Barack Obama modestly claims only that his legislative and foreign policy achievements in his first two years matched those of "any president -- with the possible exceptions of Johnson, FDR and Lincoln" in "modern history." Some Obama enthusiasts are less restrained.
They suggest that among presidents, he ranks as the most learned since John Quincy Adams, the most profound since James Madison and the most visionary since Thomas Jefferson. And he is, of course, the most rhetorically gifted politician since Pericles. What about Carter? How does he compare to Carter? We'll let Fred answer that one...
Yet, remarkably, he is frequently misunderstood. How can this be? Oh, c'mon, George! You and I and our fellow travelers are all dumb! We voted for George Bush!
After the June 8 news conference in which he said "the private sector is doing fine," he, responding to the public's strange inability to parse plain English, held another news conference in which he said: "It's absolutely clear the economy is not doing fine; that's the reason I had a press conference." Well, that and get my picture taken. Of course.
In Roanoke, Va., he gave what any reasonable person must admit was an admirably pithy and entirely clear distillation of his political philosophy: "You didn't build that." The public's obtuseness forced his campaign to run an ad saying "my words about small business" had been taken "out of context." Ah, context.
As Obama tries to cope with the public's peculiar inability to discern his meanings, perhaps he can take comfort from very similar difficulties of another candidate for national office. On Aug. 18, 1920, the Democrats' vice presidential nominee, campaigning in Butte, Mont., said that it would be fine for the United States to join the League of Nations because our nation would have multiple votes. Care to guess his party affiliation?
He assured listeners that "the votes of Cuba, Haiti, San Domingo, Panama, Nicaragua and of the other Central American states" would not be cast "differently from the vote of the United States," which is "the big brother of these little republics." When, inevitably, the candidate's words caused consternation here and there, he insisted he never said them, adding magnanimously, "I feel certain that the misquotation was entirely unintentional."
But the controversy continued, so on Sept. 2, in Maine, he added: "I should think that it would be obvious that one who has been so largely in touch with foreign relations through the Navy Department during the last seven years could not have made a deliberate false statement of this kind."
Idaho's Republican Sen. William Borah dryly said: "I am willing to admit that he didn't say it, though I was there and heard him say it at the time." Thirty-one witnesses of the Butte speech signed an affidavit attesting that the candidate had said what he was reported to have said, but public attention had wandered and the issue faded. Idaho's highest peak is Mt. Borah, by the way.
Far from being badly injured by this episode, the vice presidential candidate went on to become one of the three presidents in "modern history" -- Obama includes Lincoln -- whose achievements in their first two years are, Obama says, "possible" to compare to his. The candidate was one of liberalism's saints, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Thus endeth the lesson.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012
13:33 ||
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"I remember when he would give those fireside chats on TV, reassuring us that all was well"
/Slow Joe Biden
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/12/2012 14:05
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"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that's all."
Posted by: Matt ||
08/12/2012 14:45
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The Chinese toymaker said he was seeking parts for a "magic horse," a metal-framed playground pony. But the exotic, wildly expensive raw material he wanted seemed better suited for space travel than backyard play.
His shopping list, sent by e-mail to a Seattle factory, started with 20 tons of maraging steel, an ultra-strong alloy often used in rockets. The buyer didn't flinch at the price tag -- $2 million -- but he repeatedly insisted on secrecy. This time it didn't raise any eyebrows, but when he came back for more...
Last month, the Justice Department announced indictments against two people, one Chinese and the other Iranian, for conspiring to acquire maraging steel and other restricted American technology. U.S. officials say the case is part of a broader effort by Iran to dramatically expand its capacity to enrich uranium -- with Chinese firms serving as willing accomplices.
Maraging steel is a critical material in a new, highly efficient centrifuge that Iran has struggled for years to build. Barred by sanctions from buying the alloy legally, Iranian nuclear officials have sought to secretly acquire it from Western companies. In recent years, U.S. officials say, an increasing number of Chinese merchants have volunteered to help, serving as middlemen in elaborate schemes to obtain the steel and other forbidden material for Iran's uranium enrichment plants as well as its missiles factories. My enemy's enemy can be my friend.
"They are not just stumbling on opportunities," said Steve Pelak, the Justice Department's counterespionage chief. "They are professional, studied procurement agents and shippers. They know precisely what business they're in and how to go after it."
Although the Obama administration has praised China for reducing its imports of Iranian oil in recent months, bilateral trade between Tehran and Beijing surged in the previous decade, from $2.5 billion in 2000 to $29.3 billion in 2010. The increase has softened the impact of international sanctions, U.S. officials and independent analysts say. Looking tough on Iran while boosting the Chinese - what's wrong with that, Champ?
Over the following months the shopping list grew, as the Iranian, with increasing boldness, piled on requests -- other specialty metals used in uranium enrichment, an array of machines and instruments with known nuclear applications, even a mass spectrometer specifically calibrated to measure uranium fluorine gas, a key part of the enrichment process.
Investigators determined Martin's real identity -- Parviz Khaki. As part of the subterfuge, they confronted him about the possibility that the materials would be shipped illegally to Iran. Khaki did not appear to care, Justice Department officials said in an indictment handed down last month around the time of the man's arrest. "Khaki discussed his motivation to make money from this transaction," the indictment stated.
On July 13, authorities in the Philippines arrested Khaki as he was boarding a plane in Manila. He had been indicted by a U.S. grand jury on charges of running a $30 million scheme to acquire banned U.S. technology for Iran. His alleged Chinese associate, Zongcheng Yi, was also indicted. Khaki remains in custody in Manila. Yi's whereabouts are unknown.
This article starring:
Parviz Khaki
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012
13:23 ||
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Looking tough on Iran while boosting the Chinese - what's wrong with that, Champ?
Obumble's the problem, NOT the solution.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 21:05
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The biggest lie:
1. Free enterprise hurts the poor.
The Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011 and plenty of politicians would have us believe that the free-market system is a contest between the ultra-rich and everyone else (the 99 percent). But in fact, there never has been a greater force for helping the poor than free enterprise.
Since 1970, the percentage of the worlds population living on the equivalent of less than a dollar a day has fallen by more than 80 percent. Hundreds of millions of people have been pulled out of grinding deprivation.
This miracle was not the result of U.N. development projects or U.S. foreign aid. It was free trade, rule of law, property rights and entrepreneurship that achieved this miracle. In China alone, free trade and foreign investment lifted 400 million Chinese out of absolute poverty between 1981 and 2001.
Whatever the Occupy movement claims, every American earning more than $34,000 a year is in the worlds top 1 percent, as World Bank economist Branko Milanovic calculates in his book The Haves and the Have-Nots. Americans make up less than 5 percent of the planets population, but were about half the members of the worlds 1 percent. And weve accomplished that through our commitment to free enterprise. Surprising to me is that this is on the WaPo web page. Published July 13th, so it was probably buried on page 97.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012
12:20 ||
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Obama and fellow travelers have gotten rich by taking money from the poor as well as everyone else via government fiat and giving it to themselves. They keep perpetrating the myths about free enterprise.
#2
Nice article. But we don't have a free enterprise system.
Maybe in the 50's or something, but not since I've been in the workforce.
It's a race to the bottom now, and Americans aren't one to settle for the Silver.
We need a Paul Ryan photo or three. How about that one?
The selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as Romney's running mate blows up a bunch of phony story lines the media have been peddling.
1. "Romney has no ideas." Actually, he and Ryan have the new policy ideas. Tons of them. If you doubt it, wait for the vice-presidential debate. Don't miss #9!
2. "Romney is excessively cautious." Tim Pawlenty would have been the cautious pick. Ryan is young and vibrant and stands ready to battle for conservative ideas.
3. "The media are really important." If Romney thought the mainstream media were critical, he'd duck the Mediscare fight. The pick is one that reflects confidence in the conservative agenda. The media think they're really important.
4. "Romney and the right are at war." Sure, conservative activists and Romney have their issues, but if they can bond over Ryan you see how small the differences actually are.
5. "Romney's campaign can't execute." They really did keep this a secret until late Friday night. Kudos to Romney, Beth Myers and those in the know who didn't spill the beans.
6. "It is dumb to lead on entitlement reform." By showing political courage Ryan won over his party, advanced his own career and may wind up a heartbeat away from the presidency. If his plans are passed and implemented, he'll be a historic figure.
7. "Romney doesn't believe in anything." In choosing Ryan over less ideological figures Romney showed that he in fact cares about ideas, is determined to fix our fiscal problems and is devoted to free markets. Ryan in that sense validates Romney's core beliefs.
8. "Pawlenty would be rewarded for being a devoted surrogate." I'm certain his efforts were appreciated, but in the end cream rises to the top, and Pawlenty proved in the presidential primary to be a mediocre pol. He'll make a great Cabinet member, however.
9. "There was no need for Obama to switch vice presidents." I have three words for that: Vice Presidential Debate. Joe Biden will need smelling salts. I'm keeping that one.
10. "Republicans are scary." Romney-Ryan is one of the more suburban-friendly, nice-guy tickets to come along in ages. Ryan will be demonized in the media, but his aw-shucks demeanor and braininess will win over some swing voters.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012
12:12 ||
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I don't see how any of these points disproves Ryan as a kukuclam teaper from south carolina.
*for the record, I like Ryan as the VP pick; knew I was paying rent thinking Inhofe or Bolton.
#2
The whole campaign is a gamble so why not go for it. Romney-Ryan need to turn some states into red states to get enough electoral votes to go over the top. The Senate has got to go red and sweep out some of the deadwood. The House needs to stay red and sweep out some of the deadwood.
R & R are the only ones with any new ideas. The demonrats are peddling the same old tired stuff from the Woodrow Wilson era to the New Deal and to the War on Poverty eras.
#4
Got it. Resized it and put it into the Burg's photo file, along with the one above and a different one of Ryan's formal portrait. I'm sure we'll have a few more, and a few more of Romney.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/12/2012 18:05
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I have a large number of Mitt Romney Images as well as Paul Ryan Images. I would enjoy playing around with a few for Rantburg. If someone would give me a few ideas what you would like to see, also max parameters and how to submit them ect.
#6
Junkiron, send an email to Fred Pruitt. His contact info is in the yellow bar in the right hand margin on the front page. I like your first -- Ryan holding the Rantburg DS&TP demonstrates yet again his intelligence. ;-)
No one was injured in the collision that occurred about 1 a.m. local time when the USS Porter collided with the Panamanian-flagged bulk oil tanker M/V Otowasan, the Navy said in a statement.
The Navy did not provide details about the collision, saying only the accident was not related to combat. It said the incident is under investigation. Damage to the USS Porter was being evaluated, "but the ship is able to operate under its own power," the statement said.
She's 300000 tons loaded. The Porter is 6000 tons. As mojo said, the Law of Gross tonnage is proven again.
I just wonder in what direction and at what relative speed they collided. The picture of the Porter shows damage in a very limited area (though pretty heavy). Did the bow of the tanker hit the destroyer?
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
08/12/2012 15:42
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If the tanker bow was the impact point it was a glancing blow, or the USS Porter would be on the bottom. Mass moving fast don't quit.
#24
Pappy, I figure a destroyer is like a motorcycle - yield to the bigger guy regardless of right-of-way, and make sure you see him, because if there's a collision, you lose. And I don't know of any stealth, radar-evading super-tankers.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
08/12/2012 20:41
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#27
I'll remind all Y'all the aircraft that hit the twin towers on 9-11 were NOT a threat until they hit, and weren't sen as sch, at first the possibility of a gross error was bandied about. (Until the SECOND plane hit, and removed all doubt)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 21:18
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I'll remind all Y'all the aircraft that hit the twin towers on 9-11 were NOT a threat until they hit
True. But aside from the tanks of both the 9-11 aircraft and the tanker being full, the likelihood of it being an attack are nil. Professional opinion, for what it's worth.
I figure a destroyer is like a motorcycle - yield to the bigger guy regardless of right-of-way, and make sure you see him, because if there's a collision, you lose. And I don't know of any stealth, radar-evading super-tankers.
I've made the transit through the Strait of Hormuz a few times, two of them at night. It ain't fun. It's a waterway, a choke point with Iran on one side. There's a reason they were going through at that time.
#3
Read that he sacked the whole ruling council, not just Tantawi. So...Civil War time in Egypt?
Posted by: Charles ||
08/12/2012 20:07
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The Egyptian military must be looking at what happened in Turkey, and conclude they can't let it happen here. Which means military coup and possibly a civil war.
No sooner had Romney introduced the Wisconsin congressman as his vice presidential choice in front of a battleship in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, than the Obama campaign went to war, painting Ryan as a "radical" ideologue whose extreme views would lead to a reprise of the "same, catastrophic mistakes" of the George W. Bush era. It's STILL Bush's fault!
Democrats in Congress and liberal activist groups piled on, denouncing Ryan and sending out frantic fundraising pitches that played off fears of a GOP administration to solicit donations in hopes of matching the Republican cash grab in the wake of the announcement. Frantic, you say? I wonder why?
Beneath the fierce response was a sense of delight among Democrats that they got the vice presidential candidate they wanted in Ryan, a staunch fiscal conservative. For months, the Obama campaign has been trying to tie Romney to Ryan's Republican House budget proposal, which the president in April called "social Darwinism" that would pit the poor against the wealthy. Class warfare continues! The struggle continues! That which can't endue WILL endure!
Democrats believe Ryan's ideological views will turn off moderate voters and drive liberals to the polls, especially in Florida, a critical swing state where Obama, in two appearances last month, vilified the congressman's proposal to partially privatize Medicare. In this way, Democrats say, Ryan provides a natural foil for the president, who has framed the election as a choice between sharply contrasting visions that could fundamentally reshape the nation. I wonder if Ryan's plan has any logic to it? How can they possibly respond to Champ's clever politics of fear? In a statement, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said that Romney has "chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy." The wealthy! They are the budget busters! Entitlements roll on!
Obama did not respond to questions shouted by reporters as he left the White House on Saturday afternoon for a trip to Chicago, where he is to attend four fundraising events Sunday. What kind of questions is he afraid of? Who would dare ask such questions that The One would not bother to answer?
The president's campaign said that Vice President Biden called Ryan to welcome him to the race, saying he "looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November." Meeee toooo!
The two are scheduled to debate Oct. 11 in Danville, Ky.
Yet the Obama campaign's rapid response showed it was well-prepared for Ryan. The president's operatives posted a Web video denouncing Ryan as the "mastermind behind the extreme GOP budget plan," and they added a new page to the campaign's Web site mocking the Romney-Ryan partnership as the "Go Back Team," riffing off the Romney campaign's labeling of the ticket as "America's Comeback Team."
In a fundraising e-mail, Messina wrote: "Our job is to make sure Americans know the truth about what Romney's choice says about him as a candidate and leader." The president's Democratic allies echoed the campaign's criticism of Ryan. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that Romney's choice "demonstrates that catering to the tea party and the far right is more important to him that standing up for the middle class." Does Harry know who put the trunks in charge of the house?
Bill Burton of Priorities USA Action, a super PAC that supports Obama, vowed that his organization would shift the focus of its television ads-which have focused exclusively on Romney's tenure at Bain Capital two decades ago-to Ryan and his budget.
"He was the one nominee who could actually do damage to the ticket," Burton said, acknowledging that he was surprised by Romney's choice. "Everybody else was fairly neutral. No doubt he will fire up conservatives, but he also comes with so many liabilities from his budget that Romney will come to think he made a sizable mistake attaching himself so closely to Paul Ryan." Whadda maroon, that Romney! Not a clever bone in his body! Right?
Obama has centered his campaign on an appeal to the middle class, emphasizing his belief that the federal government should play a role in investing in critical public needs such as infrastructure, education and health care. Republicans have attacked him for allowing the deficit to grow while pumping money into government programs, such as the stimulus package and the health-care reform bill, that have failed to jump-start the economy.
In a speech in April to the Associated Press, Obama used the Ryan plan as a metaphor for a GOP vision for the country that he said is "antithetical to our entire history" as a land that promises an upward path for the middle class. My irony meter is twitching...
"It's a Trojan horse. Disguised as deficit reduction plan, it's really an attempt to impose a radical vision on our country. It's nothing but thinly veiled social Darwinism," Obama said then. "It's a prescription for decline." Good grief! Where can I get a new irony meter?
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012
10:28 ||
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O'bullshit's desperate, watch out.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 11:24
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I love the pic! It should also have skittles falling out of the sky and rivers of lemonade...
Again, if those w/entitlement interests (not specific to the Constitution) would rather sink the whole country into bankruptcy vice fixing the fiscal mess our kids our walking into let them vote for another round of President Post Turtle. There's nothing any GOP candidate can do at that point except out sell Champ on entitlement spending. The avg voter will be to blame for the direction of the country, not Paul Ryan. Adult brains, children's logic...
#3
Appalling that the notion of actually having a budget, hopefully one that's balanced or running a surplus, is now considered radical in Washingon...
#4
>the Obama campaign went to war, painting Ryan as a "radical" ideologue whose extreme views would lead to a reprise of the "same, catastrophic mistakes"
#8
#3 If we could balance the budget and pay off, say, $100B of the national debt (and yes, this would require Divine intervention -- play along here) so much foreign investment money would head this way that we'd have to reopen Ellis Island to accommodate the French and Spanish bankers.
"Ya got $100 million Euros to invest, pal? Over dere by the chump change line."
Posted by: Matt ||
08/12/2012 13:04
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#9
Heard some left-winger refer to Ryan as a "radical conservative." That is a tortuous, painful use of the language. They are desperate.
#10
By the standards of the media and most blue staters Ryan qualifies as a radical conservative. To libetarians and true conservatives Ryan is still just another big government politician, and though not as bad as most, still won't get us out of the giant pit we've dug (and continue to dig) ourselves.
(Why am I getting this urge to read some old Tom Clancy books again?)
#17
When you are a total flop and the opponent is a solid opponent, all you can do is try to scare the public by calling the opponent the boogie man. In a society that has been systematically dumbed down by MSM and the propaganda machine, that actually works. Especially if you have a corner on the media and the opponent does not.
A new nationwide analysis of more than 2,000 cases of alleged election fraud over the past dozen years shows that in-person voter impersonation on Election Day, which has prompted 37 state legislatures to enact or consider tougher voter ID laws, was virtually nonexistent.
The analysis of 2,068 reported fraud cases by News21, a Carnegie-Knight investigative reporting project, found 10 cases of alleged in-person voter impersonation since 2000. With 146 million registered voters in the United States, those represent about one for every 15 million prospective voters. Supposing there was another study which showed the opposite. Where do you think you'd read it? Is that paranoia I feel? So an MSM "investigative reporting project" funded by an NGO and allied to the Democrats, can't find voter fraud. And I'm supposed to be reassured? You can bet this 'study' will be quoted ad nauseum over the next few years in every legislature that takes up voter ID... On the other hand ...
The analysis found that there is more alleged fraud in absentee ballots and voter registration than in any of the other categories. The analysis shows 491 cases of alleged absentee ballot fraud and 400 cases involving registration fraud. But then again ...
Requiring voters to show identification at the polls -- the crux of most of the new legislation -- would not have prevented those cases.
The analysis also found that more than 46 percent of the reported election fraud allegations resulted in acquittals, dropped charges or decisions not to bring charges. Yeah, like the Black Panthers in Philadelphia, 2008!
In many cases, people simply made mistakes. Felons or non-citizens sometimes registered to vote or cast votes because they were confused about their eligibility. Some voters accidentally on purpose cast their ballots twice or more or went to the wrong precinct. And election officials made mistakes, such as clerical errors -- giving voters ballots when they have already voted -- and errors due to confusion about eligibility. Whether intentional or not, I'd like to see fewer errors.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012
07:24 ||
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more than 46 percent of the reported election fraud allegations resulted in acquittals, dropped charges or decisions not to bring charges.
In other words, MOST (~54%) fraud allegations resulted in conviction. And that's despite refusal to prosecute in the most fraudulent jurisdictions.
#2
Bill Clinton signed the Motor Voter law in 1993. It was to became mandatory by 1995. I looked up the law. I found: This voter registration movement was spearheaded by Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward in the early 1980s. That was enough for me. These two have done irreparable harm to our country insidiously working in the background to push their Progressive and lefty agenda.
It seemed to open the door for fraud. It doesn't take many fraudulent votes to swing an election in a particular direction. Minnesota is a good example. Despite it being shown that enough felons voted to put Franken in the Senate, it doesn't seem that there is any movement afoot to nullify his win and all legislation that ensued from his swing vote.
#3
All they are saying is that the election fraud folks are better than the investigators. That's not saying much when the investigators are unmotivated.
#4
..to include local and state prosecutors who have no real desire to get involved. Now selling a Big Slurpee or using transfat in your food demands attention!
#5
BTW, these same people who yawn about the statistical insignificance of voter fraud go absolutely apes**t about statistically insignificant use of firearms [while ignoring how many more are used to prevent violence against others].
#6
I could give a rat's @ss about this study. The states need to follow Florida's lead and ensure all registered voters are U.S. citizens and have the credentials to prove it. Period.
#9
The key here is:
"The analysis found that there is more alleged fraud in absentee ballots and voter registration than in any of the other categories."
"Voters" are being registered without any effort by the voter. (e.g. goldfish, dogs etc.) It is then very easy to mail in a ballot. Tightening up voter registration should be an important first step.
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
08/12/2012 11:59
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#10
Do we count it as voter fraud when Democrat registrars disenfranchise tens of thousands of military voters by throwing out their absentee ballots?
Do we count it as voter fraud when 2,000+ felons, voting for Al Franken, are enough to make him a Senator?
No, I'm sure those don't fit the definition. To a Dem, it's only voter fraud if they vote REPUBLICAN.
#13
What about the Texas vote, where 11 120year olds voted, they're really NOT that old? Are they?
(The vote passed by 12 votes, by the way)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 18:17
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#14
What about the precinct in Philly where more votes were cast than registered voters?
An executive once asked me what is the percentage of fraud have we not detected? I answered That if I could accurately answer that question it would not be undetected?
KHYBER AGENCY: Terrorists of a banned outfit shot dead two activists of Amn Lashkar (peace militia) in Bara Tehsil of Khyber Agency, officials said on Saturday. According to sources, an armed clash occurred between a banned terrorist outfit and Amn Lashkar when the terrorist outfit attacked the Amn Lashkars compound. Resultantly, two members died on the spot, sources said. A terrorist was also shot dead in the crossfire, sources added.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/12/2012
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ADEN - Yemeni militia have killed an Al Qaeda prisoner who tried to escape but a local militant leader managed to flee as they found an explosives lab in a separate incident, a militia source said on Saturday.
A member of Al Qaeda was killed on Friday when he tried to escape from a jail controlled by the Popular Resistance Committees, in the southern town of Jaar, the source in the pro-government militia said.
Separately, militiamen searching a house in Jaar discovered a bomb-making factory and seized a number of explosives belts.Al Qaedas leader in Zinjibar, the nearby capital of Abyan province, managed to escape from the house, the source said. The man was identified as Jalal Belaidi, alias Abu Hamza.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/12/2012
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Posted by: 49 pan ||
08/12/2012 8:31
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#2
The original Red Dawn film with Patrick Swayze is set in the 1980s in which the United States is invaded by the Soviet Union and its Cuban and Nicaraguan allies.
#3
Probably just a notional offset John. You remember how we used to conduct map and field training exercises into imaginary places like...... Newcricketsland. I believe it was bordered on the North by the Sea of Japan.
#4
"Red Dawn" may be one of the most misunderstood movie in history.
Posted by: European Conservative ||
08/12/2012 21:58
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#5
Why should the NOKORS invade when they can just go thru TAIWAN like their SOKOR cousins + Russians, etal. vee the new US visa tourist waiver???
The Korean people are more interested in ethno-political national reunification, + recovering ancient mainland or East Asia territories lost to China + other, not invading bankrupt US Cities like Detroit or the Mackenzie Brothers.
The latest round of peace talks between Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will resume again in late August after ending on Friday.
Both sides have yet to come up with a solid agreement that would end the terrorism in Mindanao while a renegade group led by commander Ameril Umbrakato renewed its attack, this time hitting a SAF outpost in Datu Unsay town. A government trooper was killed in the Saturday attack.
Meanwhile, National Police chief Director-General Nicanor Bartolome on Saturday deployed the Special Action Force to augment military forces who are after Moro terrorists rebels belonging to the splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement led by Umbrakato.
The deployment followed aN attack at around 2 a.m. Saturday by the terrorists rebels against a SAF outpost killing one of its members. The terrorists rebels fled before reinforcements arrived.
#1
Our Government and the Muslim Brotherhood ----- it's a speech given on August 9, 2012 .. by Andrew McCarthy, our government prosecutor of the blind sheik and other jihadists responsible for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing ..... I know, I know.... read this, read that... but this is worth reading.... or watching his actually speech.
I've had trouble getting his message out of my mind since reading it..... not brave enough to watch him deliver it..... just yet....
Side note here --- the new president of Egypt is calling for the release of this same blind sheik.
Wondering what the over/under is that Obama will release him.
#5
Is Huma Abedin the wife of Anthony Weiner--former driver of the Weinermobile? Was he just a relationship of convenience for show purposes (no pun intended).
There was a time that investigative agencies such the FBI investigated everyone applying for sensitive jobs which dealt with classified information. Your background was checked, associations, former jobs, friends, etc. This went on in the military and civilian jobs in various agencies. Does that still go on or is that passe?
#9
Not sure if I'm buying this one. Muslim Abedin marries Weiner (Jewish) and IIUC also did some provocative mag cover where she's half-dressed. (Did they not also have a kid?) She's either doing a really good job of hiding in plain-sight by appearing to be one of the dumbest women on the planet or she really is just another incompetent Clinton crony & this isn't news worthy.
#11
Then Congressman Weiner and Huma Abedin married in July 2010.
Weiner resigned from the Congress in June 2011.
Their son was born in Dec 2011.
Weiner never changed his pro israel policy during the time he was dating Huma, nor since they were married.
The one credible threat against Huma's life was from a moslem.
Huma's family contacts with the Moslm bros is potentially a good path toward providing false or incriminating info to the Moslm bros. Let's say the US has info about some Hamas guy who is about to join a global Jihad anti Moslm Bro group. A good way to get the info out is to have Huma pretend to have 'found' it. Remember, intell is a multi dimensional time active process. If Huma gave info to people on the other side, it might be because we wanted her to do so.
Posted by: lord garth ||
08/12/2012 12:34
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#12
Huma Abedin as a US Intelligence source ? Bad thing about playing both sides, they know you know...they know.... and everyfokingbody hates you! BTW, as a recruited source, how did she do on our last poly?
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) President Javed Hashmi has accused Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif of being a puppet in the hands of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Addressing a Press conference in Multan ostensibly to rebut Nisars allegations against Imran Khan, Hashmi said Nisar is causing harm to Pakistan and his own party.
Chaudhry Nisar is responsible for the imposition of martial law in the past and he was also against the nuclear tests, Hashmi said.
Hashmi quit the PML-N after nearly two decades of affiliations to join the PTI. Repeating the allegations levelled against Sharif by PTI Chairman Imran Khan just a few days ago, Hashmi said Sharif did not take to the court the writer of the book which contained these allegations.
He said that the PML-N, a party to which he had dedicated a long part of his political career before switching to the PTI, is now surrounded by pretenders. He added that Sharif has been entrapped by members who had left the party in difficult times and are now acting as partys front men.
He said that Nisar was one of eight people along with Khawaja Asif, Ishaq Dar and Pervez Rashid who sought pardon from the military regime.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/12/2012
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ISTANBUL: The United States and Turkey are considering imposing no-fly zones and other steps to help Syrian rebel forces as the conflict there deepens, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ...who will never be confused with John Foster Dulles...
said on Saturday. Clinton told reporters after meeting Turkish Foreign Minster Ahmet Davutoglu that Ankara and Washington needed to get into the details of operational planning on ways to assist the rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad.
"Our intelligence services, our military have very important responsibilities and roles to play so we are going to be setting up a working group to do exactly that," she said.
And, apparently, tell everyone about it...
Asked if such discussions included options such as imposing a no-fly zone over territory that Syrian rebels claim to control, Clinton indicated that was a possible option.
"The issues you posed within your question are exactly the ones the minister and I agreed need greater in-depth analysis," Clinton answered, although she indicated no decisions were necessarily imminent. "It is one thing to talk about all kinds of potential actions, but you cannot make reasoned decisions without doing intense analysis and operational planning."
The imposition of no-fly zones by foreign powers were crucial in helping Libyan rebels overthrow Muammar Qaddafi last year. But until recently, the United States and its European allies have expressed reluctance to take on an overt military role in Syria's 17-month-old conflict.
Davutoglu, responding to a similar question, said it was time for outside powers to take decisive steps to resolve the humanitarian crisis in cities such as Aleppo, which is under daily Syrian government bombardment.
Posted by: Steve White ||
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Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 0:55
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#2
nice long background on Sallah Sultan at counterjihad.
Among the interesting things is that he had completely fooled the local newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch, who called him a moderate at one point. He also fooled the local interfaith council, etc.
Posted by: lord garth ||
08/12/2012 7:52
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#3
How is the Jewish vote going to be this Presidential election? Any movement away from Obama?
MOSUL - A suicide bomber driving a truck attacked a mosque near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul as Friday prayers ended, killing at least five people and wounding 70, police and health officials said.
The mosque where the bomber detonated his explosives belonged to the Shabak minority in Mosul, 390km north of Baghdad. A suicide car bomber targeted a Shabak mosque in Mwafaqiya village, said Hanin Qaddo, a local Shabak leader. Part of the mosque building collapsed over the heads of the worshippers as they were leaving.
The site of Fridays blast is near disputed territories at the centre of a feud between Baghdads government and the autonomous Kurdistan region in the north, which runs its own government and armed forces.
Insurgents have carried out at least one major bombing a month since Americans troops left in December. July was the bloodiest month in two years, including one day of attacks that left more than 100 dead.
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#1
Yup, Allah's MAD at you.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 13:34
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ALEPPO, Syria/AMMAN: Fighting broke out between Jordanian and Syrian forces in a border region between the two countries overnight, but a Jordanian source said on Saturday no one on Jordans side appeared to have been killed.
A Syrian opposition activist who witnessed the fighting said armored vehicles were involved in the clash in the Tel Shihab-Turra area, about 80 km (50 miles) north of the Jordanian capital Amman, that occurred after Syrian refugees tried to cross into Jordan.
The Syrian side fired across the border and fighting ensued. Initial reports indicate that there has been no one killed from the Jordanian side, said the Jordanian source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Jordanian troops have fired near the border in the past to stop Syrians from shooting at fleeing refugees. Syrias long border with Jordan has been an escape route for opponents of Assad, including Prime Minister Riad Hijab who defected this week.
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[Jerusalem Post] For first time, Paleostinian Authority publicly calls for destruction of underground tunnels, asking Egypt to destroy those along its border with Gazoo to tighten blockade.
Buoyed by growing tensions between Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, and Cairo in wake of last week's terrorist attack in Sinai, the Paleostinian Authority on Saturday called on the Egyptians to tighten the blockade on Gazoo by destroying all tunnels under their border with the Strip.
The PA said the tunnels did not contribute to the economy in the Gazoo Strip and were being used only by a small number of people for personal gain.
This was the first time the PA has called publicly for the destruction of the tunnels.
The appeal came as PA officials continued to insist that some of the cut-throats who killed 16 Egyptian border guards had come from the Gazoo Strip.
The officials hope that tough Egyptian security measures in Sinai, including the destruction of the tunnels, will undermine Hamas's rule in Gazoo and possibly bring about its collapse.
In the past few days, bigwigs in Ramallah have been working hard to convince the Egyptians that Hamas and other radical groups in the Gazoo Strip were linked -- in one way or another -- to last Sunday's attack.
The PA has also provided the Egyptian authorities with the names of several suspects from the Gazoo Strip, a PA security source in Ramallah disclosed.
"We have good security ties with the Egyptians and we are trying to help them capture the terrorists," the source explained. "We have good reason to believe that terrorist groups from the Gazoo Strip were involved in the attack.
These groups operate under the watchful eye of the Hamas government and sometimes even receive support from it."
The Sinai attack came at a time when PA leaders in the West Bank were beginning to express concern over improved relations between Cairo and Hamas in light of the election of Moslem Brüderbund candidate Mohamed Morsy as president.
Many Egyptians have held Hamas responsible for the attack, claiming the cut-throats entered Sinai though tunnels that are under the strict supervision of the Hamas government.
Some Egyptians have urged their government to retaliate by destroying the tunnels and permanently closing the Rafah border crossing to Gazoo.
"The Paleostinian presidency renews its rejection and condemnation of the criminal act carried out by murderous fundamentalists in Sinai last week and affirms its full solidarity with Egypt," said Tayeb Abdel Raheem, a top aide to PA President the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas ... a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial... "We also fully support all measures carried out by the Egyptian leadership and security forces against the radical and suspicious terrorist groups, including measures needed to close the smuggling tunnels that harm the interests and relations of Paleostinian and Egyptians."
Abdel Raheem said the tunnels had for some time been posing a threat to Egypt's national security and the unity of the Paleostinians.
Dismissing claims that the tunnels were being used to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the Gazoo Strip, Abdel Raheem said they served only a small group of people -- a reference to Hamas leaders.
"The tunnels have nothing to do with economic prosperity in the Gazoo Strip," he stressed. "The Paleostinian Authority allocates more than half its budget for the Gazoo Strip."
Hamas strongly condemned the PA leadership for calling for the destruction of the tunnels and accused Abbas of "cheap opportunism."
Salah Bardaweel, a Hamas official in the Gazoo Strip, denounced the call as "immoral and irresponsible."
Fatah's Tayyeb Abdul Rahim, who also heads the president's office, said the PA considers the tunnels "pathways of vandalism," and backs Egypt's fight against terrorist groups in the Sinai by closing them down.
The tunnels have recently become a threat to Egypt's security, and they harm reconciliation between Gaza rulers Hamas and his Fatah party, as well as damaging Egypt's relationship with Palestinians, he said in a statement.
After gunmen killed 16 Egyptian border guards on Sunday, Egypt closed its border with the Gaza Strip and sealed smuggling tunnels that provide a lifeline to the besieged territory.
Egyptian officials have vaguely accused Palestinians of involvement in the attack in the Sinai but have yet to identify suspects. Gaza's leadership says it has not seen any proof that Palestinians from the territory were involved, and factions have roundly condemned the attack.
The Egyptian state newspaper al-Ahram said on Friday some 150 tunnels had been destroyed. The tunnels are believed to number some 1,000.
The crossing was briefly reopened Friday. Tunnelers on the Egyptian side said Egyptian forces were not closing tunnels that were previously known to them and used to bring food and construction materials to Gaza.
#1
One time, two guys like to play tricks on me - and everyone else. One morning, I found evidence of a stunt in Joe's desk, but immediately thought Steve had planted it there.
Relevance, you ask?
I suspect the PA did it to blame Hamas. Then they call for punishment for the "guilty".
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/12/2012 12:37
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#2
There are any number of things heavier than air, sewage, particularly from a slaughterhouse(For pigs)would be ideal.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 21:09
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Justice Chaudhry and 'Adle-e-Faruqi'
Writing in Jang Hamid Mir stated that as he stood in the court of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry he was reminded of Adle-e-Faruqi (example of Hazrat Umar). DHA had its security guard murdered by someone and Justice Chaudhry had taken the case from the police and given it to FIA. The record presented to the Court had the name of Malik Riaz mentioned in repeatedly. Malik Riaz published appeals in the press in his own favour, then allegedly reached a compromise (sulah) with the offended party. But the offended party was not willing. The Court asked if the FIA had questioned Malik Riaz in the matter but the FIA chief Fayyaz Leghari would not answer. FIA was asked but would not answer the question.
To summarize: Something happened. The judge did something. Then the FIA did nothing. For some unexplained reason our journalist finds this meaningful.
Plot against Justice Chaudhry
Columnist Hamid Mir wrote in Jang that powerful people around Malik Riaz plotted to trap Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Mr. Mir seems a bit obsessed with the honourable judge at the moment... This is his second piece about the man in as many moments.
Mail Riaz claimed that his son Arsalan had taken bribe worth crores of rupees from his son-in-law Salman. He thought that in case of answerability of Salman in the bribery case he would escape jurisdiction of the court because of his residence in London. But Malik Riaz should know that he is not more powerful than Musharraf.
Malik Riaz demands justice!
Quoted in his own newspaper Jinnah property tycoon Malik Riaz appealed to the nation that he had played a middleman's role in the restoration of Iftikhar Chaudhry as chief justice of Pakistain but now wanted justice whether it be prison or hanging. He said the CJ should answer why he met him after announcing that he would meet no one? He said he was being blackmailed for the past two years and his own fault was that he was a rich man. He said if he was killed the Supreme Court would be responsible. Chaudhry Nisar and Khwaja Asif were pretending to be virtuous but they did not allow even schools and hospitals to be built in their constituencies.
Raisani's son threatens lady
How rude!
Reported in Nawa-e-Waqt A lady named Nazia Baloch in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... had started the paperwork but haven't done much else in Gizri against the son of the chief minister 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... , Raees Raisani for threatening her and threatening to kill her. Son Raees replied that he did not know the lady and would take legal action against her for maligning him and his tribal honour.
Aitzaz on 'LPG quota'
Quoted in Jinnah Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan stated that if anyone proves that he had made a lot money from an LPG quota awarded to him by the government he would leave politics. He said he was a lawyer for Malik Riaz in some cases but not in those relating to Arsalan. He said the charge of taking LPG quota was made by Khwaja Asif but he should prove it either against him or against Mrs Aitzaz Ahsan.
Chief Justice Lahore on 'nannah poda' media
Daily Nawa-e-Waqt quoted Chief Justice of the High Court Lahore Justice Umar Ata Bandial as saying that he did not want to uproot (ukharana) the young sapling (nannah poda) of the media which had made so many sacrifices for its freedom. He said while disposing of the applications filed against TV anchors rumoured to be taking graft.
NAB not qualified to handle Arsalan Case
Daily Jinnah reported chief of NAB Admiral (Retd) Fasih Bukhari as saying that NAB was not qualified to probe the Arsalan Case because it was a matter of exchange between two private individuals and had nothing to do with the state office. (Later, NAB undertook to investigate.)
Mira defrauded fiance's father
According to Express famous filmstar Mira known for her beauty and English proficiency stood accused of defrauding her latest fiance Captain Naved when she took Rs 2 crore from his father. In 2008 she agreed to marry the pilot and in 2009 received a pay order worth $400,000. She acknowledged receipt through an email. The money was the price of her house which she was selling to her father-in-law.
PM Gilani worst PM in history
Daily Jang quoted Transparency International as saying that the tenure of PM Gilani was the worst in the 65 year history of Pakistain. Governors, state ministers and finance ministers were repeatedly removed because Gilani's economic policies were a failure. Gilani government was always involved in plotting against the state. Gilani was among the world's 22 prime ministers who were punished, nine of whom were hanged.
TV anchors attack each other
Writing in Jang Hamid Mir wrote that Malik Riaz had organised a fixed interview with two TV hosts at a TV Channel to present himself as innocent. One TV anchor Mubashir Lucman wanted to accuse Hamid Mir of having taken bribes from Malik Riaz because Hamid Mir according to him had accused Luqman of bribe-taking. Anchor Lucman the received a phone-call from the son of Prime Minister Gilani which proved that the programme was mounted by Malik Riaz and the government. Before this call, Malik Riaz had stated that he had given no villa to Hamid Mir in Dubai.
TV anchor and Musharraf
Columnist and TV anchor Hamid Mir wrote in Jang TV anchor Lucman was once very close to General Musharraf and had defended Musharraf's decision to remove Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry from his office. All this while, Hamid Mir had stood by the side of Justice Chaudhry. After this Hamid Mir was placed under a ban. Lucman announced that Hamid Mir was enemy of the country but Lucman's dirty language against the chief justice was still to be seen on Youtube.
Khalid Khwaja plot and Hamid Mir
Columnist Hamid Mir wrote in Jang that TV anchor Mubashir Lucman was behind the ISI plot to entangle him in the death of the ex-ISI officer Khalid Khwaja killed by the Taliban in North Wazoo where he had gone with another ex-ISI officer Col Imam. A tape was produced in which Mir was featured talking to the Taliban and asking them to kill Khalid Khwaja.
ISI chief and Mubashir Luqman
Writing in Jang Hamid Mir stated that once when Malik Riaz was pulling all strings to get ISI chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha another extension from the PPP government, he began criticising the extension and criticised the ISI chief for the mistakes he had made as head of the ISI. On this, Mubashir Lucman did a number of programmes targeting him.
Gilani and Zardari in cold war
Daily Jang quoted senior journalist Suhail Warraich as saying that bureaucracies of PM Gilani and President Zardari had been engaged in Cold War before the fall of Gilani. He said Qaira and Ahmad Mukhtar were set aside as new PM because both came from Gujrat which was the stronghold of ally, PMLQ.
The good TV anchors
TV anchor Hamid Mir wrote in Jang that he was offered Rs 15 crore for doing one programme against Justice Chaudhry but he refused. He was again offered one and half crore salaried job when he was supporting the restoration of judges but he refused again.
#2
Depends on the Polls, if Obumble's down, all bets are off.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 21:12
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Romney remains behind the Bammer even despite his diploamtic sojourn, although tts not clear yet how his pick of RYAN as Veep will affect his ratings.
At this time, ISRAEL = US in NOT having any real reason to strike Iran, while Iran will likely do its utmost to ensure the US-Israel, etc. never do.
Wid Iran's hallowed "JAPAN/EGYPT" NUCLEAR MODEL, de facto evidence of NUCLEAR PRODUCTION is what the world community = UNO will require to justify an Iran strike, NOT SUBJECTIVE "NUCLEAR POTENTIAL/CAPABILITY/THRESHOLD".
The question is whether alleged "Neo-Persianist" Iran's ambitious agenda, including but not limited to desire for OWG "Caliphate" + Global "Ummah", can accept a protractive delay of many Years andor Decades in dev + acquiring NucWeapons required to par or better vee the Non-Islamic World???
IMO the Answer to the above is "No" - IRAN, "CALIPHATE", + ISLAM CANNOT WAIT + WON'T WAIT.
Again, IMO Iran = China = not willing to wait until Year 2050, 2080, or 2100, 2200 to achieve their "Manifest Destiny" - IN THE SO-CALLED "GREAT GAME", NO COUNTRY WILL ACCEPT SUCH, NOT EVEN THOSE ENGAGED IN SEMI-PEACEFUL, "SOFT" DIPLOMACY/IMPERIALISM AGZ NEIGHBORING STATES OR SOCIETIES.
SIDI BOUZID, Tunisia: Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets late Thursday to disperse a second anti-government protest in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid, birthplace of last years revolution. Some 800 demonstrators rolled their eyes fiercely furious at police intervention against a protest earlier in the day made faces threw stones at security forces who again replied with rubber bullets and tear gas. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The police used rubber bullets and tear gas and there were no injuries? Time to stop using the nerf batons...
On Thursday morning hundreds of demonstrators demanding the resignation of the Islamist-led government had tried to force their way into the provincial government headquarters, before the police fired tear gas and warning shots into the air. The protesters broke through the entrance to the compound, but when the shots and tear gas were fired, the panicked crowd scattered.
The demonstrators had been chanting anti-government slogans such as "Please kick our asses!" The people want the regime to fall! accusing the ruling elite of hypocrisy and demanding the right to work.
A similar incident took place at the end of June, when protesters angered over their living conditions attacked the same building, hurling shoes rocks and burning tires, with police firing tear gas to disperse them.
With, again, no injuries...
The Tunisian Workers Party denounced the forceful tactics used by the police on Thursday and reiterated its support for the protesters demands, including the dismissal of the provincial governor, the head of the national guard and the public prosecutor. It also called for the freeing of four protesters it said were arrested.
Sidi Bouzid is where the uprising began that eventually toppled former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and touched off the Arab Spring, when a street vendor immolated himself in December 2010 in protest over his own precarious livelihood. The town is located in a particularly marginalized region, and little has improved since the revolution, according to analysts.
Likely because nobody there is bothering to make the place better...
The residents of Sidi Bouzid live in very difficult conditions, especially with the water and electricity cuts seen recently, said political expert Ahmed Manai. These protests were to be expected.
What are the people themselves doing about it? Reminds me of the comments Mitt Romney made about culture, the comments that were vilified by the Left but are true in the real world.
Poor living conditions, including high youth unemployment, were a driving factor behind the revolution. Despite signs of an economic recovery this year, many people remain frustrated by the governments failure to improve their social circumstances, which has led to strikes and confrontations with the police.
The forceful disruption of Thursdays protests came amid heightened criticism of the government by opposition and civil society groups, which accuse it of increasingly authoritarian and Islamist tendencies.
Several NGOs have accused Ennahda, which leads the ruling tripartite coalition, of seeking to curtail freedom of expression, most recently with a draft law to criminalize offenses against sacred values that could carry a two-year jail term. Another controversy has flared up over a proposed article in the new constitution that refers to the complementarity of men to women rather than their equality.
Posted by: Steve White ||
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#1
"Warning" shots?
You need the real kapowie here.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/12/2012 21:00
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Washington Post's David Ignatius:
In firing Egypt's chief of intelligence for his alleged failings in Sinai, President Mohamed Morsi sacked a general who has won high marks from U.S., Israeli and European intelligence officials -- and who, ironically, has been one of the Egyptians pushing for a crackdown on the growing militant presence in Sinai. [The] shuffle is bound to raise concerns among U.S. and Israeli officials about the security policies of Morsi's government and its seemingly mutual self-protection pact with the Egyptian generals who still hold considerable power through the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, or SCAF. Morsi and the military appear to have concluded that the fired intelligence chief, Gen. Murad Muwafi, was a convenient scapegoat after the attack by terrorists in Sinai that left 16 Egyptian soldiers dead.
After that attack, the Egyptian military launched an armored assault in Sinai to "restore stability and regain control" in the lawless desert that had become a haven for Islamist militants. Ironically, it was Muwafi who had told a visitor two months ago that he favored an assault in Sinai by an Egyptian armored battalion that would include 30 tanks, eight helicopters and other equipment. Such a crackdown had also been urged by U.S. and Israeli officials, but the Egyptian military delayed major action until [August 8th], after the 16 soldiers were killed.
Muwafi looked the part of the traditional mukhabarat chief. U.S., Israeli and European officials intelligence officials saw him as one of the bright lights of the new government. Because of Muwafi's growing reputation with Western governments, some worried that he might position himself as another Gen. Omar Suleiman, the charismatic intelligence chief who was the closest adviser to President Hosni Mubarak and ran some of the country's harshest counterterrorism programs. But the ruling Muslim Brotherhood didn't appear to have that fear -- at least not until this week when Morsi and the military were looking for a fall guy for the Sinai debacle.
The Muwafi incident is just a blip on the broad radar of U.S.-Egyptian relations, and American officials generally think that the Morsi government is off to a good start. But the incident does show two things:
First, the situation in Sinai is dangerous and getting worse. U.S. intelligence believes that scores of jihadists have migrated into Sinai in recent months -- some from the tribal areas of Pakistan, some from Libya and some from Egyptian prisons. Among them are people a U.S. official describes as "al-Qaeda wannabes."
Second, the Egyptian military is preoccupied with buffing its image and fending off potential critics. In that exercise in self-preservation, the generals seem quite happy to work with Morsi and the Muslim Brothers -- as in the firing of Muwafi.
#2
Scapegoat who is not on the same page as the MB? So all the lack of concern from Obama and Hillary about the Muslim Brotherhood taking over several months ago is all of a sudden a concern? Which page is Hillary and Obama on?
PESHAWAR: A Mohmand Agency tribesman was killed by unidentified miscreants on Saturday morning, leaving another injured, police said. The police said that two bikers fired at Malik Haji Torai, owner of a hotel in Bakhshu Pul area on Charsadda Road, and Shah Fahim, a resident of Mohmand Agency. Resultantly, Fahim died on the spot while Toraj sustained injuries.
Posted by: Steve White ||
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South Korean President Lee Myung-bak paid a landmark visit Friday to a set of disputed islets claimed by both South Korea and Japan, an unprecedented trip that raised Tokyo's ire. The president visited the lonely East Sea outcroppings known as Dokdo here and Takeshima in Japan after a stop on the nearby Ulleung Island, some 90 kilometers west of the disputed islets, according to his office.
A self-professed pragmatist, Lee had largely avoided clashing headlong with Japan on outstanding historical issues even when the public sentiment at home dictated otherwise. The trip, which made Lee the first South Korean leader to set foot on the islets coveted for rich mineral resources in its surrounding waters, came only four months before voters elect his successor.
It also came just a few days before South Korea celebrates the 67th anniversary of its independence from the Japanese colonial rule.
Lying equidistant between South Korea and Japan, the sparsely inhabited islets have been a chronic source of diplomatic row.
#2
A medical joke from Steve, which brings back memories of peering through a microscope at human tissue samples I had stained in the lab and which looked nothing like they were supposed to.
#3
For those not Googley inclined...
"The islets of Langerhans are the regions of the pancreas that contain its endocrine (i.e., hormone-producing) cells."
#4
Nippon is repor willing to take its Dokdo/
Takeshima issue wid the ROK before the UNO.
See also TOPIX > IN ASIA, A WAVE OF ESCALATING TERRITORIAL DISPUTES.
Again, China sees itself as a "post-US", de facto future World #1 vee the "weak/declining" USA - IT WANTS OVERSEAS PLA MILBASES BEFITING SUCH THROUGHOUT THE SO-CALLED "FIRST ISLAND CHAIN" [+ ultimately beyond], AND ITS N-O-T GETTING IT.
China's growing influence in CAMBODIA is upsetting the ASEAN Nations + major Nuclear Powers because, in part, it puts China + PLA in a LT position to strategically dominate iff not outright control the entire Straits of Malaccas + entrance into Eastern Indian Ocean.
Also read, SSSSSSHHHHHH ...CCCCCCC the bulk or whole of SE Asia, MAINLAND + MARITIME.
---------
* Also from TOPIX > CHINA ASSERTS SEA CLAIM WID POLITICS AND SHIPS.
"Panda" = "Fish" = "Chow Mein" Diplomacy.
* SAME > CHINA CLAIMS/LAYS SOVEREIGNTY ON 80% OF DISPUTED SEA.
The Percentage is significantly higher iff one includes claims to UW Seafloors ala "Continental Shelf" Diplomacy.
versus
* SAME > AS SEVERE STORMS OVERWHELEM CHINA'S INFRASTRUCTURE, EXPERTS WARN THAT CLIMATE CHANGE WILL MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE.
* RELATED SAME > BEIJING: CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BRING MORE HEAVY RAINS TO CHINA.
TRUE - but Beijing must continue to bear in mind that perennial lack of OWG Govts-Perts consensus as per "PEAK RESOURCES/ENVIRONMENT" can potentially have serious, perhaps even catastrophic, impact or consequences on its
"Post-US", "MANIFEST DESTINY".
Burmese President Thein Sein says the recent deadly communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma's western Rakhine state "has nothing to do with race or religion." "We just like kicking ass..."
The president made his comments Thursday while hosting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is in the country to offer aid for the tens of thousands who have been displaced in the conflict. President Thein Sein says the unrest was ignited by the brutal murder of a girl and the desire for revenge against those who committed the crime.
President Thein Sein on Thursday welcomed the $50 million aid donation by Turkey. He also said he would welcome a visit by the OIC leaders so they can "witness the reality" in Rakhine.
The state has seen a heavy police presence since June, when a state of emergency rule was declared to end the violence. Some rights say the conflict threatens to put a damper on the recent political and economic reforms carried out by Burma's nominally civilian government.
...which is code for "The damned Arabs did it just to be hateful."
Dozens of firefighting crews, planes needed to control Kiryat Tivon blaze, homes burned, residents evacuated.
Police said on Thursday that they suspect a spate of fires over the past two days is part of a "wave of nationalistically motivated arson attacks."
It took some 30 firefighting crews, as well as firefighting aircraft, to gain control over a fire in Kiryat Tivon, southeast of Haifa, on Thursday afternoon. It was the second blaze in the area in as many days.
Police evacuated several people from their homes. An old age home was also evacuated.
At least two homes were damaged by the flames, but no injuries were reported.
The municipality opened a shelter for displaced people at the Narkisim school in Kiryat Tivon.
Asst.-Ch. Hagai Dotan, head of the Coastal Police, said the fires may be a form of nationalistic attack.
Police set to sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock, in a pestilential prison with a life-long lock ... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not... four Paleostinians from the West Bank whom they found in the vicinity of a fire near Jerusalem on Wednesday, on suspicion of involvement in starting the blaze.
Dotan said that police and Fire and Rescue Services were on high alert due to the threat of additional arson.
Earlier on Thursday, firefighters succeeded in gaining control of a fire just outside Jerusalem near Moshav Even Sapir.
Wednesday saw firefighters battle blazes in the same areas, as well as on in the eastern Carmel mountains.
US President Barack Obama hosted Ramadan 'iftar' (breaking-fast) reception at the White House last night. Addressing the audience from members of diplomatic corps and Muslim members of US Congress, President Obama wished a blessed Ramadan to Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world.
"To the millions of Muslim Americans across the United States and more --- the more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time of reflection and a time of devotion. It's an occasion to join with families and friends in celebration of a faith known for its diversity and a commitment to justice and the dignity of all human beings. So to you and your families, Ramadan kareem.," he said.
"This evening reminds us of both the timeless teachings of a great religion and the enduring strengths of a great nation. Like so many faiths, Islam has always been part of our American family, and Muslim Americans have long contributed to the strength and character of our country, in all walks of life."
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08/12/2012
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#1
celebration of a faith known for its diversity and a commitment to justice and the dignity of all human beings
Uh-huh. It seems unfair when the articles are self-snarking.
Did they have the Airing of Grievances or the traditional Beheading the Infidel?
#2
It seems unfair when the articles are self-snarking
But it isn't the article, SteveS, it's the very words from the mouth of The Smartest Man in the Room, unfiltered through the interpretation of a mere journalist.
#6
WTF is the idiot-in-chief talking about? Our country has been diametrically opposed to the mohammaden since the 1790s. I wish this guy would just STFU and stay on the links. He can't find time to work w/his jobs team but finds time for this b.s. -- Seriously, he'd be better off lauding great Wiccan contributions during the next Solstice...
#8
I was being half-serious about the wiccan thing...the few I've come across were far more cogent & trust-worthy than the muzzies I've dealt with. Plus, no self-respecting coven would initiate one such as The One as a brother of the bell...
#12
As noted yesterday, 3 Special Forces troops were gunned down by a Muslim "friendly" in Afghanistan during the same Ramadan meal that the President was speaking at half way around the world.
A man was wounded in an alleged gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion
Alleged gunfight or execution?
Yes, silly.
on the outer circular road in the capital's Shahjahanpur
Good luck finding that on a map...
*shrug* It's on the N5, the Dhaka-Bogra highway, south of Bogra and a few blocks from the Majhira cantonment.
Everybody knows that...
early on Friday.
After dark, of course, so that the RAB could break the Ramadan fast prior to commencing the night's work...
Critically injured Altaf Hossain alias Sagar, 38, was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at about 2:45am, hospital sources said.
If he's not dead now...
As his condition deteriorated, he was rushed to National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagor.
...he will be soon...
Hospital sources said two bullets entered his throat and shoulder.
Hey Doc, check for the one behind his ear...
In a press statement, RAB,-3 claimed that having received information,
Another 5 lakh to Mahmoud the Weasel...
they set up a check-post on the outer circular road in front of the New Al Madia Hotel.
Try finding that in the Michelin guide...
Violating the signal to stop,
"Hey! You! [bang] [bang] [KABOOM] Stop!"
a red car apparently opened two rounds of fire at law enforcers.
"It's the RAB, Mohammad! Open senseless fire!"
RAB allegedly fired in retaliation, the statement said.
"Sergeant Chaudray! Are they actually shooting at us?"
"Sir! [stamp] Yes sir!"
"Kill them, if you please, Sergeant."
"Sir!" [stamp]
Officers arrested Altaf and another Mohammad Masum, 29, as they tried to escape by leaving the car behind.
Tried hoofing it out on curly-toed slippers and left the roadster? Brilliant boys...
RAB searched the car and seized two pistols, five magazines, 10 bullets and three bottles of Phensedhyle and Tk 16,500.
So the perps left the roadster with the weapons, cash and drugs. Even more brilliant...
RAB quizzed Masum
"Sergeant, you might go easy on those pliers, I do believe he wants to talk."
"Sir!" [stamp]
and based on his statement,
"Anything! I'll tell you anything! Just stop doing that!"
seized two more magazines, six bullets and 37 Phensedhyle bottles.
"Dude, you just narc'd my stash!"
RAB also recovered forged notes worth Tk one lakh and Tk 8,80,000 cash, the statement said.
The forged notes came from Pakistan, obviously...
Shahjahan police station duty officer, Kamal Uddin told New Age that they had heard about the incident but RAB officially had not informed them.
And won't, seeing as then they'd have to split the cash and the pills...
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Any punitive range time being handed out for only wounding? Seems somebody's aiming techinque needs refinement....... unless wounding is tolerated during Ramadamalinglong....
#2
Seriously? Wounding? Where is the requisite stutter gun?
Posted by: Steven ||
08/12/2012 2:21
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I imagine the suspect moved at the last second, and the shooters couldn't get a purchase order for another batch of bullets to finish him off, and they needed to give the doctors some practice, anyway.
QUETTA: At least three people, including two Pakistani nationals and an Iranian security personnel, were killed in an exchange of fire at the Pak-Iran border in Chaghai district, on Saturday. Delightfully green-on-green...
According to sources, some local tribesmen were hunting at Kacho area, close to Iran border, when Iranian security personnel opened indiscriminate fire on them. As a result, Abdul Kareem, resident of Naukundi, and one of his companions sustained critical wounds and died on the spot. One Iranian security personnel was also killed when other companions of the tribesmen opened retaliatory firing on them, sources said.
Chaghai Deputy Commissioner Tufail Baloch confirmed the incident and said that the Iranian security personnel also took the bodies along with them. He said that it was yet to be ascertained whether the incident occurred in Balochistans territory or that of Iran.
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Five detainees captured on Friday morning by the Egyptian army in northern Sinai have been charged with leading "Jihadist" groups and involvement in what the Egyptian authorities described as "terrorist attacks" in the Sinai.
Egyptian security sources told Ma'an that the suspects are accused of planning and carrying out an attack on the Sheikh Zuwaid cop shoppe after the revolution in Egypt which toppled Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011... They were also accused of leading "Jihadist" groups and smuggling weapons between Egypt and the Gazoo Strip. Amongst other charges, the suspects were accused of targeting coppers and police posts in northern Sinai.
One of the suspects is 62 years old and nicknamed "Sinai's the late Osama bin Laden ... Maybe his Mom misses him... ". Another is a vegetable merchant, aged 42. He was imprisoned for three years on political charges during Mubarak's rule.
A third suspect is a car dealer, 42, who has been imprisoned before. The fourth suspect is 36 years old and was allegedly caught with 22 ID cards belonging to Egyptian citizens. Investigators said he stole these IDs from the Sheikh Zuwaid cop shoppe. The last suspect is only 22.
Egyptian authorities described the five as "the most dangerous gun-hung tough guys in Sinai."
An Egyptian security source told Ma'an in el-Arish that Egyptian security services captured the suspects after ransacking their homes in Sheikh Zuwaid on Friday morning. The source said that intelligence services collected information about the suspects before raiding their homes.
The five have been transferred to Cairo, while three other detainees have been released.
Families of the five suspects denied the charges. Several of them told Ma'an that they were never affiliated to any krazed killer group in Sinai, nor involved in any violent activities.
Two separate bomb attacks have wounded four policemen and two soldiers in Pattani province.
In Khok Pho district, a motorcycle bomb exploded while an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit vehicle was heading down a local road. The blast wounded four EOD officers in the vehicle and damaged their equipment.
The same team had been earlier called to a rubber plantation after villager Suedi Samae, 41, was gunned down while he was tapping rubber plants early yesterday morning.
The four policemen are the latest victims of terrorist militant groups, who have recently targeted security forces. Earlier on Friday evening, two soldiers, stationed at a marine corps outpost in Sai Buri district, were also injured by a home-made grenade.
An unidentified man on a motorcycle threw the grenade over the outpost's wall while Pvt Wanchaloem Onsong, 22, and Pvt Demae I-tae, 22, were on duty.
Almost simultaneously in the same district, a man identified as Mueli Pochi, 55, was gunned down while sleeping in his pickup truck parked at a market. Police are investigating whether he was killed by an terrorist insurgent group.
The situation in Pattani has authorities on full alert, especially after a report that terrorists rebels are planning more car bombings.
More frequent terrorist militant attacks in the deep South have been reported since Ramadan started. Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra does not blame the government for the increasing attacks; he sees them as "seasonal violence". In an interview, Thaksin cited statistics that showed attacks tend to be more frequent during Ramadan. He said things would return to normal after the end of Ramadan.
#1
Asher Berman holds a MALD degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy as well as a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He studied in Jordan as a Boren Fellow in 2011 and currently conducts in-depth research on Syrian rebel groups
Sounds like a trustworthy source as well as moral paragon(Asher Berman is not just Jewish, but an Israeli name).
#2
When the question of who is financing these movements surfaces, my auto-default is generally to examine the sources of "humanitarian aid" and go from there.
The "moral paragon" of names in the Muslim world is something of an oxymoron. They may have many, and can switch them up quite often.
#3
I strongly recommend targeted (wymin only) low or no interest housing loans. It's a great way to take over entire communities, whilst at the same time permanently alter demographics, political constituencies and voting blocks.
Short of shifting your buttocks in such a way that your cell phones speed-dial function is activated, I don't quite know how you "accidentally" dial 911.
All I know is that you might want to take necessary measures to make sure this "accident" doesn't occur while you're up to something contrary to the laws.
Like making a drug deal. "This is 911. May we--"
"If that's a genuine eight ball of genuine crack, you've got a deal, pal."
*911 operator listens for a minute as the beauzeau digs himself deeper*
The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that 24-year-old Justin Kryzanowski of Scranton accidentally dialed 911 while allegedly in the midst of a drug deal Wednesday, a call which the Lackawanna County dispatch center forwarded to Officer Friendly, who traced the cellphone's open line to Kryzanowski's apartment.
When cops showed up at Kryzanowski's apartment, they reportedly found him talking with slow and slurred speech. They also reportedly found syringes loaded with Suboxone, various prescription medications, drug paraphernalia, and brass knuckles. Lucky for the dumb crook, he wasn't wearing and brandishing them.
All told, Kryzanowski was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited offensive weapons, police said.
The US Federal Trade Commission [FTC] fined Google $22.5 million for violating the privacy of people who used rival Apple's Safari web browser even after pledging not to do so. The FTC said Google had agreed with the commission in October 2011 not to place tracking cookies on or deliver targeted ads to Safari users, but then went ahead and did so.
David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, questioned Google's efforts on privacy protection.
"It is troubling to us that Google says, we didn't know," he told reporters. "A company like Google that is storing personal information from hundreds of millions of people has to do better."
While Google agreed to the fine, it did not admit it had violated the earlier agreement. A Google spokesperson said the FTC was focused on a help center web page published more than two years before Google agreed to refrain from the cookie activities on Safari.
QUETTA: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Saturday said that those shouting Independent Balochistan slogans would not be tolerated. Talking to reporters on his arrival at the Quetta airport, Kaira said the federal government was serious in addressing the grievances of Balochistan and it was evident from the fact that President Asif Zardari had sought an apology from the people of Balochistan.
Kaira said, The Cabinets Special Committee on Balochistans visit to Quetta will focus on finding a durable solution to the Balochistan issue, the federal minister said.
Kaira said that the purpose of forming the committee was to review the factors due to which the situation was not improving.
The committee has consulted different agencies besides the Balochistan governor and chief minister in this connection and during its visit to Quetta, the committee will meet different stakeholders and consult with them and later it will furnish recommendations before the federal cabinet, he also said.
The federal minister said that President Asif Zardari had apologised to the people of Balochistan for injustices and excesses meted out to them in the past in order to eradicate the sense of deprivation of people notwithstanding the fact that he had no role in inflicting such miseries on Balochistan. Apology delivered, that's it, no worries now...
Citing the constitutional amendments, the NFC Award and announcement of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package by the PPP government, he said that it would be wrong to say that nothing had been done by the government to resolve the Balochistan issue. We will have to review what we can do to resolve the issue, he said, adding that the government would hold dialogue with all disgruntled Baloch leaders, including those living in Balochistan or abroad.
Kaira said that the government was not disappointed on the Balochistan issue and the situation would not be allowed to reach a point of no return.
Referring to law and order in the province, he said that provincial government was responsible for maintaining law and order, however, the federal government was supporting the Balochistan government in this regard. He said that the issue of provincial autonomy had been resolved in Balochistan.
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#1
"Independent Balochistan" not tolerable? I've heard worse slogans, the short-lived obamalicious Win The Future, for example. But hey, maybe it just sounds bad in Urdu.
Egypt's official news agency says Qatar has granted Egypt a $2 billion loan to help the country's flagging economy.
The Gulf Arabs really, really don't want hordes of starving Egyptian peasants pouring over the border in search of sustenance.
MENA says the loan was announced Saturday during the first visit of Qatari Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Egypt since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011... in last year's popular uprising. The agency says Al Thani met with Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's Islamist president, whose Moslem Brüderbund group is widely seen as holding strong ties with Qatar.
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.
In a statement, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said that Romney has "chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy."
MOSUL - A suicide bomber driving a truck attacked a mosque near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul as Friday prayers ended, killing at least five people and wounding 70, police and health officials said.
[Jerusalem Post] For first time, Paleostinian Authority publicly calls for destruction of underground tunnels, asking Egypt to destroy those along its border with 
Justice Chaudhry and 'Adle-e-Faruqi'
Wazoo
Burmese President Thein Sein says the recent deadly communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma's western Rakhine state "has nothing to do with race or religion."
US President Barack Obama hosted Ramadan 'iftar' (breaking-fast) reception at the White House last night. Addressing the audience from members of diplomatic corps and Muslim members of US Congress, President Obama wished a blessed Ramadan to Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world.
A man was wounded in an alleged gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion 
Short of shifting your buttocks in such a way that your cell phones speed-dial function is activated, I don't quite know how you "accidentally" dial 911.
