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Hamas: Mastermind of Shalit's abduction among 4 killed in Gaza
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 4: Opinion
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Afghanistan
Afghan Judges Learn Afghan COnstitution
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A new Judicial training program sponsored by the U.S. for two chief justices from Paktya and Logar Provinces , as well as government lawyers, Afghan National Policemen and Afghan Corrections Officers is underway in Gardez.

The program offers training on the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Constitution, and ethics and tactical training for ANP and corrections officers. Members of the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team in Gardez provided the instruction, said Col. Thomas Collins, a Coalition spokesman.

“The purpose of the training is to increase the governance capacity of the chief justices and increase the confidence of the local people by teaching attorneys ethical practices they can use with the local population,” said U.S. Army Maj. Rene Perez, Gardez PRT civil affairs officer. “Right now, most Afghans we teach have little or no knowledge of the Afghan Constitution.”

As the legitimate Afghan government extends its reach across Afghanistan , judicial training becomes more important in establishing and enforcing the rule of law, Collins said.
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 11:31 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Good. This'll slow them down making it up as they go along. Maybe even filter out the ones who can't read.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/18/2006 14:54 Comments || Top||


Karzai: Blinky in Pak
Afghan President Hamid Karzai told The Associated Press that Mullah Omar, the supreme Taliban leader who headed the repressive Islamist regime ousted by U.S.-led forces five years ago, is hiding in the southeastern Pakistani city of Quetta.

Despite U.S. efforts to ease acrimony between two key anti-terror allies, the Afghan leader in an interview late Monday also blamed neighboring Pakistan for a surge in Taliban violence in Afghanistan and demanded President Pervez Musharraf crack down on militant sanctuaries. "We know he is in Quetta," Karzai said of the fugitive Omar, whose regime was toppled after the Sept. 11 attacks on America for giving sanctuary to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The U.S. government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Omar's capture.

"We know he is in Afghanistan. The entire world knows that he is in Afghanistan," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Tasnim Aslam, said.
Pakistan's government on Tuesday bluntly rejected Karzai's allegations, which have been voiced repeatedly by Afghan officials. "We know he (Omar) is in Afghanistan. The entire world knows that he is in Afghanistan," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Tasnim Aslam, said in Islamabad.

Western officials have said periodically that Taliban leaders are based in Quetta, the main city in southwestern Pakistan, and bin Laden and other top al-Qaida leaders are thought to be hiding in the rugged region along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Karzai, who took came to power after the Taliban regime fell in late 2001 but is struggling to control Afghanistan in the face of a new wave of militant violence, claimed Taliban are also hiding in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, and in the tribal town of Miran Shah. Miran Shah is in North Waziristan, a lawless border region where Pakistan's government recently reached a peace deal with pro-Taliban militants after mediation by tribal elders. "I don't think the Taliban have a headquarters, but the Taliban have sanctuaries. The sanctuaries are definitely in Pakistan," Karzai said in the interview at his fortified palace in Kabul.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  so... maybe arclight quetta?
Posted by: 3dc || 10/18/2006 1:57 Comments || Top||

#2  Is this a "Flush em out" or Aghan/Pak infighting?

If you know he is Quetta kill him already
Posted by: Dunno || 10/18/2006 3:33 Comments || Top||

#3  If we were to carpetbomb Waristan would anyone miss that stoneage shithole?????
Posted by: Cheregum Crelet7867 || 10/18/2006 6:24 Comments || Top||

#4  I would, CC. Without Wazooistan, how could we rank third-world shitholes? Gotta have some benchmark!
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 6:38 Comments || Top||

#5  we could use just about any nation in africa too rank them
Posted by: sinse || 10/18/2006 8:20 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
"Yaaar, we will slaughter Christians" - "Somalis are 100% Muslim and will always remain so"
The zero tolerance for Christians was epitomised by the words of a Sheik who pronounced a death sentence on them in a 2003 interview:

"... Sheikh Nur Barud, vice chairman of the influential Somali Islamist group Kulanka Culimada...stressed that "all Somali Christians must be killed according to the Islamic law. A Muslim can never become a Christian but he can become an apostate. Such people do not have a place in Somalia and we will never recognize their existence and we will slaughter them". The Sheikh concluded his interview by saying "Somalis are 100 percent Muslim and they will always remain so".
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 11:14 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Fortunately, just across the border are Ethiopians who are Christian, who see themselves as being far above Somalis on the food chain.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/18/2006 18:06 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Italian Navy Participates
ITS ETNA, At Sea – ITS Etna, the flagship of maritime Coalition Task Force (CTF)152, led by Italian Rear Adm. Emilio Foltzer, along with ITS Commandant Foscari, completed a six-day port visit to Mina Zayed port in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., Oct. 12.

CTF 152 leads maritime security operations (MSO) in the central and southern Arabian Gulf. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.

Upon departing Mina Zayed, Etna and Foscari conducted a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure exercise along with local maritime security forces. The Italian Ambassador to the U.A.E., Paolo Dionisi, observed the exercise from aboard Foscari, along with visiting officers from the U.A.E. and several other nations.

During the exercise, Etna simulated a merchant vessel suspected of being involved in illicit trafficking related to international terrorism. A security team of Italian Marines from Foscari first fast-roped aboard Etna from Foscari’s helicopter to secure and prepare the scene, followed by a boarding team to inspect cargo and documents. Local maritime officials observed and were standing by to assist Foscari and to inspect and escort the “merchant vessel” to port on completion of hand over procedure.

The Theatre Security Cooperation (TSC) exercise was the seventh in a series conducted with regional nations since the Italian Navy assumed command of the task force, June 28.

Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 06:54 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  conducting exercises of UAE is fine, but they won't do shit for their real Leb mission
Posted by: Frank G || 10/18/2006 8:20 Comments || Top||

#2  Right, Frank, but my point was that not all Italians are bad. The ones selling anti-aircraft missles should be drawn and quartered, and each piece shot.
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 10:23 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Pro-Israeli editor beaten in Bangladesh
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 09:24 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  this was a brave man. A reminder when a moderate muslim speaks out, and we talk about his needing a body guard, its not a joke.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 10/18/2006 10:56 Comments || Top||

#2  Yes, the fact he's willing to stand his ground and not emigrate to a western country is really courageous. That's what's the freedom of the press is all about, that, and not photoshop jobs.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 11:11 Comments || Top||


Britain
Muslim radicals to justify violence at student debate
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 14:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The Trinity students have invited Anjem Choudary, a former spokesman for Al-Mahajiroun, to participate and make the case for violence. He will be joined by Sulayman Keeler, of al-Ghurabaa, Omar Brooks, religious leader of the Saviour Sect Islamist group, and Mohammed Shamsuddin.

No debate on violence would be complete without Anjem "Kill-the-Pope" Choudary.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 14:37 Comments || Top||

#2  Student debate? Sure.

Much like members of the Waffen SS debating members of the Wehrmacht at the University of Heidelburg or Tubingen circa 1939.

Spit.

Posted by: Mark Z || 10/18/2006 14:41 Comments || Top||

#3  So I guess Anjem and the boys won't have a problem with it if somebody decides to come up and crack their friggin skulls? Or, at least, they'd understand it?
Posted by: tu3031 || 10/18/2006 14:42 Comments || Top||

#4  "...speaking on behalf of moderate Muslims are Berki Dibek, the Turkish ambassador, David Pidcock, of the UK Islamic party, and Shaheed Satardien, of the Supreme Muslim Council of Ireland."

The moderates will run away from the Quran. The non moderates will quote the Quran.
Posted by: mhw || 10/18/2006 15:44 Comments || Top||


Blair calls veils "a mark of separation"
Prime Minister Tony Blair stepped into the debate over the integration of Muslims into British society on Tuesday, calling the full veil worn by some Muslim women "a mark of separation".

“I think we do need to confront this issue about how we integrate people properly with our society and all the evidence is when people do integrate more they achieve more as well.”
The use of the veil has prompted a lively debate over social inclusion with some leaders of Britain's 1.8 million Muslims accusing the government of stirring up Islamophobia. The radicalisation of some young British Muslims, rammed home in July last year when British-born Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people on London transport, has raised doubts over whether enough has been done to integrate Muslims.

Blair, who has until now encouraged the debate on integration without expressing an opinion on veils, came the closest he has to taking sides. Asked if a woman who wore the veil could make a full contribution to society, Blair said: "It is a mark of separation and that's why it makes other people from outside the community feel uncomfortable. No one wants to say that people don't have the right to do it -- that's to take it too far -- but I think we do need to confront this issue about how we integrate people properly with our society and all the evidence is when people do integrate more they achieve more as well."
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  well, I'll be. The tide has turned. Looks like the Ghoul Sack is going to be the focal point. And a good one it is.

It's late and I'm tired. I still believe that good and evil is an individual characteristic not related to ethnicity or religion - but radical Islam is completely incompatible with our western freedoms and that they force women to walk around in black sacks pretty much says it all. Muslims who wish to live in the West and be good neighbors better get their stuff together really fast and help our security services rid the extremists out of their midst - because I'm about as tolerant as it gets, and my patience is nearly exhausted.

While they may have found a temporary kinship with our liberal hate-mongers - they should be aware that many, if not most, of those people will be the first to viciously turn on them.
Posted by: anon || 10/18/2006 6:18 Comments || Top||

#2  I blame the Pope.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 10/18/2006 6:49 Comments || Top||

#3 
It's late and I'm tired. I still believe that good and evil is an individual characteristic not related to ethnicity or religion -


Just as they were good Nazis who helped old women to cross the street, who hadn't read Mein Kampf and, even if itr sounds incredible, helped Jews to escape (several recorded cases). But while there were good Nazis, Nazism, the ideology was evil.
Posted by: JFM || 10/18/2006 7:57 Comments || Top||

#4  Yep, Fred and the Pope.
Posted by: Shipman || 10/18/2006 8:11 Comments || Top||

#5  But mostly Fred.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 9:08 Comments || Top||

#6  Imean, who's the most connected to the Halliburton Global Conspiracy?
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 9:09 Comments || Top||

#7  Has anyone ever seen Fred an Cheney in the same room?

I rest my case.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 9:11 Comments || Top||

#8  I have to disagree a tad, JFM. There were decent Germans, for sure, but decent Nazis? Maybe those who joined the party because it was required to get/keep their jobs, but anyone who willing joined the party was suspect, at best.

There are many decent, even admirable Arabs, Syrians, Persians, and so on. But if they have more than a nominal following of Islam, I don't think they can be decent.
Posted by: Jackal || 10/18/2006 10:47 Comments || Top||

#9  I'm still waiting for the Magik Filter to be invented... y'know, the one that can discriminate between jihadis, active supporters, passive supporters, and the "leave me out of it" types. Since taqiyya is a staple of Islam, it even becomes tougher.

I gave my view in this thread, comment #33, so I won't repeat it all.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 10:54 Comments || Top||

#10  "Magik Filter to be invented... y'know, the one that can discriminate between mafiosi, active supporters, passive supporters, and the "leave me out of it" types. Since omerta is a staple of Sicilian culture, it even becomes tougher."

I would suggest that investigation, policework, due process of law, juries, trials, etc are our most tried and true methods. (and yup they wont work in all cases which is why I support military tribunals, and detention for folks caught on the field of battle)



Posted by: liberalhawk || 10/18/2006 11:00 Comments || Top||

#11  Yup, I'm not surprised that would be your approach. It's very effective, too - just consider Lynne Stewart.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 11:05 Comments || Top||

#12  She was convicted, and will go to prison.

Was her sentence too light? Perhaps. Juries make mistakes. Not just in terror related trials. Do you care to abolish the jury system? Would you have had Lynne Stewart tried by a military tribunal?

Why not just suspend the whole Bill of Rights for the duration?
Posted by: liberalhawk || 10/18/2006 11:24 Comments || Top||

#13  "It's very effective, too "

damn straight it is, in the hands of an effective prosecutor. Rudy Giuliani tore apart the 5 families, entirely using constitutional procedures.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 10/18/2006 11:25 Comments || Top||

#14  Stewart was a Clinton judge error, not a jury error. Yes, I would like to get rid of all Clinton judges.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 10/18/2006 11:37 Comments || Top||

#15  The jury is not the problem: they found her guilty on all five counts. The judge is the problem: he could have sentenced her to 30 years but he chose two years and four months. Two years and four months for material support to terrorists. Bah! Bring on the tribunals.
Posted by: Darrell || 10/18/2006 11:37 Comments || Top||

#16  Did you make a case in there - or did you just say "shit happens"?

Prosecuting the mob - as the mob - is something that began with Thomas E. Dewey in 1936. Are you sincerely holding that up as an example of how effective the law enforcement approach is?

And that begs the question of whether investigative resources and methods used for prosecuting the mafia actually make much sense or have much in common with cell-oriented jihadis.

I'm persuaded of two things: they are two different animals and it has been more finger in the dike than any sort of sweeping victory for justice.

We disagree. You can type faster, but that doesn't mean dick. The facts are that this isn't about graft, money, but about the destruction of the US, the annihilation of freedom, and the instillation of global sharia. Pardon me if I am inclined to be a tad more proactive about defending America than trusting the Fumblin' Fibbies.

The LE model is, indeed, our time-honored approach, but it is woefully outgunned, outmanned, and outmoneyed in the WoT - not to mention the judiciary is thoroughly fucked - that was a Clintoonian asshat that let Stewart off in his misty-eyed halfwit decision.

Not good enough.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 11:37 Comments || Top||

#17  Patriot Act is partially RICO applied to Terrs. Together with SigInt access, and probably an unacknowledged amount of luck, it has kept us safe for 5 years. If the Judge had done the job properly there wouldn't be a Stewart problem.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 10/18/2006 11:41 Comments || Top||

#18  I detect a note of smugness, almost complacency there, NS. The tools for catching or thwarting the jihadis is under partisan Judicial and DhimmiDonk attack, no?

November matters. A lot.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 11:45 Comments || Top||

#19  Damn right November matters. It always has. November mattered in 1992 bigtime. I place much of the direct blame for 9/11 squarely on the clown who was too busy getting his pole waxed to kill Bin Laden and his ilk.

Sometimes the elecotrate's thinking is crystalized, and sometimes, complacency reigns. I'll be there. To hell with those who won't be.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 10/18/2006 12:09 Comments || Top||

#20  I would like to abolish the jury system. First, it is theater. Cute, good for writing novels about, but theater. Second, I understand that the new MRI lie detector can spot a lie every time.
Why not train judges to run lie detectors the correct way, and bring in the perps one by one.
We may not get them all, but I believe we will be able to separate the liers from the truth tellers.
Congress first, lawyers second, then work out a schedule for the perps and criminals.
Posted by: wxjames || 10/18/2006 15:26 Comments || Top||

#21  How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die. But the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytising faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."

Winston Churchill
Posted by: Bright Pebbles in Blairistan || 10/18/2006 16:39 Comments || Top||

#22  Jeeez Mr James. 90 percent on target, but man when the info stops you get weirder than me (and that's a lot, I got this Judge Crater thing figured out).
Posted by: Shipman || 10/18/2006 18:19 Comments || Top||

#23  liberalhawk wants to be able to hold his high when they slit his throat.
Posted by: Clkethel OHlkdj || 10/18/2006 19:59 Comments || Top||

#24  No jury, no nullification. The jury is a check and balance on the l;ifetime judges like the A$$ who gave Lynne Stewart 30 months, which will come t0o 24 months with good behaviour.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 10/18/2006 20:24 Comments || Top||

#25  The Pat act is definitely under donk attack as is the entire GWOT. That's why every November counts.

But, yes, I am satisfied that the admin has the legal tools it needs to protect us without giving it intrusive access into our private lives that is sure to be abused by a Clinton as they did abuse the FBI's files.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 10/18/2006 20:27 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
Blix warns of N Korea response
Run away! Run away! Give him whatever he wants! "Stability" must be maintained!
A tough-line stance against North Korea in wake of its nuclear weapons test could lead to an armed response from Pyongyang, former UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Wednesday.

In an interview with Swedish Radio, Blix said sanctions and threats of military attacks against North Korea was likely to lead to further escalation instead of a diplomatic solution.

"If you look at North Korea's previous reactions when they have been exposed to threats, things have usually escalated," Blix said. "It is a dangerous situation."

Blix also warned against pressuring China to stop and search North Korean ships for banned weapons and materials, an issue that has created tension between Beijing and the United States over UN security council sanctions for the North's nuclear test.

China has so far balked against US pressure to stop the ships, saying it could trigger military clashes.

"If you start stopping their ships ... there is a risk you will get an armed response," Blix said. "It's like a powder keg out there, and the spark could be lit."

Blix is head of the Stockholm-based Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, which published a 227-page report about the dangers of nuclear weapons earlier this year.
And the alternative to the monster created under your and Elbarradei's noses, Brixie?
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 14:31 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  HANS BWIX!!
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/18/2006 14:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Yep, about every 2 months, like it or not, irrelevant or not, Blixie shows up...
Posted by: tu3031 || 10/18/2006 14:46 Comments || Top||

#3  "If you start stopping their ships ... there is a risk you will get an armed response," Blix said. "It's like a powder keg out there, and the spark could be lit."

Good! I'll light the friggin' fuse already, Hans, old boy.

The Norkies wouldn't last a day against a full-fledged US air assault (well, a week at the outside). Hans, are you so afraid, so frightened of the mere thought of a clash between the US and North Korea that you'd do anything to avoid it? Are the Norkies that powerful in your mind?

Yee, gods, you really must be as blind as a bat.

Posted by: FOTSGreg || 10/18/2006 15:26 Comments || Top||

#4  Hans is just afraid he'll be thrown into the shark tank.
Posted by: Mike || 10/18/2006 17:08 Comments || Top||

#5  Video here.
Posted by: Mike || 10/18/2006 17:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Blix is the UN's version of Jimmy Carter. 'Nuff said.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 17:13 Comments || Top||

#7  I think it is more than past time that the rest of the world worried about the U.S. response to provocation.
Posted by: DanNY || 10/18/2006 21:35 Comments || Top||

#8  DEMOLEFT > PC Worldwide US retreat-isolationism = VICTORY FOR USA IN WOT, don't ya know. IMO Chicoms per se will do little to nuthin agz the NorKorComs as long as Kimmie is directing Norkie fury at JAPAN, SOKORS, etal. espec USA, and NOT directly threatening Chinese control over North Korea. FREEREPUBLIC.com > CHINA MORE UPSET THAN USA > lists several sub-articles on Kimmie's/
NK's alleged retaliatory actions agz Chinese INTEL collection, etc. efforts within NK. Article(s) are okay but not convincing. China needs to be shown that desired national-econ moderniz + Commie Stalinism-Maoism is incompatible; + will only delay/hinder its LT rise to desired levels of modernity and geopol influence. TAIWAN = VIETNAM = PHILIPPINES = GUAM-MICRONESIA = GWADAR, etal > China, like Czarist RUSSIA = USSR before it, needs access to warm-water ports else must rely on overland Eurasian routes [old "SILK TRAIL(S)"].
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 10/18/2006 23:58 Comments || Top||


Carter Blames Bush For Korean Crisis
Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday night that an agreement he brokered 12 years ago for North Korea to halt nuclear weapons development is “in the wastebasket." the day it was signed. Carter contends the Bush administration turned its back on the deal and labeled the isolated nation part of an “axis of evil.”

But Carter, speaking at a previously scheduled panel discussion on his 1994 mediation, said he does not foresee the current dispute over North KoreaÂ’s test of a nuclear bomb leading to war. No, you pretty much made sure we couldn't win; that was you goal all the time, wasn't it?

Carter said that in 1994, war “appeared to be imminent” if the Clinton administration had pushed sanctions against North Korea through the UN Security Council. But he said it is less likely now. Although North Korea branded sanctions imposed by the security council as an act of war, Carter said they are not as stringent as those proposed by the Clinton administration 12 years ago that he undermined in return for nothing.

Carter appeared with his wife, Rosalynn, and former Ambassador to South Korea James Laney in the panel discussion at The Carter Center in Atlanta. They were joined by Marion Creekmore, author of the book “A Moment of Crisis,” about his 1994 trip with the Carters to Pyongyang.

Laney said it appeared that war was certain before CarterÂ’s trip, which demonstrated to him that there are things worse than war every opportunity for peaceful resolution of a crisis must be used.
Posted by: Jackal || 10/18/2006 10:31 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Can we ban any news of Mr. ex-President Carter from the sacred scrolls of Rantburg?

We'd still have freedom of speech, right?
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 10:46 Comments || Top||

#2  It's just that nobody cares what he has to say because he was totally discredited a long, long time ago. Please, no more Jimmy.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 10/18/2006 11:41 Comments || Top||

#3  I take it back. He might be good for a snark or two.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 10/18/2006 11:54 Comments || Top||

#4  "I have lusted in my heart for Kim Jung Il." - Jimmah
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 10/18/2006 11:59 Comments || Top||

#5  So war was more likely in 1994, it's 'less likely now', but it's still Bush's FaultTM sonehow? Data's positronic net would be fused trying to figure out that 'logic'.
Posted by: Raj || 10/18/2006 12:17 Comments || Top||

#6  Once Carter was considered the worst president in US history but the best ex-President.

NOw he's got the worst in both categories. Amazing that the Dems gave him such a warm hug and wet kiss at the last convention. Says more about them than all the posturing and position papers possibly could.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 10/18/2006 12:47 Comments || Top||

#7  So Jimmy, you got an opinion on everything. After Kimmie had you for lunch, whaddya think he drank to celebrate with, Courvoissier or Hennessey's?
Posted by: tu3031 || 10/18/2006 13:20 Comments || Top||

#8  "I am ashamed that this President is from my home state." And, no, I'm not channelling the Dixie Twits, that's me speaking from "da ATL," unfortunate home of the Carter Center.
Posted by: BA || 10/18/2006 13:42 Comments || Top||

#9  One things that the Dhims seem particularly good at is the re-writing of history. If Jimmah had slapped the Iranians down hard, the whole trajectory of the ME would have been different.

Worse you say? Worse than now? I doubt it. The ME is just waiting for the correct match to ignite. Iranian nuclear weapons, or a paticularly heinous atrocity somewhere, or an all-out war with Israel, or...
Posted by: SR-71 || 10/18/2006 14:37 Comments || Top||

#10  I think Zbieg was really hoping for that "Green Belt" 'round the Soviets, though. I suspect that as much as anything prevented a good, hard whomping.
Posted by: eLarson || 10/18/2006 15:17 Comments || Top||


Mass rally in North Korea as fears mount of new bomb test
North Korea staged a chilling show of "anti-imperialist" defiance last night amid warnings from the US and Japan that the isolated communist leadership could be preparing to stage a second nuclear test. Thousands of performers were corralled into the capital, Pyongyang, to take part in a spectacular synchronised torchlight display, in scenes reminiscent of the days of the Third Reich. The event was orchestrated to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Down With Imperialism Union, started by the "Great Leader" of North Korea, Kim Il Sung. Speaking at a commemorative meeting on Monday, a senior party leader, Kim Yong Nam, praised the "recent successful underground test", which he said would "contribute to preserving peace and stability on the peninsula".

But according to the US, the plutonium explosion produced a yield of less than one kiloton. Expectations mounted yesterday that Pyongyang would explode a second nuclear device because of the disappointing result from the first explosion on 9 October. "We are almost certainly talking about a fizzle," said nuclear expert Paul Ingrams of the independent British American Security Information Council. The White House said that it would not be surprising if the leadership tried another nuclear test "to be provocative". A White House press secretary said: "I think it is reasonable to expect that the government of North Korea will do what it can to test the will, the determination and the unity of the United Nations."

The UN security council last Saturday ordered sanctions against North Korea in a unanimous vote approved by the hermit state's major regional ally China. The North Korean foreign ministry, in a belligerent statement, said that "the resolution cannot be construed otherwise than a declaration of a war" against the North. The US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, is due in Japan today on a regional tour to shore up support for the sanctions. British officials denied that similar measures were being envisaged against Iran, which faces the prospect of "incremental" sanctions over its nuclear programme.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 08:05 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Down With Imperialism Union

LOL! Reminds me of Calvin's G.R.O.S.S. club (Get Rid Of Slimey girlS).
Posted by: xbalanke || 10/18/2006 12:36 Comments || Top||

#2  "fears" ???

I ain't skeered - and I doubt anyone else here is either. I want the little fucker to do it. Then I want to see him and his shithole, a nasty puss-generating splinter in the world's ass, permanently removed, with extreme prejudice.

But, alas, I seldom get what I want when I want it.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 12:40 Comments || Top||

#3  Here .com, have a nice cup of imaginary Earl Grey tea, in your choice of mug or my best china.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/18/2006 14:45 Comments || Top||

#4  Maybe just this once .com.
Maybe
no promises tho...

Yeah, what the heck.
Posted by: Gawd || 10/18/2006 18:21 Comments || Top||

#5  the Down With Imperialism Union,

I'll bet all those Friday night meeting are a real downer.....
Posted by: Ebbomoger Thomoper7977 || 10/18/2006 18:52 Comments || Top||

#6  Mass rallies are an intrinsic feature of totalitarian regimes, especially in those of a Stalinist bend. They signify very little since in NKor's case, it is one of the few times that one can be sure to get a true daily food ration : need the masses to be fed and fully throated to en masse chant mindless slogans.
Posted by: Shieldwolf || 10/18/2006 20:07 Comments || Top||


Rice starts Asian sanctions tour
Die Strasse frei den braunen Batallionen
Die Strasse frei dem Sturmabteilungsmann!
Es schaun aufs Hakenkreuz voll Hoffnung schon Millionen
Der Tag für Freiheit und für Brot bricht an!
US SECRETARY of State Condoleezza Rice arrived today in Tokyo on the first stop of a four-nation tour to rally pressure on North Korea after it tested an atom bomb.

Ms Rice said she would use her talks in Japan and South Korea to reconfirm their security alliances with the United States.

"The way to deal with the security threat it poses is to draw on the very strong alliances that we have with South Korea and Japan on which they can fully rely for their security from this specific threat," Ms Rice said.

Rice is due later to visit South Korea, China and Russia – the other countries involved in stalled six-way talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program.

Meanwhile there was no let up in the belligerence of North Korea told South Korea it was following a "treacherous" course towards war by complying with US-led international sanctions over the North's nuclear test.

Rodong Sinmun, newspaper of the ruling communist party paper, accused the South's Government of betraying Koreans by ignoring national interests.

"A small country, a divided country, should take a serious view of its national interests," Rodong said in a commentary.

"But the South Korean authorities are actually following the US will and demand for sanctions and pressure upon the DPRK (North Korea), while paying lip service to peace. This is, in fact, a treacherous act of leading inter-Korean relations to showdown and war."

The South, toning down its engagement policy with its communist neighbour, has welcomed and supported UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea for its October 9 nuclear bomb test.

The Seoul Government has continued its suspension of regular food aid but has indicated it will maintain inter-Korean business projects.
Posted by: Oztralian || 10/18/2006 04:46 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "...on the first stop of a four-nation tour..."

Condi - 'Live At Budokan'
Posted by: DepotGuy || 10/18/2006 8:42 Comments || Top||

#2  I saw her on Fox this morning. She was very blunt when she said that if South Korea or Japan is attacked by North Korea we will defend them and use "Every force at our disposal. let me be cleare. We will use ALL of our capabilities".
Seems she was saying even to nuclear weapons. Bush isn't backing away on this.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 10/18/2006 12:04 Comments || Top||


Europe
Paris: Man who sent e-mail death threats to Redeker captured
Though a practising Muslim, the suspect apparently has no links to Islamic extremism, according to police who said he acted alone out of “hatred” for the author.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 09:26 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  It ain't de Seine that flows through the heart of France, it's another river altogether.
Posted by: DMFD || 10/18/2006 17:44 Comments || Top||


Crisis talks over gang attacks on police
The French government yesterday held crisis talks with community leaders in an effort to halt mounting violence in suburbs around Paris, amid news that gangs of youths, mainly of North African descent, were intensifying attacks on police.

“These guys came to kill. They wore balaclavas, and had baseball bats and iron bars...”
Dominique de Villepin, the prime minister and a man, ordered his interior and justice ministers to "toughen up" sentences for those found guilty of assaulting officers, following a meeting with community leaders. His announcement followed a series of violent incidents over the past weeks, culminating in the ambush of three police officers on Friday by youths in Epinay-sur-Seine, north of Paris. "These guys came to kill. They wore balaclavas, and had baseball bats and iron bars," said Joaquin Masanet, the general secretary of the powerful UNSA police union.

The three officers from the anti-crime brigade, BAC, entered the Orgemont housing estate after an anonymous caller reported a violent car theft. Once inside, their exit was barred and they were set upon by around 50 youths, who pelted the men with stones. Iron bars smashed their windscreen. They tried to reverse, but a second vehicle boxed them in. The criminals fled only after the officers fired live ammunition into the air and police reinforcements arrived. One of the officers, Christophe Estève, 30, had two teeth knocked out and needed 30 stitches in his jaw. He was discharged from hospital yesterday.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Why would these fools waste ammo firing into the air? They had plenty of targets right at the end of their barrels. I always figured if a target got in front of my barrel it was achin' to be shot. I always did.
Posted by: SpecOp35 || 10/18/2006 0:41 Comments || Top||

#2  ordered his interior and justice ministers to "toughen up" sentences for those found guilty of assaulting officers,

That seems fairly useless since they rarely arrest them. Wouldn't it make more sense to say, "aggressively prosecute" than to increase the sentences on the few that actually are found guilty?

More empty measure sound bites.
Posted by: anon || 10/18/2006 2:09 Comments || Top||

#3  How about shoot-to-kill orders when officers are assaulted?
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 10/18/2006 2:48 Comments || Top||

#4  What's with the baseball bats in France? Would the French know a baseball bat from a stick?
Posted by: Spot || 10/18/2006 8:29 Comments || Top||

#5  Crisis talks? Your talkin France here ferchrisakes! Immediately set up a job program for disaffected youts, a nationwide sensitivity campaign, and diversity training for all law enforcement. Remember...it's Root causes baabyyy.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 10/18/2006 9:35 Comments || Top||

#6  What's with the baseball bats in France? Would the French know a baseball bat from a stick?

Baseball bats = trendy bludgeons, go along the whole "gangsta" culture, with baggy pants, baseball cap, designer sportwear, gold chains, and of course, gangsta rap.
On the other hand, the number of baseball players is slim to none, though they are an handful, I recon.

"Traditional" french club is the pickaxe handle, or the iron bar, the two being staples of violent demonstrations (though in the 70's, students did like the nunchaku, thanks to Bruce Lee).
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 9:41 Comments || Top||

#7  What it's going to take is shooting a busload of these bastards down in the street and telling their relatives, when they come crying about it to the authorities, that they should have kept their young criminals under control. Then tell the relatives they are being deported back to country of ethnic origin as undesirable elements. France can get this back under control; it's just going to take some killing.
Posted by: mac || 10/18/2006 18:12 Comments || Top||

#8  Considering the French let 10s of thousands of their elderly die in a heat wave a few yrs ago,it's going to take alot of killing.
Posted by: Stephen || 10/18/2006 22:37 Comments || Top||


Fifth Column
Free Republic : Accused Terrorist Wrote School Guidelines with ACLU
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 09:28 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Soros To Create Organization Of Jews Against Israel
Billionaire investor George Soros is leading a move to stitch together an American Jewish political lobby that is "anti-Israel,” according to a column in the Jerusalem Post. Soros, who spent millions attempting to defeat President Bush in 2004, is one of a "tiny minority of American Jews” who have played a successful role in undermining support for Israel in the Democratic Party, and they now seek "to undermine Israel’s position in the U.S. in general,” Caroline Glick writes in the Post.

Soros has invited another American Jewish billionaire, Peter Lewis, along with "North American Jewish plutocrats” like Charles and Edgar Bronfman, to join forces with him and leftist Jewish American organizations – including American Friends of Peace Now, the Israel Policy Forum and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom – to construct a political lobby that will weaken the influence of the pro-Israel lobby. "Many of the individuals and organizations associated with the initiative have actively worked to undermine Israel,” Glick writes.

"Soros caused a storm in 2003 when, during a fund-raising conference for Israel, he alleged that Israel was partially responsible for the rise in anti-Semitic violence in Europe because of its harsh response to Palestinian terrorism.”

Glick also points out that in November 2005, the leaders of the Israel Policy Forum met with Condoleezza Rice and urged her to dismiss Israel's security concerns regarding two of the Gaza Strip's border crossing points. As a result, Rice pressured Israel to make dangerous concessions to the Palestinians.

And after Hamas' electoral victory in January, American Friends of Peace Now, Israel Policy Forum and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom worked to shield the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority from Congressional sanctions. Together they worked to torpedo the Palestinian Anti-Terror Act, which enjoyed overwhelming support in the Congress and was designed to update American policy toward the Palestinian Authority in the wake of Hamas' ascendance to power. Among its provisions, the bill called for an immediate end to U.S. assistance to nongovernmental and U.N. organizations operating in the PA that had connections to terrorist organizations.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Elders of Anti-Zion. The real conspiracy.
Posted by: twobyfour || 10/18/2006 0:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Thats right, Cut your Own throat.
Posted by: newc || 10/18/2006 0:38 Comments || Top||

#3  Cheap bastards, why don't they just buy part of Israel?
Posted by: anonymous2u || 10/18/2006 2:09 Comments || Top||

#4  These guys don't appear to realize that if the wrong crew came into power their billions might not save them from a one way trip on the cattle cars.
Posted by: Classical_Liberal || 10/18/2006 3:30 Comments || Top||

#5  I was going to compare these kapos to Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski and other Holocaust era collaborators. That would be unfair to Rumkowski, however, since he was faced with death and starvation, rather than the loss of business opportunities, if he rejected collaboration.
It may be instructive that even Rumkowski was eventually deported to Auschwitz and never seen again.
Posted by: Shish Ulons3520 || 10/18/2006 3:39 Comments || Top||

#6  SU 3520, interesting comparison, but what do you expect from someone who went along with his "godfather" to assist him in deporting Jews and confiscating their property? Link here.

He started young with selling his own people out, so why change now?
Posted by: Swamp Blondie || 10/18/2006 4:35 Comments || Top||

#7  a weasle seems far too kind.
Posted by: anon || 10/18/2006 5:59 Comments || Top||

#8  Ah, the self-loathing of a survivor, who didn't deserve it. He cheated death by selling out others and now punishes himself by further destruction of those that saved him, and those that survived without selling out.

Hmmm ... Not bad for a civil engineer!
Posted by: Abu Mushab al-Bobby || 10/18/2006 6:08 Comments || Top||

#9  and those that survived without selling out.

he hates them because their very existence is a constant reminder of his lack of worth. So he fills his soul with money, hate and vengence. Nothing satisfies - so he fills it with more, and more and more but it will never ease his shame. Too bad he will never understand the concept of eternal forgiveness, it could ease his suffering. What a hateful, evil little man.
Posted by: anon || 10/18/2006 6:31 Comments || Top||

#10 
More remarkable still in this connection is Mr. Soros's frequent comment that 1944 was "the best year of my life." It is easy to see how a boy of 14 might have been "excited" by the "adventure" of evading the Nazis with an assumed identity, as he says he was. But 70% of Mr. Soros's fellow Jews in Hungary, nearly a half-million human beings, were annihilated in that year. They were dying and disappearing all around him, and their numbers no doubt included many whom he knew personally. Yet he gives no sign that this put any damper on his elation, either at the time or indeed in retrospect.

-- Joshus Muravchik, "The Mind of George Soros," Wall Street Journal
Posted by: Mike || 10/18/2006 7:59 Comments || Top||

#11  what an idiot. doesn't he realize his allies are hamas, iran, syria and every other faction that wants to erase Israel from the map and all the Jews from the earth?

any sympathetic sounds he hears from that part of the world will be in english, while they laugh at him in arabic.
Posted by: PlanetDan || 10/18/2006 8:15 Comments || Top||

#12  guess he is really showing his true colors now huh.guess it is bushs' fault
Posted by: sinse || 10/18/2006 8:17 Comments || Top||

#13  "As a result, Rice pressured Israel to make dangerous concessions to the Palestinians."

One-Glick Pony
Posted by: DepotGuy || 10/18/2006 8:49 Comments || Top||

#14  Major opportunity here.
Join up, get close to Georgie, and Badaboom !
Posted by: wxjames || 10/18/2006 9:41 Comments || Top||

#15  Billionaire investor George Soros is leading a move to stitch together an American Jewish political lobby that is "anti-Israel,”

Why? There's already the Democratic Party. Lose faith in the party getting back in power George?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 10/18/2006 10:11 Comments || Top||

#16  Cold as he is toward the Jewish people, Mr. Soros is not much warmer toward his adopted country. "I had never quite become an American," he once said. Now he complains that today's America "is not the America I chose as my home," as if, by turning conservative and electing George W. Bush as President, the country has failed to live up to him.

says it all eh.

thanks Mike
Posted by: Jumping Jehosaphat || 10/18/2006 10:51 Comments || Top||

#17  im gonna have to doubt the ever fevered Ms Glick on this one. while I can certainly believe Soros would do this, I rather doubt the Bronfmans or the American Friends of Peace Now would go for it. They are quite aware that AIPAC keeps up relations with different sides of the Jewish community, and that when there was a Labour govt in Israel AIPAC cooperated closely with it. Its possible that AFPN and the Bronfmans are talking with Soros to try to get his money to support THEIR agenda (which is not anti-Israel) but if its something following completely Soros agenda I dont think theyd play ball.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 10/18/2006 11:04 Comments || Top||

#18  Hmm... Jews for the Nazi party.

The irony is just .... sickening.
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/18/2006 11:59 Comments || Top||

#19  Worst of all Soros is a billionaire

this is the man who broke the bank of england.
Posted by: anon1 || 10/18/2006 12:32 Comments || Top||

#20  Will I get sink-trapped if I say he's worthy of wetwork?

Heh.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 12:37 Comments || Top||

#21  "Will I get sink-trapped if I say he's worthy of wetwork?"

Nah, you didn't actually say it. Besides, 'worthy of wetwork' is acceptably obscure, methinks.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 10/18/2006 12:59 Comments || Top||

#22  #17 im gonna have to doubt the ever fevered Ms Glick on this one

ROFL! Who said this place was bad? It's got big showers and great bread!
Posted by: Clkethel OHlkdj || 10/18/2006 15:56 Comments || Top||

#23  Soros is a real-world incarnation of the James Bond/International SPECTRE/Blofeld villain, a monster who uses his ill-gotten wealth to effect evil upon the world.

I can only hope that there is a real world 007 type to do to him what the movie version did to Blofeld.
Posted by: no mo uro || 10/18/2006 18:16 Comments || Top||

#24  Swamp Blondie? Been raining in the Desert?
Posted by: Ulath Flailing8013 || 10/18/2006 18:55 Comments || Top||

#25  #24 - She moved. A while back.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 10/18/2006 19:35 Comments || Top||

#26  Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Ernst Soros Blofeld
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/18/2006 20:03 Comments || Top||

#27  You must be channeling me, 'Moose.
Posted by: no mo uro || 10/18/2006 22:09 Comments || Top||

#28  no Civil Engineer... don't slander
Posted by: Frank G || 10/18/2006 23:09 Comments || Top||


Great White North
Somali Militias May Pose Homegrown Threat
Concern is growing among U.S. and Canadian counter-terrorism specialists that Somali-Canadians are joining Islamic militias in their homeland linked to al-Qaida. Former senior Canadian Intelligence official David Harris told United Press International there was concern that returning militia veterans with "the kind of skills that ... could make them very dangerous," might try to stage terror attacks. "We're seeing the possibility of a tragic future unfold," he said.

Harris -- a former chief of strategic planning for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service who now directs a terrorism intelligence program for a private sector consultancy -- said he was "extremely uneasy about what their ultimate return would imply for our security." If the returning militia veterans were naturalized citizens or permanent residents of Canada, they would also be able to easily enter the United States, he said.

Canada's National Post newspaper reported at the weekend that some naturalized Canadians have joined the al-Shabaab ("The Youth") militia in Somalia, and that others hold leadership positions within other parts of the Islamic Courts Union, or ICU -- the loose coalition of Muslim militias that now controls Mogadishu and much of the rest of the country. It sourced the charge to a single, un-named "Somalia expert," and neither U.S. nor Canadian intelligence officials would comment for this story.

However, al-Shabaab is a source of special concern for counter-terror agencies because its leader, Aden Hashi Farah Ayro, was trained by al-Qaida in Afghanistan before the U.S. invasion, and maintains links with the group, according to the International Crisis Group, a non-profit that monitors the world's conflict zones.

One human rights specialist, Uganda-based Hassan Shire Sheikh, told the National Post that while there was little information about the role of foreigners in the ICU, he believed "there are a good number of Somalis with various Western naturalized citizenships within the rank and the file of the ICU, and (that) may warrant more systematic investigations."

Last month, according to the Voice of America, Ayro told a rally in the southern port city of Kismayo, which his forces had just seized, that foreign fighters would now be a part of the Islamic militia movement. Other reports said that he had Arabs, Chechens and some Central Asians among his entourage. Pakistani officials said in recent months that at least 50 Islamic militants had left that country for Somalia to link up with jihadists like Ayro.

Last week, according to one local media report, the president of the ICU, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, considered the more moderate of the group's two main leaders, told a meeting in Mogadishu that the Somali Diaspora should join what he called the militia's holy war against neighboring Ethiopia.
Rest at link.
Posted by: ed || 10/18/2006 08:07 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Politix
Rangel: "So-Called Terrorists"
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 12:42 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So-called Congressman Rangel. There. Fixed it.
Posted by: Phineter Thraviger1073 || 10/18/2006 13:07 Comments || Top||

#2  So-called American. Fixed the fix. Hey, got your back.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 10/18/2006 13:08 Comments || Top||

#3  Actually, Charlie Rangel fought at Chosin Reservoir, I believe. He is a patriot, but he has been brought up democrat and thinks that business is the enemy of the people. It also pays his salary. He may end up a bit like Ed Koch, who thinks he's still a democrat, but he's actually a conservative.
Posted by: wxjames || 10/18/2006 13:16 Comments || Top||

#4  What Rangel did 50 years ago may be worthy of praise. What he has done in the US Congress for the last decade or so does not.

He's a card-carrrying partisan asstard, IMO. He wants impeachment for Bush (I heard it with mine own two ears) and toes the DhimmiDonk line on killing the anti-terrorist programs as well as amnesty on immigration. There are more goodies, but I won't belabor the point. You're very very charitable towards him, wxj.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 13:22 Comments || Top||

#5  You're right .com, phalk him !
Posted by: wxjames || 10/18/2006 13:23 Comments || Top||

#6  Lol, well that was quick!
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 13:25 Comments || Top||

#7  Rangel was in the Army during the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. However, I haven't seen that he was at Chosin and it seems unlikely given he was USA, not USMC.

Dot is right. He did his part for his country 50 years ago, and since that time has been doing everything in his power to make the US of A into the very image of the enemy he fought.

Of course, I was pleasantly surprised to hear him criticize Chavez's UN temper-tantrum last month. See: Stopped clock - twice a day - correctness of.
Posted by: Dreadnought || 10/18/2006 13:30 Comments || Top||

#8  Rangel is an 80% asshole. He's an asshole 80% of the time I hear him, the other 20% of the time he talks about his mil service to justify his jerkoff statements. Plus, he obfuscates anytime someone calls him on his statements. Case in point, about two years ago on O'Reilley & Hannity/Colmes he said African Americans were disproportionately represented in the infanty at 30% of that field and were therefore more likely to get killed than rich white kids. He used that logic to ask to re-instate the draft. Fact was, that blacks only make up about 10% of the infantry and whites close to 75%. Blacks do make up about 25% of the total armed forces.

Everyone on the 'burg respects mil service but this guy is an asshole or he looks at the WoT w/the perspective of someone who fought a more conventional war in Korea - he just doesn't get it. I feel the same way about McCain wrt a guy who we all respect for his mil service but is an ineffective rino.
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 10/18/2006 13:53 Comments || Top||

#9  IIRC, Rangel sponsored a bill to reinstate the draft and then voted against the bill when it was brought to the floor. Sounds like a posturing asstard to me.
Posted by: SteveS || 10/18/2006 14:04 Comments || Top||

#10  Fact was, that blacks only make up about 10% of the infantry and whites close to 75%. Blacks do make up about 25% of the total armed forces.

Not to take away anything from anyone of any color who has served in uniform, but I believe there was also a study about the same time that showed that combat positions were overwhelmingly white while administrative positions tended to be overwhelmingly non-white (as opposed to the derogatory term "colored"). The study showed that non-white personnel gravitated towards positions that gave them skills they could use in business when they left the military services. To me, that showed admirable good sense of the kind that Rangel doesn't show a lot of these days.



Posted by: FOTSGreg || 10/18/2006 15:33 Comments || Top||

#11  Lee Harvey Oswald was a Marine, but - come to think of it - he may have been booted out?
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 17:17 Comments || Top||

#12  I'm fairly sure there were army troops at Chosin Reservoir.
Posted by: Abdominal Snowman || 10/18/2006 17:45 Comments || Top||

#13  Someone pointed out that Rangel, every year, submits pork bills to congress for his little NY district to the amount of $500 BILLION dollars. Of course none of these bills ever pass.

However, if the democrats win back the House, he will be chairman of an important tax writing committee, and will be able to wheel and deal for vast sums of money.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/18/2006 17:55 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Big JuJu Here: Bush Sets Defense As Space Priority
It's WaPo, so there's gratuitous drivel and generous characterizations of Clinton's policies regards space - an attempt to cast Bush in the Cowboy role, methinks... But, if half of this is accurate, it's Big Magik.
President Bush has signed a new National Space Policy that rejects future arms-control agreements that might limit U.S. flexibility in space and asserts a right to deny access to space to anyone "hostile to U.S. interests."

The document, the first full revision of overall space policy in 10 years, emphasizes security issues, encourages private enterprise in space, and characterizes the role of U.S. space diplomacy largely in terms of persuading other nations to support U.S. policy. "Freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power," the policy asserts in its introduction.

National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said in written comments that an update was needed to "reflect the fact that space has become an even more important component of U.S. economic, national and homeland security." The military has become increasingly dependent on satellite communication and navigation, as have providers of cellphones, personal navigation devices and even ATMs.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 10:21 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well, sure, .com, but what does Mr. ex-President Carter (PBUH) think?

Let's dial up his website and inquire.
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 10:50 Comments || Top||

#2  Lol. I believe you called for a moratorium on mentioning Carter in the 'Burg, or am I mistaken? Go sit in the corner of the Internet, lol.

This really is a big deal - a complete reversal of the past namby-pamby Tranzi bullshit of Clinton and his ilk - names aren't needed, lol.
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 11:02 Comments || Top||

#3  Is shooting lasers at our satellites considered "hostile to US interests"?
Posted by: danking_70 || 10/18/2006 11:21 Comments || Top||

#4  This orbit ain't big enough for the both of us.
Posted by: Shipman || 10/18/2006 11:36 Comments || Top||

#5  Jeebus, this is awesome! Anyone photoshopped Bush's face into the Master of the Universe graphic yet?
Posted by: BA || 10/18/2006 11:55 Comments || Top||

#6  ROTFLMAO!!!!

"The Clinton policy opened the door to developing space weapons, but that administration never did anything about it,"

Has there ever been a better definition of the Clintonian approach to governing than this????

8^)
Posted by: AlanC || 10/18/2006 12:44 Comments || Top||

#7  AlanC: The EXACT description of Clinton's approach to Saddam too. Remember, Clintoon signed the official foreign policy of the US toward Iraq as being regime change. It's just that Bush actually IMPLEMENTED it.

There are talkers and there are doers. Bush is the latter, while Clintoon is the former. You see this in EVERYTHING we now face...AQ, 9/11, Iraq, Lebanon, North Korea.... ALL OF IT! Bush inherited a LOT of messes to clean up and he's only about 1/3 of the way through that list in my book. I only hope his follow-up continues to implement his policies. Of course, maybe we should just change it (post-Iraq) from implementing democracy in the ME to just breaking things and leaving, letting those who live there to clean up the mess afterwards.
Posted by: BA || 10/18/2006 13:39 Comments || Top||

#8  With communist China attempting to assert itself both geographically and in space as well, this represents a huge step forward towards ensuring our military supremacy. I suggest we celebrate by deorbiting the Nilesat and Arabsat birds that are being used to downlink Hamas' filth spewing television channel.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 13:58 Comments || Top||

#9  Of course, maybe we should just change it (post-Iraq) from implementing democracy in the ME to just breaking things and leaving, letting those who live there to clean up the mess afterwards.

Something that a few of us right here in this thread have been advocating for some time now. Screw this expensive nation-building schtick. Let the mega-smackdowns begin.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 14:01 Comments || Top||

#10  I'm not for breaking things and leaving; I'm for breaking things by remote control. We can't have too many nuclear subs with cruise missiles. ICBMs are good too.
Posted by: Darrell || 10/18/2006 14:17 Comments || Top||

#11  Exactly, Zen and Darrell. I'm actually a fairly compassionate guy, and I'm fully aware that the MSM bias is only showing the "bad stuff" over in Iraq/Afghan and not the "good stuff" we're accomplishing there. That being said, though, I've seen a lot of people here (myself included) getting fed up with the "insurgency", and are moving toward a "just go in and break it so it can't raise it's ugly head again" type attitude. I'm about as patient as they come, but when it comes down to our national treasures (both blood and $), if those who live there don't take advantage of what we've given them, then next time, it'll be a much harder lesson for them (and there will be a next time, just a matter of whom/where). In Iraq, specifically, though, I'm all for "finishing the job". Just next time, we may be once bitten/twice shy and just assume that Islam IS INCOMPATIBLE with Good Governance (Democracy). I'm beginning to think the two are not compatible and I'm shifting toward the "break it and leave" camp.
Posted by: BA || 10/18/2006 14:43 Comments || Top||

#12  BA, Z & D,

I'm with you on this.

I had a short debate with a LLL on another site trying to get an honest answer on this. Needless to say I didn't get one. I asked him to pick among the 3 available choices to surrender:

We have 3 alternatives to appeasement...
1) Roman - aka break things and leave, aka rinse and repeat as needed.

2) British - aka Full Imperial (see Japan post WWII)

3) Bush - limited engagement, quickly as possible hand back to locals hope to grow a peaceful state.

Given the resistence (aka traitors) in this country I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that only the break things and leave (and DON'T make me come back!) is the best way to go now.
Posted by: AlanC || 10/18/2006 15:47 Comments || Top||

#13  Chicoms! Keep your grubby hands off our death ray or u die
Posted by: Captain America || 10/18/2006 19:41 Comments || Top||

#14  Alan C, don't forget that when the Romans had to come back, they plowed the earth with salt the second time. The modern equivalent being high residual radiation nukes... or Guatamalans. ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/18/2006 21:41 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Al-Qaeda scare jolts Pakistan into action
The level of tolerance between the government of President General Pervez Musharraf and Islamists elements, whether they are part of the establishment or outside it, has reached a point of no return, a development with vast implications for the US-led "war on terror". Islamist elements are determined to push until one side breaks, while Musharraf, a key US ally in the "war on terror" and under intense pressure from Washington, has to take rapid steps to contain the rise of militancy in the region, which has Pakistan as its nucleus.

The recent discovery of a planned al-Qaeda-backed coup against Musharraf's regime, which included men in uniform associated with sensitive strategic institutions, underlines Musharraf's difficulties. According to information obtained by Asia Times Online, the coup plot was hatched in the Waziristan tribal area headquarters of al-Qaeda. The conspiracy was uncovered after a mobile phone used to activate a rocket aimed at the president's residence was traced to an air force officer. More than 40 people, both inside and outside the military, were subsequently arrested.

The most alarming issue for the Pakistani establishment was not only the involvement of air force officers, but the apparent deep penetration of al-Qaeda into highly sensitive areas. Those arrested in the conspiracy plot include air force engineers associated with the Air Weapon Complex (AWC) of Pakistan, a leading organization in the field of air-delivered weapons and systems. Its personnel are subjected to vigorous and intrusive background checks. The personnel arrested were employed in the high-profile research and development section of the AWC. The linkage of such security-cleared people with al-Qaeda, who, according to Asia Times Online's information, were to carry out the attacks on signals received from Waziristan, sheds light on the vulnerable security situation in Pakistan. At the same time, it shows the depth of feeling in segments of society who reject Pakistan's role in the "war on terror".

Pakistani security officials have confirmed that the rocket plot to assassinate Musharraf was an al-Qaeda-linked conspiracy. At a press conference, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao announced that eight al-Qaeda militants had been arrested. Significantly, however, the establishment has not admitted publicly that any military officers were involved in the conspiracy, as they were in at least two previous attempts on Musharraf's life since he seized power in 1999. When quoted an Asia Times Online article saying that air force officers were involved (Pakistan foils coup plot Oct 14), Sherpao dismissed it. But later, he did concede that those arrested included some air force officers, yet he rejected the idea of a coup. This attitude reflects the state of denial of Pakistan's leaders, who will not admit that renegade Islamist elements have infiltrated the armed forces, so much so that they have even entered institutions like the AWC's research and development section.

Musharraf's main constituency is the Pakistani armed forces. Whether officer or soldier, the majority hail from Punjab province's rural areas or the Pashtun tribal belt, and belong to the traditionally martial races of the region. Because of their traditional background they are often over-zealous in their religious beliefs and practices.

World events after September 11, 2001, especially the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan, have further radicalized this already strong religious passions among soldiers and officers. Musharraf's abandonment of the Taliban and attempts to purge society of radical religious ideas have heaped fuel on this fire.

Inevitably, then, as Musharraf pursued his plans to abandon all traces of sharia law and contain militancy in the country, he faced a serious backlash. He was therefore forced to adopt a policy of "two steps forward and one step back". Nevertheless, the pace of events in the past few months has taken Pakistan to a point where it has to play a decisive role, and of course Musharraf is in charge of this mission that requires quick and uncompromising steps.

The main task - as reinforced by Washington - is to destroy the command and control centers in Pakistan of the Taliban-led Afghan resistance. Word has filtered out that Islamabad will launch a major action in the next few days in the northwest and southwest (Balochistan). Any northwest operation could involve the sensitive and semi-independent North and South Waziristan tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban have a strong footprint here and recently negotiated an agreement with Islamabad which included the army pulling its troops out of the area. This accord could now be in jeopardy.

"I do not know whether it was a coup attempt or not, but certainly we would support any coup for the cause of Islamic sharia," retired squadron leader Khalid Khawaja, a former Inter Services Intelligence official and once a close friend of Osama bin Laden, told Asia Times Online. "Nevertheless, if the coup is without any cause and is just a grab for power, we would oppose it," Khawaja said.

At the core of the struggle in Pakistan is this contradiction between many in the strategic institutions, dominated by hardliners, and Musharraf, who is a genuine liberal-minded person by comparison and fully committed to the "war on terror". While these opposing forces have coexisted in the past, Afghanistan has proved a decisive trigger as the Taliban have gone from strength to strength, in large part because of their support bases in Pakistan. With just weeks before snow sends the Taliban's offensive into hibernation, Musharraf needs - and wants - to act very soon. His opponents are in no mood to back down.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Gosh, I wonder who could have run those security checks?...
Posted by: Jomosing Threatle1912 || 10/18/2006 0:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Pervert will get whacked. Just a matter of time. No one stays on top of the dog pile in Pakland very long. If more radical ISI operatives take command, I hope we have the good sense to attack these asses and wipe them out, once and for all.
Posted by: SpecOp35 || 10/18/2006 0:48 Comments || Top||

#3  Pakistan is one assassination away from being run by Osama bin Laden, or someone worse.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 10/18/2006 2:50 Comments || Top||

#4  If the Paks whack Perv...it's open season in in the Waziristan tribal area for MOABs, UAVs, tactical bombings, and hunter-killer teams.
Posted by: anymouse || 10/18/2006 10:42 Comments || Top||

#5  Talk about a live fire training ground for our air assets! The tribal areas are a friggin cesspool. I see no unique or redeeming culture traits that would need to be "saved". Rubble-ize the place...and no, I am not referring to Barney. And I agree that Perv is not long for this world. If some crazy gets control, it is game on.
Posted by: remoteman || 10/18/2006 16:47 Comments || Top||


International-UN-NGOs
Weekly Piracy Report 10-16 October 2006
Chittagong Anchorage [Bangladesh] Tally: Thirty six incidents have been reported since January 28 2006.

Recently reported incidents

October 14 2006 at 0400 LT, Balikpapan inner anchorage, Indonesia. Four robbers in a small merchandised unlit dinghy approached a bulk carrier during cargo operations. One robber boarded and gained access to forecastle while the other three were in process of boarding. Alert watchman raised alarm and crew mustered. Robbers escaped empty handed. No response from port control.

October 12 2006 at 0050 LT, 10nm east of Dar Es Salaam pilot station, Tanzania. Three robbers armed with long knives attempted to board a general cargo ship drifting using a hook attached to a rope. Alert crew raised alarm. Robbers jumped into water empty handed and escaped with three accomplices waiting in a boat. Port control informed and they advised master to move further away.

October 10 2006 at 0234 LT, Chittagong Anchorage 'A', Bangladesh. Four robbers boarded a bulk carrier. One robber armed with knife attempted to enter accommodation. Alert crew closed all entrance doors and raised alarm. Robbers jumped into a waiting boat and escaped.

October 09 2006 at 0405 LT, at Tarahan anchorage, Indonesia. Three armed pirates boarded a bulk carrier at poop deck. Alert duty watchman raised and robbers escaped empty handed.

October 09 2006 at 0324 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh. Duty watchmen sighted four robbers cutting mooring ropes. When he tried to stop them robbers assaulted the watchman. Duty officer raised alarm. Robbers jumped overboard with ropes and escaped in their boat.

October 07 2006 at 0140 LT, Dar Es Salaam anchorage area no. 2, Tanzania. Five robbers armed with knives boarded a container ship. They held a crew member and tied his hands and feet and robbed ship's and personal property. Master reported to port police but robbers escaped before the police boarded.
Posted by: Pappy || 10/18/2006 00:45 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
The Lancet's Political Game: Exaggeration won't save Iraqis
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 11:49 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This crapola will only end when the trustees or other backers of The Lancet start feeling the pinch from comments referring to "The once reputable medical journal", and "The previously objective medical magazine".

This will put them at loggerheads with the true believers, who are more than willing to prostitute the credibility of the magazine for whatever partisan ends.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/18/2006 18:04 Comments || Top||

#2  The "once reputable" is right.... keep it up until the Google 1st reference is to "once reputable"
Posted by: Frank G || 10/18/2006 21:39 Comments || Top||


Peace through Farming
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2006 — Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers delivered an assortment of equipment and goods to the Muehla Agricultural Union, Oct. 9.

Refurbished tractors, seed spreaders and water pumps were among the items donated to the union as it begins to move from underneath the guidance of the soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and starts earning profits on its own.

“Muehla is the template for success for rural areas of Iraq,” said Capt. Colin Brooks, commander, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. Muehla is a cradle for farming in the Babil province. Green pastures dominate the area, in Muehla alone, there are 650 farmers who represent more than 10,000 people. The area was known as a safe haven for terrorists in the past, and many rocket and mortar attacks against MND-B forces were carried out from inside the town, Brooks said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 06:44 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Good to read about. Thanks, Bobby.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/18/2006 21:45 Comments || Top||


Saddam Hussein tells Iraqis their 'liberation' is at hand
Saddam Hussein has told his countrymen that Iraq's "liberation is at hand" and called on insurgents to be merciful with their enemy, according to an open letter obtained Monday. In the three-page letter, dictated to his lawyers, Saddam also urges Iraqis to set aside sectarian and ethnic differences and focus instead on driving the US forces out of Iraq. "The hour of liberation is at hand, God willing, but remember that your near-term goal is confined to freeing your country from the forces of occupation and their followers and not to be preoccupied in settling scores," Saddam writes in the Arabic-language letter, which is dated Sunday and signed by "Saddam Hussein al-Majid, President and commander in chief of the holy warrior armed forces."

Saddam says he is resorting to the letter, addressed to all Iraqis, because "my chances to express my opinion are limited" in detention. Saddam's chief defense lawyer, Khalil al-Dulaimi, said the former president dictated the letter during a four-hour meeting in a Baghdad detention center on Saturday. Al-Dulaimi typed the letter on Sunday.

Al-Dulaimi said that during the meeting, they discussed Saddam's two current trials. In the one, he is charged with killing of 148 Shiites from the town of Dujail in the 1980s, and in the other he is charged with genocide against the Kurds during a military offensive in 1987-88, code-named Operation Anfal. The lawyer declined to be more specific about the talks, which were attended by Saddam's other lawyers, including former US attorney general Ramsey Clark.

Iraqis were "living the most difficult period in history because of the occupation, killing, destruction and looting," Saddam says in the letter. Responding to fears that Iraq is on the verge of breaking apart, Saddam writes that he yearns for a "great unified Iraq, which is not split by any color, segment or allegation."

He expresses pain over the extent of the fighting between the country's majority Shiite population and its Sunni minority, the backbone of Iraq's insurgency. "My heart fails me," he writes, referring to what he regards as the foreigners' success in "sowing divisions among us."

"This was never a real reason for division in the past," he adds.

He urges Sunnis to forgive their Iraqi opponents, including those who helped the US forces track down his two sons - Odai and Qussai - who were killed in a battle with American soldiers in the northern city of Mosul in 2003. "When you achieve victory," he tells the insurgents, "remember you are God's soldiers and, therefore, you must show genuine forgiveness and put aside revenge over the spilled blood of your sons and brothers, including the sons of Saddam Hussein."

Saddam proceeds to invoke Islam's Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ to stress that the insurgents must forgive. "You must remember what the prophets taught us, including the two honorable ones, Muhammad and Jesus, the son of Mary. Both forgave and turned to God, beseeching him to forgive those whom they had forgiven, including those who had hurt them."

He also urges the insurgents to chose their targets carefully. "I call on you, brothers and comrades in the brave resistance, to apply justice and righteousness in your jihad (holy war), and refrain from being drawn into recklessness, God forbid."

He warns that by employing excessive force, the insurgents stand to alienate public opinion. "You shouldn't attack for the sake of attacking when there is an opportunity to carry a gun, but only when the situation dictates that," he writes.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Should have been shot while escaping the moment we rooted him out of his hidey-hole.
Posted by: Omaing Spamble2863 || 10/18/2006 1:20 Comments || Top||

#2  Saddam Hussein tells Iraqis their 'liberation' is at hand

yep Saddam its the icy hand for you buddy; it will take you from the prison cell then straight to hell.
Posted by: RD || 10/18/2006 1:34 Comments || Top||

#3  you said it better than I intended to, RD.
Posted by: anon || 10/18/2006 1:54 Comments || Top||

#4  I say we threaten the Iraqis. Do you want this guy back? Behave or we will release him.
Posted by: flash91 || 10/18/2006 12:13 Comments || Top||

#5  Yeah, his head will be liberated from his body.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 10/18/2006 13:01 Comments || Top||

#6  I hear he's due to be sentenced soon.

Even though I'm an atheist, it would be fun if i'm wrong and he gets to visit the devil "SouthPark style".
Posted by: Bright Pebbles in Blairistan || 10/18/2006 16:37 Comments || Top||


Iraq forms a new counter-terrorism agency
(KUNA) -- The undersecretary- of the Iraqi Interior Ministry for Intelligence Affairs Lieutenant-General Rashid Fleih said Tuesday that a separate counter-terrorism agency had been created in Iraq. Fleih, who was speaking at a news conference, said the new agency has not yet been given an official name. But its main objective was to combat terrorism.

He said the new agency would answer directly to the Interior Ministry. "The decision to set up the new agency was made following a recent meeting of the Joint Arab Interior Ministers. The purpose of the new agency is to gather information on terrorists, their locations, their moves and their supply lines," Fleih said.

He said he was hopeful the agency would be lucky in curtailing terrorism "as we were lucky in creating special intervention forces." He added that new recruits for the agency would have to comprise "competent elements who have the expertise and military intelligence training." He stressed that there were several young potential recruits in the ministry and "we shall choose the best of them as the nucleus of the new force." He called on politicians not to interfere in the selection of members of the new agency.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Israel threatens huge offensive
Israel on Tuesday ratcheted up threats of a massive ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, amid an ongoing war of words with the ruling Hamas movement that has vowed to teach the army a harsh lesson. "Gaza should not become a second Lebanon," said immigrant absorption minister Zeev Boim, reiterating a phrase used by Israeli leaders recently to mean the territory should not become a bastion of militant resistance. "Apparently we will not have any other choice but to launch an expanded operation - like Defensive Shield - in order to destroy the stockpiles of weapons and to hit the terrorist organisations," said Boim, a close ally of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Defensive Shield - the largest military operation in the West Bank since the 1967 Six Day War - was launched by Israel in 2002. It left more than 200 Palestinians and 29 Israeli soldiers dead and about 5000 Palestinian detained. "We have to completely stop the rocket fire and not to allow the terrorists to smuggle modern arms that would upset the balance of power between the forces," Boim told public radio.

Israel has already been pounding Gaza for nearly four months after militants - including those from the armed wing of the Islamist party Hamas - seized a soldier and killed two others in a cross-border raid in late June. More than 250 Palestinians as well as two Israeli soldiers have been killed in the territory since June 28. Nevertheless, militants have continued to fire rockets into the Jewish state and, according to Israel, have accumulated vast stockpiles of arms via tunnels dug to Egyptian territory.

On Monday, the armed wing of Hamas declared it had the "means and arms necessary to confront the Zionist enemy with all our force if it proceeds (further) with military operations in the Gaza Strip".

"If the enemy decides to go towards a large confrontation with Hamas, we will be up to this challenge and are totally ready to resist. We have finished preparations to teach the Zionist enemy a lesson it will not forget," the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, who heads the Hamas-led government, promised again on Tuesday not to bow to foreign pressure. Haniya and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas have failed to agree on the formation of a unity government, with Hamas refusing international conditions to recognise Israel and past peace agreements, and to renounce violence.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  About time Gaza was subjected to an urban renewal strategy.
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden || 10/18/2006 3:54 Comments || Top||

#2  It would be so gratifying if every time one of these terrorist fucks spewed out yet another threat of Dire Revenge™, instead they suddenly got the living shit kicked out of them along with everyone stupid enough to be within ten miles distance.

However much the Islamic terrorists depend on mere words for purely public consumption, it is long past time to take these fuckwit psychos at their word and ensure appropriate consequences for such shit-stirring. Go ahead, bluster all you want, but be just as sure that there will be a solid wall of incoming fire before you're even done spewing.

We'll know progress is being made when it gets to the point that people gather around one of these mouthy asstards and tell him to STFU before he gets them all killed. Better yet, they just cap the stupid fuck for causing more trouble.

Until all nations that fight terrorism have the political will to begin sorting out these propagandists who instigate so much of this crap, expect plenty more atrocities. The more I see of this, the more I'm convinced that only going completely Medieval on these shits will bring about the least change.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 5:17 Comments || Top||

#3  It's the Paleos taking a page from Kimmy's playbook
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 6:53 Comments || Top||

#4  Hey, Israelis! Go watch "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" again. Pay close attention to the part where Tuco shoots the guy from the bathtub. Yeah, the part where Tuco says, "When it's time to shoot, shoot. Don't talk!" Now, repeat after me: it's time to start in the north and drive the Strip population into Egypt. Don't leave a stick standing or a Gazan remaining. Let Muby deal with it. He'll know what to do.
Posted by: mac || 10/18/2006 18:24 Comments || Top||

#5  I'd be more enthusiastic if Olmert weren't such a f*-up
Posted by: Theanter Shineling8457 || 10/18/2006 18:57 Comments || Top||


Abbas 'seriously considering' technocratic gov't
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday promoted the idea of a Cabinet of technocrats as a way to ease crippling Western sanctions, but pledged not to force it on Hamas, who reacted coolly to the idea. Abbas addressed reporters for more than an hour at his headquarters in Ramallah on Tuesday evening. In his strongest endorsement yet of the technocrat idea of a Cabinet made up of professionals instead of politicians, he said it should be "considered seriously" as a way out of the current deadlock.

He said, however, that he would not move toward a technocrat government without Hamas approval. "I prefer it as a solution, because it does solve the problem, but there should be an agreement how long it should serve," Abbas said.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  If by "technocrats" Abbas means "rocket-builders", well then, everything falls right into place. Given that their crappy rockets kill one person for every hundred launched, I can just imagine the sudden blossoming of a Palestinian economy based on rule by these "technocrats".

While the thought of having businessmen with a vested interest in peaceful economic growth is something nice to dream of, it remains just that; A stinking dream. Palestinians have done fuck all to constrain or reverse the culture of hatred and genocide they have so laboriously cultivated over the past several decades. I'm sure Abbas has come to realize that nothing short of mass lobotomies is going to change that in short order. The Palestinians deserve only one thing; Starvation into complete and total submission or straight out of existence. Out of existence would suit me just fine.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 5:27 Comments || Top||

#2  A technocratic what?
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 6:10 Comments || Top||

#3  Bah. THAT would be innovation, which in Islam is HAram, Forbidden.
Posted by: Ptah || 10/18/2006 7:07 Comments || Top||

#4  I think by technocrats he means "guys who know how to hide money".
Either that, or he wants Devo to come over and run the government...
Posted by: tu3031 || 10/18/2006 9:21 Comments || Top||

#5  France is "managed" by technocrats since 1974 at least; that has worked so well! So, in light of that, I fully approve that proposition, as I believe the paleos deserve it.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 10/18/2006 9:23 Comments || Top||

#6  Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, a5089?
Posted by: Bobby || 10/18/2006 10:24 Comments || Top||

#7  lol, a5089! Snark of the week. You always get the gov't you elect, right?
Posted by: BA || 10/18/2006 11:39 Comments || Top||

#8  Translation: "Anythings got to be better than the a**holes who currently run the place".
Posted by: DMFD || 10/18/2006 18:15 Comments || Top||

#9  Where would they get technocrats from? They would have to import them from Israel.
Posted by: Chinter Flarong || 10/18/2006 19:21 Comments || Top||


Egypt's Suleiman urges Hamas to relinquish rule
Head of Egyptian Intelligence Omar Suleiman told Hamas' Syria-based leader Khaled Mashaal on Tuesday to urge Hamas to relinquish its rule in the Palestinian Authority in order to solve the problems within the Palestinian people. During a meeting between the two in Damascus, Suleiman proposed for Hamas to oversee the government via the parliament where the organization has a majority. The ultimatum set by PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas for Hamas to agree to a unity government was due to expire later Tuesday.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Science & Technology
Muslim Bloggers Debate Apple 'Mecca' Posting
A report that an Islamist Web site called Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City "blasphemous" and an "insult to Islam" touched a nerve among Mac fans and Muslims and set off widespread discussions about perceptions of Muslims.
"Muslims, why do they hate......pretty much everything?"
The Middle East Media Research Institute, which states that its mission is to "bridge the language gap which exists between the Middle East and the West," posted a statement last week that it referred to as a translation from an Islamist Web site. Founder Yigal Carmon identified the Web site Friday as alhesbah.org. The translation said Apple's new store is offensive because it resembles to Ka'ba, the holy structure Muslims face when they pray. It also said the author took offense to the use of the term "Apple Mecca" used in some bloggers' headlines and stories about the new store.
"Mecca" is trademarked, I guess
The Apple Fifth Avenue Store is shaped like a glass cube. Ka'ba is also a cube, covered in black cloth. The store was covered in black before it opened in May.
Well, there you go
MEMRI's statement, titled "Apple Mecca Project Provokes Muslim Reaction," said the store sells alcoholic beverages and is "clearly meant to provoke Muslims." The store does not sell alcohol.
They have "Genius Bars" which are Tech Support help desks.
Although its cube-shape may resemble the Ka'ba, the dimensions are different.
Like that means anything, the intent is clear.
The statement urges people to spread an alert to "stop the project."

Apple, one of the largest computer companies in the world, responded by saying the company respects all religions, did not set out to build a replica of the Ka'ba and never referred to the store as "Mecca."
"We call it i-Mecca"
Since the alhesbah.org is blocking new registrations, TechWeb could not confirm the Apple Store posting firsthand. Alhesbah is known as a Web site for extremists. Carmon said the person posting about Apple has been a frequent contributor, but he said he did not know whether discussion ensued. Discussion has been widespread on English-language sites devoted to Apple products and Muslim news.

Shahed Amanullah, editor for a Web site that provides a critical analysis of issues regarding the Muslim community, was one of the first to speak out. Like many others, he objected to MEMRI's report, saying the organization often chooses articles that reflect Muslims in a poor light.
There's so much to choose from
"What if a Muslim in a forest complained about a New York retail outlet he'd never visited," Amanullah asked in his posting. "Would he make a sound? If MEMRI weren't around, he wouldn't."
"How dare they report on what we say!"
MEMRI has been highly praised and criticized for its work translating extremist statements by U.S. government leaders, intelligence directors and large media outlets. The organization drew criticism after the posting. Carmon defended MEMRI, saying it is important for the world to know about hateful messages being spread by Muslim extremists. He said MEMRI also praises reformist Muslims and there are many Muslims giving honor to the world. He said that MEMRI's critics are aiming at the wrong target.

"It's a typical shoot-the-messenger reaction," he said during an interview Friday. "Apologists don't want to face it. Instead of rebelling against the Islamists, they blame us and have nothing to say about the Web site that posted it. It's a shameful approach." If MEMRI revealed its sources, moderate Muslims could discredit those sources, Amanullah said during an interview Friday. "I think it's great that somebody translates their stuff, but it made a lot of people think that Muslims, as a mass of people, were upset," he said. "Not only do Muslims, not care, I must know 50 Muslim Mac users."

Amanullah said that only articles about Danish cartoons mocking the Muslim prophet drew more reader reaction on altmuslim.com.
So when do we see Steven Jobs being burned in effigy?
Many Muslim Apple fans users posted humorous and serious discussions and declarations of their fondness for Apple and Macs. Some disagreed with the resemblance. Many who saw similarities said they were flattered. The overwhelming response on altmuslim.com consisted of Muslim declarations of fondness for the store and outrage that the issue even came up. Although they were fewer in number, there were also harsh criticisms of Muslims in general for taking offense.

"It hit a nerve on multiple levels," Amanullah said. "What surprised me is that people associate us here with the crackpots. That's what surprised me. I guess it just shows how sensitive that people are on both sides, with non-Muslims thinking we're all offended by everything and a sense among Muslims that they're under attack."
Hummm, because of stuff like this?
Abid Hussain, a British Muslim, was among those who felt attacked. He said in an e-mail, interview last week that he has lived in the U.K. his whole life and never felt a conflict between being a good British citizen and a good Muslim until the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks against the United States. "Ever since then, people from both sides have taken every opportunity they can get to stir up tensions," he said.

He said the posting about Apple was not representative of Muslims, but many people took it that way. "Muslims aren't offended," he said. "One idiot was, and it all has blown up into a mess."
Muslims vs Apple. One is a group of fanatical zelots who are easily offended and go on the attack whenever they feel their symbols or beliefs are questioned. The others are followers of Islam.
Posted by: Steve || 10/18/2006 09:06 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Two fat ladies, 88
Peado Mo's Bride, Number 9

http://www.meccabingo.com/

Posted by: Bright Pebbles in Blairistan || 10/18/2006 11:54 Comments || Top||

#2  Muslims vs Apple. One is a group of fanatical zelots who are easily offended and go on the attack whenever they feel their symbols or beliefs are questioned. The others are followers of Islam.

Rofl!!!!! Coffee Alert!
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 11:58 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm going to create a fatwa on Steve as soon as I can gin up an appropriate cutsey icon for it ...
Posted by: Steve White || 10/18/2006 12:06 Comments || Top||

#4  GREAT snark, Steve. LOL
Posted by: lotp || 10/18/2006 12:09 Comments || Top||

#5  Lol. Hardcore slackers and grunge-mungers - the Apple Krowd. :-)
Posted by: .com || 10/18/2006 12:09 Comments || Top||

#6  "One idiot was, and it all has blown up into a mess." -which is what they'll say after some klinger runs in there w/a bomb belt.

"Muslims, why do they hate......prety much everything?"

-it's all in the koran bro'.

Seriously, if I couldn't drink a beer, look at fine women, watch sports, and had to live in a big kitty litter box & then had to pray five times a day on some diry ass rug to some prick, I'd be one miserably-touchy s.o.b. as well.
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 10/18/2006 12:11 Comments || Top||

#7  If I were Apple, I'd be be very afraid for my glass box.
Posted by: Darrell || 10/18/2006 12:24 Comments || Top||

#8  Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City "blasphemous" and an "insult to Islam"

they think that the fact that nonmuslims breathe is an "insult to Islam"
Posted by: PlanetDan || 10/18/2006 12:55 Comments || Top||

#9  THE ENEMY IS ISLAM (ptui)
Posted by: wxjames || 10/18/2006 13:22 Comments || Top||

#10  Although its cube-shape may resemble the Ka'ba, the dimensions are different.

Simple solution, blow the Ka'ba to hell and nothing will ever resemble it ever again.

"What surprised me is that people associate us here with the crackpots.

It's only a surprise to you easily offended crackpots. It's no news to us sane people who are fucking fed up over having to deal with a bunch of skinless psycho fanatics who make unreasonable demands every five seconds.

That's what surprised me. I guess it just shows how sensitive that people are on both sides, with non-Muslims thinking we're all offended by everything and a sense among Muslims that they're under attack."

No. You are "offended by everything" and the rest of us are so damned sick of it that we are beginning to attack your sorry Muslim asses. Go back to your Islamic hell holes utopias and remind yourselves why you ever wanted to leave in the first place.
Posted by: Zenster || 10/18/2006 13:50 Comments || Top||

#11  Have you guys ever seen an apple Vs pc war it is scary I tell you. :) :P
Posted by: djohn66 || 10/18/2006 14:49 Comments || Top||

#12  I suppose I shouldnt be so offended by muslims constructing buildings using cross members or cross beams in their construction plans. Sorry everyone... I was way out of line.
Posted by: bool || 10/18/2006 16:19 Comments || Top||

#13  And I will resist the urge to count how many times Mr Amanullah used the letter "t" in his insulting response, though clearly meant to provoke Christians.
Posted by: bool || 10/18/2006 16:22 Comments || Top||

#14  *snicker*
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/18/2006 21:53 Comments || Top||

#15  "Muslims aren't offended," he said. "One idiot was, and it all has blown up into a mess."

Oh, yeah? Well there's more than one idiot here, bub, and I didn't require a MEMRI translation to figure it out.

This was noted on LGF the other day. You'll note that virtually all the comments telling people to get a grip date from the day of the LGF post.
Posted by: Angie Schultz || 10/18/2006 23:09 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran bans fast internet to cut west's influence
Iran's Islamic government has opened a new front in its drive to stifle domestic political dissent and combat the influence of western culture - by banning high-speed internet links. In a blow to the country's estimated 5 million internet users, service providers have been told to restrict online speeds to 128 kilobytes a second and been forbidden from offering fast broadband packages. The move by Iran's telecommunications regulator will make it more difficult to download foreign music, films and television programmes, which the authorities blame for undermining Islamic culture among the younger generation. It will also impede efforts by political opposition groups to organise by uploading information on to the net.
So very Soviet ...
The order follows a purge on illegal satellite dishes, which millions of Iranians use to clandestinely watch western television. Police have seized thousands of dishes in recent months.

The latest step has drawn condemnation from MPs, internet service companies and academics, who say it will hamper Iran's progress. "Every country in the world is moving towards modernisation and a major element of this is high-speed internet access," said Ramazan-ali Sedeghzadeh, chairman of the parliamentary telecommunications committee. "The country needs it for development and access to contemporary science."
The Profit (may his gummas resolve) didn't have high-speed internet, why should they?
A petition branding the high-speed ban as "backward and unprincipled" bearing more than 1,000 signatures is to be sent to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The prisons soon to be getting 1,000 new inmates ...
Scores of websites and blogs are censored using hi-tech US-made filtering equipment. Iran filters more websites than any other country apart from China. High-speed links can be used with anti-filtering devices to access filtered sites.

The telecoms regulator declined to explain the decision but said it was taken by "a collection of policy-makers". However, Etemad, a pro-reformist newspaper, suggested it was part of an official campaign to stem a western "cultural invasion". "Unpleasant whispers are saying that the motivations behind the scenes are the same as those involved in the purging of satellite dishes," the paper wrote.

Parastoo Dokoohaki, a prominent Iranian blogger, said the move was designed to foil the government's opponents. "If you want to announce a gathering in advance, you won't see it mentioned on official websites and newspapers would announce it too late. Therefore, you upload it anonymously and put the information out. Banning high-speed links would limit that facility. Despite having the telecoms facilities, fibre-optic technology and internet infrastructure, the authorities want us to be undeveloped."
And cowed, and submissive ...
Posted by: Steve White || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  You can be sure the black turbans will still have high-speed access.
Posted by: Pappy || 10/18/2006 1:02 Comments || Top||

#2  The prisons soon to be getting 1,000 new inmates ...

Not me, man! Ya think I'd use my real name?
Posted by: Abu Mushab al-Bobby || 10/18/2006 6:01 Comments || Top||

#3  Inshallah. This is a good way to keep 'em down on the farm.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 10/18/2006 6:52 Comments || Top||

#4  "You must all use AOL dial-up...it is decreed"
Posted by: Frank G || 10/18/2006 8:19 Comments || Top||

#5  High-speed links can be used with anti-filtering devices to access filtered sites

?
Posted by: Shipman || 10/18/2006 8:26 Comments || Top||

#6  internets snap quiz

guess who's hiding in the dial up screechy sound?
Posted by: Jumping Jehosaphat || 10/18/2006 10:56 Comments || Top||

#7  Parastoo Dokoohaki, a prominent Iranian blogger, said the move was designed to foil the government's opponents.

Sometimes, YJCMTSU, and other times, YJCMTN(ames)U! Who knew that Count Dokoo was Persian?
Posted by: BA || 10/18/2006 11:50 Comments || Top||

#8  Will the ban include Ahmedenijad's streaming porno link?
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 10/18/2006 12:55 Comments || Top||

#9  More porn for Iran!
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/18/2006 13:02 Comments || Top||

#10  Off topic, but in Tolkiens "Lord of the Rings" the language of Mordor (the bad guys) was modelled on Persian. Tolkien was an aesthete of language, and he thought Persian looked horrible.
Posted by: buwaya || 10/18/2006 18:48 Comments || Top||

#11  Iran must have controlling interest in EarthLink DSL. They slowed me down a long time ago and all the support people they have in India can't get the speed back.
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 10/18/2006 19:33 Comments || Top||

#12  read 'em and weep.
11.3 megabits per second
Communications 11.3 megabits per second
Storage 1.4 megabytes per second
1MB file download 0.7 seconds
Subjective rating Unbelievable
Posted by: J.D. Lux || 10/18/2006 21:35 Comments || Top||

#13  I'm sure that's lovely, J.D.Lux, whatever it means. ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/18/2006 21:48 Comments || Top||


EU backs limited sanctions against Iran
The European Union, spurred by North Korea's nuclear test, backed limited United Nations sanctions against Iran's nuclear programme on Tuesday after Tehran spurned conditions for opening negotiations. The EU's 25 foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, called for incremental measures that officials said would be targeted first at individuals and materials involved in Iranian uranium enrichment activities. The West suspects Iran is seeking nuclear weapons but Tehran insists it only aims to generate electricity.

After four months of talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Iran this month rejected a U.N. demand that it suspend enrichment. "The Iranians' refusal leaves us no choice today but to take to the Security Council route. The Security Council should adopt gradual, reversible measures proportionate to Iranian actions," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told reporters.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called it the "first step in sanctions" but stressed the EU's offer of cooperation remained on the table if Iran was willing to meet the conditions. In New York, French U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere told Reuters three European powers -- France, Britain and Germany -- planned to put forward a draft U.N. Security Council resolution "during the course of this week. We are aiming for Wednesday or Thursday."

EU ministers made clear that alarm at North Korea's nuclear test and its implications for other countries were one key factor in showing their resolve towards Iran, although their economic interests with Tehran are far greater. "The most important thing is to have a united response as we showed with North Korea," European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.

Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs Alberto Navarro said sanctions would be gradual because Europe, unlike the United States, needed Iran as an oil supplier. Mark Fitzpatrick of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said the approach with Tehran would be gentler than with Pyongyang. "A sanctions resolution on Iran will not be swift or biting as it has been with North Korea," he said, noting that while Pyongyang openly affirmed its nuclear weapons intentions, Tehran insisted its programme was peaceful. There was no conclusive proof it sought an atom bomb, he said.

Solana, who negotiated with Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani in a vain effort to persuade Tehran to suspend its most sensitive nuclear work, said he had spoken by telephone with Larijani on Monday and the door would remain open. "I think there is always hope, and I would like it to be possible to start again, but it is up to Iran now to accept the conditions to start real negotiations," he said.

In a statement, the ministers expressed deep concern that Iran had not yet suspended enrichment activities and said the EU has no choice but to support consultations in the United Nations on measures on the basis of resolution 1696, which told Iran to suspend enrichment by August 31 or face sanctions. Russia and China have so far been reticent about any sanctions, but a European diplomat said they had accepted the principle of an incremental approach raising pressure.

In Vienna, a senior diplomat familiar with International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring in Iran said Iranian efforts to develop its enrichment programme beyond the initial test phase appeared slow. Iran had planned to have a second cascade of 164 centrifuge enrichment machines running by end-September but this had not happened, he said, while the first cascade was only being sporadically fed with uranium UF-6 gas for enrichment into fuel. Analysts have estimated Iran will need 3-10 years to produce enough fuel for bombs.
Posted by: Fred || 10/18/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  WId the Norkies threatening to test hydrogen bombs + advanced weapons, the EU = UNSC has to decide whether Radical Iran possessing a potens hydrogen nuke makes them feel safe.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 10/18/2006 1:10 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2006-10-18
  Hamas: Mastermind of Shalit's abduction among 4 killed in Gaza
Tue 2006-10-17
  Brother of Saddam Prosecutor Is Killed
Mon 2006-10-16
  Truck bomb kills 100+ in Sri Lanka
Sun 2006-10-15
  UN imposes stringent NKor sanctions
Sat 2006-10-14
  Pak foils coup plot
Fri 2006-10-13
  Suspect pleads guilty to terrorist plot in US, Britain
Thu 2006-10-12
  Gadahn indicted for treason
Wed 2006-10-11
  Two Muslims found guilty in Albany sting case
Tue 2006-10-10
  China cancels troop leave along North Korean border
Mon 2006-10-09
  China denounces "brazen" North Korea nuclear test
Sun 2006-10-08
  North Korea Tests Nuclear Weapon
Sat 2006-10-07
  Pakistan admits 'helping' Kashmir militancy
Fri 2006-10-06
  Islamists set up central Islamic court in Mogadishu
Thu 2006-10-05
  Fatah Threatens to Murder Hamas Leaders
Wed 2006-10-04
  Pa. man charged with trying to help al-Qaida attack refineries


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