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Thirty Taliban killed in joint strikes
Today's Headlines
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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Air Force Pilot Dead After Likely Mid-Air Collision
This has really flown under the radar of our news makers....our warriors train as they fight...... Godspeed
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — One of the F-15C fighter pilots involved in what the Air Force said was likely a mid-air collision Wednesday during a training mission has died. The other is in good condition at Eglin Hospital.

"The 33rd fighter Wing Nomads and Team Eglin have suffered a great loss today and my heart goes out to the family and friends of our fallen airman," said Col. Todd Harmer, the commander of the air wing that included the two downed jets, in a statement. "We will continue to do anything we can to assist our families and airmen at this tragic time."

The pilots ejected over the Gulf of Mexico and were later rescued, the Air Force said.

Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Shirley Pigott said the pilots were rescued after their single-seat F-15C Eagles crashed off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base. Harmer said the planes crashed during a training exercise "emphasizing basic maneuvers and tactics." Weather in the area was clear.

"Two F-15 Cs assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron, at Eglin Air Force Base crashed in what appears to be a mid-air collision over the Gulf of Mexico," Harmer said Wednesday night. He said both pilots had been with the wing "for quite some time," but didn't give more details.

The cause of the collision was not immediately determined, but the Air Force will be investigating, he said.

Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless said a Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up. A Coast Guard helicopter then hoisted the pilot off the vessel.That pilot told rescuers he saw the other pilot also eject, but lost him in the clouds, Harless said. He told them the approximate location for the second pilot, who was found by a Coast Guard helicopter, Harless said.

The pilots were taken to Eglin Air Force Base hospital.

Harless said that no debris from the jets has been found yet.
Posted by: Sherry || 02/21/2008 00:25 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The C model was the one that generated the F-15 grounding after one w/ ~5000 huors broke up in flight. Inspections showed defects in wing fittings, and they were kept down until repairs were made, or increased inspection protocols were implemented. This sounds like your basic mid-air; the odds of synchronized break-ups is too remote to even contemplate. Prayers to those that suffer most.
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 02/21/2008 14:29 Comments || Top||

#2  This has really flown under the radar of our news makers....our warriors train as they fight...... Godspeed

I did actually read this in the MSM last night, but they were reporting both survivied at the time.

My gratitude and condolences to those left behind.
Posted by: xbalanke || 02/21/2008 14:48 Comments || Top||


-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
La Nina
The current La Nina is about as strong as its ever been (at least for the 20+ years for which we have legitimate data).

You can see the sea-surface anomaly depicted here.
Posted by: mhw || 02/21/2008 12:06 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  yet, we are experiencing a plus-normal year to date rain in So Cal this year
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2008 13:00 Comments || Top||

#2  I still want my city-stopping snowfall, damnit! This year has been weak in snow days.
Posted by: DarthVader || 02/21/2008 16:39 Comments || Top||

#3  Monster snows in the high country here in Colorado.
Posted by: OldSpook || 02/21/2008 17:56 Comments || Top||

#4  This is a better graphic

BTW, the climate models got this completely wrong. For months they have been predicting the la nina will weaken and it just keeps getting stronger.
Posted by: phil_b || 02/21/2008 18:19 Comments || Top||


Lights Off for Global Warming
Two dozen cities around the world plan to turn their lights off for one hour later this year in a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about global warming, organizers said Wednesday.

Last March, Sydney dimmed its skyline when residents, businesses and the local government took part in the first "Earth Hour" event that asked people to think about cutting their energy use. Organizers estimated that 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses in Sydney turned off their lights, reducing the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, or the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for that time.

Atlanta, Bangkok, Dublin, Montreal, Ottawa, Phoenix, San Francisco and Vancouver agreed this week to dim the lights, the fund said, joining cities that signed up earlier: Chicago, four Danish cities, six Australian state and territory capitals, Manila, Suva, Tel Aviv, Toronto and Christchurch.

Sydney was not the first city to cut the lights for conservation. In February last year, Paris and other parts of France dimmed the lights for five minutes in a similar gesture. Rome, Athens, Bangkok and San Francisco have also held similar events.

Posted by: Bobby || 02/21/2008 06:47 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Wonder if they'll turn off their heaters too?
Posted by: ed || 02/21/2008 8:00 Comments || Top||

#2  Just a quirky question... what if the Federal government just did this kind of thing itself with all of its offices and all of its vehicles. (Well, discounting the military. I don't want our guys having to go around in up-armored Priuses.)

How much would that save? I know they have a lot of offices and a lot of vehicles.
Posted by: eLarson || 02/21/2008 8:10 Comments || Top||

#3  If you think Chicago's Northside is dangerous now, wait till they turn the lights off around Cabrini-Green for an hour.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/21/2008 9:29 Comments || Top||

#4  Wow, lights off for one hour! We've saved the planet! I feel so good about myself!
Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 9:40 Comments || Top||

#5  Is there a Nobel Prize for pointless, feel-good gestures?
Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2008 9:59 Comments || Top||

#6  Dammit! There should be!!
Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 10:10 Comments || Top||

#7  So, when Global Cooling becomes a reality (as it will per the solar scientists who use observation and science instead of politics and voodoo of the Global Arming people)...

Can we depend on them to dig out their old incandescent bulbs and turn every light in the house on for an hour?
Posted by: OldSpook || 02/21/2008 10:16 Comments || Top||

#8  Oldspook, they'll be claiming that lightbulbs cause global cooling then.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles in Blairistan || 02/21/2008 10:27 Comments || Top||

#9  Wonder if these "feel-good" folks will alter the power consumption enough to unbalance and destabilize the power distribution system? During the Gray Davis years of Rolling Blackouts in California, San Diego had to be blacked out in spite of having surplus power to "balance the grid". However, their symbology is more telling than they think. The hallmark of civilization has been the ability to light up the cities and drive back darkness and ignorance. Global Warming fanatics are intent on bringing back both.
Posted by: RWV || 02/21/2008 10:31 Comments || Top||

#10  Just when I begin to think these Idiots can't sink any lower, they prove me wrong.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2008 13:08 Comments || Top||

#11  24 cities to turn off lights for global warming

turn off lights for "ON" global warming. There that's fixed. Just goes to prove that idiocy can be contagious.
Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2008 13:19 Comments || Top||

#12  Hey! Power for only 4 hours a day in Baghdad is good for the planet! We've put them ahead of the curve, AlGore should be proud.
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 02/21/2008 13:25 Comments || Top||

#13  Five minutes is a nuisance to the electric company.
An hour is a boon to the criminal trade.
Posted by: Darrell || 02/21/2008 15:36 Comments || Top||

#14  Just look at a night time satellite photograph of North Korea. Now, those people are living a low-carbon footprint lifestyle! Of course, they are starving and freezing to death, but that is a small price to pay to appease the Goreacle.
Posted by: Rambler in California || 02/21/2008 16:25 Comments || Top||

#15  Better Headine,

"BRAINS OFF FOR GLOBAL WARMING"
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2008 19:56 Comments || Top||


Homosexual activity cause of earthquake, Shas MK says
Posted by: phil_b || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Perhaps you are a SubGenius.

http://www.subgenius.com
Posted by: Anonymoose || 02/21/2008 12:16 Comments || Top||

#2  I thought Halliburton's earthquake division was a don't ask/don't care kind of operation but if the mullahs say so I guess I believe it.
Posted by: Excalibur || 02/21/2008 12:33 Comments || Top||

#3  Should have read that. Not the mullahs. The Jewish mullahs.
Posted by: Excalibur || 02/21/2008 12:33 Comments || Top||

#4  *rolls eyes* Oh, for the Love of...

Before you bring back stoning for homosexuality, adultry, and blasphemy, read the part in the TORAH where the ENTIRE promised land is for the Hebrews, and CLEAR OUT the idolators and worshippers of the moon god who regard Dead Jews as their steeds and tickets into paradise and its bedrooms stuffed with virgins.

Posted by: Ptah || 02/21/2008 12:58 Comments || Top||

#5  It's time to step into the modern age boys.
The older I get the less I think of religion of any stripe

Second the idea, my feelings exactly.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2008 13:11 Comments || Top||

#6  I just had a horrible thought, aborted fetuses qualify as "Virgins".
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2008 13:13 Comments || Top||

#7  well, "the earth moved" for Maria, as per Hemingway. Maybe some people are taking literature too seriously ?
Posted by: buwaya || 02/21/2008 13:17 Comments || Top||

#8  Don't worry, we'll make more of 'em so they can be smited.
Posted by: Halberton Mind Control Division: Zionist gender bender department || 02/21/2008 14:24 Comments || Top||

#9  Before I had any knowledge of Judaism, I just saw it, like a explanation of how things happening for primitives people, but now we are sooooo modern, we do not need it. Well the more if know it, the more I understand, how ignorant I was, the prophets and sages of so called Ancient Times, knew things that just now our "modern" science "discovers". When the Torah called homosexuality an abomination, and does called for example bestiality an abomination, is because, the Creator knew that we are going to accept homosexuality as "normal" after all, it happened between two humans consenting adults, but our Creator wants to tell us, in a strong, decisive way, that there is nothing "normal" about homosexuality.
Posted by: lena || 02/21/2008 15:22 Comments || Top||

#10  That's just ass backwards talk lena, suggesting that fags make the earth shake is bullshit, plain and simple, now, or 2000 years ago.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 15:52 Comments || Top||

#11  the Shas people is mystics, they beleive in deep connections between the spiritual and physical worlds. And they (or their ashkenazi counterparts) have an entire corpus of biblical interpretation that they beleive backs them up.

Now I dont believe in that stuff (i find mysticism interesting, but not to the point of this frankly superstitious stuff - im more maimonedean IE rationalist on that) but its branch off a deeper tree. It does come off sounding stupid in a headline, but then they probably dont care what you think.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 02/21/2008 16:13 Comments || Top||

#12  Did the earth move for you, too, Mahmoud?
Posted by: Woozle Gloluck8954 || 02/21/2008 16:20 Comments || Top||


Three dead, 25 hurt in Indonesia quake
A strong 7.5-magnitude quake rocked Indonesia’s Aceh province Wednesday, killing three people, seriously injuring 25 others and briefly sparking a tsunami alert, officials said.

The US Geological Survey said the undersea quake struck at 3:08 pm (0808 GMT) some 312 kilometres (194 miles) west-southwest of the North Sumatra capital Medan, at a depth of 34 kilometres. Indonesia’s meteorological agency put the initial magnitude at 6.6 but later upgraded it to 7.3. It said the quake struck 42 kilometres northwest of Sinabang, the main town on Simeulue island, off the west coast of Sumatra.

Aftershocks measuring 5.5 and 5.3 hit shortly afterwards, it said. “Three are dead, 25 seriously injured, many buildings damaged” on Simeulue, health ministry official Rustam Pakaya said in a text message.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Big one (by Norwegian standards) in Norway too.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/21/2008 7:30 Comments || Top||

#2  Must be caused by homosexual activity.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 9:49 Comments || Top||

#3  Yep, our data concurs with that...
Posted by: Halliburton: Earthquake/Tsunami Division || 02/21/2008 9:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Awesome! Haliburton makes people gay in order to trigger earthquakes.

Is there anything the evil Cheeney empire cannot do?
Posted by: CrazyFool || 02/21/2008 10:24 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
Kenyan Opposition Warns of More Protests
Kenya’s leading opposition party accused the government of stonewalling in negotiations to resolve the country’s festering political crisis and threatened to resume protests.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Subsaharan
Ex-Rwandan official arrested for genocide
A former Rwandan minister was arrested and turned over to the U.N. Rwandan war crimes tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania, the organization said. Callixte Nzabonimana -- who was minister of youth and sports in Rwanda's interim government in 1994 -- was arrested Tuesday in the Tanzanian town of Kigoma and transferred Wednesday to Arusha, location of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the United Nations said in a news release.

Nzabonimana, 55, faces six charges, including counts of genocide, making direct and public incitements to commit genocide and conspiracy to commit genocide. The indictment charged the former minister conspired with others to develop a plan to eliminate Rwanda's civilian Tutsi population and members of the political opposition.

The U.N. Security Council set up the Rwandan war crimes tribunal in 1994 in the wake of that year's genocide, during which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered -- most hacked by machete or clubbed to death -- in 100 days beginning in early April of that year.
This article starring:
Callixte Nzabonimana
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Britain
Biggest brain drain from UK in 50 years
Britain is experiencing the worst "brain drain" of any country as highly qualified professionals settle abroad, an authoritative international study showed yesterday.

No other nation is losing so many qualified people. Britain has now lost more than one in 10 of its most skilled citizens.
Record numbers of Britons are leaving - many of them doctors, teachers and engineers - in the biggest exodus for almost 50 years. There are now 3.247 million British-born people living abroad, of whom more than 1.1 million are highly-skilled university graduates, say the researchers.

More than three quarters of these professionals have settled abroad for more than 10 years, according to the study by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: lotp || 02/21/2008 08:39 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The report cited research suggesting that 62 per cent of the world's "star scientists" live in the US, primarily because of the efforts made by American research universities to attract them.

Because they get to keep far more of what they earn. You could match the salaries but when you then turn around and deduct all your taxes, it still doesn't add up.

And they go to America for the same reason people jumped the "Wall" back in the 'old days'. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs didn't work in the 20th Century and it's not going to work in the 21st Century, regardless of who's in charge.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/21/2008 9:25 Comments || Top||

#2  Trying to force everyone to be alike when some are more skilled and talented and then trying to pay them all the same will lead to "Brain Drain". You think they would have learned from the Soviets, but Noooooo.

Gee, that didn't work and was a complete disaster. I have an idea! Let's do the same thing all over again!
Posted by: DarthVader || 02/21/2008 9:35 Comments || Top||

#3  Prof Christian Dustmann, of University College London, said: "The costs of leaving a country are substantial. The rewards must be very high."

This guy "gets it".
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 9:40 Comments || Top||

#4  I doubt that Mr. Brown is concerned. Most of those leaving are not labour voters. Most of those coming in are.
Posted by: DoDo || 02/21/2008 11:29 Comments || Top||

#5  They left out the elephant standing in the middle of the room, unskilled immigrants. These people get on the dole as soon as the step into the country and many will stay there forever. This has taxed a very generous but failed social programs to the breaking point including National Health.

Gee, I wonder why their taxes are so high and going up. Gee, I wonder why their once great Military is a shadow of it's once proud self. Gee, I wonder why the social fabric is so tattered including the calls for separate laws (Sharia).

My wife is English and as she visits home once a year she says she doesn't recognize the England she grew up in any more.
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 02/21/2008 11:45 Comments || Top||

#6  The report is a statistical analysis which does not study the motivation for leaving Britain.

Because it is impossible for a statistical analysis to capture this sort of data.

/the Deciders
Posted by: Excalibur || 02/21/2008 12:32 Comments || Top||

#7  Once again, the intelligent leave.
The main reason the USA is so great, we have all your brains.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2008 13:20 Comments || Top||

#8  "The cost of training a junior doctor, for example, is £250,000."

And then they let him earn 20K locked into a national health care system that turns him into an automaton with his decisions driven by politics more than medicine. No wander they leave - they want to be DOCTORS.
Posted by: OldSpook || 02/21/2008 15:44 Comments || Top||

#9  Even worse Old Spook, they want to be treated like human beings, not stinky-white-men-things.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 15:48 Comments || Top||

#10  All Your Brains Are Belong to US!
Posted by: Rex Mundi || 02/21/2008 16:36 Comments || Top||

#11  This has been going on for a long time and I am amazed there are enough skilled people left in the UK to constitute an ongoing 'Brain Drain'.

I frankly don't believe the 3.247 million brits living abroad and note the spurious precision of the number. Government statistics are worthless, because they have always played down the significance of emigration.

The last Australian census showed over 1 million people born in the UK living here. The number of brits overseas is at least 5 million.

As I tell my wife, where-ever you go in the world you are sure of finding 2 things; ex-patriate Brits and Chinese food.

Disclaimer: I'm an expatriate Brit and my wife tells me for a GweiLo I cook pretty good Chinese food.
Posted by: phil_b || 02/21/2008 20:42 Comments || Top||

#12  I've worked with a lot of expat Brit engineers over the years, and the first two who came to mind are both married to expat Brit doctors.

Give us your engineers, your doctors, your research scientists, yearning to be free.
Posted by: Darrell || 02/21/2008 21:11 Comments || Top||

#13  US immigration policy is totally farked, most Brits are headed for Canada or Kiwiland.
Posted by: Seafarious || 02/21/2008 21:31 Comments || Top||

#14  Emigrating Brits will bring low their adopted countries just like Massholes moving to New Hampshire are a drag on the granite state and Californians are ruining CO and NV.
Posted by: regular joe || 02/21/2008 21:37 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Armenian PM wins presidential poll
  • Sarkisian gets 52.86 percent of votes
  • Opposition vows mass protest
  • OSCE calls Armenian election broadly fair
  • Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


    China-Japan-Koreas
    China really, really unhappy about sat test. Really.
    China called on the United States Thursday to provide information about its shooting down of a defunct US spy satellite and voiced caution about the potential international impact of the operation.

    "China is continuing to closely follow the possible harm caused by the US action to outer space security and relevant countries," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said when asked for a reaction to the shootdown. "China further requests that the US fulfil its international obligations in earnest and promptly provide to the international community the necessary information and relevant data... so that relevant countries can take precautions."

    A US Navy cruiser hit a defunct US spy satellite with a single missile late Wednesday in a successful interception 133 nautical miles in space over the Pacific, the US Defense Department said. US officials had earlier insisted the satellite would be shot down to stop it from tumbling to Earth and potentially posing a risk to humans.

    But the operation had raised concerns elsewhere that the United States was trying to test an anti-satellite weapon, amid rising global tensions about the militarisation of space.
    As long as we keep a straight face we can keep talking about the hydrazine ...
    However the Chinese reaction on Thursday to the incident appeared less confrontational than that on Monday, when Liu said the government was "highly concerned over the developments" and had asked the United States to "ensure that the security of outer space and relevant countries will not be undermined."

    Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that the US plans looked like a veiled weapons test and an "attempt to move the arms race into space".
    Posted by: || 02/21/2008 10:51 || Comments || Link || [17 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  I'd say give them info, but make it so that when they graph it on their computers or whatnot it makes the chinese characterature for Ovaltine, or Up Yours, something along those lines.
    Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/21/2008 11:19 Comments || Top||

    #2  OK, China, you now know that if you put it up, we can knock it down. That's life. Deal.
    Posted by: Mike || 02/21/2008 11:28 Comments || Top||

    #3  Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that the US plans looked like a veiled weapons test and an "attempt to move the arms race into space".

    The Chicoms did that.

    I dont think they have to worry --- I'm sure President Obama will be more than willing to sign a treaty that we will never, ever, ever, again do anything in space while allowing our enemies the freedom to place nuclear space platforms over our heads.
    Posted by: CrazyFool || 02/21/2008 11:40 Comments || Top||

    #4  China is continuing to closely follow the possible harm caused by the US action to outer space security and relevant countries

    "Especially us here in Beijing. We're following the harm to us really closely."
    Posted by: lotp || 02/21/2008 12:01 Comments || Top||

    #5  whaaaaa...
    Posted by: DarthVader || 02/21/2008 12:05 Comments || Top||

    #6  What you ahve to remember is that the Chinese have 24 confirmed operational ICBMs (which varies down to as few as 18 at a time due to maint). Yes. Just TWENTY-FOUR. DF-5/CSS-4 is the designation. Single 5 MT warhead, but 4 of them have a MIRV bus with up to 6 RV's each being supposedly 1-2MT. Range 15,000 Km, which means they can hit the western and central US. Liquid fueled. CEP of 600m (singe warhead) to 3 Km (Mirv). Takes them 30-60 minutes to prep them for launch, and rumor is that they do not usually keep the warheads mmated to the missiles, so the launch prep may be even more time consuming.

    Failure rate has been estimated (based on test firings) to be 8 percent for the launcher, 5 percent for the warheads (higher for MIRV bus).

    So if they popped the entire arsenal, 24 missiles, they are likely to have 2 fail during launch. SO lets pretend that those failures are single warhead launchers, the MIRV ones work. thats a total of 18 + (6*4) = 42 RVs. Out of that they lose 2 malfunction.

    Thats a total of 40 RVs. we have the capacity to launch approximately 20 SM3 per ship, and have 3 of those available (remember, launch prep indicatiosn give us up to an hour of alert) Thats 60 launches against 40 warheads. Lest trim it down and say its a 1 per. SM3 have suceeded 15 of 17 targets so far, including early failures. 88 percent of 42 (I assume bad RV will nto be visible until terminal phase, so all 42 need ot be targets) is 36.9 - round down to 36.

    That means 4 warheads leak through the initial phase. then Alaska gets involved, 12 missiles, fire 4, 80% = 1 left. Cali gets involved 8 missiles, fire 2. Dead RV.

    China is neutralized for now.

    (FYI thare are upgrading to the DF-31 and another missile, all of which will be MIRV'd, and have a full global range - still the total number of RVs will be less than 160 - and we carry enough SM3 in 3 Aegis to deliver 1 shot at each).

    So yeah, the Chinese are pissed. We just pulled their fangs for a while.





    Posted by: OldSpook || 02/21/2008 12:27 Comments || Top||

    #7  About a year ago, the PRC shot down one of its own missiles (at about 3x the altitude of today's shootdown).

    The satellite shot down was presumably transmitting and I'm guessing the PRC antimissile was using those transmissions in its target exercise.

    OldSpook,

    Do you think the PRC hissyfit is partly due to the fact that our shootdown exceeded their shootdown by so much technilogically?
    Posted by: mhw || 02/21/2008 12:35 Comments || Top||

    #8  'Spook, I think that last comment should be its own article.
    Posted by: Mike || 02/21/2008 12:38 Comments || Top||

    #9  I impressed that we have mobile anti-missle platforms. That means we can protect assets and allies around the world. All the naysayers now STFU.
    Posted by: Spot || 02/21/2008 13:07 Comments || Top||

    #10  China called on the United States Thursday to provide information about its shooting down of a defunct US spy satellite...

    For information, the Pentagon should send China a link to this article at Rantburg, where they'll read OP's comment.

    and voiced caution about the potential international impact of the operation.

    Too late. The cows already gat themselves out while you were propagandizing about closing the barn door.
    Posted by: Ptah || 02/21/2008 13:12 Comments || Top||

    #11  So I take it they were impressed...
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 13:23 Comments || Top||

    #12  Personally I think we should announce that we're gonna shoot down a sat with one of our new lasers. Then claim it was a success.

    Of course we don't need lasers or an actual satellite but the Chicoms don't need to know that to get really paranoid.
    Posted by: rjschwarz || 02/21/2008 14:20 Comments || Top||

    #13  Would it be totally out of line to tell china to "blow" us?
    Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 15:46 Comments || Top||

    #14  Don't forget the USSR's craft with cannons.
    Saluts

    also:
    OPS-2 or (Salyut 3)

    OPS-2 (or Almaz 101.2), announced as Salyut 3, was launched on June 25, 1974. The crew of the Soyuz 14 spacecraft spent 15 days aboard the station in July 1974. A second expedition was launched toward OPS-2 in August 1974, but failed to reach the station. The station successfully test-fired an onboard aircraft cannon at a target satellite while the station was unmanned. Salyut-3 was deorbited in January 1975, the day after the cannon test. Aiming the cannon meant pointing the whole spacecraft. It is speculated the cannon would significantly alter the orbit of the platform. As one commentator put it, "It wouldn't do to fire at an attacker only to discover you have deorbited yourself!"

    also:
    Defence measures

    In addition to reconnaissance equipment, the Almaz had an on-board cannon derived from the 23mm Nudelmann aircraft cannon (other sources say it was a Nudelmann NR-30 30mm gun). Salyut 3 conducted a successful test firing on a target satellite remotely with the station unmanned. OPS-4 featured two unguided missiles instead of the aircraft cannon.


    The Polyus Spacecraft
    According to Yuri Kornilov, Chief Designer of the Salyut Design Bureau, shortly before Polyus' launch, Mikhail Gorbachev visited the Baikonur Cosmodrome and expressly forbid the on-orbit testing of its capabilities. Kornilov claims that Gorbachev was worried that it would be possible for Western governments to view this activity as an attempt to create a weapon in space and that such an attempt would contradict the country's previous statements on the USSR’s peaceful intent. [1]
    Parts of the Polyus project hardware were re-used in Kvant-2, Kristall, Spektr and Priroda Mir modules, as well as in ISS Zarya FGB.

    Defensive weapons

    * Radar and optical sighting system guided ASAT defensive canon.
    * Barium cloud generation system, to confuse enemy ASAT satellites.
    * Black matte painting for camouflage, probable stealth radar observing properties.
    * Communications possible through usage of laser communication link, allowing operation in radio silence.

    [edit] Offensive weapons

    * Nuclear mines deployed through a special cannon.
    Posted by: 3dc || 02/21/2008 16:10 Comments || Top||

    #15  I've always been partial to the idea that the US suddenly announce to the world that we will not deploy or test quantum disruption weapons, and aggressively push everybody else to sign a treaty agreeing to the same.

    Oh, and announce we have a detector that will pick up any attempts at cheating.

    That'll really get them spinning the paranoia. :)
    Posted by: Laurence of the Rats || 02/21/2008 16:12 Comments || Top||

    #16  China called on the United States Thursday to provide information about its shooting down of a defunct US spy satellite

    Pick a finger... any finger... kaidai.
    Posted by: Baq Gwai || 02/21/2008 16:18 Comments || Top||

    #17  How about the middle finger for China. Oh we just did that.
    Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2008 17:13 Comments || Top||

    #18  I'm looking forward to a railgun that gets a projectile into space. Be like firing a machinegun at ballistic missiles.
    Posted by: phil_b || 02/21/2008 20:19 Comments || Top||

    #19  phil
    A mass accelerator on the moon would do fine for your need and not need to worry about all that friction in the air...
    lol
    Posted by: 3dc || 02/21/2008 21:03 Comments || Top||

    #20  big jim had the best idea
    Posted by: sinse || 02/21/2008 21:06 Comments || Top||

    #21  I have but one word in response to the headline - good...
    Posted by: Zhang Fei || 02/21/2008 23:34 Comments || Top||

    #22  FREEREPUBLIC/TOPIX > report that the US has already agreed to share its info on the shotdown.
    Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2008 23:50 Comments || Top||


    Europe
    Denmark: New air traffic control system full of errors
    Posted by: mrp || 02/21/2008 13:57 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  "It's not a bug, it's a feat - OH, SHIT!!!"
    Posted by: M. Murcek || 02/21/2008 16:53 Comments || Top||

    #2  And finally, a 29-sided glass tower caused so much reflection that air traffic controllers' overview of the airfield were severely hampered.

    Oh. An icosikaienneagon. No wonder they're having problems...
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 17:04 Comments || Top||

    #3  An icosikaienneagon.

    An icantseeathingagon?
    Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2008 21:28 Comments || Top||


    Protesters break into U.S. embassy in Serbia
    BELGRADE, Serbia - A handful of protesters broke into the U.S. embassy in Belgrade on Thursday, cheered on by crowds outside, in a protest at U.S. support for Kosovo's independence.

    Smoke was seen billowing from the building.

    The embassy had been closed in anticipation of the demonstration. A spokesman for the State Department said there are no reports of any injuries to Americans, and only security personnel were present. Police were not protecting the building.

    he attack came four days after Kosovo declared its independence. The United States recognized the new nation the next day.

    There has been unrest in Kosovo since the independence declaration. Hundreds of Serbs have launched attacks on border outposts, prompting NATO to reinforce the northern Serb-dominated part of Kosovo and take control of the borders.

    The violence has sparked fears of sustained violence, with Serbian officials saying the attacks were in line with its attempt to contest Kosovo's secession.

    Ethnic Albanian separatists fought a 1998-99 war with Serbian forces, and an estimated 10,000 people were killed.

    In areas of Kosovo where Serbs live surrounded by majority ethnic Albanians, Serb leaders urged Serbia's government to tone down statements or risk endangering lives.

    "Serbs from the north have brought other Serbs in Kosovo in a position to fear for their children and their lives, which is a very painful feeling — the fear of what your own people might do," Kosovo Serb leader Rada Trajkovic was quoted Thursday as saying by the independent Serbian news agency FoNet.

    This breaking news story will be updated.
    Posted by: Sherry || 02/21/2008 13:02 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  Fox is streaming this LIVE!

    Riot police just moved in -- firing smoke?
    Posted by: Sherry || 02/21/2008 14:47 Comments || Top||

    #2  No Marine guards?
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 14:48 Comments || Top||

    #3  The protesters appeared to have been in the Embassy's consular building area, McCormack said. U.S. security officials and Marine guards were in a separate part of the compound, the chancery, but no staff were present at the Embassy, he said.

    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 14:54 Comments || Top||

    #4  The embassy had been closed in anticipation of the demonstration.
    Well at least someone at State can predict the consequences of one's actions.... I was beginning to wonder.
    Posted by: Phusomble Sproing7161 || 02/21/2008 16:15 Comments || Top||

    #5  Isn't an embassy soverieng territory and thus such an attack/riot an act of war?

    Everybody knows we won't take it that way but perhaps this nonsense wouldn't happen if they weren't so sure.

    A nice announcement that the rioters need to stay back before they activate the automated defense systems might go a long way.
    Posted by: rjschwarz || 02/21/2008 16:25 Comments || Top||

    #6  i hear ya rj. Condi should've sent a warning order to serbia. Burglarize the property and you get shot.
    Posted by: Broadhead6 || 02/21/2008 20:10 Comments || Top||

    #7  Still, there isn't much of a reaction from even the Rantburg crowd. That says something.
    Posted by: Penguin || 02/21/2008 20:39 Comments || Top||

    #8  It says no place in the Balkans is worth the life of a single American. Pull the troops out now.
    Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 02/21/2008 20:46 Comments || Top||

    #9  Oh, look. A prize inside...

    A charred body was found in the U.S. Embassy after the fire was put out, but all staff were accounted for, embassy spokeswoman Rian Harris said. Belgrade's Pink TV said the body appeared to be that of a rioter.
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 20:52 Comments || Top||

    #10  With the planned day of rallies and marches punctuated by the imspired oratory of a few, wasn't this sort of acting out almost inevitable. Notice how quickly the Serbian government reacted by reaching out to the media and American people? Violence and thuggery is too often the coin of the realm in the Balkans. A nice future addition to the EU methinks! Better yet let them be and leave the Kosovars and Serbs to themselves. These brutal nasty pieces of work truly deserve each other. You can't make "happy family of cat and dog" by putting the two in the same closet without holding each by the scruff of the neck. I sorta miss Tito.
    Posted by: tkat || 02/21/2008 23:04 Comments || Top||

    #11  PUTIN = RUSSIA already broadly blames the USA-NATO, espec the USA, for its probs wid various Muslim break-away factions e.g. CHECHNYA. Basically, they see US-NATO suppor for KOSOVO Muslims as another PC attempt by the West to contain and destabilize Russia. Among other thingys, POST-GORBACHEV RUSSIA STILL SEES ITSELF AS THE TITULAR, SYMBOLIC DEFENDER AND PROMOTER OF REGIONAL-GLOBAL SLAVICISM, INCLUDING NON-ROMAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. IMO Russia and any aligned Serbian-Balkan Slav cohorts are going to do everything they [PDeniably]can to ensure that KOSOVO becomes a deep problematic thorn in the US-EU/NATO's side. ANTI-NATO/EU RUSS ARE GONNA HAVE A FIELD DAY WID THE WEST ON THIS ONE.
    Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2008 23:47 Comments || Top||


    UK appoints first ambassador to Kosovo
    LONDON - Britain on Wednesday appointed its first ambassador to Kosovo, days after its declaration of independence from Serbia.’Mr David Graeme Blunt CVO has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo,’ the Foreign Office said in a statement. ‘Mr Blunt has been head of the British Office, Pristina, now the British Embassy, Pristina, since January 2006.’

    The new ambassador began his civil service career in 1978 in the Ireland department of the Foreign Office and has served overseas in Vienna, Beijing, Canberra, Oslo and Gibraltar.

    Britain is one of a number of countries to recognise Kosovo, after it declared independence on Sunday. The move has prompted outrage in Serbia and its key ally Russia as well.
    Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


    NATO closes roads between Kosovo and Serbia
    KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Kosovo - NATO peacekeepers closed off roads between Serbia and northern Kosovo and armed UN policemen guarded smoldering border checkpoints, bracing Wednesday for more protests by Serbs incensed by Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

    For three days, Kosovo’s Serbs have shown their anger over Sunday’s declaration by destroying UN and NATO property, setting off small bombs and staging noisy rallies. In Jarnije and Brnjak, protesters used plastic explosives and bulldozers to wreck border checkpoint posts and tipped over metal sheds housing UN customs service offices. They vandalized and torched passport control booths and UN border patrol vehicles.

    Serbs planned more protests Wednesday to express their anger at the swift recognition of Kosovo’s independence by world powers including the United States, France _ and now Germany.

    NATO troops sealed off the northern border, concerned that Serbian militants could cross over to fight in Kosovo.
    Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  How does one say Gaza, wall, and rockets, in Kosovorian?
    Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2008 1:03 Comments || Top||

    #2  Muslims don't exactly accept Jews and Christians in the Middle East. Kosovans and Bosnians are the offspring of Ottoman collaboraters. NATO should get the hell out and let nature take its course.
    Posted by: McZoid || 02/21/2008 7:07 Comments || Top||

    #3  Quagmire. Bring all the troops home now. No more blood for sharia.
    Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 02/21/2008 7:22 Comments || Top||


    Turkey approves return of confiscated property to Jewish, Christian minorities
    Turkey's parliament approved a law Wednesday to return properties confiscated by the state to Christian and Jewish minority foundations - a key reform demanded by the European Union. The EU has long been pressing Turkey to pass the measure that would allow the foundations belonging to minority groups to reclaim seized assets - including churches, school buildings and orphanages - that were registered in the names of saints.
    Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  Wonder if that includes the Hagia Sophia.
    Posted by: RWV || 02/21/2008 6:42 Comments || Top||

    #2  The whole friggin' country was Christian!
    Posted by: Spot || 02/21/2008 9:41 Comments || Top||

    #3  Turkey to restore the Byzantine Empire
    Posted by: Cheadderhead || 02/21/2008 10:36 Comments || Top||

    #4  Turkey to restore the Byzantine Empire

    I realise that's snark, but Hummmm.
    Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2008 13:32 Comments || Top||


    Home Front: Politix
    Politico: January yields debt for HRC, cash for Obama
    Hillary Rodham Clinton ended January with $7.6 million in debt — not including the $5 million personal loan she gave to her campaign in the run-up to the critical Super Tuesday elections, according to financial reports released Wednesday.

    In contrast, Democratic rival Barack Obama’s campaign’s finances continued to be robust. He reported raising nearly $37 million and spending nearly $31 million. His cash balance was $25 million, of which roughly $20 million can be spent on the primary. He reported a comparatively small $1 million in debts, owed largely to just three vendors.

    The January monthly financial disclosure reports glimpse a behind-the-scenes imbalance that has had a significant impact on the primary contest — one that continues in the days leading up to the critical March 4 primaries in Texas and Ohio.
    Continued on Page 49
    Posted by: Delphi || 02/21/2008 14:30 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  Brings back an old Flip Wilson routine, with Rev. Leroy -

    On his weekly TV show he portrayed a variety of offbeat characters, one of whom was Rev. Leroy, a fiery preacher who was always trying to stir up his somewhat lackluster congregation. In one skit Leroy sensed that he was bombing. All during his sermon he couldn’t get a single "Amen" or "Hallelujah." He knew he was in serious trouble when the collection plates were passed and they came back empty. Not a man to be easily discouraged, he sent them out again---with the same result. Feeling a bit desperate now, he said to his flock, "This church must progress. I know you want this church to progress." That prompted a few murmurs of agreement so Leroy pressed on, "Now before this church can progress, it has to crawl, this church has got to crawl." And the congregation began to get excited. "Make it crawl, Reverend, make it crawl!" they called back. Leroy went on, "After this church has crawled, it has got to pick itself up and start to walk. This church has got to walk!" And the people yelled back, "Make it walk, Reverend, make it walk!" On a roll now, Leroy thundered, "And after this church has walked, it has to get up and run. This church has got to get up and run!" The congregation rose to its feet: "Make it run, Reverend, make it run!" And then Leroy decided to close the deal: "Brothers and sisters, if this church is goin' to run, it’s goin' to need money. It’s goin' to take money for this church to run!" And all the people replied, "Let it crawl, Reverend, let it crawl!"

    Seems the congregation has left the building.

    Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/21/2008 16:17 Comments || Top||

    #2  How did Hillary blow through the $100,000,000 she had; borrow $5 million from personal funds, and end up $7.6 million in debt? It's that damned double entry Whitewater accounting system.
    Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2008 17:09 Comments || Top||

    #3  John: I bet you chose the wording of that first sentence very carefully.
    It's all Bush's fault, that damned sub-prime lending meltdown did it.......
    Posted by: USN, Ret. || 02/21/2008 17:23 Comments || Top||

    #4  "Her campaign last month dismissed those debts as a matter of bookkeeping. "These are not true debts accruing by the campaign, but simply unpaid invoices," said spokesman Blake Zeff."

    Ok then, Blakey-baby; try this. "All services C.O.D." How's that for curing that unpaid invoice thingy?
    Posted by: USN, Ret. || 02/21/2008 17:26 Comments || Top||


    Obama Defends Wife on Matter of Pride
    Democratic Sen. Barack Obama sought Tuesday to clarify his wife's statement that she is proud of the U.S. "for the first time in my adult life." He said her newfound pride is about the political system and was not meant to disparage her country.

    He commented after Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, made a veiled reference to Michelle Obama's recent remarks. Cindy McCain told a Wisconsin rally on Tuesday: "I'm proud of my country, I don't know about you, if you heard those words earlier."

    Barack Obama, interviewed on WOAI radio in San Antonio, Texas, expressed frustration that his wife's comments became political fodder. "Statements like this are made and people try to take it out of context and make a great big deal out of it, and that isn't at all what she meant," Obama said. "What she meant was, this is the first time that she's been proud of the politics of America," he said. "Because she's pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she's not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she's encouraged."

    In Milwaukee on Monday, Michelle Obama said: "Let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change."

    Cindy McCain asserted, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country," and repeated the sentiment later in Columbus, Ohio.
    Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  One picture... a thousand words.

    http://www.associatedcontent.com/image/166604/index.html
    Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2008 6:37 Comments || Top||

    #2  Geeez, okay, Obama. We'll let it slide. Anything I can do for you? Anything at all? I'm just mezmerized! You give me HOPE!!!
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 9:21 Comments || Top||

    #3  Ok, why doesn't SHE clarify what she means? This race is pathetic and embarrassing. I can't believe anyone in the country would want either of them in the white house.
    Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 9:47 Comments || Top||

    #4  The Obamas make the Clintons look responsible and patriotic.
    Posted by: Excalibur || 02/21/2008 12:38 Comments || Top||

    #5  .....Princton thesis, "Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community, proudly moving ahead with change and the redistribution of farm land. "
    Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2008 14:01 Comments || Top||

    #6  Its still weak. She isnt proud of the democratic system that we've had for generations? She wasnt proud of our system ratified the civil rights revolution? Were the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act not products of our political system? To name a few things every LIBERAL should be proud of? (not even going back to FDR and Truman or, heaven help us, Lincoln).

    This is still historical myopia, messianism, without foundation. Nothing the US political system has done makes her proud, from its founding up to the magic moment OBAMA YES WE CAN ran for office. He, and only he makes her proud of our POLITICAL SYSTEM.

    Sigh.
    Posted by: liberalhawk || 02/21/2008 16:01 Comments || Top||

    #7  "The Obamas make the Clintons look responsible and patriotic"

    The main reason hes winning is cause GOPers say they wont vote for her, but might vote for him. So we have y'all to thank for this.
    Posted by: liberalhawk || 02/21/2008 16:03 Comments || Top||

    #8  I'm sorry, but she is a smart ivy league educated, post degreed women in a mid level position in a prestigious law firm. She says words for a living. She said what she meant and meant what she said. She just had a brain fart and forgot that the cameras were rolling.
    That sound bite and the picture of him from post #1 just illustrates how "uncomfortable" patriotism is for either one of them.
    If he becomes CIC, he will need lessons simply to salute his helicopter pilot.

    Not ready for prime time players...
    Posted by: Capsu78 || 02/21/2008 18:01 Comments || Top||

    #9  So a coupla days after he blah blah blahs about the importance of "words", he tells us to basically ignore his wife's?
    How...Democrat.
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 20:55 Comments || Top||


    Teamsters Union Endorses Obama
    Sen. Barack Obama won an endorsement from the powerful Teamsters union on Wednesday, critical labor support for the Democratic front-runner with upcoming contests in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania. "There was very, very strong support for him" among the union's members, James P. Hoffa, president of the 1.4-million member union, in an interview with The Associated Press.

    Hoffa planned to meet with Obama on Wednesday in Texas, the site of the next Democratic primary against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Teamsters endorsement is expected to help Obama there and in Ohio on March 4, as well as in Pennsylvania on April 22.

    The Teamsters have 80,000 members in Pennsylvania, 60,000 in Ohio and 17,000 in Texas, Hoffa said. In addition to those members on the ground, the Teamsters plan to have their members and their families from around the country work for Obama, Hoffa said. "We're going to say, 'Yes, yes, we can elect Barack Obama,'" Hoffa said. " ... He's got the best chance to win in the November elections."
    When asked about the unions endorsement, Hillary Clinton was heard to mutter something about "sleeping with his old man".
    Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  Teamsters Union Endorses Obama

    ye olde corrupt Union lies down with not so olde commie..
    Posted by: RD || 02/21/2008 1:58 Comments || Top||

    #2  I'm sure they endorsed him because...he gives them HOPE!
    Not because there'll be a payback or anything like that. Unions, especially the Teamsters, are, of course, above all that...
    Adios, Mexican truckers.
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 9:10 Comments || Top||

    #3  Great, that's settled. But what the KU Student Newspaper wants to know is, "What drinking game would O'bama endorse?"

    Lets see,
    Quarters - all about change
    Chandalier - his house of glass
    Taxi Driver - from his 20's party days
    Star Wars - for the Obamanauts
    Up the River - ode to hillary!
    Under the Table - for Chicago politics
    Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/21/2008 10:20 Comments || Top||

    #4  First Ted Kennedy and now the Teamsters. Wow…he really is the Democratic candidate of “Change”.
    Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/21/2008 10:34 Comments || Top||

    #5  OK, thats it, Hillary has had it. The goo-goos can go to Obama or whoever and they don't matter. But when she's lost the hard cases like these, its all over.
    Posted by: buwaya || 02/21/2008 13:20 Comments || Top||

    #6  Just because the front office has endorsed ol; toothy grin, doesn't mean the rank and file will. Seems to me that lately the union movement has been on the ropes when in contract discussion with management. Didn't they just have to eat a big new UAW health care provision? Didn't Spirit Aviation bust the union when they bought the plant from Boeing? Seems to me that the blue collar boys are getting screwed, and this may not go down good for BO
    Posted by: USN,Ret. || 02/21/2008 14:41 Comments || Top||


    Michelle Obama Clarifies `proud' Remark
    The wife of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama sought Wednesday to clarify her comment that for the first time she's really proud of her country. On Monday, Michelle Obama told an audience in Milwaukee that "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change." Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential contender John McCain, later sought to capitalize on the remark, saying "I have, and always will be, proud of my country."

    Asked by WJAR-TV if she would like to clarify her comment, Obama replied that she has been struck by the number of people going to rallies and watching debates, as well as record voter turnouts.

    "What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process," she said. "For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen and really trying to figure this out — and that's the source of pride that I was talking about," she added.

    When asked if she had always been proud of her country, she replied "absolutely" and said she and her husband would not be where they are now if not for the opportunities of America.

    Michelle Obama was campaigning in Rhode Island two weeks before the state's March 4 primary. She planned a rally later with her brother, Craig Robinson, the coach of the Brown University men's basketball team.
    Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  While the Obamas are "clarifying" things perhaps Michelle will clearly explain why her Princton thesis, "Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community," is unavailable at the Princeton library until November 5, 2008. Better yet, release it now.
    Posted by: GK || 02/21/2008 2:06 Comments || Top||

    #2  I listened to her original "proud" statements on the radio. I don't know what she normally sounds like, but the way she said it didn't flow right at all. The whole thing sounded very forced as if she knew she might get in a heap of trouble for it.

    But then again, her audience isn't a bunch of conservatives who have already made their minds up.
    Posted by: gorb || 02/21/2008 3:13 Comments || Top||

    #3  The more I see of the Obamas, the more I don't like them.
    Posted by: DarthVader || 02/21/2008 7:42 Comments || Top||

    #4  …Just words?... I have a dream…Just words?... for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country…Just words?...
    Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/21/2008 9:21 Comments || Top||

    #5  Okay, Mrs. O. We'll move it along, nuthin to see here...Hey, did you hear? MCCAIN MAYBE MIGHT'VE SCREWED AROUND!
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 9:55 Comments || Top||

    #6  MCCAIN MAYBE MIGHT'VE SCREWED AROUND!
    Good. Maybe he'll gain some cross-over voters.
    Apparently the Dims reeaallly love that kind of guy.
    Posted by: GK || 02/21/2008 11:20 Comments || Top||

    #7  Keep talkin' big mama. Keep talkin'.

    Should have heard npr this morning (running out of Murine) - he was already guilty; around the lines of "We have still not heard the truth since the mccain camps still denies the charges."

    My guess is that this (standard bogus charge) card was played early, but get the feeling that they will go ahead and play character cards now that 'hearts have been broken' to smear now before R nominee is officially chosen so that afterwards, even though Honahlee camp does not come up with anything of substance if/when mccain camps does it will be, "Yeah, but he is a lying cheating sob so why trust him?" The contest is not over the established voters but the undecided/crossover voters. And it does not have to be true, just implant the idea.

    If I had a nickle for every time I heard the word 'change', well I would be an endorser of b.o.!
    Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/21/2008 11:40 Comments || Top||

    #8  So, Obama would not be in America except for the opportunities. Nothing to do with being the last, best hope for liberty. Nothing to do with self-expression. Nothing to with justice and providence. No, he is here for himself.

    Got it. Glad she cleared that up.
    Posted by: Excalibur || 02/21/2008 12:36 Comments || Top||

    #9  Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela...Now there are countries to be proud of.
    Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2008 13:07 Comments || Top||

    #10  "What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process," she said. "For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen and really trying to figure this out — and that's the source of pride that I was talking about," she added.

    Pathetic.

    When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
    Posted by: gorb || 02/21/2008 15:15 Comments || Top||

    #11  Michelle is either

    - a self indulgent "its all about me" narcissist
    - a whiny "more affirmative action is needed" fundamentalist
    - a neurotic doctrinaire leftist

    whatever, its not very attractive
    Posted by: mhw || 02/21/2008 16:50 Comments || Top||

    #12  Doesn't have to be an "either." She could be all three.
    Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2008 17:03 Comments || Top||

    #13  At least Hillary Clinton never called me "honky"...
    Posted by: tu3031 || 02/21/2008 17:05 Comments || Top||

    #14  #11, #1. MHW, if we can get her thesis released, maybe learn we'll which trait characterizes her best, or as JQC suggested, maybe it's all three.
    Posted by: GK || 02/21/2008 18:04 Comments || Top||


    Obama wins primary in Hawaii, 10th straight victory over Clinton
    Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

    #1  Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that Hildabeast will still end up winning this thing even after losing almost all the state primaries?
    Posted by: bigjim-ky || 02/21/2008 9:51 Comments || Top||

    #2  You are probably right big-jim. Hildebeast will try to claim Michigan and Florida delegates. If that doesn't work there are the super delegates to try to buttonhole. If that doesn't work, there are "dirty tricks."
    Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2008 13:24 Comments || Top||

    #3  There is gonna big a big sh*tstorm at the Dem convention. Obama will be leading, but Hillary will pull out all the stops, call in favors, reason with people by making them an offer they cannot refuse. It will get ugly, and Hillary will probably pull it off, becoming the candidate. Hope is dashed, the party splits and the Obama-ites are disenfranchised.

    Of course this is a pull your a$$ out of a crack moment for the Republicans, but they, by and large, are too stupid to capitalize on it.

    /call me cynical
    Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/21/2008 21:35 Comments || Top||

    #4  Compare NEWSMAX > DICK MORRIS - HILLARY IS RUINING HER OWN CHANCESl versus LUCIANNE/TOPIX > HILLARY CLINTON CAN STILL WIN.

    OTOH, REDDIT/FREEREPUBLIC > BARACK OBAMA[President Obama] INTENDS THAT LIFE IN THE US WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.
    Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2008 23:37 Comments || Top||


    Syria-Lebanon-Iran
    Iran ayatollah says freedom lacking in country
    Iran’s most prominent dissident cleric has complained freedom is being “sacrificed” in the Islamic republic, pointing to the mass disqualification of candidates for March parliamentary elections.
    Picked right up on that, didn't he?
    Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, once seen as the successor as supreme leader to revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, also denounced “wrongdoings” which he said were giving Islam a “violent image”.
    Dunno what he could be referring to there. Islam is such a peaceful religion. Its practitioners seem so... ummm... blissful.
    ”People who have paid dearly for the slogans of independence and freedom are being snubbed,” the reformist Etemad newspaper quoted Montazeri as saying. “We have succeeded in achieving independence. But freedom, which is advocated by Islam and the constitution, has been sacrificed.” he said.
    This article starring:
    Hossein Ali Montazeri
    Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran



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