Hi there, !
Today Thu 06/11/2009 Wed 06/10/2009 Tue 06/09/2009 Mon 06/08/2009 Sun 06/07/2009 Sat 06/06/2009 Fri 06/05/2009 Archives
Rantburg
531687 articles and 1855967 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 79 articles and 233 comments as of 9:46.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion       
March 14 Maintains Parliamentary Majority in Record Turnout
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 6: Politix
0 [] 
0 [] 
0 [] 
2 00:00 Richard of Oregon [1] 
1 00:00 Besoeker [] 
2 00:00 Anguper Hupomosing9418 [] 
8 00:00 Barbara Skolaut [] 
1 00:00 Barbara Skolaut [] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
9 00:00 funky skunk []
3 00:00 Skunky Glins 5*** []
2 00:00 Steven []
0 []
0 []
12 00:00 HammerHead []
5 00:00 Besoeker [1]
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
1 00:00 Redneck Jim []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
3 00:00 Zhang Fei []
4 00:00 funky skunk []
3 00:00 Jack is Back! []
4 00:00 Pappy []
0 [1]
1 00:00 Lord garth []
Page 2: WoT Background
0 []
0 []
12 00:00 JosephMendiola [1]
1 00:00 Glenmore []
10 00:00 Penguin []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
10 00:00 Redneck Jim []
0 []
0 []
11 00:00 JosephMendiola []
5 00:00 JosephMendiola []
1 00:00 Glenmore []
5 00:00 Redneck Jim [1]
1 00:00 3dc []
4 00:00 Frank G []
Page 3: Non-WoT
2 00:00 OldSpook [1]
4 00:00 dan [1]
9 00:00 Richard of Oregon []
9 00:00 Redneck Jim []
3 00:00 AlmostAnonymous5839 []
5 00:00 Barbara Skolaut []
4 00:00 Redneck Jim []
2 00:00 Redneck Jim []
1 00:00 Anonymoose []
6 00:00 JosephMendiola []
3 00:00 Procopius2k []
12 00:00 OldSpook []
0 []
1 00:00 newc []
0 []
1 00:00 Skunky Glins 5*** []
2 00:00 Redneck Jim []
10 00:00 Redneck Jim [1]
2 00:00 Jack is Back! []
9 00:00 Alaska Paul at Mare Island, CA []
0 []
0 []
Page 4: Opinion
5 00:00 3dc []
0 []
3 00:00 DepotGuy []
9 00:00 Don Vito Anginegum8261 []
0 []
12 00:00 Ebbang Uluque6305 []
-Lurid Crime Tales-
Video: Prediction vs Actual - Obama's stimulus predictions for June -- Cough!
Posted by: 3dc || 06/08/2009 20:25 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Video: The National Debt Road Trip - Cruising at 174 mph
Posted by: 3dc || 06/08/2009 20:23 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Proposes Outlawing Most Pocket Knives
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposed new rule would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its broad definition of a switchblade would also include one-handed opening knives and could be easily interpreted to cover most other pocket knives, even simple old-fashioned slip-joints.

Note that CBP's interpretation of the Federal Switchblade Act forms the basis for national, state and even local law and judicial rulings in many cases. This ruling by CBP is NOT limited to just imports. This WILL affect virtually everyone who carries a pocket knife, no matter the type!
Posted by: Anonymoose || 06/08/2009 18:37 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Robbing Peter by spotlighting Paul. It's all a smokescreen,folks. BIG BROTHER OBAMA is out to disarm us all.Like the MINUTE MEN you'd better get ready!.
Posted by: MICK WISEMAN || 06/08/2009 21:28 Comments || Top||

#2  Maybe we should start carrying a hammer, a framing hammer. That's probably safer anyhow. Not as likely to cut myself with a hammer.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 06/08/2009 23:59 Comments || Top||


Economy
There Are No Words To Describe The Following Part II

Video about oversight at the Federal Reserve.
Posted by: Beavis || 06/08/2009 09:29 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How about "the lack of oversight SUCKS?" $30,000 of taxpayer money per every man, woman, and child in the U.S. SUCKS.
Posted by: JohnQC || 06/08/2009 11:55 Comments || Top||

#2  Re-elect your local Congressperson and Senator. Always.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 06/08/2009 12:40 Comments || Top||


Europe
Gaddafi in rome for 3 intensive days.
Everything is in place for Muammar Gaddafìs 3 day visit of Rome and his numerous delegation (more than 300). Gaddafìs agenda has been planned down to the last detail from his arrival in Rome on Wednesday June 10 at 10:00am to his departure on Friday 12. He will be met in the airport by Premier Silvio Berlusconi and there is a possibility that the visit may be extended to Saturday for unofficial meetings.

Maurizio Massari, spokesperson for the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a presentation press conference that the visit will be "varied" and "in many ways, historic".

This visit comes in the wake of the strengthening of ties between Italy and Libya, revived by the Friendship and Cooperation treaty signed in Bengasi on August 30 2008 between Premier Silvio Berlusconi and Colonel Gheddafi in person. In political terms, the only appointment to be noticeable by its absence is that with AIRL ('Associazione degli Italiani Rimpatriati dalla Libià, the association of Italians who returned home from Libya), representing Italians who were 'thrown out' of Libya in 1970 and all of whose properties were confiscated.

Work is still going on behind the scenes for a potential meeting between Gaddafi and Libyan Jews, some 6,000 of whom have been thrown out of Libya since 1967. The meeting was requested by Gaddafi himself, but turned down because it coincided with Sabbath, on Saturday 13.

Gaddafìs first meeting will be in the Quirinale, where immediately after his arrival he will join Italy's Head of State, Giorgio Napolitano, for breakfast. At 6pm of the same day Gaddafi will be expected in Palazzo Chigi to meet the premier along with Foreign minister Franco Frattini to sign a number of bilateral technical agreements that are a follow-up to the Bengasi agreement. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference.

On the morning of Thursday 11 he will meet Senate Speaker Renato Schifani, and at 12:30pm he will be holding a debate with students and teachers at 'La Sapienza' University. At 6:00pm he will move to the Campidoglio to meet Mayor Gianni Alemanno.

His last day in Rome will also be quite busy. At 10:30am the Colonel will be met in Confindustria by its Chair, Emma Marcegaglia, who will introduce him to the Italian business elite who are eager to meet him. Catering to a personal request, Gaddafi will have an appointment in Romés Auditorium where he will meet female representatives of Italian politics, culture and enterprise. He will also meet the country's minister of Equal opportunities, Mara Carfagna. Only 700 women will be allowed in, including Milan's mayor Letizia Moratti. During his speech Gaddafi is expected to talk about the condition of women in his country, while minister Carfagna will focus on the state of African women.

At 4:30pm the Libyan leader will meet the speaker of Italy's lower house, Gianfranco Fini, before attending a round table with two former foreign ministers, Fini himself and Massimo D'Alema. At present there is no great prospect of a meeting in the Vatican. The list of Italian guests that are to be allowed into the spacious Bedouin tent which Gaddafi is having erected in the gardens of Villa Doria Pamphili, a traditional guest area of the Italian government, is being kept under wraps
Posted by: Classer || 06/08/2009 07:30 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  What - Gadaffi Duck needs his sprockets spruced up?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 06/08/2009 18:31 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
William 'Cold Cash' Jefferson trial set for this week
ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- Nearly four years after FBI agents found $90,000 in marked bills stuffed inside the freezer in his Washington D.C. home, former Democratic Rep. William Jefferson will go on trial Tuesday, facing 16 federal bribery and public corruption charges.

Jefferson, a long-established New Orleans power broker, lost his bid for a 10th term in December to a relatively unknown Republican, Anh "Joseph" Cao. And Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar lost a run for his nation's presidency, partly as a result of being listed as the intended recipient of bribes allegedly to be funneled from Jefferson.

Jefferson, 62, has maintained his innocence. If convicted, he would likely face up to 20 years in prison.

The trial, expected to last four to six weeks, won't lack for drama.
on the other hand it may lack for coverage except by Fox news
The prosecution's case is likely to include some of the hundreds of hours of secretly recorded conversations, many between Jefferson and Virginia businesswoman Lori Mody, a disgruntled investor who became a cooperating witness.
Posted by: Lord garth || 06/08/2009 09:51 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "If the refrigerator doesn't fit, you must acquit."
Posted by: Besoeker || 06/08/2009 13:22 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Saudis tell Obama: Impose Mideast solution if needed
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has urged U.S. President Barack Obama to impose a solution on the festering Arab-Israeli conflict if necessary, a Saudi newspaper said on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab states want Obama to get tough with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his refusal to endorse Palestinian statehood and for defying U.S. calls to halt the expansion of settlements.
Good luck to all in "getting tough" with Netanyahu. Good luck to all.
King Abdullah told Obama during his visit to Riyadh last week that Arab patience was wearing thin and that a solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict would be the "magic key" to all issues in the region, al-Hayat said, quoting what it called informed sources.
Genuflecting not enough, Barry must now do his "magic?"
"We want from you a serious participation to solve the Palestinian issue and impose the solution if necessary," the Saudi monarch told Obama, according to the paper, which is owned by a nephew of the monarch. It did not elaborate.
But, but, but.... "one nation should not impose it's will upon another."
Saudi Arabia was the driving force behind an Arab peace initiative first put forward by Arab states in 2002 offering Israel recognition in return for withdrawal from Arab land captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and a Palestinian state.
"Offering Israel recognition" for what they gained 60 years ago?
Israel has reacted coolly to the offer, renewed in 2007, saying a return of Palestinian refugees to areas now inside Israel would destroy the Jewish character of the state.
Not to mention massive Arab immigration, Arab polygamy, skyrocketing birth rates and the eventual end of Israel as a culture and nation through UN mandated majority rule by Arabs.
"We [Arabs] want to devote our time ... to build a generation capable of confronting the future with science and work," King Abdullah said, according to al-Hayat.
Science? Work? Arabs? Is this senseless blathering coming from some sort of parallel universe?
Saudi Arabia believes the collapse of Middle East peacemaking has given Iran a chance to expand its regional influence through Sunni Islamist groups such as the Palestinian Hamas, as well as its Shi'ite traditional Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.
That's the ticket, blame the Joooos for the Iranian nuclear programe.
Posted by: Besoeker || 06/08/2009 07:21 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They even think of Barry as a TCN worker.

"You, yes you, the black one, what do you do here?"

"I am the POTUS, I won!"

"Good, I can use such a man"

"What for?"

"I am too lazy to confront my own problems and want you to provide me cover by doing my own dirty work of diplomacy and ruthless imposition of our values and political solutions."

"On whom?"

"On the Jews, of course. And do it now. I am growing tired of their procrastination and rejection."

"Allah-kabar, your supreme majesty and please accept my apology if I had not give one to you in the last hour."

Posted by: Jack is Back! || 06/08/2009 10:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Sarcasm. From Abdullah. Who knew he had it in him?

Kind of a "nice speech, kid. Now let's see ya pull a peace accord out of your ass, huh?"
Posted by: mojo || 06/08/2009 11:14 Comments || Top||

#3  Yes, yes, Your Majesty. You want a solution. How about if push all the Palestinians into the Med?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 06/08/2009 11:35 Comments || Top||

#4  That's cruel and unnecessary, EU.

Why pollute the Mediterranian? What's it ever done to you?

Let's be reasonable and move all the paleos to Arabia instead, since Abdullah cares about them so much. It's not like they don't have room in the Empty Quarter....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 06/08/2009 18:30 Comments || Top||

#5  i little more pollution won't hurt muh . P ush them into the Med
Posted by: funky skunk || 06/08/2009 18:46 Comments || Top||

#6  Arabia works for me if the king will have them. But from what I've heard about the Paleos he'd end up regretting it.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 06/08/2009 18:57 Comments || Top||

#7  Yeman
Posted by: 3dc || 06/08/2009 20:45 Comments || Top||

#8  "from what I've heard about the Paleos he'd end up regretting it"

What's the downside to that, EU?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 06/08/2009 20:51 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Burma's Karen flee army offensive
About 3,000 ethnic Karen villagers have reportedly fled from Burma into Thailand in recent days because of a new Burmese military offensive.

Aid groups say the refugees are from Ler Per Her camp in eastern Karen state, near where the Burmese army is reported to be attacking Karen rebels.

It is thought to be one of the largest movements of refugees across the Thai-Burma border in a decade.

Meanwhile Burma still faces pressure to halt Aung San Suu Kyi's trial.

The pro-democracy leader is charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest, a charge that could leave her in jail for up to five years.

Former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong visited Burma on a "goodwill trip" on Monday, as international anger against the regime continued to mount.

'Largest exodus for a decade'

The Free Burma Rangers aid group said refugees began streaming out of the Ler Per Her camp on Friday and continued to arrive in Thailand throughout the weekend.

The Karen Human Rights Group, a Thai-based humanitarian group, put the number of refugees at about 3,000 - and so too did a Thai army official speaking to local media.

The Burmese government has refused to comment on these reports.

The Karen Human Rights Group said the influx was "the largest exodus from Karen state on a single occasion" since the government launched a major offensive against the Karen rebels in 1997.

The refugees are now taking shelter about 100 km (62 miles) north of Mae Sot, a Thai border town.

The rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide and other organisations have called on the United Nations to intervene to prevent a humanitarian crisis along the border.

Rebels from the Karen National Union (KNU) have been fighting for greater autonomy from Burma's central government for more than half a century.

But the KNU is weakening under the impact of continued army offensives, as well as divisions within its ranks and with other Karen groups.

Another group, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Amy (DKBA), made a pact with the Burmese government and is reportedly now involved in the current fighting on the government side.
Posted by: 3dc || 06/08/2009 20:51 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:



Who's in the News
52[untagged]
6Govt of Pakistan
4al-Qaeda in Pakistan
3al-Qaeda in North Africa
3Hezbollah
3TTP
2Taliban
2Govt of Iran
1Abu Sayyaf
1Hamas
1ISI
1al-Shabaab

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.

Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2009-06-08
  March 14 Maintains Parliamentary Majority in Record Turnout
Sun 2009-06-07
  30 MILF banged, camp seized
Sat 2009-06-06
  32 dead in mosque Pakaboom
Fri 2009-06-05
  Sufi Muhammad arrested
Thu 2009-06-04
  Three killed in renewed Hamas-PA clashes in Qalqiliya
Wed 2009-06-03
  Hafiz Saeed sprung
Tue 2009-06-02
  NKor names Kimmie's successor
Mon 2009-06-01
  Mass kiddy abduction by Talibs in Pakistan
Sun 2009-05-31
  Former director of National Security Intel was owned by ISI
Sat 2009-05-30
  Mighty Pak Army clears Piochar valley
Fri 2009-05-29
  Pakistan: Suspects arrested for ´plotting attack against spy agency´
Thu 2009-05-28
  7 killed in attack on Somali presidential palace
Wed 2009-05-27
  Taliban strike ISI headquarters in Lahore, 35 killed, 250 wounded
Tue 2009-05-26
  SKor military bolsters defense readiness
Mon 2009-05-25
  N. Korea appears to have conducted second nuclear test

Better than the average link...



Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
18.212.242.203
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Operations (24)    WoT Background (19)    Non-WoT (22)    Opinion (6)    (0)