The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please donât ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasnât screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The GrinchList.com is a response to the growing censorship and revisionist policies and practices concerning Christmas that is evident in retail stores, public schools, government offices, businesses, and the media. Our mission is to compile an ongoing list of businesses and organizations that engage in egregious cultural revisionism and expose them to the millions of consumers whose heritage is being expunged from the public cultural arena.
Story from WorldNetDaily
GrinchList.com combats Christmas âcensorshipâ
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36071
ABOUT 50 PARENTS IN A GULF COUNTRY HAVE CALLED THEIR NEWBORN CHILDREN âIRHAB,â WHICH IS THE ARABIC WORD FOR TERRORISM. THE NAME IS USED BOTH AS MASCULINE AND FEMININE. THE EXCUSE GIVEN FOR THE USE OF THE NAME IS THE INTERPRETATION GIVEN BY OSAMA BIN LADEN ABOUT A VERSE IN THE KORAN: âAND YOU SHALL TERRORIZE THE ENEMIES OF ALLAH.â (AL-ZAMAN, IRAQ, 12/10/03)
MEETING IN AMMAN, JORDAN, THE âSYMPOSIUM FOR ARAB THOUGHTâ EXPELLED A KURDISH MEMBER WHO REFERRED TO THE AMERICAN FORCES IN IRAQ AS âLIBERATION FORCES.â (AL-SHARQ AL-AWSAT, LONDON, 12/10/03)
SADDAM HUSSEIN WILL BUILD A NEW ARMY COMPRISED OF 12,000 SOLDIERS FROM REMNANTS OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL GUARD, THE BAâATH PARTY, AND SADDAMâS FEDAYEEN. THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE NEW ARMY WILL BE MADE ON JANUARY 6, WHICH COINCIDES WITH THE 83RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRAQI ARMY. (AL-RAâI AL-AAM, KUWAIT, 12/8/03)
#1
Oh, well. Some will come along with us willingly. Some will have to be dragged kicking and screaming. And some will just have to be shot. No biggie.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
12/11/2003 19:03 Comments ||
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#2
Failure to learn can be seen as a mental disease....
This might accurately apply to anti-war types and Democrats.
Apple has a free download for both Mac and Windows of their iTune player. They have free streaming radio stations which help make the day go by quicker!
One channel of possible interest to Rantburgers is the Soldierâs Radio News (under the Talk/Spoken Word category) that is produced by the Armed Forces Network. Military-oriented news and interviews--and I might add Sgt Julianne Cochran has a very nice voice!
A B.C. mayor is reeling and red-faced as private photos of her, wearing nothing but a ceremonial medal, sweep through her town.
"Yerronner! Izzat you?"
Sporting a broad, happy smile, her chain of office, and nothing else in the photo â Houston, B.C., Mayor Sharon Smith says sheâs mortified that somehow the picture was made public and circulated around Houston â population 4,300. The 48-year-old mother of three claims the photo was stolen from her home computer at the beginning of November â possibly during a house party her kids threw.
"Wow! Is that your Mom?"
"Yeah! Those are her boobs!"
She added the naked truth is the pictures were taken during a private moment with her husband and that she is hurt theyâve become the focus of newspaper articles and gossip. "Iâm disappointed that the stories seem to focus on what the pictures are instead of that it was a theft from my home," she said. "Our family are the ones who are the victims here."
"My boobs are beside the point!"
RCMP Sgt. Dave Fenson said itâs believed someone with access to the Smithâs home computer stole the photos, but that itâs not a break-and-enter. The incident is under investigation. University of Calgary law professor Christopher Levy said there are possible legal ramifications to downloading pictures off of someone elseâs computer, including charges of mischief and electricity theft. "To cause a computer to perform an unauthorized function is a crime of mischief under the Criminal Code," he droned said. "To be an invited guest in someoneâs house is not necessarily to be an invited guest to use their computer."
"Cheeze. I invited you over for a swim and a beer, not to steal my Mom's nekkid pictures!"
He also said causing the computer to function requires electricity not owned by guests.
Oh, shuddup.
Levy said there could be non-legal issues as to whether Smith waived her right to privacy by having the photos on her computer.
What part about possessive pronouns don't you get?
"If thereâs a moral to all this, it would be to not take such pictures and, furthermore, not to install them on your computer," Levy said.
"So stop that unseemly frivolty and mirth! And don't let me catch you getting nekkid when you have sex, either..."
One former town councillor called Smithâs behaviour a "catastrophic error in judgment" â demanding she resign and adding Smith should have apologized to residents.
Oh, you shuddup, too. Who the hell appointed you Cotton Mather?
Nonsense, Smith says.
Tell 'em, Sharon!
"My husband asked for a specific picture because he was very proud of the fact that I was mayor and that was what it was intended for. No disgrace to the office was intended," she said.
"He just likes my titties. We have a license, so he can do that."
"We made sure that we were not infringing on anyone else. It was a private moment and thatâs all it was." Bwhahahahaha!!!
Posted by: john ||
12/11/2003 3:10:41 PM ||
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This is iowahawk, LGFâs resident satirist
WHY DO THEY HATE US, DUDE?
By Keanu Burge
LFG Guest Commentary from the ESU Daily State Budget Appropriation
The pathetic attendance at Saturdayâs Primal Scream for Global Sanity at the Quad proved that many in the ESU student community remain woefully ignorant of real world issues. Many on campus seem completely uninterested in stopping Americaâs bombing lunacy, even for free veggie wraps and extra-credit points in Dr. Harmonâs sections of Critical History 1042.
Let me clue you in, Mister âsorry dude, I canât rage against the AmeriKKKan war machine, I got tickets for the Springfield State game,â itâs time we start asking the difficult questions. Questions like, âisnât this all about oil?â and âwho bogarted all my Kasha flakes?â (I know it was you, Jason.) But most of all, we must ask why America is hated around the world.
Why do they hate us? Well, duhhhhhhh.
They hate us because of our arrogance. All around the world, âUgly Americansâ are despised for their arrogant condescension, always acting like they are somehow âbetterâ than other cultures. We in the peace community are always trying to patiently explain this to other Americans, but apparently they are too stupid to understand.
They hate us because of our paternalism. For much of the developing world, America is a despised father figure, an embarrassing bald 53-year old regional sales manager who âsurprisesâ you during Parentsâ Weekend while youâre completely toasted and listening to Radiohead at the dorm with the other developing nations, and then heâs all like, âhow are classes going?â and âseeing any girls?â and âboy, I sure wish I was still in developing nation college!â and youâre like âshut up, Dad, youâre embarrassing me in front of Sri Lanka.â That is totally uncool, man.
They hate us because of our foreign policy. Anyone who reads the New York Times can tell you that the international community is troubled by Americaâs dangerous isolationism, and also its interventionism. And Iâm telling you, man - nothing irritates the international community more than our reclusive, meddlesome, negligent hegemony.
They hate us because we refuse to look at the issues. The issues facing us are important, and we must put them on the table, and then examine them. Then we must reassess these issues, but obviously not before we have discussed them. Just imagine all the peace we will have after we have thoroughly understood the issues through carefully investigative rethinking.
They hate us because of our obscene greedy culture. America consumes nearly 25 percent of the worldâs resources, which it refuses to share with the developing world. This, again, is like the despised father figure who drives around in a new gas guzzling Dodge Durango, and when the developing world needs more resources, itâs all like, âwhat did you do with the last check I sent you?â like $300 is suppose to last an entire month. I mean, as if, Dad."
They hate us because of our intransigence. If we, as a nation, ever hope to be fully embraced by the international community, we must learn to compromise and be flexible. For instance, even though the so-called âterroristsâ guys once wanted to kill all Americans, they now seem ready to live with five or six thousand. That means theyâre offering something like 99.99 percent of what we originally wanted, which is a pretty good deal when you really think about it.
They hate us because of our cultural imperialism. Whether it is âBaywatch,â or gorditas, or indoor plumbing, America continues its shameful legacy of exporting our violent global corporate McCulture. And believe me, nothing offends the Afghanistanic people like religious xenophobia, sexism and homophobia.
They hate us because of our support of Israel. How many disco and pizza parlor bombings will it take before America wakes up and realizes that we are supporting the wrong people? Letâs face it. Israel has a long record of oppression, much like those Jewish guys at the Hillel House and A.E.Pi who are always busting the grade curve in Western Civ. I mean, come on, man. Maybe some of the rest of us want to get into law school, too.
They hate us because of our racism. So you still think Americans are tolerant? Tell that to my Egyptian-Syrian neighbor Abdullah. Since the tragedy on September 11, he has suffered dozens of hurtful stares and insensitive comments. He has been so upset over this he has almost abandoned his dream of owning his own crop-dusting business.
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. If we want to know why we are hated, we need only take a good, long look in the mirror. Well, not me âwe,â obviously. You know what I mean.
#2
He has been so upset over this he has almost abandoned his dream of owning his own crop-dusting business
And another friend Mustapha has had to put his plans on hold for his coffee table book containing photos of U.S. national monuments.
Posted by: Davis ||
12/11/2003 14:14 Comments ||
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#3
I'm in Antwerp today and I swear I read this in Flemish as an editorial in Gazeta van Antwerpen but it was written by our own Ambassador!. That figures.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
12/11/2003 14:33 Comments ||
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#4
Praise allah! The Hawk can do the funny word thing.
Thisâll spin up those Pak turbans. EFL:
India is to send crack commandos to protect Indian installations in Afghanistan, days after two Indian road workers were kidnapped by Taliban militia. The Hindustan Times daily said Indo-Tibetan Border Police units were being sent to the Indian consulate at Kandahar after Indiaâs joint secretary for security in Afghanistan, BC Katoch, gave an assessment report "on the grave security risks".
It's kinda cute to watch those Paks' heads spin around like that, isn't it?
The Indian road workers were kidnapped in Zabul province on Saturday on the highway between Kabul and the main southern city of Kandahar. A spokesman for Pakistan the ousted Taliban militia said they were likely to kill the two road workers "because they suspected them of being intelligence agents". Must be those Indian intelligence agents organizing Afghans to attack Pakistan we keep hearing about.
Afghan officials said the pair were kidnapped after shopping with Afghan colleagues in Bazargan village, five kilometres from the highway near Shahjoy. Three men armed with machineguns stopped their car, let the Afghans go and made off with the Indians and the car. Might be held for ransom if they were taken by Afghans, if they were grabbed by Pak Taliban, they are dead.
Some 700 to 800 semi-skilled Indian workers are currently in Afghanistan with private companies, including a tiny number of highly-skilled professionals such as Special Forces doctors and engineers, the paper said. India has been in the forefront of reconstruction work in Afghanistan since the Taliban was dislodged from power following the US global campaign against terrorism after September 2001. India has already given 274 buses, three Airbus aircraft, has pledged $70 million for construction of a road and has donated one million tonnes of wheat. Didnât know that.
"The kidnapping of the two Indians is a signal to India from the Taliban and the pro-Pakistan lobby," former Indian special envoy to Afghanistan, S K Lambah said. "They want to discourage our people from going and working there," he added. Yup, that sounds about right.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 10:49:06 AM ||
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#1
India - repeat India - is GIVING foreign aid - think of the meaning of that.
#2
Got to watch those Hindus. The worlds most dangerous people right after the JOOOOOOS.
India in no way had to do any of the positive things they have done in Afghanistan. It seems some people just can't resaist biting the hand that feeds/helps them. Remember prior to 9-11 the largest single foreignnaid contributer to Afghanistan was the United States. As to India being able to afford foreign aid. If memmory serves they do have one of the ten largest economies in the world.And I think in another ten to fifteen years they are going to make the Chinese very nervous. IMO it would be smart on our part ot cultivate a closer realtionship with New Dehli.
#3
They also have nukes. When GWB hinted Taliban had better take cover, New Delhi immediately reacted (imagine gentle but insistent East Indian accent, "...Can we help?...") Why else would Musharraf pretend to get cozy after 9/11? A US tilt toward India is way down the list of things he wants to see. Cackle.
#5
It's also a brilliant political move on their part--if the Afghans realize the Indians are helping building roads and sending food--they must ask themselves "What are the Paks sending except for wild eyed jihadis to blow stuff up?"
EFL. Iâm posting this because of the weapon mentioned in the first paragraph.
The huge green military truck rumbled and belched as its driver waited for the signal. The snub nose of a Soviet Scud missile poked above the cab. A soldier slowly lifted the striped pole blocking the road, and a small arsenal began a historic journey from the militia lairs of the Panjshir Valley to the safekeeping of the Afghan government. The convoy of loaded missile launchers, tanks and artillery pieces left Panjshir Wednesday morning en route to an Afghan army compound in Kabul, 70 miles to the south. There, they would be turned over to central authorities, 15 years after ethnic Tajik insurgents seized them from the Afghan government during the insurgentsâ long fight against Soviet occupation. Although some weapons remained behind in the valley and some militia commanders reportedly resisted the move, officials said the political significance of the transfer was enormous, given the deep rivalries and mistrust between the Tajiks of the Panjshir and the two-year-old government headed by President Hamid Karzai, who is from the Pashtun ethnic group. "We kept these weapons as the pride of our holy war, but we have peace and security now. Today they are the property of the Afghan people, not of any one faction," Gen. Bismullah Khan, the army chief of staff and a former Panjshiri commander, told reporters gathered beside a river that rushed through the rocky Panjshir gorge. "This shows our sincere and honest support for the government."
#1
Does this mean I'm going to have to give up my six SS-12s and chances to buy two "pre-owned" Minutemen missiles? Dang!
The Afghanis captured some heavy stuff from the Soviets and their Afghan puppets. Glad to see some of this come out of wherever it's been kept hidden. Of course, I wonder how much of it is actually still usable after twelve-fifteen years of minimal care. It's not a big sacrifice if it doesn't work anyway.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/11/2003 20:29 Comments ||
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The al-Qaida terrorist network has decided to intensify its efforts to foment instability in Saudi Arabia, the worldâs largest oil producer, and overthrow the royal family, warns a new top-secret CIA assessment. The CIA Intelligence Memorandum, portions of which have been provided to President Bush, was described by intelligence and other officials on the condition that they not be identified because the document is highly classified. Moreover, there is some concern that disclosing the assessment could anger Saudi officials, they said.
It could also cause toilet paper consumption to spike...
A CIA spokesman declined to comment.
"I can say no more," he said, drawing his cloak closer over his face...
Serious instability in Saudi Arabia could disrupt the kingdomâs petroleum exports, drive up world oil prices and cripple the U.S. economy, which is beginning to recover from recession, as well as the economies of other countries. A senior U.S. official familiar with the new CIA assessment, which was completed last week, insisted that "only in their dreams" could al-Qaida succeed in toppling the Saudi royal family. An intense crackdown in May by Saudi security forces after the first of two al-Qaida suicide bombing attacks this year has "taken out" most of its senior leaders and left their network "badly damaged," he said.
They're going to remain in danger until they start cutting heads off â not just the heads of cannon fodder, but the heads of clerics. When the first cleric's head rolls, the Bad Guys will fold...
But, he cautioned, followers of Osama bin Laden are still capable of staging attacks against Saudi and foreign targets. "There are a lot of indicators that the remnants of al-Qaida are trying real hard, real soon, to do something," he said.
Thank you for today's statement of the obvious...
The lingering threat was underscored by an unsuccessful assassination attempt last week on the third highest official in the Interior Ministry, an attack that the Saudi government hasnât made public, said U.S. officials.
There go the old back-door negotiations...
Bin Laden has long sought to topple the Saudi royal family and replace it with even stricter Islamic rule. The new CIA assessment, according to those who have read it, says that al-Qaida has decided to launch a major destabilization drive sooner rather than later because waiting could cost it more losses in followers and weaponry to the ongoing crackdown. As many as 10,000 Saudis, many of them disgruntled by endemic corruption and a lack of employment opportunities, could support al-Qaida, although only a fraction of that number is believed to be ready to take up arms against the ruling al Saud family, says the report. The assessment identifies Abdul Aziz al Muqrin, who trained at an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan, as the new commander of al-Qaida in Saudi Arabia. He replaced Youssef al Ayeri, who died in June in a shootout with Saudi security forces.
"Nos morituri te salutant, effendi!"
Al Miqrin recently returned to Saudi Arabia and is believed to have established a terrorist training camp in a remote area of west-central Saudi Arabia. The assessment says that al Miqrin, who also goes by the name Abu Hajir, fought in Bosnia, smuggled weapons into Spain and Algeria and served as al-Qaidaâs liaison to the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, a radical Islamic group in Algeria.
Next in the box. Hopefully he won't be there too long...
Saudi authorities say they have made major strides toward eradicating al-Qaida since they launched their crackdown. Saudi security forces have arrested hundreds of suspected militants, killed a number of others in shootouts and uncovered secret caches containing tons of weapons and explosives. The crackdown also has averted a number of terrorist attacks on Saudi and Western targets, Saudi and U.S. officials say.
But they haven't lopped off any heads, and they've tried to negotiate and bribe their way out of their predicament...
Even so, al-Qaida operatives were able to follow up the May bombings, which killed 35 people, including nine attackers, with a suicide strike last month that claimed 17 lives. The continuing terrorist threat prompted U.S. officials to toughen security precautions last weekend, ordering U.S. diplomats to remain in their compounds in Riyadh and other cities for all but essential duties. Security also has been stepped up at other foreign missions and residential compounds where Westerners live.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
12/11/2003 12:25:13 AM ||
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#1
Cool! Finally, al-Qaida doing some good:
"Serious instability in Saudi Arabia could disrupt the kingdomâs petroleum exports, drive up world oil prices and cripple the U.S. economy..."
...like the USA would let that happen.
I say let the house of Saud burn down. We'd have no choice but to take over the oil fields, and splat any charging al-Qaidamites into the desert sand.
Dittoes! I am right now making out a check to my favorite *Islamic charity* hoping it will help the binoids topple the House of Saud. Since when that happens, .Com's Raiders will have all the reason they need to secure the eastern oil fields, thereby cutting off the head of the snake.
P.S. The good thing about having hatred-driven loonies as your enemy is that they tend to be a bit weak on the "strategy side", preferring to lash out for the sake of lashing out, damn the torpedoes when it comes to real world consequences.
#3
Fred inserted an editorial note into one of the Rantburg Classics that bears repeating:
"Even better: hundreds of turbans, giving each other the hairy eyeball, the while fondling their weapons... "
Actually there's been any number of posts where this would apply. Hiram Maxim moved to England and planned to make his fortune in electrical appliances. An acquaintence told him, "That's no way to get rich. Invent something to help those Europeans kill each other faster. That's where the money is!" Maxim took the advice and invented the machine gun.
#8
Some Jihadis from Binny's Al-Q
Attacked but did not read Sun Tzu
Now they just blow hot air
From their Waziristan Lair
And an occasional schrapnel or two
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/11/2003 18:34 Comments ||
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A number of refugees on Nauru had gone on an indefinite hunger strike, some sewing their lips together, to coincide with world Human Rights Day, a refugee advocate said today. Hassan Ghulam, president of the Hazara Ethnic Society of Australia, said the refugees, including some children, wanted to stage a non-violent protest to highlight their plight. He said he had received a phone call from one of the Nauru refugees today, telling him of the hunger strike. "Hello?"
"Muuufffhhhmm!"
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 12:26:32 PM ||
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#1
Nauru is the model for SAs future. Nauru ran out of their s**t didn't they?
#3
If this becomes another piercing craze in the US, how will we know whether the drive through guy is giving us our total, asking us to biggie size our fries or suggesting a dessert?
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 15:55 Comments ||
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BORDEAUX, France, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crosses are to be banned from French public schools, according to a report presented to President Jacques Chirac Thursday. More "discreet" religious symbols, such as small crosses, Muslim Hands of Fatima and Stars of David should be allowed, a 20-member committee headed by former education minister Bernard Stasi suggested after a three-month study of this issue.
Chirac will announce next week whether or not he supports putting these suggestions into law. He has previous taken a tough line on Franceâs separation between church and state, which many French citizens -- and other Europeans --consider threatened by the increasingly frequent appearance of the "hadjib," or veil on the heads of Muslim teachers or adolescent female students.
However, in all of France, home to almost five million Muslims, no more than 1,250 veiled students currently attend secondary schools, interior minister Nicholas Sarkozy reported recently. Some have been expelled from school for refusing to take off their headscarves, especially in Alsace, where, ironically, the 1905 rule separating the spiritual and temporal powers does not apply because it was part of Germany at the time. In Alsace, the state still pays the salaries of priests, pastors and rabbis.
Nonetheless, Chirac insisted, "We cannot accept brazen signs of religious proselytism, regardless of the faith."
Perhaps as a concession to Muslims and Jews, the Stasi committee proposed making their highest feasts -- Eid and Yom Kippur, respectively -- annual holidays at public schools, just like Christmas. Muslim and Jewish students should also be served meals according to their religionsâ dietary requirements at public schools.
But especially for Jews the suggestions regarding "conspicuous" signs of their faith will pose a major problem, which might also become a constitutional issue. Before the committee issued its report, Joseph Sitruk, Franceâs grand rabbi, explained that observant Jews must cover their head for prayers.
This leads to the troubling question: Does the religiously neutral state have the right to dictate when and where anybody should pray? Is it justified in standing in the way of a young Jewâs plea to God before an exam, for example?
Will there be watchdogs in French schools preventing Jewish boys from placing their yarmulkes on their heads before asking God to be with them at this important moment, something their faith would not allow them to do bare-headed?
Postponing Sharia in Frogistan?
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/11/2003 10:14:08 PM ||
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A German court Thursday freed a Moroccan accused of supporting the Sept. 11 al-Qaeda cell in Hamburg, saying there was new evidence he did not know about the plot.
"Nope. Nope. I dunno nuttin'..."
The decision also cast doubt on the only conviction so far in the suicide attacks in the United States. Prosecutors filed an immediate appeal, but the release order holds until a ruling is made. The trial was recessed until next Thursday, and it was not clear when the appeal would be heard. Despite questioning the validity of the new evidence, the Hamburg high state court said Mzoudi had to be freed because there now was "a serious possibility" he knew nothing of the plot. Lawyers for the only convicted Sept. 11 plotter worldwide, Mzoudiâs friend Mounir el Motassadeq, immediately called for their clientâs release as well.
"Nope. Nope. He don't know nuttin', too..."
The court hearing the case against Mzoudi was the same tribunal that convicted el Motassadeq in February of 3,066 counts of accessory to murder and membership in a terrorist organization. He was sentenced to the maximum 15 years in prison, and an appeal is pending. The court ordered Mzoudi freed after questioning the truth of a statement purportedly by Ramzi Bin al-shibh, the Hamburg cellâs suspected key contact with al-Qaeda. The court said Binalshibh had an interest in protecting the al-Qaeda cell, and Mzoudi, 31, might have been ignorant of the plot.
"Who y'gonna believe, y'r honor? My client — a fine, upstanding young man, despite his turban and his habit of rolling his eyes — or that... that... terrorist!"
In its letter submitted to the Hamburg state court, the Federal Criminal Office said it had received information that an informant had made a statement last month identifying the only members of the Hamburg Sept. 11 cell as Bin al-shibh and three of the suicide hijackers â Mohamed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi and Ziad Jarrah.
"So y'see, the witnesses are all dead! Or in custody..."
"These four people at no time spoke with others about the actual operations or creation of a terrorist cell for inciting a holy war," the letter said. However, the agency cautioned that the new evidence contradicted earlier statements made by the same person, specifically in relation to the Hamburg cell.
"Well, yeah. Sure he said that. But he didn't mean it!"
Also, al-Qaeda trained members for deception under interrogation, the letter said.
"So we'll never know what's really true, so it's best to just let 'em all go, right?"
Chief prosecutor Walter Hemberger immediately discounted the new evidence. He said it would be natural for Bin al-shibh to protect the cell and that there is ample evidence to prove that others were involved, including fugitive Zakariya Essabar. He fled Hamburg shortly before the attacks and is wanted by Germany on an international arrest warrant. What the hell is wrong with Germany? Damn, they probably will end up letting them all go, and how about 15 years for being an accomplice in murdering over 3,000 people? Notice it is on appeal too, I wouldânt be surprised if they lowered his 15 years. If youre a mass murdering Islamic terrorist, seems there is no better place to get caught than Germany, why not put up a big neon sign saying murder as many as you want, youâll only serve a few years(especially if you murder Americans).
Posted by: TS ||
12/11/2003 11:08:10 AM ||
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#1
Look, Europe is scard sh**less right now with all there muslim and islamifascist residents growing by the day. Plus it is anti-american and anti-semitic to do these kind of things and plays well to the domestic, social audience. When the volcano blows here no one will hear it because they are becoming more deaf everyday. They really want to believe that France and Germany can save them from anything even themselves and have totally capitulated their independence and values to the creation of a counter axis to the US. Things will only get worse. The only way they can get worse quicker is if Dean or his ilk is elected President and we end up kissing their yellow belly asses and let them slide into koranic oblivion.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
12/11/2003 14:51 Comments ||
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A car exploded in northern Italy early on Thursday, killing the 33-year-old Kuwaiti driver in what police said appeared to be more of a suicide bid rather than an attack on a nearby synagogue. "We think weâre dealing with a suicide... It was more of an act of desperation than a subversive one," a policeman in Modena, northern Italy, told Reuters. "The man had shown uneasiness and problems relating to people in the past." Jordanian-born Al Catib Muhammad Shafir Ammay, who had Kuwaiti citizenship, set himself on fire about 5 a.m. Police approached, and the car, which ran on flammable liquid propane gas (LPG), exploded, police said. No one else was hurt. The blast blew out windows and garage doors of nearby buildings. Police said the car was parked on a small, side street about 50 to 80 meters (yards) from the synagogueâs main entrance. Probably just a suicide, or he may have been thinking about running the car into the synagogue and changed his mind when he saw the cops. We may know more after the investigation.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 9:36:58 AM ||
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#1
> We think weâre dealing with a suicide...It was more of an act of desperation than a subversive one <
And that is exactly why Europe, and unfortunately Italy, are going down the tubes. Time to face reality my friends.
Posted by: g wiz ||
12/11/2003 9:45 Comments ||
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#2
Either that, or a jihadi going for the extra degree of difficulty...
"Bah! Anyone can push a button! I'll set off the bomb by setting myself on fire!"
#3
Have they ruled out performance art as the cause yet?
Posted by: Dar ||
12/11/2003 11:31 Comments ||
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#4
More details, sounds like he was a lot closer to the synagogue than first stated: Police said the dead man was of Jordanian origin and attributed his death to emotional problems rather than an intent to attack the synagogue. The man apparently set fire to a tank of flammable liquid inside the car, which caused the main gas tank to explode, a police official in Modena, Cinzia Ricciardi, said in a telephone interview. The Italian news agency ANSA quoted the prefect of Modena, Italia Fortunati, as saying the man was known to public service agencies in Modena. "He was suffering from a depressive crisis; he was out of work," Fortunati told ANSA. "I repeat, it's a gesture of a desperate man."
He could have been a desperate, incompetent, out of work jihadi want-a-be.
Two policemen guarding the synagogue spotted the Peugeot in flames and tried to extinguish the blaze, but moved away just before it blew up, ANSA said. The blast, which occurred around 4:45 a.m., blew out some nearby windows, including several in the synagogue, and caused minor damage to the roof of the building. The car was parked beside a wall around the synagogue, and the blast blackened a portion of the wall.
Parked right against the wall, huh? And you think he picked that spot at random?
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 13:55 Comments ||
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#6
I have seen forklifts powered by propane, but am surprised to learn of a production passenger car using propane as a fuel.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 15:59 Comments ||
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SH--They're not everywhere yet, but there are quite a few LP powered vehicles out there. When I was a student delivering for Domino's back in '94, we had a couple Domino's pickups powered by LP. Acceleration wasn't as good as conventional gas, but otherwise they ran fine.
I notice a few CNG and LPG stickers on various vehicles now and then, so there are a few alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs) out there.
Posted by: Dar ||
12/11/2003 16:24 Comments ||
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#8
Why would he want to bomb a synagogue at 4:45am? Probably not a jihadi or he would have done so on the Sabbath. Berlusconi is one of the few Euro leaders cracking down on immigration from N Africa in Europe
Police confirmed Wednesday that a deadly explosion outside the National Hotel on Tuesday was the work of a female suicide bomber and said they were combing the city for a suspected accomplice. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Tuesdayâs bombing, which killed six, was "a manifestation of international terrorism, according to its handwriting, its character and its content." Russia "does not see yesterdayâs terrorist act in Moscow as a manifestation of Chechen terrorism," Ivanov said during a visit to Berlin. "The ethnic origins of those who carried out this terrorist act have no bearing on this case."
Uhhh... Igor? It reeks of Basayev...
The Federal Security Service said it believed the al-Qaida terrorist network was involved.
Well, yeah. But that's because Basayev's boomettes are an al-Qaeda tool...
A Moscow prosecutor linked the attack to a series of recent blasts, including the train bombing in the Stavropol region on Friday that killed 44 and the double suicide bombings at the Tushino rock concert in July that killed 16. "All these blasts were organized by a single group and coordinated from a single center," Prosecutor Grigory Shinakov said.
Which'd be the Riyadus Salikhin Boom Brigade, conducted by Shamil Basayev.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
12/11/2003 12:27:57 AM ||
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Hmm⊠this should have less spittleâŠ
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former President Jimmy Carter says the appointment of Georgiaâs Zell Miller to the Senate was a mistake because his fellow ex-governor ``betrayed all the basic principles that I thought he and I and others shared.ââ "Appease! Reward terror and punish cooperation!"
The comments, which Carter made Wednesday on the radio program FOX News Live with Alan Colmes, are the latest criticism from prominent Democrats of the maverick senator who has endorsed President Bushâs re-election and penned a new book arguing his party is out of touch with the South. And the rest of the country too.
When Colmes asked Carter about Miller, the former president initially said, ``I would rather not even comment about Zell Miller on the radio,ââ then proceeded to call the appointment ``one of the worst mistakesââ then-Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes made in his final four years in office. Right before his [Carterâs] lips fell off.
``He has really betrayed all the basic principles that I thought he and I and others shared,ââ Carter said. "Appease! Reward terror and punish cooperation!"
Barnes tapped Miller in 2000 to fill the vacancy left by the death of Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell. Miller then went on to win a special election to complete Coverdellâs term, which ends in January 2005. Miller has announced he wonât seek re-election, and Republicans are optimistic about reclaiming the seat.
Miller dismissed Carterâs comments Thursday, calling the former president a friend of more than 40 years.
``And over those 40-plus years, I bet Iâve received about two dozen personal notes from Jimmy Carter,ââ Miller said. ``Half of them are giving me hell, and the other half are bragging on me. So, I figure Iâm doing OK batting .500 with Jimmy Carter.ââ
Barnes declined to comment Thursday on the squabble between the two other former governors. "I can say no moreâŠ"
#4
When Jimmy dies, we should name all the bathrooms in Ronald Reagan National after Carter.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 16:17 Comments ||
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#5
When Colmes asked Carter about Miller, the former president initially said, ``I would rather not even comment about Zell Miller on the radio,ââ then proceeded to call the appointment ``one of the worst mistakesââ then-Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes made in his final four years in office.
[...]
Miller dismissed Carterâs comments Thursday, calling the former president a friend of more than 40 years.
Senator Miller, you need to pick better "friends".
#7
NMM,Carter was the most wimpy Pries. we have ever had.Instead of trying to play patty cake with the Irainians he should have ordered a massive bombing campaign on Iran,starting with the military-oil production-civil infrastructure,and not stop until the hostages were freed.If any of our people were tortured or killed then level the university and the attendant dormitories.Regan doesn't get a pass here either,trying to ransom our people with a back-door arms deal was just plain stupid.
This make nice,see the good-in all people PC bullcrap does nothing but get more people killed.There is only one way to deal with bullys,thugs,murders(especially the religious fanatics)that is to make them so afraid of the consquences of thier actions they leave everyone else alone.Or kill them.If you,NMM,believe otherwise then you trully do live in dreamland.
YellowTimes.org) â This week the world learned a much needed lesson. The topic of the lesson was, "How to make the U.S. change its unacceptable policies." The teacher was the European Union, and the technique taught was bullying.
As expected, Bush finally rescinded the tariffs on steel imports, imposed two years ago and declared illegal by the WTO. He didnât do it because steel tariffs were the perfect symbol of the U.S. allowing itself what it denies to others. He didnât do it because steel tariffs were a symbol of U.S. hypocrisy with regards to "free trade" (the U.S. is free to protect its industry and other countries are free to have their industry destroyed). Nor did Bush abolish the tariffs because ignoring the WTO ruling against the tariffs would have made a mockery of the U.S. signature on an international treaty. The obligation to honor treaties, international law, and fairness were of little importance. What made Bush give in was that Europe was dead serious about imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
Yet there is more. The E.U. was smart and brazen. The retaliatory tariffs were tailored to harm a select groups of products manufactured in states like Florida, states that are crucial to Bushâs plans for being elected president in 2004. Thus, Europe went beyond the WTO ruling allowing retaliation against the U.S. The threatened tariffs were an openly announced intervention in the internal electoral politics of the U.S. What chutzpah! Using threats of economic damage to either overthrow a government or change its policies is, by some definitions favored by the current Justice Department, nothing less than international terrorism!
The U.S. routinely intervenes in the electoral politics of other countries. For example, the Brazilian government of Cardoso was twice saved from electoral defeat by calibrated, financial interventions by the U.S. It is common practice for U.S. ambassadors to threaten Latin American voters with retaliation if they elect the "wrong" candidate. But Washington isnât used to being on the receiving end of these techniques for winning hearts and minds. "Old Europe" may not be wearing Stetsons, but it still has some cojones! YEAGHH! FY LIFS
Unfortunately, the steel tariffs also harmed many Third World countries that, unlike the E.U., lacked the economic clout to retaliate effectively against U.S. trade policy. The steel dispute ended the way it did because the U.S. faced another powerful economy. When the U.S. colludes with the E.U. against much weaker countries, as is the case, for example, with subsidies for agribusiness, the victims can hardly consider similar remedies.
Nonetheless, weaker countries can sometimes compensate for their lack of economic clout with creativity. The point to remember is that not only can the U.S. be bullied, but that only bullying works. Compare the success of the E.U. to the abject failure of poodle Blair to get anything, even a gesture, from George Bush.
Likewise, in Iraq, both the violent resistance and the so far fence-sitting Shia clerics are learning that the U.S. only understands force. The White House decided to have "elections" in June, not because proconsul Bremer suddenly remembered that Iraq belonged to Iraqis, but because the tenacious armed resistance was beginning to threaten Bushâs 2004 election.
The rising death toll of American soldiers finally got the White House to set a date for "elections" in Iraq. But the White House is still trying to get away with a sham process in which proconsul Bremer will get the final word about who gets elected to the new Iraqi National Assembly. (Itâs an American tradition -- sham elections -- and who better than Bush to know it.) Sham elections? Man, this guyâs repeating all the old lies.
The Shia leadershipâs insistence, in the teeth of White House opposition, on real and free one-person-one-vote elections, is embarrassing to the U.S. It is exposing the hypocrisy of Washingtonâs claim to "export democracy." But Washingtonâs capacity to absorb embarrassment is infinite. The Shia clerics are likely to discover that only when their threats become dead serious will the U.S. cave in.
Given how much the Pentagon wants to maintain Iraq as a new vassal state and a strategic military base, threats probably wonât be enough. The Shia leadership will have to demonstrate a capacity for organizing effective resistance.
Here, too, the lesson of the steel tariffs is not without merit. While Iraqis have every right to shoot and kill occupation soldiers, that isnât necessary the most effective way to influence George Bush. Quite a few of the people who fund Bushâs election campaign are involved in the latest corporate gold rush ("reconstruction") in Iraq. Attacking their interests might be a quicker way to get the president into listening mode. The lives of American soldiers are dear, but four more years in the White House are priceless. "Now to check on my harp. Oh shit! every string broke!"
Posted by: Atrus ||
12/11/2003 10:54:35 AM ||
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Fflewdur Fflamm: Columnist. (Very obscure harp reference)
#2
atrus..interesting, yes. But when you are posting what can only be described as spittle..it's even more important that you respect the meaning of "EFL".
Posted by: B ||
12/11/2003 11:02 Comments ||
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#3
ccwbass, only an assistant pig keeper would get that reference.
EFL
More on this story that weâve heard bits about for days Israel Nabs Hamas Militant Plotting U.S. Attacks
Israel has arrested a Gaza-born Canadian citizen for allegedly working with the militant group Hamas to plan attacks against Israeli Cabinet ministers during their trips to the United States and against North American Jewish officials. Jamal Akkal, 23, was arrested Nov. 1 after he arrived from Canada to visit family in the Gaza Strip... Akkalâs lawyer, Jamil al-Qhateb, has said that Hamas had approached his client to carry out attacks in North America, but Akkal never agreed.
(however he did jump up and down and say yes, yes, yes)
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has cautioned that Akkal is "not guilty until proven guilty"
(and Chretien is not an appeaser until he... oh well)
and said Akkal is receiving all Canadian consular services allowed him. Akkal told Israeli interrogators that he had been recruited during a previous visit to the Gaza Strip by senior Hamas militant, Ahmed Wahabe, to help the organization carry out attacks in the United States... Wahabe allegedly told Akkal to raise funds among Muslim communities in Canada, ostensibly for families of Palestinian homicide bombers, but they would actually be used for the purchase of weapons and to finance the militant activities.... Wahabe trained Akkal in the Gaza Strip on how to use an M-16 and prepare bombs... Akkal was slated to attribute the attack to Al Qaeda, not Hamas, according to what he told interrogators.
Ethel! Where's my poop list?
Posted by: mhw ||
12/11/2003 8:37:23 AM ||
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#1
Israel should just beat the guy to death. We all know how Canada handles that already.
Posted by: Chris Smith ||
12/11/2003 14:22 Comments ||
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#2
>> Israel should just beat the guy to death.
And should they ignore the raping part? I don't think so.
Posted by: ed ||
12/11/2003 14:49 Comments ||
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EFL
If youâre travelling by air this holiday season, forget the fruitcake. At least as carry-on luggage. Thatâs the advice of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. âBut if you are an Al-Q cell member, no problem.â
Actually, I can't recall ever having lugged a fruitcake onto an aircraft, not even as checked luggage, much less carry-on...
The head of the authority said Tuesday about 500,000 prohibited items have been intercepted at Canadaâs 89 airports during the past six months. Jacques Duchesneau said the public still isnât aware of what is allowed on board. A lot of scissors and Swiss Army knives have been confiscated. Duchesneau said if you try to bring a fruitcake onboard, expect it to be X-rayed because they are dense and could hide a weapon. "When seen through an X-ray machine it might represent something we might need to check. Itâs very dense. We donât take any chances.ââ Now, about those boarders borders....
Well, that sucks. Everybody knows x-raying a fruitcake ruins its flavor, if any...
Posted by: Dragon Fly ||
12/11/2003 6:36:07 AM ||
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#2
I see a wall. A Northern Friendship Wall. A wall of giant fruitcakes.
Posted by: john ||
12/11/2003 9:29 Comments ||
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#3
The Giant Fruitcake Wall will be one of the modern wonders--and it will last longer than the Great Pyramids!
Posted by: Dar ||
12/11/2003 10:16 Comments ||
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#4
Fruitcakeium is one of the densest materials on the Periodic Table with a half-life of 2000 years.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 10:25 Comments ||
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#5
Canada's secret Weapon: DF (Depleted Fruitcakeium)
Impentrable armor for our one and only Tank! Bwhahahahah!
Posted by: john ||
12/11/2003 11:17 Comments ||
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#6
Not to worry. See below:
Bentonville, AR - Supply chain specialists at Wal-Mart headquarters announced today the retailer's new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) initiative has confirmed what the buying public has long suspected: there is only one fruitcake in existence.
"We stumbled on this discovery by accident," said warehousing expert Evan Rutherford of OmniOpticon Technologies. "I needed a doorstop for my basement, and I did a quick query against Wal-Mart's inventory for something suitable. And there it was with multiple entries in the database transaction logs, plain as day --- serial number #54340912, The Fruitcake."
"Who would have thought that a dessert with such a promising list of ingredients --- ample amounts of brandy and rum --- could go so horribly, tragically wrong?" lamented Rutherford.
Most historians believe the origin of the fruitcake dates from the ancient Roman Empire where military engineers first devised the dessert as ammunition for their catapults and seige engines. In this century, NASA engineers employed the fruitcake as ablative shielding for the Apollo 11 crew capsule. The world's fruitcake supply was believed to have been depleted as the shielding burned away during the capsule's reentry, but the loathsome loaf resurfaced. It was found when the wreckage of the Russian carbohydrate-powered submarine the Kursk was salvaged from the bottom of the Barents Sea in October 2001.
Some alarmists in biotechnology circles have cited concerns about the possibility of cloning the cake, an event which would unleash an avalanche of awkward gift-giving blunder this holiday season. Luckily, however, Wal-Mart's RFID finding confirms the Congressional ban outlawing the unauthorized reproduction of unwieldy, excessively spiced cakes is being rigorously adhered to by everyone with a token amount of taste and decorum.
Pentagon officials could neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of the single-fruitcake theory.
#12
Where is the outrage over birth defects caused by depleted fruitcakium weapons? Huh? Huh??
(Embarrassed confession: When I was a teenager, my mother mixed up homemade fruitcakium in the kitchen. She has long ago given up these wicked practices, though, I swear.)
#13
I'm sure a fruitcake could have been used to induce blunt force trauma. I don't know of any restriction against me just bringing a brick onboard instead to bludeon terrorists with. Do you think they'll notice the handgrip i've chisseled into it.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 16:10 Comments ||
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#14
Hey, we have enough fruitcakes in this country.
#16
Hey, we have enough fruitcakes in this country. And they're all concentrated in San Francisco.
I wish! Unfortunately, we have a large number of them up-state in the People's Republic of Boulder, and a smattering of them down here in Colorado Springs. Seems to be a rather common disease, probably associated with childhood trauma - perhaps receiving that first fruitcake from the jolly old elf. You KNOW you've been bad when you get a fruitcake for Christmas!
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/11/2003 21:25 Comments ||
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#17
Claxton fruitcakes from Georgia are the best in the World--no Christmas is complete without one!
Two senior officials of Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) have gone missing under mysterious circumstances, sources in the KRL told Dawn on Wednesday. The sources said director general Dr Yasin Chohan and director laboratories Dr Farooq were missing for the last one week. Responding to a query in this regard, a foreign office spokesman said that people associated with sensitive programmes in Pakistan "are governed by a stringent personnel dependability and debrief programme. This is a normal practice, especially in nuclear weapons states. These people are aware of their responsibilities in terms of their efficiency and conduct." He said under the programme, individuals may have to undergo debriefing sessions and that "the matter referred to falls within the scope of this practice". So they are being "debriefed" in a soundproofed room by mustachioed men with truncheons who have questions about their conduct?
The official added that as for Iran, there are reports about many sources from where Iran could have obtained nuclear technology, including several Western companies and individuals. The focus should be on checking out with those sources. "We, for our part, are simply carrying out our own procedures," he said. Yup, truncheon time.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that director laboratories Dr Farooq used to be very close to the founder of the KRL Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and was known as a "King" of the laboratories. Nobody in the Khan Research Laboratories exactly knew about the whereabouts of the two scientists and it is believed that they have been picked up by the personnel of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). When contacted, public relations officer of the KRL said he was completely in the dark about the issue. "Who? Never heard of them."
The founder of the KRL Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated efforts. "Dr Khan is not at home and it is very difficult to tell where he will be at this time," a person who received the telephone call at the residence of Dr Khan at Banni Gala told Dawn. Interesting
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 9:57:20 AM ||
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hmmm.
Posted by: B ||
12/11/2003 10:30 Comments ||
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Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/11/2003 12:27 Comments ||
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#4
UPDATE: Two scientists at Pakistan's top nuclear laboratory have been taken into custody for questioning, Pakistani sources said Thursday.
The nuclear scientists at the Khan Research Laboratories were being interrogated after complaints were made against them, a government official and two Pakistanis affiliated with the country's nuclear programs said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity. Confirming reports in three Pakistani newspapers Thursday, the sources identified the two detained men as Yasin Chohan and Mohammad Farooq, the former director general at the laboratories. The sources declined to describe the complaints that were made against Chohan and Farooq, or where they originated. They also denied a story in the Lahore-based Nation newspaper Thursday saying that the two men were being interrogated about their alleged links with Iran's nuclear program. Masood Khan, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said the two scientists were being "debriefed," not questioned as suspects. But he refused to discuss their cases. In its report, The Dawn newspaper in Karachi said that Farooq and Chohan have been missing from the Khan Research Laboratories for a week. The Nation said the security forces who took Farooq into custody at his home included foreigners. The Dawn said they may have been FBI agents.
A week long "debriefing", sounds painful.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 14:47 Comments ||
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As Pakistanâs premier arrived in France Tuesday, Reporters Without Borders drew Parisâ attention to the ten-month campaign of intimidation against investigative journalist Amir Mir, who was fired as editor of the Pakistan weekly Independent, allegedly at President General Pervez Musharrafâs behest, and remains under threat. While RSF has been drumming up support internationally, back in Pakistan, dozens of journalists demonstrated in support of Mir in the federal capital Islamabad last week.
On November 22, unidentified persons had set fire to Mirâs car and shots were fired outside his home in Lahore, in the eastern province of Punjab. Says Mir, now the deputy editor of the Herald, an English-language monthly, "During the past few months, I have been threatened with dire consequences in one-on-one meetings with several senior military and political leaders." According to the editor, the authorities had told him General Musharraf was angered by his articles and that he should desist from writing against the general and the army. The recent acts of intimidation reportedly began after Musharraf remarked at a meeting of leading newspaper editors on November 20 that the editors of the Herald and the monthly Newsline had not been invited because they had published articles damaging Pakistanâs international image. The August and November issues of the Herald carried investigative reports by Mir on the presence in Pakistan of a don of an Indian crime syndicate, Dawood Ibrahim. A lot of the time we donât even think about the fact that practically all the information that has been posted here about Pakistanâs Jihad policy was originally reported by a handful of brave Pakistani journalists. Mir is only the latest who has crossed the establishments âred linesâ. There have been other journalists who have been given assylum in India or America, and there are others who have been jailed on trumped up charges of treason or drug trafficing.
According to the General, the articles gave weight to the Indian allegation that Pakistan was protecting the don - who is on the run from Indian police. Earlier, the Weekly Independent had claimed that Musharraf himself chaired a meeting in Lahore at which it was decided to take concrete measures against the magazine, including withdrawal of all government and state sector advertising. Mir wrote in a June 12 editorial that it was not easy to keep a newspaper going in a country where the army dominates. A day later he was given the boot. Post the November 22 incident, the persecuted editor claims he has received warnings from Pakistanâs Inter Services Intelligence to leave the country for the time being and refrain from taking up the issue. From Newsline
Does a critical assessment of the impact of the Kargil operation on Indo-Pak relations, or the governmentâs blow-hot, blow-cold policy towards the jihadis, go against national interests? Is questioning the armyâs growing business interests, or its penchant for prime property, indicative of a lack of patriotic fervour? If the army has chosen to install itself in the driving seat, it must face the glare of the spotlight. The general professes to be the progressive, liberal head of a democratic state. And the first prerequisite of a democratic dispensation is a free, vibrant media that is allowed to play its watchdog role, without fear or favour. But generals aside, even politicians unfortunately have yet to understand and appreciate the merits of an unfettered press. Newsline has suffered the worst of times in times of âdemocratsâ like Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Nawaz Sharif. At the zenith of its power, the MQM attacked "the westernised Newsline women" virulently at public meetings, for exposing their misdemeanours in the publication. For, at the end of the day, governments will come and go, but the press is here to stay
But federal minister for information and broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed trashes the allegations. "The incident could have been a result of some personal enmity or criminal activity," he says. But the government, he adds, has ordered a probe.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
12/11/2003 12:10:02 AM ||
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Mir is only the latest who has crossed the establishments âred linesâ.
Daniel Pearl was likely another one.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
12/11/2003 7:10 Comments ||
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A Time magazine reporter suffered severe shrapnel wounds and lost his hand when he tried to throw away a grenade tossed into a Humvee he was riding in with a Time photographer and two U.S. soldiers, colleagues said Thursday. saved their lives Iâm sure
MOSUL, Iraq â A 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) program to provide computers to the employees of Mosul City Hall made its final contribution Thursday, bringing the total number of computers donated to more than 230.
The project has been in effect since September, and the last of the 233 computers were installed Thursday by Chief Warrant Officer Carrie McLeish and Master Sgt. Paul Franks, automation technicians for the divisionâs G-6 office. The team has been in charge of installing new computers and the Internet in several buildings in Northern Iraq, including the University of Mosul and the Oil Ministry of Nineveh Province. Coalition Forces have spent more than $150,000 on the project.
Every computer in Mosul City Hall donated by the 101st was also hooked to the Internet, offering better global communication than the workforce there has ever had access to. The project consequently will also allow Coalition Forces, as well as leaders from smaller cities and villages outside Mosul, to communicate with the governor of Nineveh Province, Ghanim al-Basso, whose office is in the city headquarters.
âThis will allow Coalition Forces to communicate with the governor of Nineveh and it also allows the governor to communicate with citizens outside Mosul,â McLeish said.
Soldiers also installed Microsoft XP and Office XP to each computer. âMicrosoft XP is a lot better than [Microsoft 2000] in its Arabic translation,â McLeish said, âSo itâs pretty useful to a lot of the workers here.â
Concurrent with the donation of computers and software, soldiers have also been training a group of Iraqi citizens to maintain the computer system after the division redeploys. McLeish said the three main targets for training are web page upkeep, basic computer skills and networking proficiency.
âWe want to educate people on what Coalition Forces are doing here in Iraq,â McLeish said. âWe want to stop misinformation about what our goals are here and provide Iraqis with a bigger picture. This is a big step.â
âAre You Kidding, Sir?â: Fewer Than 1,000 Soldiers Were Ordered to Capture a City of 5 Million Iraqis. Theirs Is a Story That May Become Military Legend. A riveting account of the battle for Baghdad. More info about the fights at Larry, Moe and Curly than Iâve seen anywhere. Go read this. There are too many heroes to count.
#1
Don't want to register?
UserId: steveyr
Password: asshat
Posted by: Dar ||
12/11/2003 15:11 Comments ||
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"Embedded journalists reported the battle's broad outlines in April"
? ? ?
I f*king WATCHED it with my own eyes on MSNBC...
Posted by: Carl in N.H. ||
12/11/2003 15:58 Comments ||
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#3
True, I watched it as well. However, it was not really clear what was going on at the time. Such as the whole brigade HQ being destroyed - there was just a casualty report - or that it was the result of a large missile strike, or that the battle on the supply route was so desperate.
#4
Let's see...scanning it here, and it appears that there are two -- count'em, two -- Captain Steves involved. We could have guessed as much.
Posted by: (lowercase) matt ||
12/11/2003 17:05 Comments ||
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#5
Sahaf, the delusional information minister, was already claiming that no American "infidels" had breached the city's defenses. [Col. David] Perkins had just heard Sahaf's distinctive rant on BBC radio: "The infidels are committing suicide by the hundreds on the gates of Baghdad." A retreat now, Perkins thought, would validate the minister's lies... Perkins turned to his tank battalion commanders. "We're staying."
(2003-12-10) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today said that some items and services are exempt from the Iraq reconstruction bid ban imposed by the United States on countries which did not support the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
"In the interest of strengthening our friendships, France, Germany and Russia will be permitted to bid on some things," said Mr. Rumsfeld. "For example, we have a pressing need for more of those terrific human shields. There were a lot of them around before the war, but we canât find them now. While weâre figuring out where Saddam hid them, we would welcome some French, German or Russian human shields."
Mr. Rumsfeld said that Halliburton and Bechtel did not wish to bid on the human shield contract, "so that gives our old European allies a clean shot at it."
#1
Reading the French, German and Dutch papers today, I see that this is creating a hulabaloo even worse than the war resolution. I have to snicker since I can't even think of any major US construction firm that has a major German, French or Belgian public works contract. Yet, I can count on both hands Belgian-owned, French-owned and German-owned US construction companies that do millions a year in US public works contracts. Plus, I wouldn't trust the building of outhouse to a Russian construction firm.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
12/11/2003 15:08 Comments ||
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#2
Hahahaha, Chirac and Schroeder would be theperfect candidates.
#3
The Saudis have not been banned from participating. Indeed the State Department spoke at a business gathering in the Kingdom to tell them of the glittering opportunities in rebuilding Iraq.
I actually gleaned this bit of info from a Howard Dean suppoterâs blog. He was attempting to pass this wonderful news off as something negative of course. Itâs from the Guardian:
US special forces teams are already behind the lines inside Syria attempting to kill foreign jihadists before they cross the border, and a group focused on the "neutralisation" of guerrilla leaders is being set up, according to sources familiar with the operations.
Posted by: g wiz ||
12/11/2003 10:04:19 AM ||
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It's Wahabbi Elk Season in southeast Syria! Any ammunition, from 5.56x45 FMJ to 120mm "Super Size DU Deer Slug" may be used, and there's no bag limt.
Posted by: Mike ||
12/11/2003 10:10 Comments ||
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#3
The writing's on the wall, as they say. Anyone with eyes should be able to see....yada yada.
Were the futures board still available to me, I'd have a tough time deciding whether to put my wage on before - or after the election.
Posted by: B ||
12/11/2003 10:27 Comments ||
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#4
I think the Guardian article was posted on Rantburg a couple of days ago? So, did the Dean crowd like the idea,too?
#5
Hi Ho! Hi Ho!
It's off to work we go
With a .50 cal and a GPS
Hi Ho! Hi Ho!
Posted by: Matt ||
12/11/2003 11:15 Comments ||
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#6
1. Maybe. Wonder about the al-guardians source on this though. Remember Debka saying the Spec ops guys were running like half of Iraq months before the war. Well Debka was wrong. There is some tendency to overestimate what Spec ops can do. (they can do a lot of course, but not everything attributed to them)
2. If they are doing this, is it hard for Syria to complain, since theyd have to admit there are jihadis there? Conspiracy of silence? Maybe even Syria wants this, to avoid become a US target cause of the Jihadis?
3. Maybe disinfo, to scare the jihadis and push them to other routes?
The Bush administration has authorized creation of an Iraqi intelligence service to spy on groups and individuals inside Iraq that are targeting U.S. troops and civilians working to form a new government, according to U.S. government officials.
The new service will be trained, financed and equipped largely by the CIA with help from Jordan. Initially the agency will be headed by Iraqi Interior Minister Nouri Badran, a secular Shiite and activist in the Jordan-based Iraqi National Accord, a former exile group that includes former Baath Party military and intelligence officials.
Badran and Ayad Alawi, leader of the INA, are spending much of this week at CIA headquarters in Langley to work out the details of the new program. Both men have worked closely with the CIA over the past decade in unsuccessful efforts to incite coups against Saddam Hussein. The agency and the two men believe they can effectively screen former government officials to find agents for the service and weed out those who are unreliable or unsavory, officials said.
Thoughts? Insights?
Posted by: Dragon Fly ||
12/11/2003 9:18:43 AM ||
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INC doesnt want old Iraqi spies recruited, says theyre all old baathists. CIA undoubtedly thinks they know who's who, since they penetrated Iraqi intel, with help from Alawi and his pals. So theyre spreading that INC is complaining cause they dont want a powerbase that could be used (by CIA pal Alawi) against (Pentagon pal) Chalabi. Of course do we want an intel service as a powerbase in a democracy? CIA:demowhat? We do coups, cloak and dagger, etc not demobuilding. In the 90's CIA and their pals in the INA tried to use cloak and dagger to pull off a coup in Iraq, which failed. Chalabi said they should have pushed an uprising, not a coup. (of course that would have been offensive to our Saudi "friends" who much preferred a military regime takeover from Saddam, not a democracy) So CIA blamed Chalabi for coup failure. Well Pentagon can hardly object to this now, when they so badly need intell. But if CIA had Iraqi intell so well penetrated, why did the WMD info get so F**Ked up? CIA would like to blamce Chalabi and his people - but they deny turning over the stuff that got used. Massive blame game involveding Langley, Pentagon, and their respective Iraqi clients. With of course the possible wild card of WMDS that may yet be found, or have already been found but not revealed.
One more chapter in the REAL war - the Pentagon neo-cons against CIA and their Foggy Bottom allies.
AR RAMADI, Iraq â Iraqis of the Al Anbar province gathered December 10th for an anti-terrorist demonstration at the provincial council headquarters in Ar Ramadi. Approximately 200 men, women and children gathered with banners to chant slogans condemning terrorism. Ar Ramadi, a former Baâathist stronghold located approximately 60 miles west of Baghdad, has been a site of persistent anti-Coalition activities since post-war reconstruction efforts began.
Speakers expressed disapproval of terrorist actions and urged Iraqis to take action against anti-Coalition Forces. This outward display of support demonstrates increased cooperation between local Iraqis and Coalition Forces, resulting in increased information provided by tipsters and clearly showing the Iraqisâ desire for a safe and secure environment.
AR RAMADI, Iraq â The 82nd Airborne Division and attached units, also known as Task Force âAll American,â continued operations within the Al Anbar Province to provide security and assistance to the Iraqi people. During the past 24 hours, the Task Force has conducted 25 offensive operations, six cordon and searches and 19 raids. Soldiers also conducted 178 patrols, including seven joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police.
Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade conducted a cordon and search in Fallujah to capture Ali Jassam Mejbil and Mahamed Jassam Abad â criminals responsible for financing and conducting improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and trafficking weapons in the area. The operation resulted in the capture of both target individuals and four other terrorists.
In addition, paratroopers were escorting the Fallujah Liaison Team to a meeting at the mayorâs office when they were attacked with an IED east of Fallujah. The blast wounded one soldier and damaged an up-armored High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The wounded soldier, a gunner in the HMMWVâs turret, was evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital.
The 1st Infantry Divisionâs Hurricane Base was attacked with three mortar rounds. There were no injuries to personnel or damage to equipment from the attack. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was dispatched to the point of origin. When they arrived local civilians took them to the launch site and stated that three males fled on foot after the attack. The patrol confiscated various mortar ammunition and components at the location. The assistance from the local citizens in Ar Ramadi highlights a growing cooperation between Coalition Forces and the people in Al Anbar.
In 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimentâs areas of responsibility, soldiers conducted a raid against possible weapons dealers in Hit. The operation was conducted based on locally generated intelligence and was a success. Three criminals were captured, including the primary target. Also confiscated at the house were various mortar rounds.
Assistance from the local population continues to benefit Task Force âAll Americanâ as it continues to capture anti-Coalition operatives who wish to disrupt the progress established by U.S. forces and the Iraqi people.
The disgraceful treatment dished out to Lt. Col. Allen B. West, who faced prosecution for firing his weapon to intimidate an Iraqi detainee into providing information about an upcoming assault on Westâs unit, may be about to to be resolved.
Looks like he wonât be court-marshalled but will have to retire.
Honestly, the Army has to ask itself, how it is ever going to fight terrorism, if itâs soldiers always have one hand tied behind their backs.
Lt. Col. Allen B. West, who faced criminal charges for firing his weapon to intimidate an Iraqi detainee into providing information about an upcoming assault on Westâs unit, has himself, dodged a bullet.
LTC Westâs actions yielded critical information which enabled West and his soldiers to thwart the attack -- thus saving the lives of their fellow soldiers. It was and remains our position that LTC Westâs actions were justified. Indeed, President Bush, on his visit to Iraq Thanksgiving Day, said "In some cases, the measured use of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by force." We believe this certainly applies in the case of LTC West.
To that end, The Federalistâs companion site, PatriotPetitions.US, collected more than 130,000 signatures asking President George Bush, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, acting Secretary of the Army Secretary Les Brownlee and Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno, exonerate LTC West from this grossly misguided prosecution and any criminal charges.
On the day LTC Westâs Article 32 Board convened, Patriot Petitions released the results of the petition in support of LTC West. We learned yesterday afternoon, that the Army hearing officer in this case, LTC James Davis, has recommended to MGEN Raymond Odierno, the 4th Infantry Division commander, Article 15 administrative correction for LTC West -- but no court-martial. MGEN Odierno can accept or decline that recommendation.
"Itâs extremely good news," said Neal Puckett, LTC Westâs attorney. "This is what we think the Army should have done from the very beginning." LTC West indicated from the start of this case that he was willing to accept nonjudicial Article 15 punishment and then retire. MGEN Odierno has already relieved him of his artillery battalion command, a career killer. LTC West has submitted a retirement request and acting Army Secretary Les Brownlee may retire LTC West at his current rank, or at the reduced rank of major.
We contend that LTC West should have received honorable recognition for his actions and be promoted to full Colonel -- his considerable experience will be missed on the frontlines of our war with Jihadistan.
Posted by: tipper. ||
12/11/2003 2:41:18 AM ||
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#1
This was discussed yesterday.
LTC West was correct to expect at least an Article 15. I am grateful for his service and recognize his unit's urgent need for information from the captive.
However, it appears LTC West allowed soldiers in his unit to beat up the captive. Reports are that he then thrust the guy's head into the sand and fired his pistol into the sand near him. This goes way beyond firing a weapon vaguely in the captive's direction.
The US Military Academy and the other Army officer training schools stress their aim to produce leaders of character. Allowing or encouraging abuse of prisoners is bad for the Army and for that unit. It undermines discipline. War is chaotic and stressful & our Army's discipline is an important part of its professionalism and its effectiveness. The Army considers this so important that it accepts the possibility that this discipline might in a specific instance prevent effective interrogation of prisoners.
LTC West has done the honorable thing in accepting the fact that his actions were not proper. The possibility of a court martial rather than an Article 15 serves to remind all of our officers and enlisted troops that wartime discipline is central to our way of fighting.
I speak as the wife of a retired USAF officer and as someone who has a little first hand knowledge of how Army officers are trained.
#2
rkb, if you get a chance, read the whole article on how the prisoner was supposedly "roughed up," you may change your mind. Totally justified by someone in my experience and it saved lives. Heck, they could've beat this guy harder for all any of us care. I would rather have one bloodied Iraqi traitor pissing himself on camera, then five dead G.I.s because we didn't exhaust our possibilities of getting the info we needed. I'll take a court martial any day over having to write some lad's mom & dad why their son died under my command when I had the means to save his life. That's called leadership. Leadership from what I've seen is more then answering canned scenarios given at the academies or at Quantico. Trust me, OCS didn't have me prepared for the amount of decisions I had to make on a daily basis. I made a lot of mistakes and learned from them. I'd trust a Bn commander w/19 yrs experience to do the right thing. Leadership is making unpopular decisions that can often look bad and end your career, but saves lives. Often, the ends do justify the means. Plus, I agree w/you - abuse of normal prisoners is wrong as you say, however, this guy was a special case. I'm sure the LtCol saw it that way. If the Army had any brains they should've never made this an issue.
#3
rkb, it sounds like you're implying LtCol West didn't exhibit character by doing what he did. In my opinion, he risked his career and future for the lives of his men. That's what character is all about, putting the welfare of others above your own skin.
Posted by: charlotte ||
12/11/2003 9:24 Comments ||
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Jarhead, I agree - leadership goes far beyond the canned scenarios and LTC West's actions might still be accepted by his peers and superiors in the military justice system. We'll see.
However, I'm a little concerned about attitudes I read here. Don't get me wrong - I can rant w/ the best of y'all and I understand the high feelings. But you and others here who've led in the field know that a commander does not have the luxury of indulging feelings like this - he has to make tough calls with as much dispassion as possible and he must hold himself and his soldiers to the highest standards of conduct.
That's my main point. It may well be that this particular case was justified or fell within the rules. But part of what makes our military so effective is that we hold ourselves to high standards precisely in cases like this. Those of us cheering from the sidelines need to realize how seriously the services take these matters. It's the military leadership themselves who are worried about the effects of such things, which should give the rest of us pause.
Charlotte, I agree that LTC West is showing character right now. "My men, then my mission and only then myself."
What I don't agree with are the statements that say he should be given medals for this incident. Sober, battle-hardened officers I know feel strongly otherwise.
#5
I agree with rkb. The problem is that he admitted it. And once he admitted it, even he knew the hands of his superiors were tied. While I wish he had gotten a better lawyer, I have to admire him for having the integrity to stand tall, as a great man would.
I don't know what the answer is and I can only give a big huge sigh and head shake when hearing that he will be retiring. It is indeed a loss.
At least he can look in the mirror and know he did the right thing...even if it did cost him his job. He may have fallen on his sword, but he protected his troops in doing so. Greatness can't be measured in money or sucess.
Posted by: B ||
12/11/2003 10:44 Comments ||
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Rkb, Jarhead is correct that this guy was a special case in that he was hiding something and they knew it. No I think that we should torture prisoners just because but if itâs between saving GI lives or a roughed up Iraqi I choose the latter. I am not sure how this would even have come to light except that maybe LtCol West had some remorse for his actions. I think that speaks VOLUMES about that mans character. There is a grey area that people operate in when they are out in front and I think that LtCol West did nothing wrong and should be retained in the Army. If he had tortured a prisoner that had knowledge of a Nuclear Attack on a major city we would be recommending him for the MOH and not an article 15. Also if my son/daughter was serving with LtCol West and just had his life saved by this action I would be a VERY grateful parent. God bless this man and all that serve.
He can look in the mirror and know that it is the system that has failed here, not him.
Posted by: B ||
12/11/2003 10:55 Comments ||
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RBK, I respect your thoughts and further I don't know a thing about becoming or being an officer so, for what it's worth. . . I've experienced one or two highly educated officers that most likely ranked high in their classes and received outstanding fitness reports - and weren't worth a shit in the field. They could tell you all about the components of leadership and elements of character and would quote chapter and verse from a FM but their absolutely blind adherence to regs and SOPs made them, at times, truely dangerous to the unit they were commanding. Being in a combat zone forces officers to pick among truely horrible choices much of the time with precious little other than their gut feel to go on. From my strictly selfish perspective, I much prefered to serve with men of great character and compassion who broke the rules if necessary to ensure we had what we needed - be it intelligence, water, ammo, whatever. Abuse of prisoners should of course be avoided but if my CO doesn't go after every scrap of intelligence, well then he deserves whatever happens to him. Unit cohesion is a precious thing and if the ranks don't think you'd do everything for them then it's gone. I'd rather treat a POW's broken arm or black eye than write up a bunch of tags after the next firefight. LTC West will do fine on the outside but the Army as a organization and the men he would have led will be forever poorer for it.
#9
Jarhead OP and Cyber Sarge, in yesterday's thread, I pointed out my concern that this not become a precendent that leads to a return of interrogation by throwing one of two guys out of a chopper from several thousand feet and seeing what information the other guy would provide.
Do you think that this can be controlled in a way that doesn't send us from the gray area where this one lives back into the black (ie. Mai Lai.)
I would like to see this type of incident addressed in ROE's. I wouldn't trust most flag level guys to deal with this type of issue but I trust the judgement of Myers and Pace. Now that he is retired I would like to see Franks chair a panel on how to deal with intelligence collection in the field from prisoners.
There ought to be a different standard for insurgents dressed in civilian clothes and in possession of RPG's or bomb-making materials. O-5's, O-6's or other someone in posession of an independent command ought to have some authority to authorize torture. The decision ought to be subject to mandatory review.
I don't know that I am totally comfortable with the action that LtCol West took, but I certainly won't second-guess him from my PC in Indiana. He's got a lot of integrity. Never cared for careerists. A careerist would never have reported the incident. He can walk away with pride.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 17:12 Comments ||
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LTC West will do fine on the outside but the Army as a organization and the men he would have led will be forever poorer for it.
The sad thing is, I agree with you and with Super Hose both.
Haven't much respect for the careerists I've met either.
#11
ROE are just a BASIS for how you deal with a situation. What set's our Military apart is that we allow our commanders in the field to make decisions. I too am not going to 2nd or 3rd guess a commander in the field from my PC in California. Doc makes an good point that sometimes th 'book' doesn't cover the situation and the CC has to make a hard choice. Not sure who was throwing prisoners from a helocopter? I saw it in a movie once or twice but was anyone ever convicted of this practice?
#12
Mark Bowden wrote some articles about how Israel tried to deal with the issue. It is a common enough problem that the high command ought to provide some guidance at least - and not a whitewash.
I am not a big fan of the death penalty as it is currently constituted in the American courts, but I would like to see some sort of written policy for the case of clowns in civilian clothes in posession of explosives and RPG's. I think these Iraqi "freedom fighters" are expecting to get a slap on the wrist for committing a greivous war crime that endangers civilians. A scaffold might be the answer to the problem - commuted to a life sentence if a guy provides significant truthful information about ongoing operations.
As for flinging people out of helicopters, I don't know that it happened. Frankly, I don't want to know. I feel that the practice would be a symptom of a breakdown of dicipline. As I have written, though, without having been to Vietnam I can't speculate on what happened there. If I had captured VC known to have massacred children, I might have been the guy at the door sailing the punks to their doom. I am just as glad not to know what I would have done in anger.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/12/2003 4:59 Comments ||
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Didnât see this posted yesterday, Fred, but delete if already reported here.
U.S. troops shot and killed a senior officer of the paramilitary group Saddam Fedayeen after storming his house in Mosul on Wednesday, his neighbors said. "Fatimah, I see lightning outside. Is a storm approaching?"
The U.S. Army confirmed there were raids early Wednesday in Mosul but refused to comment on the reported death of Col. Ghanem Abdul-Ghani Sultan al-Zeidi. "We [giggle] can say [smirk] no more [chuckle]!"
Two of al-Zeidiâs neighbors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said U.S. troops stormed his one-story house in Mosulâs central neighborhood of al-Sukar at about 4:00 a.m. and one-sided shooting was heard later. Helicopters took part in the operation, the neighbors said. Good calvaryman always brings his horse.
The gate of al-Zeidiâs house was locked Wednesday afternoon. There were several bullet holes in the gate. A black banner nearby read: "Closed for Christmas. See You in April The heroic martyr Colonel Ghanem Abdul-Ghani Sultan al-Zeidi was sent to hell martyred during a blatant aggression by American forces at his house on 12/10/2003." And theyâre sore losers, too.
Capt. Brian Cope, a spokesman for the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, refused to comment on al-Zeidiâs death. Cope confirmed that the army carried out raids Wednesday against "35 separate targets" in Mosul. Cope, whose brigade controls Mosul, said dozens of people were captured in the raids including suspected members of Saddam Fedayeen and other former regime loyalists. "Call CENTCOM and get an extra barrel of giggle juice up here, pronto!"
Hours after the raid, terrorists insurgents carried out two separate attacks in Mosul, killing two soldiers and wounding four. Members of the Saddam Fedayeen, the paramilitary group that was run by Saddam Husseinâs late son Uday, are believed to be taking part in attacks against U.S. occupation forces in Iraq. "Believed"?
Uday and his younger brother Qusay were killed by U.S. troops in Mosul in July. In other news, today marks the 153rd day since Uday Hussein last raped an Iraqi woman. U.N. officials were at a loss to explain how this happened.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/11/2003 2:22:19 AM ||
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#1
Why is this asshole's house (and gate) still standing? Send the message, bring in the D-9's!
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/11/2003 8:36 Comments ||
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"You'll never take me alive, Zionist infidel occupiers!"
Posted by: Mike ||
12/11/2003 10:16 Comments ||
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I wonder if the soldiers were watching who put the banner up on the 'colonels' house?
Posted by: Charles ||
12/11/2003 12:49 Comments ||
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A black banner nearby read: "The heroic martyr Colonel Ghanem Abdul-Ghani Sultan al-Zeidi was martyred during a blatant aggression by American forces at his house on 12/10/2003."
Sounds like something that would be printed in a Palestinian schoolbook.
Link is directly to Zeyadâs pictures of the Baghdad demonstration yesterday. Best use of a digital camera Iâve seen in a long time.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/11/2003 2:09:57 AM ||
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#1
Great job, kudo to Zeyad.
I'm presuming a variety of languages, no? But most of them written in Arabic script. Wonder for whose benefit the many banners and slogans in English, huh?
Nevertheless, the world's media appear to have decided this didn't happen. Or maybe they're afraid to put up something that suits them ideologically but would be grist for fisking by some Rantburger?
#3
What impresses me most in the pictures are the numerous shots of Iraqi Police (IP). Granted, the marchers need security 'cause things are still hairy, but it is so good to see the security provided by Iraqis.
It certainly lends the pictures and the demonstration a lot more credibility than if security had been provided by American or Coalition troops. The whiners would then clamor that the demo was staged and the marchers were forced to participate.
Posted by: Dar ||
12/11/2003 8:32 Comments ||
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Still no mention on CNN/BBC.....
You dont think they are biased do you?
#5
Me again. Blogs all over (AS, Instapundit, etc.) are cynically wondering why this didn't actually happen. It didn't happen in CNN, BBC, Reuters, Fox, CBS, etc. Au contraire, guys, NYT says so:
"...In contrast, a heavily policed march in central Baghdad on Wednesday, organized peacefully by the country's major political parties, drew thousands of Iraqis to protest attacks by guerrilla fighters, which have injured and killed Iraqi civilians as well as occupiers...."
See, they gave it a whole sentence. Nine paragraphs into a story headlined:
Glenn: In thinking about it I agree with your comment on my comment yesterday that Zeyad didn't really "scoop" big media -- the demonstration was publicized in advance and anyone who was willing to leave the hotel bar could have covered it.
Posted by: Matt ||
12/11/2003 12:52 Comments ||
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This came late in the nite -- but we fans of the Army of Steve need this!
TIKRIT, Iraq - U.S. forces have arrested three men suspected of heading Iraqi rebel cells in their homes and say they seized a cache of weapons big enough to launch 50 guerrilla attacks. In the front garden of one of the two houses raided in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit in the early hours of Thursday, soldiers dug up a hoard of rifles, grenades and explosives that the commanding officer described as "a Fedayeen candy shop".
If they'd stuck with garden gnomes this wouldn't have happened, would it?
"This is mission-oriented. This is stuff they dole out," said Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. "They are not moving weapons here -- this is the head of a snake," he told reporters invited to witness the raid. "They are probably in charge of two or three cells. This is one of the most unusual varieties of weapons caches we have seen."
I looked up from my Rice Crispies this morning and there's Steve, on the terrible vision. He looked like he was having fun, even if he was hanging around with Reuters...
Russell said the three men arrested, two brothers and a brother-in-law all aged about 40, were members of Mohammedâs Army, a group he described as a "local terrorist cell" based in what is the main city in Saddamâs home region. The men, woken from their sleep next to their wives and children, pleaded their innocence.
"We did nothing, effendi! Nothing!"
But as reporters left the site, soldiers were still finding white plastic sacks stuffed with weapons buried a few inches under the soil.
"Ummm... Not ours. Somebody musta left 'em here..."
"You have a smoking gun in your hand," Russell told one of the arrested men who, according to a U.S. army interpreter, had protested: "I just sell wood, I sell shoes. Saddam is my enemy."
"I never liked him, I never joined the Party..."
As the two men of that house were undergoing initial interrogation outside, their wives and bleary-eyed young children waited in their bedrooms. Reuters witnessed as a young boy, prompted by an insistent Arabic-speaking soldier, lifted the corner of his motherâs mattress to reveal an AK-47 assault rifle.
"Somebody left that there, too!"
Troops also discovered an apparently newly-bought wireless doorbell set, which can be used to trigger bombs from a distance. Russell said the weapons find was significant as U.S. troops rarely discover the "middle-men" who are neither fully-blown arms traffickers nor the foot soldiers who pull the trigger, but are in charge of directing attacks.
We'd call 'em controllers...
He said better intelligence and tip-offs were leading to more effective raids on Iraqi rebels than in recent months. "We are draining the swamp of the high and the low," he said. "It is starting to get pretty good. It is starting to get as good as it was in July and August. As the bulk of troops left the house, two U.S. helicopters fired salvos of explosives into a nearby farmerâs field, a show of force the U.S. military calls "harassment and interdiction" of local militants.
Posted by: Sherry ||
12/11/2003 1:03:48 AM ||
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Yeeeeeee-hawwwww!!!! Go git 'em, cousin!
No one can resist the Army of Steveâ¢!!
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/11/2003 2:06 Comments ||
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This reminds me of an episode of SNL waaay back - they had a "commercial" pitched by Akroyd for Steve's Travellor's Checks... prolly came in $3, $7, and $13 denominations, heh heh. Sheesh!
Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang will undergo two more operations, this time for his right foot and kidney, ABS-CBN News learned Thursday. Doctors hope they can save Andangâs right foot, which was riddled with bullets during a firefight with the military Sunday. Andangâs left foot had to be amputated earlier to prevent gangrene. Why am I having images of the Monty Python sketch about the knight challenging the travelers?
Doctors also said Andang has chronic renal failure, or the loss of the ability of the kidneys to excrete waste, concentrate urine and conserve electrolytes. They said Andang may require a kidney transplant. And all the kingâs horses, and all the kingâs men, couldnât put ... the bandit back together again
Andang will likely recover to face kidnapping charges lodged against him, doctors said. Andangâs group raided a Sipadan resort off Borneo island in April 2000 and abducted tourists and resort workers. This is sort of like summarizing Hitlerâs career by saying he led a beerhall putsch I donât quite get it - how do you shoot up both of a guyâs legs so bad without putting at least a few rounds in a "sweet spot"?
Posted by: Lone Ranger ||
12/11/2003 10:01:16 AM ||
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He probably shot himself in the feet; why his kidneys have failed is anyone's guess. I'm betting some nasty tropical disease.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
12/11/2003 10:07 Comments ||
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I donât quite get it - how do you shoot up both of a guyâs legs so bad without putting at least a few rounds in a "sweet spot"?
The rest of him had already managed to crawl back under the rock he crawled out from under???
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/11/2003 13:25 Comments ||
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Nah. Somebody did the "Dance, varmint!" routine...
Posted by: Fred ||
12/11/2003 13:39 Comments ||
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Kidneys failed most likely from 1) rhabdomyolosis, a condition in which crushed/dead muscle releases factors that cause the kidneys to fail 2) hypovolemic shock from the blood loss 3) sepsis from the infection and gangrene. He's in a bad way; docs usually don't like to saw off body parts one by one.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/11/2003 18:47 Comments ||
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Three Muslim separatist rebels were killed and four soldiers wounded in a gunbattle in the southern Philippines, the military said. The troops were patrolling a village near Sirawai town in the Zamboanga peninsula Wednesday when they were attacked by 20 men believed to be Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, a military report said.
It's that "ceasefire." They just cna't help themselves...
The 20-minute gunbattle that followed left three rebels dead and four soldiers wounded, it said. The soldiers managed to overrun a rebel encampment that could accommodate 80 people and seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
12/11/2003 12:56:22 AM ||
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The London-based Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that "information sources close to Al-Qaâida said that the organization, headed by Osama bin Laden, is gearing up for a big operation to coincide with Eid Al-Adha.
The "holiday" falls on February 2. Word is thatâs when Osama will poke his head out of his cave. If he sees his shadow, four thousand more years of terror for the free world.
"The information coordinator for the Sahab Institute, which is associated with Al-Qaâida, said that a new videotape of bin Laden will be circulated shortly before the holiday. He added in an interview with the Internet site Al-Anbaa [The News] that the videotape will surface in conjunction with âa great event that will shake the region.â
Just like the Bill Murray movie: trapped in an endless loop of monotony. What good are threats when they arenât made good on?
"The coordinator explained that he had an agreement with Al-Jazeera by which it was committed to broadcast any videotape that the Sahab Institute provides about Al-Qaâida. He pointed out that the Institute would sever its relations with the station if it refused to broadcast a videotape, and reiterated that âthe station is obligated to broadcast any videotape we send to it.â
"If you donât show our propaganda anymore, we will be forced to stop sending it to you! Now, be a good little inflammatory Jew-hating network and put this on the air!"
And so, yet another Al-Jismeera "exclusive."
"The coordinator, identified by the nickname âAbi Osamaâ [Osamaâs Father], added: âWe duplicate and edit the videotapes of the organization in special ways, and then send them to news channels, including Al-Jazeera, in response to orders issued to us.â
Osamaâs dad? Itâs a shame when a parent outlives his child, no? Also, nice slipup on dadâs part -- their method is to "edit" in "special ways." Itâs almost an acknowledgment that all these "new" tapes are made up of old footage spliced into tape of some other nutbag spouting threats. Guess Osama wonât be poking his head out of that cave after all. Unless they drag out whatâs left of his corpse.
#1
While I have no doubt the tapes are fabrications, I suspect these particular asshats just try to cover up the original sources. It wouldn't do if the CIA got hold of a digital tape with, say, enough information to ID the computer that edited it.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
12/11/2003 16:11 Comments ||
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I noticed a couple missing comments today. My son, Tom, made his first comment ever today, and it disappeared. Paul made a comment that I thought was funny, and it's gone. I've noticed the same thing a couple times in the past, and put it down to my hitting the wrong button...
We'll be down sporadically tonight, starting around 7 p.m. local time, as I upgrade the database and change the passwords...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
12/11/2003 16:40 ||
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#1
Several posts are missing too...the first one you posted this morning (the rosco post), my Hek post, and a post about Germany and the Kalifstaat. I was taking it personally. You may want to lock it down sooner than 7pm...
#8
Haven't noticed anything missing, but did notice you are using MySQL via one of the error messages. I know its easy to use, but you may want to consider migrating to Postgresql
#9
Sorry Fred. I noticed the posts gone missing earlier today, but wasn't sure if I should speak up. I will email you the next time I see something "funny". (Hoping there's not a "next time" of course.)
#10
Just to add to the fray, my comments from this morning went missing as well. I was the first to comment today, on the "rosco" post, and by noon the comment was gone (the story itself was still there). So, whatever the problem, it was already happening on the first comment of the day.
Posted by: Rafael ||
12/11/2003 19:13 Comments ||
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#11
Oh crap. What I was trying to say was that the first comment of the day (mine, rosco post) went missing by noon.
Posted by: Rafael ||
12/11/2003 19:15 Comments ||
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#13
My comments on Al Qaeda were recorded in a Burma Shave rhyme. It was lost and for the life of me I could not remember it word for word. So I had to make a limerick instead.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/11/2003 19:48 Comments ||
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#14
Al-Aska Paul...
Something something AlQ
Something something Sun Tzu
Something shrapnel something else
Something that didn't rhyme
#15
Fred, while you're fixing stuff can you make clicking to individual articles from the top the way it was before -- i.e. possible without reloading the entire main page?
From Jihad Watch, EFL
In Florida, some documents have been shredded relating to the prosecution of Sami Al-Arian, the former professor who is accused of running a Palestinian Islamic Jihad cell in Florida. It was an accident, says the clerkâs office for the Middle District of Florida, but it could severely damage the prosecutionâs case. Understatement. It could blow the case.
The documents in question: "three warrants and an affidavit that allowed investigators to search the home and offices of Sami al-Arian in 1995." On these depend "thousands of pieces of evidence gathered during the 1995 searches of al-Arianâs home and offices -- coupled with bank records and intelligence wiretaps that were declassified last year," all of which "helped bolster the U.S. Department of Justiceâs case against him, officials said."
The defense is taking full advantage: "âWe simply donât know whether the search and seizures were constitutional, but we have a right to know and weâre going to find out,â said Tampa lawyer Linda Moreno, who along with Washington, D.C., attorney William Moffitt is representing al-Arian."
In fact, this could be a major boon for Al-Arian: "Legal experts said al-Arianâs attorneys may have been handed a big break in what many view as a daunting case -- one that includes 20,000 hours of wiretapped conversations. . . . Miami lawyer Richard Strafer, a criminal appellate expert, said al-Arianâs legal team could capitalize on the mistake because the initial warrants and affidavit formed a foundation for the overall indictment. âThe goal is to find the first illegal [warrant] and the dominoes start falling because everything becomes tainted,â Strafer said."
Meanwhile, in Georgia, "the criminal proceedings against Capt. James J. Yee, the former Muslim chaplain at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, fell into confusion on Tuesday and stalled as the military prosecutors asked for extra time to determine whether documents that were found in Captain Yeeâs luggage when he was leaving the base were, in fact, classified." What in the hell is everybody doing? This is madness! We are our own worst enemy.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/11/2003 2:49:55 PM ||
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#1
John Loftus was on "Bachellor & Alexander" (WABC Radio) talking about this case, and he says he has a valid copy of the affadavit. BUT, something smells incredibly fishy about this.
#2
I'm not a conspiracy theorist or Area 51 junkie, but it sorta appears that this case is being sabotaged by someone. There are alot of resources that have been expended to build this case and now it seems that it may crumble into dust.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/11/2003 15:21 Comments ||
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#3
With over 23 years in criminal law I have seen lots of stupid things, including messed up prosecutions, but this makes the DA from "My Cousin Vinny" look great.
#4
I think what is happening is that the Jihadi's are smart to the system, they know how to use our laws against us.
Thus preventing us from investigating them legally and prosecuting them.
It's evidently, judging by todays news of the release in Germany and this, a huge problem.
ABCâs decision to censor Sharpton, Mosely-Braun and Kucinich cannot be allowed to stand, and fighting it may open a range of new possibilities for the left.
I suggest nationally coordinated local demos at all ABC studios and affiliates, immediately. Just grab a few of your friends, bring signs, and as much local press as you can muster.
If we can also get prominent coverage by Democracy Now, FAIR, FSRN, BAI, PBS, NPR - and all independent media - we can make this work!
This action by ABC is about as blatant an abuse of the public trust as can be imagined - it is an act of blatant censorship of political candidates for making what were obviously true and fairly non-controversial statements. It is a case of prior restraint of immense proportion. They pulled their assigned producers off these campaigns, which are circling the drain in any event.
#1
Heck, let the mixed-nutz have their 15 minutes or more. They'll be a moot point next year anyways. I'm surprised ABC did pull the plug, how about CBS?
#3
The entire group of democrat candidates would make a great set of bobbleheads. You could make all the heads except Lieberman's only bobble to the left.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 16:15 Comments ||
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This guy was supposedly the definitive expert on the Juche idea. Looks like heâs had second thoughts.
Hwang Jang Yop in an interview with the Japanese Sankei Shimbun malignantly slandered the political system in the DPRK, according to its Dec. 5 issue. He let loose a string of hysteric outcries that "it is the only solution to the nuclear issue to overthrow north Koreaâs regime" and the "dictatorship of north Korea should be toppled". Hwangie...we hardly know you anymore!
They are the thrice-cursed crime as they were mouthed by the man who has inveterate bitterness toward the inviolable political system in the DPRK.He is human scum and a mentally deranged old man who fled to south Korea after abandoning his wife and children and unhesitatingly betraying the country that protected his political integrity for the sake of his personal luxury. Nothing but balderdash can be heard from this guy and no one, therefore, would lend an ear to his tongue wagging. The Human Scum Club gets another member.No floral gift for you!
This ugly looking man is completely unable to judge what is going on. Yet the south Korean authorities are using him for their sinister purpose. Heâs revolting... and ugly, too!
We can not but call this dishonest behavior to question. They only betrayed their awkward position by instigating Hwang to cry out for the so-called "solution" to such crucial political issue as the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the United States. In a word, the U.S. and the south Korean authorities only laid bare their true colors by letting this good-for-nothing talk nonsense. In a word? Since when does KCNA sum things up "in a word"?
Hwang committed too hideous crimes that he was afraid of taking a back alley. Recently he toured the U.S. and is strutting about, having interviews with foreign media. This was possible only under the protection of the present south Korean authorities and thanks to the prearranged script of the U.S. Hwang Jang Yop. The Strutting About Tour, 2003. Coming soon to a back alley near you. I want a T shirt.
The present south Korean authorities transferred him to a new place from the Intelligence Service in a bid to goad him into letting loose anti-north vituperation with bitterer grudge. Bet it didnât take much to goad him into "vituperation with bitterer grudge". Whatever that is...
It is shame on the nation that such human scum as Hwang is still at large. To patronize and use him is an anti-national criminal act of bedevilling the inter-Korean relations and going against the nationâs desire for exchange, cooperation, unity and reunification. So in the spirit of reunification, would you mind sending him back so we can shoot him? Itâll be a nice early lesson on reunification, North Korean style.
It is a common sense that a failure to see through everything from a national stand and properly deal with it would result in playing into the hands of foreign forces and the traitors to the nation and bringing the inter-Korean relations to a collapse. ...at least the North half.
All the facts go to prove that the south Korean authorities are neither interested in the improvement of inter-Korean relations, nor have any willingness to have dialogue with the north and settle the nuclear issue but have the same wrong way of thinking as Hwangâs. They should behave in a responsible manner from a national stand. Like.......us.
It is nonsensical to talk about dialogue, contact, reconciliation and cooperation while letting renegade and traitor Hwang defile the system and dignity of the dialogue partner and cry out for "overthrowing" the system in the north.
We will never sit idle in case the south Korean authorities allow Hwang to slander again the system. I believe Hwangie wants bulletproof underwear from Santa this year...
#1
I think the next time the PRC starts harranguing the United States about the "One China" policy, we should respond by demanding a "One Korea" policy, of the southern variety. Keep at it until either the PRC implodes (just a matter of time), or until they cut the strings to little puppet-boy Kim.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/11/2003 13:12 Comments ||
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#2
You were wondering where all the fruitcakes went? They're all in a Nork bunker.
Yahya Goba, considered the organizer of the Lackawanna Six, was sent down the river for sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison. "Thatâs a long time, but perhaps in your case, not long enough," U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny told Goba after handing down the sentence. Goba, 26, was the fourth member of the Lackawanna Six to be sentenced this month. The six traveled to Afghanistan and trained with al-Qaida several months before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In Gobaâs case, 10 years imprisonment is the maximum under federal sentencing guidelines and was predetermined by the terms of his guilty plea. Though Skretny said the sentence for Goba was appropriate, he added that more time behind bars wouldnât have been out of line. Longer would be better, but he did spill his guts.
A blindfold and a cigarette wouldn't have been out of line...
Skretny disclosed that Goba used a share of the $14,000 provided by an unidentified local man for the trip to the military training camp. And when an al-Qaida recruiter came to Lackawanna in April 2001, he stayed with Goba in his Lackawanna home. Furthermore, while four of the six left the al-Qaida training camp, Goba stayed for the duration, learning to use an M-16 rifle, explosives and a grenade launcher, Skretny said. Goba even stood guard at the camp.
"Yar! Ain't no infidels gonna come sneakin' in while I'm on duty!"
Goba and fellow Lackawanna residents Shafal Mosed, Mukhtar al-Bakri, Yasein Taher, Faysal Galab and Sahim Alwan were arrested in September 2002 on charges that they supported al-Qaida by training at one of the terrorist camps in Afghanistan in 2001. All six accepted plea deals, admitting that they trained at the camp but denying that they had any intention to engage in terrorism.
"Who? Us? Terrorism? No, no! Certainly not!"
Last week, al-Bakri was sentenced to 10 years and Taher to eight years. Tuesday, Mosed also was sentenced to eight years. Goba, along with al-Bakri, has been singled out for the longest prison term because he was intimately involved in organizing the trip, according to terrorism prosecutor William J. Hochul Jr. Clauss told the judge Goba never intended to be part of the al-Qaida network, but took the trip out of commitment to his faith and his "naive infatuation" with al-Qaida leaders. Yeah, right.
Since his plea deal, Goba has cooperated fully with the government, providing valuable insight into al-Qaida and its recruiting methods, Clauss said. Maybe one of his islamic buddies will off him in prison for being a stoolie. Hey, I can dream, canât I?
Skretny, though, said he was particularly troubled by Gobaâs actions because Goba had been a carrier teacher of Islam to children in the community. Goba should have known to stay clear of al-Qaidaâs distorted teachings, he said. Depends on what you consider "distorted".
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Battle responded to questions about the $14,000 given by the local man to help finance the trip to Afghanistan. "We are following up on the investigation into the funding of the trip," Battle said. "Itâs still too early to say whether anyone will be charged."
Gooby didn't spring the name. That's why he got the full ten years.
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 11:12:54 AM ||
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EFL
Human rights groups have urged the U.S. military not to repatriate more than a dozen Chinese Muslim detainees facing possible release from Guantanamo Bay, saying they are likely to face torture and even very brief, excruciating headaches execution if sent back to China... Amnesty International said it remains concerned that some detainees may face serious human rights abuses if returned to their countries of origin. But the Iranian Peace Prize woman said the US was abusing people at Gitmo, so then why doesnât Amnesty Intl say to her... oh yeah, I forgot... America is always wrong
Posted by: mhw ||
12/11/2003 9:18:27 AM ||
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#2
It is certainly quite an irony when the "black hole of Calcutta - Gitmo" starts looking like the greener grass on the other side of the fence. It would be interesting to learn what segment of the world's six billion plus people would choose an extended stay at the US detention camp at Guantanamo as preferable to their current circumstances. My guess is: about two billion. That's quite a vapor trail of zeros after the two. 'Sobering thought.
Brief, hilarious mental image of a bunch of guys in turbans and curly-toed slippers, playing beach volleyball using a large black ball featuring a sputtering fuse...
Inshallah.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/11/2003 12:16 Comments ||
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Nervous, Chuck? EFL:
A private UK-based military firm says it is looking for an investor to fund an operation to seize indicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Mr Taylor, who has been granted asylum in Nigeria, is wanted by the UN-backed court on war crimes charges. Northbridge Services Group says it has people ready to kidnap Mr Taylor to claim a $2m reward allegedly offered by the United States Congress. Lear jet S.W.A.T team
On a midnight run
With the M16
And the Ingram gun
We parachute in
We parachute out
"Death from above"
Weâre screaming now
"Any potential investors that are interested in going in together in this operation, we would be willing to split the profits," Northbridge Services Groupâs director Pasquale Dipofi told the BBCâs World Today programme. "I feel that we can execute this operation gracefully and quite skilfully. I donât believe that there will be any combat required, and I donât believe that there would be any casualties involved," Mr Dipofi said. Where the pay is good
And the risk is high
Itâs understood
Weâll do or die
Sten gun in hand
Where the gun is law
From Ovamboland
To Nicaragua
He hinted that the company already had its agents in Nigeria ready for the swoop, but refused to elaborate for reasons of "operational security". "I think we can execute this and bring Mr Taylor before the tribunal," Mr Dipofi said, adding that the company has done similar operations in the past. Three young men
In a Russian truck
With a little MAC-10
Sent âem running to the huts
These few young men
The few who dare
To battle in hell
Le Mercenaire!
Strength and muscle and jungle work
Posted by: Steve ||
12/11/2003 8:55:48 AM ||
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#1
Please send your bank account information as soon as possible to facilitate this transfer.
EFL
One woman was killed Wednesday night after the SUV she was driving crossed the median of Floridaâs Turnpike west of Orlando and hit a truck carrying munitions for the military, setting off a large explosion, officials said. âAfter the SUV she was driving crossed the medianâ: Um, why is it that the SUV drove across the median? I was not aware that SUVs had the ability to drive themselves.
The driver of the truck carrying the munitions escaped harm, Miller said, despite the crash near Clermont that exploded the rigâs gas tank and set off three containers of blasting caps.
Posted by: Dragon Fly ||
12/11/2003 6:53:54 AM ||
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#1
You got that right Dragon Fly. It's little things like that that really show how f*cked up (oops pulled a Kerry) our media is.
#3
Amazingly, here is yet another in today's USA Today:
"Drivers are getting more protection along many of the nation's highways. That's because states are installing taller concrete highway barriers to withstand large trucks and SUVs, which can jump the old barriers and crash into oncoming traffic." (Emphasis mine.)
#10
I minority woman is driving an SYV. Is she oppressed or an oppressor> Was the SUV part of a private reparations deal that shenegotiated with the government?
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 16:24 Comments ||
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#11
Hmmmm.....I guess I'm going to have to pay closer attention to my 4Runner at all times...
JERUSALEM (AP) - The Palestinian prime minister warned Israel against taking unilateral steps, such as seizing parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, saying that in such cases ``the fire will burn, the terror will grow.ââ The prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, spoke in an interview with the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv. Excerpts were published Thursday, and the full text was to be released Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and top members of his government have repeatedly said in recent days that they planned to take unilateral steps if peace efforts fail. Sharon and his deputy, Ehud Olmert, have said this would include dismantling some Israeli settlements, but they also have made clear that Israel would never withdraw from all the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the frontier that existed before the 1967 Mideast war. Those who win wars sorta have that right, donât they?
Even before Sharon began floating the idea of unilateral steps, Israel began building a separation barrier that at points runs near the 1967 lines, but in other areas is to dip deep into the West Bank. The barrier is to keep out Palestinian terrorists militants who have killed hundreds of Israelis since 2000. Fence looks better all the time. All the pissing and moaning complaining from the Paleos says that itâs hurting them.
Qureia told Maariv that the current route of the barrier will only cause more resentment. ``This will not help, this will not succeed, this will cause a disaster. You cannot build a fence on our land, to cage us like chickens and hope all will be well. If you want a fence, go ahead. Build it on the (1967) Green Line. In this instance we are prepared to contribute to the building costs,ââ he said. Thatâs perhaps the first sensible idea Iâve heard from a Paleo in years.
The Palestinian prime minister said dismantling settlements is a positive step. ``But if he (Sharon) wants to build a fence and use it to annex Palestinian land, this is unacceptable. The conflict will continue, the fire will burn, the terror will grow, no one will benefit from this,ââ he said. ``We will not accept this, looney parts of the world will not accept this,ââ he added. Translation: heâs afraid the world might well write them off.
Qureia called for an immediate resumption of peace talks. "Mahmoud! Abdul! Git them guns and ammo through the tunnel, and make it snappy! We ainât got much longer!"
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/11/2003 2:30:55 AM ||
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Translation: heâs afraid the world might well write them off
That's been my theory all along - once the walls a fait accompli there is no more fun in pushing "Paleo justice" and the rest of the world will tire of sending money to the thugs in charge. The only thing Arafat and friends have to offer the world is instability and dead Jooooos. Once the wall separates the two, booming and killing becomes too difficult to become a dependable terror weapon, and Paleostine will exist as a cesspool of seething and whining nonproductivity. Syria/Lebanon/Iran are just waiting for the hammer to strike themselves once Iraq is pacified. I predict in 5 yrs everyone will look back and wonder why they let Arafat and Co. cause so much destruction and instability - the fence will be the answer to so many problems...Qureia's distress proves that they know it
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/11/2003 8:46 Comments ||
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#2
All the Hamas effort will be expended on bridging the fence rather than buses and restaurants in Tel Aviv. Sounds like a plan.
Posted by: john ||
12/11/2003 9:40 Comments ||
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#3
IMHO, the Palestinians will just switch to using rockets and mortars, and will remain massively subsidized by Europe and other Arab nations.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
12/11/2003 9:53 Comments ||
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#4
RC, the Paleos haven't used rockets and mortars because it's too difficult concealing them. You can hide them in a room and in a tunnel, but out in a settlement somebody is going to notice. Especially with all the heightened security. It's why Hamas uses suicide bombers, since a bomb strapped to someones chest is much easier to conceal.
Posted by: Charles ||
12/11/2003 12:42 Comments ||
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#5
The Palestinian prime minister warned Israel against taking unilateral steps, such as seizing parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, saying that in such cases ``the fire will burn, the terror will grow.ââ
Just more evidence of the Palestinian addiction to terror tactics.
The Palestinian prime minister said dismantling settlements is a positive step.
Palestinian demands aside, just what "positive steps" have the Palestinians themselves taken? Are there any?
In a classic case of the political pot calling the kettle black, Democrat presidential candidate loserJohn Kerry blasted the Bush administration over failing to be accountable for the disastrous fallout of the use of a fuel additive deemed carcinogenic, DUHHH
without mentioning he was behind legislation that mandated its widespread use. "Kids canât make the f***ing MTBE lemonade now. They donât take f***ing showers with the f***ing MTBE water. They have to buy f***ing bottled water. I am MTBE is the f***ing culprit," Kerry cursed described. "Iâm This f***ing administration is trying to prevent f***ing accountability for f***ing MTBE â $50 f***ing billion worth of add-ons in f***ing oil and gas subsidies in the f***ing energy bill; $139 billion of f***ing return-on-investment for $139 million of f***ing lobbying money in f***ing Washington." According to Kerry, one-sixth of the water bodies in the Granite State are polluted by MTBE or other pollution. But what Kerry failed to mention is that he co-sponsored legislation that led to the widespread use of MTBE by oil and gas companies as a relatively inexpensive way to reduce air pollution. That might hurt his bid for the most powerful person if people found out!!!!!
While MTBE was mandated in fuel sold all over the United States because it was predicted to reduce harmful emissions, leading scientists agree that prediction hasnât come to fruition. MTBE seems to have little or no effect in reducing carbon monoxide emissions and, in contrast, is actually increasing nitrogen oxides emissions, which contribute to smog. Whatâs worse is the additive, which has leeched into water supplies in California, Colorado and elsewhere, is believed to be a carcinogen. "If it gets into the water and people drink the water, there is an increased risk of cancer," Dr. Nachman Brautbar, a clinical toxicologist and editor of International Journal of Occupational Medicine, said. In July 1999, an advisory panel warned the Environmental Protection Agency that MTBE constitutes a "risk to our environment and public health" and recommended its use be reduced or eliminated. After being one of the first states to use MTBE, California has banned the additive as of Jan. 1 this year. A ban in Connecticut takes effect New Yearâs Day, while New York also is outlawing the additive. already banned in Colorado
Posted by: Anonymous ||
12/11/2003 1:02:04 AM ||
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#1
Not knowing of Massachusetts politics (Allah be praised!) I have no feel for how comfortably Kerry sits on his Senate seat. If his answer would be something like, "[censored]. Not so [censored] good," his political career may be toast. Unless he moves, and runs for Mayor of San Francisco.
#2
Kerry doesn't let facts and previous votes get in the way of his platform - he served in Vietnam!
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/11/2003 8:29 Comments ||
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#3
"Not knowing of Massachusetts politics"
This is a state that has returned Ted Kennedy to the US Senate since (?) the sixties anyway.
If Ted is the bar (get it the bar?) that has been set, Kerry has a more work to do to get ousted, Masshole that he is.
#4
He's so haughty and French-looking, it's hard to believe he served in Vietnam.
Posted by: Mike ||
12/11/2003 10:13 Comments ||
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#5
Dom: Hadn't even thought of that. It's tough to unseat an incumbent senator. I now remember trying to get rid of Al Cranston of S&Lgate infamy fame. He practically had to die.
#6
Yup this confirms it that Kerry (D-France/Vietnam) really has lost the race and now wants to be known for the dumbest remark by a candidate. It's going to be a hard fight, but I think this one may be a winner.
#7
If stupidity were akin to cancer, we'd have 90,000 politicians in the hospital. Kerry deserves the total disdain of ALL Americans, but none quite as vengeful as those of us who ALSO served in Vietnam. That this bungplug is a Vietnam vet just goes to show that some events triumph even social lines.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/11/2003 12:34 Comments ||
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#8
I met this idiot once. He epitomizes every nuance you would expect in a politician. He is finger in the wind kind of guy and probably doesn't even know that he sponsored this legislation. They are so busy raising money (even as Senators) they have staffers write up all the legislation, speeches, testimonies, etc. So far, Bush is heads and shoulders above these 9 dunces.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
12/11/2003 15:02 Comments ||
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#9
Not only did he serve in 'Nam, but amazingly, he's a Silver Star Recipient. Apparently received it for heroic actions extracting an SF team out of a hot spot w/his p.t. boat. Shortly thereafter he took a stateside assignment as a congressional aide or whatever. Yes, he's still a douche bag politician but I respect his service record.
#10
You can take the war experience thing just so far. Hell Abe Lincoln was a faux-soldier who was supposed to be killing native American Black hawk people but avoided real action, but came to be pretty good at general picking when nut cutting time rolled around.
Yes indeed, I think we can all be proud of that graph.
Posted by: 25,000 is the limit ||
12/11/2003 15:40 Comments ||
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#11
Just to be fair to the exceedingly French-looking John F. Kerry (a reputed Viet Nam veteran), all of the F-bombs shown in the excerpt were not in the text of the article. But I had to go back and look, since they are eminently believable given his recent appearances.
#12
As noted it would almost be impossible for Kerry to get dumped in MASS. Our local Republican party seems incapable of winning a senate seat. They come up with the worst opponents for the slot (Particularly against Sen Kennedy). It's wierd Massachusetts had a republican governer/lt governer for the last 10+ years but pretty much any other statewide office is unachievable, and congressional seats are almost that bad (many go uncontested).
#13
Mass is the US equivalent of italy. I can remember years ago telling a friend of mine who lived there that if the rest of the country was like Mass, there would be a revolution every ten years or so. The only thing that has changed over the years is that they have gotten more corrupt.
#15
What's up with the whining about MTBE? These types wanted "clean air", didn't they? Well, they got it. And what they also got in this little problem with MTBE contamination is called a "side effect".
A senior police officer was shot dead in Hargeysa, the capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, on Tuesday, according to a local journalist. He said the Hargeysa regional traffic police chief, Col Mahmud Abdi Jama, was shot twice in front of his house by unknown gunmen who followed him home. "He was rushed to a nearby hospital but died shortly afterwards," the source added.
"Hey, Mahmoud! Let's strike a blow against the infidels!"
"Hokay. Whaddya wanna do?"
"Bump off a traffic cop!"
"Keen!"
An investigation into the killing is underway, with many policemen visible on the streets of the city. The police officerâs killing follows the murder in October of two British teachers Richard and Enid Eyeington, and Italian veteran aid worker, Dr Annalena Tonelli. An official with Somalilandâs information ministry said the motive for the latest murder was not yet clear, neither who was behind it nor whether it was linked to the previous murders. "It is unlikely that this and the earlier incidents are connected," the official told IRIN. "It is too early to speculate on who might have killed the officer and why. We have to wait for the police to arrest suspects before we can comment."
Traffic tickets?
Some 20 people are in police custody for the earlier killings, which were blamed on "elements working to destabilise the region". All those arrested will be brought to court "as soon as ongoing police investigations are completed", the official added.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
12/11/2003 12:59:38 AM ||
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#1
Now they've killed Hargeysa regional traffic police chief, Col Mahmud Abdi Jama. I guess the Somaliland government ought to double it's guard on all subway conductors and astronauts. This is getting to be real chaos; they're even killing the irrelevant guys.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
12/11/2003 8:02 Comments ||
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After every suicide attack in Russia â and they are increasingly commonplace â his name is whispered by a nervous public. ââWas it Shamil?ââ someone always asks. The answer, more often than not, is yes.
I thought it was "of course."
Little known in the West, Shamil Basayev is a household name in Russia, where he is often compared to another terror mastermind, Osama bin Laden. Like the al-Qaeda leader, Mr. Basayev is a charismatic figure with a deadly interpretation of Islam, who has managed to both avoid capture and strike fear into the residents of a major world capital. "They are both charismatic, eloquent, pseudo-Islamists," said Sergei Arutyunov, head of the department of Caucasian studies at Moscowâs Russian Academy of Sciences.
Nothing "pseudo" about them. They're the epitome of Islamism...
A top commander of the ragtag Chechen rebel army that won a shocking victory over Russia in a mid-1990s war of independence, in the current conflict Mr. Basayev has emerged as the general in a very different campaign to force the Russian army to once more leave Chechnya.
That Russian army of the early to mid-1990s was a demoralized, down-sized, and disrespected offshoot of the Soviet army. With the center paralyzed by the transition from Gorbachev to Yeltsin, the commanders at the military district level sat and watched as the locals waltzed into their compounds, beat up their conscripts, and drove off with virtually all the military equipment they wanted. One after the other, the local warlords â Dudaev among them â set up shop on their own. Some commanders held back the bad guys, while others watched and did nothing. A very few of them took a 9mm pill, rather than watch it happen...
Suicide bombings, many of them carried out by specially recruited war widows who feel they have nothing left to lose, have become the tactic of choice for Mr. Basayev and his followers. With the Chechen resistance now largely scattered in the Caucasus mountains, no longer able to confront the Russian army in set-piece battles, the widows represent one of the few effective forces he has left.
The Russers have had ten years to reconstitute their army, and Putin is working on actually improving it by instituting a professional force. The U.S. Army made a startling turn-around between 1975 and 1983 — an exactly equivalent time span; the Russers haven't been quite as determined to rebuild, but they haven't stood still. They are still plagued by corruption and crummy intel, but the Chechens aren't able to toss them out again, and probably won't be. The Rossiiskaya Armiya will be getting stronger, while the rebels attrit...
"We are using the weapon that we can use, considering our capabilities," he said on an audiotape given to the Kavkaz Center website, which has become Mr. Basayevâs primary means of communicating his message to the outside world. "And I swear to God, if Russians or Americans will give us cruise missiles or intercontinental ballistic missiles, then we will not be using suicide attackers or Kamaz trucks loaded with explosives."
Being a true Islamist, of course, they have no capability whatsoever of actually producing any technology more sophisiticated than the sharp stick on their own...
The 38-year-old Mr. Basayev, a bearish man who is balding on top but sports a bushy black beard, was recently described as the last Chechen rebel leader still fighting federal forces.
The others being worm food or secure in places like Pankisi and unable to come out...
Heâs believed to be hiding near his home village of Vedeno, limping from safe house to safe house, having lost his foot in a land-mine blast three years ago. "We want to liquidate him, pure and simple, to end this grinding war," said Ramadan Kadyrov, son of Chechnyaâs pro-Kremlin administrator. He has put a $5-million (U.S.) bounty on Mr. Basayevâs head, but the wily warrior has managed to evade Russian commandos. Mr. Basayevâs background reveals that he fights nastiest when cornered. A former computer salesman and Soviet army fireman, he quickly emerged as one of the resistance movementâs most skilled commanders in the first Chechen war. With limited resources, he defended Grozny for three months against superior Russian forces, and later led a surprise attack that retook the capital for rebel forces in 1996. Heâs best remembered for taking the war to Russia, leading a daring raid on the southern town of Budyonnovsk in 1995. With 150 fighters, he rounded up 1,200 hostages and took them to the townâs hospital. After executing several of the detainees and repelling two Russian attempts to storm the building, he got what he wanted: direct negotiations with prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin about ending the war.
That did a lot of good, didn't it? It's hard to retain that lesson about negotiating with bad guys, though the Russers seem to have done so â witness the Moscow theater episode.
Associates say that around that time, Mr. Basayev met the Arab fighter Khattab and underwent a metamorphosis from someone who fought for an independent Chechnya into a radical Islamist who fought to build a caliphate in Caucasus. Mr. Basayev has said that he made three trips to al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan in the 1990s, and returned a changed man. After the first Chechen war, he set about building a similar training camp in the hills of Dagestan, another largely Muslim republic in the south of Russia, and declared that the region would follow sharia law. In 1999, he led a group of fighters who invaded Dagestan, one of a series of events that prompted Mr. Putin to order Russian troops back into Chechnya. Since then, Mr. Basayev has again narrowed his cause to the one heâs been fighting for since 1991: getting the Russian army to leave his homeland. Heâs bragged that he personally pressed the detonator on a truck bomb that destroyed the administration building in Grozny last December, killing 78 people, and more recently threatened a new series of attacks across Russia to coincide with the election season and the New Yearâs holiday. "God willing, sooner or later, like it or not, the Russian people and leadership will have to end this bloody slaughter," he told Kavkaz Center after the end of last yearâs Chechen theatre siege in Moscow. "They will have to stop this war, agree to peace and get off our land."
Either that, or they'll kill Shamil, kill Maskhadov, chase al-Walid back to Arabia, where he came from, and reintegrate the Caucasus. The best way to do that would be to disperse the Chechens in units of no more than family size to other parts of Russia, none closer to the Caucasus than Novosibirsk.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
12/11/2003 12:52:31 AM ||
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"Mr. Basayev is a charismatic figure with a deadly interpretation of Islam"
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