#3
GEN. MATTIS also said that Air/MilStrikes alone won't be enough to stop Iran's NucProgs, i.e. stop Iran from becom a de facto NucWeaps Islamist State. Mattis strongly inferred that a ground invasion + occupation of Iran may be needed as a "final option".
* IIRC DEMOCRATIC UNDERGOUND > [Global Post]LINDSEY GRAHAM SAYS HE WILL INTRODUCE AN AUTHORIZATION CALLING FOR [US/US-led] USE OF MILITARY FORCE [War] ON IRAN BY SUMMER'S END, i.e. Sept-Oct 2013 iff no progress on Nuc Summit.
* FYI 1ST HEADLINES > [Bloomberg] IRAN MAY ACHIEVE NUCLEAR [NucBomb = NucWeapons] BREAKOUT CAPABILITY IN MID-2014.
#4
I disagree. If you remove their entire infrastructure, the nuke project will die on the vine. When there's no bridges, power plants, water plants, sewer plants, food production, roads, buildings that aren't rubble and anything trying to enter the country gets pegged before making more than a mile across the border, it's certainly possible.
And on the plus side, Iran will never be a problem again.
#5
Gen. Mattis: We Pay A Price For Supporting Israel
Mattis got dinged in the media for this, but I read the quote as saying the moderate Arabs don't have the balls to step up and do what's right.
We do pay a price for supporting Israel. It is a necessary cost sometimes. To quote a certain Democrat Prez: Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
On Tuesday, Fox News obtained documents showing that the federal government is initiating a program designed to nudge Americans toward particular behaviors. The Behavioral Insights Team to be formed would work with the White House, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, among others. The document, emailed by White House senior adviser on social and behavioral sciences Maya Shenker to a university professor, states, Behavioral sciences can be used to help design public policies that work better, cost less, and help people achieve their goals. White House Shadow Gov't 'Insights Team' now accepting applications. Contact Winston Smith for additional information.
#5
Under the Yiddish variant, the whole Obumble Administration is the Nudge Squad:
(A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg)
noodge or nudzh or nudge
PRONUNCIATION:
(nooj)
MEANING:
verb tr.: To pester; to nag.
verb intr.: To whine.
noun: One who pesters and annoys with persistent complaining.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Yiddish nudyen (to pester, bore), from Polish nudzic. The word developed a variant spelling 'nudge' under the influence of the English word 'nudge'. A cousin of this word is nudnik (a boring pest). First recorded use: 1960.
#7
Is the Nudge Squad going to be sequestered, too?
I wonder of some of those folks taking a few days off without pay could expect full-time employment with the Nudge Squad?
Good thing the government has plenty of money!
Posted by: Bobby ||
07/31/2013 17:40
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#8
I think they've already started ... I've noticed a rash of concern trolls on some of the blogs that I frequent. All very nice, very concerned, just dripping with the milk of human kindness, telling us that we have nothing to fear.
At least, I hope it's the milk of human kindness that they are dripping with. I'm a nice person, and I don't like to make vicious assumptions about the thick whitish fluid dripping from their chins ...
(Hey, NSA guy monitoring Rantburg? I'm going to make fettucini with shrimp and baby tomatoes tonight - there's gonna be extra. If you are hungry around 6:30, stop by and I'll make up a plate for you. You know the address.)
#9
Will one of the goals be to "nudge" known Tea Party activists into the hereafter so that the Dems can appropriate said Tea Party activists' votes in subsequent elections?
"A few years ago, the nonpartisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research rated Detroit as the most liberal city in America." -- Michael Tanner
Detroit was once one of the world's great cities. It was the 4th largest metropolis in America, jobs were plentiful because of the auto industry, and Motown even kept it on the cutting edge musically.
Unfortunately, from 1962 until the present day, the mayor of Detroit has been a Democrat.
The result?
Detroit's population has dropped from 1.8 million to just over 700,000, the unemployment rate is over 50% if you count the people who've given up on finding jobs, property values have dropped so much you can buy homes in the crime-ridden city for $500, and Detroit has gone bankrupt. How to "Flip" a house in Detroit:
1. Buy it
2. Insure it
3. Burn it
How did Democrats kill one of the most prosperous cities in America? With the same sort of unfettered liberalism that Democrats like Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi want to foist on the rest of the nation.
#4
Article doesn't even mention pensions and other goodies for government employees -- isn't that like 1/6 of Detroit's total debt? Staggering when you think about it.
#8
I remember reading the Detroit papers in 1984 and they had a special section with government owned houses for sales, thousands of them and the average price was $20.00...Then I flew over the area for a look...seemed lovely at first, heavily treed...but a closer look showed a third of the houses burned out with another third with part of the roof collapsed. So that crap has been a long time coming....nobody can insure anything not only in Detroit but in all these neighborhoods peopled by that nation of blood sucking parasites!
Posted by: Bob Snore6814 ||
07/31/2013 19:14
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#9
I believe they call these houses 'contractor's specials'...
A super-sized version of Army Pfc. Bradley Manning's face was projected onto a D.C. building Tuesday night, along with the word "hero." It was part of a demonstration organized by supporters of Manning, who say he's not a criminal but a truth-seeking whistleblower. Let's look at the history books in fifty years, shall we? O.K., you look at the history books in 50 years - I shan't be here.
Gerry Condon is with Veterans for Peace, ...a commie front group and progressive bunch of rabble-rousers...
one of the event organizers. "If, you know, people had listened to what Bradley Manning released three years ago, the Afghan war diaries, and saw that our politicians and even our military leaders were lying to us about the progress of that war, we wouldn't still have our soldiers dying there today." It might not, you know, be that simple, Gerry, you know?
Emma Cape with the Bradley Manning Support Network wants President Barack Obama to pardon Manning. "There is an official application in the works to ask President Obama to stand behind his promises when he said that he was going to protect whistleblowers and have the most transparent government in U.S. History," she said. Not until he (and the ever-charming Michelle) are out of office - 2016, 2020, 2024 - whenever. By the way, Emma, do share with us any other evidence of his "transparent government".
Posted by: Bobby ||
07/31/2013
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#1
A super-sized version of Army Pfc. Bradley Manning's face was projected onto a D.C. building Tuesday night, along with the word "hero."
Psychological projection was conceptualized by Sigmund Freud in the 1890s as a defence mechanism in which a person unconsciously rejects his or her own unacceptable attributes by ascribing them to objects or persons in the outside world.
Huma Abedin, the Hillary Clinton loyalist and wife of embattled New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner, will reportedly take an "extended vacation" from her job as the chief of staff of Hillary Clinton's transition team. Hey boss, I need a few days off right when we are supposed to be ramping up.... yes awkward I know.
Politico reports the move is not a formal "leave of absence." But she has been advised to drive carefully.
"Huma is not taking a leave of absence, but she will be taking vacation time in August to support her family during Anthony's campaign," a Weiner campaign source told Politico. "She had always intended to do this." Yes, always.
According to Politico, "it was a loose plan she'd had for weeks, since Hillary Clinton has close to no schedule next month." Weeks, even months, possibly years.
After yet another woman came forward to reveal her sexting experiences with Weiner, Abedin stood by her husband during a press conference last week. But ABC News revealed on Monday that the Clinton camp "increasingly see[s] Anthony Weiner's mayoral campaign as an embarrassment and potential liability." History teaches, bad things generally happen when women come forward.
Clinton spokesman Phillipe Reines, who is also a close friend of Abedin's, reportedly tried to convince Huma not to appear in a video filmed this past weekend with Weiner in which the mayoral candidate vowed to go forward with his campaign because New Yorkers don't "quit." She simply wouldn't listen, now we have this night soil all about.
Clinton's transition office is largely believed to be a staging ground for a potential 2016 presidential run and the Clintons have referred to longtime confidante Abedin as their "second daughter." Yes, quite largely believed in fact.
#2
Hilly "stood by her man" it seems, but would not stand by her "second daughter".
Posted by: Bobby ||
07/31/2013 17:37
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#3
Let's have an informal poll, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HILLARY, anyone else?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
07/31/2013 17:57
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#4
Hillary might get an order of Park Bench Foster. I hear it's a killer dessert.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
07/31/2013 19:24
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#5
Yokay, I'll bite - is the plan still for mainstream America = Amerika to be HAPPY when the US goes under OWG-NWO come 2015; or are AMericans = Amerikans supposed to be SAD OR ANGERED + READY FOR REVOLUTION come 2015.
On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew ostensibly ruled out a federal government bailout of Detroit following its recent declaration of bankruptcy.
You know George, Detroits economic problems have been a long time in developing I think when it comes to the questions between Detroit and its creditors, thats what Detroit is going to have to work out with the creditors, he told ABCs George Stephanopoulos. Not quite. Detroit is proposing an effort to offload much of its bloated healthcare costs onto the American taxpayer, using ObamaCare as the vehicle for doing so. Public employees are the new nobility---private sector are serfs who exist solely to provide for their betters.
#1
I agree wid FOX NEWS' "THE FIVE"s Greg Gutfield, i.e. give Detroit to the [illegal? = Hispanic] immigrants whom the DemoLeft + aligned RINOS, Globalists, Special Interests, etal. in Washington DC are treating like quasi-US or de facto US Citizens anyway.
[GREAT "OKLAHOMA LAND RUSH" here].
Despite its woes, the Hispanic + Asian communities in mostly African-Amer Detroit are the only segments that are experiencing growth, while the Black community is stuck in quagmire + getting worse.
#2
We should set up a program to allow the immigration of a million Taiwanese to homestead in Detroit. The only restriction would be that at least a million must sign up before anyone was let in, and they had to live in Detroit for five years to be eligible to become citizens.
They will take the deal just to get away from the risks of nearby mainland China. Once the million arrive, Detroit will be squared away in no time.
A Kenyan lawyer has filed a petition with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, suggesting that the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ was unlawful, and The State of Israel among others should be held responsible, Kenyan news outlet the Nairobian reported on Friday.
Dola Indidis, a lawyer and former spokesman of the Kenyan Judiciary is reportedly attempting to sue Tiberius (Emperor of Rome 42 BC-37AD), Pontius Pilate, a selection of Jewish elders, King Herod, the Republic of Italy and the State of Israel.
#7
One assumes the lawyer is not Christian, for without the crucifixion, Jesus Christ could not have died and arisen, taking his place at his father's right hand. On the other hand, the other options -- Moslem, atheist, or animist -- would be completely uninterested in a criminal proceeding that took place on another continent over two millenia previous. Since none of the possibilities would file such a suit, it must therefore be concluded that the plaintiff does not exist. Q.E.D.
[Ynet] Donation to cover 60% of Paleostinian Authority's debt; PA committed to hospitals which 'oppose Israeli occupation's practices in holy capital,' says Paleostinian health minister
Naturally, the EU rewards the Palestinians for getting America to humiliate Israel.
One of the issues on the agenda for peace talks between Israel and the Paleostinians currently underway in Washington is the future of east Jerusalem. Israel says east Jerusalem, which it annexed in 1967, will remain part of its united capital while the Paleostinians say it must be the capital of a future Paleostinian state.
In one respect, though, east Jerusalem is already part of the West Bank through a network of six hospitals -- including the well-known Augusta Victoria and Al-Makassed hospitals - which treat thousands of Paleostinians each year.
"The east Jerusalem hospitals are part of the Paleostinian health system and the problems are part of the problems facing the Paleostinian health system in general," Shadi Othman, the communication and information officer for the office of the European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... (EU) Representative in east Jerusalem, told The Media Line. "This contribution will help alleviate the accumulated debt."
The Paleostinian Authority refers thousands of patients each year to these specialized hospitals for treatment that cannot be obtained in West Bank hospitals. For example, St. John's Eye Hospital is the only medical facility where Paleostinians can receive eye surgery. The patients need Israeli permits to reach Jerusalem, which Israeli officials say are usually granted as a humanitarian gesture.
Most of these patients have medical insurance with the Paleostinian Authority, which is then meant to cover the cost of treatment. However, death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate... with the PA is mired in a financial crisis and the debt rapidly rising, the EU stepped in and paid what amounts to about sixty-per cent of the outstanding debt.
"The EU continues to be a close and reliable partner to the Paleostinian Authority and Paleostinian people," EU representative John Gatt-Rutter said when announcing the aid. "The objective of our support is to allow the Paleostinian Authority to meet its obligations towards the east Jerusalem hospitals and ultimately ensure the provision of essential services to the Paleostinian people. All six facilities of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network provide quality specialized health services which are not available in Paleostine. Preserving their work is important."
The largest of the six hospitals, Al-Makassed, employs some 750 doctors, nurses and other personnel and has come close to closing several times over the past 40 years. In 2009, 80,000 cases were seen by hospital staff there.
Part of the problem is that costs in east Jerusalem are higher than those in the West Bank. For example, the PA pays Al-Makassed about $5,000 for open heart surgery while the cost of the surgery at the hospital is closer to $7,000. That difference eventually adds up to millions of dollars.
Paleostinian Minister of Health Jawad Awwad said the hospitals also play an important political role in the Paleostinian battle for Jerusalem.
"The Paleostinian government headed by Rami Hamdallah has received directives from the Paleostinian President the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas ... a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial... to pay great attention to the medical organizations in the holy capital," Awwad said in a statement that was carried by the Ma'an News Agency. "It is to give support to those opposing the practices of Israeli occupation crippling different institutions in Jerusalem."
The Israeli government has long clashed with the Paleostinian Authority over symbols of Paleostinian control in Jerusalem. In 1988, Israel closed the Orient House, the PLO Headquarters in east Jerusalem. More recently in June, Israel ordered the Hakawati Theater closed during a week it was supposed to sponsor a puppet festival. A police front man said the theater was closed "because its activities were under the sponsorship of the Paleostinian Authority."
When it comes to medical care, however, Israel actually facilitates the entry of tens of thousands of Paleostinians into east Jerusalem. The bigger issue, however, is whether these hospitals will be able to survive without ongoing infusions of cash from the international community.
"The PA is having a difficult economic situation and this is reflected in the hospital as in other issues," said Shadi Othman of the EU. "This requires a long-term solution from both the hospitals and the PA."
[Ynet] Heated debate on renewed talks on Israeli street is paralleled across Green Line. Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason,, Fattah-affiliated journalists offer their views
Why should today be different than any other day?
The Israeli decision to release security prisoners ahead of the negotiations between Israel and the Paleostinian Authority ignited a public debate in Israel regarding the price of Israeli overtures, while Paleostinians are equally divided regarding Paleostinian President the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas ... a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial... ' rescinding of the Paleostinian preconditions of settlement freeze and 1967 line as basis for talks.
Two top Paleostinian journalists -- a Fattah man supportive of the resumption of talks and a Hamas follower who opposes it vehemently -- shed some light on Paleostinian popular opinion.
"This is our only way to explain to the world what we want. If we don't do it then we have no other effective way to demand what's rightfully ours," said the Fattah supporter.
According to him, "As long as we don't negotiate we lose land that is taken by the settlers and the Israeli government."
The journalist who sides with Hamas was determined in his objection to the renewed grinding of the peace processor. He explained that the Paleostinian's first priority was a reconciliation between Fattah and Hamas, and that negotiations with Israel are at the reconciliation's expense.
"This is a zero-sum game," the Hamas spporter said. "As long as the PA walks the path toward a grinding of the peace processor with Israel, it is moving further away from achieving inner-Paleostinian reconciliation. But it should be honestly said to the Israeli public that any step by the PA toward Hamas drives it further from reaching an agreement with Israel."
According to him, by holding the talks, Abbas is signaling Netanyahu his drawing away from reconciling with Hamas.
Prisoners' release
In the Fattah journalist's view, Abbas will be recorded in Paleostinian history as the one who managed to free Paleostinian icons from Israeli prisons by using diplomacy.
"The most critical issue for the Paleostinian street is the issue of the prisoners, and that makes Abbas' achievement extremely important. He benefitted because his insistence vis-à-vis Kerry delivered. I'll say it conclusively: The Paleostinians never believed it will be possible to free prisoners in a non-violent way, and he proved them wrong."
His Hamas colleague as well did not spare praises for the Paleostinian president. "This is a massive success. I want to thank Abbas for this achievement. The Paleostinian public appreciates any way to free prisoners, whether it's the Hamas way, which brought about the Shalit deal, or Abbas' way.
"To us it doesn't matter, as long as the prisoners are released." He mentioned as an example Mahmoud Issa, a senior Hamas bad boy who kidnapped and killed Border Guard officer Nisim Toledano in 1992, and admitted that Hamas failed to release him.
"And now, it's Abbas who will free one of Hamas' oldest prisoners in the Israeli jail," he said.
Though they may disagree on many issues, both journalists shared a grim view on the possible outcomes of the negotiations. "I don't believe Netanyahu and most Paleostinians share my view, and therefore I find it difficult to believe that the new round of talks will result in a peace agreement," said the Fattah man.
"Also, if we examine the Israeli government in its whole -- Netanyahu is surrounded by rightists who'll prevent him from reaching a decision and signing an agreement."
"The Paleostinian street is completely divided on this issue," said the Hamas supporter, who stressed that a large section of the Paleostinian public has different priorities. "It will not back Abbas' moves and therefore the PA will fear reaching a comprehensive agreement without national accord."
[Ynet] Iran is campaigning for a key position on a UN General Assembly committee that deals with disarmament and international security.
Iran is competing against Kuwait to be the rapporteur of the UN General Assembly's First Committee for its 68th session, which begins in October, UN diplomats said. The rapporteur reports on the proceedings of the 193-member committee. A front man for Iran's UN mission confirmed the country's bid on Tuesday. Asked why Tehran was interested in the position, he said: "It's a normal routine by a member state."
[Ynet] Two Arab-Israelis and a Paleostinian were locked away Please don't kill me! in a junction north of Hebron, after IDF soldiers checking their vehicle found an improvised firearm and several clips hidden under a seat.
The weapon was confiscated and the three taken for an interrogation.
Palestinian machine shop skills are well known in the area, Pappy. I think it was Redneck Jim who once said that with the right tools a master mechanic can make anything.
[An Nahar] Syria's main Kurdish militia on Tuesday issued a call to arms to all Kurds to fight jihadists after the assassination of a Kurdish leader, a watchdog said.
"The Committees for the Protection of the Kurdish People (YPG) called on all those fit to carry weapons to join their ranks, to protect areas under their control from attacks by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) fighters, Al-Nusra Front and other battalions," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The Kurdish call comes hours after Isa Huso, a member of the Supreme Kurdish Council diplomacy committee, was assassinated as he left his house in the Syrian Kurdish city of Qamishli, a pro-Kurdish news agency said.
The Supreme Kurdish Council is a platform bringing together Kurdish groups in Syria.
The call to arms comes weeks into fighting between Kurds and jihadists in several areas of northern Syria.
Huso, 60, was assassinated as he left his house at 0900 GMT in the Syrian Kurdish city of Qamishli, the Firat news agency reported on its website.
He had worked for Kurdish freedom and actively participated in the founding congress of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).
The PYD is the main Kurdish party in Syria and is considered a branch of Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
The Firat report did not say who is suspected of the killing.
Syria's Kurds live in areas rich in resources but have long been marginalized under President Bashar Assad's regime, which has been accused by rights watchdogs of cracking down on the minority group.
Since the start of the conflict, the Syrian army has withdrawn from most Kurdish areas in the north of the country and the PYD has taken control of some Syrian towns on the border with Turkey.
Huso, married with 10 children, often became a target of the Syrian regime while fighting for freedom. He was arrested five times, subjected to torture and served a one-year prison sentence, according to Firat.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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[An Nahar] U.S. Ambassador to Leb Maura Connelly hailed on Tuesday the European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... 's decision to blacklist Hizbullah's military wing as a terrorist organization.
She said after holding talks with Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... leader MP Michel Aoun ...a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah... : "The decision sends a strong message that the party cannot operate with impunity and there are consequences for its actions, such as the Burgas bombing and its terrorist plot in Cyprus."
The ambassador and MP discussed the political and security situation in Leb, as well as other regional issues.
She said that government formation is a Lebanese process and that the Lebanese people deserve a government that reflects their aspirations and strengthens Leb's stability, illusory sovereignty, and independence while fulfilling its international obligations.
She noted the U.S. hoped to see a formation of a government with which the United States would be able to work more closely.
Moreover, Connelly regretted the failure of some parties to respect the Baabda Declaration and noted that interference in Syria by those parties endanger Leb's illusory sovereignty, stability, and security.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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[An Nahar] Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Supressor of the Damascenes... 's office has used a new Instagram account to post photographs of him greeting supporters, and images of his wife Asma visiting hospital patients.
The official Syrian presidency Instagram account on the popular online photo sharing application is the latest social media platform used by Assad's office to bolster his image.
Assad's office already has YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Images posted on Instagram include a photograph of Assad working at his desk, and another of the embattled leader waving at cheering crowds of supporters.
Others show his wife Asma, dressed informally and deep in discussion with teenagers. In another, she wipes away the tears of a child.
Scores of Assad's supporters have 'liked' the photographs, and one of the comments on a picture reads: "We love you."
But negative comments were apparently removed, as a new requirement for users to sign in to be able to leave a comment was introduced.
One online anti-regime activist said via Twitter: "Bashir al-Assad blocked me on Instagram."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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[Shabelle] A Kenyan court in the coastal city of Mombasa sentenced nine Somalis on Tuesday to five years in prison each for attempting to hijack the German merchant vessel MV Courier in the Gulf of Aden in March 2009.
The men were tossed in the clink Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! by international anti-piracy forces before being handed over to Kenya to be prosecuted, as Somalia was not considered able to try them properly.
Although the number of attacks has fallen markedly since 2011 thanks to tougher security aboard ships and increased Western naval patrols, piracy emanating from the Horn of Africa nation may still cost the world economy about $18 billion a year, the World Bank said in April.
Prosecutors told the court the men attacked the ship armed with a rocket launcher, an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, a SAR80 carbine rifle, and other weapons.
"The suspects used violence to hijack the vessel, and took control of it, putting in fear the lives of those aboard," prosecutors said in the charge sheet. Kenyan officials said 18 crew on board survived the ordeal.
The nine suspects were held in jug at one of Kenya's maximum security prisons during the trial period. They all denied the accusations.
While handing out the sentence, the court noted that the accused had already served a long term in jail while the trial was in progress, and therefore were given shorter jail terms.
"I am satisfied with the evidence presented by the prosecution, which proves beyond reasonable doubt that an act of piracy was committed," judge Stephen Riech said.
Riech ordered the nine to be deported to Somalia after serving their sentences.
Last month another nine Somalis were handed a similar sentence at the same court, after also being found guilty of hijacking a ship in the Gulf of Aden in 2010.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
We used to hang pirates, it cuts down on recidivism.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
07/31/2013 0:30
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Tunisia is mellow, even pacifist, compared with Algeria. The army is smaller than Egypt's, and it is not--or at least it has not been--a political player. So I don't expect a full-blown Algerian-style insurgency or an Egyptian-style military coup. Nor is a Tiananmen Square-style massacre in the cards. Tunisia is not a police state, and Ennahda admits it's afraid of the army.
But tensions are rising, the situation is volatile, the country is more dangerous now than even a week ago, and the region is always surprising. Keep an eye out because even the "moderate" Islamists empowered by the Arab Spring are back on their heels. They thought they owned the future, but they do not.
[An Nahar] The Syrian opposition will form a provisional government in the second half of August after months of failed efforts, Syrian National Coalition chief Ahmad Jarba said on Tuesday.
"I expect a government in exile to be formed around 10 days after Eid al-Fitr," the Mohammedan feast that falls on August 8 or 9, he told AFP in Doha, which he is visiting to seek support.
"There are several candidates" for the post of prime minister, he added, saying one "will be chosen by consensus or through election."
The opposition has struggled to put forward a united front during the country's more than two years of conflict.
The last attempt to form a provisional government collapsed earlier in July when rebel Prime Minister Ghassan Hitto resigned after nearly four months of failed efforts.
Opposition sources said on Thursday that the National Coalition will meet in Istanbul on August 3 and 4 for talks on forming a provisional government.
Jarba also said the opposition needs clarifications before deciding about proposed peace talks, including mainly the position of Russia, which is providing unwavering support to the government of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Before going into the family business Pencilneck was an eye doctor. If he'd stuck with it he'd have had a good practice by now... "Several issues must be clarified before attending the Geneva 2 conference, among them the Russian position," he said.
Jarba also demanded a time frame for any talks that would take place.
"Negotiations with the regime should be restricted in time," he said, adding that talks "cannot last three years, for instance, while the regime continues to kill our people."
Divisions among Syrian opposition groups and hurdles thrown up by Assad's government have blocked efforts to call a new meeting, according to diplomats.
Posted by: Fred ||
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#1
Russia + Iran are NOT supplying Assad wid arms + $$$, etc. to see Syria divided into two or more sovereign or autonomous polities.
Neither is the US-West despite their similar rhetoric to Russia on Syria's fate being decided by its people.
#2
In any case, how is a provisional anti-Assad Syrian Govt. going to survive widout any army or territory, espec iff POTUS Bammer keeps violating his own "red lines" everywhere in ME???
Plus as below ...
* WORLD NEWS > [Daily Telegraph] WEST'S MAIN GROUP FOR SYRIA REBELS COLLAPSES INTO DISARRAY.
SSG = Syria Support Group.
* WAFF > BBC:SYRIAN REBELS FIGHTING A CIVIL WAR WITHIN A CIVIL WAR.
* TOPIX > [Examiner] OBAMA SHIPPING WEAPONS TO "GLOBAL JIHAD STRONGHOLDS' IN SYRIA.
* RELATED ...
> TOPIX = PAKISTANI TALIBAN LEADER DISCUSSES
"GLOBAL JIHAD", SYRIA IN AL-QAEDA VIDEO.
> SAME = PAK TALIBAN CALLS INDIAN MUJAHIDEED TO PARTICIPATE IN "GLOBAL JIHAD" [in India + Syria].
#5
I remember Kitty Carlisle from when I was just a toddler (cough, cough) as a regular panelists on the old "To Tell The Truth" TV show.
She did have a "mouth on her" IIRC though nothing like the snarc of Dorthy Kigalen.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
07/31/2013 10:20
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#12
Kitty Carlisle was born as Catherine Conn (Kitty is a nickname for Catherine; the surname was pronounced Cohen) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her family was of German Jewish heritage. Her grandfather, Ben Holtzman, was the mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana. A Confederate veteran of the American Civil War, Holtzman had been a gunner on the CSS Virginia, perhaps better known as by its previous Union name of Merrimack, the famous Confederate ironclad warship that fought the USS Monitor. Carlisle's father, Dr. Joseph Conn, was a gynecologist who died when she was 10.[citation needed]
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
07/31/2013 10:23
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#13
I remember Kitty as well. I wasn't exactly a toddler then; she was about my grandmother's age.
#16
Thank you Besoeker ! Excellent Link to Alle Stadlstern Sieger 2006-2010 - 30 Jahre Musikantenstadl.
Frankly, the video reminded me of the Alpine Village in Torrance, CA where I spent many an enjoyable evening during my late 20's. Damn, that was fun...
Posted by: Au Auric ||
07/31/2013 14:22
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#17
Kitty was the love interest in the Marx Bros' classic Night at the Opera. She looked good next to Margaret Dumont.
Posted by: regular joe ||
07/31/2013 15:40
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[Ynet] Islamic Jihad ...created after many members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah... Leader Ramadan Shalah slammed the renewal of talks between Israel and the Paleostinians and said: "I believe that the Paleostinian leadership is aware that the renewal of talks places the Paleostinian issue on the barter table together with other Middle East issues, and I hope they will not fall into this trap."
Shalah, who made the remarks in Beirut, added that "the Arab Initiative is a new and more dangerous Balfur Declaration. The Zionist enterprise is about to reap the last fruits of the Nakba when they declare Paleostine as a Jewish-only state."
#2
Ah, the Duffle Blog. Gotta give 'em credit. It is hard to do satire in a world where you wake up every day asking "WTF is the matter with you people?".
#3
Sadly, you are right Glen, but that is a entirely separate discussion. Unfortunately, we've been going overboard for years with awards and decorations.....unless of course, you were a shooting victim of MAJ Nadal Hasan at Fort Hood. Then there is possibly one of the worst examples of all.
#5
They are also a walking billboard of the individual service record. Those who know the code can tell the tale. That's because too many of them became just a tour completion and time in service ribbon rather than an impact, particular event, award.
#8
Now that he has been found guilty of official charges, the sentencing phase should strip him of all rank, awards, decorations, etc. Reduction to E-nothing. Emphasis on should.
However, failure to follow orders [get a shave and a haircut] didn't produce the desired results on MAJ Nadal Hasan's personal appearance. So who knows what will happen.
#9
Tip over, manning was busted back to E3 prior to his getting busted for spying, allegedly for being a shirt bird (aka insubordination, failure to repair, and conduct ... )
#11
I got a Medal for "Enlisting in a time of Crisis", we called it "The Geedunk Medal" (Geedunk was the mess line) Worth nothing.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
07/31/2013 14:11
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#12
Weren't they also handing out metals left and right during the Vietnam war? How about we ask ole 'silver star' Jawn 'I was in Vietnam you know!' Kerry.
#13
In short.... everyone gets a trophy and they are all the same!
Au contraire CF. The tour and time awards are de facto divided by enlisted, company grade and field grade(+) for officers. Sore spot for me because one of my enlisted was fully deserving of an impact award for his work, but some ahole in the upper chain shot it down because 'we don't do that'. Then WTF have them on the books?
#14
So called Enlisted Awards boards and lower enlisted promotion boards have, in many cases, become the domain of Battalion and Union Stewards Brigade Sergeants Majors. It is what it is.
Save the Regimental structure, there is little to admire about British military systems. Their awards scheme however, makes infinitely more sense and holds vastly greater meaning than our own.
#16
I agree that there are a lot of awards being given out. But there is a lot of meritorious work being done.
All I can offer is that -- in my humble opinion -- any award received by an enlisted solder is likely genuinely deserved, and most received by field grade officers (Major and above) are bogus.
#18
We had a HAC crash one of our H-60's 1/4 mile from the USS Boat ( wearing NVGs), he and the H2P got out, the 2 AWs didn't and are still in the deep. Pilot error was the finding of the Safety Board. Seems LT HAC's daddy was a flag officer and Junior demanded to know why he didn't get a Navy Commendation Medal at the end of his tour. CO said not a word, but pointed to the pictures of the dead AWs he had in his office. (CO was very shaken by this accident, never saw a CO so visibly moved)
LT still didn't understand...... ( H2P was so shook up he turned in his wings)
[Ynet] A rocket was fired at Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, and hit an open area in the vicinity of a kibbutz in the area. There were no injuries or damage reported.
State Duma Deputy Yelena Mizulina intends to make further amendments to the Law "On the Protection of Children." The chairwoman of the Committee on Family, Women and Children put forward a suggestion to punish people for using dirty language in social networks.
According to politician, the pages full of posts and messages containing swear words, will have to be blocked within 24 hours, if harmful information is not deleted. This should apply to pages on social networks, websites, and various forums. According to Mizulina, children can begin to see profanity as a norm. It is assumed that possible innovations will be discussed on July 30th.
The law "On the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development" was enacted in Russia on 1 September 2012. The law introduced a register of banned sites. In addition, books, concerts, TV programs and other information is now marked with special marks limiting the age of the audience.
Noteworthy, United Russia deputy Vitaly Milonov put forward a similar initiative on 25 July. He proposed to tighten control over social networks and allow people to dating sites are through their passports.
The chairman of the Moscow Regional Bar Association, PhD, Associate Professor Sergei Smirnov commented the proposal from State Duma deputy Elena Mizulina.
"I have not seen anything like this in our laws. Foul language is obscene vocabulary, which is not common to use in communication and in business relations. When people express their thoughts or emotions with the use of profanity, many are offended by it. Obscene lexicon is equated to disorderly conduct, there is an appropriate article in the Code of Administrative Offences.
"The scientific and technological progress is advancing, people communicate not only in the real world, but also in the virtual world. Children and students often use the Internet. For some, the Internet is a half of their life. So, it's time to initiate and adopt such amendments. I think the idea of deputy Mizulina is relevant and timely.
"Obscene language offends both children and adults. A ban on its use is not an infringement of human rights. This is a direction towards a civilized lifestyle. If we do not use foul language in real life, then why do we use it on the Internet? Deputy Mizulina calls to protect vulnerable layers of the population - particularly children. I think that this initiative should be supported," the lawyer told Pravda.Ru.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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Given that the Russian language consists entirely of curse words, I'm seeing a problem here. Still it's nice to know the fUSSR has crazy people that want to 'fix' things for everyone else.
[CNN] The Republican congressman spearheading a House probe of alleged Internal Revenue Service targeting of conservative political groups accused the head of the IRS on Tuesday of obstructing his panel's investigation.
Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, GOP Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, warned acting IRS chief Daniel Werfel that if "the IRS continues to hinder the committee's investigation in any manner, the committee will be forced to consider use of compulsory process."
Issa did not elaborate on exactly what steps his panel's Republican majority may be prepared to take, though he noted that impeding congressional Sherlocks could result in a prison term of up to five years.
"Obstructing a congressional investigation is a crime," Issa stressed in a letter co-signed by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
"Despite your promise to cooperate fully with congressional investigations, the actions of the IRS under your leadership have made clear to the committee that the agency has no intention of complying completely or promptly with the committee's oversight efforts," Issa said.
"The systematic manner in which the IRS has attempted to delay, frustrate, impede, and obstruct the committee's investigation raises serious concerns about your commitment to full and unfettered congressional oversight," Issa wrote.
Responding to Issa's claim, an IRS spokeswoman told CNN the agency is "aggressively responding to the numerous data requests we've received from Congress."
"We are doing everything we can to fully cooperate with the committees, and we strongly disagree with any suggestions to the contrary," Michelle Eldridge said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
I would pay good money to see Issa throw IRS guys in jail for obstruction.
#3
I would pay good money to see Issa throw IRS guys in jail for obstruction.
Posted by DarthVader
I agree, we've all been "paying good money" for years to suffer their swindling, partisan incompetence. Long jail terms would be appropriate, and well earned.
#5
I bet my brother dinner at RuthChris that NOBODY will see one minute of jail time over this on or before jan 21, 2017 (HildeBeast's Inaugural).
Any takers?
Posted by: Bangkok Billy ||
07/31/2013 7:24
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#6
You're on Billy. I'd rather go Greek at the Athena Pallas over on 22nd St., but I'll go easy on you at Ruth Chris. Mine will be a 12oz rib eye... medium. I gladly pay the freight to meet you. Keep your head down.
#10
For the record, I'm saying nobody will see the inside of jail cell. It will be either the filet or the rib-eye w/garlic mash. We'll get a table with a nice view of RR airport and a fine chianti!
Posted by: Bangkok Billy ||
07/31/2013 17:36
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#12
Reduce their budget 20-25%; that's the best way to hit them. I'll even endure 2 hour phone calls to the IRS help line if they did that (and it's a great excuse to start drinking early).
[REUTERS] Zim-bob-weans go to the polls on Wednesday in a fiercely contested election pitting President Bob Muggsy Mugabe Octogenarian President-for-Life of Zim-bob-we who turned the former Breadbasket of Africa into the African Basket Case... against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has vowed to push Africa's oldest leader into retirement after 33 years in power.
With no reliable opinion polls, it is hard to say whether the 61-year-old Tsvangirai will succeed in his third attempt to unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe, who has run the southern African nation since independence from Britannia in 1980.
Both sides are forecasting landslide wins but, in a country with a history of election violence, the bigger question is whether the loser will accept the result of a poll dogged by logistical problems and allegations of vote-rigging.
Asked on the eve of the vote if he and his ZANU-PF party would accept defeat, Mugabe was unequivocal: "If you go into a process and join a competition where there are only two outcomes, win or lose, you can't be both. You either win or lose. If you lose, you must surrender."
A front man for Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said the party was prepared only to accept the results if the poll was "free and fair."
Mugabe's words were in marked contrast to the thrust of what he described as an "energy-sapping" campaign, and may tamp down fears of a repeat of the violence that broke out after he lost the first round of an election in 2008.
Around 200 Tsvangirai supporters were killed in the unrest before South Africa brokered a power-sharing deal that stopped the bloodshed and stabilized the economy, but established a government characterized as fractious and dysfunctional.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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89-year-old Mugabe, who has run the southern African nation since independence from Britannia in 1980.
Not accurate, history re-written sans white colonials. The Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from Great Britain was granted on 11 Nov 1965. What followed was a 14 year battle for democracy which ended with a communist party 'shared democracy' or gov't take over if you will, in 1979, with the colonials phased out soon thereafter. Mugabe, a murdering terrorist thug, didn't come along as a pol until a bit later. It's worked beautifully since then of course.
At last, we have an explanation for what has been going on with Israel-Palestinian talks. It is credible, yet ridiculous. And it is very important.
Here is today's New York Times:
In recent weeks, Mr. Kerry and his aides have outlined several basic arguments for why his efforts might bear fruit. Perhaps the most important one, which Mr. Kerry advanced almost the moment he was picked for the State Department post, is that the United States does not have the luxury of staying on the sidelines.
With the Palestinians poised to take their claim for statehood to the International Criminal Court and United Nations bodies, American officials say the two sides were facing a downward spiral in which the Israelis would respond by cutting off financing to the Palestinian territories and European nations might curtail their investment in Israel, further isolating the Israelis.
Now, what is this saying?
...I presume that talks would fail, and after this explanation of what Kerry is doing, I feel even more strongly that this will happen. That's why the Israeli government has accepted this bad deal, believing, I think accurately, that the PA will make the talks fail. I understand why this option was taken -- also, because there might be American or European threats and promises; nobody can be as bad as Obama in the future -- but this tactic is getting tired.
#1
The strategy behind the Peace Process, TW is that whenever a new banned Russian term appointed US Sec State, the banned Russian term tries his/hers luck---a kind of DC Rodeo.
We release a few terrorists, Arabs celebrate by committing some new terror acts. Eventually there is some real crisis, and the jerk goes away.
#2
The jerk WILL go away. John Kerry is essentially a staring non entity with no real pretensions of being anything actively relevant. He fills a chair for his Boss who actually IS a chair.
When John Kerry disappears and the first crisis that rattles the windows will dispose of him because he actually is useless...no one will miss his existence. He never was there in the first place.
[FOXNEWS] President Obama today makes a rare foray into the South to discuss his proposal to lower corporate tax rates in exchange for a one-time tax penalty to fund increased domestic spending.
Obama is making his pitch for his tax and spending proposal in Chattanooga, Tenn. at an Amazon.com shipping center. The White House says this is an example of the kind of business that can provide middle-income jobs the president says should be the foundation of America's new economy -- if the federal government spends more money on transportation, education and other programs.
Obama ally and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced a hiring spree of 5,000 workers at similar centers and other Amazon.com facilities ahead of the visit. The argument is that these are the jobs of the Obama economy and more federal spending will produce more of them.
But while Obama thinks that the residents of East Tennessee are qualified to pack and ship boxes for Seattle-based Amazon.com, does he think that they are qualified to regulate their own elections like the folks at Amazon HQ?
Obama had a White House meeting Monday with MSNBC's Al Sharpton and leaders of minority groups, including the heads of the Urban League and the National Council of La Raza (The Race).
The topic of discussion was ways in which President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder could work around a Supreme Court decision that decreed the formula for determining which states were covered by the 1965 Voting Rights Act was outdated. The net effect is that the federal government can no longer block states from changing their election laws.
Posted by: Fred ||
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[An Nahar] Riots broke out over a full-face Islamic veil. A woman may have lost her unborn baby in another confrontation over her face covering. Tensions flared over a supermarket chain's ad for the end-of-day feast for the Moslem holy month of Ramadan.
La Belle France's enforcement of its prized secularism is inscribed in law, most recently in a ban on wearing full-face veils in public. Meant to ensure that all faiths live in harmony, the policy instead may be fueling a rising tide of Islamophobia ...the irrational fear that Moslems will act the way they usually do... and driving a wedge between some Moslems and the rest of the population.
Yet ardent defenders of secularism, the product of La Belle France's separation of church and state, say the country hasn't gone far enough. They want more teeth to further the cause that Voltaire helped inspire and Victor Hugo championed, this time with a law targeting headscarves in the work place.
A new generation of French Moslems -- which at some 5 million, or about eight percent of the population, is the largest in Western Europe -- is finding a growing voice in a nation not always ready to accommodate mosques, halal food and Moslem religious dress. Political pressure from a resurgent far-right has increased the tension.
Women who wear Moslem apparel "are no longer safe," said Mohera Lukau, a 26-year-old mother of three living in Trappes, a town south of Gay Paree known for its large immigrant population, high unemployment and women who wear long robes or hide their faces behind veils.
Police clashed last week with crowds protesting the arrest of a man who allegedly attacked an officer after his wife was ticketed for veiling her face in public. Dozens of cars were set afire in two nights of unrest in Trappes and an adjoining town. A 14-year-old boy suffered an eye injury.
Weeks earlier, a man allegedly assaulted a pregnant woman and ripped off her veil-- one of two separately accosted in the Gay Paree suburb of Argenteuil. She lost her baby days later, although the link with the incident remains unclear. Insults have been unleashed on women wearing Moslem headscarves, with investigations or court cases in three attacks in Reims and three more in Orleans.
Interior Minister Manuel Valls has denounced "a rise of violence against the Moslems of La Belle France." At a dinner breaking the Ramadan fast at the Grand Mosque of Gay Paree, he insisted that Islam and the French Republic are compatible. But he signaled the belief by some French people that Moslems want their own rules, denouncing "those who want to make La Belle France a land of conquest."
Lukau has received the message as a sign that she is not entirely welcome in her native country. She veils her head and body but not her face, and covers the heads of her daughters, two and four years old, with hijab scarves that drape over the shoulders. People tell Lukau, who is of Algerian origin, "If you're not happy, leave, go home," she said. But, she pointed out, she was born in La Belle France.
Most French people are baptized Catholic, but church attendance has been in decline for decades and secular ideals run deep. With the growth of La Belle France's Moslem population, politicians have increasingly turned to legislation to try to stifle public displays of Islamic faith.
In 2004, politicians passed a law that bans "ostentatious" religious symbols in public schools, a measure clearly directed at Islamic headscarves. It has been enforced with barely a hitch, although no one knows how many students dropped out of school rather than submit. A two-year-old law banning burqa-style veils from the streets of La Belle France has had a bumpier ride, even though only some 2,000 Moslem women cover their faces. Islam does not require face veils or even hair coverings, and most Moslem women in La Belle France wear neither.
A report by the Observatory of Secularism, installed this year by President Francois Hollande ...the Socialist president of La Belle France, an economic bad joke for la Belle France but seemingly a foreign policy realist... , revealed that a handful of the 705 women stopped by police for covering their faces in public chalked up more than 10 tickets each -- two of them more than 25, suggesting that some are provoking authorities intentionally.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
AFAIK Islam doth knotteh separate God/Church from State from Society, thusly Debt-ridden France = Debt-ridden USA = has gotten itself in a dangerous "catch 22"" or "clockwork orange" dilemma for which the danger is very real that it may NOT recover nor survive.
[An Nahar] Pakistain on Tuesday elected businessman Mamnoon Hussain as its 12th president, state TV said, to replace deeply unpopular head of state Asif Ali Zardari, whose five-year term expires in September.
Lawmakers from both houses of the national parliament and four provincial assemblies voted in the two-man race for the largely ceremonial president of the nuclear-armed state.
In a sharp reminder of the challenges the country faces, dozens of heavily armed Talibs stormed a prison in the northwest overnight, escaping with more than 240 prisoners.
The economy has stagnated, a debilitating power crisis needs to be solved and US relations remain complicated by American drone attacks targeting Taliban and Al-Qaeda operatives.
Within minutes of the polls closing at 3pm, state media handed the vote to Hussain, based on unofficial results. The final tally is expected to be announced by the evening.
Hussain, a 73-year-old businessman and close ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... in Pakistain's financial capital Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... had been considered certain to replace Zardari.
Zardari's opposition Pakistain People's Party (PPP), which lost heavily in general elections in May, boycotted Tuesday's ballot over complaints that the vote was brought forward from August 6.
The only other candidate is retired Supreme Court judge Wajihuddin Ahmed, nominated by the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... , the third largest party in parliament and led by cricket hero Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems... Hussain's loyalty to Sharif and low profile is expected to bolster the prime minister's authority and provide a stark contrast to Zardari, considered a sharp political operator behind the scenes.
A long-serving member of the ruling Pakistain Moslem League-N (PML-N) party, he briefly served as governor of the southern province Sindh under Sharif's last premiership in 1999.
On the eve of the election, Hussain told a PML-N meeting in the capital Islamabad that the office was a symbol of the federation of Pakistain and vowed to serve the country and its people.
Hussain made money in textiles and is a former president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
"He had no political affiliation until 1999 but his polite discourse and professional ability impressed Nawaz Sharif who made him governor of Sindh," current KCCI president Azhar Haroon said.
Supporters say Hussain's election could be important domestically by giving the south some stake in the federal administration, otherwise dominated by Punjab, Sharif's power base.
Constitutional amendments passed by the last PPP government mean that the presidency is again a ceremonial post, a status likely to be cemented by the fact that Hussain has little personal clout.
Sharif won a commanding general election victory in May, which marked the first time a Pak civilian government completed a full term in office and handed over to another at the ballot box.
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[Dawn] Pakistain's President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ... Tuesday vowed to revamp his Pakistain People's Party (PPP) after stepping down as president of the country on September 9.
Highly reliable sources in the PPP told Dawn.com that the president, while meeting with big shots of the party including Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, said he would devote himself towards making the party active again.
Alluding his post-September 9 plan, the president told the party leaders that he will visit all districts of Sindh province in the first stage followed by visits in Punjab.
Zardari did not seek re-election at Tuesday's vote for a new ceremonial head of state and his PPP is staring at a future of deep uncertainty.
The candidate of ruling Pakistain Mohammedan League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mamnoon Hussain has been elected as the 12th President of Pakistain.
Senior PPP leader and former home minister Sindh, Manzoor Wasan told Dawn.com that the president rebutted all speculations citing him leaving the country after stepping down as president.
Wasan quoted President Zardari as saying that he did not leave the country in adverse circumstances and vowed not to do so in the coming future also.
The PPP government was the first in Pakistain's history to complete a full five-year term and transfer power at the ballot box. But after a rudderless campaign, the party lost badly on polling day in May.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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[An Nahar] Two Kenyan officials kidnapped by the Somali Islamist group Shabaab during an attack in northeastern Kenya last year have been released, the Kenyan presidency announced Tuesday.
"Two Kenyans kidnapped by Somali Shabaab faceless myrmidons on January 11th, 2012, have been released following successful negotiations spearheaded by border communities in North Eastern Province," a statement from State House said.
"The two, Edward Yesse Mule, a district officer in Burder division, and Fredrick Irungu Wainaina, registrar of Persons, Wajir South District, have now rejoined their families and in sound health," the statement said.
No details have been released on the date and location of their release.
The officers were kidnapped during an attack against a police post in Gerile, in Wajir area, close to the border with Somalia. Four coppers, one civil servant and a civilian had been killed in the attack, while three people were kidnapped by the attackers.
No details have been given on the whereabouts of the third person kidnapped during the attack.
"Efforts are being made to secure the release of other Kenyans still held captive by Shabaab snuffies in Somalia," the State House statement added.
A unknown number of Kenyans - including armed forces personnel and coppers - are still held by the Shabaab in Somalia.
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[Al Ahram] Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya's Building and Development Party media advisor Khaled El-Sherif said that deposed president Mohamed Morsi will not accept a reconciliation offer by European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, which they said included a safe exit for Morsi.
The Building and Development Party is a close ally of the Moslem Brüderbund, the group which propelled Morsi to the presidency in June 2012. Morsi was removed from his post following a popularly-backed army intervention on 3 July.
Ashton visited Morsi during her Cairo visit, who is being held incommunicado at an unknown location by Egypt's military and is under investigation on charges of espionage and jail break.
El-Sherif claims that Ashton offered Morsi and the Brotherhood a way out of prosecution and a chance for detainees' release in exchange for an end to the daily sit-in and protests by Morsi supporters.
Many top Brotherhood figures and prominent allies have been tossed in the clink Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un! and charged with incitement of violence following Morsi's ouster.
Ashton said in a presser on Tuesday that the president is well and has access to news but didn't divulge information about the talks.
The EU's top diplomat was in Cairo to help reach a settlement between Egypt's political forces. "We were able to talk about the need to move forward," she said regarding her discussion with Morsi.
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#1
El-Sherif claims that Ashton offered Morsi and the Brotherhood a way out of prosecution and a chance for detainees' release in exchange for an end to the daily sit-in and protests by Morsi supporters
This EU bint seems to think she has a lot of control over parties not part of the EU
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/31/2013 9:26
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[An Nahar] The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday called for a review of the U.N.-African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... peacekeeping mission in Darfur which has faced mounting deadly attacks.
Seven Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed this month in the latest ambush on the force. But the Security Council is also concerned at the failure of attempts to negotiate an end to the decade old conflict in the western Sudanese region.
Hundreds of fighters have been killed in a surge of battles between rival tribes -- including about 130 in one clash in west Darfur Monday -- and the U.N. estimates that 300,000 people have fled their homes this year.
The 15-member council unanimously approved a resolution which extended the mandate of the African Union-U.N. Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) until August 2014.
It also ordered U.N. leader the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon ... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan... to review the operation of the force, which has 19,000 troops and police, and recommend changes by February.
While UNAMID has been hit by tragedies such as the death of the Tanzanian peacekeepers on July 13, it has also faced criticism that it has not used its full powers to counter an upsurge in violence over the past two years.
The Security Council resolution said that Ban should carry out "a detailed and forward-looking review of UNAMID's progress" in meeting its goals.
The council also said the U.N. force should "make full use of its mandate and capabilities" to protect civilians and called for a "proactive military deployment and increased patrols in areas at high risk of conflict."
The resolution was drawn up by Britannia, whose U.N. ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said: "It's got stronger language on the need for the troop contributing countries to be robust and it opens up the possibility for those who attack UNAMID convoys to be sanctioned."
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Go away, or I shall warn you a second time!
[An Nahar] The United Nations ...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks... on Tuesday gave M23 rebel forces 48 hours to leave the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo ...formerly the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Zaire, and who knows what else, not to be confused with the Brazzaville Congo aka Republic of Congo, which is much smaller and much more (for Africa) stable. DRC gave the world Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Mobutu, followed by years of tedious civil war. Its principle industry seems to be the production of corpses. With a population of about 74 million it has lots of raw material... or face "the use of force."
A new U.N. intervention brigade will be used for the first time to help the DR Congo army set up a "security zone" in the city, the U.N. said.
A statement by the U.N. mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, gave M23 rebels in Goma until 4:00pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday "to hand in their weapon to a MONUSCO base" and join a demobilization program.
After then, "they will be considered an imminent threat of physical violence to civilians and MONUSCO will take all necessary measures to disarm them, including by the use of force in accordance with its mandate and rules of engagement."
The U.N.-proposed security zone includes Goma and its northern suburbs.
The M23 launched a new offensive against the DR Congo army outside Goma on July 14.
"The M23 has used indiscriminate and indirect fire, including by heavy weapons, resulting in civilian casualties," MONUSCO said.
"The M23 has also targeted U.N. installations with its fire. The security zone will push these indirect fire threats out of range of Goma. The security zone may be expanded and repeated elsewhere, where it is needed."
U.N. experts and the DR Congo government have said Rwanda has supplied troops and military aid to the M23, allegations denied by Kigali.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
U.N. Gives Rebels 48 Hours to Leave DR Congo city
Or Die.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
07/31/2013 0:17
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[NATIONALTURK] Police officials in the Nigerian city of Kano have confirmed to news hounds that multiple kabooms on late Monday evening believed to be carried out by Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... has killed at least 15 people and injuring dozen others.
The area where the blasts occurred is believed to have been previously targeted by Boko Haram in March, which 20 people were killed in the area which is dominated by Christians from the south of the country.
Eyewitnesses told news hounds that they saw dead bodies after hearing multiple blasts at around 9:30 p.m. local time (21:30 GMT) in the Sabon Gari district, a predominantly Christian area dominated by ethnic Igbos from the southeast.
"I heard two explode around Enugu Road and another two near Forest Villa Hotel, after the blasts I saw many bodies lying on the ground,'' a local trader called Emeka Mike told the Rooters News Agency.
"After the first bomb, I threw myself into the canal (drain) to hide. There were at least three blasts," another witness added.
There are reports that the Musselmen majority in the city are angry about the incident as they say it highly unacceptable in the Islamic doctrine to carry such attack, especially in the holy month of Ramadan.
The Kano state Police Commissioner Musa Daura confirmed the blasts and added that the police are doing all they could to provide security in the area.
"We have had some kabooms in Sabon Gari, in all kabooms 15 were killed but we are doing all we can to provide security for the people,'' he said.
President Goodluck Jonathan ... 14th President of Nigeria. He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is a lover of nifty hats, which makes him easily recognizable unless someone else in the room is wearing a neat chapeau... declared a state of emergency in 3 northern states on May 14, and deployed thousands of troops to halt the insurgency, acknowledging that faceless myrmidons had taken control of some towns and villages in the north.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have been on offensive to flush Boko Haram out of its northern strongholds with the army saying it has gained massive grounds against Boko Haram.
But with this attack in the centre of the city, it is relative difficult to believe the claim of the Nigerian army success story against Boko Haram.
The UK has outlawed Boko Haram under its anti-terror laws, with support for the group now considered a criminal offence in the United Kingdom.
President Goodluck Jonathan had wanted to grant an amnesty to Boko Haram by setting up a committee to look into the affairs on how a peaceful dialogue can be achieved but the group refused to lay down their arms compelling the President to resort to military action against them.
Boko Haram is believed to have carried out a wave of bombings and liquidations since 2009, saying it wants to establish an Islamic state across Nigeria.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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Top|| File under: Boko Haram
Colorado's new motto: Come for the gun control, stay for the gay divorcees.
[MYFOXDC] Colorado's first recognized same-sex divorce is final.
Supporters of Colorado's new civil unions law say the court ruling sets a precedent for gay couples married in other states who want to legally terminate their relationships here without uprooting their lives.
Juli Yim and Lorelei Jones wed in Massachusetts in 2009, where same-sex marriage is legal.
Yim tells the Fort Collins Coloradoan ( http://tinyurl.com/nzqoxwd ) the relationship went sour and she found a new partner in Colorado.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#2
One of the big backers for gay marriage, divorce lawyers to increase their service pool. Couldn't just be satisfied with each partner giving each other full power of attorney over their assets? Now the legal business can branch out into new domains.
As Ace of Spades commented on Twitter: ratings fall from "in the shitter" to "down the craphole"
From TFA:
MSNBC continued to struggle in July, placing fourth among the cable news networks in Total Day and third in primetime. The network experienced across-the-board declines in both Total Day and primetime compared to the same month last year.
#1
Rankings don't matter if you dominate the important audience, you know, the elite. What does it matter what the hicks in the sticks watch?
(channeling my daughter.)
#2
Allow the cable/sat customers to select the channels they want and the group subsidizing of these channels will disappear in a heart beat. Their plug will be pulled faster than the half life of Copernicium 285.
[UK.REUTERS] Nigerian authorities have tossed in the slammer Into the paddy wagon wit' yez! 42 suspected members of Islamist sect Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... in Lagos and the neighbouring southwest state of Ogun, an army front man said on Tuesday.
During a four-year insurgency Boko Haram's attacks have been focused mostly in the Musselmen north, far from the commercial capital Lagos and the southern oil fields which provide more than 2 million barrels per day to world markets.
The sect, which wants to carve out an Islamic state in the religiously mixed country, has never grabbed credit or been blamed for an attack in Lagos, Nigeria's biggest city.
"We have arrested 42 suspected members of Boko Haram in Lagos and Ogun," said an army front man in Lagos, Kingsley Umoh. "Some have already confessed to being Boko Haram and said they fled the northeast due to the military efforts there."
A military crackdown in Boko Haram's northeast stronghold since mid-May has weakened the group but it has also pushed forces of Evil into hiding and security sources fear attacks could spread to other areas.
Multiple kabooms in Nigeria's biggest northern city of Kano killed 15 people on Monday in a predominantly Christian area previously targeted by Boko Haram.
President Goodluck Jonathan ... 14th President of Nigeria. He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is a lover of nifty hats, which makes him easily recognizable unless someone else in the room is wearing a neat chapeau... says he is still open to a peaceful resolution with Salafist tough guys and has set up a committee to discuss offering Boko Haram members amnesty in return for laying down their weapons.
But the group's leader Abubakar Shekau has said in several Internet videos that he is not interested in dialogue.
The committee was due to submit its report and recommendations this week but on Tuesday Jonathan extended the deadline by two months.
He said the committee was making progress.
"We are engaged in critical discussions with faceless myrmidons ... that will lead not only to the signing of ceasefire agreements ... but also lead to disarmament," chairman of the committee Tanimu Turaki told news hounds on Tuesday.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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[An Nahar] A U.S. military judge convicted Bradley Manning of espionage Tuesday, leaving him facing a lengthy jail term despite clearing him on the most serious charge that he 'aided the enemy.'
Colonel Denise Lind found Manning guilty of 20 of 22 counts related to his leaking of a huge trove of secret U.S. diplomatic cables and military logs to the WikiLeaks website.
She said she would begin sentencing hearings on Wednesday, at the Fort Meade military base outside Washington where the trial was held.
If Lind decides to impose penalties in the higher ranges permitted under the charges, the now 25-year-old Manning could face a de facto life sentence of more than 100 years in jail.
"On charge one, court finds you not guilty," Lind told the hearing, before reading the long list of lesser counts on which Manning was found guilty of breaching the espionage act or disobeying orders.
The court was silent and Manning, a boyish young man in an army dress uniform and round glasses, showed no emotion before the live feed to the press room was cut.
Some freedom of information activists will welcome the news that he was at least cleared of knowingly aiding U.S. foe al-Qaeda by leaking secrets to be published on the Internet.
But there have been warnings that the case, and the harsh penalties Manning could still face, could deter whistleblowers and have a chilling effect on future media investigations.
A few dozen protesters had gathered outside Fort Meade to support Manning and WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group set up by Australian cyber-activist Julian Assange, expressed fury at the verdict.
In a Twitter message, the WikiLeaks group said the court's decision reflected "dangerous national security extremism" on the part of US President Barack Obama I inhaled. That was the point... 's White House.
It also said the conviction of Manning set a "very serious new precedent for supplying information to the press."
WikiLeaks is also working with a second American leaker, civilian former intelligence technician Edward Snowden, who is seeking asylum in Russia after revealing vast U.S. electronic surveillance programs.
His supporters have cited Manning's trial as proof that Snowden was right to flee abroad with his leaks rather than face trial at home.
The best known U.S. rights group, the American Civil Liberties Union, gave a measured response to the verdict, but reiterated its concern about the use of draconian anti-spying laws to curtail government whistleblowers.
Posted by: Fred ||
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#1
Can't aid enemy - we don't acknowledge HAVING any enemies.
#3
He'll be in Leavenworth or someplace similar for 136 years, according to the BBC. That's certainly good enough for going on with.
Besides, he didn't give it to an enemy, as such. He arranged to have it splashed across the universe, where anyone, including enemies and little green aliens in their shiny round spaceships could see it.
#4
1 and 2 above nailed it! My first thought when I heard the verdict, a political decision. Now if someone could just get MAJ Nadal Hasan to shave and get into the correct uniform [never happen].
Ethel and Julius, will we have to dig them up and..... apologize ?
#5
Given that the official position of the administration is that the only real enemies are the Tea Party, the internet, veterans*, Netanyahu, and the 15th hole at the Palms, why would you find the result surprising?
I'd make a good bet that the Rosenberg's pardon is on the one's desk. Party members are taken care of in this administration.
* by Venn diagram of those three, Rantburg must be on the daily list of NSA/HS watch list.
#8
prison for Breanna is like a budget Match.com setup
At Match.com one can choose among the options, Frank. I suspect that in prison the choice will not be in Mr. Manning's hands.
About NSA/HS observation: certain Washington, DC IPs have showed up in the Rantburg list over the years. No doubt those of us deemed in need of being watched already are. No doubt examination of my connections, both primary and secondary (or whatever the proper terminology is) have bored them to tears, not to mention my daily peregrinations, but such is the accepted lot of the data analyst, sorting through the straw to find needles. And I suspect those of you who are truly interesting already have clearance levels. ;-)
[LOSANGELES.CBSLOCAL] A 34-year-old man is recovering Monday from several injuries he said he sustained from a violent encounter with Los Angeles Police Department officers late last week.
Brian Cisneros told KCAL9's Suraya Fadel that he was riding his bike to his job at Ralphs in Marina del Rey Friday night when he claims he was approached by two LAPD Pacific Division officers at Ida and Redwood avenues.
"The doors flew open, and the lights were on me. They drew their guns down, and they just attacked me. And they threw me on the floor, and they started stomping my face in," he said.
Cisneros added, "They choked me out and all that, and then they threw me on their hood."
The alleged victim said he never resisted the officers.
"(I thought) I'm gonna die, I'm never going to see my kids again," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
Bikehomo say what?
Me thinks there's more to this story
Posted by: Secret Asian Man ||
07/31/2013 11:41
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#4
Yes, waddle like a blood sucking vampire, paddle like a vamp, flop about in the air like a dracula,
well you gonna be treated like a vampire and have a wooden stake punched thru yo chest!
Posted by: Bob Snore6814 ||
07/31/2013 20:12
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[An Nahar] Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah pardoned on Tuesday all those who have been sentenced to jail for insulting him.
"On the occasion of the last 10 days of (the Mohammedan fasting month of) Ramadan, I am pleased to issue an emiri pardon for those who have been handed jail terms on charges of insulting the emir," he announced in a televised speech.
Several opposition members have been nabbed Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit! and dozens more are on trial on charges of undermining Sheikh Sabah's authority and insulting him.
Currently, there are several youth opposition activists serving various jail terms on charges of insulting the emir.
A number of other activists and former opposition politicians are on trial or have been convicted for similar charges following a government clampdown on dissent that began in October. They include two women -- one sentenced to 11 years and the other for 20 months for insulting the emir -- who are appealing their sentence.
It was unclear whether the pardon applied to all or only to those in jail, but lawyers and rights activists said it will not cover all activists charged with insulting the emir.
"Those who benefit from the emiri pardon are the ones who have been handed final verdicts by the court of appeals or the supreme court," said director of Kuwait Society for Human Rights Mohammad al-Humaidi on his Twitter account.
"It does not include cases that are being heard (in lower court) now," said Humaidi, himself a lawyer.
The defense lawyer for opposition leader and former MP Mussallam al-Barrak said his client is not covered.
"The pardon does not cover Barrak's cases because he has not been handed a final verdict. It also does not cover the case of storming parliament (in November 2011) nor people on trial for demonstrating," Thamer al-Jadaei said on his Twitter account.
Barrak was sentenced to five years for criticizing the emir but the sentence was scrapped by the appeals court, which is still reviewing the case.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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For a map, click here For a map of Chihuahua state, click here
By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
A total of three men were found executed in a southern Chihuahua municipality Monday, according to Mexican news accounts.
A report which appeared in the online edition of El Diario de Juarez said that the three victims were found on a road between Creel and Guachochi in Guachochi municipality.
They victims were identified as Marco Antonio Bustillos Grijalva, 33, Saul Aldo Garcia Villalobos, 31, and his brother Victor Paul 25, all of Guachochi. They were shot multiple times in the head and chest. The grim find was phoned in anonymously to Chihuahua state police, which located the murder scene Monday.
The rise in violent crime in southern Chihuahua is what is termed the 'cockroach effect', according to José Antonio Enriquez, president of the Observatorio Ciudadano de Prevención, Seguridad y Justicia de Chihuahua.
According to a news account which appeared on the website of El Siglo de Durango news daily, improvement in security in the larger cities of central and northern Chihuahua state has forced criminal gangs into the more vulnerable mountainous regions of southern and western Chihuahua.
According to an unnamed source with the Chihuahua state Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) or attorney general, the warring parties include the Juarez and Sinaloa cartels, which are squaring off in the region for territory and trade routes.
According to Senor Antonio Enriquez, murder rates have increased dramatically in the La Tarahuara region, which includes Guadalupe y Calvo and Guachochi municipalities.
Murder rates in Chihuahua city and Ciudad Juarez are currently around 30 per 100,000, while the rate in Guadalupe y Calvo is 118 per 100,000 and in Guachochi is 122 per 100,000.
By comparison at the peak of drug war violence in 2010, in Ciudad Juarez the murder rate was 229 per 100,000 and in Chihuahua city 118 per 100,000.
Senor Antonio Enriquez also said that the mountainous communities in southern Chihuahua are remote, a problem also cited in a statement made last week by Chihuahua FGE Carlos Manuel Salas. Those municipalities are traditionally areas which have been neglected due to the extreme remoteness of some areas.
According to Senor Antonio Enriquez, poverty also plays a role in criminal activity in the region. Ten of the 23 municipalities have very high levels of poverty, with 25 percent of the population in extreme poverty. The population is composed mainly of peasant and indigenous peoples.
In a related story, two men were sent to prison Saturday for their alleged role in the shooting at Reforma de Mesa in Guadalupe y Calvo July 21st.
According to a news report in El Norte Digital, Silverio Esmín Chaparro Olivas and Uriel Gutiérrez Martínez were sent to the Centro de Readaptacion Social (CERESO) in Parral after the southern delegate of the FGE discovered the two had been admitted to a hospital for gunshot wounds.
The shootout at Reforma de Mesa took the lives of six individuals, two of whom were decapitated. The shooting was so intense that at least 389 rounds of AK-47 ammunition were expended.
Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com
[An Nahar] U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday again called on Egypt's military to show restraint in the wake of often deadly protests.
The Third Smartest Man In The Room, doing as the first and second smartest told him to -- all trying to match reality to their plans.
Hagel spoke to General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi by telephone after EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton paid a first-of-a-kind visit to ousted president Mohammed Morsi.
Hagel spoke to Sisi "to discuss the security situation in Egypt and urge restraint by Egyptian security forces in dealing with ongoing protests," Pentagon front man George Little said.
One wonders if General al Sisi and Prime Minister Netanyahu have been commiserating over having to deal with The Three Smartest...
The two spoke about Ashton's visit and "the need for an inclusive reconciliation process," Little said.
The United States has repeatedly urged restraint by Egypt's military since its July 3 ouster of Morsi, an Islamist who was the nation's first democratically elected leader.
But the United States has refused to use the term coup, a designation that would require a cutoff in U.S. aid, even after the killing of 82 people in a pro-Morsi protest on Saturday.
Ashton said she was able to see Morsi and that he was doing well. The ousted president has not been seen in public since he was toppled.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
Louis the XVI urged restraint by his Swiss Guards, how did that work out?
[An Nahar] Hizbullah had urged former Prime Minister Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. to return to Leb through diplomatic channels, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Tuesday.
According to the newspaper Hariri had received several calls to return to the country, not only from Speaker Nabih Knobby Berri Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, a member of AMAL, a not very subtle Hizbullah sock puppet... , but from Hizbullah also.
However, it's easy to be generous with someone else's money... the daily said that the Sunni leader is holding on to his decision to remain outside Leb over security fears.
The report pointed out that Hariri considers that the liquidations attempts in Leb hasn't reached an end yet.
Last week, local newspapers quoted Berri saying: "Hariri must return to Leb to facilitate the resumption of the dialogue so that we cooperate to face the current challenges."
"I think Hariri can stay at the Center House if he has security fears," the speaker said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
"I think Hariri can stay at the Center House if he has security fears"
[Dawn] Eight snuffies have been killed while two security personnel died as snuffies launched an attack on a border post in Darra Adamkhel late on Tuesday night.
Military sources said that about 60 heavily armed snuffies attacked the checkpost in Sur Gar Range linking the Bara River-Patao Mela to Ublan Darra Adamkhel. Security forces repulsed the attack having already spotted the attackers.
"Eight snuffies have been killed while two soldiers also died in the shootout which continued for more than two hours," the sources said.
The Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) also confirmed the attack and said that four soldiers have also been injured. They further stated that the snuffies attack has been repelled and the situation is now under control.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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[An Nahar] An Egyptian soldier was rubbed out in the Sinai Peninsula on Tuesday, raising the 36-hour toll of security forces in the area to five, local sources said.
Medical and security sources said gunnies had attacked a military building in Al-Arish, the regional capital of North Sinai, killing the soldier.
Another soldier and three coppers had also been killed in the area in 36 hours.
Security in Sinai has been deteriorating since the 2011 uprising that overthrew president Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
Attacks have escalated since the July 3 ouster of Mubarak's elected successor, Mohammed Morsi, with at least 20 coppers and 11 soldiers killed.
Sinai is largely inhabited by Bedouins who have long had difficult relations with the central government.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2013
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#1
Sinai is largely inhabited by Bedouins who have long had difficult relations with the central government
By "difficult relations", are we talking cultural, drug-and-gun-running, or smuggling into and from Gaza, or the usual third-word government neglect?
#2
The Egyptian army has modern weapons, modern organization, and the usual non-western lack of scruples.
You would think a can of gyppie whoop ass would shortly be opened leaving none to tell the tale.
Then there's the youtube vid of Egyptian paratroopers jumping, more or less....
Don't really know.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey ||
07/31/2013 23:31
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#3
See also topix > [Stars-n-Stripes] EGYPT INSURGENCY TAKING ROOT IN THE SINAI.
Israel + IDF must covertly be breathing a deep sigh of relief wid Baby Assad prevailing in Syria agz the Rebs + foreign militant groups, as this will allow the IDF to focus on contigency mil operations agz pre-1979, traditional main rivals Egypt + now a increasingly destabilized KSA.
IDF SPECOPS + MOSSAD can deal wid any IRGC Quds Force + Basij in Syria.
Rutherford Institute President John Whitehead, a constitutional attorney for the past 40 years, said the Napolitano legacy of reducing freedom is evident across the board, starting in early 2009 when the department issued a report listing returning soldiers as one of the greatest threats to American security.
"Another program Napolitano set up is Operation Vigilant Eagle, which is a surveillance system done on all returning veterans from overseas, where they watch Facebook posts, text messages, emails of returning veterans to see if they're going to be disgruntled," Whitehead said. "There are quite a few disgruntled veterans. In fact, one that we helped just filed a major lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security."
"They arrived one day at his door, arrested him and actually put him in a mental institution for his Facebook posts criticizing the government. We got him out and then we sued the government," Whitehead said.
Another outrage, according to Whitehead, is the harassment of Americans living on or somewhat near our national borders with Mexico and Canada. He said law-abiding citizens have been forced to hand over their laptops while the government officials download the information. The Rutherford Institute has also received reports of Americans being removed from their cars and searched without probable cause.
[Dawn] Armed forces of Evil attacked a polio ...Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by infection with the poliovirus. Between 1840 and the 1950s, polio was a worldwide epidemic. Since the development of polio vaccines the disease has been largely wiped out in the civilized world. However, since the vaccine is known to make Moslem pee-pees shrink and renders females sterile, bookish, and unsubmissive it is not widely used by the turban and automatic weapons set... team in Pishin town of Balochistan ...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it... on Tuesday.
Abdullah Khan, a police official said forces of Evil killed a policeman guarding polio workers in the Pishin bazaar area. The slain police man was identified as Shah Muhammad.
He said forces of Evil sped away after the incident and took a weapon from the slain policeman with them. Polio workers were unhurt during the attack.
Police and levies men reached the spot as investigation into the incident went underway.
Pishin is one of high risk districts of Balochistan with regard to increasing polio cases.
Health department suspended polio campaign in the aftermath of attack at polio workers. The department had launched an anti polio campaign on Monday to eradicate the virus from the district.
The campaign was scheduled to be continued till Wednesday.
Posted by: Fred ||
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#1
I expect it IS possible to INfect people with Polio TOO, isn't it?
Just as a benefit for Islam why not arrange a covert effort to infect thousands of people in Baluchistan with Polio. It would be for their own good. Paralysis would only enhance their lives and make them more "colorful." And they are so devoid of intelligence I can't imagine they would notice they were cripples. Like my father used to say about fish, " They are too stupid to feel any pain."
Have you ever seen the people of Balochistan.? I have only seen the folks in Gwadur, myself. They could be human but I had my doubts. They don't wear shoes and their feet look more like hooves than feet. Its HOT and they don't wear shoes. The whole place smells like rotting fish. There are lots of dead sharks which I think they salvage for oil or "something". The children play with the swollen rotting shark carcasses and poke sticks in their anus to let out the gasses. None of the children have childhood toys
Flys crawl across the faces of the men who stare blankly in the unmoving heat. The women are like buffaloes and go around in smelly black bags , one is reminded of huge black bugs. The men are all armed with what looked like ancient Martini rifles.
Balouchis are great garrison troops if you can ever get them not to shit on the barracks stairs. If you shoot one all his friends laugh . A very strange people.
#3
The children play with the swollen rotting shark carcasses and poke sticks in their anus to let out the gasses. None of the children have childhood toys
All we had were sticks, green apples and the occasional discarded cardboard box. We would have killed for a rotting shark carcass.
#4
We would have killed for a rotting shark carcass.
We had shark carcasses. But you had to test into AP Biology to get one, so it was a premium commodity. Still, the dogfish shark head in the high school drinking fountain was a perennial favourite.
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.
"A few years ago, the nonpartisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research rated Detroit as the most liberal city in America." -- Michael Tanner
Huma Abedin, the Hillary Clinton loyalist and wife of embattled New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner, will reportedly take an "extended vacation" from her job as the chief of staff of Hillary Clinton's transition team.
A Kenyan lawyer has filed a petition with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, suggesting that the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ was unlawful, and The State of Israel among others should be held responsible, Kenyan news outlet the Nairobian reported on Friday.
Michel Aoun
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir 
[Shabelle] A Kenyan court in the coastal city of Mombasa sentenced nine Somalis on Tuesday to five years in prison each for attempting to hijack the German merchant vessel MV Courier in the Gulf of Aden in March 2009.
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir 
[Ynet] 
[REUTERS] Zim-bob-weans go to the polls on Wednesday in a fiercely contested election pitting President 
by Barry Rubin
[FOXNEWS] President Obama today makes a rare foray into the South to discuss his proposal to lower corporate tax rates in exchange for a one-time tax penalty to fund increased domestic spending.
[An Nahar] Riots broke out over a full-face Islamic veil. A woman may have lost her unborn baby in another confrontation over her face covering. Tensions flared over a supermarket chain's ad for the end-of-day feast for the 
Nawaz Sharif
President Asif Ali 
[An Nahar] Two Kenyan officials kidnapped by the Somali Islamist group Shabaab during an attack in northeastern Kenya last year have been released, the Kenyan presidency announced Tuesday.
[Al Ahram] Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya's Building and Development Party media advisor Khaled El-Sherif said that deposed president Mohamed Morsi will not accept a reconciliation offer by 
the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon
[NATIONALTURK] Police officials in the Nigerian city of Kano have confirmed to 
Goodluck Jonathan
[UK.REUTERS] Nigerian authorities have 
