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Gunmen storm Presidential compound in Mogadishu
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Page 6: Politix
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-Land of the Free
This Week in Guns, February 20th, 2014


By Chris Covert

Starting off this week's gun grabbing insanity, New Jersey has passed a magazine limit law of 10 rounds. The "good news" is that you can take a leak in New Jersey without wondering if they'll take your guns.

A leftist Congressman from Massachusetts, Ed Markey is trying to gain support for a federal law that would require "smart gun" technology on all new pistols. Markey said, in chilling terms "that only authorized users can operate handguns." My guess is that smart gun technology would include something with network capability, so those new guns can be disabled remotely. Implicit in the scheme is to outlaw all firearms even those made privately without the new technology, the only way the new law would work.

Speaking of illegal schemes to limit firearms, here is an AK-47 worksheet for 922r builds.

A discussion about No Knock warrants and how the individuals formerly known as police officers and now known as cowboys fit into the new conversation about gun confiscations.

And finally, a Jeopardy Question: You gotta take a dump outside your tank sometime.

Loads.

Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:

Prices for pistol ammunition were mostly higher, while prices for rifle ammunition were mixed.

Prices for used firearms of all classes were mixed.

Pistol Ammo

.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: +.02 Each (+.02 from the previous week)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Selway Armory, HSM, reloaded, .34 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Quality Made Cartridges, RNL, reloaded, .32 per round (No change (Two Weeks))

.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, From Last Week: +.02 Each (Unchanged 4 of 6 previous weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bang It Ammo, Precision One, reloaded, .30 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Georgia Arms, Canned Heat, .29 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each (+.02 over two weeks))

9mm Parabellum, 115 grain, From Last Week: +.02 each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Tulammo, steel case, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Store brand, reloaded, .23 per round (Unchanged after +.01 Each previous week)

.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (+.03 Each over two previous three weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Munire USA, CCI Speer, JHP, .45 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 250 Rounds: Orca Arms, Reloaded, .40 per round (-.05 Each (-.10 Each over three weeks(!))

Rifle Ammunition

.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (Three weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Munire USA, Tulammo, steel cased, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Firearms for Sale, Tulammo, steel cased, .28 per round (-.01 Each (-.06 Each over previous three weeks))

.308 NATO 145 grain, From Last Week: +.08 Each (After -.15 previous three weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Munire USA, Prvi Partizan, steel cased, .58 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: The Sportsman Guide, MFS, steel cased, .56 per round (-.04 previous week, -.07 over previous two weeks (Unchanged previous 3 weeks))

7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (Two weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: FireArms for Sale, Wolf Polyformance, steel core and case, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 600 rounds: Sportsman Outdoor Superstore, Wolf Polyformance, steel core and case, .22 per round (Unchanged (+.01 from previous week))

.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each (Unchanged previous week)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: The Sportsman's Guide, GECO, .13 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Lucky Gunner, Remington, .16 per round (-.01 from previous week)

Guns for Private Sale
Rifles


.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $849 Last Week Avg: $815 (+)
California: American Tactical Imports: $900
Texas: Del-Ton M-4: $800
New York: Anderson (Mixed Build): $1,000
Virgina: Palmetto State Armory M-4: $725 (Same Gun)
Florida: Smith & Wesson M&P Sport: $800

.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,113 Last Week Avg: $1,388 (-)
California: DPMS LAR-308: $1,200
Texas: Sig Sauer Patrol: $1,250 (Same Gun)
New York: None Available
Virginia: Smith & Wesson M&P10: $1,000 (!)
Florida: DPMS: $1,000

7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $725 Last Week Avg: $790 (-)
California: WASR: $650 (Possibly Same Gun)
Texas: CAI Yugo M-70: $575
New York: Unspecified Build: $1,000 (Same Gun)
Virginia: CAI Yugo M-70 (Underfolder): $700
Florida: IO Sporter: $700 (Same Gun)

7.62x54mm (Dragunov Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,430 Last Week Avg: $1,363 (+)
California: Romak PSL: $1,689 (Same Gun)
Texas: Romak PSL: $1,200
New York: None
Virginia: None
Florida: Romak PSL: $1,400 (Same Gun)

Pistols

.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $476 Last Week Avg: $476 ()
California: Auto Ordnance: $550 (Same Gun)
Texas: Llama 1911: $400
New York: Unknown: $550
Virginia: Tisas Classic: $430
Florida: Llama: $450

9mm Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic Average Price: $413 Last Week Avg: $399 (+)
California: Kahr CW-9: $375 (Prolly Same Gun)
Texas: Walther PPQ: $450
New York: Sig Sauer P226: $400
Virginia: Sig Sauer P250: $450
Florida: Kahr CW-9: $390

.40 caliber S&W (Glock and other semiautomatic) Average Price: $409 Last Week Avg: $455 (-)
California: Sig Sauer 2022: $400
Texas: Glock 23: $450
New York: Kahr: $350
Virginia: Glock 22: $395
Florida: Glock 19: $450

Used Gun of the Week: (From Alabama)

Ruger Single action revolver Chambered in .44 Magnum

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com
Posted by: badanov || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Heh, Eddie Markey and "smart" in the same sentence.
The gun guys will just do what the cable guys did. They'll buy him.
Posted by: tu3031 || 02/22/2014 0:47 Comments || Top||


#3  Women With BFGs



Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 02/22/2014 5:13 Comments || Top||

#4  Smart Pistol Hits California Shelves

Let's see:

Weapon $1,400
Activation Bracelet $400
Taxes, Background Check Fees, etc $100-$200

For almost $2,000 you can get into a 10 shot 22LR

The perfect weapon for a person who owns a Tesla and has his house covered with Solyndra solar panels.


http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/02/20/first-smart-pistol-shelves-in-california/
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 02/22/2014 5:24 Comments || Top||

#5  Don't forget the lead-free ammo, GolfBravo.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/22/2014 8:29 Comments || Top||

#6  A bit pricey, but CMP still has some 30.06 incendiary, if you need any.

Klik on 'ammo' in upper left for other offerings.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 8:38 Comments || Top||

#7  WTF! Why won't my Browning do this ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 9:51 Comments || Top||

#8  Yardarm, a California start-up, uses a smartphone app to notify gun owners if their weapon is moved and allows them to remotely disable their firearms.

Call me a paranoid gun-nut but something tells me the market for guns with GPS tracking devices that can be remotely disabled will be quite limited. Just sayin.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/22/2014 10:18 Comments || Top||

#9  Unlike Miley Cyrus, she's got her finger off the trigger.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 10:28 Comments || Top||



Africa North
Minister: 108 silos will be constructed for wheat storage
[Egypt Independent] Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Mohammed Abu Shady said Thursday that Egypt consumes around 15 million tons of wheat annually in the public and private sectors.
Good idea.
He added the government imported about four million tons of wheat of the finest quality during the last six months to form a strategic reserve that covers the period until 18 May.
Seven fat years versus the seven lean years, y'know.
How can a three month supply be considered a "strategic reserve"...
He explained during the inauguration of a silo in 6 October City, accompanied by Ali Abdel Rahman, the governor of Giza, that the government encourages the private sector to invest in silos as it granted the private sector 58 licenses for a storage capacity of approximately 5.1 million tons of wheat.
They can thank the Jews for the idea.
Twenty-five silos are being prepared in different governorates as part of a national project for silos. The capacity of the silo would be 30,000 tons of wheat. The UAE will build 25 other silos. The capacity of each would be 60,000 tons of wheat, the minister said.
They should build a monument to Joseph.
The total number of silos planned under this project are 108 of 5.5 million tons capacity, Abu Shady mentioned.

Abdel Rahman meanwhile said that construction of silos would reduce the waste of wheat. Abdel Rahman added he provides all needed facilities to encourage the private sector invest in silos and to provide job opportunities for youth.
Posted by: Fred || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Now, to fill them.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/22/2014 7:07 Comments || Top||

#2  108 silos will be based upon this design

Posted by: Omomons Snomorong5642 || 02/22/2014 8:10 Comments || Top||


Morocco sentences salafist imam
[MAGHAREBIA] A Casablanca court on Wednesday (February 19th) rendered a one month suspended sentence and a fine against salafist imam Abdelhamid Abou Naim, Aufaitmaroc reported. He was convicted for defamation and insulting a politician. An investigation into Abou Naim was opened in January after the imam posted a YouTube video in which he accused politician Driss Lachgar of "apostasy" for calling on Morocco to ban polygamy.
Posted by: Fred || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Algeria promises fair elections
[MAGHAREBIA] Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Thursday (February 20th) ordered his government to ensure fair and "credible" presidential elections on April 17th, AFP reported. He also urged the media to cover the poll in a balanced and professional way.
Posted by: Fred || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Caribbean-Latin America
Protests Against Venezuela's Government Escalate
CARACAS, Venezuela—Protests against President Nicolás Maduro's government escalated Thursday, with thousands of demonstrators burning tires and cars and security forces fighting back to gain control of the streets in the capital and in other cities.

At least five people, four protesting the government, have died since protests by university students over high crime and a crumbling economy turned violent last week. Dozens of others have been injured or jailed, including opposition leader Leopoldo López, a former mayor whom the government has accused of instigating the violence.

Leonardo Velasco, 25 years old, said dozens of national guardsmen and other armed supporters of the government swept down on demonstrators in a protest in which he participated on Thursday. "I heard a bunch of shots and hit the ground." Mr. Velasco said he and other demonstrators fought back with Molotov cocktails, as tear gas spread and people ran in different directions. "I was half blind, stumbling and running," he said.

One protester in Caracas was shot by what appeared to be members of the National Guard, according to a video posted on several Venezuelan media sites. The incident couldn't be independently verified. The protester remained in critical condition on Friday, according to El Nacional newspaper.

Other videos online showed dozens of armed men on motorcycles entering areas held by protesters during the night, amid sounds of gunfire and fireworks.

"The government came out to kill people, to try to shut up people with lead," Henrique Capriles, a leading opposition figure, said in a news conference on Thursday. Calls seeking comment over the past week to government officials haven't been returned.

The chaotic scenes across the country represent the biggest challenge faced so far by President Nick the Mad Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chávez last year. Mr. Maduro accused what he called "fascist leaders" financed by the U.S. of using highly trained teams to topple his socialist government from power. In a lengthy speech televised Wednesday night, he charged that the demonstrators were trying "to fill the country with violence and to create a spiral of hatred among our people."
His hard boyz seem to be doing a pretty good job of that all by themselves...
He said his foes were hoping to generate chaos to justify a foreign military intervention. "In Venezuela, they're applying the format of a coup d'état," he said.
Which foreign power? The US? He's certainly kidding. Obama would only invade if he thought the Tea Party had taken over in Caracas...
In a speech Thursday, Mr. Maduro also accused U.S. cable channel CNN of producing skewed coverage of the protests and said he had begun an administrative process to kick the channel off the air in Venezuela unless it moved to "rectify" its coverage.
You gotta do it slower, Nick -- see how the FCC does it...
"They want to show the world that in Venezuela there is a civil war," Mr. Maduro said. "In Venezuela the people are working, studying, building the Fatherland."

A CNN spokeswoman declined to comment.
They are, however, planning to handle Nick the same way they handled Saddam...
Protests have spread beyond the capital to far-flung states over the past couple of days, in the Andean city of Mérida and in the state of Táchira bordering Colombia to the west, where power and Internet went out, local media reported.

In Táchira, the government's Russian-built Sukhoi fighters screamed overhead, local reports said. In Valencia, west of Caracas, another protest was mounted but was quelled by soldiers using water cannon.

Interior and Justice Minister Miguel Rodríguez Torres said in a televised address on Thursday that a battalion of paratroopers has been deployed around San Cristóbal, the capital of Táchira. He said they would secure highways and prevent Colombians, who are often blamed of fomenting trouble here, from bringing in weapons for the student demonstrators. Possession of guns was banned in the state.
Just another warning for us gun-owning Americans...
"They can't say the government is shooting people," said Mr. Rodríguez, who blamed antigovernment officials in San Cristóbal of triggering the violence.

In Caracas, meanwhile, the president also leveled responsibility on Mr. López, an opposition leader who surrendered to authorities on Tuesday after being accused of instigating violence on Feb. 12, when three people died in two demonstrations. He warned that other opposition leaders could follow him into prison.

"One of them is in jail," Mr. Maduro said of Mr. López, adding: "The others will, one by one, end up in the same jail cell."

Shortly after midnight, Mr. López was arraigned in the military jail outside of Caracas where he is being held on charges of setting fire to a building, instigating crimes and conspiracy to commit a crime, according to the newspaper El Universal. If convicted, Mr. López could still face 10 years in jail.

More serious accusations of homicide and terrorism leveled at him by government officials weren't filed, one of Mr. López's lawyers, Juan Carlos Gutierrez, told Union Radio.

Opposition leaders and witnesses, have said uniformed state security agents, as well as pro-government motorcycle gangs known as colectivos have cracked down violently on unarmed demonstrators.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Meanwhile, their neighbor, Columbia is still dealing with Caracas sponsored FARC terrorism and crime. Now would be time for some payback if there ever was. If nothing else to force Maduro to put a sizable chunk of his military on the border and away from the capital.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/22/2014 8:30 Comments || Top||


Slain beauty queen mourned in Venezuela
[USATODAY] A university student beauty queen was mourned Friday in the provincial Venezuelan city where she was slain this week during a political protest, a victim of what government opponents say is indiscriminate violence used by President Nicolas Maduro and his supporters to stifle dissent across the country.

Family members and friends of 22-year-old Genesis Carmona say the former Miss Tourism 2013 for the central Venezuelan state of Carabobo was shot down by members of the armed militias known as "colectivos" who opened fire on a demonstration in Valencia on Tuesday.

The government says the incident is under investigation, and Maduro said at a news conference Friday that it has been "well-established" by ballistics experts that shot came from the opposition protesters. Mourners at the private Mass and graveside memorial for Carmona said they have no doubt which side fired the fatal round.

"She wanted to support her country and, well, look what it cost her for going out with a flag and a whistle. Killed by government mercenaries," said Jose Gil, an uncle of Carmona.

The violence drew condemnation Friday from U.S. based watchdog group Human Rights Watch
... dedicated to bitching about human rights violations around the world...
, which said "Venezuelan security forces have used excessive and unlawful force against protesters on multiple occasions since February 12, 2014, including beating detainees and shooting at crowds of unarmed people."
Posted by: Fred || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Commies

#1  The Headline pretty much says very thing you need to know about Venezuela.

Sadly.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/22/2014 8:21 Comments || Top||

#2  "She wanted to support her country and, well, look what it cost her for going out with a flag and a whistle.

It has been my observation that totalitarian regimes really don't care much for opposition flags of any kind.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 8:26 Comments || Top||

#3  All that for a flag, Mrs. Obama.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/22/2014 12:53 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
US v China: is this the new cold war?
Posted by: Throque Glineter2603 || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Prob is I don't believe China is interested in waging "Cold War" agz the US, as "Cold War" infers that China will have to amend or delay its "post-US" Manifest Destiny for many years iff not indefinitely.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/22/2014 0:14 Comments || Top||

#2  China needs a distraction from domestic troubles.
A war will do.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/22/2014 7:05 Comments || Top||

#3  I see a win win situation RJ.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/22/2014 8:22 Comments || Top||

#4  Go ahead, teach us a lesson. Quit buying our bonds and put us on your export sanctions list.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 10:12 Comments || Top||

#5  Marxism will lose again. That means the US is in trouble.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 02/22/2014 21:23 Comments || Top||


Europe
Ukraine President Flees, Protesters Take Over Capital
KIEV, Ukraine--Government authority appeared to melt away Saturday, leaving protesters to take control of the capital's center. President Viktor Yanukovych left the capital for a city in the country's Russian-speaking east but allies said he had no intention of giving up power.

Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko called on parliament to vote to oust Mr. Yanukovych and announce presidential elections in May, as police withdrew from the center of the capital. Mr. Yanukovych didn't appear publicly Saturday, a day after signing an agreement to share power with opponents and call new elections.

News agencies quoted an aide as saying he was continuing to fulfill his constitutional duties and planned to appear on television later Saturday from Kharkov. He's scheduled to meet voters there, as well as participate in a meeting of legislators from the country's Russian-speaking south and east.

It was also reported Ukraine opposition leader, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is expected to be released from prison, according to a spokeswoman.
She has been per this report from Reuters and this one from the Guardian.
Saturday, volunteer security brigades from among the protesters took over security at government buildings in the capital, and journalists reported around 300 people had entered Mr. Yanukovych's opulent suburban residence without resistance.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 09:26 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under:

#1  And who do we have for SoS?

J. F'n Kerry and his magic hat.

I've never been so embarassed by the US government and I'm old enough to vaguely remember "I Like Ike" buttons.
Posted by: AlanC || 02/22/2014 13:41 Comments || Top||

#2  In fairness, there isn't much the U.S. can do to help calm the situation down, and a LOT we could do that would make the problem worse.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/22/2014 13:54 Comments || Top||

#3  Making Putin aware of our willingness to initiate a discreet, but nasty 'offset'... possibly something in Syria or Iran, might assist the effort. He understands such deviousness. He might even respect it.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 14:01 Comments || Top||

#4  Steve W., while there may not be much that we can do that would be effective, we can keep our mouths shut about how we're trying to deal with Putin and mediate things. If there are things that might help we can keep quiet about them and not try and preen and prance for the audience.
Posted by: AlanC || 02/22/2014 17:07 Comments || Top||

#5  AlanC, preen and dance are about all this administration knows how to do.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 02/22/2014 17:57 Comments || Top||

#6  And this administration leaks like a Raiders fan post case of beer.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/22/2014 18:57 Comments || Top||

#7  "and a LOT we could Bambi will do that would make the problem worse"

FTFY, Dr. Steve. No charge.
Posted by: Barbara || 02/22/2014 19:16 Comments || Top||

#8  Non Islamic. Not Arab Spring. Therefore, no Obama Hussien support.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 19:44 Comments || Top||

#9  I could hardly imagine a more ineffective pair of empty suits in this situation. Preening narcissistic pricks.
Posted by: OldSpook || 02/22/2014 19:55 Comments || Top||

#10  We've brought you from a serious nation to a laughing-stock in 2 generations. UR welcome.
Posted by: Baby Boomers || 02/22/2014 23:37 Comments || Top||


Sniper fire brings disturbing new dimension to Ukraine violence
[Euronews.com] A disturbing new development in the Ukrainian conflict has been the use of snipers, with both sides blaming the other.
But only one side initiating head and upper chest shots.
Gunfire is said to have been the cause of the vast majority of those killed and injured this week.

Witnesses said snipers fired on anti-government demonstrators as they tried to retake Independence Square on Thursday morning. Dozens wounded in the fighting -- as well as the bodies of those killed -- were dragged away.

Protest leaders warned demonstrators not to stray beyond the perimeter of Independence Square, to avoid sniper fire.

A video published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty showed riot police and a sniper firing from fortified positions in the direction of protesters.

Ukraine's police force has been armed with combat weapons, the country's acting interior minister said. The ministry's website said 'Berkut' riot police had the right to use their weapons to free hostages being held by protesters, adding that a sniper had injured 20 police officers.

Ukraine's presidency has blamed protesters for starting violence and using snipers who were shooting to kill. It said dozens of police officers had been killed and injured.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 04:40 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ukraine's police force has been armed with combat weapons

I wonder where I heard this before?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 02/22/2014 11:31 Comments || Top||

#2  They could've gone the Chinese route, and put shock troops into police uniforms...
Posted by: Pappy || 02/22/2014 19:18 Comments || Top||


Ukraine protesters take back square despite 'truce'
[Egypt Independent] At least 21 non-combatants were killed in fresh fighting in Kiev on Thursday, shattering an overnight truce declared by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, and a presidential statement said dozens of police were also dead or maimed.

Activists hurling petrol bombs and paving stones drove riot police off a corner of the central Independence Square, known as the Maidan, and appeared to capture several uniformed officers. Police responded with stun grenades.

The festivities erupted shortly before three visiting European foreign ministers were due to meet the Russian-backed Yanukovich to push for a compromise with his pro-European opponents. The meeting was delayed for security reasons but began an hour late.

A Rooters photographer counted 21 bodies in civilian clothes in three places on the square, a few hundred meters (yards) from the presidency. That raised the corpse count since Tuesday to at least 43, by far the bloodiest hours of Ukraine's 22-year post-Soviet history.

A statement from Yanukovich's office said: "They (the protesters) went on to the offensive. They are working in organized groups. They are using firearms, including sniper rifles. They are shooting to kill.

"The number of dead and injured among coppers is dozens," the statement on the presidential website said.

Shortly after 9 a.m. (0700 GMT), the protesters advanced to a line closer to Yanukovich's office and parliament. Television showed activists in combat fatigues leading several captured, uniformed coppers across the square.

Both sides have accused the other of using live ammunition.

The foreign ministers of Germany, La Belle France and Poland were expected to present Yanukovich with a mixture of sanctions and enticements to make a deal with his opponents that could end the bloodshed.

"Black smoke, denotations and gunfire around presidential palace ... Officials panicky," tweeted Polish minister Radoslaw Sikorski to explain the delay in the meeting.

Pro-EU activists have been keeping vigil in the square since the president turned his back on a trade pact with the bloc in November and accepted financial aid from Moscow.

Russia, which has been holding back a new loan installment until it sees stability in Kiev, has condemned EU and U.S. support of the opposition demands that Yanukovich, elected in 2010, should share power and hold new elections.

In an apparent criticism of Yanukovich's handling of the crisis, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that Moscow could only cooperate fully with Ukraine when its leadership was in "good shape", Interfax reported.
Posted by: Fred || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The more concessions Yanukovich makes, the more belligerent "protesters" become.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 02/22/2014 2:38 Comments || Top||

#2  g(r)om, seems to me that the Israelis have noticed that same problem.
Posted by: AlanC || 02/22/2014 8:49 Comments || Top||


In Kiev square, protesters hold together
[USATODAY] Independence Square, the heart of the Ukrainian protest movement, looked very much Friday like an anthill.

Thousands of people were moving about the square and each person had a designated task.

Men in camouflage patrolled the area, heaped with burnt trash, taking shifts at barricades erected to keep out the police. With purses wedged under their arms, women in glossy boots swept up the ashes.

And then there were the protesters, who stood firm as they have for weeks.

"Am I scared to be here? Sometimes, maybe. Like everyone else. But what happens if everyone surrenders to fear? We must stand for changes," says Yevhen, shrugging his shoulders.

The square is a longtime symbol in Ukraine history of political expression that was renamed to commemorate the country's freedom from the Soviet Union and Russia in 1991. Protesters here asked that their full names not be used for fear of retribution from a regime that had police to gun down their comrades for refusing to leave a spot they have held for weeks in hopes of forcing the resignation of hated president Viktor Yanukovych.
Posted by: Fred || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:


Kiev Has Deal; Russia and Protesters Appear Wary
KIEV, Ukraine — A deal aimed at ending a lethal spiral of violence in Ukraine began to show serious strains late Friday just hours after it had been signed, with angry protesters shouting down opposition members of Parliament who negotiated the accord and a militant leader threatening armed attacks if President Viktor F. Yanukovych did not step down by morning.

Russia, which joined France, Germany and Poland in mediating the settlement, introduced a further element of uncertainty by declining to sign the accord, which reduces the power of Mr. Yanukovych, a firm ally of Moscow. This stirred fears that Moscow might now work to undo the deal through economic and other pressures, as it did last year to subvert a proposed trade deal between Ukraine and the European Union.

The developments cast a shadow over a hard-fought accord that mandates early presidential elections by December, a swift return to a 2004 constitution that sharply limited the president’s powers and the establishment within 10 days of a “government of national trust.”

In a series of votes that followed the accord and reflected Parliament’s determination to make the settlement work, lawmakers moved to free Mr. Yanukovych’s imprisoned rival, former Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko, grant blanket amnesty to all antigovernment protesters and provide financial aid to the hundreds of wounded and families of the dead.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Reports Prez has decamped to Eastern Ukraine and 'rebels' now control Kiev.

Rather more to this than reported to date.

Putin, I think it's your move next.
Posted by: phil_b || 02/22/2014 3:11 Comments || Top||

#2  The gist of the deal:
You stop protesting and we'll stop killing you (at least until things quiet down a bit, and we've examined the video, at which time certain people will start to have 'accidents' or maybe just disappear).
Posted by: ed in texas || 02/22/2014 7:39 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Texas Lt. Governor Formally Requests "Battleground Texas" Investigation/Prosecution
Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst issued a letter to Secretary of State Nandita Berry today urging her office to immediately turn over all complaints of Battleground Texas' violations of election law to Attorney General Greg Abbott. The scandal was revealed after Breitbart Texas released the latest James O'Keefe undercover video on what appeared to be a Battleground Texas illegal voter data-mining operation to help elect Wendy Davis.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The problem here is the DA with jurisdiction here would probably be Travis County, as in Austin, a/k/a The People's Republic of Travis County. (Center of public employment for the Texas bureaucracy.)
Posted by: ed in texas || 02/22/2014 7:30 Comments || Top||

#2  State constitution will make locals obey. Plus it gives Dewhurst a chance to repair some of his damage he took from his pissing match loss to Cruz and Tea Party folks
Posted by: OldSpook || 02/22/2014 11:24 Comments || Top||

#3  Texas has put up with several leftist elections crap, NAACP Houston pushing Obama voters to the head of the line while leaving non-Obama voters at the back of the line.

It is time to bust a few nuts.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 15:21 Comments || Top||

#4  Same thing Dewhurst is demanding in Texas SHOULD be demanded at the NATIONAL level.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 15:27 Comments || Top||

#5  Ummmm, that "Formerly" in the title should be "Formally", no?
Posted by: AlanC || 02/22/2014 17:11 Comments || Top||

#6  Good catch, AlanC. I'll fix it.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/22/2014 19:24 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
24 Medals of Honor to be Awarded
President Obama will correct a historical act of discrimination next month when he awards the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest commendation for combat valor, to a group of Hispanic, Jewish and African-American veterans who were passed over because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds.
The WaPo headline "Obama to award Medal of Honor to two dozen veterans, including 19 discrimination victims" had me prepared to be mad, but on reading the piece it became clear the awards are not for being discrimination victims, but an honest attempt to correct for past discrimination. (And Obama gets the credit but the effort was started in 2002.)
Now if they really want to clean up the historical political 'errors' in MoH awards they'll rescind the 18 given for the 'Battle' of Wounded Knee.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/22/2014 06:47 || Comments || Link || [11 views] Top|| File under:

#1  No word yet on any honorarium or formal recognition for Ambassador Chris Stevens, information officer Sean Smith, and former navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.

[extreme sarc off]
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 8:10 Comments || Top||

#2  Besoeker, I wonder Stevens does have an award, but one that can only be known to those with certain security clearance.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/22/2014 8:25 Comments || Top||

#3  Yes Glen, and probably a couple of stars on the Klingon main entrance 'Hall of Heroes' as well. No names in the UNCLAS visitor registry of course.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 8:30 Comments || Top||

#4  Officials from each service branch focused on service members who had been awarded the second-highest medal for gallantry: the Distinguished Service Cross for the Army, the Air Force Cross for that branch, and the Navy Cross for the Navy and Marine Corps.

That's the qualifier. Still its bread and games while Rome burns. Got to get those polls numbers up. Parade the heroes of the old republic out for show.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/22/2014 8:35 Comments || Top||

#5  Regime posturing to a patriotic, heavy voter audience. Who knew.

Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 8:50 Comments || Top||

#6  Extraordinarily high number. With intent to paint the military as extremely racist. Demonize. Divide and conquer.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 10:00 Comments || Top||

#7  ..it is all but impossible for me to not be cynical..unfortunately, this cheapens the honors due..
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 02/22/2014 10:23 Comments || Top||

#8  Then there were old issues of CMOH awards delayed for decades combined with the previous policy of only awarding them to living veterans, which dates back to the Civil War. Many who deserved awards for given incidents did not live long enough to receive them, while those who somehow happened to survive long enough did receive them. I know of one incident like this, in the Battle of the Crater July 1864. From a history of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters on that day:“Some of the Sharpshooters, among them Pvts. Sidney Haight, Antoine Scott, and Charles Thatcher, covered the retreat as best they could before they pulled out. Scott (Co. K) was one of the last to leave the fort….Thatcher, Haight, Scott and [Charles H.] DePuy all were cited for the Medal of Honor for their exploits that day.” Thatcher, Haight and DePuy, all white, received their medals in 1896. Scott, the Pentwater Chippewa, died in 1878—probably never knowing that his exceptional bravery had been recognized."
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 02/22/2014 13:54 Comments || Top||

#9  Good material for an... alternate history. :-)
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 13:58 Comments || Top||

#10  I'm happy not to be cynical. This is long overdue.

These men were indeed heroes. It was part of the times that "colored", Hispanic and Jewish soldiers/sailors/marines who were extraordinarily brave received the DCS, Navy Cross or Silver Star instead of the MoH that a white soldier/sailor/marine might have received. It happened time after time in WWII starting at Pearl Harbor. Clearly happened in Vietnam.

Frankly I'm pleased for the recognition of these brave men. Bravo.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/22/2014 13:59 Comments || Top||

#11  I respectfully disagree. It's not 'cynical' it's political reality, and election PC theater. Everything these bastids do is political. Using living and dead servicemen, despicable.

If you doubt me, please examine the steps the administration is taking TODAY to... "help" our servicemen and women. Continued voting harassment, cuts in benefits and pay, PX/BX commissary closures, insurance, personnel cuts, high level purges.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 14:10 Comments || Top||

#12  People who normally end up getting the MOH did not join and fight to get the MOH. This is not the Olympics. Many recipients felt they did not deserve it but accepted on "behalf of their fellow soldiers" that they fought for.

This is not for the glorification of the general enlistment soldier. This is for the self glorification of a narcistic president.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 15:18 Comments || Top||

#13  Hear, Hear, a narcistic president indeed.
It's all about HIM, and no other, HE stands up on the podium and HE awards the medals, (And ther Have to be others to receive them, but that's immaterial HE gets the glory.)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/22/2014 15:28 Comments || Top||

#14  Since the brave warriors have waited this long, what would be wrong with making the awards AFTER the upcoming election? This would avoid the 'perception' of political pandering.

BLUF: They don't give a flying fok about negative perception or what people may think !
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/22/2014 15:36 Comments || Top||

#15  These men are long overdue their honors from a grateful nation.

Remember though, all MOH awardees are politically dangerous, especially if they are part of the President's opposition. Here the President has found a way to both recognize these men and insulate himself from the criticism of more recent MOH awardees by creating a large group of awardees, who would not be so recognized except for the President's action.

A rare win-win for the administration.
Posted by: rammer || 02/22/2014 16:58 Comments || Top||

#16  BTW that pic is Russian, Red Army vets based on the caps badges and the T34 in the background from what my bad eyes can see without my glasses.
Posted by: OldSpook || 02/22/2014 19:52 Comments || Top||

#17  Yes. Welcome to Amerika.
Posted by: Omavising Ebbemp9815 || 02/22/2014 23:45 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2014-02-22
  Gunmen storm Presidential compound in Mogadishu
Fri 2014-02-21
  40 killed as fighter jets bomb Taliban in Waziristan, Khyber
Thu 2014-02-20
  6 Dead as Qaida Claims Suicide Blasts in Beirut's Southern Suburbs
Wed 2014-02-19
  Taliban kill senior army officer near Peshawar
Tue 2014-02-18
  Boko Haram kill over 100 in village massacre
Mon 2014-02-17
  Four South Koreans dead as Egyptian tour bus in Sinai bombed
Sun 2014-02-16
  Brahimi: Syria Peace Talks Break Off, No New Date Set
Sat 2014-02-15
  15 Dead in 'Terrorist Attack' in China's Xinjiang
Fri 2014-02-14
  Suicide Bomber Targets Police Bus in Karachi, 13 Killed
Thu 2014-02-13
  Thai terrorists kill woman, set her on fire
Wed 2014-02-12
  12 killed as three grenades rock Peshawar cinema
Tue 2014-02-11
  British Man Jailed for Threat to Kill Prince Harry
Mon 2014-02-10
  19 killed in violence in Iraq
Sun 2014-02-09
  As many as 500 feared dead in drug massacre in Coahuila
Sat 2014-02-08
  Evacuation operation in Homs begins


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