. . . As a freelance writer, I pitched my services to cover a peace rally on the west steps of the state Capitol building last Friday, September 7, and the editor went for it.
As it turned out, there wasnt much of a story there, but it was impossible to tell in advance that the event would be such a flop. . . . Some organizers had predicted that 3,000 peace activists were going to show up, but the people on the steps of the Capitol to protest the war never numbered much more than 200 souls, and of that number a couple dozen were either speakers or organizers.
Without a trace of irony, one of the first speakers at the event shouted into the microphone, This is what democracy looks like, and then tried to lead the pathetically small crowd in chanting those words, but the effort died. . . .
An hour into the event, a woman passed me with a disappointed look on her face and said, This is pitiful.
And it was. We are not insignificant, a speaker read from his prepared speech, but the numbers assembled before him gave lie to his words. And the repeated references to the will of the people seemed pointedly indifferent to the fact of the rather listless group that milled around, carrying the same sorts of banners and placards that might have been seen a couple of generations ago in much larger and much younger gatherings. . . .
. . . Perhaps a lesson that can be drawn from last Fridays rally is that what once worked to turn the nation against the war in Vietnam isnt going to play in re-runs. . . .
#2
the rather listless group that milled around, carrying the same sorts of banners and placards that might have been seen a couple of generations ago in much larger and much younger gatherings. . . .
Says it all, doesn't it. The anti-war movement is on a par with erectile dysfunction commercials, pandering to the Peter Pan impulses of aging hippies.
#3
So once they are all dead can we go back to ruling the world? I am looking forward to steak, cigars and all the gasoline I can drink for five cents a gallon.
#6
Yesterday or the day before NPR did a bit about the fading of protests against the Iraq war. They admitted apparent progress, then had aural snips from one pro-war young man saying how Iraq is part of the war on terror, and we'll probably need to be there another ten years, then a female anti-war baby boomer who said (approximately), "I'm against this war just as I was against the war in Viet Nam. But I won't protest because I remember how the returning Viet Nam veterans were treated, and I will not do that to our young men and women in uniform this time. And besides, if we pull out suddenly, it would be very bad. Much as I hate it, we're going to be there another three years or so."
#8
I have this "theory" (OK it's dumb) but it goes like this.
To get the greatest generation we needed to take on a type of good person debt, and we needed to pay it back by having really low quality people in the next generation.
So you're positing a Law of Conservation of Character, Bright Pebbles? Personally, I think that the Baby Boom generation manages that without going outside its own ranks. They are a generation of extremes, eschewing as much as possible the middle of the bell curve.
The Afghan government is ready for peace talks with the Taliban, but will not accept preconditions demanded by them such as the withdrawal of all foreign troops, a presidential spokesman said on Tuesday.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai repeated his call to Taliban to enter peace negotiations in a speech he made on the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. But the Taliban said they would only accept talks if all of the roughly 50,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan left first, a new constitution was accepted and Islamic law imposed.
The Afghan government is not open to negotiations with any preconditions, we are not going to have any preconditions, presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada told a news conference. The only promise the government would give the Taliban ahead of any talks was a guarantee for the safety of negotiators. The Taliban said they were sticking to their demands.
Our position is very clear - the withdrawal of the foreign troops is a must, also the imposition of real Islamic law and the re-writing of the constitution, Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf told Reuters by telephone from an unknown location. As long as foreign forces are in Afghanistan, negotiations are useless, he said. We dont want to talk to foreigners, we want to talk to Afghans to bring peace and security ... As long as foreign forces are present, Afghanistan will never be peaceful.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Oh, well...
Guess we'll have to keep killing them then.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai pleaded with Canada on Tuesday not to withdraw its 2,500 troops when their mission ends in early 2009, saying to do so would only help deliver his country back to the Taliban, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported.
Karzai made his comments to a special meeting of all Canadian reporters based in Afghanistan. "The presence of Canada is needed until Afghanistan is able to defend itself, and that day is not going to be in 2009," a story on the Globe Web site quoted him as saying.
So far 70 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan, most of them in roadside bomb explosions near their base in the southern city of Kandahar. Canada's minority Conservative government says it will not extend the mission unless Parliament approves the idea, something that seems highly unlikely.
"If you leave prematurely, before we can defend ourselves in terms of our own abilities, government, institutions, and all associated factors, Afghanistan will fall back," the Globe quoted Karzai as saying.
Earlier he remarked that "anarchy will bring back safe havens to terrorists, among other things, and terrorists will then hurt you back there in Canada and the United States. Simple as that."
Opposition parties in Canada say the troops have spent far too much time fighting the Taliban, while neglecting the effort to help rebuild the country.
So send some civil affairs and reconstruction experts to work alongside the troops.
A report on the CTV Web site said Karzai had pledged that if Canada committed its troops to staying longer, he would work to end corruption, rebuild infrastructure and try to bring good government.
#2
The inline commenter should be advised that there are a ton of Canadian civil affairs and reconstruction types working in Afghanistan. If the (dis)loyal opposition had their way there would be nothing BUT civil affairs and reconstruction people there and ABSOLUTELY NO FIGHTING SOLDIERS at all.
IF a Federal election is forced upon the country before February of 2009 and IF the Conservative party of Canada subsequently wins a majority, then and only then will there be a commitment to continuing the military mission. The next 17 months will be very declarative of Canada's future.
#4
Yes, and we were positively thrilled that the Conservatives did so well the last time out, Canuckistan sniper. There was much rejoicing here at Rantburg when the results were announced. ;-)
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept. 17 Eritrean officials, responding to American accusations that they have abetted terrorists in the volatile Horn of Africa, defended their actions on Monday and said that while they would like to have better relations with the United States, they had no intention of bowing to American pressure. Over the weekend, the Eritrean government held a conference for Somali opposition leaders that included some prominent Islamists whom Jendayi E. Frazer, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, has correctly called terrorists.
American officials have threatened to list Eritrea as a state sponsor of terrorism, accusing it of funneling weapons to Somali insurgents.
That would cut the international aid dollars substantially. No wonder the Eritreans responded.
But on Monday, Eritrean officials denied that they were trying to destabilize Somalia, and said their conference was a legitimate way to rebuild the shattered country. More than that, said Ali Abdu, Eritreas information minister, if Ms. Frazer was trying to make Eritrea kneel down in front of her, she had better learn what he called a basic Eritrean fact. Eritreans kneel on only two occasions, he said. When they pray and when they shoot.
If they anger us sufficiently they may learn how to lie dead ...
In the past few weeks, Eritrea has become a worsening headache for American policy makers. Its capital, Asmara, has become a magnet for rebel leaders from across East Africa. Its troops are building up on the disputed border of Ethiopia, which has already been a flash point for war. What little taste Eritrean officials had for diplomatic niceties seems to have disappeared.
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Posted by: Steve White ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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Sudan has called for the arrest of the head of global rights watchdog Amnesty International, accusing it of spreading lies that several men accused of plotting a coup were tortured, state media reported.
Amnesty said in a report last week that eight men arrested on accusations of trying to overthrow the government had been beaten, suspended by their wrists and tortured in Khartoums Kobar prison. The government has denied reports of torture. The state-controlled Sudanese Media Centre reported that the Sudanese Justice Ministry had asked Interpol for an arrest warrant for the female manager of Amnesty. Other local media interpreted that to mean Amnesty Secretary-General Irene Khan.
Justice Minister Mohammed Ali al-Mardi told Reuters his ministry was taking legal action against Amnesty. But he declined to go into details of specific charges or defendants. They are accused of influencing the course of justice and (spreading) untruthful information about the accused in this alleged coup. I cannot say any more, he added.
This article starring:
Amnesty Secretary-General Irene Khan
Justice Minister Mohammed Ali al-Mardi
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#2
I'm all in favor of Sudan bringing her to court in front of the ICC. And the icing on the cake would be if the ICC found her guilty. Then the trifecta would be complete.
#4
I mentioned something like this a few days ago, telling the bad guys their plight is worsened by Amnesia International, and provide names and addresses.
Someone listened.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/19/2007 13:12 Comments ||
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#5
Seems like there are an awful lot of very bad people, doing the most unspeakable things and simply denying it these days. Worse yet, their answer seems to pacify most of the world as soon as it leaves their mouth.
The requested URL was not found on this server. The link on the referring page seems to be wrong or outdated. Please inform the author of that page about the error.
#2
It's not clear that this bill does not open ALL illegal immigrants up for amnesty - there is no requirement of proof of having met the various timeframe hurdles, potentially just the immigrant's word.
There is one category of amnesty I will support - a request accompanied by an Honorable Discharge from the US military.
North Korea said on Tuesday recent media reports that it may be providing help to Syrias nuclear activities were groundless conspiracy fabricated by those who oppose the Norths improving ties with Washington.
And those shipments from Nork-land to Syria were ... cement. Yeah, that's right, cement ...
The Washington Post reported last week that intelligence had led some US officials to believe Syria was receiving help from North Korea on some sort of nuclear facility. The New York Times ran a similar report. This is sheer misinformation, the Norths official KCNA news agency quoted an unnamed Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying, referring to the reports.
The Post and the Times versus KCNA. Boy howdy there's a choice I'd prefer not to make ...
The North made a pledge in October 2006 not to engage in nuclear proliferation and it still stood, the spokesman said adding The above-said story is nothing but a clumsy plot hatched by the dishonest forces who do not like to see any progress at the six-party talks and in the DPRK-US relations.
US President George W Bush, who once lumped North Korea with Iran and pre-war Iraq as members of an axis of evil, has offered a peace treaty with the North if Pyongyang completes nuclear disarmament. South Korea said on Monday a new round of the six-way talks would not be held on Sept. 19 as widely expected.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
North Korea calls Syria N-ties report 'conspiracy'
Although close, it is not the report that is the conspiracy. Try again.
If Bush doesn't take the bait, it may be interesting to see how NorK weasels out of this one.
#2
TOPIX NEWS > NYSUN Syrian Source > SYRIA HAS A NUCLEAR PROGRAM. Had it since 1986. Also in TOPIX > IRAN AND SYRIA HAVE JOINT CHEMICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM. Its a big one too - VX, Sarin, Mustard, etc, for TONS AND TONNES OF THE STUFF. IRAN > SUPREME MULLAH SAYS IRAN WILL OUTWIT THE WEST. Can ya just feel the Peace + WMD honesty/transparency!?
#4
I have no idea what really happened in that Israeli action, but I figure that virtually everything we are being told - by any party - is some kind of disinformation. mhw's observation is indeed interesting, and is the most meaningful information out there about what really happened.
We've been framed, I'd tell you. Framed; yeh that must be it! It must be a U.S. Zionist conspiracy. I'm going to the UN to bitch about this. We are not going to stand and take this smear campaign anymore.
#8
Krauthammer, with Brit last night, said all his normal sources in Israel are not saying a word. Mort echoed the same was true in Washington. No one knows a thing about that Syrian big hole in the ground.
Krauthammer further speculated, that only something nuke related would command this amount of silence.
#10
Especially since we warmongers recall seeing the trucks leaving Iraq in 2003 headed for Syria and the Bekaa Valley, and have been shouted down about it.
#14
JPOST this AM > THE SECRETIVE SYRIAN-NK ALLIANCE. Article gives good summary about Syria's SCUD Missles - ALSO POINTS TO COVERT, PC INVOLVEMENT OF RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FLEET NAVAL UNITS + TECHNICIANS wid Syria's progs, e.g. that Russ techs actually helped dev = observed Syria's recent SCUD tests.
GROWING military co-operation between Australia, Japan and the US is worrying Moscow, as is work on US-Japanese missile defence co-operation, a top foreign ministry official said in an interview today.
"The strengthening of US-Australian-Japanese ties has got our attention.... Narrow alliances, especially tight military-political unions, are a worry,'' Deputy Foreign Ministry Alexander Losyukov told daily Vremya Novostei newspaper.
"We don't hide that concern - we talk about it with the Australians and the Americans,'' he said.
Mr Losyukov said Moscow was also worried over US-Japanese co-operation on missile defence.
"They explain this by what appear to be not entirely justified fears about North Korea. It's possible the (North) Koreans could cause some unpleasantness for the Japanese or... us. But they can't reach the Americans and they won't likely be able to for years.''
Moscow and Washington have also clashed over US missile defence plans in Central Europe, which Russia says would transform the nuclear balance of power.
#1
"They explain this by what appear to be not entirely justified fears about North Korea. It's possible the (North) Koreans could cause some unpleasantness for the Japanese or... us. But they can't reach the Americans and they won't likely be able to for years.''
Do the Russians really not understand the concept of allies? Or of long range planning? or do they simply know the journalists are unlikely to question their foolish comments.
#2
" Narrow alliances, especially tight military-political unions, are a worry" he said.
"Remember the old anything goes, whatever floats your boat, Warsaw Pact?"
#5
Oz has 21,050,000 people and 3,000,000 sq miles of land. Not enough to have desires regarding any neighbors. What the hell is Russia worried about? They are thousands of miles away anyhow!
#6
See also STRATFOR > RED OCTOBER: RUSSIA, IRAQ AND IRAN. Russ empire is back thanx to Putin - Russia gener benefits from any US-Iranian conflict in ME, as latter will weaken USA and simul destroy Iran = Islamism in Russ backyard, leaving Russ to deal wid its looming "China Problem". *GEOSTRATEGY
-DIRECT > recent large Russ AIREX included 48-hour simulated ALCM attack on targets inside USA.
* WORLDTRIBUNE > CHINA BUILDING WORLD'S LARGEST NAVY WHILE US NAVY IS IN STEEP DECLINE. Concept of multi-flag/nation fleet, 1000-ship Global-World Navy + new UN Law of the Sea regs has dangerous risks for USA as a naval power. USA going into self-decline with its eyes wide open.
#7
"The strengthening of Russia, Iran, China, Venezula, Cuba, Syria, and Islamist US-Australian-Japanese ties has got our attention.... Narrow alliances, especially tight military-political unions, are a worry."
Lars Vilks took part on Tuesday evening in a seminar in Stockholm organized by the Council of Ex-Muslims of Sweden and the Swedish Humanist Association.
Vilks reminded his audience that the drawing had been meant as a provocation. The art and culture communities in Sweden repeatedly criticize the United States and Israel, he said, whereas Muslim countries are rarely even questioned. The caricature of Muhammad as a 'roundabout dog' was his way of "testing the limits" of art.
"I suppose one could say that from that perspective I have been entirely successful," said Vilks.
Rome, 19 Sept. (AKI) - Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has strongly criticised a video clip by a famous Turkish folk singer singing about the death of priest Andrea Santoro.
According to a statement, Prodi telephoned the Italian Ambassador Carlo Marsili in Ankara on Tuesday and "expressed his displeasure, and that of the Italian government, following the news of a music video where the homicide of Don Santoro is celebrated".
In the clip posted on YouTube.com folk singer Ismail Turut's voice can be heard singing the song "Do not make any plans" with lyrics by poet Ozan Arif. The song is accompanied by images showing Ogun Samast, the teenager who allegedly shot dead ethnic Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink in Istanbul on 19 January as well as a suspected accomplice, Yasin Hayal, who was also implicated in the 2004 bombing of a McDonald's restaurant.
Monsignor Luigi Padovese, apostolic vicar in Turkey, in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI) called the video a "repugnant act" which does not express the feelings of the community.
Other images include those of a wolf, apparently symbolising the ultra-rightwing Grey Wolves group, and one of the group's most notorious members, Mehmet Ali Agca who shot and wounded Pope John Paul II in 1981.
Prosecutors are considering whether Turut, Arif or the unknown person who created the video could be charged with inciting hatred. "If they find me guilty, I am ready to serve the punishment. However, I am not guilty" Turut has said in response to the probe.
The image of Dink, an advocate for the claim that the mass deaths of Armenians under Ottoman rule during the World War I period was genocide - appears when the lyrics "whoever betrays the country, he will be finished off" are sung.
The images on the video showing the murdered Italian priest have been removed, and the Italian Ambassador has pledged to continue to work closely with the local authorities to avert future similar cases.
The clip has received considerable media attention in Turkey and has outraged activist groups with two, the Human Rights Association in Turkey and the Association of Solidarity for Oppressed People, announcing they would file lawsuits against Turut and Arif.
#1
Anything that keeps the turks out of Europe is good. Anything which shows the lie for what it is is good. Anything that brings the Crusade closer to being is good.
I think the link below is the original YouTube video that rankled the Italians. I don't understand Turkish, but the message seems loud and clear. It was posted two days ago.
#4
A Bosnian TV station has broadcast part of an alleged new video apparently showing gruesome crimes perpetrated againt Bosnian Serbs by a unit of Muslim fighters during Bosnia's 1992-1995 civil war.
Old news and why is anyone surprised (particularly since Clinton and his Dept of State had us allied with these "freedom fighters" against the Serbs)?
A Dutch company and its owner have been charged with violating US embargoes by illegally exporting parachutes, aircraft parts and equipment that could be used in unmanned aerial vehicles to Iran, federal authorities said Tuesday.
The defendants, who allegedly bought the items from companies in Connecticut, Arizona, Florida, Kansas and New Hampshire, also have been charged with making false statements on export control documents, authorities said.
The defendants named in the recently unsealed complaint in Washington, D.C., are Aviation Services International, B.V., an aircraft parts supply company located in the Netherlands, and the company's owner, Robert Kraaipoel. Two additional Dutch companies, Delta Logistics L.V., and TPC, B.V., which are owned by Kraaipoel's son, are also listed as defendants.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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Attending a terrorist training camp should be punished with up to 10 years in prison, German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries said on presenting an outline for new legislation in Berlin Tuesday. The move follows the cracking of an alleged Islamist terrorist cell on September 4. The three men who were arrested - two German converts to Islam and a Turk - had all undergone training last year in Pakistan.
Zypries also said the new law would facilitate the deportation of dangerous foreigners and would aim to close gaps in current legislation.
The Democrats immediately objected to closing the gaps, citing civil rights and privacy concerns ...
Those who underwent training or trained others in how to carry out terrorist acts would be punished, the minister said. As examples she pointed to people who undergo training in a Pakistani Islamist camp and right-wing extremists who seek training in the use of explosives with the attention of blowing up a synagogue. But Zypries also said simply acquiring these skills without the intention of using them for a terrorist attack would not be punishable.
The law would also target those using viruses, poisons and radioactive material, as well those providing funds to prepare a terrorist attack. She acknowledged that prosecutors would have difficulty in assembling sufficient evidence to convince a court of the guilt of suspects in many cases.
Zypries' move comes amid a rising debate in Germany about countering terrorism that has opened up division within Chancellor Angela Merkel's broad-based "grand coalition."
Posted by: lotp ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Isn't it time to simply outlaw all travel to known terrorist nations or their sponsors? Included in such legislation should be mandatory extended prison terms for altering or forging a passport with the intent to conceal such activities.
Posted by: Paul ||
09/19/2007 4:40 Comments ||
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#3
Certainly it should be illegal to go to a terrorist training camp. What possible use could an innocent civilian have for such skills and contacts -- improve his paintball game?
#4
Identify terrorist training camps and destroy them and all those in them. Then it won't matter what laws Germany makes about those who attended them.
#6
Not all travel, Zenster. Any Pak in the UK should be offered a free one-way ticket back to PakiWakiLand. One-way travel from civilized countries to uncivilized countries should be encouraged.
German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung has provoked outrage by warning that he would be prepared to give the order to shoot down a hijacked aircraft if it posed a threat in German airspace.
Jung freely acknowledged that there was currently no constitutional backing for an order of this kind and that there was no consensus on the issue within the governing coalition. But he said in an interview with the magazine Focus he would make use of emergency powers in an exceptional case. "If there is no other way, I would give the order to shoot down (an aircraft) in order to protect our citizens," the defence minister said.
Dieter Wiefelspuetz, internal affairs spokesman for the Social Democrats (SPD), the junior coalition partner in the government, rejected Jung's remarks outright. "The defence minister has to respect constitutional law," he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa in Berlin.
And to hell with peoples' safety.
Referring to the decision by the Constitutional Court last year to remove from a new air safety bill a provision allowing a hijacked plane to be downed if it posed a threat, Wiefelspuetz said: "We have to respect the judgement and stick to it."
The court ruled the order could be given only if there were no innocents aboard the aircraft in question, placing their right to life above security considerations.
Opposition politician Burkhard Hirsch of the liberal FDP said it was the first time in modern German history that a minister had threatened to defy openly the country's highest court. And the Greens, also in opposition, demanded Jung's resignation.
Under persistent questioning Monday, government spokesmen declined to be drawn on the issue, as journalists suggested the minister's main intention in restarting an old debate was party political.
Government ministers from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, among them Jung, have sought in recent weeks to establish clear positions of difference with the SPD. And terrorism, given the September 4 arrests of three suspected Islamist bombers planning mass carnage, currently tops the German political agenda.
Wonder why?
Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, also of the CDU, told a weekend newspaper the arrests had not cut the threat of terrorism. "We know that we are in the cross-wires of Islamist terrorists," he said.
'cross-wires'? He mangled the metaphor but it sounds rather appropriate.
Schaeuble also referred to the possibility of a terrorist nuclear "dirty bomb," saying that it was merely a matter of time before terrorists spread chaos and confusion by detonating a device that spread radioactive material.
Expert opinion is divided on how effective such a device would be, and Schaeuble was immediately accused of scare-mongering. "There is no sense in spreading senseless panic," SPD parliamentary caucus head Peter Struck said.
It would never do to raise the concerns of the public ...
Schaeuble has for months been pressing for legal backing to spy on personal computers and to stiffen counter-terrorism laws in general, confident that he has the bulk of the population behind him.
Democratic senators SPD ministers have opposed his aims on civil liberties grounds. But with Merkel and her party riding high in the polls, CDU politicians believe the time is right - halfway through the parliamentary term - to stake out clear differences from their SPD partners in government.
Posted by: lotp ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Wait until a hijacked airplane is flown into a crowded German gymnasium (high school). Then be prepared for outrage over why the plane was not shot down.
Dieter Wiefelspuetz should be made to watch several days worth of non-stop archived 9-11 atrocity coverage in the Alex DeLarge fashion.
#2
If you make it crystal-clear that you WILL shoot down hijacked aircraft, you probably won't have any hijackings by 'normal' criminals, only suicidal jihadi terrorists, and those are the ones you absolutely have to shoot down. The death of any innocents on board is truly tragic, but in war people get killed.
#5
The funny thing was I remember folks on the left trying to make a big deal out of the Penn 9/11 being shot down and most of the people I know saying (a) It wasn't (b) I should damn well hope the air force was seconds away from blowing it up anyway.
Kind of diffused their conspiracy claims for the most part.
#6
Adding on to #2: A shoot down of a jihadi-jacked airliner only ends the lives of the innocents by a bit; it is a safe bet they are just along for the ride into whatever target has been chosen.
#7
Any passengers on a plane that gets hijacked after 9/11 that don't fight back deserve what they get.
Yup. I call it the Post 9-11 Revised Civilian Hijacking Protocol. A little something I proposed less than 48 hours after the 9-11 atrocity. What amazes me is how many troublemakers on these civilian flights have emerged without their spines crushed.
A young activist confronted Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pa., near a Capitol Hill elevator yesterday, pressing the anti-war congressman on whether he would apologize for accusing U.S. Marines of murdering innocent civilians in a November 2005 incident at Haditha, Iraq.
With the case continuing to unravel, Jason Mattera of the Young America's Foundation was captured on tape questioning Murtha, reports HotAir.com.
Now that charges have been dropped against two of the four Marines accused of murder, Mattera asked, "would you like to issue an apology for saying they killed innocent civilians in cold blood?"
"Is the trial still going on?" Murtha asked repeatedly as he made his way to the elevator.
After entering, the lawmaker made sure Mattera stayed out of the elevator.
"Do you like besmirching our troops, sir?" Mattera asked.
"Have you been in the service?" Murtha retorted. "I enlisted in Korea, and I enlisted in Vietnam "
As the doors closed, Mattera is heard saying, "You accused them of murdering innocent civilians in cold blood. That's something that would come from Al Jazeera, not a congressman, sir."
In May 2006, Murtha claimed, citing military sources, a Pentagon investigation showed U.S. Marines at Haditha "overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood."
Since then, the Marine Corps has dropped charges against two of the four men accused of murder in the case, and an investigating officer has recommended dropping charges against a third. Yesterday came news that charges have been dropped against Capt. Lucas McConnell, one of four charged with failing to properly investigate or report the circumstances surrounding the killings.
Another of the accused Marines, Col. Jeffrey Chessani, says he will sue Murtha once he's completely cleared.
Murtha also was confronted at a National Press Club news conference Monday by Jeff Gannon, a regular of the White House press corps who left amid scandal two years ago, noted the Gateway Pundit blog.
GANNON: In May 2006, you said that Marines killed innocent Iraqis citizens in cold blood at Haditha. A year later, some of them have been exonerated. At some point are you going to apologize to these men?
MURTHA: The trial's not over yet.
GANNON: You've spoken out before. You went on national television and called these men "cold blooded killers."
MURTHA: The trial's not over yet.
The Hill newspaper said when Murtha answered, he was "reddening slightly in the face." Here's hoping that the SOB gets sued from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.
So he can't apologize now since "the trial's not over yet", but he had no problem calling them guilty even before any hearings started.
#6
"Another of the accused Marines, Col. Jeffrey Chessani, says he will sue Murtha once he's completely cleared."
Too late, but I wish the good Col. would have held this card a bit closer; this statement gives the slimeball time to get prepared.
#7
I called his office and got the same "Trial not over" BS. I pointed out the trial wasn't over when he slandered the troops. The girl on the phone said she'd pass that on.
#8
I suspect the trial to which he is referring is the slander and defamation suits to be brought against him. Those Press the Meat tapes are going to get a lot of wear once he becomes the defendant.
SANTA ANA, Calif. - The ACLU and Muslim advocacy groups sued the FBI and the Justice Department on Tuesday, alleging that authorities failed to turn over records detailing suspected surveillance of the Muslim-American community. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, alleges that the FBI has turned over only four pages of documents to community leaders, despite a Freedom of Information Act request filed more than a year ago.
I'm sure they'll find a compliant, Carter-appointed judge. Then the Ninth Circus will get the appeal.
The request sought records that described FBI guidelines and policies for surveillance and investigation of Muslim religious organizations, as well as specific information about FBI inquiries targeting 11 groups or people. There's nothing like giving the opposition your whole game plan and playbook. This is essentially what they want.
The lawsuit states that all the plaintiffs - who include some of the most prominent Muslim leaders in California - have reason to believe they have been investigated by the FBI since January 2001.
No proof, of course. They'll counter by saying that in order to find the proof they need to rummage around in the FBI files for however long it takes ...
"It sends a message that Muslim-Americans have been, and continue to be, cooperating with law enforcement, but they're concerned there might be a disproportionate focus ... on their religious practices," said Ranjana Natarajan, an ACLU attorney. When your religious practices include beheading, murder, and total degredation of women and anyone not a Muslim then the focus needs to be on those practices.
If nineteen angry Pentecoastalists had slammed airplanes into World Trade, we'd be busy investigating the holy rollers ...
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said she could not comment on pending litigation but released a statement from J. Stephen Tidwell, the FBI's assistant director in charge for Los Angeles. "The FBI does not investigate individuals or groups based on their lawful activities, religious or political beliefs," Tidwell said.
A message left for the Department of Justice after business hours was not returned.
Reporter couldn't be bothered to call during business hours?
The groups filed an initial FOIA request in May 2006, several months after federal law enforcement officials confirmed the existence of a classified radiation monitoring program used in surveillance at mosques, homes and businesses.
The FBI responded to the request first by saying it couldn't identify any records that met the criteria requested. After an appeal, the agency turned over four pages that dealt with the Council of American-Islamic Relations and Hussam Ayloush, the council's executive director for Southern California. Those documents dealt with a suspected hate crime at a mosque that the council had reported to the FBI and a conversation Ayloush had with an FBI agent about cooperating with federal law enforcers, Natarajan said.
So the files contain a memo about the conversation. That's what I'd do if I were an FBI agent, document the conversation. No doubt this is seen as nefarious ...
She said she believes there are many more records because each plaintiff has been interviewed by the FBI or stopped at airports for questioning. The FBI, in its responses, indicted it searched only files that hold information on active criminal investigations instead of more general files that could encompass surveillance activities, she said.
What the plantiffs want, of course, are those general files.
This article starring:
Hussam Ayloush
Council of American-Islamic Relations
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Global Jihad
#1
It sends a message that Muslim-Americans have been, and continue to be, cooperating with law enforcement...
- Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad requested to visit Ground Zero during an upcoming trip to New York. That request was rejected Wednesday. But a source tells Eyewitness News that the decision may not stop him. A law enforcement source says the Iranian mission to the United Nations has informed the Secret Service that the Iranian president intends to visit Ground Zero Monday at 10 a.m.
The source says regardless of the NYPD's rejection of the request for a Ground Zero tour, Iran's president and his entourage will be accompanied by a Secret Service protective detail, a detail provided to all heads of state when they visit the United States.
Kelly said that Ahmadinejad had not indicated why he wants to visit the site of the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
In a move that has stunned New York, the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.
The Iranian mission to the U.N. made the request to the New York City Police Department and the Secret Service, who will jointly oversee security during the president's two-day visit. Mr. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive September 24 to speak to the U.N. General Assembly as the Security Council decides whether to increase sanctions against Iran for its uranium enrichment program.
Mr. Kelly said the NYPD and Secret Service were in discussions with the Iranian mission about the logistics for the possible visit, and whether it will take place at all. He said Mr. Ahmadinejad would not be allowed to descend into the pit for safety reasons related to ongoing construction there.
"There has been some interest expressed in his visiting the area," Mr. Kelly said. "It's something that we are prepared to handle if in fact it does happen."
Mr. Kelly said that Mr. Ahmadinejad had not indicated why he wants to visit the site of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
A spokeswoman for the Senator Thomspon quickly condemned the proposed visit. "It is an insult to the memories of those who died on 9/11 at the hands of terrorists, and those who have fought terrorism for years, to allow the president of the world's top state sponsor of terrorism to step foot at ground zero," the spokeswoman, Karen Hanretty, said. "Iran is responsible for supplying weapons and supporting extremist who are killing US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to this very day."
A major American Jewish leader, Malcolm Hoenlein, said a visit by Mr. Ahmadinejad "would violate the sanctity of the sacred place and the memory of those who perished there."
Mr. Hoenlein, the vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, is a leading figure in organizing a protest against the Iranian leader Monday in front of the U.N. He told The New York Sun that the Iranian president should be restricted to the immediate vicinity of the U.N. and should not be permitted to travel the full extent of the 25-mile radius that is normally allowed for foreign dignitaries attending meetings at the world body.
Iran has been called the world's "most active state sponsor of terrorism" by the U.S. State Department.
#2
I hope some brave American has a sniper rifle ready when this gloating Iranian bastard pulls up to our hallowed ground. I'd love nothing better than to watch Ahmadinejad's head explode in slow motion over and over again for a month or three.
This is yet one more demonstration of just how poorly the Bush administration comprehends the importance of propaganda. Can anyone here imagine the immense value in Iran of video footage showing Ahmadinejad stutting proudly in front of our national wound? It would bolster Ahmadinejad's standing in untold ways all at the cost to America's prestige and authority. Bush has his head up his ass if he does not forbid this ghoulish travesty.
#3
Let him. It's like giving him the rope he'll hang himself with in Western eyes. You just know he'll take it back to his sanctuary where he feels safe and abuse the action somehow. Word will get back out to civilization and that many more people will spill over the fence.
#10
It's a lead-pipe cinch he's not going there to pay his respects.
I'm also sure he'll trump up something slimy when he gets back, but maybe the blowback will ... nah, it ain't worth it.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/19/2007 17:31 Comments ||
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#11
I'd let him, and I'd make sure every American hears what he says. Every time that man opens his mouth he makes it more clear what he and the Mad Mullahs are up to, and our countrymen need to know.
As to redacting Zenster: no statements about sniper rifles please, that crosses the line that we all know is there.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/19/2007 17:36 Comments ||
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#12
As to redacting Zenster: no statements about sniper rifles please, that crosses the line that we all know is there.
My apologies. It won't happen again. I had thought that because Ahmadinejad was a foreigner and enemy such proscriptions did not apply. I promise to be more careful about what I advocate upon American soil.
#13
Not just no, HELL NO!!! The man is a terrorist, not a tourist. I'm with Sen. Thompson on this one. It would be an insult. Can you imagine the silly little smirk that would be on his face?
And, as I said yesterday, I would love to be there with the protesters with a big sign that says "Bomb Qom".
#14
Well not shooting him, but take him up on a copter, and say: "This is where the roofs were". Then: " And this is how long it took the towers to fall", and decopterize.
I think it may entirely satisfy his curiosity.;-)
Seriously, it is an exemely stupid idea to let him him see Ground Zero. I would not even let him near he coastline, UN nothwithstandig.
#15
I would not be surprised to see that a free citizenry convinces Mayor Bloomberg that it is not worth the risk to take Ahmanutjob to lower Manhattan.
#19
I don't know if I could articulate a logical reason why not, but my gut and heart say hell no. Granting this little scumbag diplomatic immunity to attend that hive of scum and villainy we call the UN is one thing. Letting him prance and gloat around the country is quite another.
Sure, it would warm the cockles of my heart to see a gang of NY firefighters kick his terrorist-supporting ass and rub his nose in the ashes, but best not to submit them to the temptation.
#23
Bloomberg was a Dem for many years. Changed registration to get elected after Rudy. Is showing his real colors again -- this is a classic passive-aggressive Bloomberg maneuver.
#24
ISRAEL > Many ISRAELI NETTERS-FORUM'ERS have opined for Israel or the US, at least Israel, to ARREST IFF NOT SHOOT/KILL MOUD WHILE HE'S IN NEW YORK, arguing that Moud is a suppor of Terror and International Aggression agz Israel and Jews, and NOT a true State Leader-Diplomat.
#27
Letting Ahmadinejad visit the WTC site would be obscene, a slap in the face to every American. Bloomberg should be tarred and feathered and driven out of town on a rail.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/19/2007 20:34 Comments ||
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#28
Whew! Al Qods day is Oct 5.
If he lays a WMD is it in his diplomatic pouch?
#29
Construction sites are pretty dangerous places. You could be crushed by a falling beam, fall into a foundation and be buried in cement, be beaten to death by unruly construction workers back from a liquid lunch, a detail cop could drop his gun which goes off and shoots you in the head four or five times...
Anybody wanna rethink this?
#31
As noted above, the NYPD has nixed the trip. But Ahmanutjob will be speaking at Columbia. My recommendation would be no long winded questions about Skulls and Bones.
Please join the Religion of Peace...or DIE...INFIDEL!
New York City-- A Queens teen was arrested yesterday after placing fliers in his teachers' mailboxes asking them to convert to Islam - then made threats once he was caught, authorities said. Yaseen Chowdhury, 17, of Woodside, wrote the fliers himself and put them in the mailboxes at the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights, sources said. When confronted there about the fliers, he made unspecified verbal threats, according to the sources. Unspecified verbal threats? I'll hold my breath? I won't eat my vegetables? I'll...cut your heads off with a rusty hacksaw blade?
Chowdhury was charged with aggravated harassment as a hate crime. No, no. They're just "fireworks". Oh, wait...wrong case.
The student's religion was not immediately known. Uh-huh...
Former President George H.W. Bush backs John McCain's efforts to increase support for the Iraq war in a new video, a telecast that aides to both men say shouldn't be construed as an endorsement of McCain's White House bid.
On Monday night, the former president appeared in the video shown at South Carolina's military college, The Citadel, during the final stop of the Arizona senator's "No Surrender" tour. "The bottom line is we must persevere; we must not surrender; we must not quit and run away. God bless our troops and everyone involved in the 'No Surrender' rally there in Charleston," Bush said, according to a transcript of the video provided by the McCain campaign.
Bush also praised McCain and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who will work in the Senate on turning back Democratic efforts to limit U.S. troops' time in Iraq. "I salute Senators McCain and Graham for their sponsorship and for standing tall," Bush said.
McCain traveled to the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina on "No Surrender" tour in which he stressed his strong support for the war and President Bush's increase of some 30,000 troops earlier this year.
Jean Becker, chief of staff for the former president, said the video was "intended to support the troops and not intended as an endorsement for Senator McCain." McCain's campaign hasn't misrepresented the video, she said.
Bush remains neutral in the 2008 race and, while he likes McCain, he's just as close to Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, Becker said.
B.J. Boling, McCain's South Carolina spokesman, also said the video should not be seen as an endorsement. "What you have is a former president who is incredibly patriotic and understands the enemy America faces and is saluting Senator McCain's efforts to convey to the American people that surrender is not an option," Boling said. "We're thrilled to have former President Bush supporting Senator McCain's efforts against radical Islam."
McCain has criticized President George W. Bush's handling of the war. On Saturday, he blamed the Bush administration for presenting rosy scenarios in Iraq that have frustrated Americans and said Bush failed to curb them. "It's all the president's responsibility," he said.
As Washington has increasingly been turning a blind eye to the red lines of Turkish foreign policy, pro-Turkish lobbies are looking for ways to strengthen their position in the United States.
Gee, I wonder why Ankara might have less clout in DC since, oh, Mar 2003 or so?
I'll give them credit for their reported role in Israel's strike on Syria, tho: overflight permission and perhaps coordinates as well.
The American Turkish Society (ATS), one of the leading Turkish lobbies in the U.S., asked key businessmen to become members on its board. Muhtar Kent, the president and chief operating officer of The Coca-Cola Company, Murat Megalli, JP Morgan Turkey director and Haluk Dinçer, president of the Food and Retailing Group joined the ATS. With its new members the ATS is targeting to become more effective in better promoting Turkish-U.S. relations.
After Ahmet Ertegün, the founder of Atlantic Records and also long time president of the ATS passed away last year many were concerned that the Turkish community in the U.S. had lost an important voice. Ertegün successfully brought American and Turkish businessmen and politicians together and almost served as an unofficial ambassador for well over 20 years. Kent was one of the names being mentioned behind the scenes to take Ertegün's place to promote Turkish-American relations.
Like Ertegün, Kent is also the son of a diplomat. Ertegün's father Munir Ertegün was a prominent figure in Turkish-U.S. relations. In 1946 then President Truman ordered the battleship USS Missouri to return his body to Turkey as a demonstration of U.S. power opposing Russian demands on Turkey. Likewise Kent's father was also an interesting figure in Turkish diplomatic history. Ambassador Necdet Kent was posted as Consul General to Marseilles between 1941 and 1944, gave Turkish citizenship to dozens of Turkish Jews living in France who did not have proper identity papers to save them from deportation to the Nazi gas chambers. Thus the American Sephardic Federation and Raoul Wallenberg Committee awarded Necdet Kent.
Muhtar Kent's good relations with the Jewish community is accepted as an important asset for the Turkish lobbies. Especially after the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) acknowledged the Armenian Genocide in August. Although the ADL's statement reaffirmed that the legislation pending in Congress to recognize the genocide is "a counterproductive diversion" it created some concern in Ankara. Many Democrats think that those concerns are valid. Off the record some Democrats say that the Armenian Genocide Resolution will for sure pass sometime this fall. Political observers believe that as well as the Armenian Genocide issue, the outlawed Kurdistan workers' Party (PKK) is another problem that Washington and Ankara should find common ground on. Sources close to Democrats say a process is underway to prepare a report on the PKK. However many think that a report of this nature will be a bitter pill to swallow for Ankara.
Ankara will need a strong lobby in Washington in the meantime. Kent is seen as an important player in this picture. However it is still a question mark if Kent's busy schedule will allow him to play the role expected of him.
#1
Many TUrks see their nation and society as part of Europe, NOT the ME or other. Wel-l-l, Iff POLAND CAN FORGIVE RUSSIA FOR KATYN, etc. CAN THE USA-EUROS FORGIVE FOR ARMENIA???
#3
Forgiveness has to be earnt, JosephM. Turkey cannot be forgiven until it admits that the attempted genocide occurred, and goes beyond a mere pro forma apology. And, it's up to the Armenians as the injured party to forgive, not outsiders, no matter how much the hegemon.
Security around Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has been tightened after a plot to kill him in a suicide attack was exposed. According to a private TV channel,
Shujaat was told by intelligence agencies on August 11 and August 12 that two suicide bombers had been given the task to kill him.
Shujaat was told by intelligence agencies on August 11 and August 12 that two suicide bombers had been given the task to kill him. He was asked to cancel his visit to Murree, which he did. The intelligence agencies arrested two suspected terrorists on August 26 and 27, who disclosed that they were given the task to target Shujaat. Ministers assassination plot: They also disclosed plans to target Religious Affairs Minister Ejazul Haq and Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed along with other prominent government figures.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Taliban
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Qazi Hussain Ahmed reiterated on Tuesday that the alliance would not accept President Pervez Musharraf, whether in or without uniform. We will not be deceived by the theory that President Musharraf will doff uniform after elections, as he has already betrayed the nation on the uniform issue, said Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), during his visit to condole the death of Maulana Hassan Jan at Jamia Imdadul Uloom where he met the relatives and students of the deceased.
All options will be used from the APDM platform to prevent President Musharrafs re-election from the present assemblies, Qazi said, adding that the APDM component parties would resign from assemblies on the day the election commission accepted President Musharrafs nomination papers for presidential elections.
He held the president responsible for the May 12 violence in Karachi , as well as for the recent killings of students and lawyers, adding that President Musharraf was equally involved with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the killings.
The JI ameer described Maulana Jans killing as a conspiracy being hatched by the US against Muslims.
Qazi criticised security personnel for failing to trace the assassins of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazalur Rehman (JUI-F) leader and Wifaqul Madaris vice president Maulana Jan. He said the killings of scholars, as well as demolition of seminaries and mosques, were due to pro-American policies of President Musharraf. The JI ameer described Maulana Jans killing as a conspiracy being hatched by the US against Muslims.
Referring to Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, Qazi said the US wanted to divide Pakistan, and termed Jans killing as a continuation of the Lal Masjid operation. Qazi said US President George W Bush had told the Senate in a speech that we will pitch one Muslim against the other.
Musharraf brought a bad name to Islam and Pakistan by killing innocent countrymen in the so-called war on terror, he said and dispelled the impression that Muslims were involved in terrorism. The US is the worlds top terrorist which has launched a crusade against the Muslim world, he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Muslims are always the victims-NOT!!!!
Posted by: Paul ||
09/19/2007 7:09 Comments ||
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JUI-S used to be JUI-Sami. Naqshbandis are generically Sufis -- one of Zark's calculated atrocities was to dig up a Naqshbandi grave in Kurdistan -- but I believe this one has jumped ship and become a Deobandi or worse. Mullah Sandwich was bounced from his namesake party when his ego outgrew the MMA. That was back when Perv was in top form.
Rehman said the JUI-S was still part of the MMA, however, it had nothing to do with the APDM. He said the APDM included the parties that had taken part in agitation against late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977, while the JUI-S did not support them at that time. He said that while the MMA was a political alliance, sometime its top leaders took dictatorial decisions and the MMA leadership neither took the JUI-S into confidence nor discussed matters pertaining to its merger with the APDM with JUI-S leaders.
Rehman also criticised the MMA leadership for casting doubts on JUI-S members because of their support for President General Pervez Musharraf. However, Rehman added that neither he nor his party was ready to support Musharraf in current political scenario. Asked about his request to the MMA for fielding a presidential candidate from his party, Rehman said the request was pending with MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmed.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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[7 views]
Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami
WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson on Wednesday called for the U.S. to end the war in Iraq, arguing that the troops exacerbate the sectarian violence and the billions spent could be used for health care and other needs.
"We're a nation that spends $5.5 billion in cancer research that's two weeks of the Iraq war," Richardson told The Associated Press. "It shows the misguided priorities." How much do Muslims spend on cancer research? Probably about the same amount the US would be if things continue on their present course for another 100 years or so.
"We are being bled dry by an invasion that is costing us $500 billion so far $500 billion," he said, stressing the cost. "And it's detracting from American security objectives in dealing with terrorism, with nuclear proliferation, with energy independence." Think about how much pork we're missing out on! We want it back now! In an hourlong interview with AP editors and reporters, the New Mexico governor argued that all combat and non-combat troops should be removed from Iraq because their presence is only contributing to violence instead of bringing security. I bolded this to make it easier for you to find to copy and paste.
"There's no question there's tribal and ethnic hatreds," Richardson told The Associated Press. "But when those tribal and ethnic hatreds are fueled by American policy of hostility, then you make the situation worse."
Richardson criticized Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards his leading rivals for the presidential nomination for plans to pull out combat troops from Iraq but leave residual forces behind. He said he would keep the Marines that guard the U.S. embassy in Baghdad but would withdraw all other military personnel.
"Who is going to take care of non-combat troops? The Iraqis?" Richardson asked. He said he would move a small contingent mostly of special forces to Kuwait and more troops into Afghanistan, although he would leave the specific number up to military leaders.
He said he has asked his rivals to describe exactly how many troops they would leave and for how long in two previous debates but seemed frustrated that he hasn't gotten an answer.
"It's as if I'm talking to myself," he said. There's a reason for everything, Bill.
Iraq was the primary topic of Richardson's interview, but he discussed several other issues as well. Among them, he:
said he would lift the trade embargo with Cuba in exchange for the release of political prisoners.
said he would consider banning assault weapons if there were an effective way to do so, although he said past efforts have been "a joke." Gotta be a joke if you think you're going head-on against the constitution.
"I believe you don't need Uzis to go hunting," said Richardson, who has been a proponent of gun rights and had the backing of the National Rifle Association. "If there is an effective way to ban them, I'd take a look at it. But past bans don't work."
said Republicans appeared to be giving up on outreach to minorities by refusing to attend their presidential forums and debates. "Whatever happened to their outreach to Hispanics?" he said. They don't need it anymore.
proposed an effort to deal with $83 billion in corporate welfare much like the military's base closure commission. It "would look at all the goodies that involve corporate welfare and have an up-or-down vote like we do with base closures, because otherwise they nitpick you to death."
said he was making a "mad dash" as the third fundraising quarter ends and would raise about as much as he did in the first two quarters $6 million-$7 million.
compared his campaign to the underdog candidacies of Bill Clinton in 1992 and John Kerry in 2004. "I'm going to win this nomination," he said. "You watch." He said he knows he needs a strong finish in Iowa and New Hampshire to stay in the race.
"I've got to beat one of the top three," he said.
Richardson said the window for a political settlement in Iraq is closing, with only about six months left. But he said the country has resources to govern itself, including experience with free elections, democratic institutions and oil wealth.
"Iraq is not exactly helpless," Richardson said. "I think we're selling the country short." IOW: That's my justification for abandoning them to the tender mercies of AQ and company. And if Iraq goes down, oh well.
He said he disagrees with a newspaper ad run by the liberal group MoveOn.org referring to Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, as "General Betray-Us." But he said he supports the group's work.
"Moveon.org is doing a lot to stop the war," he said. CYA, Bill. CYA. Looks like he's succumbed to me.
At a speech to the Obesity Society after the meeting with The AP, Richardson said he would work with Congress to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act to include protections for the obese.
"We have to eliminate discrimination of those who are overweight," Richardson said. "This is an issue of basic civil rights. There are no federal laws that protect obese Americans from discrimination in the workplace, in school, or anywhere else. This has to change." Pandering to the obese vote, eh?
#4
Article > THE OVERLAWYERED WAR. Sign that OWG is here - LAWYERS/JURISTS = COURTS, LEGALISMS will decide what is war versus what isn't, plus whom won = lost said "war". GLOBAL TOE for any and all Combat Grunts > Don't forget your VISA + MASTERCARD, etal. for that all-important, post-Combat LEGAL REVIEW, CONSULTATION + RETAINMENT + AFFIDAVIT, ETC. FEES. D *** NG IT, YOU CAN'T FIGHT A WAR WITHOUT ONE, YOU JUST CAN'T THEY TELLS YA! Arise, GLOBAL DER KOMMISSAR, Arise.
CALL OF DUTY 2 > WINTER WAR [Russia] > "But-t-t Comrade Kommissar, why are we practicing with potatoes? Guns Bullets and Grenades are expensive ...In fact, the potatoes are more valuable than you are"!
#2
It said the reply "illustrated the divergence of view" between the Vatican and the White House about the "initiatives of the Bush administration in the Middle East."
Sad to say, it's difficult to tell which of them get's it less; The Pope or Rice. My money is on Rice being more oblivious to Islam's threat. Her "unhelpful" criticism of Israel for declaring Gaza an "enemy entity" is a fairly clear demonstration of this.
Not that the Pope's own deafening silence over Islam's continued predations against Christianity make much sense, either. It's just that Rice is part of a more effective machine to thwart Islam and her actions do not sufficiently demonstrate any such notion. While one might attempt to excuse Rice's glaring ineptitude as merely reflecting the Bush administration's will, too often her own positions have been so obviously wrong and immoral that someone with more integrity would have resigned their position rather than be the conduit for such diplomatic twaddle.
Worst of all is having to watch two immensely powerful forcesVatican and American alikeabstain from unequivocal language and timely intervention in a way that only guarantees more of a bloodbath downstream. This is moral irresponsibility on a horrific scale.
#4
When to Pope can keep his Priests from diddling little boys he'll be able to take the moral high ground. Until then he's a tourist attraction like the Queen of England.
#5
Sheesh. Instead of a misleading AFP headline (there was ONE alleged refusal, back in August), perhaps reading the original story at the Corriere.it site might shed some light and context on the matter.
#7
mrp, your link doesn't do much to disspell the negative perceptions of both parties.
The Vatican believes that the United States may be taking too lightly the issue of guarantees for religious minorities in the new Iraqi constitution and has said so to the government in Baghdad.
So, how is the Vatican ducking this issue supposed to be constructive? Benedict should be even more vocal about the plight of Iraqi Christiansat the hands of Muslims, no lessinstead of forcing America to shoulder the entire burden.
In reply, it was told that threats and violence against Christians are no more severe than those experienced by other minorities.
Which isin some wayscorrect. America stands for complete religious freedom. Although we may one day need to consider banning Islam, we have yet to do so. Therefore, our overt policy must be to support all factions equally. It is the Vatican who must most strongly put forth the case against persecution of Christiansespecially so in Muslim majority countriesand has yet to do so in any great measure.
On Iran, the Vatican is known to detest the truculent anti-Semitism of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but regards another preventive war as a disaster.
In other words, Benedict's revulsion somehow does not manage to exceed his aversion to openly statingor, at least, understandingthe need to meet Islam's violence in equal measure. Pacifism in the face of a warring enemy is suicide, something that I recall the Catholic Church takes a dim view of.
A papal run-awayget-away vacation, it was thought, was a good excuse for avoiding a meeting that was seen as not essential and could have created confusion or misunderstanding in international public opinion, above all in the Middle East.
Major bullshit. The time is nowif not yesterdayfor the civilized world to present a united front against Islam's war upon the West. Anything less is simple cowardice.
No one will say so officially but the refusal may also have been prompted by Ms Rices stance in 2003, when she was Mr Bushs national security adviser. On the eve of the Iraqi conflict, it was Ms Rice who said bluntly that she did not understand the Vaticans anti-war stance. She treated John Paul IIs envoy, Cardinal Pio Laghi, with a coolness that bordered on disrespect when he was sent to Washington on 2 March 2003 on a desperate mission to avert military intervention. Clearly, the incident has not been forgotten.
Soas alwayswe're damned if we do and damned if we don't. We're damned for liberating Iraq and damned for not protecting its liberated Christian to a better degree. Total horseshit. The Vatican cannot have it both ways. Either they assume a much more active role in combating Islam or they sit down and shut the fuck up about those of us who are brave enough to enter the fray.
#8
Interesting article, mrp. The pope dislikes Secretary Rice because in 2003 she was cool to the Vatican's representative's request that we not invade Iraq. Therefore he took the opportunity of being on summer vacation to not meet with her, despite a personal request from President Bush, with whom he has cordial relations. The Vatican is additionally frustrated because the Americans aren't protecting Iraqi Christians from what, admittedly, is extreme harassment by the Muslim population, although the Americans claim that the Muslims are harassing other groups (and, of course, each other) just as badly.
No, it isn't. It is part of a most serious matter involving international diplomacy, a realm in which the Holy See has been embroiled for nearly 2000 years. The Pontiff and the President have different responsibilities and obligations, and they work best together when they have common objectives and principles.
Benedict XVI is the leader of more than 1,000,000,000 Catholics around the world, an enormous number of whom live in daily contact with people of other faiths, particularly Islam. For example, of the 4 million inhabitants in the United Arab Emirates, around one million of them (25%) are Catholic. In Saudi Arabia, it is estimated that one million of the people living there are Catholic, too. Most of them cannot, in any possible way, be protected by their native countries. The Pope's first responsibility is for their spiritual welfare, and the spiritual life of their fellow Catholics worldwide.
In reply, it was told that threats and violence against Christians are no more severe than those experienced by other minorities.
I believe that reply was made by the Maliki government, not by the Bush administration.
Zenster, Catholics and our fellow Christians are being persecuted all over the world. No single Christian organization in the world is more aware of their plight than the Holy See, and no other religious organization has spent more time and effort to alleviate their suffering. Bishops and other clergy are routinely arrested, imprisoned, harassed, and sometimes murdered while carrying out their religious duties. Sometimes simply bearing witness for one's faith at the point of death is as important, or more so, than bearing arms for one's country.
#11
Zenster, Catholics and our fellow Christians are being persecuted all over the world. No single Christian organization in the world is more aware of their plight than the Holy See, and no other religious organization has spent more time and effort to alleviate their suffering. Bishops and other clergy are routinely arrested, imprisoned, harassed, and sometimes murdered while carrying out their religious duties. Sometimes simply bearing witness for one's faith at the point of death is as important, or more so, than bearing arms for one's country.
While that maydespite any negative outward appearancesindeed serve to modulate exactly how vociferous Benedict is regarding Islam's predations upon all other faiths, it gives him absolutely ZERO reason to appease Islamic terrorists by condemning America's willingness to fight Muslim aggression.
Benedict is nine kinds of fool if he thinks thatby denigrating America's intervention against Islamic expansionismsuch abject obeisance to Islam is going to buy a whit time or respect for his flock. Muslims will only laugh the louder as they slaughter such meek prey.
#13
... it gives him absolutely ZERO reason to appease Islamic terrorists by condemning America's willingness to fight Muslim aggression.
Zenster, the US and Coalition forces did not invade Iraq in 2003 to fight "Muslim aggression". We invaded Iraq to removed Saddam Hussein and his fellow Baathists from power, the main reason being Saddam's failure to comply with 17 UNSC resolutions. John Paul II did not see that as a sufficient reason for war, and made that very clear. Catholics are free to agree or disagree with the Holy See's decision. I happen to agree with the President, as did Catholic theologian Michael Novak. Neither of us has yet been "condemned".
Did you see the Rantburg post concerning that Turkish music video, the one by the "folk singer"? Did you read on how it glorified the would-be papal assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca and the teen-ager who shot and killed a priest, while the cleric was praying in a church? The Holy Father holds a weekly audience in front of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. He lives in the cross-hairs of terrorism every single day. That beautiful, holy, 80-year old man.
Benedict is nine kinds of fool if he thinks thatby denigrating America's intervention against Islamic expansionismsuch abject obeisance to Islam is going to buy a whit time or respect for his flock. Muslims will only laugh the louder as they slaughter such meek prey.
Pope Josef Ratzinger is no one's fool. Christ's message is one of Love for all mankind. Love for you, love for me, and love for that blood-thirsty Talibani now planting an IED in an Afghan roadway. I love that Talibani, as I believe the Pope does, too, because that's the commandment made by Christ to his disciples. Keeping that in mind, I've not seen any mention of the Vatican condemning the Coalition mission in Afghanistan, nor of it condemning the GWOT, which now permeates every corner of the planet.
#14
Did you see the Rantburg post concerning that Turkish music video, the one by the "folk singer"? Did you read on how it glorified the would-be papal assassin Mehmet Ali Aðca and the teen-ager who shot and killed a priest, while the cleric was praying in a church? The Holy Father holds a weekly audience in front of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. He lives in the cross-hairs of terrorism every single day. That beautiful, holy, 80-year old man.
After over a half-hour's search, I cannot unearth the lengthy article I wrote about Benedict's visit to Turkey. If you are familiar with it, then you know my own respect for his more effectual stance than any predecessors to the throne of Saint Peter.
As someone who acknowledges that Jesus' words contained much wisdomwhile not necessarily accepting Christ's divine originsit is impossible for me to have "love for that blood-thirsty Talibani now planting an IED in an Afghan roadway". Some people just plain need killin' and Muslim terrorists fall into that category all too readily.
While Pope Benedict may well be protecting his flock through understatement of Islam's avowed threat to all other religions, he does DIDDLY SQUAT for those of us who are agnostics and atheists. Protecting this world's religions might seem like a fine and noble thing but there remain many of us who do not choose to participate in the prescribed spiritual pantheon.
Those of us who opt out of worship in any form are far more vulnerable to theocracy of any sort and it is unreasonable to expect that we should shrug off the inaction of highly placed individuals in other church offices solely because they deem Islam's threat to be less than significant, or overwhelming for that matter. I find Islam to be of greater danger than Nazism and communism combined. Therefore, Benedict's mealy-mouthed appeasements for Islam's horrendous crimes cut no ice with me.
The US commander in Iraq has praised "the great contribution" made by British troops. Gen David Petraeus said the British military had "done magnificent work" in the face of "tough enemies" and countless other challenges. And he dismissed talk of a split between the US and Britain over the pace of withdrawal of UK troops.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a "more stable" political process in Iraq after talks with Gen Petraeus. US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker also joined the talks in Downing Street.
Last week Gen Petraeus said that the "surge", an extra 30,000 US troops deployed in February, was working. At the same time as that surge has taken place, in the south of Iraq Britain has just withdrawn 500 troops from Basra Palace, to join 5,000 at an airbase outside the city. And responsibility for security in much of Basra Province is progressively being handed over to local Iraqi forces, although British troops will continue to provide back up or an "over-watch" role.
Gen Petraeus told journalists at the Royal United Services Institute that "various" military and political issues had to be sorted out before the full handover of Basra province, which he said he hoped would happen later this autumn or this winter. He also warned that a premature drawdown of forces from Iraq would have "devastating consequences not only for Iraq and the region, but for our nations and the world".
Asked whether there had been a split between the US and UK on the withdrawal of British troops, he said: "I do not know what that's all about. What has been done has been done in close consultation and dialogue with the senior operational command of the multi-national corps."
Downing Street said Mr Brown had discussed the security situation in Iraq with Gen Petraeus. It said in a statement: "The PM reiterated that like America, Britain will discharge its duties to the Iraqi people, to our allies and to the international community.
"They agreed it was essential for Iraq to achieve a more stable and confident political process.
"This included reconciliation with disaffected groups, economic development in Iraq, a more inclusive government, and a genuine attempt to reach consensus on major political issues."
President Bush has announced that more than 5,000 of the more than 160,000 US troops in Iraq will leave by Christmas - and 30,000 are expected back in the US by summer 2008. Mr Brown held "cordial and constructive" talks with President Bush on the issue last week by video conference, but has said the UK will make its own decisions about the British military commitment based on "conditions on the ground". He is expected to outline his strategy to MPs when Parliament returns in October.
But Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell has urged Mr Brown to say UK troops will be pulled out of Iraq entirely. "The prime minister should tell Gen Petraeus that Britain has fulfilled its moral obligation to Iraq and that our continued presence neither meets military purposed nor political objectives," he said.
Plus we're getting really nervous about the whole Iran thing.
#1
I think Basra is a good model for the rest of Iraq. And I'll note the situation in the Kurdish areas is not too dissimilar. Keep the coalition troops in bases away from the population. Ready for to deal with any big problems like Iranian actions. Otherwise let the Iraqi forces deal with the 'insurgents'.
#2
phil_b:
I don't really agree with you in principle, because in the Basra area the Iraqi authorities ARE the Iranian insurgents. However, at this point I don't see that we have much of an alternative - neither our citizens and politicians nor the Iraqi majority and government are going to allow us to aggressively pursue the Shia 'militants' for any length of time, so there's not a lot of point losing guys pretending.
Israel is prepared for peace negotiations with Syria if the conditions are right, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Russian-language reporters on Monday, Israeli media reported.
The Israelis just need to 'condition' a few more sites within Syria ...
One of the reporters who took part in the session told Army Radio that Olmert was trying to send a calming message to Syria. However, she said, he refused to answer questions about the widely reported Israeli air attack in northern Syria earlier this month. Israel has not commented on the incident, and Israeli media have been repeating foreign reports about it. I have a lot of respect for the Syrian leader and for Syrian behaviour. They have internal problems, but we have no reason to rule out dialogue with Syria, Olmert told the reporters, according to his office.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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PALESTINIAN President Mahmoud Abbas is under pressure from his Fatah faction not to attend a US-led Middle East conference, aides said on Tuesday, citing uncertainty over its participants and outcome.
But the aides said Abbas believes preparations for the gathering expected around mid-November must continue. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives on Wednesday for talks with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Olmert, who has met regularly with Abbas in a bid to find common ground ahead of the conference on Palestinian statehood, has sought to lower expectations, saying Israel wanted a joint declaration out of the deliberations rather than a binding deal.
Abbas is seeking a more explicit framework agreement with a timeline for implementation on the core final-status issues of borders, Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees. His aides said Fatah, which holds sway only in the West Bank after Hamas Islamists took control of the Gaza Strip in June, is pressing Abbas to skip the meeting unless achievements and wide international participation are assured. We can live without a conference, but we cannot live with a conference that fails, one aide said.
Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior Fatah official, said Palestinians should not participate in a meeting that does not include all concerned Arab parties, naming Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. There must be political substance to the meeting and a clear agenda, with clear outcomes concerning final-status, Ahmad said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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TEHRAN, Iran - The deputy commander of Iran's air force said Wednesday that plans have been drawn up to bomb Israel if the Jewish state attacks Iran, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency.
The announcement came amid rising tensions in the region, with the United States calling for a new round of U.N. sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear program and Israeli planes having recently overflown, and perhaps even attacked, Iranian ally Syria.
On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the international community should prepare for the possibility of war in the event that Iran obtains atomic weapons, although he later appeared to soften that statement."We have drawn up a plan to strike back at Israel with our bombers if this regime (Israel) makes a silly mistake," Gen. Mohammad Alavi was quoted as telling Fars in an interview.
Fars confirmed the quotes when contacted by The Associated Press, but would not provide a tape of the interview. The Iranian air force had no immediate comment. Here's one. Mayday!
Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar told the official IRNA news agency Wednesday that "we keep various options open to respond to threats. ... We will make use of them if required."
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards released a statement that the nation was ready for a military confrontation. "Iran, having passed through crises ... has prepared its people for a possible confrontation against any aggression," IRNA quoted the statement as saying.
Iran has said in the past that Israel would be Iran's first retaliatory target if attacked by the United States, but Alavi's comments were the first word of specific contingency plans for striking back on Israel.
Many in the region fear Israel could launch airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities to prevent it from building a nuclear weapon.
Alavi also warned that Israel was within Iran's medium-range missiles and its fighter bombers, while maintaining that Israel was not strong enough to launch an aerial attack against Iran. Hmmmmm...guess he don't read the papers...
"The whole territory of this regime is within the range of our missiles. Moreover, we can attack their territory with our fighter bombers as a response to any attack," the general said. Gonna be down at the field to wave goodbye, general?
An upgraded version of Iran's Shahab-3 missile has a range of 1,250 miles, capable of reaching Israel and carrying a nuclear warhead.
Alavi said Iran's radar bases were monitoring activities at the country's borders around the clock and boasted that it had the capability to confront U.S. cruise missiles. "One of the issues the enemies make publicity about is their cruise missiles. Now, we possess the necessary systems to confront them," Alavi was quoted as saying. But I can't tell yas what it is. It's...a secret.
Iran's ambassador to Kuwait said in an interview with the Kuwaiti Al-Rai newspaper that U.S. bases in the Gulf would be targeted if the country was attacked. "Iran won't immediately strike U.S. bases in the region if it comes under a military strike. It will hit the base from which the strike against it came," Ali Jannati told the newspaper. "But I don't think the Gulf nations would allow that a strike be launched from their territory." Kuwait has a major U.S. base, which helps supply troops in Iraq. The U.S. 5th Fleet, which patrols the Gulf, is based in Bahrain, and the U.S. forces' Central Command is based in Qatar. We got these things called aircraft carriers, Mookie. And I don't think Nebraska or Louisiana are Islamic republics yet.
A top Revolutionary Guards commander said this week that Americans could be found all around Iran and that they were legitimate Iranian targets if the U.S. takes military action.
"Today, the United States is within Iran's sight and all around our country, but it doesn't mean we have been encircled. They are encircled themselves and are within our range," Gen. Mohammed Hasan Kousehchi told IRNA, referring to U.S. units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Man, they do like to listen to themselves make noise, don't they?
#7
Theoretical 1500 km range, at least. Based on that, 3dc's map shows the missiles could definitely reach Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which take up a much larger section of the arc as well as being bigger and closer... in case the aim is off a hair in addition to the fuel or something being a bit mismeasured, I mean.
#11
This article basically means ASSAD = SYRIA is on his own for time being. Israeli Op-Ed > had reminded Israelis that IRAN in the past has resorted to utilizing Terror groups to retaliate agz Israeli mil or covert ops actions agz Iranian interests.*ION, IRGC Cdr > Iran has up to 20.0Milyuhn BASIJ volunteers inside Iran ready and willing to engage US-Allied forces in defensive "People's War", i.e. asymmetric warfare.
#15
See also on DEBKA. In possibly related news, DRUDGE > IRAN > WILL GIVE ITS "FINAL RESPONSE" on October 12th [QODS Day]. * RIAN > IRAN: NUCLEAR WEAPONS "JUST IN CASE" [US/Israeli attack???]; + PRAVDA [paraphrased]> IRAN AND SYRIA DEVELOP CHEMICAL WARHEADS WMDS TO DESTROY THE USA.
#16
It appears that the phrase "bombers" is being used euphemistically. A quick look at the map says there is no way to get from Iran to Israel by air except through Saudi, Iraqi, or Turkish airspace. I don't really think anything with wings is going to last very long broaching any of those borders.
#17
I don't really think anything with wings is going to last very long broaching any of those borders.
Sadly, I think you might be a tad too optimistic, RWV. Muslim hatred for Israel knows no bounds. Even if it does, it's far more wise to act upon the previous premise.
Supporters of the Zionist regime will receive their response during the world Qods Day's rallies, government spokesman, Gholam-Hossein Elham, said Wednesday.
The spokesman made the remarks during his weekly press conference while commenting on the current visit to the occupied Palestine of the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Qods Day is held each year on the last Friday of Muslims fasting month of Ramadan after it was nominated by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, as a day to voice the protest of the Islamic Ummah against the Zionists.
The day falls on October 12 this year.
"The US loses all opportunities to cooperate with regional and other world states by trying to support a regime (the Zionist regime) which is now at its weakest political and social position," Elham said.
He warned that Washington's insistence on its wrong policies and arrogant approaches would have no result "but further political disgrace" for itself.
Referring to the approaching World Qods Day, the spokesman stressed, "Supporters of the Zionist regime will definitely receive the final response for their support on that day."
#1
Is Qods day more IMPORTANT than Halloween?
Do the people wear neat costumes on Qods day?
Is the candy on Qods day tasty and in great quantity?
Do Qods day folks go door to door "trick or treating"?
If not, why not?
Why does Qods like AlQada violate the Q and U rule?
Is it an attempt to ruin the English language?
#6
NETTER > In aftermath of Israel's air strike, World is forgetting that post-Cold War Russia-China helped other Muslim nations in dev their local nucprogs, e.g. LIBYA and ALGERIA.
It is Iran's version of "Schindler's List," a miniseries that tells the tale of an Iranian diplomat in Paris who helps Jews escape the Holocaust and viewers across the country are riveted.
That's surprising enough in a country where hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has questioned whether the Holocaust even took place. What's more surprising is that government media produced the series, and is airing it on state-run television. . . .
. . . the series titled "Zero Degree Turn" is clearly sympathetic to the Jews' plight during World War II. It shows men, women and children with yellow stars on their clothes being taken forcibly out of their homes and loaded into trucks by Nazi soldiers.
"Where are they taking them?" the horrified hero, a young Iranian diplomat who works at the Iranian Embassy in Paris, asks someone in a crowd of onlookers.
"The Fascists are taking the Jews to the concentration camps," the man says. The hero, named Habib Parsa, then begins giving Iranian passports to Jews to allow them to flee occupied France to then-Palestine.
Though the Habib character is fictional, it is based on a true story of diplomats in the Iranian Embassy in Paris in the 1940s who gave out about 500 Iranian passports for Jews to use to escape.
The show's appearance now may reflect an attempt by Iran's leadership to moderate its image as anti-Semitic and to underline a distinction that Iranian officials often make that their conflict is with Israel, not with the Jewish people.
About 25,000 Jews live in Iran, the largest Jewish community in the Middle East after Israel. They have one representative in parliament, which is run mostly by Islamic clerics.
The series could not have aired without being condoned by Iran's clerical leadership. The state broadcaster is under the control of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomenei, who has final say in all matters inside Iran. . . . The government even allowed the series to break another taboo in Iran: For the first time, many actresses appear without the state-mandated Islamic dress code. The producers wanted to realistically portray 1940s Paris, and thus avoided the headscarves and head-to-foot robes that all women must normally wear on Iranian TV. . . .
I don't know if this is a leading indicator of anything, or a fluke, or something else entirely, but it's interesting, give it that.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/19/2007 09:35 ||
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#1
LGF readers followed up on this. It turns out the documentary depicts the Holocaust as being organized by Zionists in cahoots with Hitler out to murder Jews who refused to go to "Palestine".
#2
I though Iran said the Holocaust didn't happen.
In any case, I don't think this movie would have stood a chance of getting aired unless Iran was worried about getting redecorated. "The West won't/can't attack" indeed . . . .
#5
Teach Germany the meaning of "redux"? Germany lost a bunch of money when Iraq went down, and they are about to do it again with Iran if the Iranians don't smell the coffee pretty soon.
Then again, I'm glad Germany is declining the sanctions. The taquiyya will stop sooner.
It's this kind of forward thinking makes me want to reconsider my negative attitude towards the UN.
Posted by: kelly ||
09/19/2007 17:24 Comments ||
Top||
#4
Here's the article:
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Iran on Tuesday to cooperate fully with the UN nuclear agency and the UN Security Council to settle the dispute over its nuclear program, saying the United Nations wants a peaceful solution.
So far so good. Iran needs to step up to the plate.
Ban was responding to a question about French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's comments Sunday that the world community must be prepared for "the worst" - the possibility of war - if the nuclear standoff continues.
Still good. If you aren't part of the axis of evil.
"I have stated publicly many times my position and United Nations' position on Iranian nuclear issues," he said. "As a matter of principle, all the pending issues ... should be resolved through dialogue in a peaceful manner. (Those are) very, very important principles which (the) United Nations is seeking."
Well, that's what they are there for.
But sometimes people don't play nice, and the guns have to come out. I'm pleased to see that Ban did not speak against that possibility.
Syria criticized the United States on Tuesday, accusing it of spreading "false" claims of Syrian nuclear activity and cooperation with North Korea to excuse an alleged Israeli air incursion over the country this month. A front-page editorial in the government newspaper Tishrin also was critical of Washington for failing to condemn the alleged September 6 Israeli incursion, which it called a violation of international law.
Details of the so-called incursion remain unclear. US officials have reportedly said Israeli warplanes struck a target. A senior US non-proliferation official said last week that North Korean personnel were in Syria helping its nuclear program, raising speculation that the Israelis were targeting a nuclear installation.
North Korea on Tuesday vehemently denied it secretly helped Syria develop a nuclear program, claiming the charge was fabricated by US hardliners to block progress in the North's relations with the United States. Damascus has also denied any nuclear cooperation with North Korea.
The editorial in Tishrin, which reflects Syrian government thinking in a country where the press is tightly controlled, said the US accusations reflect Washington's pro-Israel bias and have no credibility. "Of course, none of the American officials said that the aerial piracy committed by Israel was illegal and was a flagrant aggression against the sovereignty of a state, because they disregard international law whenever they want when it comes to Israel," the Syrian newspaper said. It said Washington was "busy circulating claims on Israel's behalf" that the incursion involved "possible nuclear facilities supplied by (North) Korea."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Syria
#1
Again, IRAN has pledged to come to Syria's defense and retaliate on its behalf in case of Israeli [and by extens USA]attack. Israel has attacked and bombed Syria - Assad is still waiting for Moud = Iran's fulfillment of pledge. D *** NG IT, FILM AT 11.
#3
A senior US non-proliferation official said last week that North Korean personnel were in Syria helping its nuclear program, raising speculation that the Israelis were targeting a nuclear installation.
Hmmmm. I wonder if the Norks lost some key personnel in the so-called "incursion"?
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
We believe the best option is to peacefully resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations...
Diplomacy means letting the Mad Mullahs have their nukes which is most certainly not in the interest of the international community. The threat of war, or more likely actual war itself, is the only way to stop the Iranians. You'd have to be as soft in the head as Jimmuh Carter to believe otherwise.
#4
KOMMERSANT > iff I'm reading the article correctly, Russ wants to set up a special UNO-controlled trust/bank whereupon low-enrichment nuke fuels can be given [at a FMV price?]to select nations. Russ is also keen in providing the fuels.
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir stressed that a two-thirds quorum is needed to elect a new president for Lebanon and warned against boycotting the electoral session of September 25, 2007 "Presidential elections must take place No one can boycott a nation," Sfeir said in remarks published by the daily An Nahar on Tuesday. "At the end, national sentiments should overcome the feelings of animosity," he added.
Sfeir emphasized that he did not and will not name a presidential candidate, reiterating that the new head of state should be at an equal distance from all political players. "He (next president) should have a clean hand and a white heart and should unite all the people," he said, adding that " It is essential for the next president not to be aligned with any party and to be transparent and trustworthy."
On the issue of the two-third vote, Sfeir said the Constitution was clear in this regard. "The Constitution is clear. The president of the republic should be elected by secret ballot and by a two-thirds quorum of PMs, and if the quorum is not secured, then a president will be elected by a half-plus-one vote," he clarified.
Sfeir also sounded the alarm, describing the situation as "dangerous." "If both sides remain clung to their positions then we will not reach a solution or we could reach disastrous outcomes," he warned.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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Proof of cooperation between Iran and Syria in the proliferation and development of weapons of mass destruction was brought to light Monday in a Jane's Defence Weekly report that dozens of Iranian engineers and 15 Syrian officers were killed in a July 23 accident in Syria. According to the report, cited by Channel 10, the joint Syrian-Iranian team was attempting to mount a chemical warhead on a Scud missile when the explosion occurred, spreading lethal chemical agents, including sarin nerve gas.
Reports of the accident were circulated at the time; however, no details were released by the Syrian government, and there were no hints of an Iranian connection.
The report comes on the heels of criticism leveled by the Syrians at the United States, accusing it of spreading "false" claims of Syrian nuclear activity and cooperation with North Korea to excuse an alleged Israeli air incursion over the country this month. According to globalsecurity.org, Syria is not a signatory of either the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), - an international agreement banning the production, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons - or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Syria began developing chemical weapons in 1973, just before the Yom Kipper War. Globalsecurity.org cites the country as having one of the most advanced chemical weapons programs in the Middle East.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/19/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
As other Hetters have pointed out or inferred, any non-Nuke WMD detonation inside Israel WILL ALSO KILL-INJURE MANY PALEOS AND PROB JORDANIANS [read - Muslims], as dependent on scale and locations of attacks.
#3
Thanks Fred. I'm really getting knackered with all the horror and bad news of late. I'm sure other readers, as well as myself, appreciate something upbeat such as this swell article.
#6
That new ray gun than remotely heats stuff up works? For more than harmlessly discouraging civil disobedience? Maybe, at least with the Israeli modification package; who knows?
#8
This is some of the best news this year. We could hardly have hand-picked a better group of men to die; very difficult men to replace. And wonderful to think of their horror as they died like insects by the very instrument they intended to use in an act of genocide.
#10
Now where was it all those trucks were going to, those trucks that came from the WMD sites in Iraq while we d**ked around with the UN for 6 months instead of hitting them hard and fast?
And what did happen to several tons of unaccounted for WMDs and WMD components?
Do the math. Are people really so stupid and ill-informed that they cannot see this?
#12
Old Spook - lemme answer your questions briefly and succinctly: Syria, Syria, and Yes.
Do I getta gold star?
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/19/2007 16:01 Comments ||
Top||
#13
YNETNEWS > AN AMAZING COINCIDENCE article. Describes SAT photos showing details of massed expansion of Syrian chemical and missle stocks in and around plant close to Israeli air strike area.
#1
"Sir, you accused them of murdering innocent civilians in cold blood. That is something that would come from al-Jazeera not a congressman, sir."
Jason Mattera
I hope Murtha is bankrupted by the ongoing lawsuits for libel and defamation of charater that are now being filed against him for hisknowing and voluntarygross distortion of fact.
#3
I can't watch the video, but does it really recall KOREA service? I didn't think he served in the Korean War.
Murtha is proof that the problem is Congress, not Congressmen. Prior to his election he was an Eagle Scout, a Marine Drill Instructor, and volunteered for Vietnam where he was wounded and decorated (one presumes not Kerry-style, but I don't really know.)
Then he's elected to Congress, where he gets involved in Abscam, and becomes this pompass, dishonest, slanderous a** we see today.
Deke Cunningham is proof the affliction is not party-specific but Congress-wide.
How do we fix it?
#7
How do we fix it? We boot out every congress critter except a very few, and we get independents in there to clean house. The problem is that nobody of character wants to run because it is such a dirty business to do. The two parties have utterly failed this nation. It is foolish to throw good money after bad, so to speak.
You cannot reform from within. Present senators and representatives have entrenched themselves too deeply. This is the crux of the problem.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/19/2007 10:24 Comments ||
Top||
#8
Saw somethin about the Old Gyrene yesterday...
Rent a congressman
You bought Google at $100 and 3 years later is nearing $600 a share? Big deal. Microsoft has gone up 28-fold over the last 20 years? Yawn. You want to make the big bucks? Rent a congressman. Your return on your investment can be as high as $75 for every dollar invested.
Just ask the good folks at PMA Group, a lobbying firm. They sank $1,333,074 into the campaigns last year of 3 Democratic members of the House defense appropriations subcommittee and walked away with $100.5 million in defense earmarks for PMA clients, Roll Call reported.
That means for every buck they spent, their clients got back $75.39. In less than 1 year.
The 3 Democratic rent-to-own congressmen are John Murtha, Jim Moran and Peter Visclosky. These antiwar Democrats see nothing wrong with steering military money to PMA clients.
And why not? PMA money made up 20% of Murthas war chest, 18% of the Moran money and 33% of the Visclosky dough. For 2008, PMA already has steered $542,500 to the 3 amigos.
Money is not the only object. The firm was founded by Paul Magliochetti, who worked for Murtha on the defense appropriations subcommittee. Richard Kaelin went from being Viscloskys chief of staff to lobbying for PMA.
#9
The firm was founded by Paul Magliochetti, who worked for Murtha on the defense appropriations subcommittee. Richard Kaelin went from being Viscloskys chief of staff to lobbying for PMA.
Yet one more reason why politicians and government employees must be prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities or supporting them for at least five years after departing their civil service jobs.
#11
Present senators and representatives have entrenched themselves too deeply. This is the crux of the problem.
No, the crux of the problem is the stupid people who re-elect bozos year after year after year. That is why the founders did not have the Senate elected directly by the people. They knew democracy has its problems as do oligarchy and monarchy.
#12
TU, Murtha is an ass and I can't stand him, but getting unfunded DoD requirements money is not his greatest failing. We are, after all, in a war. The vast majority of defense "earmark" money funds needed projects that are not in the standard DoD budget, usually because they are either too small or too time sensitive. This isn't getting some park built or putting in a jogging path, but is money used to develop new tech for our troops.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
. . . As a freelance writer, I pitched my services to cover a peace rally on the west steps of the state Capitol building last Friday, September 7, and the editor went for it.
The Afghan government is ready for peace talks with the Taliban, but will not accept preconditions demanded by them such as the withdrawal of all foreign troops, a presidential spokesman said on Tuesday. 
Afghan President Hamid Karzai pleaded with Canada on Tuesday not to withdraw its 2,500 troops when their mission ends in early 2009, saying to do so would only help deliver his country back to the Taliban, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported.
Sudan has called for the arrest of the head of global rights watchdog Amnesty International, accusing it of spreading lies that several men accused of plotting a coup were tortured, state media reported. 
North Korea said on Tuesday recent media reports that it may be providing help to Syrias nuclear activities were groundless conspiracy fabricated by those who oppose the Norths improving ties with Washington. 
In a move that has stunned New York, the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.
Security around Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has been tightened after a plot to kill him in a suicide attack was exposed. According to a private TV channel, 
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Qazi Hussain Ahmed reiterated on Tuesday that the alliance would not accept President Pervez Musharraf, whether in or without uniform. We will not be deceived by the theory that President Musharraf will doff uniform after elections, as he has already betrayed the nation on the uniform issue, said Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), during his visit to condole the death of Maulana Hassan Jan at Jamia Imdadul Uloom where he met the relatives and students of the deceased. 
Israel is prepared for peace negotiations with Syria if the conditions are right, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Russian-language reporters on Monday, Israeli media reported. 
PALESTINIAN President Mahmoud Abbas is under pressure from his Fatah faction not to attend a US-led Middle East conference, aides said on Tuesday, citing uncertainty over its participants and outcome. 
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir stressed that a two-thirds quorum is needed to elect a new president for Lebanon and warned against boycotting the electoral session of September 25, 2007 "Presidential elections must take place
No one can boycott a nation," Sfeir said in remarks published by the daily An Nahar on Tuesday. "At the end, national sentiments should overcome the feelings of animosity," he added.
Proof of cooperation between Iran and Syria in the proliferation and development of weapons of mass destruction was brought to light Monday in a Jane's Defence Weekly report that dozens of Iranian engineers and 15 Syrian officers were killed in a July 23 accident in Syria. According to the report, cited by Channel 10, the joint Syrian-Iranian team was attempting to mount a chemical warhead on a Scud missile when the explosion occurred, spreading lethal chemical agents, including sarin nerve gas. 
