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Iraqi and US forces push into Baghdad flashpoints
Today's Headlines
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G'morning...
12 arrested over 4-year-old's marriage to 45-year-old manIraqi and US forces push into Baghdad flashpointsWithdrawal from Musa Qala: Taliban reject talks offerNightly rocket attacks continue in MogadishuSixth man nabbed in head chopping plotHamas wants West to end blockadeCoroner: Anna Nicole's Autopsy Inconclusive
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  yowza....big hair and busting out all over.... mmmmm
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 0:36 Comments || Top||

#2  I'm starting to get the idea of what the latest theme is now.
Posted by: gorb || 02/10/2007 2:38 Comments || Top||

#3  Yep, obviously polka dots and water.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 9:10 Comments || Top||

#4  Swimmer or not, she needn't not fear drowning.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/10/2007 9:14 Comments || Top||

#5  Duhhh, grammatical double negatives...!
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/10/2007 9:17 Comments || Top||

#6  Dammit--why does my generation get short-changed with Mariah?

Michele sure does Carey herself well...
Posted by: Dar || 02/10/2007 11:38 Comments || Top||

#7  Not only Mariah Carey, but Pariah Kerry as well.

Halp Us, Michele Carey, we're stuck...
Posted by: SteveS || 02/10/2007 13:01 Comments || Top||

#8  Carey Me Back to Ole Viginny!
Posted by: badanov || 02/10/2007 14:42 Comments || Top||


-Lurid Crime Tales-
Chickens in the Bureaucracy Kill Microwave ADS Deployment. Jags-PR 1- Troops 0
Posted by: 3dc || 02/10/2007 11:54 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This is so stupid. Here is a technology that will actually reduce collateral damage and minimize the "Lions of Islam" use of human shields but the weiners in DoD legal department won't let it be used. How, uhm, French of them.
Posted by: Remoteman || 02/10/2007 15:44 Comments || Top||

#2  There may be more to this. The consensus is that this weapon works well. However, there are two problems. First of all, we aren't facing any big rent-a-mobs; and second, we know that our current enemies are firm believers in rent-a-mobs.

That is, throughout the Muslim world, one of their greatest "victories", was by sending mobs of women and children against Israeli soldiers during their first retreat from Lebanon--turning the retreat into a rout.

Since that time, using such "mob charges" has been the Muslims "secret weapon".

The Iranians also used human wave attacks against the Iraqis in their war.

So it may actually benefit us to put this weapon on the back burner. Keeping it ready to deploy when we face off against such mobs, and not using it until both necessary and critical.

This would mean that it would both be unexpected and they would have thought up no possible tactic to defend against it.

And since it is very portable, how long does it take to fly a Humvee Sheriff system in, even from the US?
Posted by: Anonymoose || 02/10/2007 17:44 Comments || Top||

#3  Tell you exactly what'll happen if you deploy it against muzzies. They'll take a child, pour gazoline all over her (cause male children're more valuable) and burn her. And MSM will report that your ADS kills children.
Posted by: gromgoru || 02/10/2007 18:18 Comments || Top||

#4  Probably. But it will take them several critical months of being routed by ADS before they think up that technique. Again, why we should only use it when we need to.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 02/10/2007 20:11 Comments || Top||

#5  That still doesn't relieve us of the fact that they sidelined it because they're afraid of death rays because they are so abysmally stupid. Kinda hard to soar with the eagles when you are working with turkeys like this. Those same turkeys cost us "neutralizing" mullah Omar, too. If anything, they are an impediment in my book. This is war, and all's fair as long as it isn't evil.

I imagine one of those "spontaneous" mobs showing up -- all dressed in tinfoil. Right down to their hats.
Posted by: gorb || 02/10/2007 21:21 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
10 Talibs titzup in Sangin shootout
Afghan security forces and NATO-led troops clashed with suspected Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan, leaving up to 10 militants dead, police said on Friday. The clash in Sangin district of Helmand province occurred on Thursday, said Ghulam Nabi Mulakhel, the provincial police chief. There were no casualties among NATO or Afghan forces, he said.

A blast destroyed a three-storey shopping centre in Mazar-i-Sharif on Friday, wounding at least 23 people, witnesses said. It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion in the city centre. Police and German troops from ISAF said it was likely caused by gas but witnesses said it was a bomb. “There are some soldiers from the German unit on the spot... they were called by the government and mayor,” German military spokesman Major Jurgen Fischer said. “We have not had information if this was a bomb or an attack... it seems to be a gas explosion,” he said. The force did not know of casualties.
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  the dreaded Taliban Spring offensive: when they leave their dead dumb bodies scattered all over. It's a buzzard's feast and an ecological nightmare
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 10:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Toasted Taliban.
Posted by: anymouse || 02/10/2007 13:12 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
New group claims Mogadishu attacks
(SomaliNet) A new Islamist group called ‘Somali People’s Insurgence Movement’ which supports the ousted Islamic Courts Union Friday has for the first time claimed the responsibility of the guerilla-style attacks against the interim government and Ethiopian forces in the capital. Rallies organized by the group have today taken place in parts of Mogadishu where hundreds of supporters protested against the deployment of the African Union peacekeepers in Somalia and the presence of the Ethiopian forces in the country. The protests have been staged in north and south of the capital Mogadishu where the demonstrators burnt the flags of Ethiopia and America and also African nations that offered to send troops into Somalia.

In Huriwaa neighborhood, north of the capital, around two hundred people turned out chanting slogans against Transitional Federal Government and its Ethiopian ally. They also sent strong warning to the African states that pledged to deploy troops in Somalia.

Around ten masked varmints Islamists were standing beside the spokesman as he was reading a warning memo.
A man who gave his name as Abdirisak, the spokesman for the new insurgence group addressed the rally saying that his group was responsible for the ambush mortar attacks in Mogadishu targeting the positions of the government and Ethiopian forces. Around ten masked Islamists were standing beside the spokesman as he was reading a warning memo. “I swear in the name of God that we will continue the insurgence attacks until the Ethiopians withdraw from our country... we stood to liberate our people from the occupation of Ethiopia and the so-called TFG,” Abdirisak, wearing in head mask said. “I am here by asserting that we are behind the assaults at the bases of the Ethiopian forces and those of interim government.”

He particularly warned the owners of the hotels in Mogadishu not to hire their hotels for the government officials, Ethiopians and any other involved people. "I am going to inform the coming African troops not to risk their lives in Somalia... here will be the graveyards for your bodies if you don’t back out your decision of deployment.”

It was for the first time that SPIM came to public and announced it would prepare more attacks on the government positions in Mogadishu warning the civilians to avoid areas of TFG and Ethiopian forces.

In Tarabunka square, south of Mogadishu, similar protest has raged where hundreds of rallied after Friday prayer. The protestors condemned the transitional government for the attacks against the civilians as last week seven people have been killed in separate night time artillery shells that hit villages in the capital in response of the mortar attacks launched by the insurgent groups. “This gathering is about to criticize Abdulahi Yusuf and his so called government and is also about to show that the people’s spirit is strong and wish to support the resumption of Islamic Courts.. we blame all problems in the country on Abdulahi Yusuf, the ruthless. We will not forgive him and Insha Allah he will fail once.. we are the ones who will gain the last victory,” said Ayan, a veiled woman who was among the protestors. No government official has yet given comments on the rallies in the capital and the appearance of new Islamist group.
This article starring:
ABDIRISAKSomali People’s Insurgence Movement
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  SPIM? SPIM?

Sounds vaguely obscene. I guess they couldn;t come up with anything else.

Posted by: FOTSGreg || 02/10/2007 12:52 Comments || Top||

#2  Sounds more like a pre-suicide note to me, now that you've identified yourself, bye-bye target
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 18:20 Comments || Top||

#3  At least they didn't call it "The Somali People's Activist Movement".
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 02/10/2007 19:40 Comments || Top||

#4  SPAM, that's good FOTS
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 20:06 Comments || Top||

#5  Sorry Deacon.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 20:17 Comments || Top||


Nightly rocket attacks continue in Mogadishu
(SomaliNet) Unidentified gunmen have attacked on Friday night Global hotel in east of the Somalia capital Mogadishu where some of the Ethiopian military officers are based. An eyewitness told Somalinet that the attack took place around 7:40pm local time when unknown militia fired a rocket propelled grenade at the hotel near the compound of nation security agency. “It was a single RPG rocket that slammed on the roof of the Hotel’s gate then the attackers and the bodyguards of the hotel exchanged gunfire. It caused no casualty,” said Abdi Shino, one of the residents who was standing outside of the hotel at the time of the attack. No casualty has been reported so far.

Global hotel is privately owned and commercial hotel, which locates in Abdiaziz neighborhood, east of the Somalia capital Mogadishu, where the government is dominant. The latest attack is part of waves of guerilla-style attack launched by supporters of the ousted Islamists. The attack came hours after new Islamist group called ‘Somali people’s Insurgence Movement’ claimed the responsibility for the attacks in the capital aimed at the positions of the interim government and Ethiopian forces.
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  the entire country needs to be under martial law and swept of Islamists - door-to-door, if need be, in Mog. I'd keep an eye on the areas where the protests occur after friday prayers and take the Imam out for a RAB-style discussion, burn the mosque to the ground, and crush the rubble. No negotiations, no mercy, no restraint
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 10:22 Comments || Top||

#2  Nightly rocket attacks

Sounds kind of pretty - sitting on the beach watching the nightly fireworks in the city. Sure, it's not C-beams glittering in the dark near Tanhauser Gate, but romantic nevertheless.

Frank is right, the whole place needs a good dusting. Either that, or turn it into a giant theme park for clan violence. Like Quake or paintball, but with live fire.
Posted by: SteveS || 02/10/2007 11:42 Comments || Top||

#3  Heh, made me google.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 17:29 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
In other Banglaw enforcement news:
The army-led joint forces continued their massive hunt for the listed criminals, political goons, godfathers, corrupt persons, arms smugglers, drug traders, underworld terrorists and extortionists netting about 1800 more people and recovering 14 arms and ammunition from different parts of the country during the last 24 hours ending Wednesday evening.

With the start of the countrywide anti-crime operation, listed criminals, drug traders, godfathers, corrupt political goons, extortionists, hijackers and underworld terrorists went into hiding, resulting in a decline in criminal activities in the capital city of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
Posted by: Seafarious || 02/10/2007 02:06 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  political goons, godfathers, corrupt persons, arms smugglers, drug traders, underworld terrorists and extortionists

Manolo! The waterfront, it must be covered.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 7:35 Comments || Top||

#2  No Purba Bangla commies? Or are they all dead?
Posted by: tu3031 || 02/10/2007 8:13 Comments || Top||

#3  The ratio of 1800 arrestees to 14 arms and ammunition seems a bit odd to my inexpert eye.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 9:03 Comments || Top||

#4  My eye too, TW. However, the extensive list did include "political goons" read "political enemies".
Posted by: GK || 02/10/2007 9:09 Comments || Top||

#5  When the crackdown includes miscreants and dacoits, the arms and ammo discovered will get to a more disrespectable level.
Posted by: Phineter Thraviger || 02/10/2007 10:41 Comments || Top||


A busy week for the Rapid Action Batallion
Book Fair Beatdown:
The police Friday took the wife of a magistrate into custody following a brawl with a RAB member at the Bangla Academy Book Fair premises, reports UNB. The police said Hasina Momtaz had an altercation with RAB-2 member Zannat as she wanted to search Momtaz's handbag and body before entering into the book fair premises at about 11:30am. Momtaz got furious and started slapping Zannat. At that stage, other RAB members took both of them to the Shahbagh Police Station and filed a case against Momtaz in this connection.
Mufti in Manacles:
Mufti Shahidul Islam, senior Naeb-e-Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, surrendered to the members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Dhaka on Wednesday. Khelafat Majlish sources said, “Mufti Shahidul informed the RAB-2 of his wish to “surrender voluntarily”. The forces came to his Shyamoli residence on Wednesday noon and arrested him. Mufti Shahidul Islam, a probable MP candidate of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance from the constituency of Narail-2, is believed to be patroniser of the Islamic terrorist outfit JMB. There is a strong allegation of supplying funds to the terrorist outfit JMB by collecting from different Arab countries. He is now under the RAB custody. Soon he would be produced before the court, sources said. Mufti Shahidul decided to surrender as the army-led joint forces had been looking for him during the last several days, sources said.
Bangla Cricket Board prez arrested for embezzlement and 'activities against public interest':
Meanwhile, two more BNP leaders and former lawmakers Ali Asgor Lobi and Salahuddin Ahmed were sent to Dhaka central jail on Wednesday with 30 days of detention. The army-led joint forces arrested Ali Asgar Lobi, a former BNP lawmaker and president of Bangladesh Cricket Board, and Salahuddin Ahmed, former state minister for Communications of the immediate-past 4-party government from their respective houses on Tuesday. Metropolitan magistrate Selina Akhter rejected their bail petitions and ordered for 30 days’ detention under the Special Powers Act. The public prosecutor submitted to the court that Salahuddin was involved in heavy corruption in construction of CNG fuel stations. He was also involved in activities against public interest. The public prosecutor submitted to the court that Ali Asgar Lobi as the Cricket Board chief had prepared unnecessary projects and embezzled huge money out of those projects.
Posted by: Seafarious || 02/10/2007 01:04 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Yeah, that book fair crowd gets crazy sometimes...
Posted by: tu3031 || 02/10/2007 8:09 Comments || Top||

#2  I wonder if anything will happen to the Mufti? Crossfires™ generally don't involve jihadis.
Posted by: Jackal || 02/10/2007 8:09 Comments || Top||

#3  I think JMB jihadis are fair game for RAB. That includes Bangla Bhai and the professional grade bombers. RAB got lots of good press and prolly more money for that arrest.

What we don't see much of is the low level Islamothugs getting picked up, except for the Awami League, which ever-so-pious Wahhabs despise.
Posted by: Seafarious || 02/10/2007 11:49 Comments || Top||


Britain
Sixth man nabbed in head chopping plot
A sixth man was charged with a terror offence following raids in Birmingham. West Midlands police said Basiru Gassama, 29, from Birmingham, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Saturday. He is accused of withholding information about a potential act of terrorism. The charge, under the Terrorism Act 2000, follows the appearance of five other men in court charged with offences under anti-terrorism laws.

One of the men was accused of planning to kidnap and kill a British soldier. Parviz Khan, 36, appeared amid tight security at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London alongside four other men. Khan, arrested in a series of raids in Birmingham on January 31, is charged with an offence under section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006. He is accused between November 1 2006 and 31 January 2007 of engaging in conduct "to give effect to his intention to kidnap and kill a member of the British Armed Forces".

Khan and the other four - Amjad Mahmood, Mohammed Irfan, Zahoor Iqbal and Hamid Elasmar - are all charged with two offences each. One is under section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 and the other under section 17 the Terrorism Act 2000. The first alleges that between March 30 2006 and January 31 2007 they engaged in conduct to give effect to an intention to supply equipment for use in committing acts of terrorism. The second charge states that between the same dates they entered into or became concerned in a funding arrangement that they knew or had cause to suspect "may be used for the purposes of terrorism".

Khan then also faces the charge alleging the kidnap plot while 31-year-old Mahmood is also accused of failing to disclose information which might have been of "material assistance" in preventing the alleged plot. All five men are now due to appear at the Old Bailey on February 23.
This article starring:
AMJAD MAHMUDal-Qaeda in Europe
BASIRU GASAMAal-Qaeda in Europe
HAMID ELASMARal-Qaeda in Europe
MOHAMED IRFANal-Qaeda in Europe
PARVIZ KHANal-Qaeda in Europe
ZAHUR IQBALal-Qaeda in Europe
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  In the old days these foreigners would be summarily dealt with a spies and pirates; they do not even merit the treason charges their "citizenship" should demand. At a minimum, they should be hanged, drawn and quartered and have their heads placed on pikes along Tower Bridge.

But is this going to happen? No. Because in this war only the barbarians Dark Ages culture is to be respected while civilization has to provide prison toilets that do not risk offending the Orcish "holy" city of mecca.

Our enemies are pigf*cking seventh century scum. They are "men" who believe men are defined by women in chains and the example of their child-raping prophet. To call them "islamofascists" is - with no word of exaggeration - an insult to fascists.

It is time we start to actively take offense at their demon-worshiping beliefs and devil-inspired culture. And it is high time any leftard traitor who defends these demons worshipers be tarred and feathered and chased out of town along the high street.
Posted by: Excalibur || 02/10/2007 6:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Got that British gift of understatement Excalibur.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 7:50 Comments || Top||

#3  Excalibur: Have you given any consideration at all to running for high public office?
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/10/2007 9:20 Comments || Top||

#4  I am unelectable at the moment. But I expect a Rantburg slate is going to look better and better to people as things take a turn for the worse.
Posted by: Excalibur || 02/10/2007 9:36 Comments || Top||

#5  I have to seriously disagree with you Excalibur, with all due respect.

Goats, not pigs, k?
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 10:28 Comments || Top||

#6  well, except for Suha. You got me there
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 10:29 Comments || Top||

#7  To call them "islamofascists" is - with no word of exaggeration - an insult to fascists.

To call them "islamofascists" is a waste of letters. Saying "Muslems" are enough.
Posted by: gromgoru || 02/10/2007 11:51 Comments || Top||

#8  muslimes
Posted by: RD || 02/10/2007 15:23 Comments || Top||

#9  Muslimeys?
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 18:26 Comments || Top||

#10  After a bit of thought, allow me to apologise to all real "Limeys" the incoming Muslims are NOT "Limeys, only pretend Britishers.(To collect welfare Benefits), and are NOT British except in False name only.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 18:36 Comments || Top||

#11  “AQI is both feared and hated,” Capt Broekhuizen said, referring to Al Qaeda in Iraq. “They’ve been running a brutal terror campaign. No city leaders are left here who will take a leadership role.” Marines from Golf Company said they recently fished two bodies out of the local river: a man had been decapitated, and his 4-year old tied to his leg before both were thrown into the river and the little boy drowned. The killings were a product of Al Qaeda terror. ON Point's Andrew Lubin is with the Marines in Iraq.
This is from an imbeded reporter. This is the kind of evil we are fighting.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 02/10/2007 19:46 Comments || Top||


Court bails Abu Izzadeen
The Muslim radical who barracked Home Secretary John Reid was released on conditional bail after being charged with a terrorism offence.
Abu Izzadeen appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates Court accused of encouraging terrorism in a public speech, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.
Abu Izzadeen appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates Court accused of encouraging terrorism in a public speech, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.

The 32-year-old Islamic convert was arrested on Thursday in east London over a speech in which he allegedly praised the July 7 bombers. Izzadeen gave the speech in Birmingham on July 2 last year, just days before the first anniversary of the London bombings. District Judge Daphne Wickham released him on bail on a number of conditions, including that he should not attend or address any organised meeting and that he should surrender his passport.

Izzadeen, an electrician and father of three, of Brierley Road, Leytonstone, east London, appeared in the dock wearing a blue fleece jacket over a white t-shirt. Also known as Omar Brookes, he hit the headlines in September last year when he heckled Mr Reid as he addressed a 30-strong group of Muslims in Leyton, east London. Izzadeen's arrest on Thursday was not related to that incident. If found guilty of encouraging terrorism, he faces up to seven years in prison.
This article starring:
ABU IZZADINal-Muhajiroun
OMAR BRUKESal-Muhajiroun
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Shame they didnt bail him out of a plane 30,000 feet up . No parachute ofc .
Posted by: MacNails || 02/10/2007 4:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Up to seven years??? Only???

He wont get that, and he won't even do the full sentence he does get, all the time being a martyr and inspiration to sick, twisted mossie minds.

Surely incitement/encouragement to terrorism is equal to the terrorist act itself, and deserving of never seeing the light of day ever again. Time to go medieval to get the message through to these sick, perverted, "British" muslim scum. What were those cages they hung outside the castles called?

And while he's out on bail, (WTF???), Judge Daphne should have mentioned a restriction on him getting into any kind of burkha.
Posted by: rhodesiafever || 02/10/2007 8:02 Comments || Top||

#3  I think you are thinking of the "Crows Cage" where the condemned were locked up and held without food or water until they died and the crows came to pick their flesh.

actually i think that is too good for them
Posted by: Abu do you love || 02/10/2007 11:36 Comments || Top||

#4  Heh. Even the Grauniad had to grit their teeth and admit that Izzy wasn't arrested for being mean to the official...
Posted by: Seafarious || 02/10/2007 11:44 Comments || Top||

#5  Thanks Abu, love the name!

What about 7x7 years in the (all-weather) stocks on the Village Green? (Would save a load of my (tax-payers) money).

Pity is, foks like this would get Police protection, courtesy ZaNu-Labour PC Bull-Shit.
Posted by: rhodesiafever || 02/10/2007 14:44 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
China executes ethnic Muslim for trying to 'split the homeland'
China has executed an alleged Muslim separatist with a bullet through the heart, prompting condemnation from the usual suspects human rights groups who say the convict's trial was flawed and his confession coerced. Ismail Semed, an Uighur from China's far western region of Xinjiang, was sentenced to death in 2005 after being found guilty of trying to "split the motherland" and of possession of firearms and explosives. According to Radio Free Asia, he was shot yesterday morning. Chinese authorities refused to confirm the details of the case. But a spokeswoman for the Urumqi intermediate people's court told Reuters news agency that a group of people had been executed yesterday.

Semed was accused of being a founding member of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which Beijing and Washington have designated as a terrorist organisation. He served two jail sentences in connection with a 1990 uprising in Baren, which left 22 dead. In 1997, he fled to Pakistan, but was deported in 2003.

Amnesty warned in a report last year that Semed's confession may have been extracted under torture. The US-based Human Rights Watch said the trial was flawed. "The death penalty was widely disproportionate to the alleged crimes," said Nicholas Bequelin, the group's China researcher. "We don't think there was sufficient evidence to condemn him."

The most prominent exile from Xinjiang, Rebiya Kadeer, said the death penalty was another case of injustice. "His trial, like most Uighur political prisoners' trials, was not fair," said Kadeer, who is president of the Uighur American Association.

Overseas Uighur and human rights groups accused the Chinese government of exaggerating the threat of violence to crackdown on movements committed to democracy and freedom of religion. Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighurs account for 8 million of the 19 million people in Xinjiang.
Is the number really that high?

This article starring:
ISMAIL SEMEDEast Turkestan Islamic Movement
Posted by: Fred & Seafarious || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  China has executed an ethnic Muslim

Ahhh, the joys of a real police state - executions, Tien an Mien Square - something to really seethe over (or to stay quiet about).
Posted by: Mullah Lodabullah || 02/10/2007 0:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Gah! You can't be a "ethnic" moslem - moslem is a RELIGION, not an ethnicity. Get it straight.

Wotta buncha freakin' losers.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 02/10/2007 0:56 Comments || Top||

#3  A few years back I read an article saying many Uighurs knew they were supposed to be Muslim, but weren't perfectly sure what exactly that was. I suppose you could call that "ethnic Muslim." (The article's author was interested in opportunities for Christian evangelism there.)
Posted by: James || 02/10/2007 1:24 Comments || Top||

#4  Yes, Sea, the number is that high. Was a solid majority until the Communist Chinese sent 'settlers' - as much as anything, to secure control of the oil fields. Quite a lot of discontent over rule by Beijing. A lot of quite 'traditional' Muslims, and supposedly a few went to Afghanistan to do jihad against the inifidel. I'm trying to learn more, but the info coming out of China is suspect, at best.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/10/2007 1:42 Comments || Top||

#5  Several Uighurs were caught in Afghanistan, and put into Gitmo. They were threatened with rendition to China, and rolled over on their comrades in Al-Q. A couple were sent back to Afghanistan a couple of years ago, and immediately disappeared - rumor has it that they are working for Afghani Intelligence, spotting Al-Q supporters from their old crews.
Posted by: Shieldwolf || 02/10/2007 2:26 Comments || Top||

#6  "executed an alleged Muslim separatist with a bullet through the heart"
!? Usually is to the neck. They must have sold some other organs!
Posted by: Jens Claimp2916 || 02/10/2007 5:27 Comments || Top||

#7  If the ChiComs are doing the job we do not have the stomach for then all power to the ChiComs. We can deal with them later and, whatever their many misdeeds, they represent civilization over barbarism and are to be preferred on this basis alone.

In the meantime, "huzzah!" for one more dead muslim "separatist". I hope he is enjoying Hell.
Posted by: Excalibur || 02/10/2007 6:33 Comments || Top||

#8  China executes ethnic non-Chinese

There fixed it for you. For the Chinese as a culture [or for that matter Japanese or Korean], all other foreign devils non-Chinese [Japanese,Korean] are non-blood and, by their long history, separate with societal undercurrents of being unclean and inferior.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/10/2007 6:55 Comments || Top||

#9  Who'd they invoice for the bullet?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 02/10/2007 8:28 Comments || Top||

#10  separate with societal undercurrents of being unclean and inferior.

Not all that deep under the current. It was once explained to me by an American-born and reared, half-Japanese (mother), half-caucasian American (father), Princeton University graduated chemical engineer that the fact that Japanese are clean and orderly compared to other Asians -- particularly Chinese -- was demonstrated by the design of their storage chests, which are all over little drawers, "a place for everything and everything in its place." This bright and lovely young lady from Oregon, trained in logical thinking, said this to me with a straight face and with no sense of irony whatsoever. I was shocked speechless.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 9:14 Comments || Top||

#11  Funny how the Guardian can only find outrage and printing space when "threats of violence to crackdown on movements committed to democracy and freedom of religion" involve the Muslims.

Of course, in their defence, it would take up so much space to report on the multiple daily incidents of Muslims killing infidels.
Posted by: Cruck Therens3902 || 02/10/2007 10:32 Comments || Top||

#12  "moslem is a RELIGION, not an ethnicity"

not in China. In china someone of traditional chinese background is Han Chinese. A Chinese of muslim background, who, for ex, has no tradition of ancestor worship, etc is a Hui, and they dont cease to be a Hui just cause they decide Allah is an illusion and religion is the opiate of the people.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 02/10/2007 10:51 Comments || Top||

#13  but note, iiuc a Uighur isnt a Hui. A hui, though differing in background and culture from a Han Chinese, is still Chinese speaking. A Uighur is Turkic speaking.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 02/10/2007 10:52 Comments || Top||

#14  Throughout the history of muslims in china the policy has always been to tolerate them until pissed of then harshly kill lots of them until they quit pissing china off.

Rinse, repeat, Rinse, repeat....
Posted by: 3dc || 02/10/2007 11:12 Comments || Top||

#15  Call a stone a stone. Islam is not an ethnicity anywhere on the planet. Regardless of the Chicom's intent.

This all is coming from a country that cancelled it's century's old tradition of the "year of the pig".

Did they kill him? Sounds like it. But to be quite frank they did the right thing. How many times have we heard from Mullahs in the USA and elsewhere demanding Sharia law and convertion of the entire nation? I could care less what they did to this terrorist.
Posted by: Icerigger || 02/10/2007 11:13 Comments || Top||

#16  But you heard the hue and cry---it was unfair™ and the trial was flawed™.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/10/2007 13:23 Comments || Top||

#17  I don't know whether Semed was a 'terrorist'; he WAS a Uighur nationalist/separatist. That alone probably warrants the death sentence under 'treason', even if not under 'terrorism' laws.
I do have some sympathy for his cause - bear in mind that his region - Xinjiang - was not 'Chinese' for all that long (Xinjiang translates as 'New Territory', and that name was applied c. 1884). In the chaos following WWII part of the region operated as the independent nation of East Turkestan, until Mao re-incorporated it into 'his' China in 1949. The Han Chinese (Beijing) government has treated its Turkic subjects as second-class citizens (not unlike Tibetans), exploiting them and their lands pretty much as a colony. Serious 'independence' movement began in the twilight of the USSR, as its eastern 'republics' gained autonomy, and people, ideas, and goods (weapons) moved across the border to the Uighurs.
The Baren uprising, for which Semed was executed, was indeed Islamic at its core, but at the time they had legitimate grievances, and the world was not yet associating Islamic Republic independence movements with jihadist/Islamofascits movements. I'd say his movement was ill-advised, doomed from the start, but not 'Islamist terrorism' as we currently see it.
Rebiya Kadeer, who is cited in the article as calling the execution an injustice, is a fascinating person - a businesswoman, philanthropist, social and political activist, and more. Her biography should be out soon, and ought to be a very interesting read.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/10/2007 15:00 Comments || Top||

#18  Semed was accused of being a founding member of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which Beijing and Washington have designated as a (Muslim) terrorist organisation. He served two jail sentences in connection with a 1990 uprising in Baren, which left 22 dead. In 1997, he fled to Pakistan, but was deported in 2003.

ie: Muslim terrorist. The enemy of my enemy is NOT our friend. Screw those bastards that run China but I'm not loosing any sleep over this one.
Posted by: Icerigger || 02/10/2007 17:36 Comments || Top||

#19  Overseas Uighur and human rights groups accused the Chinese government of exaggerating the threat of violence to crackdown on movements committed to democracy and freedom of religion. Muslims committed to freedom of religion? Who knew?
Posted by: GK || 02/10/2007 18:02 Comments || Top||

#20  Pay attention Britian, Execution is the way to dispose of these kind of murderers, Now an International precedent has been set, Follow it.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 18:41 Comments || Top||

#21  RJ - agreed! ACLU, HRW, UN, EU, AI, et al, remain silent. Must mean it's OK
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 20:02 Comments || Top||

#22  Usually is to the neck. They must have sold some other organs!

UUUUMMMMM, Castro is supposedly getting better
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 20:14 Comments || Top||

#23  He can be racially Chinese, and ethinically Muslim. Get a frickin clue what you're talking about, perhaps Geography 101 at your local community college.
Posted by: anon || 02/10/2007 22:20 Comments || Top||


Down Under
Pakistani-born terror suspect loses appeal
Australia’s highest court on Friday rejected a bid by a Pakistan-born terror suspect to have the charges against him dropped. The appeal represented Izharul Haque’s last chance to avoid trial on charges of intentionally receiving combat and weapons training from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan in 2003. Haque, a former medical student and Australian citizen, was originally ordered to stand trial in March 2005, but challenged the government’s authority to pass laws concerning criminal acts committed overseas.

Federal police allege that Haque was caught carrying notebooks containing information on rocket launchers, land mines and tanks as he returned to Australia on March 2, 2003, according to court documents.
After losing appeals in two state courts, Haque appealed to Australia’s High Court, where a three-judge panel dismissed his challenge on Friday. “It has insufficient prospects for success on appeal to this court . . to warrant further fragmentation of the trial process,” said Justice William Gummow.

Federal police allege that Haque was caught carrying notebooks containing information on rocket launchers, land mines and tanks as he returned to Australia on March 2, 2003, according to court documents. The documents said that Haque did not believe that training with the Pakistan-based LeT, which is fighting Indian rule in held-Kashmir, constituted terrorism.
This article starring:
IZHARUL HAQUELashkar-e-Taiba
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
ICRC compound Blasted in Peshawar
ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (Reuters) - An explosive device thrown into a compound damaged four vehicles belonging to the International Committee of the Red Thingy Cross (ICRTC) in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, but there were no casualties.
What now…are red and white vans an insult to Islam too?
"Early in the morning something was thrown inside the ICRC compound in Peshawar and damaged four vehicles and some property, but caused no injuries or fatalities," ICRTC spokesman Raza Hamdani told Reuters. The ICRTC has suspended field operations in Peshawar pending a security review while police investigate.

This is the second attack on a foreign aid agency in North West Frontier Province this week. On Monday, a grenade was thrown at a compound of the U.S. Save the Children aid group in Battagram, wounding two Pakistani employees.

Foreign aid groups, helping communities recovering from a devastating earthquake in late 2005, say they have been threatened by hardline Islamist groups opposed to their work with women.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/10/2007 15:28 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Gas pipeline blown up in Baluchistan
ISLAMABAD: Unidentified people on Saturday blew up a main gas pipeline in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, disrupting gas supply to provincial capital Quetta and adjoining areas, TV channels reported. Reports said the explosives were placed under the 16-inch pipeline which was blown off at 12.30 p.m. The pipeline carried gas to Quetta and neighbouring areas.

Baluch tribal groups, seeking greater autonomy for the province, have been spearheading a violent movement for years now. No one claimed responsibility for the attack but suspected tribal militants had in the past targeted gas and electricity lines as well as railway tracks.

Gas pipelines were blown up in Sui earlier this week which led to disruption of supplies in Kohlu and Dera Bugti districts.
"Git the varmint gun, Ma, the Bugtis are gittin' restless agin!"
Posted by: john || 02/10/2007 11:26 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Move along. Nothing to see here.
Posted by: john || 02/10/2007 11:28 Comments || Top||

#2  I like these Baluchis!
Posted by: gromgoru || 02/10/2007 11:44 Comments || Top||

#3  Iran plans to build a pipeline across Pakiwackiland through Balouchistan to India, to supply India with natural gas. If I were India, I'd be terribly worried about that flow of gas...
Posted by: Old Patriot || 02/10/2007 14:58 Comments || Top||

#4  Gas pipeline blown up in Baluchistan
F4
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 17:36 Comments || Top||

#5  Blinky's gonna have to use electric heaters in his Quetta penthouse
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 17:50 Comments || Top||


Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander arrested in Indian-administered Jammu
(KUNA) -- Police in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir Friday arrested a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) along with three other guerrillas at Pampore in the state. A police team during a routine search of vehicles arrested a HM commander Hamid Bagwan and three others on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today, news agency United News of India reported. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the vehicle, the news agency said. Meanwhile, Indian security forces averted a major tragedy when they detected a live grenade at Boniyar in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir today.
This article starring:
HAMID BAGWANHizbul Mujahideen
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
U.S. commanders in Iraq showed lawmakers (Lieberman) explosives that came from Iran
I am sure this will be all over the MSM in the morning.
U.S. military commanders in Iraq have shown members of Congress explosive devices that bear Iranian markings as evidence Tehran is supplying Iraqi militants with bombs, a senior U.S. government official said Saturday.

One of the lawmakers, independent Democrat Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, said he has seen some of the evidence, though he would not be specific. "I'm convinced from what I've seen that the Iranians are supplying and are giving assistance to the people in Iraq who are killing American soldiers," said Lieberman, who was attending an international security conference in Munich.
Confirmed by a leading Democrat as a fact.
The senior official said military commanders in December showed lawmakers mortar rounds and other munitions and fragments that had Iranian serial numbers and markings.
"Look at this microscope lens here. See those raised letters 'IRAN'? That is why we think they come from there."

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Brett || 02/10/2007 17:36 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Don't bet on it. I think we are getting a cassi belli against Iran for taking out their nukes, their air force and some senior leaders.

Hopefully....
Posted by: DarthVader || 02/10/2007 18:33 Comments || Top||

#2  The assertions have been met with skepticism by some lawmakers still fuming over intelligence reports used by the administration to propel the country to war with Iraq in 2003. In fact, a report this week by the Pentagon's internal watchdog criticized prewar assertions by the Defense Department about al-Qaida's connections to Iraq

THAT is BS. The report this week cited Carl Levin's , D-Michiganistan, conclusions, based on comments by Carl Levin, D-Michiganistan, justifying comments made by Carl Levin, D-..., for the last three years. The WaPost got caught
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 18:48 Comments || Top||

#3  do yourself a favor - follow that last National Review link I ref'd to see how f*cked the credibility of the MSM is. Assholes. This was headlines on Thurs/Fri, - do you think the correction will be? Me neither. Lying incompetent f*cks
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 19:25 Comments || Top||

#4  "Don't bet on it. I think we are getting a cassi belli against Iran for taking out their nukes, their air force and some senior leaders."

Other than Joe Lieberman, do you really think ANY Democrat in Congress is going to acknowledge that the evidence-- no matter how much of it is offered, or how incontrovertible-- means what we all know it means?

I certainly don't.

No matter what the evidence is, it isn't going to be acknowledged by any Donk as a cassus belli against Iran-- it'll just become another cassus Bushbashus. And they will do ANYTHING to keep Bush from attacking Iran.

Posted by: Dave D. || 02/10/2007 19:45 Comments || Top||

#5  Frank, one of the things Bill Clinton taught the Democratic Party is that there is no such thing as "truth" anymore, nor any need for shame: if you're a Democrat and you get caught in a lie, then just stand your ground, NEVER acknowledge your deceit, and keep right on lying.

Bastards...

Posted by: Dave D. || 02/10/2007 19:50 Comments || Top||

#6  The New York Times has a report on it. via Drudge, so many of those who don't actually read the NYT will see it.
Lucianne.com linked to an article in the Washington Times on the evidence Secretary Gates is presenting to those at the big security conference in Berlin. And then Brett's article is in Newsday, even if their subscribers likely number more doctor's/dentist's offices than individuals these days.

But I agree that a great many won't be pursuaded by any evidence short of their own, personal annihilation, and possibly not even then.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 20:23 Comments || Top||

#7  And even if they are convinced they will insist on using Diplomacy and Talks and references to the UN INsecurity council until a major american city glows.

Then they will blame Bush for not taking care of it.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 02/10/2007 21:43 Comments || Top||


Terrorizing the Terrorists With American TV
heh! Read the article link for context but a little dis-info can go a long way.
Word soon got around, and things quieted down in areas where "The Snake Eater" showed up. Part of the Iraqi panic came from the rumor that "The Snake Eater" was slipping GPS chips into the bodies of suspects. No word if the "The Snake Eater" has a bounty on it yet.
Posted by: 3dc || 02/10/2007 11:46 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Double heh. I posted an article the other day on the Marine reservist who instigated this project -- it sounded like the Marines had let their people order a bunch. Nice to see StrategyPage's professional take on the situation.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 12:33 Comments || Top||

#2  "The Snake Eater" Bill Roggio, interview
Posted by: RD || 02/10/2007 14:41 Comments || Top||

#3  Wonderful, RD. Thanks!
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 15:02 Comments || Top||

#4  We should circulate the rumor that 'Jack Bauer' is coming to Iraq.
Posted by: DMFD || 02/10/2007 16:08 Comments || Top||


U.S. Helicopters have logged more than 1.4 million hours in Iraq and Afghanistan
amorphous AP article
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AP) -- There is no basis for believing that insurgents' recent success in shooting down U.S. helicopters in Iraq means they have developed new attack methods or discovered new U.S. vulnerabilities, the Army's vice chief of staff said Saturday.

"I see no change in trends" on the part of the insurgent's targeting efforts, "and I see no capability gaps" on the part of U.S. forces, Gen. Richard Cody said in an interview en route to this air base north of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital.

Cody said all U.S. helicopters in Iraq recently received upgraded defensive systems to protect them against known threats like anti-aircraft missiles, although he acknowledged that helicopters on combat missions face inherent dangers, including small arms fire if they fly low to avoid being targeted by missiles.
Posted by: Shaviper Hupeagum3929 || 02/10/2007 05:15 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


US airstrike mistakenly kills 5 Kurdish fighters
Ooops. Condolences to the families.
BAGHDAD — US helicopters targeting insurgents mistakenly killed at least five allied Kurdish militiamen in the northern city of Mosul. The military also reported three more American soldiers killed in combat, pushing the US death toll to 33 in the first eight days of the month. Officials said the Kurds were killed just after midnight Friday as they guarded a branch of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, a political party led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

The US military said the strike was launched after American ground forces spotted armed men in a bunker near a building they thought was being used to make bombs for Al Qaida in Iraq. The troops called out in Arabic and Kurdish telling the men to put down their weapons and also fired warning shots before the helicopters opened fire, the military said.

Five men later determined to be Kurdish police officers were killed and nine others were detained, the US military said, offering condolences to the families of those who died. Kurdish officials put the casualty toll at eight killed and six wounded.

A spokesman for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Azad Jundiyan, said the party realized the airstrike was a mistake. “We are allied with the coalition; it was a friendly fire incident, not an intentionally hostile act,” he said. Jundiyan identified the dead as peshmerga — Kurdish militiamen who once battled Saddam Hussein’s regime. Many peshmerga have been incorporated into the Iraqi army since the US-led invasion.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This is sad. We need all the friends we can get in this area. The Kurds are generally good soldiers. I will mourn the loss of "blues".
Posted by: Lone Ranger || 02/10/2007 3:13 Comments || Top||

#2  Oh! It's not just the Brits they're trying to kill, then.
Posted by: Jens Claimp2916 || 02/10/2007 5:28 Comments || Top||

#3  We're equal opportunity fratriciders. Been know to kill our own. War is like that and has been for a while.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/10/2007 7:00 Comments || Top||

#4  Jens, save your sarcasm. Americans have friendly fire incidents even on other Americans, depending on the intel. Luckily it seems to be reduced since past wars.

The kurdish government understands it's a mistake made during the darkness of night.
Posted by: Angenter Crolugum3645 || 02/10/2007 7:00 Comments || Top||

#5  In a way, it's good. The enemy kills so few of our people and allies that the few we kill by mistake are significant. We killed thousands of our own in WWII, but the Germans and Japanese killed so many more it wasn't noticed.
Posted by: Jackal || 02/10/2007 8:14 Comments || Top||

#6  Don't be parochial, Jens Claimp2916 dear. We accidentally killed Canadian troops in Afghanistan long before yours had any cause for concern. That's the problem when your government won't spend the money to give the troops modern equipment so that they can talk to the Yanks overhead. As Procopius2k says, that kind of thing has always happened -- this is real life, where Murphy's Law rules, not a computer game or a Hollywood film.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 12:52 Comments || Top||

#7  My dad was caught in a friendly-fire incident in France in 1944. Twenty-two of his buddies were killed when a bomber dropped its ordinance on them. It happens. Most of the time, the bombers were greeted with cheers.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 02/10/2007 15:02 Comments || Top||


Bodies of 11 kidnapped Iraqis retrieved from river
(KUNA) -- The bodies of 11 Iraqi men were found by police in Mahaweel town's Maleh River, southern Baghdad. Spokesman for Babylon Police, Captain Muthana Abulharith, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) unknown militants stormed Imam village in Jibla area at 2:00 a. m. (local time) and kidnapped 13 Iraqis. Police intervened and two men were freed, while kidnappers got away with the remaining 11 men, he said.

The captain added the bodies of those 11 kidnapped men were found hours later in the mentioned river. An investigation is ongoing to determine motives of the kidnapping, and no comment was made as to whether it was related to sectarian tensions.
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Iraqi and US forces push into Baghdad flashpoints
US and Iraqi forces clamped down on flashpoint districts of Baghdad on Friday, focusing on insurgent and militia hotbeds as a joint operation to restore order in the capital lumbered into action. “We are still flowing forces into the city,” US Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Garver said, as both military and civilian officials warned reporters not to expect instant results from the operation. The US military has begun deploying the first of 21,500 reinforcements into Baghdad in the latest in a series of moves to regain control of a city plagued by insurgent gangs and sectarian death squads.

In southern Iraq, meanwhile, a British soldier was killed and three were wounded on Friday when their patrol was blasted by a roadside bomb outside Basra, the Ministry of Defence in London said. In a separate setback for the coalition, US helicopter gunships killed eight Kurdish policemen during an operation targeting an alleged Al Qaeda bomb factory in Mosul.

In Karbala, a cleric representing top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called for a “peaceful demonstration” on Monday to mark the first anniversary of the bombing of a Samarra shrine that triggered the sectarian bloodshed. Eleven people were kidnapped and murdered early on Friday in the village of Mahawil, 80 kilometres south of Baghdad. Three US soldiers also died in Al-Anbar province on Thursday.
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Mercy, I read the headline as

Fleshpots

Alas Babylon, that mighty city. Yearning for etc.

Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 8:00 Comments || Top||

#2  The fleshpots were in Egypt, Shipman. How much easier was life as a slave with the fleshpots of Egypt, than wandering homeless for 40 years in the desert eating manna, day after day after day after... ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 9:18 Comments || Top||

#3  I can't help but wonder if "Manna" Doesn't mean "Locust Swarms" I understand they're delacasies in that part of the world.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/10/2007 10:00 Comments || Top||

#4  It's been argued that manna was a Negev species of honey ant. It wouldn't be locusts, Redneck Jim; they were named specifically as one of the Ten Plagues, so clearly the Hebrews knew them, whereas as far as I know there is no use of the word manna elsewhere in the Old Testament, except metaphorically. Also, in the lists of forbidden foods the only insect that is permitted is the locust. A wise decision on God's part, since when the locusts swarm there's very little else to eat until the flora regrows.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 12:59 Comments || Top||

#5  Now that does take the edge off TW.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 17:39 Comments || Top||


Islamic State of Iraq sez it downed copter
An insurgent group linked to al-Qaida posted a Web video Friday showing what it said was the downing of a U.S. military helicopter this week. Seven Americans were killed in the crash. The U.S. military has said it did not believe the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter was shot down in the crash Wednesday northwest of Baghdad. But a U.S. official, who was not authorized to address the topic publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said ``the video appears to be legitimate'' - meaning that it shows a Sea Knight crashing.

The two-minute video - which says it shows the ``downing of U.S. aircraft on Feb. 7'' - shows a helicopter that appears to be a Sea Knight flying. An object trailing smoke is seen in the sky nearby, and then the craft bursts into orange and red flames, with a spray of debris emerging from it. It is not clear whether the object is a rocket, and it cannot be clearly seen connecting with the craft. In the footage, the helicopter heads downward, but appears to be at least partially in control, though smoke and bright flames are trailing from it. The helicopter then disappears behind a line of trees as it hits the ground.

The video was issued by the Islamic State in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iraqi insurgent groups that includes al-Qaida in Iraq. The group on Wednesday issued a written claim of responsibility for the craft's downing and had promised a video would follow. The video, titled ``the Hell of Christians and Apostates in Iraq,'' was posted on a Web forum where the group and other Islamic militants often post messages.

The Islamic State in Iraq has also claimed responsibility for downing two other U.S. helicopters - a Black Hawk which crashed northeast of Baghdad on Jan. 20, killing 12 Americans, and an Apache shot down Feb. 12, in which two U.S. soldiers died.
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Four Kassam rockets fired from Gaza; none wounded
Four Kassam rockets were fired at the western Negev on Friday, Army Radio reported. Two rockets landed next to the Karmi crossing, and the other two next to the Gaza security fence. There were no reports of casualties or damage to property.
Posted by: Fred || 02/10/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  If I'm reading that right, none of the rockets made it out of Gaza. Woo hoo -- that'll teach those Joos!
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/10/2007 9:19 Comments || Top||


Science & Technology
Re-gunning The AC-130
All 25 of the AC-130s are being converted to use 30mm guns. By the end of the year, there should be four AC-130s, each armed with two 30mm cannon (and a 105mm howitzer), rather than a 40mm and a 25mm cannon (and a 105mm howitzer.)

The existing 25mm and 40mm guns on the AC-130 are being phased out of military service. Actually, the 40mm gun is something of a museum piece. None have been manufactured for over a decade, and parts have to be custom made. Ammo is hard to get, and expensive, as well. The 25mm gun is no longer used by any other air force aircraft, and is being replaced on ground vehicles by 30mm cannon. The new 30mm gun is easier to operate and maintain. For example, many repairs can be made while in the air, and it's easier to reload.
Posted by: 3dc || 02/10/2007 11:42 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Test the new guns out on Tater and his Tots, with a sprinkling of Iranian agents, please.

Pass the popcorn!
Posted by: anymouse || 02/10/2007 13:03 Comments || Top||

#2  Wonder if it uses the same 30mm cannon on the A-10 - and the same ammunition? That would certainly get the islamonutz' shorts in a bunch.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 02/10/2007 15:09 Comments || Top||

#3  According to the article, OP, the two 30mm cannons are different designs but use the same ammo; and the Air Force is packing the HEDP rounds from the A-10 for the AC-130.
Posted by: Shieldwolf || 02/10/2007 15:14 Comments || Top||

#4  Is the 40 mm being phased out a

BOFORS
BOFORS
BOFORS
BOFORS?
Posted by: Shipman || 02/10/2007 17:41 Comments || Top||

#5  Is the 40 mm being phased out a

BOFORS
BOFORS
BOFORS
BOFORS?


Yep, apparently there isn't enough ammo and spare parts available for the 40mm guns that are currently used.
Posted by: Valentine || 02/10/2007 22:55 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Target Iran: US able to strike in the spring
Al-Grauniad, so it's all speculation with a LOT of hand-wringing
Despite denials, Pentagon plans for possible attack on nuclear sites are well advanced
US preparations for an air strike against Iran are at an advanced stage, in spite of repeated public denials by the Bush administration, according to informed sources in Washington.
The present military build-up in the Gulf would allow the US to mount an attack by the spring. But the sources said that if there was an attack, it was more likely next year, just before Mr Bush leaves office.

Neo-conservatives, particularly at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, are urging Mr Bush to open a new front against Iran. So too is the vice-president, Dick Cheney. The state department and the Pentagon are opposed, as are Democratic congressmen and the overwhelming majority of Republicans. The sources said Mr Bush had not yet made a decision. The Bush administration insists the military build-up is not offensive but aimed at containing Iran and forcing it to make diplomatic concessions. The aim is to persuade Tehran to curb its suspect nuclear weapons programme and abandon ambitions for regional expansion.

Robert Gates, the new US defence secretary, said yesterday: "I don't know how many times the president, secretary [of state Condoleezza] Rice and I have had to repeat that we have no intention of attacking Iran."

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Frank G || 02/10/2007 18:31 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ummm, guys - We're able to completely destroy Iran right NOW. Willing to, not so much - yet.

But Iran is working on that....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 02/10/2007 19:36 Comments || Top||

#2  There are big hawks and little hawks. The big hawks plan for big conventional and unconventional wars, the little hawks always convince themselves that by funding some little revolutionary group of a dozen hotheads, they will somehow overthrow a major tyrant.

It the the difference between militants and militarists. Militants plan for committed war, with every contingency--they have few illusions. Militarists love the trappings of the military: handsome uniforms, pretty medals, and (usually posthumous) heroic bravado.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 02/10/2007 20:09 Comments || Top||



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Sat 2007-02-10
  Iraqi and US forces push into Baghdad flashpoints
Fri 2007-02-09
  Hamas and Fatah sign unity accord
Thu 2007-02-08
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Wed 2007-02-07
  Fatah, Hamas talks kick off in Mecca
Tue 2007-02-06
  Yemen prepared to grant top Sheikh Sharif asylum
Mon 2007-02-05
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Sun 2007-02-04
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Sat 2007-02-03
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Fri 2007-02-02
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Thu 2007-02-01
  Hamas ambushes Gaza "arms convoy" , Trucefire™ holding
Wed 2007-01-31
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Tue 2007-01-30
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Mon 2007-01-29
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