Senior Canadian military officials, who have long complained there are not enough NATO troops in southern Afghanistan, said on Friday that alliance force levels in the region are now adequate. Canada has 2,500 troops in the southern city of Kandahar and as recently as last October it said it could not maintain the mission without more support.
But the official tone changed sharply after President George W. Bush said on Thursday the United States would keep higher troop levels in Afghanistan ahead of an expected surge in Taliban attacks and called on NATO to commit more troops. "The United States is putting in more forces, Britain is putting in more forces. We have sufficient force structure on the ground in the south at this moment to do the job that we have to do," said General Rick Hillier, chief of Canada's defense staff.
Canada complains that it and a handful of other nations bore the brunt of fighting with the Taliban last year while other NATO members stationed their troops in quieter parts of Afghanistan and restricted what they could do. "Would we like to see more countries down there with us than the nine that are there? Of course we would," Hillier told reporters after speaking to a meeting of defense officials.
"Right now we are in a much better position from NATO's perspective in my view now than we were a year ago."
Posted by: ed ||
02/18/2007 15:34 ||
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(SomaliNet) The recently freed Somali business cleric from the jail in Nairobi Haji Abukar Omar Addani warned on Saturday the presence of the Ethiopian forces in Somalia as long as the Somali people are protesting against them. He's the Islamic Courts financier, or one of them, They're the reason the Aethiops are there in the first place.
In a press release given to the media in Nairobi, Haji Addani appealed to the Ethiopian government to pull its troops out of Somalia and urged the interim government to hold national reconciliation conference for all parts in the country. 'Nother words, to give the Islamic Courts through negotiations what they couldn't keep via force of arms.
Addani, 72, the wheelchair bound man, said national dialog is the only way out of misery in Somalia where the government senior officials ruled out several times in the past having talks with the defunct Union of Islamic Courts. We have passed six months of unprecedented peace and stability in the country produced by the Islamic Courts but everything has changed for the worse when the Ethiopian backed interim government has taken control of the country, said Addani in his statement. The international community should put pressure on the Ethiopian government to withdraw its forces from Somalia to avoid more bloodshed, the statement said.
On Thursday, the Kenyan Supreme Court had released Haji Abukar Addani and his son after they were found no guilty. Addani and his son were arrested at the Kenyan Liboi border town last month after they were accused of entering Kenya illegally. Addani who is believed to have been the major source of financing the ousted Islamists, said if the United Nation does not take actions Somalia would definitely slip back into the anarchy of 1991, encouraging the Somali population to evict the Ethiopian troops from their territory by all means. He also gave thanks to all individuals that paid efforts of his release.
This article starring:
HAJI ABUKAR OMAR ADANI
Islamic Courts
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Did Addani talk about a "national dialogue" when the Islamic courts were in power and placing innocents in the graveyard?
#3
Arab imperialism? So what was the crusades? What about you missionaries running around S. America? Trying to convert half of the southeast asia? Oah, I forgot, It's noble when it comes from Christians or Jews right? So what is Israel but a western Imperial state?
#5
Following up on #4's answer to #3, the Crusades ended over 1,000 years ago; Islamic imperialism is still going on TODAY.
Yeesh. You losers need to get a new argument whine; the old one is pathetic.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
02/18/2007 9:17 Comments ||
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#6
Truth doesn't bother you much, does it Arabi
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/18/2007 11:01 Comments ||
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#7
Arab imperialism? So what was the crusades? What about you missionaries running around S. America? Trying to convert half of the southeast asia? Oah, I forgot, It's noble when it comes from Christians or Jews right? So what is Israel but a western Imperial state?
Jackal and Barb are both correct.
The Crusades were attempts to beat back Islamic imperialism which was knocking on the doors of Europe, which had already overrun traditional and historic Christian and Jewish areas and holy sites, and which were counter-punches to military activities and invasions already in progress or threatened by Islamic regimes.
Despite current Islamic tradition and Mohammed's mad ravings, Jerusalem never was, never has been, and never should be considered an Islamic holy site. Islam's traditions are thievery, treachery, and obfuscation of historical fact when it goes against whatever is in their holy books and writings, none of which are "holy" IMO. Islam dates from roughly 700 AD. Judaism dates from something like 2000-6000 BC. Christianity dates from 0 BC/AD (in some cases more like 33 or so AD). Both Judaism and Christianty can trace their roots directly to Jerusalem. Islam cannot. Islam can trace its roots to a meteor strike in the Arabic penisula in roughly 700 AD and the mad ravings and writings of a morally and ethically bankrupt thief, dictator, pedophilic rapist, and murderer who wanted revenge upon a group of people he believed had slighted him in some fashion. Mohammed's so-called religion embarked on imperialistic aggression against its neighbors, endulged in the slave trade (and still does) and descended from a flowering civilization into the decadent and immoral conglomeration of morally bankrupt societies and sects we see todaythat fosters only hatred, terror, and murder against its neighbors. On the other hand, Judaism and Christianity have prospered and fostered a growing and powerful, generally peaceful until someone pisses us off, civilization that can extend its hand across the entire world and even into the farthest regions of space.
What's Islam done for the world lately by comparison?
#8
Arabi's correct that there is a competition on for the soul of the world. He's just sore cause evil looses except when it uses violence. Just like the commies, but different colors and a little dumber.
#10
the bleating of a soon-to-be endangered species, harking back to the halcyon days when an Arab could beat his women, bugger the kids (human and goat variety) and wipe his ass with a stone...oh wait, that's from the 7th century to today
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 11:36 Comments ||
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#11
Careful what you say to him. He'll riot and burn your car and demand the govt chop your head off.
Muslims refer to this as "dialog."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 11:49 Comments ||
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#12
At Beslan they just shot the kiddies, though.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 11:51 Comments ||
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#13
Just to be accurate, they also raped the children at Beslan, i.e they were pious muslims.
Posted by: ed ||
02/18/2007 12:55 Comments ||
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#14
To be fair, they also raped adult women, too, presumably to prove to one another they were capable of achieving an erection in the presence of those capable of judging the value thereof.
#17
It might be interesting if Arabi and his ilk would at least attempt to hold their own against Rantburgers. We get a little foray now and then but never any sustained give and take. They skulk away with their tails between their legs when they realize they're just not equipped for any kind of intellectual interchange. It's a shame.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Friday rejected a United Nations peace force for Darfur and said he would not grant visas to UN rights monitors who want to visit the strife-torn region.
Bashir said an international force in Darfur would remain under the aegis of the African Union and that the UN would be confined to a "technical and logistics role".
Bashir said an international force in Darfur would remain under the aegis of the African Union and that the UN would be confined to a "technical and logistics role".
He also said that the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, led by Nobel peace laureate and anti-landmines campaigner Jody Williams, would not be allowed to travel to Darfur because its members were biased. "There are members of that delegation who in our view are not impartial, therefore it is difficult to say that they will be honest and reflect reality," Bashir told a news conference on the final day of an Africa-France summit.
The two-day gathering in the Riviera resort of Cannes has been dominated by concerns over the conflict in Darfur, where at least 200 000 people have been killed and more than 2,5-million displaced in fighting since 2003.
This article starring:
Jody Williams
Omar al-Bashir
UN Human Rights Council
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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(KUNA) -- Some 78 Muslim Brotherhood members were rounded up Thursday in Egypt on several charges including reviving a banned movement and owning banned anti-regime literature and given 15-day jail sentences.
The arrests were made ahead of a plan, the Brotherhood were getting ready to implement Friday in Cairo and other districts with the purpose of inciting the public to take to the street. The "brothers," who would have worn semi-military uniforms and carried weapons during the demonstrations, which were planned in protest against some social issues, a security source said. It added that the street demonstrations were expected to lead to "some kind of civil disobedience." MENA stressed that the plan, which was to have been implemented by non-student elements, would have been hard to oppose once the street demonstrations started.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Seems like a recall a major amnesty for the "brothers" several months ago.
#3
Those fifteen days will make them think twice before pulling off another near coup. Plus I think traditional hudnas last less than a fortnight so this is harsh to the max.
#5
There is something to be said for making prison a harsh and unpleasant experience. I've heard more than one habitual miscreant say "I could do that time standing on my head".
If I were King of the Forest, prison would mean pink jumpsuits, 8 hours of hoeing the cabbages, 3 squares of nutritious soy meal with cabbage and evenings of soothing elevator muzak. Fifteen days of that ought to be worth ninety days of cable tv and weightlifting.
#6
prison should be what it is: the confiscation of freedom and choice from those who deserve it. Internal hierarchy actions and politics (and sanctions) are to be expected. Whiners and those of tight sphincters ahould act accordingly
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 17:25 Comments ||
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#8
sounds like you never heard of
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Actually, I have. There was also another guy down near Sugar Land, TX iirc who was doing similar mean, evil things like making the prisoners sleep in tents. Oh, the humanity.
Department of Home Affairs officials may have acted "suspiciously" when they deported Pakistani immigrant Khalid Rashid, but there was no sufficient proof that they knew he was wanted for questioning in connection with alleged acts of terror when he was handed to Pakistani authorities, three high court judges have ruled.
A full bench of the court, headed by Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, on Friday rejected an application to have Rashid's arrest, detention and deportation declared unlawful, unconstitutional, an "enforced disappearance" and a "crime against humanity".
Ngoepe, Judge Cynthia Pretorius and acting Judge JLM Snijmann said there was no reason to question evidence by senior Department of Home Affairs officials that Rashid was arrested because he was an illegal immigrant.
Rashid had admitted that he entered the country without a visa and bought a fake work permit, and had told authorities he did not want to appeal the decision to deport him.
The department also placed evidence before the court in which Pakistan admitted receiving Rashid in his home country, although no further particulars were furnished for "reasons of security".
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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Controversial plans to build a "supermosque" on the doorstep of the London Olympics will be blocked by the Government. Ruth Kelly's Whitehall department is expected to refuse planning permission for the London Markaz, which would be the biggest religious building in Britain with room for 70,000 worshippers.
Backers want the £300 million mosque, in east London, to serve as a reception centre for athletes and fans from Islamic countries during the 2012 games. The group behind the plans is Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim missionary sect whose charitable trust, Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen, has owned the 18-acre site since 1996. Tablighi Jamaat was called "an ante-chamber for fundamentalism" by French security services. Two of the July 7 London suicide bombers are believed to have attended one of its mosques.
The organisation denies any link to terrorism, and has never been banned.
Just pious missioniaries. Well-armed, pious missioniaries.
A senior security source said that he was concerned about the proposed mosque, and expected ministers to use their powers to call in, and turn down, the planning application. The move was confirmed by a senior Government source, who said there were fears that the giant mosque could damage community relations in the area, and added: "We are going to stop it."
There are clear planning grounds on which the development could be turned down. It is so close to the main Olympic venues that it may interfere with preparations for the Games. The Government source said that the planning application needed to be rejected "to give the Olympics a clear run".
Until now, it was thought that planners would rubber-stamp the proposed mosque, which was agreed in principle in a 2001 deal between Newham Council and Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen. The London Thames Gateway Unitary Development Corporation, the quango with planning powers over the site, is understood to support the plans. So is the London Development Agency, which reports to Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London.
Tablighi Jamaat has hired a lobbying firm with a track record of supporting controversial planning applications, in an attempt to build political support for the project.
Indigo Public Affairs says that a formal planning application for the mosque will be submitted in the autumn, possibly with the size scaled back to meet some of the objections. A spokesman said: "Our client utterly refutes any links to terrorism. It is a predominantly apolitical organisation seeking to go about its faith in a peaceful way."
And when it can't do that ...
Tablighi Jamaat is a conservative and ultra-orthodox group with close links with the Wahhabi form of Islam practised in Saudi Arabia. Hundreds of British Muslims are sent by Tablighi Jamaat to madrassas in Pakistan every year, raising fears that some may be indoctrinatedtrained brainwashed. A leaked FBI memo alleged that al-Qaeda was using the organisation "as cover... to network with other extremists".
Mohammed Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, two of the July 7 suicide bombers, are believed to have visited the organisation's European headquarters, a mosque in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. Supporters of Tablighi Jamaat point out that even if this were the case, the mosque would not necessarily be the place where the pair were brainwashed.
Muslims living near the site, in West Ham, have raised more than 3,000 signatures on a petition calling for the project to be halted. They want any new mosque to draw in all strands of Islam. Ali Mangara, the practice principle at Mangera Yvars Architects, the firm behind the scheme, has promised that the mosque would be "inclusive".
Alan Craig, a Newham councillor for the Christian People's Alliance party, has warned of the "community and security impact" that the mosque would have, and claims Muslims are already moving into the area in preparation for its opening.
A makeshift mosque currently on the site has been operating without planning permission for the past five months.
The plans will put the spotlight on Miss Kelly if she is still at the helm of the Department of Communities and Local Government when the decision is taken. Earlier this month she launched a £5 million fund for grassroots Muslim projects, while warning that "the battle for hearts and minds is more important than ever".
In a separate move, the Kingsway International Christian Centre, Europe's biggest evangelical church with a capacity of 12,000, is being pulled down to make way for the Olympics.
Pull down a church and build a mosque. Sounds like Britain today ...
This article starring:
Tablighi Jamaat
Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen
Tablighi Jamaat
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 13:06 ||
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#1
This certainly saves any misguided vigilantes from burning the place to the ground and salting the earth.
#3
I knew Ken Livingstone's name was in there somewhere, soon as I saw London Olympics. Only asstard missing is Gourgeous George. And the Labour Party.
#7
Backers want the £300 million mosque, in east London, to serve as a reception centre for athletes and fans from Islamic countries during the 2012 games.
Let 'em build it, stipulation being that, after the Olympics, it'll no longer be needed and will have to be demolished. If they don't want to go for that, tell the "athletes and fans from Islamic countries" they'll have to frequent the "mosque" between the check cashing place and Kentucky Fried Chicken...
#10
it's goose for the gander. I've had several public (not Islamic) basic road/bridge improvement projects opposed at the Planning Commission level in America. Nice to see the 'Tards ops used against them and their Islamic brethren
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 16:03 Comments ||
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#11
I thought the 2012 Olympics was during Ramadan?
They're not supposed to participate in such western events anyway.
American plans to station part of an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic without consulting Russia met with criticism from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to a media report.
The proximity of the US missile batteries to the Russian border should have convinced officials in Washington of the need to brief their counterparts in Moscow about plans to build portions of an anti-missile shield in the two eastern European countries.
Briefing isn't the issue. You could 'brief' Moscow for a year, and they'd still be opposed. Moscow isn't objecting because of a lack of information, Moscow is objecting precisely because they do understand.
"One should have spoken with Russia earlier as the sites where they (the missiles) are to be stationed are edging closer to Russia," Steinmeier told the German business daily Handelsblatt in an interview to be published Monday. "Given the strategic nature of such projects, I call for a prudent approach and intensive dialogue with all partners who are directly or indirectly affected."
"With the aim of making this all go away."
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week accused the United States of making the world a more place with its plans for an anti-missile system. "One-sided illegitimate action hasn't solved a single problem and has become a generator of many human tragedies, a source of tension," Putin said.
And who better than a former KGB man to understand 'one-sided illegitimate action'?
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates insisted that the missile system, which calls for placing 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic, was not directed against Russia but to protect Europe from missiles launched in the Middle East.
Steinmeier, however, dismissed any potential threat posed by Iranian rockets, saying Tehran did not possess the technology to make such an attack. He also spoke out against any immediate new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear policies. "Poof! The threat is dismissed."
Right. They don't possess the technology. Today. Tomorrow or next year is a different story, but by then Herr Steinmeier will have come up with a different objection, along the lines of "we don't want to antagonize them."
"The most recent resolution of the UN Security Council does not contain any automatic mechanism for the situation where Iran does not fulfill its obligations," he said.
The leader of the oppositions Greens party, Fritz Kuhn, said the German government needed to make it clear to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her visit to Berlin this week that it would not support placing missiles in the two EU and NATO member countries. "What the USA is doing can only be understood by Russia as a provocation," he told Monday's Saarbrücker Zeitung. Pathetic.
In other words, Russia has made clear that if the missiles go in, natural gas deliveries to Germany slow.
Exactly how much criticism Germany needs to give the US remains unclear as Poland has yet to decide if it will allow the Americans to station missiles within the country. "We are preparing an answer that I think we will give to the American administration by diplomatic means within two weeks," new Polish Defense Minister Aleksander Szczyglo told Poland's PAP news agency on Sunday. Interesting: If both Germany and the USSR Russia oppose the proposed US ABM system, that should simplify Poland's decision matrix.
Poland is used to being the jelly in the sandwich.
Saudi ambassador Waleed al-Khareejy demanded Sunday that a Dutch right-wing politician apologize and retract remarks made last week and deemed insulting to Islam and its holy book.
A leader of the conservative Dutch Freedom Party, Geert Wilders, had told the press that half of the Koran should be torn and thrown away. He also lashed out at the Prophet Mohammed, founder of Islam, describing Islam as a "violent" religion.
Al-Khareejy said an apology was "necessary" and that Wilders had to withdraw his statements. However, the ambassador seemed reluctant to attract media, saying that the embassy would rather follow up the issue "away from the press." The main aim was to stop such insults to Islam, al-Khareejy told the Saudi-based al-Watan newspaper.
#4
I think a lot of muslims just don't understand that the majority of people on this planet are not muslim, are not about to become muslim and could care less about Mohammed, Islam or the Koran.
Given a choice between the Koran or the works of William Shakespeare remaining, most people would choose the old bard.
Posted by: John Frum ||
02/18/2007 10:40 Comments ||
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#5
Oh, I think Muslims understand this preaty well John---they just don't believe "most of the people" are willing to do something about it.
#6
When Saudis behead ANY Muslim priest who has ever disparaged another religion AND pay for the rebuilding of EVERY temple or religious monument desecrated or demoliahed by Muslims since teh Seoud conquerted Meccah.
#9
I think he should apologize to everybody not just Islamists. This statement is really offensive, "half of the Koran should be torn and thrown away".
#10
If the Dutch government doesn't expel the Saudi ambassador, and cut off all diplomatic relations with that nest of parasites, what will the Saudis demand next? that all Christian churches be torn down or converted to Mosques? that Jews be delivered to Moslem countries?
#11
The Saudi Ambassador should immediately be declared persona non grata with 48 hours to leave the country; following that, the Dutch Ambassador in KSA should be immediately recalled for "consultations." Message to Magic Kingdom: keep your damned nose out of our domestic affairs.
Posted by: mac ||
02/18/2007 15:44 Comments ||
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WASHINGTON - After Republicans blocked a Senate debate for a second time, Democrats said Saturday they'll drop efforts to pass a non-binding resolution opposing President Bush's troop buildup in Iraq and instead will offer a flurry of anti-war legislation "just like in the days of Vietnam." God help us...
The tough talk came a day after the House of Representatives passed its own anti-Iraq resolution and as the GOP used a procedural vote to stop the Senate from taking a position on the 21,500 troop increase.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats would be "relentless."
"There will be resolution after resolution, amendment after amendment . . . just like in the days of Vietnam," Schumer said. "The pressure will mount, the president will find he has no strategy, he will have to change his strategy and the vast majority of our troops will be taken out of harm's way and come home." more perfidy at link...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 11:02 ||
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#1
This ain't gonna be pretty. Those of you who are too young to remember the ignominious end of the Vietnam war are about to get a taste of what the 70's were like:
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 11:18 Comments ||
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#2
Not going to happen. Bush isn't dumb enough to sponsor a second rate burglary at the Jimmah Cahtah Center. There won't be a class of '74 and there won't be a cutoff of funds.
The donks will get their Big Chill weekends like this, but the war will go on to a successful conclusion. No matter who's in the White House.
#3
Democracy will only prevail when the nation has a common vision and the elected leaders work together toward that vision. We are in the midst of a civil war of another nature. The people are getting lied to by the MSM, who support the far left, the far left have adopted socialist leftist ideals and blame the government. They act as if they are not part of the process. Hillary and Pelosie look at themselves as a modern Che or Marx leading the revolution. The Democratic party has declaired the whole process a sham. They came in on a Saturday to conspire, hold a vote against our nation's leadership and the entire Democtatic process. They knew it was treason or they would have made it a binding vote right from the start. They were just testing the waters to see how the American public would react. Any governing body that assembles outside of the formal process to condemn their leader and vote to put the process in contempt are doing nothing more than setting the stage for the revolution they were preaching for in the 60's. Iraq is the least important problem we have here.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
02/18/2007 11:23 Comments ||
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#4
Espionage & Sedition Acts
They were created just for this reason. Democracy is many but one. That means that we are many arguing and such until the vote at which point agree or not we are all ONE in our goal of success victory. What the Dums propose as Democracy is nothing of the sort it is many diverse dissent none. That my friends is Anarchy, when everyone can argue that once we vote and engage no one is obligated to go along as one if they dissent or dissagree not only that those who dissent can openly work to undermine Sedition of the majorities decsion.
When Congress voted to engage way back when and the majority of the people spoke to confirm in 04' the decision was made. It is everyones duty obligation under democracy to work towards victory wether they agree or not. Anything short is un-patriotic at the least or Seditionist-Traitorist at worst.
We need a leader with a sack to check these pansie f*cks. The gloves need to come off not just over there but over here. They want to roll lets roll.
#5
Amen C-low. But it ain't gonna happen. Not unless something here demands that we band together and that most likely will be our very survival if we don't. I hate it, but it is gonna take us getting hit, hard with massive casualties and disruption of the economy for us to pull our heads out of our asses.
#6
they'll get Giuliani elected. Uncle Walter's not here to lie and spin for them. The NYT article today sez the "Republicans block debate on Iraq War", which is a out-and-out factual lie. Cloture votes are to cut off debate, and the Reps would not cut off debate. The Reps wanted to be able to vote on their alternative and Reid, fearing for his party wouldn't allow that to happen. The excessive bravado from Schumer is to save face since they only got a handful of Reps to join them in the House and Senate, but not nearly enough to spin as a "bipartisan" rebuke to the POTUS
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 11:44 Comments ||
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#7
I hope your right frank.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
02/18/2007 11:46 Comments ||
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#8
This actually prompted me to get off my butt and go re-read the morning paper to make sure this reflects what I read. Those lying bast@rds in the press completely re-cast the vote to look like a denial of debate instead of defeating cloture to cut off debate. Reiad was trying to Saturday Massacre the Republicans with a weekend surprise and ram through a vote on his resolution and his resolution alone. The Republicans wanted debate to continue so that they could introduce competing resolutions. This utter dishonesty on the part of the press has sunk to new lows, and sadly, I suspect many of the print media who picked up the story had editors who are literally too ignorant of the procedural game in the Senate to understand what the dems and Reid were trying to do. This manipulation of the truth to fit agenda journalism is a new low, and invokes the 70's version of john "f--king" kerry openly making things up to make spicy anti-war testimony to the senate as a precursor to his career in politics. God this kind of crap makes me mad....
at a time when good, decent American kids are doing what's right, to have this kind of cowardly bulls-it pulled to undermine them. The worst of it, the dems don't want the kids out, and they don't want to fund the surge, they want kids to die every day to give them political advantage to reclaim their power to take us down the road of socialism and world government, eletist visionaries that they are..... craven beyond belief.......
Sorry, but this is Rantburg and that one was due....
#9
"...I suspect many of the print media who picked up the story had editors who are literally too ignorant of the procedural game in the Senate to understand what the dems and Reid were trying to do."
Oh, I think they know full well what the Democrats were trying to do-- and they deliberately, knowingly chose to lie about it.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 12:53 Comments ||
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#10
I have long believed that the Dhimmis are not the main enemy, the MSM is. This is due to their control of the message that gets out.
#11
It's not ignorance. Washington journalists self identified themselves as 93% Democrat party affiliation, much more slanted to the left than any other respectable profession in the nation. The news media know they control the flow of information and debate and have always used that power. The only difference is that now people can get together online and easily point out the partisanship, falsehoods and hypocrisy.
The only solution I see to to acknowlegde the cruel fiction of a "nonpartisan professional journalism" and return to media outlets owned by political parties, instead of beholden to only one party.
Posted by: ed ||
02/18/2007 13:07 Comments ||
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"There will be resolution after resolution, amendment after amendment . . . just like in the days of Vietnam," Schumer said.
Gee, Mr. Schumer, you sound so sincere. Let me help you with the wording on your next resolution:
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall NO LONGER pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. Particularly the liberty of Arabs. And particularly if a Republican is in the White House.
No need to thank me - it's always a pleasure to help out such an esteemedloser America-hating treasonous asshole Senator as you.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
02/18/2007 13:25 Comments ||
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If the insurgency stopped tomorrow, the Dems are heroes, because, "Our threats to pull out made the Iraqis stand up for themselves. We win!"
If the insurgency slowly dies out, they'll take the credit the same way, and who will deny them? The MSM?
If they suceed in withdrawing the troops before the insurgency does out, then they STILL win: "We knew all along it was another Vietnam, and it was Bush's impossible dream."
Color me cynical.
I guess they only way they might lose if if the surge quells the fighting immediately, and the violence never comes back.
Posted by: Bobby ||
02/18/2007 13:32 Comments ||
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#15
Ship, no problem...I occasionally break from clowning around. This weekend's vote was a serious drubbing for the Donks, don't believe the spin. They will eventually be forced to vote "yea or nea" on actually cutting off funds for the WOT, and they are deathly afraid of that. They know that it would cement (for another 30 years) their image of anti-war/anti-military/anti-victory. They are also deathly afraid of the returning troops saying what they think to the American public. Watch for the MSM to start spinning "mass-PTS syndrome" to discredit articulate smart American warriors saying "the Donks undercut our mission"
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 13:35 Comments ||
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#16
The only way the Dems in Congress can lose is if the Capitol gets nuked with Congress in session. Or if they get voted out.
#17
NOW can we talk about eliminating traitors? Peacefully if possible, but in the end these traitors HAVE to go. They have no place in a constitutional republic. I think the reason Kerry won't release his war records is that it will show that he was dishonorably discharged for consorting with the enemy in Paris. Kennedy is just a far-left slush. Schumer wants power, and will do anything for it. Most of the rest of the donkeys are just stupid. Their next trick is to raise taxes to support a war they don't want to be engaged in.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/18/2007 13:53 Comments ||
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#18
They are also deathly afraid of the returning troops saying what they think to the American public.
You're on a roll today, Frank. :-) The Democrats should be afraid. Because the troops won't just say what they think; a significant, if small, number will actually gird their loins and run for office at all levels. And they've been taught how to be effective at whatever they turn their hands to. No doubt about a quarter run as Democrats, and they'll change the party from within even as their Republican comrades change the playing field altogether.
#19
The Democrats were the only party recruiting Iraq veterans to run for office.
Posted by: ed ||
02/18/2007 14:04 Comments ||
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#20
"They are also deathly afraid of the returning troops saying what they think to the American public."
I don't think they're afraid, not even a little bit. All they have to do is recruit the kinds of veterans they did after Vietnam-- people like Murtha, and Kerry-- and they'll have inoculated themselves against criticism because their paid propagandists in the media will cover for their lying asses.
And they ARE recruiting them, unlike the Republicans who, as usual, are clueless as a bag of rocks.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 14:12 Comments ||
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#21
"NOW can we talk about eliminating traitors?"
In my opinion, we reached that point a long time ago. Unfortunately, here at Rantburg we can't say much more than that, not without creating liability problems for Fred.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 14:20 Comments ||
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#22
We can't do anything anyway. Years ago, I supported Judicial Watch. They had the Clintons hands down. What happened ? Well, delays, leftist judges, interference run by the Atourney General (Bush's AG), This filing, that extension, then yet another filing.
What it boils down to is that lawyers can drag out judicial procedure ad nauseum.
Other than freedom of the press, the one part of American democracy that does NOT work is the Judiciary. Even as we speak, two border control officers are incarcerated without a shread of evidence that a crime was committed.
When the end comes, folks, as Jackson said, 'show them the bayonet.'
#23
Without creating liability or otherwise seemingly threatening language we need to make sure the country has a sufficient number of well-armed, and mutually trusting, citizens who will rise to the occasion when the Democrat-PC-Islamophile alliance launches a civil war. How does that happen? something like committees of correspondence?
If we can't win abroad, mainly due to treason at home, the battle will by necessity become domestic. That's what we can learn from history. On a personal level, I don't feel I'm ready for that.
#25
Without creating liability or otherwise seemingly threatening language we need to make sure the country has a sufficient number of well-armed, and mutually trusting, citizens who will rise to the occasion when the Democrat-PC-Islamophile alliance launches a civil war. How does that happen? something like committees of correspondence?
It's already being done, albeit on a small scale. But the momentum is building. The problem is keeping the organization pure, and free of pesky busy-bodies. And you know who I mean.
Hard to say what will be the trigger, but it probably won't be what we assume.
#27
There will be an incident that will galvanize citizens. Look through US history: revolution, War between the States, etc. It is going to get ugly.
Lieberman sees a constitutional crisis, well let it come. If we do not deal with traitorous behavior (and I am not dealing in hyperbole here), our republic will fall, to the delight of tyrants everywhere. Our biggest enemy is here, smack dab inside of our borders, and the Republican Party has been too busy slopping at the trough of corruption to do what needs to be done. It will be up to citizens to save this country. The 2 parties have sold their souls long ago.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
02/18/2007 16:58 Comments ||
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#28
Unfortunately, few people will actually learn of this perfidy, due to the MSM, whom I believe is the real enemy here as they are the ones who turn up into down, left into right and inside to outside. Most 'mericans don't know about or just don't see the amazingly large bias in the news. If we just read the MSM, wouldn't we think we are being creamed in Iraq? Of course as that is their meme. US=Chimpy McBushitler's christofascist imperialistic warmongerers!
The MSM is my main worry as their "filter" is far left anti-Americanism, and they make up write what fits that concept. Or, they just make shit up, i.e. "macaca", to smear those not in their worldview. Worthless bastards.
#29
The MSM is my main worry as their "filter" is far left anti-Americanism, and they make up write what fits that concept. Or, they just make shit up, i.e. "macaca", to smear those not in their worldview. Worthless bastards.
It isn't just the media Brett, it is the colleges as well. An associate of mine sent a bright sensible young woman off to college, and got back a foaming at the mouth commie. The girls major? Journalism!
And he only paid a couple hundred G's for the honor. The colleges and the media need to be cleaned out! I'd advocate doing the number on them first, I think the Donks would come right around real quick without the media covering for them or carrying their water.
#30
OK, so the Senate was debating Reid's resolution. I suppose they could try to amend it. But the resolution was on the floor; how do the Republicans introduce a competing resolution without actually bringing Reid's to a vote first?
#31
FOX > Mostly Lefty US Medias HATE THE WAR; + DEMS > INTERNAL DIVISIONS-FACTIONALISM GOING ON BETWEEN PRO-USA vz ANTI-USA, MODERATE LEFT vz FAR/RADICAL LEFT, LEFTIST-CONSERVATIVISTS for control of the Party. Moderate Lefties fighting hard but losing ground to Radics. THREATS OF FILIBUSTERS EVERYWHERE = NOWHERE.
What a lovely way to start your Sunday. The paper incluyded an image of a guy with part of his head shot off, on the front page. Lord, I hate Mrs. Bobby's newpaper!
Behind the door of Army Spec. Jeremy Duncan's room, part of the wall is torn and hangs in the air, weighted down with black mold. When the wounded combat engineer stands in his shower and looks up, he can see the bathtub on the floor above through a rotted hole. The entire building, constructed between the world wars, often smells like greasy carry-out. Signs of neglect are everywhere: mouse droppings, belly-up cockroaches, stained carpets, cheap mattresses.
This is the world of Building 18, not the kind of place where Duncan expected to recover when he was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from Iraq last February with a broken neck and a shredded left ear, nearly dead from blood loss. But the old lodge, just outside the gates of the hospital and five miles up the road from the White House, has housed hundreds of maimed soldiers recuperating from injuries suffered in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The common perception of Walter Reed is of a surgical hospital that shines as the crown jewel of military medicine. But 5 1/2 years of sustained combat have transformed the venerable 113-acre institution into something else entirely -- a holding ground for physically and psychologically damaged outpatients. Almost 700 of them -- the majority soldiers, with some Marines -- have been released from hospital beds but still need treatment or are awaiting bureaucratic decisions before being discharged or returned to active duty.
They suffer from brain injuries, severed arms and legs, organ and back damage, and various degrees of post-traumatic stress. Their legions have grown so exponentially -- they outnumber hospital patients at Walter Reed 17 to 1 -- that they take up every available bed on post and spill into dozens of nearby hotels and apartments leased by the Army. The average stay is 10 months, but some have been stuck there for as long as two years.
Not all of the quarters are as bleak as Duncan's, but the despair of Building 18 symbolizes a larger problem in Walter Reed's treatment of the wounded, according to dozens of soldiers, family members, veterans aid groups, and current and former Walter Reed staff members interviewed by two Washington Post reporters, who spent more than four months visiting the outpatient world without the knowledge or permission of Walter Reed officials. Many agreed to be quoted by name; others said they feared Army retribution if they complained publicly.
If that's not enough, there is a lot more at the link. Front page, above the fold, ya know?
Posted by: Bobby ||
02/18/2007 09:14 ||
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#1
MOD NOTE: Please use hilite for your own comments; it makes for a less confusing read.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 9:40 Comments ||
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#2
Didn't they try to close this a year or so ago and WPO and DC went crazy? This should have been shown then rather than now if WPO didn't have a different agenda.
#3
It's the Vicenza problem writ at home: a new, modern military medical center wouldn't be located in central DC. You'd put it out in the country a little ways with room to grow. The hospital staff would follow; they wouldn't complain much about a less hectic lifestyle and cheaper digs.
Walter Reed is a great place doing great work, but if the physical plant needs replacing, it's time to rebuild it -- in Hagarstown or Fredericksburg.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 11:20 Comments ||
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#4
I'd add Hershey to that list. Med School in place, amusement park for morale, good labor force, accessible location.
#6
#1 Dave? I'm confused. I DID use hilight for my comments, mispellings and all.
Did you think the WaPo BS included my comments?
Posted by: Bobby ||
02/18/2007 13:23 Comments ||
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#7
heh
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 13:23 Comments ||
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#8
Let us not forget that the Army, like all the Armed Forces doesn't have unlimited funds; they come from Congress, the same Congress that is now threatening to dictate fund allocation to the President. I am willing to bet that there has been MILCON (Military Construction) requests for years submitted to repair / replace WR, but that request has been denied.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the early front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, has called for a 90-day deadline to start pulling American troops from Iraq.
Clinton, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, has been criticized by some Democrats for supporting authorization of the war in 2002 and for not renouncing her vote as she seeks the U.S. presidency in next year's election. "Now it's time to say the redeployment should start in 90 days or the Congress will revoke authorization for this war," the New York senator said in a video on her campaign Web site, repeating a point included in a bill she introduced on Friday. more perfidy at link...
Yup, she's gone over to the nutroots ...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 09:33 ||
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#5
Democracy will only prevail when the nation has a common vision and the elected leaders work together toward that vision. We are in the midst of a civil war of another nature. The people are getting lied to by the MSM, who support the far left, the far left have adopted socialist leftist ideals and blame the government. They act as if they are not part of the process. Hillary and Pelosie look at themselves as a modern Che or Marx leading the revolution. The Democratic party has declaired the whole process a sham. They came in on a Saturday to conspire, hold a vote against our nation's leadership and the entire Democtatic process. They knew it was treason or they would have made it a binding vote right from the start. They were just testing the waters to see how the American public would react. Any governing body that assembles outside of the formal process to condemn their leader and vote to put the process in contempt are doing nothing more than setting the stage for the revolution they were preaching for in the 60's. Iraq is the least important problem we have here.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
02/18/2007 11:19 Comments ||
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#9
I am pleased to see Hillary and her fellow Democrat underminers on record endorsing the abandonment of Iraq because it will make it that much harder for them to weasel out of their position if/when we start to demonstrate real progress in stabilizing Iraq. In this scenario John McCain will reap the political dividends of having recommended a heavier footprint strategy and the Dems will be politically scarred for another generation as so soft on national defense that they're unelectable.
President Bush has gained support for the troop surge in Iraq over the past month, an AP-Ipsos poll found. The president has nudged support for the troop increase to 35 percent from 26 percent in early January. 34 minus 26 equals... divided by 26 'cause that's the starting point... times 100 'cause it's easier to look at that way... my calculator says 34.615 etc percent. I s'pose that looks like "slightly" to a certain mindset, but I'm a simple soul so to me that looks awf'ly significant.
Sixty-three percent of those surveyed still oppose the increase. The increased support came from some of Bush's core supporters - Republicans, men, whites, suburbanites and people with higher incomes.
Two-thirds of those questioned oppose cutting money for the troops and 60 percent are against cutting money intended just for the additional troops. Nearly half of Democrats oppose cutting money for the additional troops and almost two-thirds of those who know someone who has served in Iraq oppose that idea.
The poll of 1,002 adults was taken Monday through Thursday and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
#1
The donks can't allow these poll numbers to rise like this.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
02/18/2007 0:14 Comments ||
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#2
We've been waiting for a strategy for victory rather than one for running in place. Americans rally around a winning strategy, not the fecklessness over the past two years (or more).
The donks have to ask themselves about their current position should the offensive be successful.
Posted by: Captain America ||
02/18/2007 0:43 Comments ||
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#3
You didn't carry the 7 TW, are you sure of your math?
#5
Come on people. Your president LIED to you. Are you to ashamed to admit that you were dooped? Be a man and admit that you were shammed by this dumb ass in the white house. There are no WMD's in Iraq (the pretext for war), remember? He's stripped civil liberties, Katrina???, what about Abu Ghraib (oah yeah, you americans don't equate arab life with anything of value). Well, how about the deficit, the fact that your income taxes are going to Israel rather than to your kids' school. Maybe you don't give a shit about your kids (likely the case). If you did, then you would not be defending this idiot in office. Name me 1 good thing about George Bush, or this administration. NOTHING- You idiots vote a FACE in and allow Rove and Cheney to run the show... This isn't democracy. Europe has a better idea of democracy than does this country.
You idiots are going to be the third world soon. And all because you are too greedy.
#6
When arabs equate arab life with anything resembling value , then I may jump on the band wagon , till that point , I dont see why I should . For centuries you have been fighting over each other , clammering for rights to act as despots , selling each other out to the highest bidder . No finer bunch of inbred religious half-wits have ever walked the face of the planet . The problem is that during the last 25 years they have been trying to export , by violence and fear, their shit pit religion to countries that dont want it .
And you say we are at fault , re-assess your views and come back when you have a clue . In fact dont come back .
WE AINT INTERESTED .
Now off into your corner like a good little peasant , and go farm your your badly managed plot of dust.
#8
"Arabs love death more than Westerners/Israelis/Americans/[your favorite nationality here] love life," scream poor Mr. Arabi's beloved leaders, and he complains when we give them the death they so lust for? Charra alaik! indeed.
#9
RantBurgers avert yawls ears, I gotta tell our new buddy some serious truth.
Here's the deal Mr. Arab (if that's your real name) we all knew there were no WMD in Iraq and they were unlikely to ever get any. The real reason we invaded Iraq is because it was Spring and we were feeling collectively happy. And when Americans are happy we turn to slaughtering idiots in third world countries with our oil. It's just the way we are. It makes us extra-happy to kill innocent nits. I assume you kinda had a hunch about this aspect of the American psyche, if so tell your friends that your were correct. We love a war, especially in the Spring, new life, new death a very yin-yang thing no? Yawl get the death of course and we get the oil. So, my advice to you is to make your time.
#10
Name me 1 good thing about George Bush, or this administration. NOTHING- You idiots vote a FACE in and allow Rove and Cheney to run the show... This isn't democracy. Europe has a better idea of democracy than does this country.
Ahem. Pardons me as I ar an ignorant redneck, but,
1) He did not panic when informed that the WTC had been hit by terrorirsts while sitting in front of a classroom full of children thus panicing them as well. In this he showed restraint and moral fortitude which is something I cannot say about Islam in general or Islamofascists specifically.
2) He waited 6 months before sending our troops into Afghanistan and gave the Taliban plenty of opportunity to turn OBL over to legitimate authorities. In this he again showed moral fortitude and forthright determination which again, is more than I can say for Islamofascists who strike out at anything and everything in their sight.
3) He waited and debated via the UN before sending the troops into Iraq when he had absolutely every right to do so immediately due to Iraq's repeated violoations of ceasefire terms. In this he showed a clarity of vision, a thoughtful process, and a determination to do the right thing no matter the cost even when he was being told that the war would cost 30 thousand American lives and bring about an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
4) He forthrightly and with determination has followed a course which, however faulty, he thought was the right one again showing moral fortitude and thoughtfulness even in the face of moral and ethical cowardice in Congress, the Senate and the American people (a minority thereof I should add).
5) In the face of moral and ethical cowardice and an unConstitutional attempt by Congress and the Senate to seize Presidential authority in a time of war he has continued to maintain that course outlined above and has steadfastly refused to back down from his position as Commander In Chief in accordance with the Constitutional authority granted to him.
6) He has, in the face of moral and ethical cowardice on the parts of our so-called "allies" around the world, and a world body that is morally, ethically, and economically bankrupt, refused to have America back down and has used military force with a restraint and manner of ethical standards that has resulted in more American soldiers dying than might have been necessary if they had not had their hands so tied. This has angered many on the American right (and in the center), but also shows a moral and ethical integrity that is above reproach, something that cannot be said, again, about our Islamofascist and other enemies who, willingly and without remorse or conscience, target civilians within their own communities without restraint in an effort to sow terror and destruction.
There're six good things about our President.
In addition, let's talk about European democracy and the slide towards America being a third-world nation. Nothing could be farther from the truth. European democracy in a word, isn't. It is a conglomeration of socialist, communist, and morally, spiritually, economically, and ethically bankrupt societies who stab each other in the back more often than not, who backstab the people who have protected them for more than 60 years, who spent blood and treasure to free them and protect them from fascism and communism, and who undercut their allies at every turn. In addition, Europe is rapidly sliding towards third-world status as it is outbred by its Muslim population, as it spends more and more money on social programs for unemployed immgrants while at the same time taxing its own citizenry at levels far higher than those which drove this nation to sever its ties with England, and as it drives its own economy full speed ahead towards socialist ruin.
An' all that's just from a ignorant redneck hick who grew up a Yankee in Ohio (we pronounces it "Hya' ya'll) and currently lives in Mexiforny.
Arabi - Have the moral and ethical integrity to 'fess up and tells us where ya'll 're really from. You're no more arab than my shoes are.
#11
oah yeah, you americans don't equate arab life with anything of value
A practitioner of the Religion of Beslan purports to have some concern for the value of human life.
Piss off, you halfwit.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 12:07 Comments ||
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#12
You idiots are going to be the third world soon. And all because you are too greedy.
Hmmm. As*hole , I mean, Arab may have something. Let's go Third World. Let's have a revolution just like they do there. And then let's use every weapon we have in the toybox against our enemies, just like they do there.
Doesn't sound so funny anymore, does it?
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
02/18/2007 12:15 Comments ||
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#13
Come on Arabi
Your prophet LIED to you: there is NO Allah and God hates the murders, lootings and rapes perpatrated by Muslims for satisfying the meagalomania from your false prophet. What is awiating Jihadis is HELL.
#14
Oh, and the creature attempts to bring up Abu Ghraib - where Americans put ladies' underwear on the heads of bad guyz.
Abu Ghraib's the place the Baathists - you know, the Arab Rennaissance - had their shredder. It's where those same Baathists made their own home movies of themselves snapping people's bones, hanging them, and otherwise getting their sexual jollies in that peculiarly Arab manner. I believe they're still available online, but if they're not you can probably make do with some vids of the Lions of Islam cutting the heads off some elderly NGO ladies or some Filipino laborers.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 12:31 Comments ||
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#18
You idiots are going to be the third world soon. And all because you are too greedy.
If we windup becoming the 3rd world, it will happen because we let too many of you leaching, non-assimilating peckerheadswoods into our great country. When was the last time you took a ride in an Arab designed car, flew on an Arab designed plane, looked at pictures taken by an Arab designed space probe/rover? Oh...never? Sure, that doesn't surprise me. Goat-humper boy!
#24
Thanks, everyone. I just got annoyed with the troll and had a burst of inspiration. Actually, I think everyone here has done a fine job of doing the Mexican hat dance on ole' Arabi's sorry head.
Bobby, FOTS stands for "Fire On The Suns" a 4X space opera play-by-email wargame I've been running online since 1995.
The Senate on Saturday narrowly rejected an effort to force debate on a resolution opposing President Bushs troop buildup in Iraq, but Republican defections emboldened Democrats to promise new attempts to influence the administrations war policy. The 56-to-34 vote in a rare Saturday session was the second time Republicans were able to deny opponents of the troop increase a debate on a resolution challenging Mr. Bush, and it came just a day after the House formally opposed his plan to increase the military presence in Iraq.
The outcome, four votes short of the 60 needed to break a procedural stalemate, suggested that Democrats were slowly drawing support from Senate Republicans for what was shaping up to be a drawn-out fight between the Democrat-controlled Congress and Mr. Bush over his execution of the war.
But the outcome, four votes short of the 60 needed to break a procedural stalemate, suggested that Democrats were slowly drawing support from Senate Republicans for what was shaping up to be a drawn-out fight between the Democrat-controlled Congress and Mr. Bush over his execution of the war. Seven Republicans split from their party and joined 48 Democrats and one Independent in calling for a debate five more Republicans than during a similar showdown earlier this month. All but two of the seven face re-election next year. Among the Republicans who broke ranks were Senators John W. Warner of Virginia, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, said the result showed that Senate sentiment was running against the president. A majority of the United States Senate just voted on Iraq, and a majority of the United States Senate is against the escalation in Iraq, Mr. Reid said as he withdrew the resolution. He and other party leaders said they intended to introduce quickly more substantive proposals on Iraq when the Senate returns from a weeklong break and begins considering legislation to enact recommendations from the bipartisan Sept. 11 commission.
There will be resolution after resolution, amendment after amendment, all forcing this body to do what it has not done in the previous three years: debate and discuss Iraq.
We will be relentless, said Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the third-ranking Democrat. There will be resolution after resolution, amendment after amendment, all forcing this body to do what it has not done in the previous three years: debate and discuss Iraq.
Democrats would not divulge the details of their next step, but one official said it would focus on the mission of American troops in Iraq and try to skirt the more politically difficult question of federal money for the military.
This article starring:
Arlen Specter
Charles E. Schumer
Chuck Hagel
Harry Reid
John W. Warner
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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Among the Republicans who broke ranks were Senators John W. Warner of Virginia, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
#3
"The Senate on Saturday narrowly rejected an effort to force debate"
For the love of Allan - the Dems and their media wing have gone to whatever the next step is beyond self-parody. Cloture motions LIMIT debate, allowing a measure before the Senate to come to a vote of senators without the normal condition of unanimous consent, the principle on which the Senate works. DEFEATING a cloture motion does not LIMIT or prevent debate, it prevents VOTING.
"The 56-to-34 vote in a rare Saturday session was the second time Republicans were able to deny opponents of the troop increase a debate".
Same point as above. It is astounding that such a fundamental and obvious misrepresentation of the facts of Senate procedure can be casually and universally found in the major media. What we see here is a philosophical challenge to our understanding of democracy that I don't think was previously considered - the Constitution bars government restriction of a free press, but I'm not aware that the Founders ever considered the current situation: an unfettered press that while superficially vast and diverse actually is quite uniform in grossly misinforming the electorate.
"We will be relentless, said Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the third-ranking Democrat. There will be resolution after resolution, amendment after amendment, all forcing this body to do what it has not done in the previous three years: debate and discuss Iraq."
The only thing relentless about your behavior, Chuckles, are its irresponsibility, detachment from reality, and vacuous self-righteousness. And WFT? about no debate or discussion of Iraq - where have you been, you whiny, useless twerp?
For everyone's information, save for a few measures with statutory debate or amendment limitations like the annual budget resolution, ALL Senate measures are liable to amendment and infinite debate, pending unanimous consent that they be brought to a vote of the body. This means that at any point, regardless of who's in the majority - including the past few years - any senator could move to amend virtually any bill to express just about any view or attempt to impose any actual binding restriction WRT Iraq, or any other matter.
In other words, it's preposterous for Schumer to claim that somehow discussion or even substantive action WRT Iraq was limited in recent years. The normal course is for amendments to be offered, and tabling motions to be made against them by the managers of the bill. The vote then occurs on the tabling motion, but the vote is properly understood (usually) as being on the underlying amendment.
Sorry for the parliamentary mini-lecture, but I spent several years working in the Senate and it is just amazing to see how basic Senate procedure is misrepresented by the Dems, and by the media. Obviously a real press would solve both problems by exposing such gross misrepresentation of the facts, thus discouraging senators from making such ridiculous statements.
#4
"It is astounding that such a fundamental and obvious misrepresentation of the facts of Senate procedure can be casually and universally found in the major media."
I'm no longer astounded by it.
I was at first, back in the late 90's when it first dawned on me how dishonest and biased they were; but not anymore. I operate on the simple assumption that for all practical purposes, the press in this country is a mouthpiece of the Democratic Party and is charged with disseminating the message they want to put out as well as suppressing the information the Party wants suppressed. And I seldom see anything that contradicts that assumption.
As for the Democrats themselves, they are benefitting from Bill Clinton's primary legacy: the revelation that "truth" simply doesn't matter; that a plausible, well-constructed lie is just as good as a true statement; and that there need be no shame in even the most blatant dishonesty.
They have become what author M. Scott Peck called the "People Of The Lie".
"...I'm not aware that the Founders ever considered the current situation: an unfettered press that while superficially vast and diverse actually is quite uniform in grossly misinforming the electorate."
Actually, I think what the Founders never anticipated was that our entire society would someday get suckered into believing that the press is somehow an "objective seeker of truth", as they have portrayed themselves over the last half-century. Back in their time, the days of tracts, pamphlets and broadsheets, the press was assumed to be inherently partisan; and their view was that in the long run, "truth" was something best left to the common man to sort out from a broad and unfettered array of viewpoints presented to him without government interference.
The really pernicious thing with the MSM is not that they are biased; it is that we have allowed them to con us into believing they are "objective" and "fair", and that *SPIT* Walter Cronkite was, and should be, "The Most Trusted Man In America".
That the press is unbiased, is the biggest lie of all.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 9:13 Comments ||
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As for the Democrats themselves, they are benefitting from Bill Clinton's primary legacy: the revelation that "truth" simply doesn't matter; that a plausible, well-constructed lie is just as good as a true statement; and that there need be no shame in even the most blatant dishonesty.
Okay, now I'm depressed. Perhaps a nuclear strike on Oxford will cheer me up.
#6
Well said, Dave D. I meant to somehow communicate that while the phenomenon I was describing was, in an objective sense, astounding, I too was no longer astounded. Then again, I just woke up to a screaming front-page headline in a newspaper for a major US city ("Republicans Block Debate on Iraq War") and somehow it IS astounding that such a precise inversion of the facts can be promoted so audaciously.
I also think there is a very large zone in which it is possible for the press to operate in a manner that is reasonable and reliable, if not pristinely "objective". I saw it first-hand in Iraq, where particular reporters would do an excellent job in explaining a particular situation. Of course these were the great exception, and the relentless and extreme distortion of the editorial staff at higher levels normally ensured that such clear-eyed reporting remained isolated.
But I have no difficulty imagining a reasonably objective press as not just a theoretical but practical possibility. Actually understanding a story and presenting it can be difficult, but avoiding crude bias is easy.
And of course we have the perfect storm of distortion at the moment - a wildly unprofessional media, and an administration unable or unwilling to correct even the most consequential and egregious distortions. Appalling, and still astounding, in some way.
#7
Verlaine - that would probably be the same as mine: SD Union. I already fired off a letter, and posted a comment here before I read yours. I made most of the same points but not as articulately, good job
Frank in Santee
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 12:37 Comments ||
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#8
I operate on the simple assumption that for all practical purposes, the press in this country is a mouthpiece of the Democratic Party
Dave, I've become convinced that the Press are actually the voice of the "Progressive" wing of the Democratic Party. You'll have noted that they ignore or twist the words of the centrists of their own party just as much as they do the Republicans.
#9
I am reminded of the words of Joseph Pulitzer, whose prize has been so twisted and mangled that it means nothing any more. He said "Our nation and its press will rise or fall together". Right now, it looks like we're in freefall, with a hard ground below us. Luckily, the Internet allows the truth to get out to those willing to look for it.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/18/2007 14:14 Comments ||
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#10
"Dave, I've become convinced that the Press are actually the voice of the "Progressive" wing of the Democratic Party."
That's true, as far as it goes: but that Progressive "wing" is no long a wing; it IS the Democratic Party anymore. The Kossacks, the DUmmies, the MoveOn.orcs, the Deaniacs and the Moore-ons have taken over. They are the Democratic Party of today.
All the rest, the old-line liberals and centrists-- Joe Lieberman, Zell Miller, et al are standing on the outside looking in, blinking in astonishment and wondering WTF happened to "their" party.
What happened to it is, it became someone else's party.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 14:47 Comments ||
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#11
but they have yet to leave.... decisively and clearly denouncing what the party has become. Take the south and midwest with them
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/18/2007 14:59 Comments ||
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#12
Dave D.I was at first, back in the late 90's when it first dawned on me how dishonest and biased they were; but not anymore.
Dave because of the corrupt MSM "news" manipulation, especially its coverage on Vietnam, Kennedy, McNamara, Water Gate etc. my dawning was the early 70s. A side note: During the 50s and early 60s (my formative period) we were regularly instilled with the notion that Our (good) "news" Organs were "free" as opposed to the controlled Government News in the Soviet Union (bad).
Well truth be known the MSM has it's own corrupt agenda much like the Soviet Union did, and it controls its "news" like the Soviets did to serve it, using many of the same techniques but usually more subtly, using slight of hand (editing) to deny it.
Yes a few friends of mine (vets mostly) felt the same way... Obviously we weren't the only ones..
Cliches aside thank God for the NET. We are millions now and the MSM lies wrapped in deceit will never pass for conventional wisdom anymore let alone the truth.
Yes never forget we are much stronger now, even when us old fucks die off the kids coming back from Iraq and A-stan (as well as their relatives and friends) will never be just a few!
WASHINGTON The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has rejected a Miami Beach man's application to trademark the name "Obama bin Laden" because the name "may falsely suggest a connection with the individuals Osama bin Laden and Barack Obama," You can't get a trademark for "immoral or scandalous matter," a USPTO offical said. Good. Now we can all use this nickname as necessary without legal harassment.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) - A Marine who said he never fired a shot in the kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi man was sentenced Saturday to 8 years in military prison - the longest sentence yet in the case. Lance Cpl. Robert B. Pennington, 22, also was reduced in rank and given a dishonorable discharge during the sentencing hearing at the Camp Pendleton Marine base.
Pennington was part of an eight-member squad accused of kidnapping and killing Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, last April in the Iraqi town of Hamdania. Investigators said the Marines dragged Awad from his home, shot him, and then planted an AK-47 and a shovel by his body to make it look like he was an insurgent planting a bomb. Pennington, the squad's radio operator, testified at his court-martial that he did not shoot Awad but said he helped force the man into a roadside hole and held his hand over his mouth.
``It's been an emotional roller coaster,'' Pennington's mother, Deanna Pennington, said after the sentencing. ``Bobby died in Fallujah. I want to bring him back.''
The Marine from Mukilteo, Wash., pleaded guilty Tuesday to kidnapping and conspiracy. Murder, larceny and housebreaking charges will be dismissed if he completes terms of a plea bargain requiring him to testify for the government and remain on good behavior. He was sentenced to a total of 14 years - but the military judge suspended six years and gave him credit for more than a year he has already served. The sentence will be automatically reviewed by a military appeals court. Pennington's civilian attorney, David Brahms, said he will try to have the sentence commuted.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#6
Sure, but Grom Ima guess is an expert, he has serious links to Kiplingesk stuff. I'm tempted to guess Anglo-Joooooooooooooo who made the move. Still confused by the New Mexico thing tho.
#13
gromgoru, my little sister was at Los Alamos just last summer. She said the scientists were great fun, but nobody would get serious unless she took a permanent job there. Of course, she was there as a pre-doc programmer... ;-)
#14
TW
Los Alamos is a great place. However, out of 20 odd postdocs that I knew there, only two got tenure (and for one of them it involved a serious endowment to the institution by his father). Hope it helps your sister.
As an FTO, any person found to be transferring funds to the Taliban would be subject to indictment. Under current US law, only known Qaeda agents can be indicted for having obtained funding for terrorist purposes.
Delivering her testimony to a House Appropriations Sub Committee, Rice noted that the group had already been designated as a terrorist organisation under an earlier executive order.
Replying to a query from Republican Congressman Mark Steven Kirk, she said: As I understand it, it (Taliban) is designated as a global terrorist organisation under an executive order and the work is being done to designate it as a FTO. And so I think, in due course, as they go through that procedure, it will be brought for designation. As an FTO, any person found to be transferring funds to the Taliban would be subject to indictment. Under current US law, only known Qaeda agents can be indicted for having obtained funding for terrorist purposes, following the groups designation by Washington as an FTO on Oct 5, 2001.
This article starring:
Condoleezza Rice
Foreign Terrorist Organisation
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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A meeting of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) chapter, on Saturday urged the government to dissociate itself from the ongoing United States international war against terrorism. It also demanded the government to strike peace deals like that of the North Waziristan in all the tribal areas. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the opposition and JUI-F chief, presided over the meeting, which was attended by the members of parliament belonging to the FATA besides Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, deputy secretary general of the JUI-F and Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, chief of the partys Balochistan chapter, Maulana Mirajuddin told Daily Times after the meeting.
He said that the meeting demanded of the government to immediately summon the US ambassador to Pakistan and seek explanation about the recent statement of the US general that they would target Taliban and there was no need of permission from Pakistan. Mirajuddin said that the meeting believed that the government should honour the agreement held in North Waziristan. We are ready to facilitate the government to strike peace deals in other parts of the tribal areas, he said.
This article starring:
MAULANA ABDUL GHAFUR HAIDERI
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
MAULANA FAZLUR REHMAN
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
MAULANA MIRAJUDIN
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
MAULANA MUHAMAD KHAN SHERANI
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Does that include not participating on either side?
#2
Why don't we just bomb what is currently pakistan back to the stone age, split it between Afghanistan and India, and put it out of its misery? Bombing will include every madrassah, mosque, and religious school in the nation, along with every military and political installation. We'll rebuild the infrastructure later, at our discretion. The Northwest Frontier Province will be left to it's own reconstruction.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/18/2007 14:24 Comments ||
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Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Qazi Hussain Ahmed and former deputy secretary general Hafiz Hussain Ahmed are likely to continue their boycott of the National Assembly, despite the MMA general councils decision otherwise, sources privy to the development told Daily Times.
Both leaders were present in the city recently but they did not attend the NA session though the general council had decided in favour of MMA members attending the proceedings after withdrawal of the earlier decision to resign en-bloc from the NA, the sources said. Qazi being the president of the MMA was not willing to attend the NA session because he was a staunch supporter of resignations, but he accepted the majority decision of the alliances general council just to keep the MMA intact, the sources said. They said that Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, who still holds the portfolio of deputy parliamentary leader of the MMA, was also not willing to attend the session because he had publicly announced his resignation after the passage of the Womens Protection Bill (WPB).
The sources said that a cold war between the two top leaders of the MMA Qazi and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the alliances secretary general was still on over the issue of resignations. A top Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader said that it would be very hard for Qazi to attend the NA session because he believed that the MMA had made a public commitment to resign from the NA if the WPB were passed.
On the other hand, the sources said that problems between Hafiz and the Balochistan chapter of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) still persisted, despite reports that the issues were settled on during a meeting between Maulana Fazl and Hafiz in the presence of Qari Hanif Jullandhry at Mina during Haj.
The confrontation began after Hafiz announced his resignation, which the Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani-led Balochistan chapter of the JUI-F considered a violation of the party discipline. The central executive committee of the party, in a hurriedly called meeting, decided to issue a show cause notice to Hafiz. The sources said that the issue was apparently resolved during the Mina meeting, but the Balochistan JUI-F did not support Hafiz in the MMAs internal elections and replaced him with Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri as deputy secretary general of the alliance.
This article starring:
HAFIZ HUSEIN AHMED
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
MAULANA ABDUL GHAFUR HAIDERI
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
MAULANA FAZLUR REHMAN
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
MAULANA MUHAMAD KHAN SHIRANI
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
QARI HANIF JULLANDHRY
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
QAZI HUSEIN AHMED
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Jamaat-e-Islami
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Just looking at those rascals I'ma start to think that maybe our man Jesse Jackson might have made a fine turban twirler.
President Gen Pervez Musharraf urged people on Monday to reject extremists in the upcoming general elections for Pakistan to continue its journey on the path to progress.
Addressing a public meeting at Iqbal Stadium here, Musharraf said that terrorism, extremism and sectarianism were the major obstacles to development in the country.
He said that certain quarters claiming to be champions of Islam were trying to divide the nation, and those promoting extremism were not only harming Pakistan, but also stigmatising this religion.
He urged people to vote for those who wanted to see the country progress, and said the masses, especially women and young people, should actively participate in the electoral process.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed disappointment on Friday with a deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban militants. In September, Pakistan signed an agreement with tribal leaders in its North Waziristan region, along the border with Afghanistan, meant to stop cross border attacks. The US military says the area has since become an even stronger haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters. Rice told lawmakers that the Untied States had tried to support Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharrafs plan to empower tribal leaders to deal with cross border problems. But, she said, Frankly, there have been some problems and some disappointments with that plan. Pakistan insists it is doing all it can to stop cross border militancy and has deployed about 80,000 troops along its rugged border with Afghanistan. Rice said the United States has been clear with Musharraf that he must do something about cross border problems.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Good morning Dr Rice. Would you like a cup of coffee---to complete your awakening process?
Since the multiple bombings in Shroja market district on the 12th, Baghdad hasnt seen any major attacks and theres a tangible decrease in all kinds of attacks. Not only official statements say so (Defense ministry officials said today that attacks are down by 80% in Baghdad). Its a reality I live in nowadays, at least in my neighborhood and its surroundings. It is also what I hear from friends and relatives in other parts of the city.
We are hearing fewer explosions and less gunfire now than two weeks ago and that, in Baghdad, qualifies as quiet.
I agree with what some experts say about this lull in violence being the result of militants keeping their heads down for a while. It is also possibly the result of the flight of the commanders of militant groups. Grunts left without planners, money or leaders wouldnt want to do much on their own.
The Surge is showing signs of success. The progress made so far invites hope and optimism, but its still too early to celebrate.
During my tour in Baghdad today I had to pull over to be searched at several checkpoints something that has rarely happened to me before. When you are searched soldiers or policemen check the identity cards of passengers, and the registration papers of the vehicle along with a thorough physical search. Checkpoints deal even more strictly with large vans and cargo trucks.
The interesting thing about new checkpoints is the constant shifting of their location. One hour the checkpoint would be here and two hours later it would relocate to another position within the area. I think this helps security forces avoid becoming targets instead of hunters.
In addition to soldiers and policemen, most checkpoints have one or more traffic policemen reportedly being equipped with laptops that enable them to flag suspected vehicles by offering instant access to vehicle-registration databases.
Side by side with new security efforts is a campaign to clean and redecorate many streets, circles and parks in Baghdad. New trees are planted and damaged street medians and sidewalks are being refurbished. This offers a small yet much needed breeze of hope and normalcy to the traumatized city.
The most significant and encouraging development is certainly this report from al-Sabah: Brigadier Qasim Ata, an authorized Baghdad Operation spokesman, told al-Sabah that for the 3rd day in a row dozens of displaced families are returning to their homes. 35 families returned in Madain, 7 in hay al-Iilam and small numbers of families in various districts of Baghdad.
Later reports in the local media indicate that the total number of families that returned home is as high as 130 families across the city, including several families in the, until recently, hopelessly violent district of Hay al-Adl.
The report adds that Maliki ordered that the Bab al-Muadam and al-Shuhada bridges on the Tigris be reopened to traffic next week. This decision came in response to the notable increase in traffic activity which in turn is a result of the growing feeling of safety.
Confirming what we said earlier about the recovery of civilian activity, the spokesman said most stores in the Alawi al-Hilla districts have reopened after times when this area was a scene for repeated terrorist attacks.
As the effort continues in Baghdad, four other provinces are launching simultaneous plans to support operation Imposing the Law. Officials in the provinces of Diwaniya, Salahaddin, Wasit and Babil announced that the security forces are implementing a security plan to support and empower the ongoing operation in Baghdad, and to deal with the threat of possible infiltration by terrorists coming from Baghdad.
The progress made so far invites hope and optimism, but its still too early to celebrate. Terrorists will keep trying to carry out attacks similar to those in Sadriya or Shorja. They want sow as much death and destruction as they can in order to shake the peoples confidence in the security plan. Such criminals attacks are still quite possible in Baghdad, but even if happen we must not let that stop us from pursuing the objectives of our efforts to stop the death and deterioration, to turn the tide and make progress.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
The bad guys will take measure and respond. The stakes are far too high to lay low for long.
They need some highly publicized attacks in order to tamp down the early wins of the surge and to embolden their allies, the donks and MSM.
Posted by: Captain America ||
02/18/2007 0:50 Comments ||
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#2
Do we all agree the militant leaders left town, are watching for patterns and weaknesses, and planning a comeback? Then we should believe our troops, in addition to blowing up ammo by the ton, are preparing for the return. The comeback trail for the militant leaders may hold some surprises for them - career ending surprises.
#3
Well, once Baghdad has been relatively cleaned, there will only be four(?) entrances left to the city, and those will have major checkpoints on them, severely restricting weapons flow into the city.
Palestinians: 'Rice-Abbas meeting was difficult'
Palestinian officials said Sunday that the afternoon's meeting between Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was "difficult" and that Rice expressed reservations about the Mecca accord. I, for one, remain sceptical of USDOS long term adherence to principals (or showing common sense).
Salah likely to face charges following fiery sermon
Islamic Movement Northern Front leader Sheikh Raed Salah is likely to find himself under criminal investigation following a fiery sermon delivered Friday at a protest against the work at the Mughrabi Gate. Expect everybody: MSM, Pope, heads of state (including states who routinely deport Muzzi rabble rousers preachers); to protest in 5..4..3..
Chicago police detain Iranian in deaths of 3 women
Chicago police had a recent Iranian immigrant in custody early Sunday after three women were found bludgeoned to death with a hammer in two apartments in the US city. No charges had been filed early Sunday, and the names of the victims had not been released by authorities, but neighbors and friends identified two of the dead women as Karmin Khooshabeh, 44, and her stepsister, Karolin Khooshabeh, 40. They said the third victim was their 60-year-old mother.
One neighbor, Karolin Khooshabeh's former husband, Robert Estrepaniance, said Karmin Khooshabeh was the arrested man's wife, and that the couple had been having marital difficulties recently. This too, is not an act of terrorism.
JERUSALEM - US President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have agreed to shun a Palestinian unity government unless it meets international conditions, an official in Olmerts office said on Saturday.
The Bush administration insisted it would wait until a government was formed before making a judgment and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was due to meet Olmert and ineffectual Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday in Jerusalem to try to revive stalled peace talks.
But the Israelis said the meeting would focus instead on disagreements over Abbas deal for a coalition of his Fatah movement with the militant Hamas group.
An official in Olmerts office told Reuters the agreement with Bush over a joint position toward the Palestinian government was reached in a telephone conversation on Friday between the two leaders. We wont recognize a unity government that doesnt explicitly accept the conditions. This is the joint US-Israeli position, the official said, confirming Israeli television reports.
Working out well for the Paleos, isn't it? This will ensure that the bankers refuse to handle any money coming in.
Rice, who arrived in Jerusalem after a surprise trip to Baghdad, told reporters a decision had not yet been made on how to deal with a unity government. In Washington, White House spokesman Alex Conant said, We will await the formation of the government before making any decisions about it.
In the unity deal reached in Saudi Arabia this month, Hamas made no explicit commitment to recognize Israel, renounce violence or accept interim peace deals as demanded by Israel and the quartet of Middle East mediators. Abbas made clear he would not budge from the deal. This agreement was the best we could get. We cannot change it. You either take it or leave it, a Palestinian official said of Abbas message to Assistant US Secretary of State David Welch in preparatory talks in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
We'll leave it, thanks.
Rice said that despite problems surrounding the unity government, it was an important time for both sides to meet. If one waited for the perfect time to come to the Middle East then one would never get on the airplane, Rice said at a joint appearance with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
There's a thought.
Livni made clear Israel did not believe the deal between Hamas and Abbas was satisfactory. Unfortunately, before the formation of the future Palestinian government, the understandings do not meet the requirements of the international community, Livni said before the two met for dinner.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
If only the pali peoples were Old Order Amish this might work.
Police and troops on Sulawesi were put on high alert, because military intelligence had picked up information indicating that Islamic radicals from all over Indonesia were moving to Sulawesi in an attempt to launch a spectacular attack on local Christians. Australia has warned its citizens to stay away from Central Sulawesi, where most of the violence tends to take place. To make matters worse, the Christians are ready to strike back if the Islamic terrorists go after them again. Over the last few years, some 2,000 people have died in religious strife on Sulawesi. The Islamic radicals need a spectacular operation to revive declining enthusiasm for the cause (of global Islamic conquest).
#2
To make matters worse, the Christians are ready to strike back if the Islamic terrorists go after them again.
------------
That's Strategypage's editor -- not a moonbat; probably just poorly written
#3
I'd like to see any attack made against the Christians beaten back with major loss of life for the attackers. That would do more than anything else to put an end to this nonsense. Not only would it reduce the number of "radicals", but it would also humiliate those that took part in the attack.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/18/2007 14:32 Comments ||
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#4
Assume for a moment that such a massive slaughter of Christians took place.
Would the dhimmicrats stay home and make ready for discussions ? Would the president react with an invasion with millions of Americans demanding immediate retrobution ? Would the dhimmicrats refuse to fund the will of the people ?
Stay tuned.
Director General for the political affairs of Sistan and Balouchestan governorate Soltan-Ali Mir told FNA that the US and Britain are behind the recent terrorist attacks in the city of Zahedan, adding, "Washington and London are facing serious challenges as their interests in the Middle-East region have been endangered. Since the Islamic Republic is the main center of anti-US struggles, they are seeking to trouble Iran through a series of challenges, including terrorist attacks and unrests."
Asked to elaborate on the documents proving involvement of the US and Britain in recent incidents in Iran's Sistan and Balouchestan province, he said, "The weapons that the terrorists have used are US and British made. Moreover, the arrested terrorist agents have meantime, confessed that they have been trained by English-speaking people."
The official invited representatives of the United Nations, Human Rights watch and other international bodies to dispatch envoys to Iran to observe the available documents and proofs substantiating involvement of the Untied States and Britain in the recent terrorist attacks, including the blast and shootout on Wednesday.
"The US and Britain, which allege to be pioneers in the campaign against terrorism, are themselves actually defending the terrorists, training them and providing them with the needed media and financial supports and facilities," he added.
Soltan-Ali Mir further pointed out that the US and Britain intend to create a series of incidents in his province similar to what they have already done in Iraq.
"They intend to kill the Shiites and leave the footstep at the door of the Sunnis or vice versa. Some of the arrestees confessed that they had plans to assassinate religious and tribal leaders of the Sunnis and put the blame on the Shiites in a bid to foment ethnic and religious conflicts," he stated.
Posted by: B. Brown ||
02/18/2007 18:39 Comments ||
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#4
Nah. If SOCOM was involved to the degree that it should have been *starting on 9/12/01*, the GWOT might have been in a mop-up phase by now.
Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu BabalooZ) ||
02/18/2007 18:51 Comments ||
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#5
HHHHHMMM, FORBES.com > FARSNEWS > STRATFOR thinktank > Western INTEL-Other Services [USA?]may had hand in violence in SE Iran.; WAFF.com > ARABS > WANT FRANCE AND CHINA TO BE GLOBAL SUPERPOWERS + KHAMEINI > IRAN-SYRIA must become regional strategic allies. All together, boyz, wid feeling, "FRANCE???" - yep, UNABLE TO BURY THE DEAD, "HAVE PROPELLER, WILL LOSE", "PARIS PROMISES EVERY UNIV STUDENT A JOB THAT PARIS CAN'T PAY FOR", "GIVE ME A DELTA-WING OR GIVE ME EURO-DISNEY/MCDONALDS", etc. that France!?
IRAN for the first time formally denied claims by Iraqi and US officials that radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is in the Islamic republic, the ISNA news agency reported. Moqtada al-Sadr is not in Iran, said foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini. This is part of the propaganda and psychological warfare led by the United States in Iraq to impose pressure on Iran and it has no basis, he said.
"He's ... somewhere else."
Iraqi government and US officials have said that the firebrand cleric, leader of the Mahdi Army Shiite militia and a powerful political movement, fledran awayvamoosed left for Tehran last month ahead of a renewed security operation.
Sami al-Askari, an aide to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, on Thursday said that Sadr was on a short visit to Iran on an official invitation.
Some Sadr aides promised on Friday that Sadr would disprove the claims by publicly leading weekly prayers at his regular mosque in the Shiite townof Kufa, south of Baghdad, but he failed to appear.
Little too dangerous showing up at the usual place at the usual time?
The Iranian Government has up until now condemned the US claims as a provocation, but not explicitly confirmed or denied whether Sadr was on its territory.
WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Stepping up U.S. financial pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, the Treasury Department labeled three Iranian companies on Friday as proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and banned Americans from transactions with them.
The Treasury, invoking an executive order recently used against Iranian state-owned banks, said it would also seek to freeze any U.S. assets of Kalaye Electric Co., Kavoshyar Co. and Pioneer Energy Industries Co. It said the companies are either owned by, controlled by, or acting on behalf of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the government agency that manages Iran's overall nuclear program, including efforts to enrich uranium through centrifuge and laser processes.
"Treasury is taking this action to deny Iran access to the materials and services that support its nuclear ambitions," said Stuart Levey, the Treasury's under secretary for for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Good move, but shouldn't have done this a while ago?
The action was consistent with the U.N. Security Council's recent resolution aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program, Levey added in his statement. The resolution imposes sanctions, including suspension of financial services, against 10 Iranian organizations and 12 individuals associated with Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
In Friday's designation, the Treasury said Kalaye Electric has been linked to Iran's centrifuge research and development efforts and was listed in documents attached to the U.N. Security Council resolution due to its involvement in Iran's nuclear program. Kavoshyar's sole shareholder is the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Pioneer Energy provides services to AEOI, including technological support, the Treasury said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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There is so much that should have been done decades ago, and even more since 9/11. The West is not serious about the jihad.
Close allies President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday pledged they would work together to confront US and Israeli plots in the Middle East. Assad had earlier arrived in Iran for a two day visit aimed at further bolstering already robust ties, his second trip to the Islamic republic since Ahmadinejad took power in August 2005.
We should cooperate and work to make the public aware of the sinister aims of the United States and the Zionists
The two men, both under fire from the United States for their countries alleged meddling in the region, warned against the dangers of disunity between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, in particular in multi-confessional Lebanon and Iraq.
We should cooperate and work to make the public aware of the sinister aims of the United States and the Zionists, Assad said in his meeting with Ahmadinejad, according to the state-run IRNA agency. Iran and Syria support the peoples of the region and the enemies will only reach their goals by creating pessimism and disunity amongst Muslims, he added.
Ahmadinejad agreed that we should be careful about the enemies efforts to create division and conflict amongst Muslims and make sure they do not reach their sinister goals. Under the current conditions it is necessary that Islamic countries preserve their vigilance, unity and wisdom to prevent the establishment of new conspiracies, he added.
Creating conflict between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq and Lebanon is the final card that America and its allies have... they try to cover their failure with false propaganda, Assad told Rafsanjani.
This article starring:
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Faruq al-Shara
Walid Muallem
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Ahmadinejad should go back to beating prisoners; he would feel better and not be as likely to say embarrassingly stupid things. No plots are needed to defeat evil intentions and evil empires, just standing up to them does it every time.
#2
I love it these Baathists never quite have the temerity to go for the full mini-Hitler mustache. Dictator of Iraq, Syria, it does not matter; some tiny spark in there knows what they are doing is not only evil but pathetic.
The only country currently at war in 2 different places and climbing. You think you have friends? Go overseas. Come to the middle east, even Europe. Tell people you are American, see what they will do to your redneck ignorant ass.
Ahmedinajad is a great man. I praise him and hope that he has the courage to stand up to you dumb ignorant selfish bastards. Maybe you will even get nuked... Better watch out for those kiddys you have running around Iraq... About 140K now? Hmm... I wonder what kind of target that would present...
You guys are so dumb. You are INVITING more 9/11's. Afghanistan was one thing, but Iran, Syria, Iraq... had nothing to do with it.
#5
Poor Mr. Arabi isn't as worldly as he thinks. Mr.Wife just returned yesterday from a 10-day jaunt round Asia, and was welcomed everywhere with friendly faces and open arms, although all knew not only is he American, but employed by an American company. He's been doing this in various parts of the world since 1985, originally the Muslim world actually, from Turkey to Saudi Arabia to Egypt to Morocco, and has never experienced this hatred Mr. Arabi seems so sure exists. But perhaps that's because he deals with the more educated and successful strata of the societies in which he has been, in comparison to poor Mr. Arabi -- factory workers, for instance. Presidents and middle managers as well, of course, but I suspect Mr. Arabi will never have to worry about knowing the thoughts of such as those.
#6
Speaking for rednecks everywhere, if we were in charge of this thing I can assure you Iraq and Iran would be much quieter and flatter than now. Beware, Redneck Nation has not yet awakened.
#12
Our Irritant du Jour is posting from 70.162.20.53.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 12:01 Comments ||
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#13
Dave,
English please.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
02/18/2007 12:27 Comments ||
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#14
Which is provided by Cox Communications, Atlanta.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/18/2007 12:40 Comments ||
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#15
"English, please"
The numbers I posted are our friend arabi's IP address. If you go to a place like www.dnsstuff.com and look up that address, you can see approximately where he is posting from. In this case, it appears to be out of Tempe, Arizona, unless I'm reading the information all wrong.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
02/18/2007 12:45 Comments ||
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#16
I disagree with my friends above, I think arabi is mooselimb and has just been in the U.S. a long time, riding the good life and hating us for what we made, he enjoys, and his bretheren moonbats cannot make anyplace where their disgusting, peodphile inspired religion rules.
If you feel so jihadi asshat, catch a flight back and join the fray, I think there is plenty of 5.56 to go around. Or do you plan to stay here and be the subversive you feel more comfortable being. Typical lion of islam, hiding and sniping.....
#17
Which is provided by Cox Communications, Atlanta.
Jimmah, is that you?
Posted by: ed ||
02/18/2007 14:09 Comments ||
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#18
We should cooperate and work to make the public aware of the sinister aims of the United States and the Zionists
Those "sinister" aims - to live in peace with everyone, to provide for their families, to make a better life for their children, and to live as they please. They're so hard to reconcile with Islam, aren't they? Both idiots should be taken out and chained to a post in the noonday sun - for about a month.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/18/2007 14:35 Comments ||
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#19
FOTSGreg, you are just so cute when you do dialect!And you switch so beautifully between that and the language of the groves of academe.. but then I'm sure poor Mr. Arabi wouldn't be able to follow you there. Not really. There are those who've attended classes, after all, and those who have benefitted from the experience. My parents used to bemoan that simple fact, back in the day, as do two of my siblings about their own students now.
#20
TW, my aim is purely to please and possibly illuminate, dear lady.
Now that that's outta' the way, I'm gonna' have me a beer (well, maybe later after I get off work that only a half-edgecated redneck like me kin do - protectin' half a billion dollars in guv'mint genetic research lab today - Oh, look! Shiney!).
American preparations for invading Iran are complete and a major conventional war with Teheran could begin any day, according to a chilling new report that coincides with leading US Democrat Congressmen's warning to President Bush that he does not have the authority to go to war with Iran.
The report, by authoritative defence expert Dan Plesch, says American military operations for Iran "extend far beyond targeting suspect WMD facilities and will enable President Bush to destroy Iran's military, political and economic infrastructure overnight using conventional weapons."
Plesch, who is known to be well-connected and well-networked at the very highest reaches of the trans-Atlantic political and defence establishment, quoted unnamed British military sources to say that "the US military switched its whole focus to Iran" as soon as Saddam Hussein was kicked out of Baghdad.
He said his sources added that the US has continued this target-Iran strategy ever since, even though the American infantry continues to be bogged down fighting the insurgency in Iraq.
In an assertion that has astonished European capitals, the defence guru claimed that despite the gross failure to re-build post-Saddam Iraq, American hubris extends to plans for a "peaceful" post-invasion "settlement" for Iran. This plan will seek to create a federal nation, an "Iran of the regions", he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/18/2007 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[9 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Promises, promises....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
02/18/2007 0:25 Comments ||
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#2
Invade - no
Reduce certain select locations to very small rubble - faster please
This website is about building a safer and more peaceful world, with down to earth and practical solutions that cut through the doublethink, spin and overcomplicated academic discussions.
The Beauty Queen's Guide to World Peace picks up where Michael Moore leaves off and sets out a programme to fend off both the Bushites and Bin Laden and tackle head on the real problems of WMDs, global warming and corporate domination.
Change your mindset. Don't think you're the fringe, think you're the future. Be self-confident. If you knock at the door you might find it crumbles because its rotting from within.
So welcome to the site. Have a browse, get in touch with your thoughts, and thanks for visiting.
Bonefish, way so much smarter than lefties and even sneakier.
#4
FOX BOYS > both Barnes and Kondracke are in rough general agreement that Dubya's priority, for now, is to isolate Iran's ambitions while using multilateral diplomacy/negots to induce Iran into 'regime change".
#5
...a chilling new report that coincides with leading US Democrat Congressmen's warning to President Bush that he does not have the authority to go to war with Iran.
And yet Iran has sought no authority from Congress to wage its thirty year war against the United States.
#6
When are you Americans going to wake up and see the double standard in letting Israel become Nuclear (what is it over 200 warheads now?)
So you expect the world to see how "Equal" and "Even handed" you Americans are with your "Democracy", but it is all a double standard.
Israel is not signed on to the NPT, nor do they allow inspectors to go into their sites. As a matter of fact, they have threatened the security of more Arab states than any other country. AND they do all this without so much as a twitch from you people.
You are here talking about "Dubya" like you know him? Get your head out of your ass for a minute and take a look around. What would you say if the whole world said "America cannot have a Space program" and the world started putting sanctions on you. Meanwhile, China, Russia and everyone else is going to space. Hmmm... I'm sure that seems fair to you?
If you want Iran to give up their nukes, why doesn't anyone force Israel to disarm. Take the weapons away from Israel first. Then talk about losing proliferation aspirations can begin.
Until then, I suggest you read things other than NEOCON propaganda.
#10
I'm hoping and praying Israel will "give up their nukes".... give up one or two 5000 feet over Tehran, one, two or three over Damascus. One of Beruit, A half dozen or so over various cities in Soodiland. The sooner, the better. Hooah!
#11
Israelis in particular and Jewish folks generally have brought more to the table in civiliation than all the Moose Limbs mobocracies in history combined.
All the while being murdered and reviled for no other reason than being Jewish.
I'll take Jewish civility and culture over anything you have to offer any day.
Judaism is a religion that values life, self defense and many other practical matters over everything else. They are a group of people to be emulated and we are all lesser people for failing to do so.
If Islamists can't do business and can't negotiate to live along side Jewish peple, I have no use for them. Or you.
#12
What would you say if the whole world said "America cannot have a Space program" and the world started putting sanctions on you.
Yeah, like that's going to happen. Listen camel humper, the U.S. economy drives the rest of the world. All those fancy things y'all love so much but can't build, we invented most of them.
You Arabs, (I'm assuming you're an Arab, you display the logic of one) have been killing each other, and "others", since Mohammed crawled out of the desert and began his evil pretend religion. And that's about it. Along the way you've murdered tens of millions, destroyed whole civilizations and claimed their contributions to humanity as your own.
So, if we decide that you goofball Islamic morons aren't going to be allowed to have Nuclear Weapons, who can blame us? Idiot. Don't you have a goat to abuse?
#13
I still hold that no matter the causus belli, nor who starts it, the US strategy will be three fold:
1) Reduce the Iranian nuclear capability and uranium mines, their military and IRG. Defense provided by layered anti-ballistic missile shield.
2) Once their military and IRG are reduced, use a South-North movement to partition Khuzestan and Iranian Kurdistan, which will then be occupied and defended by the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmurga, respectively. (At this point, the Pakistani army may occupy Iranian Baluchistan, likewise.) There will be no reason to invade Persia.
3) The US keeps its forces in reserve, providing heavy weapons and air support until the situation has stabilized.
This scenario will result in Iran losing its oil and much of its mineral resources, its access to and ability to directly threaten the Persian Gulf, and the capability to regenerate its nuclear weapons program. Its major weapons system will have been neutralized, and the territory and people it loses to its neighbors will strengthen them accordingly.
US ground forces exposure will be limited to what amounts to a major flanking maneuver against the remnants of the Iranian army still positioned along the Iraqi border.
Isreal need nuclear weapons to defend itself against hundreds of millions of allan's children that are pledged to Isreal's destruction. Isreal was the vitim of three major and many minor wars launched by your muzzie governments and moskkks. Isreal does not threaten any other nation with first use of nukes nor do they try to impose their will on other neighboring countries - hell they don't even defend themselves anymore. That's the difference. Isrealis have a concience and are civilized. alan's spawn are barbarians and can't be trusted to act as responsible humans.
#16
It would help if you were to spell Israel correctly, jds.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
02/18/2007 10:51 Comments ||
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#17
you know him? Get your head out of your ass for a minute and take a look around. What would you say if the whole world said "America cannot have a Space program" and the world started putting sanctions on you. Meanwhile, China, Russia and everyone else is going to space. Hmmm... I'm sure that seems fair to you?
You do know what we'd do? We nuke the damn planet and kill everyone we didn't like. It's simple, cheap and we've done it before. Most of us think Andrew Jackson was a damn pussy for letting the indians get away.
#20
That Arabi fella is posting stalking on a whole bunch of threads.
Arabi: you are what we civilized folks call a "moonbat", and although you are providing me with some good laughs, I'm sure you'd be happier at democratic underground.
#23
So you expect the world to see how "Equal" and "Even handed" you Americans are with your "Democracy", but it is all a double standard.
Sadly you're mistaking the 'left' for America. Let me introduce you to the Jacksonians. We don't care about 'even handed'. We don't care about 'world opinion'. Leave our country alone, and we'll leave your country in peace. Mess with us and we'll kill you. Don't believe me - talk to some elderly residents of Germany or Japan.
#26
Can't help anyone who doesn't see the difference between Israel and Iran. No double standard here. Attitudes like Arabi's are going to result in "fry 'em up."
#27
Tempe, AZ? I wonder if he's one of those idiots who got thrown off the airplane in Minneapolis for collecting seat belt extenders and praying to the devil.
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Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
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Sudanese President 
Controversial plans to build a "supermosque" on the doorstep of the London Olympics will be blocked by the Government. Ruth Kelly's Whitehall department is expected to refuse planning permission for the London Markaz, which would be the biggest religious building in Britain with room for 70,000 worshippers.
American plans to station part of an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic without consulting Russia met with criticism from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to a media report.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the early front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, has called for a 90-day deadline to start pulling American troops from Iraq.
A meeting of 
JERUSALEM - US President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have agreed to shun a Palestinian unity government unless it meets international conditions, an official in Olmerts office said on Saturday.
Close allies President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday pledged they would work together to confront US and Israeli plots in the Middle East. Assad had earlier arrived in Iran for a two day visit aimed at further bolstering already robust ties, his second trip to the Islamic republic since Ahmadinejad took power in August 2005.
