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Egypt assembly approves new draft constitution
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
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7 16:32 Raider [] 
5 18:28 Uncle Phester [] 
5 21:40 JosephMendiola [] 
21 19:55 Barbara [1] 
9 16:20 swksvolFF [] 
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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6 19:35 Barbara []
Africa North
Baradei Tweet Slams 'Coup against Democracy'
[An Nahar] Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei
Egyptian law scholar and Iranian catspaw. He was head of the IAEA from December 1997 to November 2009. At some point during his tenure he was purchased by the Iranians. ElBaradei and the IAEA were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for something in 2005. After stepping down from his IAEA position ElBaradei attempted to horn in on the 2011 Egyptian protests which culminated in the collapse of the Mubarak regime. ElBaradei served on the Board of Trustees of the International Crisis Group, a lefty NGO that is bankrolled by the Carnegie Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as George Soros' Open Society Institute. Soros himself serves as a member of the organization's Executive Committee.
on Friday slammed President Mohamed Morsi and an Islamist-dominated panel that approved a new draft constitution, in a message on his Twitter account.

"The president and his constituent assembly are currently staging a coup against democracy. Regime legitimacy fast eroding," he wrote.
Remind me when El-Baradei became a champion of democracy?
The draft charter, approved by the constitutional assembly after a marathon overnight session boycotted by liberals and Christians, raises serious human rights
...not to be confused with individual rights, mind you...
concerns including over religious freedom, according to activists.

Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in Cairo on Friday in marches that began just hours after the new draft was adopted.

"Down with the constitutional assembly," vast crowds armed with megaphones chanted as they filed into Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
in early 2011.

Several prominent opposition figures attended the protests, including ElBaradei and former Arab League
...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
chief Jerry Lewis doppelgänger Amr Moussa
... who was head of the Arab League for approximately two normal lifespans, accomplishing nothing that was obvious to the casual observer ...

The constitution has taken center stage in the country's worst political crisis since Morsi's election in June, squaring largely Islamist forces against liberal opposition groups.
Posted by: Fred || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  Oh, great...Potato Head has a Twitter account.
God help us all.
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/01/2012 14:20 Comments || Top||

#2  When a part-of-the-problem has a come-to-Jesus realization, all you can do is shake your head in silence (again).
Posted by: Thusort Ebbomoting1144 || 12/01/2012 18:36 Comments || Top||


Europe
Paris Muslim activist to test Islamic taboos with gay-friendly mosque
Europe’s first gay and lesbian-friendly mosque opened on Friday in an eastern Paris suburb, in a challenge to mainstream Islam’s long tradition of condemning same-sex relationships.

The mosque, set up in a small room inside the house of a Buddhist monk, welcomed transgender and transsexual Muslims and seat men and women together, breaking with another custom where the sexes are normally segregated during prayer.

Its founder, French-Algerian gay activist and practising Muslim Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed, will also encourage women to lead Friday prayers, smashing yet another taboo.

“It’s a radically inclusive mosque. A mosque where people can come as they are,” said Zahed, 35, whose prayer space will be the first in Europe to formally brand itself as a gay-friendly mosque, according to Muslim experts.

The mosque, which for now will be limited to Friday prayer sessions, is opening as religious leaders in France, including senior Muslims, are petitioning against plans by the Socialist government to legalise gay marriage.

“Being homosexual and Muslim is borderline schizophrenic,” said one of three gay Muslims who will lead prayers at the mosque, whose floor-to-ceiling windows look out on a garden decorated with Buddhist symbols.
Posted by: tipper || 12/01/2012 08:03 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  That ought to twist a few big turbans. When does the raging and rioting begin?
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/01/2012 10:05 Comments || Top||

#2  Deeper study reveals....
Islam's long tradition of condemning same-sex relationships.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/01/2012 12:10 Comments || Top||

#3  heh, I'll grab the popcorn.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 13:43 Comments || Top||

#4  Man-boy OK in Islam. Man-Man. Icky
Posted by: Frank G || 12/01/2012 13:44 Comments || Top||

#5  Paris Muslim activist to test Islamic taboos

Yeah, that usually works out well...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/01/2012 14:15 Comments || Top||

#6  "It's a radically inclusive mosque"

If it doesn't stock explosives it isn't
Posted by: European Conservative || 12/01/2012 15:25 Comments || Top||

#7  Sure hope they've installed a sprinkler system. I have a feeling they are gonna' need it.
Posted by: Raider || 12/01/2012 16:32 Comments || Top||


Dutch parliament to abolish blasphemy law
[Iran Press TV] The Dutch parliament will approve a motion to abolish a law that criminalizes blasphemy, mainly due to strong support by the Liberal Party (VVD).

On Wednesday, a majority of parties in the Netherlands stated that the blasphemy law was no longer relevant in the 21st century.

The VVD party had refused to support efforts to annul the law during the tenure of the previous government in order not to upset the fundamentalist Christian party SGP, whose support was necessary in the upper house of parliament.

According to the SGP, the decision to lift the ban on blasphemy is a "painful loss of a moral anchor and a symptom of a spiritual crisis."

The law, introduced in the 1930s, has not been invoked over the past half century.

However, it is still off-limits under the Dutch law to insult police officers or the country's monarch, Queen Beatrix.

The move to decriminalize blasphemy gained strength in 2011 during the trial of the far-right anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders, when a Dutch court ruled that he had the right to criticize Islam even if his opinions were insulting to many Muslims.
Posted by: Fred || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Queen Biatch-atrix??
Ha HAHAHHAHA!

Whoops, I can never go to the Netherlands now, damn!
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 12:13 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
ELF Terrorist Arrested at Canuck Border
HT to Hot Air. Nice 'stache in her pic at the link
A Canadian woman who has been an international fugitive from charges relating to a string of fires set by environmental radicals surrendered to U.S. authorities on Thursday, officials said.

After a decade on the run, Rebecca Jeanette Rubin, 39, turned herself in at the Canadian border in Blaine, Wash., the FBI announced. She faces federal arson and conspiracy charges in Oregon, Colorado and California. After an appearance in federal district court in Seattle, she will be sent to face trial in Oregon, officials said.
hope she falls down the stairs a couple times on the way
Rubin is accused of being part of a cell known as the Family, which was based in Eugene, Ore., and was affiliated with the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. From 1996 to 2001, the group was responsible for 20 arsons in five Western states, officials said.
time to recover costs. Big rocks to small rocks
The group disbanded in 2001, but Operation Backfire, the federal task force that investigated the fires, found an informant and broke the case in 2005. The leader, William C. Rodgers, ran a bookstore in Prescott, Ariz., and killed himself after he was arrested.
good decision
Remind me to grieve for him at some point. I'm a busy man though...
According to investigators, the more than a dozen members of the Family took oaths of secrecy and commitment to one another. They used firebombs and were known for the coordinated attacks on targets that included a ski resort in Vail, Colo., an SUV dealership in Oregon and federal wild horse corrals in Eastern Oregon and Northern California. Estimates of the total damage ranged from $23 million to $40 million.
lotta rocks to break
Federal officials said they consider the case the largest example of terrorism on behalf of environmental goals in the nation's history.
Posted by: Frank G || 12/01/2012 17:39 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Tree, nails, terrorist, chainsaw - some assembly required.
Posted by: Silentbrick - Debating return to Halliburton || 12/01/2012 19:08 Comments || Top||


White House opposed new Iran sanctions
The White House announced its opposition to a new round of Iran sanctions that the Senate unanimously approved Friday, in the latest instance of Congress pushing for more aggressive punitive measures on Iran than the administration deems prudent.

On Thursday, Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which the Senate passed 94-0. The new legislative language would blacklist Iran's energy, port, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, while also placing new restrictions on Iran's ability to get insurance for all these industries. The legislation would also vastly expand U.S. support for human rights inside Iran and impose new sanctions on Iranians who divert humanitarian assistance from its intended purpose.

"The window is closing. The time for the waiting game is over," Menendez said on the Senate floor Thursday night. "Yes, our sanctions are having a demonstrable effect on the Iranian economy, but Iran is still working just as hard to develop nuclear weapons."

But the White House told several Senate offices Thursday evening that the administration was opposed to the amendment. National Security Spokesman Tommy Vietor sent The Cable the administration's official position, explaining the White House's view the sanctions aren't needed and aren't helpful at this time.
Posted by: tipper || 12/01/2012 10:12 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  94-0, and Zero wants to fight it?

Isn't that the same vote as his one and only budget?
Posted by: Bobby || 12/01/2012 11:01 Comments || Top||

#2  So new sanctions aren't needed and aren't helpful at this time?

Does this mean that Zero is planning the only thing that is needed and would be helpful: a military strike?
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 12/01/2012 11:24 Comments || Top||

#3  You may have noticed, the Champ is categorically opposed to nearly anything coming out of the congress. Dictatorships and totalitarian regimes don't require legislative branches of government, dictators are the government.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/01/2012 11:31 Comments || Top||

#4  Not in line with the Valarie Jarret approved foreign policy of speaking loud, doing nothing, and issuing denials afterward.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 12/01/2012 12:26 Comments || Top||

#5  Could cut into Susan Rice's portfolio?
Posted by: Frank G || 12/01/2012 13:46 Comments || Top||

#6  “The most extraordinary thing about him is how normal he is. (President Obama) will read Foreign Policy magazine, a treatise on economics, and Sports Illustrated.” —David Axelrod
Posted by: Pappy || 12/01/2012 14:26 Comments || Top||

#7  a treatise on economics

And which one was that, exactly? Das Kapital?
Posted by: SteveS || 12/01/2012 14:38 Comments || Top||

#8  "Who are these..economicis you speak of?"

Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/01/2012 16:15 Comments || Top||


Judge denies actress' request to remove anti-Islam film from YouTube
Posted by: tipper || 12/01/2012 07:31 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  She is probably afraid of a muslim hit fatwa on her.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/01/2012 10:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Nah, she's just looking for work. Ho'wood is a tough town; for her to be known to be part of this little video doesn't help her filmography...
Posted by: Steve White || 12/01/2012 10:57 Comments || Top||

#3  I can understand if the poor gal was wanting her name off the credits. Have you seen the clip? It has the productions values of a middle school puppet show.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/01/2012 16:10 Comments || Top||

#4  her Filmography is extensive

I'd guess most of her roles have been in "short films" IYKWIMAITYD
Posted by: Frank G || 12/01/2012 16:47 Comments || Top||

#5  "Have you always been a chick? I mean I don't want to offend you, but you were born a man, weren't you? You can tell me; I'm open-minded." Otto Mann....
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 12/01/2012 18:28 Comments || Top||


Security Clearances Revoked, Criminal Charges Pending For ATF Fast & Furious Officials
According to credible ATF sources, officials heavily involved in Operation Fast and Furious and named as partially responsible for the program's failure by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and the House Oversight Committee have been stripped of their government security clearances while some have been fired, demoted, and transferred. Criminal charges are also reportedly pending.

Former ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division Bill Newell, former ATF Special Agent in Charge of Operations in the West Bill McMahon and former Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division George Gillett have been fired while former Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jim Needles and Field Supervisor David Voth have been demoted. Hope McAllister, the lead case agent for Fast and Furious, has been put on leave and transferred out of Phoenix according to reports. McMahon and ATF came under heavy fire just a few months ago after it was revealed McMahon had been receiving ATF paid leave while pulling a six figure salary from J.P. Morgan, the same bank that owns the bureau's credit cards.

In addition to involvement in Operation Fast and Furious, the consequences for these officials come as a result of their handling of the Jay Dobyns' arson case. All are expected to receive full retirement benefits.

The ATF Public Affairs Division did not return calls for comment. The Department of Justice Inspector General's Office said they would get back to Townhall with a comment "sometime next week."
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/01/2012 04:59 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Yawn. Let me know when Holder or Obama are doing the perp walk. Since all of those listed here are expendable white guys, they won't get a pardon down the road.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/01/2012 10:18 Comments || Top||

#2  Exactly, this program wasn't conceived or implemented by a bunch of GS-13's.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 11:58 Comments || Top||

#3  Operation Find Some Fall Guys...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/01/2012 14:29 Comments || Top||

#4  McMahon had been receiving ATF paid leave while pulling a six figure salary from J.P. Morgan, the same bank that owns the bureau's credit cards

Anyone check to see if Vernon Jordan was involved?
Posted by: Pappy || 12/01/2012 14:30 Comments || Top||

#5  Mahico, or Libyuh/Syruh???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/01/2012 21:40 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Pakistan agrees release of more Taliban prisoners
[Dawn] Pakistain on Friday agreed to release another batch of Taliban prisoners in a bid to facilitate peace talks between beturbanned goons and the Afghan government, a joint foreign ministry statement said.

The announcement came after talks in Islamabad between visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and his Pak counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.

The number of prisoners to be released was not specified but is not thought to include the Taliban's former deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was captured in 2010.

A senior Pak security official earlier told AFP that "no decision" had been taken on his release.

The joint statement said both sides agreed the "release of more prisoners, facilitating contacts and urging the Taliban to renounce ties to al Qaeda."

It was the second high-level delegation to visit Pakistain this month to press for the release of Taliban prisoners in a bid to kick start peace efforts.
Posted by: Fred || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  Well, thats nice, since the Hard Boyz = Taliban, etal. are now all Govt. Politicians - or soon will be - maybe Islamabad + Kabul can send 'em all to Moscow to receive free Nuclear Education-n-Training???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/01/2012 0:24 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
White House: Israeli settlement plan 'counterproductive'
Always being helpful, that clever President Obama.
[Maan] The White House said Friday a new Israeli settlement expansion plan was "counterproductive" and could make it harder to bring Israel and the Paleostinians back to the negotiating table.

"We reiterate our longstanding opposition to settlements and East Jerusalem construction and announcements," White House front man Tommy Vietor said.

Israel plans to build thousands of new homes for its settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, an Israeli official said earlier, defying a UN vote that implicitly recognized Paleostinian statehood there.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity
... for fear of being murdered...
, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government had authorized the construction of 3,000 housing units.

"We believe these actions are counterproductive and make it arder resume direct negotiations or achieve of a two state solution," Vietor said.

"Direct negotiations remain our goal and we encourage all parties to take steps to make that easier to achieve."
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Negotiating table? You only negotiate when you can't find the means to crush. Negotiating means you think you might lose. That's not a good attitude in a war. The purpose of a war is to win. You don't win by negotiations, that is compromise...compromise means you aren't. winning
Unconditional Surrender is the IDEAL.

The UN doesn't win wars it prolongs wars. The best wars are quick, sudden,and Decisive.

You don't "TRY" in a war. You KILL in a war. You do it today, you do it tomorrow and you do it wherever you go. Its BAD for them and that's why you do it. You don't CARE how they get so cold as long as they do. Attitude is five times more useful than "negotiations". If they ask to negotiate, laugh at them and shoot their old mother.

This "peace " stuff is not a good idea. You just get a prolonged and bloodier mess when you "talk" in war. There needs to be more "do" in war. Then its quick and it's THEIR problem, not yours.
Find 'em, fix 'em, fight 'em, finish 'em.

Or stand around speaking French and playing pocket Pool for Ban Ki-Moon.

Settlements for the Israelis is a GOOD idea. They can whittle the Palestinians down until they don't have a postage stamp to stand on. Then you tell them to collect all the taxes they want with nothing. And for God sake don't stop in the middle of a good screwing. Finish it.
Somebody wins because somebody LOSES. Hold that thought.
Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 12/01/2012 7:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Or if you want an alternative to war, duels or swordfights between leaders might work. But not scored by an international panel of judges, but by whether one is dead or not.
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/01/2012 8:23 Comments || Top||

#3  The ghost of George Patton has infiltrated into the heart of the 'burg!

Also: Hello.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/01/2012 12:12 Comments || Top||

#4  You gotta have something to 'give up' in negotiations.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 13:42 Comments || Top||

#5  you refuse to negotiate in goog faith? Israel needs more land, especially around Jerusalem. Keep on playing hardball, Paleos, you have nothing to lose, except more land
Posted by: Frank G || 12/01/2012 13:49 Comments || Top||

#6  The big problem with TF9823's approach is that the enemy's (who must not be named) feelings would be hurt if the enemy were to lose.

If the mission's code name offends the enemy it'll be changed.
If the terms of an ultimatum (in a matter of life & death for the US) offend the ultimatum will be withdrawn. The enemy will be promised a big reward, not threatened with punishment.

And after a couple of years, if the mere recognition of Western style civil & human rights in the West offends the enemy, Western leaders will profusely apologize for leading what are still, in fact, Western nations.

Hillary is not hypocritical as US Secretary of State. America's reaction to an attack on the scale of Pearl Harbor was a military operation, but not war.
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660 || 12/01/2012 15:15 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Thai government bristles at OIC resolution
The Thai government is upset with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) resolution that the country has made little progress in addressing unrest in the south. It's position was publicly stated by Vice Foreign Minister Jullapong Nonsrichai, who attended the OIC foreign ministers' meeting in Djibouti in mid-November as an observer.

He said Thailand was disappointed with the OIC secretary office's use of the word "meager" to describe the lack of progress in efforts to resolve the conflict.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will send a letter to OIC's secretary-general to reaffirm the kingdom's intention to cooperate with the OIC in seeking lasting peace in the southernmost provinces.

Mr Jullapong suggested the language used by the OIC could affect the kingdom's ability to work with the Islamic organisation. He said, "If the OIC wants to continue cooperating with Thailand, it should realise the fact that Thailand has made a lot of progress in the South. Otherwise we might not cooperate with it in the future."

The resolution said Thailand has made little progress since the organisation and the kingdom issued a joint statement stating their intention to cooperate on the issue five years ago.

The OIC also expressed its disapproval of the continued use of the emergency decree in the south and the limited progress in introducing the local Malayu language to classrooms in local schools. The organisation said the extensive military presence throughout the southern border provinces is having a negative impact on the population's everyday life.

The OIC expressed concern that Thailand's increasing reliance on "undisciplined" paramilitary personnel could aggravate the ongoing conflict in the region. They called on the Thai government to hold negotiations with Muslim leaders to find a solution that would guarantee the legitimate rights of local Islamic communities.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said the prime minister had signed an order on Wednesday appointing him to oversee security affairs in the South.

The Confederation of Teachers of Southern Border Provinces announced yesterday that all 332 schools in Pattani that had been closed by the group due to security concerns are likely to reopen next week. The move came after authorities and the confederation came to an agreement on proposed security measures for teachers. The schools had been shut down after the fatal shooting of the director of a local school on Nov 22.

Meanwhile, a building at Bang Maruat School in Pattani province was burned down, causing the loss of 20 desktop computers, 80 new tablet computers and other teaching equipment. Eight classrooms, a computer room and an administration office were destroyed.
Posted by: ryuge || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Thai Insurgency


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Submarine stolen from Disneyland
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  D *** NG, I was thinking the same thing when I first saw the pic.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/01/2012 0:11 Comments || Top||

#2  At first I was like... we all live in a turquoise submarine, a turquoise submarine, turquoise submarine but then I realized that She was a day tripper
One way ticket, yeah
Posted by: Shipman || 12/01/2012 3:08 Comments || Top||

#3  Yeah, no gay guys in Iran. Yeah, right...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/01/2012 3:38 Comments || Top||

#4  ...What's Farsi for fabulous! ?....

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 12/01/2012 5:49 Comments || Top||

#5  Hot bunking Persian style.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/01/2012 6:22 Comments || Top||

#6  The Iranians have what they want.
A blue
water
navy.
Posted by: ed in texas || 12/01/2012 6:44 Comments || Top||

#7  به نظر می رسد "افسانه"!
Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 12/01/2012 6:58 Comments || Top||

#8  Some of the comments at the link are worth reading.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/01/2012 8:01 Comments || Top||

#9  That looks like a bath tub toy.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/01/2012 8:51 Comments || Top||

#10  Any submarine is a danger. Doesn't matter if blue or yellow.
2 British battleships went to the bottom(in Alexandria harbor) because an attack by 2 chariots called by owners the italians "maiale"(pigs) each had only 2 men and a charge of 300kg...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Alexandria_(1941)
Posted by: Phaith Grique4599 || 12/01/2012 9:35 Comments || Top||

#11  Just saw this fellow in WWI: In Color
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/01/2012 9:37 Comments || Top||

#12  Does it make squeaky noises if you squeeze it?
Posted by: gorb || 12/01/2012 9:42 Comments || Top||

#13  The Daily Mail speculates that the ship's designers mistakenly chose the color, believing it would help the craft blend in with the ocean's waters.

Apparently something was lost in the Farsi-to-Korean translation of the specs.

The Norks paint their version an olive green.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/01/2012 11:18 Comments || Top||

#14  The comments on the link are solid-gold.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 12:04 Comments || Top||

#15  Heh... from the comments...

Does that submarine accept US coins?
Posted by: Shipman || 12/01/2012 12:15 Comments || Top||

#16  Iran must now have a secured supply of baking soda to run this thing.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/01/2012 13:17 Comments || Top||

#17  "Rusty Shackleford" in the comments

"OMG, IT'S SO TINY IT'S ADORABLE! Who's the cutest little rogue nation? Who? YOU ARE! Yes you are. Yes you are."

I LOl'd
Posted by: Frank G || 12/01/2012 13:53 Comments || Top||

#18  *That* launches anti-ship missiles? Unless the sailors in the Iranian Navy are unusually short (like their President!), the sub is barely twice the size of an anti-ship missile.

And yeah, the comments there are hilarious.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/01/2012 14:32 Comments || Top||

#19  The North Koreans sunk a S. Korean _sub chaser_ with one of those things.

Maybe the camoflage will work. If it doesn't, it's just another coat of paint.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/01/2012 15:24 Comments || Top||

#20  Looks like they bought it from the Village People.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/01/2012 18:33 Comments || Top||

#21  Curse you, bigjim!

I read some of the comments. I think I hurt myself laughing....
Posted by: Barbara || 12/01/2012 19:55 Comments || Top||


Envoy Warns That Syria Could Become a Failed State
A little late for becoming...
[ABCNews.Go] The U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria warned the international community Friday that the Mideast nation will become a failed state unless there is a negotiated political solution to the 19-month conflict.

Lakhdar Brahimi, told the U.N. General Assembly that nobody wants this to happen because it would have disastrous consequences across the region, leading to lawlessness, warlords, banditry, narcotics, arms smuggling and worst of all communal and ethnic strife.

After speaking to the government and opposition and visiting Syria's neighbors, Brahimi told the 193-member world organization that he believes that only the Security Council can put together a peace plan. He urged the U.N.'s most powerful body to overcome its deep divisions and adopt a resolution aimed at ending the civil war, which activists say has killed at least 40,000 people since March 2011.

"Difficult as it has been for the council to reach a consensus on an implementable roadmap for Syria, I nevertheless feel that it is here, and only here, that a credible, implementable process can be put together," Brahimi said.

Russia and China, key allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad, have vetoed three Western-backed resolutions aimed at pressuring the government to stop the violence. Brahimi said "the building blocks for a political process to end the crisis in Syria already exist" in the roadmap outlined by the Action Group for Syria at a meeting in Geneva on June 30.
Posted by: Fred || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  "Could become a failed state."
Let's go down the list:
(1) Major insurection operating. They have heavy weapons (armor, artillery, anti-air).
(2) Ships resuppling the state won't come into port unless the gov't can demonstrate security.
(3) Consequence of (2), friends are air shipping supplies, which means too little if it arrives at all.
(4) Our illustrious pres has previously approved of existing govt. (Kiss of death.)

The only signs missing here are (A) an exit, and (B) Burma Shave.If these guys don't get their killing over with in a big blast soon, they'll be at it for the next 50 years. Possibly both.
Posted by: ed in texas || 12/01/2012 6:55 Comments || Top||

#2  They will be killing EACH OTHER for the next fifty years? really? What a beautiful thought. Sell them some guns and Iran will pour money down a rathole as long as it goes on and on and on.And Lebanon is going nowhere. And Libya is stretched over a barrel. Sudan and Somalia are garbage dumps with mange. Egypt is dysfunctional. And Syria is eating its own guts.

Sell the Moslems some guns. Iraq is bombing their own as well, we left long ago. Tell me what we are gaining in Afghanistan? I forget.

WHY should we give Peace a chance? Sell them some guns. We can fly over all of it at 35,000 feet with the lights on and they can all stew in Allan's piss.

NONE of them are our friends and good luck to them. PBUH.

Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 12/01/2012 7:13 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm starting a betting pool on which country we will unexpectedly destabilize next for inconceivable reasons. You have to pick a spread too, we'll use a radicalization factor of 1-5 for the new dictatorship to be installed.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 12:09 Comments || Top||

#4  I got $20 on Myanmar, Bummer was there the other day 'casing' the joint.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 12:11 Comments || Top||

#5  Lakhdar Brahimi, told the U.N. General Assembly that nobody wants this to happen because it would have disastrous consequences across the region, leading to lawlessness, warlords, banditry, narcotics, arms smuggling and worst of all communal and ethnic strife.

Oh...he's serious??
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/01/2012 14:18 Comments || Top||

#6  I'm starting a betting pool on which country we will unexpectedly destabilize next for inconceivable reasons

Myanmar is a good pick. Other possibles are Bahrain, Kuwait, Thailand, and Kenya.

But I'll put $20 on Algeria. Even money, radicalization of 3.5.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/01/2012 14:56 Comments || Top||

#7  I don't think Myanmar. Their thugs are backstopped by the faith and credit of the PRC's current trade surplus. so they're good to go until Sichuan finally gets tired of being poor for the sake of Jiangsu's standard of living, then who knows what's gonna happen.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/01/2012 15:16 Comments || Top||

#8  Jordan or Algeria is next.
Posted by: phil_b || 12/01/2012 16:18 Comments || Top||

#9  $20, Ethiopia, 1.5.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/01/2012 16:20 Comments || Top||


US Senate votes 94-0 to expand sanctions on Iran energy, shipping
[Ynet] The US Senate resoundingly approved new sanctions on trade with Iran's energy, port, shipping and ship-building sectors on Friday, its latest effort to ratchet up economic pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program.

Senators voted 94-0 to make the new sanctions part of an annual defense policy bill. The defense bill must still be approved by the Senate and House of Representatives before it would be given to President Barack Obama
They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them...
to sign into law.
According to the Foreign Policy Magazine blog, the White House is opposed:
The White House announced its opposition to a new round of Iran sanctions that the Senate unanimously approved Friday, in the latest instance of Congress pushing for more aggressive punitive measures on Iran than the administration deems prudent.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  US SENATE-CRITTERS ...

versus

* IIRC DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > POTUS OBAMA GIVES PAKISTAN [indirect]PERMISSION TO ATTACK THE USA, vee the Bammer's claim that any each + all sovereign nations in the world have the right to protect or defend themselves.

Lest we fergit, thats NUKE-ARMED PAKISTAN.

Pragmatically, despite the Bammer's new pro-UNIAEA March 2013 deadline for Iran I still anticipate the latter to stay on the strategic defensive, i.e. IN IRAN'S VIEW IT IS NOT FOR IT TO STOP ITS OWN NUCPROGS BUT FOR THE US TO DE FACTO STRIKE + INVADE IRAN ALA MAJOR GROUND WAR.

IMO more bad or troubling news for the US Navy-DOD, USFK + USFJ, + USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN/CVBG over by the Koreas + Japan.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/01/2012 0:21 Comments || Top||

#2  And who were the six who did not vote?
Posted by: Voldemort Grereth1352 || 12/01/2012 9:15 Comments || Top||

#3  It's like Bloomberg's banning the Big Gulp. A lot show with no effect. Theater. Posturing. Look we're doing something.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 12/01/2012 9:35 Comments || Top||

#4  That's so all those dildo-heads can point the finger at each other when Iran lights off a nuke in their first test.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/01/2012 12:15 Comments || Top||

#5  that's an insult to all dildos the world over, bj-CA
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 12/01/2012 18:18 Comments || Top||


Global Hacking Network Declares Internet War On Syria
[Maan] Global hacking network Anonymous said it will shut down Syrian government websites around the world in response to a countrywide Internet blackout believe aimed at silencing the opposition to Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Before going into the family business Pencilneck was an eye doctor...
Syria was plunged into communication darkness on Thursday when Internet connectivity stopped at midday. Land lines and mobile phones networks were also seriously disrupted.

The Syrian government said "terrorists" had attacked Internet lines but the opposition and human rights
One man's rights are another man's existential threat.
groups suspect it to be the work of the authorities.

Opposition activists have used the Internet extensively to further their cause by publishing footage of aerial strikes and graphic images of civilian casualties. In the absence of a free press, they have used social media to disseminate information during the uprising and communicate with journalists abroad.

Anonymous, a loose affiliation of hacking groups that opposes Internet censorship, said it will remove from the Internet all web assets belonging to Assad's government that are outside Syria, starting with embassies.

By 10 a.m. on Friday, the website for Syria's embassy in Belgium was down but the embassy in China -- which Anonymous said it would target first -- was operating. Most government ministry websites were down although this could be due to the blackout.

Several networking experts said that it was highly unlikely that the lines had been sabotaged by anti-Assad forces.

CloudFlare, a firm that helps accelerate Internet traffic, said on its blog that saboteurs would have had to simultaneously sever three undersea cables into the port city of Tartous and also an overland cable through Turkey in order to cut off the entire country's Internet access.

"That is unlikely to have happened," CloudFlare said.

The government has been accused of cutting communications in previous assaults on rebel-held areas. Anonymous said Assad's government had physically "pulled the plug out of the wall."

"As we discovered in Egypt, where the dictator (Hosni) Mubarak did something similar -- this is not damage that can be easily or quickly repaired," it added, referring to an Internet outage during the early days of the 2011 uprising in Egypt.

Rebels have seized a series of army bases across Syria this month, exposing Assad's loss of control in northern and eastern regions and on Thursday fighting on the outskirts of the capital blocked access to the international airport.

More than 40,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March 2011, according to opposition groups.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesia Amnesty International, said the Internet cut could signal that Assad is seeking to hide the truth of what is happening in the country from the outside world.

Syrian authorities have severely restricted non-state media from working in the country.

The hacker collective has staged cyber attacks on the US Central Intelligence Agency and Britannia's Serious Organized Crime Agency. Earlier this month, The Israeli government said it logged more than 44 million hacking attempts in just a few days during its military assault on Gazoo after Anonymous waged a similar campaign.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/01/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:



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

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

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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In no particular order...
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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2012-12-01
  Egypt assembly approves new draft constitution
Fri 2012-11-30
  Damascus fighting cuts off airport, Emirates suspends flights
Thu 2012-11-29
  Bomb injures top Talibunny Mullah Nazir
Wed 2012-11-28
  Packed Tahrir Square defiant as deadlock prevails
Tue 2012-11-27
  30 Inmates Escape as Gunmen Attack Nigerian Police Unit
Mon 2012-11-26
  Syrian Rebels Claim Capture of Helicopter Base Near Damascus
Sun 2012-11-25
  Thousands of anti-Morsi protesters spend the night in Egypt's Tahrir square
Sat 2012-11-24
  7 People Killed in Pakistan Shiite Procession
Fri 2012-11-23
  IDF, Shin Bet Arrest 55 Terror Operatives In West Bank
Thu 2012-11-22
  Mashaal: I accept a Palestinian state on '67 borders
Wed 2012-11-21
  'Bomb blast' on bus in Tel Aviv
Tue 2012-11-20
  Female Suicide Boomer Targets Qazi
Mon 2012-11-19
  Israeli Strikes Kill 21 Palestinians, Gaza Rockets Wound 10 Israelis
Sun 2012-11-18
  Israeli air strikes pound Gaza as death toll hits 38
Sat 2012-11-17
   Israel air strikes hit Hamas HQ

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