the thing that puts cats safely on their feet when they fall."

You're meanin' to tell me that they're NOW claiming that the 9 lives and always landin' on their feet thingies were from big Mo too? Give me a farkin' break, is their nothing they don't claim to have started? Of course, if I was in Saudi, I'd start walkin' my pet goat into all the shops.

No wonder I'm a "dog man" and can't stand cats. *ducks*
Posted by: BA || 08/24/2006 23:27 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
U.S. Wants Chavez to Push for Democracy in Post-Castro Cuba
Of all the dumb ideas ...
WASHINGTON — Venezuela could play an "important and useful role" should it choose to help carry out a transition to democracy in Cuba after almost 50 years of one-party rule, a senior State Department official said Wednesday.

Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon, speaking to reporters, said Venezuela has an obligation to promote democracy in Cuba under terms of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, ratified in 2001. Beyond that, Venezuela is in a position to exert influence in Cuba, Shannon said, because of the "special relationship between President Hugo Chavez and the Cuban regime."
Ohfergawdsakes. Chavez is a commie just like Fidel. All he'll do is help Raul ruin run the place.
At a time when Cuba is the lone holdout against democracy in the hemisphere, it would be "a sad thing indeed" to "find a state prepared to side with a totalitarian regime," Shannon said.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/24/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Is this nut smokin' dope or has he totally flipped out ?
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 08/24/2006 1:23 Comments || Top||

#2  I looked this guy up at the State Dept site and, yep, a lifelong parasite in stripey pants - who was actually posted to Venezuela for awhile back before Chavez came to power.

This has to rank as one of the dumbest public utterances by a Foggy Headed Twit this year. Maybe the decade. Man, the State stables need mucking out something awful.
Posted by: flyover || 08/24/2006 5:04 Comments || Top||

#3  Another proof that our State Dept is filled with nitwits.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 9:45 Comments || Top||

#4  At what point does the government say to shut up? In the corporate world you can get fired for talking about company policy or even just your opinions of the company online.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 08/24/2006 14:03 Comments || Top||

#5  They call it Foggy Bottom for reasons other than it having once been a swamp.

Chavez psuhing Cuba to democracy? You gotta be kidding.
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden || 08/24/2006 14:21 Comments || Top||

#6  *pushing*

Love the wabbit pic!
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden || 08/24/2006 14:21 Comments || Top||

#7  I thought 'foggy bottom' referred to the smell of the chairs.
Posted by: wxjames || 08/24/2006 15:19 Comments || Top||

#8  Why doesn't State have him push it in Venezuela first?
You know, for practice...
Posted by: tu3031 || 08/24/2006 15:23 Comments || Top||


Europe
2 Egyptian men tunnel under EU borders using shoehorns
Posted late yesterday. Hilarious
Two Egyptian men are awaiting trial in Russia after several attempts to burrow their way under various European borders using nothing but shoehorns. The men - both believed to be in their 20s - started in Belarus and dug a tunnel under the border with Poland.

But once in Poland, they lost their way, ending up where they started - in front of barbed wire.
Thinking they were now looking across the German border, the pair did the trick again.
But instead of getting to Germany, they ended up back in Belarus. Minutes later, the two men were arrested by Belarussian border guards and later sentenced to 10 days in jail.

Belarus is separated from the European Union by kilometres of barbed wire, guard towers, automated sirens and powerful search lights.

Prosecutors say the would-be migrants did not go for the easy option of using a spade - apparently, they thought buying one in a shop would immediately give the game away.

The two Egyptian men travelled to Belarus from neighbouring Russia where they arrived on tourist visas a few months ago. But even the prison term did not stop the pair. When Belorussian authorities released the men and put them on a train back to Moscow, the officials were hoping that the Egyptians would never return.

But the two men got off the train hundreds of miles away from the Russian capital and decided to have another go. This time, they chose the border between Russia and Ukraine as their starting point. But the men clearly ran out of luck. Russian border guards arrested the Egyptians long before they got anywhere near Ukraine.

"I know it all sounds like a really bad joke," Evgeny Petrov from the Bryansk regional prosecutor's office told the BBC. "But we've checked the story time and again, and it seems to be true! I must say, this is the weirdest way of illegally crossing the border I've ever come across," Mr Petrov said.

The migrants are now in pre-trial detention in Russia, expecting a legal hearing. If convicted, they will have to pay a fine, and will then be extradited back to Egypt. This time, police officers will probably escort them all the way to the departure gates of Moscow's Sheremetyevo international airport.
And maybe frisk them?
Posted by: john || 08/24/2006 10:48 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The Gazan experience.
Posted by: gromgoru || 08/24/2006 21:15 Comments || Top||


Fifth Column
Chattanooga talk station dumps Air America
On the heels of yesterday's announcement that their NY affiliate is goin' Gospel . . .

Chattanooga’s oldest radio station, WDOD, has ended its 11-month experiment with progressive talk radio.

At 10 a.m. this past Monday, the station switched to a format featuring musical oldies and standards from the late 1950s and the 1960s and 1970s, according to Danny Howard, director of programming and operations for WDEF and WDOD.

The new format, which is locally controlled, is known around the station as Ruby AM 1310. . . . One highlight of the new format will be Ruby’s Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting, when host Chris Adams will play Southern Gospel music. Adams also will host a similar show on Sundays called Ruby’s Fried Chicken Sunday Dinner.

You've pulled the plug on Al Franken and all of the moonbats,
Ruby are you contemplating changing your format?
The Arbitron report tells me our rating's goin' down,
Oh Ruby, . . . don't kick me out of town.

It wasn't me that started that old crazy Iraq war,--it was Bushitler and Halliburton and Karl Rove and the Jews and the oil companies and Diebold voting machines and Jews and black helicopters and the CIA and the Jews and . . . whaddaya mean "it doesn't fit the tune 'cause it's got too many syllables?"
But I was proud to go and do my liberal Marxist chore,
And yes, it's true that nobody's listening to me,
Oh Ruby, . . . I still need some company.


(Apologies to songwriter Mel Tillis and to Kenny Rogers & the First Edition.)
Posted by: Mike || 08/24/2006 07:29 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Mike, I like your version better than Kenny's.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 9:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Having lived near Chattanooga for 13 years, I can't believe anyone put it on the air at all. Whose retarded idea was that?

Now, "Ruby’s Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting," Southern Gospel, and "Ruby’s Fried Chicken Sunday Dinner" sound more like the Chattanooga I knew.
Posted by: Xbalanke || 08/24/2006 16:00 Comments || Top||

#3  Slight change
Oh Ruby, . . . I still need conspiracy.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 08/24/2006 19:41 Comments || Top||

#4  Bravo, Jim! That's better than mine.
Posted by: Mike || 08/24/2006 20:06 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Indian Navy may purchase BAE Hawk trainers
The Indian Navy is considering purchasing 18 Hawk 100-series advanced jet trainers (AJT) from the British defence corp. BAE Systems according to aerospace journal Flight International.

Furthermore the Navy is continuing talks with the British Government over the possible acquisition of 8 ex-UK Royal Navy BAE Sea Harrier FA2 fighter jets.

Around 30 Indian navy pilots recently underwent pilot training at US facilities using the services Boeing/BAE T-45 Goshawk trainers - developments of the Hawk - under a collaborative agreement.

The service hopes to acquire 18 new trainers for in-country instruction ahead of operations using its RSK MiG 29K carrier-borne fighters and Sea Harrier FRS51's.

The latter are to undergo modernization by Indian Aerospace Giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), including the integration of Israeli Elta EL/M-2032 multimode radar and Rafael Derby beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles.

The surplus FA2's are to be delivered without the radars or air-to-air missiles.

"BAE Systems is aware that the Indian Navy has a requirement for an advanced jet trainer and with the Hawk AJT recently being selected for the Indian Air Force we believe the trainer is well placed to meet their requirements," the company says.

BAE won a $1.7 billion contract in early 2004 to supply the Indian Air Force with 66 Hawk 132Y trainers. The first 24 of which will be manufactured in the United Kingdom and delivered by 2008 end, while the rest are to be built by HAL and inducted into the Air Force between 2008 and 2010.
Posted by: john || 08/24/2006 18:01 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Around 30 Indian navy pilots recently underwent pilot training at US facilities

32 pilots received carrier takeoff-and-landing training on Goshawks at the US Navy's Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida.

Ironic that they will serve on a Russian built aircraft carrier.

India has operated carriers for decades and feels they are more competant at carrier ops than the Russians.

Hence the US training.

It was Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, who convinced Nehru in 1955 to purchase the then uncompleted carrier HMS Hercules.

This quite displeased the Russians...

In 1957, the Russian Defence Minister, Marshal Zhukov, visited India. In Cochin, Rear Admiral RD Katari, the Fleet Commander, invited him to a banquet on board the flagship. In his memoirs, "A Sailor Remembers" he recalls: (Page 83). "From the moment Marshal Zhukov, stepped on board, he virtually impaled me against the centre-line capstan and demanded to know why we were acquiring an aircraft-carrier. Resisting the temptation to tell him that it was none of his business, I tried to explain to him the reasons which induced us to do so, but he could not, or would not, accept them. The discussion was obviously reaching a point of exasperation to both sides but the climax came when Zhukov made the provocative observation that we were buying the carrier at the behest of the British and to please them."
Posted by: john || 08/24/2006 18:34 Comments || Top||

#2  I vaguely recall some previous Rantburg posts which discussed the deathtraps currently being used by the Indian Air Force - maybe they were MiG-21s, or regionally-produced copies thereof? It's nice to see them getting modernized, we'll need the Indians on our side when Pakistan goes Islamicist...
Posted by: WhiteCollarRedneck || 08/24/2006 20:26 Comments || Top||


India buys the USS Trenton LPD
Government has approved the acquisition of Landing Platform Dock (LPD), USS Trenton alongwith four Landing Craft Mechanised (LCMs) and associated package for the Indian Navy from the USA at a cost of USD 48.23289 million.

The ship would provide the Indian Navy enhanced amphibious capability. In addition, the LPD can be deployed for disaster relief operations. It can also function as a command and control platform during mishaps at sea like offshore oil installation fires and maritime air accidents.

No technical know how for the construction of such a ship in India is envisaged under the present acquisition. However, the induction of LPD would help in gaining user experience apart from providing essential design inputs for the indigenous construction of LPD.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Naveen Jindal in Lok Sabha today.
Posted by: john || 08/24/2006 09:30 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So if there is another tsunami disaster in Indo, will the Indians rush to the rescue with their fleet?
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 08/24/2006 10:07 Comments || Top||

#2  More on the ship here.
Posted by: Mike || 08/24/2006 10:28 Comments || Top||

#3  Holey moley! That's a serious deal. Largest US warship ever transferred? Makes a pretty good sea-control ship too.
Posted by: 6 || 08/24/2006 10:37 Comments || Top||

#4  Never mind, thought it was a Tarrawa class.
Posted by: 6 || 08/24/2006 10:39 Comments || Top||

#5  And just who do they plan to invade ?
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 08/24/2006 11:40 Comments || Top||

#6  It's a 35 year old ship, so I can understand why the Navy wants to get rid of it. Very smart move by the Indians.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/24/2006 11:49 Comments || Top||

#7  More like, where do they forsee projecting seapower?

I can think of a couple of places ....
Posted by: lotp || 08/24/2006 11:50 Comments || Top||

#8  Think of the irony. Indians will have to call Americans for tech support.
Posted by: Penguin || 08/24/2006 13:43 Comments || Top||

#9  The Indian navy is quite eager to get hold of the Trenton even though it is quite old and has a history of problems.

They are accustomed to old ships- one of their destroyers on a visit to Japan last year was belching a huge column of smoke. All quite normal for the old girl apparently. Japanese thought the ship was on fire and sent firefighting ships.

They want experience operating a ship of this type. They want to study the design for their planned home built LPDs. Depending on how the home built aircraft carriers turn out, some home built LPHs may be on the cards.

Actual operating experience before building your own is invaluable.
Posted by: john || 08/24/2006 13:56 Comments || Top||

#10  John that's why you date before you get married.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins || 08/24/2006 16:44 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
American Muslim women assert rights in Islamic marriage contracts
Posted by: ryuge || 08/24/2006 12:03 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  It's generally accepted that Islamic law gives women the right to property and financial independence within marriage. Some Muslims scholars contend women are not even obligated to do housework. These and other details about running a house can be specified in the contract.

Maybe in the USA. The rest is hogwash. Try that with the women of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE, Iran, etc. Yeah, that'll go over very well.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 08/24/2006 12:42 Comments || Top||

#2  1400 or so years of being treated like property is supposed to be changed with one piece of paper?

Try it in a shariah court, princess, and see how far it gets you.
Posted by: Swamp Blondie || 08/24/2006 12:53 Comments || Top||

#3  Actually, from what I've heard, I suspect it's true about a lot of the marriages in Saudi Arabia, especially when the wife's clan has higher standing than the husband's.

Note, though, I'm talking about marriages between (for instance) one higher-status Saudi and another.

(And as always the rich are different; they have credit ratings).
Posted by: Abdominal Snowman || 08/24/2006 13:01 Comments || Top||

#4  Many Muslim brides stipulate an automatic right to divorce in their marriage contract if the man takes another wife. McCloud says that's especially important if a couple may one day live in another country.

An agreement to a right to divorce is not necessary under U.S. law. The point of these agreements seem more to ensure that the women can get an Islamically approved divorce without having to pay off the ex.

I wonder if any of these are enforceable in Saudi Arabia or Iran.
Posted by: DoDo || 08/24/2006 13:32 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2006-08-24
  Clashes kill 25 more Taleban in southern Afghanistan
Wed 2006-08-23
  Group claims abduction of Fox News journalists
Tue 2006-08-22
  Iran ready to talk interminably
Mon 2006-08-21
  Iran Denies Inspectors Access to Site
Sun 2006-08-20
  Annan: UN won't 'wage war' in Lebanon
Sat 2006-08-19
  Lebanese Army memo: stand with HizbAllah
Fri 2006-08-18
  Frenchies Throw U.N Peacekeeping Plans Into Disarray
Thu 2006-08-17
  Lebanese Army Moves South
Wed 2006-08-16
  Leb contorts, obfuscates over Hezbollah disarmament
Tue 2006-08-15
  Assad: We’ll liberate Golan Heights
Mon 2006-08-14
  Hizbullah distributes Leaflets claiming victory
Sun 2006-08-13
  Lebanese Cabinet Approves Cease-Fire
Sat 2006-08-12
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Fri 2006-08-11
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  "Plot to blow up planes" foiled in UK. We hope.


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