Hi there, !
Today Sun 12/05/2004 Sat 12/04/2004 Fri 12/03/2004 Thu 12/02/2004 Wed 12/01/2004 Tue 11/30/2004 Mon 11/29/2004 Archives
Rantburg
531690 articles and 1855967 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 91 articles and 464 comments as of 11:56.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    WoT Background    Opinion           
NCRI sez Iran making missiles to hit Europe
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 3: Non-WoT
5 00:00 Mike Sylwester [] 
5 00:00 jackal [] 
0 [] 
9 00:00 Shaiter Spoluper1654 [] 
0 [1] 
3 00:00 RWV [] 
7 00:00 .com [] 
8 00:00 bruce [] 
1 00:00 Grunter [] 
0 [] 
10 00:00 Zenster [] 
8 00:00 trailing wife [] 
1 00:00 john [] 
4 00:00 john [] 
5 00:00 The Ghost Of Ed Murrow [] 
11 00:00 tu3031 [] 
19 00:00 Mark Espinola [] 
3 00:00 Dishman [1] 
18 00:00 trailing wife [] 
0 [] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
2 00:00 Bomb-a-rama [2]
0 []
0 [1]
1 00:00 BigEd []
0 []
1 00:00 trailing wife []
4 00:00 BigEd []
0 []
5 00:00 trailing wife []
16 00:00 .com []
9 00:00 Zenster []
7 00:00 trailing wife []
9 00:00 anymouse []
0 []
3 00:00 Shipman []
4 00:00 Jules 187 []
0 []
Page 2: WoT Background
1 00:00 mojo []
7 00:00 Alaska Paul [1]
6 00:00 2b []
11 00:00 trailing wife []
2 00:00 2b []
4 00:00 Bomb-a-rama [1]
6 00:00 Old Patriot []
11 00:00 Dishman []
0 []
5 00:00 Shaiter Spoluper1654 []
0 []
0 []
4 00:00 Captain Pedantic []
7 00:00 tu3031 []
4 00:00 The Mossad []
9 00:00 Old Patriot []
7 00:00 Weird Al []
0 []
1 00:00 tu3031 []
1 00:00 BigEd []
10 00:00 Bomb-a-rama []
1 00:00 leaddog2 []
4 00:00 Seafarious []
1 00:00 lex []
2 00:00 Bulldog []
7 00:00 RMcLeod []
0 []
7 00:00 raptor []
1 00:00 trailing wife [2]
6 00:00 Mark Espinola []
6 00:00 Dreadnought []
0 [1]
58 00:00 trailing wife []
3 00:00 JackassFestival []
10 00:00 lex []
11 00:00 graduate flyboy []
1 00:00 raptor []
2 00:00 Old Patriot []
4 00:00 Ptah []
5 00:00 Capt America []
2 00:00 Cochise []
2 00:00 SamL []
0 []
3 00:00 Kalle (kafir forever) []
1 00:00 Bomb-a-rama [1]
10 00:00 Fred []
8 00:00 Mark Espinola []
7 00:00 Fred []
5 00:00 Steve []
4 00:00 Don []
13 00:00 Shipman []
0 []
Page 4: Opinion
2 00:00 JosephMendiola []
4 00:00 Old Patriot []
-Short Attention Span Theater-
Official Warning: we're all gonna die!
I got this bit of "spam" in this morning's e-mail from the "Earthquake Centre."

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL WARNING!
As opposed to an unofficial one?
yfyem qbzm chxqbv
"Gort! Klaatu barada nikto!"
A huge 300 ft. high ocean wave ismoving towards your continent.
Your and many other cities are in a real danger.
Considering that I'm in Akron, Ohio I raher doubt it'll get this far inland, but go on . . .
Approximatewave moving speed is 700 km/h.
I've nothing to worry about, then. Soon as it gets on the turnpike, it'll run into a Pennsylvania State Police radar trap, and they'll pull it over and give it a speeding ticket.
toitw zrifvphjcn
"Nanoo nanoo!"
Please read more about this catastrophe here:http://www.Danger-tsunami.com/
We are strongly urging you to evacuate yourself and your family as soon as possible, even though you may live far away from your city.
Run away! Run away!
The tsunami will reach the continent in approximately FOUR hours.
Considering that the e-mail arrived 8 hours ago, and there's not word one about the tsunami on Drudge Report, I'd say your ETA is a tad bit off, dude.
lbujf hchhojomcq
"Expecto Patronum!"
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

So where's the Canadian pharmecuticals? The low-interest mortgage loan? The miracle penis enlargement formula? The hidden fortune in Lagos, Nigeria? Don't you even want my bank and credit card info? What kinda spam is this, anyway?
Posted by: Mike || 12/02/2004 12:51:30 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  You are 67,000,000 years late, and Lucy the T-Rex was already dead, so she didn't get the E-Mail...
Posted by: BigEd || 12/02/2004 13:37 Comments || Top||

#2  You mean this email isn't true and I maxed out my credit cards on strippers and beer for nothing?
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 13:41 Comments || Top||

#3  Aha!

Dar is acually Steve Buscemi....
Posted by: mojo || 12/02/2004 13:46 Comments || Top||

#4  We are strongly urging you to evacuate yourself and your family as soon as possible, even though you may live far away from your city.

Guess I'd better get right on that...
well, maybe not.
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/02/2004 14:17 Comments || Top||

#5  Dar, you managed to max them out in four yours? As a wise man once said, impressive, very impressive.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 12/02/2004 15:21 Comments || Top||

#6  Will that mean I need to cancel my reservations on Galveston Island for this summer?

At 6000 feet, about 1500 miles from the nearest ocean, with a 14,000 foot high mountain between me and the Pacific, I think I'll sit this one out, thank you.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 12/02/2004 17:39 Comments || Top||

#7  Old Patriot, wait until you get that mail about the 300 ft high snow avalanche coming your way!

Still sitting this out, huh?

Btw I got my first BUSINESS PROPOSAL from Darfur. I guess Al Gore finally invented the internet there as well.
Posted by: True German Ally || 12/02/2004 17:49 Comments || Top||

#8  While staying at The Manago Hotel on the Big Island the front desk had a sign:
IN CASE OF TSUNAMI
1 DON'T PANIC!
2 PAY YOUR HOTEL BILL
3 RUN LIKE HELL!
Posted by: bruce || 12/02/2004 21:56 Comments || Top||


FREE COFFEE
Posted by: Mark Espinola || 12/02/2004 00:35 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The commodities markets not keeping you busy enough, Mark, dear?

P.S. Thanks for all the background info. on oil -- my husband is amazed at how clever I've become on the subject!
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/02/2004 1:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Mrs. D, They are indeed, but we need a break too:) On the oil, The bears control it, until the Northeast sinks into the deep freeze. Same with heating oil as well. In early 2005 the Iranian nuclear situation will effect the price of oil greatly. Either Israel or the U.S. will begin removing Iran's nuke plants.
Posted by: Mark Espinola || 12/02/2004 9:29 Comments || Top||

#3  Sory, Mark. That was TW. Her hubby speaks to her. I still haven't seen hide nor hair of mine since he and that hussy Gentle ran off.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 9:41 Comments || Top||

#4  LOL! I really enjoy these continuing installments of "As Rantburg Turns".
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 9:59 Comments || Top||

#5  I keep expecting to see Mr. D. stagger into the O club one night.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/02/2004 11:17 Comments || Top||

#6  Oh, the possibilities... "General Rantburg"..."As the Rantburg Turns"... "The Guiding Rantburg".
Break out the boxes of chocolates and the kleenex!
Posted by: Sgt. Mom || 12/02/2004 11:40 Comments || Top||

#7  "Desperate Rantburgers"

"Rantburg 90210"

"Pruitt Place"

"Rantburg Valley NRA"
Posted by: Mike || 12/02/2004 12:33 Comments || Top||

#8  "Like TCP/IP packets through the router, these are the Rants of oour Burg."
Posted by: Seafarious || 12/02/2004 12:36 Comments || Top||

#9  LOL!
Posted by: Shipman || 12/02/2004 13:24 Comments || Top||

#10  Trailing wife & Mrs. D. sorry about the mix up, I must have been half asleep when I goofed that up, speed reading. while keeping an eye on the TV, radio on coupled with glancing at the newspaper, does not make for proper attention.

Who is this "Gentle". We shall not be passing on any economic related tips or general info to that putz.

This is like the Rantburg Sagas. Rant-Soap-O-Rama

Mrs. D I have a great Iraqi energy related web-site for you which is always updated as needed on Iraqi oil related 'problems'. Sabatage by Iranian & other Islamists attempting to keep the Iraqi crude oil based economy in a constant state of chao

Trailing wife the information contained in the Iraqi pipeline section is the only one I am aware of in English.

Also Mauritania is become the hottest new oil north African crude oil exporter and may become an OPEC member state in the future.
Posted by: Mark Espinola || 12/02/2004 20:24 Comments || Top||

#11  Mark, It might work better if you drank real coffee instead of that virtual monkey piss.

Anyway, Gentle was that supposed female college student at the University of Osama in the UAE or somewhere over in the Gulf. She was always telling us how we didn't understand the true Islam, a ROP, blah, blah, blah. Sort of a female Mike Sylwester with and Arabian accent.

You might recall Murat I disappeared for a while and Gentle's posting diminished. Later My former husband, Mr. Davis, was accused of being a troll. We had some door slamming around here and then he up and walked out.

Shortly thereafter, Gentle stopped posting altogether. It was pretty clear to me what had happened. Mr. Davis and Gentle had some of that internet prom chat going.

Well, then Murat II started posting. A lot of people thought it was an imposter, but I knew that what happened was that Murat found out Gentle was two timing him with Mr. Davis. He told her he'd start treating her like a Muslim woman ought to be. She put Mr. Davis up to defending her honor and Murat came up second best. And to a Kaffir to boot. Now having time, and other things, on his hands, he came back to take it out on the Burg with his newly nasty comments.

And now, all alone, I'm being confused with someone who ain't. And to think that I won the Susan Lucci look-a-like contest for years running at our local tavern. At least ther'e no more crunchies. That's the silver lining.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 21:05 Comments || Top||

#12  btw Mark, where in Mauretania are they finding oil?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 21:18 Comments || Top||

#13  Thanks for the explanation, Mrs. D.

I don't understand what "crunchies" are, though.
Posted by: Phil Fraering || 12/02/2004 21:35 Comments || Top||

#14  My goodness, Mrs. D! I had no idea your cheerful exterior hid such tragedy. I had somehow gotten the impression that Mr. D. was lost on a business trip in the wilds of somewhere-or-other, possibly while on a secret mission for the CIA. (Mr. Wife's [retired Green Beret] uncle insists that those are not business trips he's been going on for the past two decades, but rather clandestine work for Uncle Sam. Mr. W. equally insists its all about manufacturing better soap for the world. Dear Uncle GB is known for his active imagination!).

Clearly, Mr. D. is a fool. No doubt he will soon come to regret acting out his mid-life crisis, and with Miss Gentle, to boot. But equally clearly, I've unwittingly been wise to keep the Rantburg playground to myself -- best not to expose Mr. Wife to such temptations! But you, darling Mrs. D., are still in the prime of life -- and Rantburg plays host to some charming gentlemen. Sauce for the goose, and all that, my dear, when you are ready;-)

Posted by: trailing wife || 12/02/2004 22:23 Comments || Top||

#15  Wow--before this gets much further along, I'm gonna need a playbill or something to keep track of the cast! Fascinating!

I always wondered what lurked under Gentle's burkha, too. Sorry--I'm funny that way... ;-)
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 23:19 Comments || Top||

#16  Note my self-restraint, Dar. ;-)
Posted by: .com || 12/02/2004 23:24 Comments || Top||

#17  Mrs D. It's incredible I do not as a rule drink coffee, just never had the taste for it except Dunkin Donuts with tons of sugar. This Gentle sounds like some other masked jihadists in saying we, the 'infidels' do not understand Islam....we fully fathom their true intentions and that is why that bulk line about not understanding.

I can not say I recall Murat I, nor #II I would like to ask if Mr. D had ever posted what the enemy would consider anti-jihad statements or display an in-depth picture of Muslim history. The reason for asking is two fold. #1 could it be "Gentle" saw Mr. D as another schlep, someone swayed, duped in by her & she could try l convert Mr. D to her Islamic 'cause'...could this be? Or #2, if indeed Mr. D made statements she really despised from an Islamic point knew what she was, right? How could he be tricked by female 'dishrag'?

Maybe for personal security internet protocol publicly state too many details considering whom may be reading every word?

Very, very sorry to hear of all this. Sometimes the bloody computer/internet can be extremely harmful.

Trailing Wife is right in her statement to you which is best female to female on these kind of issues.

In terms of Mr. D, after 9-11 and countless eye opening acts of Islamic mass slaughter around the globe, yet he falls for the lies of the enemy.

On the issue Mauritania: Thus ar what I have uncovered the majority of exploratory drilling is offshore. As of October 7th the following news: 'Woodside Petroleum Ltd said drilling at its Tevet-1 exploration well off the coast of Mauritania in West Africa have shown signs of oil and gas. Woodside owns 53.846 pct of Tevet-1 and is the operator. Australian listed Hardman Resources Ltd has 21.6 pct, Roc Oil, also listed in Australia, has 3.693 pct, BG Group Plc of the UK has 11.63 pct and the UK's Premier group of companies have 9.231 pct.

PS..Mrs D.there are brighter days ahead
Posted by: Mark Espinola || 12/02/2004 23:26 Comments || Top||

#18  Mark: so this is yet more capitol-intensive and skill-intensive drilling?

How politically stable is Mauritania?
Posted by: Phil Fraering || 12/02/2004 23:31 Comments || Top||

#19  Phil check this out. The link is there in case it is erased at midnight. I picked out key points.

NOUAKCHOTT, 30 November (IRIN) - President raises wages ahead of oil boom Brushing aside plots to overthrow him and a weakening national currency, President Maaouiya Ould Taya has announced a massive increase in pay and pensions as Mauritania prepares to become Africa's newest oil exporter.

Some of the 2.8 million people in this desert country in West Africa may have wondered how Ould Taya was going to pay for such a whacking pay rise following this year's devastating invasion by swarms of locusts which destoyed half of all crops and much of the pasture used by nomads to graze their animals.

He badly needs to secure a strong base of civilian support following three failed coup attempts staged by dissident army officers over the past 18 months and his suppression of Islamic radicals who form the backbone of the civilian opposition.

Earlier this month, 181 military personnel and civilian opposition figures went on trial at a remote military barracks in the desert charged with plotting to overthrow the president.

Ould Taya, who in recent years has courted the United States and France and cast himself as a moderniser, marked the latest anniversary of Mauritania's independence by inaugurating a bevy of new projects. These included dams, roads, water supply, electricity plants and 53 public libraries.

The inaugurations culminated in the opening of a new US$36 million terminal for offloading oil products at the port of Nouakchott and a new tank farm that triples the size of its oil storage facilities.

It is hoped these new facilities will help to relieve Mauritania's chronic fuel shortages as the country joins the ranks of Africa's new oil exporters.

Ould Taya said in his weekend speech that "important" new offshore fields had been discovered.

The Chinguetti offshore field will be the first to come on stream, producing around 75,000 barrels per day for export. The neighbouring Tiof field, which is even bigger, will follow a few months later.

But Ould Taya's upbeat speech was followed by disappointing news on Monday, when foreign oil companies announced disappointing results from an exploration well drilled in the Merou offshore block.

The oil and gas information group Rigzone has estimated that oil export will add about $100 million to Mauritanian government revenues by 2008, increasing them by a quarter. At present the country relies mainly on exports of iron ore and fish.
Posted by: Mark Espinola || 12/02/2004 23:44 Comments || Top||


-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Top Polluter Identified!
Washington state's top polluter isn't a pulp mill, a power plant or refinery. It's the newly awakened Mount St. Helens. Since the volcano began erupting in early October, it has been pumping out 50 to 250 tons a day of sulfur dioxide, the lung-stinging gas that causes acid rain and contributes to haze. At peak, that's more than double the amount from all the state's industries combined.

I truly wonder what the enviro-Nazis will do about this. Maybe if they ask it nicely and try to understand the root causes it'll stop erupting.
Posted by: AzCat || 12/02/2004 4:14:53 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  AzCat, perhaps they can be encouraged to jump in.

"No really, go ahead, it was a practice of the indigenous people in Hawaii -- you can do your part to resurrect such a wise ancient custom."
Posted by: Carl in N.H. || 12/02/2004 8:40 Comments || Top||

#2  Madame Pele must be appeased! Do it for Ghia!
Posted by: Steve || 12/02/2004 9:34 Comments || Top||

#3  I truly wonder what the enviro-Nazis will do about this. Maybe if they ask it nicely and try to understand the root causes it’ll stop erupting.

Just file a lawsuit, and have the governing board of Greenpeace serve the papers. ;o)
Posted by: badanov || 12/02/2004 9:45 Comments || Top||

#4  hmmmm...Gaia? Ghia was the goddess of crappy Volkswagen coupes
Posted by: Frank G || 12/02/2004 9:49 Comments || Top||

#5  Definitely contributed to my bad Karman.
Posted by: Fred || 12/02/2004 10:37 Comments || Top||

#6  The world's biggest scrubber stack is on order...
Posted by: mojo || 12/02/2004 11:00 Comments || Top||

#7  Maybe the mountain will be subject to sanctions....or something.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama || 12/02/2004 12:12 Comments || Top||

#8  volcanos - why do they hate us
Posted by: mhw || 12/02/2004 12:21 Comments || Top||

#9  It is probably Bush's fault.
He is so anti - environment.
Posted by: tex || 12/02/2004 15:28 Comments || Top||

#10  If Bush hadn't stolen the election (we all know Kerry really won), this wouldn't have happened. Mother Earth is indicating her sorrow at the criminal capitalist exploitation of our planet.
Posted by: jackal || 12/02/2004 17:02 Comments || Top||

#11  I think it's actually the top secret factory that builds the rigged Republican voting machines which is located under Mt. St. Helens that's causing the problems.
Like, mountains don't pollute, man! Don't you, like, know that, man!
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/02/2004 17:03 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Why Women's Voting Is Complicated
Arab News, naturally.
...One big problem remains. Fact: Saudi Arabia is a male dominated society. Fact two: Saudi Arabia is a segregated society in every aspect.

If a single woman won and became a member of the municipality council that would mean the government would have to construct a separate building for her. Whether she is one female, two, or ten, Saudi law forbids men and women to work in the same establishment.

The chances of any institution, government building or private company having men and women working together are dire. The place would be most likely be raided by religious police and would be shut down. The employees would be thrown behind bars and the managers interrogated. Hospitals in Saudi Arabia are the only places where men and women work together and there are many calls from conservatives for segregated hospitals.
Posted by: Seafarious || 12/02/2004 12:52:53 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Those are admittedly good arguments. Clearly there is only one viable solution:
Let the women run the country!
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 13:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Have they given any thought to cutting the heads off the conservatives, starting with the religious police? Just a thought...
Posted by: Fred || 12/02/2004 13:26 Comments || Top||

#3  Fred : Dang it you beat me, although we could make life miserable by "amputating" something of value to those clerics lower than the head, and watch the frustration. It would be popcorn time.

But on another front, take a look at how a woman views politics. In one case, I saw up close an aspect of how a woman (my wife) made her decision to vote here. Beyond agreeing with "W" on Crime, Defense, and Economic issues, she also thought there was "something wrong" with Kerry, and he wasn't emotionally as sound as the Prez. She also made a comparison of the two wives as a reflection of the two men. Snicker. (10 years ago I made the right decision, I guess)
Posted by: BigEd || 12/02/2004 13:35 Comments || Top||

#4  I dunno, BigEd, there may be something to the 'wife comparison' thing. Someone else has commented that Laura Bush seems to be a pretty solid, down-to-earth woman. For George W to win her heart and keep her implies that he must have something going for him. She doesn't seem like a social climber.

On the otherhand, T-resa would probably be more fun at a party involving drugs, alcohol and nudity.
Posted by: SteveS || 12/02/2004 13:57 Comments || Top||

#5  StevS, you just ruined my afternoon. Teresa nude? Now I'm gonna have to go watch a hog killin'.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 12/02/2004 14:07 Comments || Top||

#6  Steve, Teresa is more the kind of person to sit on a throne, watching the peons perform below. She wouldn't sully herself by actually participating. I am so very glad this country did not give her the White House to play in!

And I've never seen a hog (or anything else) killin', but I agree with the Deacon.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/02/2004 22:41 Comments || Top||

#7  Just FYI - King Abdul Aziz, the Flounder of SA hismself, decreed 4 exemptions within the confines of Aramco's boundaries - one of them was that wymyn could work with myn. It's limited to 3 departments, but it happens. And it's amazing, but true, that the religious fops survive and their tiny little heads don't explode or anything.

So...

Extra points for guessing the other 3 exemptions... one of which has been rescinded.
Posted by: .com || 12/02/2004 22:46 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russian diplomats suspected of "aggravated pimping" in Finland
Edited for brevity.
The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) reported in their Wednesday evening TV news bulletin that at least two Russian diplomats in the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Helsinki are suspected of aggravated pimping. Police believe that the diplomats have provided clients for hundreds of prostitutes as well as offering apartments owned by the Russian Trade Representation for their activities. The suspected diplomats are said to be minor officials in the Trade Representation. Consequently, Finnish police can neither arrest nor interview them on account of their diplomatic immunity, and they cannot be convicted of a crime in Finland, either.
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 2:56:31 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This news item demands a "Lil' John" rap song in its honor...
Posted by: borgboy || 12/02/2004 16:33 Comments || Top||

#2  So, Russian diplomats like a little nookie ??
This probably happens all over the world with diplomats ?
Posted by: tex || 12/02/2004 16:44 Comments || Top||

#3  Happens a lot at with the UN's pimps, too. Only their trick-turning results in billions changing hands.
Posted by: lex || 12/02/2004 16:53 Comments || Top||

#4  Not just pimping, "aggravated" pimping. But they are Trade reps...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/02/2004 16:57 Comments || Top||

#5  ... or 13 year olds.
Posted by: jackal || 12/02/2004 17:07 Comments || Top||


Georgia accuses Russia of meddling in Abkhazia
Russian interference in developments in Abkhazia is unacceptable, Georgia's foreign minister said Thursday. Salome Zourabichvili, the foreign minister of the former Soviet Republic in the Caucasus on the eastern shore of the Black Sea made the comments in an exclusive interview with the Interfax news agency. "Any external interference in the developments in Abkhazia is impermissible," Zourabichvili said. "Hence the recurrent interference of the Russian authorities in this situation, up to the illegal penetration of Georgian territory, is unacceptable," he added. Zourabichvili's remarks looked likely to further increased tensions between Russia and Georgia. Georgians believe Russia is backing separatist rebels who have set up their own secessionist regime in Abkhazia.
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 2:52:32 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Kuchma, Putin oppose "quick re-run" of Ukrainian vote
Edited for brevity.
Outgoing Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma won Vladimir Putin's backing Thursday against calls for a quick re-run of the last round of the disputed presidential election the opposition is certain it would win. The move by the Russian president underlines the Kremlin's nervousness that if Ukraine's opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko took power he would weaken traditional links with Moscow and push Ukraine deeper into the West's embrace. Alleging the election was rigged, the opposition demands an early repeat of the Nov. 21 run-off vote between Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovich, who was backed by both Kuchma and Putin. Kuchma is trying to force a completely new election from scratch, a longer process which could favor his candidate. He flew to Russia Thursday. "A repeat of the run-off vote may fail to work," Putin told Kuchma at an airport meeting outside Moscow.

In a fresh sign of the strain the crisis is placing on relations between Russia and the West, President Bush made a clear jab at Moscow's involvement, saying outsiders should not meddle in any new election. "I think any election, if there is one, ought to be free from any foreign influence. These elections ought to be open and fair," Bush told a reporter who had asked his views on a potential election and the prospect of Russian influence.
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 2:50:01 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Popcorn?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 15:14 Comments || Top||

#2  Obnoxious MSM shits. Look at this spin: In a fresh sign of the strain the crisis is placing on relations between Russia and the West, President Bush made a clear jab at Moscow’s involvement, saying outsiders should not meddle in any new election. "I think any election, if there is one, ought to be free from any foreign influence. These elections ought to be open and fair,"

Isn't it more appropriate to preface the Bush quote with something like, "Demonstrating the same commitment to democracy that the US showed in neighboring Georgia's 'rose revolution' last year", or perhaps just quote Bush without the bullshit?

Smash these jokers. Source and report our own stories.
Posted by: lex || 12/02/2004 15:50 Comments || Top||

#3  Lex, I agree with you that this article is partial in favour of Bush by calling his words a clear jab towards Russia. Reuters should quit the pro-Bush propaganda.
Posted by: Aris Katsaris || 12/02/2004 17:13 Comments || Top||

#4  tee hee, aris. You're missing the point. This isn't a contest between the US and Russia. Ukraine is of next to no significance to us. This elections is less important to us than the Venezuelan election was last year, and cannot even compare in significance ot the Afghan and Iraqi elections. That Reuters and the other MSM morons choose to play this up only underscores how little they grasp about Ukraine and about the priorities and perspectives of the Bush administration and the US.
Posted by: lex || 12/02/2004 17:25 Comments || Top||

#5  The US devoted the same level of attention and pro-democracy resources to Ukraine as it did to those other earth-shattering events, the elections in Georgia, Belarus and Serbia. This is a clash between a couple of kleptocratic clans, one of which seems to be a bit less illiberal than the other. yawn
Posted by: lex || 12/02/2004 17:27 Comments || Top||

#6  lex, This election is a very important part of Putin's program to reassemble a leaner, meaner Soviet Union consisting or Russia, Ukraine, Byelorus and part of Kazahkstan. If Ukranians frustrate Putin, it will be a major defeat. While neither candidate is likely to push Washington off his pedestal, who wins an their feality to Moscow is more important than the Venezuelan election.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 17:43 Comments || Top||

#7  This isn't a contest between the US and Russia.

It's a contest between the whole democratic free world and Russian imperialism, as fought out by the people of Ukraine.

Ukraine is of next to no significance to us.

Well, if that's the case I find it unfortunate. Ukraine is a nation of 50 million. That's bigger than Iraq and Afghanistan combined. And it breaking away from Russia may be the death-knell of the Soviet Union that never truly occurred in the early 1990s -- it may however occur now.

No, it's not currently part of the specific war that the *USA* is fighting. That doesn't mean however that it's not part of the greater war between the powers of Western civilisation and its enemies.

This is a clash between a couple of kleptocratic clans, one of which seems to be a bit less illiberal than the other. yawn

Vaguely *communistic* of you, to make out of this merely a conflict between rich elites and thus belittle the whole point of the democratic process-- it's the same argument used by people that belittle the *American* democracy.

Whatever his flaws, Yushchenko is the democratically elected president of Ukraine. An inability to take that post because of fraud or force, therefore represents a defeat for democracy and the enslavement of the whole Ukrainian people. *Regardless* of whether Yushchenko is a good choice or not, he is the choice the Ukrainians made.
Posted by: Aris Katsaris || 12/02/2004 18:13 Comments || Top||

#8  lex--Just got home and have to chip in my 2¢--I can't agree with your premise. The Ukraine is of vital importance to us--not necessarily by its own merits, but by what the Ukraine would mean to a resurgent, nationalistic Russia looking to re-establish some of the glory days and power of the Soviet Union. It is of the utmost importance that we support the Ukraine in its struggle to become an independent nation and not let it revert to a Russian vassal state. The Ukraine would be the keystone in the "RUBK" ("Rubik") conglomerate that would lead to the Cold War starting all over again.
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 23:15 Comments || Top||

#9  The Poles obviously agree with you, Dar. They want a good, wide buffer between them and the big friendly bear...
Posted by: Shaiter Spoluper1654 || 12/02/2004 23:47 Comments || Top||


India, Russia to sign military pact before Putin's visit
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 14:44 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


China-Japan-Koreas
Barkeep, a round of Makkolli for my friends!
Scientists of the Fermentation Institute under the Branch Academy of Light Industrial Science of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, have succeeded in putting the production of rotgut moonshine makkolli (crude liquor), a traditional drink of the Korean people, on a scientific and industrial basis. It has been known that makkolli is made by fermenting starch of rice and other grains with malt.
"What grains?"
"Fescue works well..."
In the course of studying the brewing method of makkolli established by the ancestors, the scientists found new kinds of germs.
"Look, Kim! A new kind of animalicule!"
"Really, Pak? What shall we name it?"
"How about animaliculus paekche kim-jong-ilii?"
The new germs have greater malt enzyme and alcohol fermentation capacity than the old ones and produce much malic acid. They also have a strong resistance to other bacteria.
"Look, Kim! The other bacteria!"
"Well, fry me for a Songun! They're dissolving!"
The new production method does not need distillation and maturation process.
"Leaving it overnight in the chamberpot does nicely."
The method makes it possible to save more than 50 percent of energies as compared with those of liquor and beer production.
Just thing to chase down your White Slag.
As the new method is simple, it is easy to produce makkolli at any foodstuff factories.
Assuming, of course, you have any foodstuff
Makkolli helps prevent heart troubles, hypertension, cancer, liver cirrhosis, female complaints, consumption, diarrhea, and other diseases.
At least, you don't care about them after the first couple of shots.
Posted by: Steve || 12/02/2004 9:52:15 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The grass whiskey in this place is okay, but don't ask for it on the rocks - they use real rocks.
Posted by: BH || 12/02/2004 10:11 Comments || Top||

#2  They call it Makkolli, we call it anti-freeze. Since they don't have cars, they might as well drink it.
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/02/2004 10:22 Comments || Top||

#3  Victory gin?
Posted by: Steve from Relto || 12/02/2004 10:38 Comments || Top||

#4  You getting any of this stuff AB?
Posted by: Shipman || 12/02/2004 10:43 Comments || Top||

#5  First dozen cases due in next week, Ship.
Posted by: AB || 12/02/2004 10:54 Comments || Top||

#6  That's some vile tasting stuff,also have something called Jin-Ro(Korean white lightning)you have to pour off the first 1" or you will go blind.
Posted by: raptor || 12/02/2004 10:58 Comments || Top||

#7  "What grains?"
"Fescue works well..."


Damn! The answer was under my very nose. I have been specifying actared fescue for revegitating earth fills. And I could have been making liquor with it.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/02/2004 11:52 Comments || Top||

#8  These new bacteria are just FULL of juche!
Posted by: Emir Abu Ben-Ali Al-Yahood || 12/02/2004 13:13 Comments || Top||

#9  So the Koreans are finally discovering that you can ferment anything with sugar in it. A friend of mine beat them to that in high school, 40 years ago. He'd try to ferment anything, including oak sap and crushed overripe persimmons. Muscadine wine is gooooooooodddd! Don't think he ever tried grass, though...
Posted by: Old Patriot || 12/02/2004 14:24 Comments || Top||

#10  The grass whiskey in this place is okay, but don't ask for it on the rocks - they use real rocks.

Bah! Real rocks? As if! Only here in America do we serve Martinis on real rocks.

New York hotel offers $10,000 martini

Best part of the entire article is the Dorothy Parker quote:

Today, Parker's ode to the martini adorns hotel napkins: "I love a martini -- but two at the most. Three I'm under the table; Four, I'm under the host."
Posted by: Zenster || 12/02/2004 23:16 Comments || Top||


Europe
Poland opens 1940 Katyn Forest massacre probe
Posted by: Dar || 12/02/2004 14:58 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Better late than never, I guess.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom || 12/02/2004 15:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Almost as quick as the French investigation of Nazi collaborators in the Vichy govt a few years ago. Wait until all the involved parties are dead, then act lhorrified that nothing was done.
Posted by: Weird Al || 12/02/2004 17:03 Comments || Top||

#3  Er, the Poles were the victims of Katyn Forest, not the perpetrators. The delay has more to do with WWII politics (Churchill didn't want to anger Stalin, so arm-twisted the Polish exiles into holding off) and the Soviet occupation of Poland until the fall of Communism.

Since then, I suspect the Poles have been busier dealing with more recent history. That they've "finally" gotten around to this is a good sign. Also, probably, a sign that they're not all that interested in cozying up to the Russians.
Posted by: Robert Crawford || 12/02/2004 20:17 Comments || Top||

#4 
A couple years ago I read a rather recent (post-Soviet) book about the Katyn massacres written by a Russian author. He had become interested in the subject long ago, and after Glasnost began, he wrote a series of article about it that were published. He subsequently received many, many letters from various Soviet citizens who knew little bits and pieces of the story from their own experiences or from older relatives. For example, people remember seeing and talking with Polish POWs in certain places within certain timeframes. So, even now after so many years, additional progress can be made in piecing the puzzle together.

I don't remember the name of the author or book, but it had been translated into English, and I read it in that language. I worked for a while for a Polish-American newspaper, and the owner had the book in his personal library.

Anyway, this author suggested an interesting explanation that I had never heard before. My memory is somewhat vague, because I read this a couple years ago, but he suggested that the Germans knew all along where the bodies had been buried, and so the Germans did not find them by accident whey they occupied Katyn. As I recall, the idea was that during the months before Germany invaded the Soviet Union, the Soviet leadership decided to kill all those Polish officers in part to please the Germans, so that the Germans would not invade the Soviet Union. In fact, the author suggested, the Soviets invaded a German delegation to come to the Soviet Union, to Katyn, to observe the massacre.

Therefore, when the Germans occupied Katyn, they went straight to the burial site and dug it up. A story was concocted to explain the discovery, something along the lines that a dog in the neighborhood was sniffing and digging in the area, and the dog's owner dug in the area, found the bodies, and reported his find to the German occupiers.

I don't remember exactly what evidence the author provided for this suggestion, but I do remember that the evidence was pretty slight and only circumstantial. I think, though, that even at this late date it might be worthwhile to thoroughly investigate the Germans' story about how they discovered the burial site.
.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester || 12/02/2004 23:07 Comments || Top||

#5 
the Soviets invaded a German delegation

I meant to write, invited a German delegation.
.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester || 12/02/2004 23:10 Comments || Top||


NATO Hands Over Bosnia Peacekeeping to EU
Progress?
The European Union began its biggest-ever military operation Thursday, formally taking over NATO's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia with 7,000 troops. The operation is a major step in the EU's drive to develop a military arm, an initiative launched after the bloc failed to halt the war that tore Bosnia apart in the early 1990s. The European Union flag replaced NATO's at the transfer ceremony in Sarajevo...

A 60,000 troops strong, multinational NATO-led force crossed the border of wartorn Bosnia in December 1995 to silence the guns of the three armies locked in Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II. Bosnia's 1992-95 war between its Muslim Bosnians, Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats killed 260,000 and forced half of the country's 4 million people to flee their homes. It ended with a U.S.-brokered peace agreement, which the alliance implemented without any combat casualties. The troops separated the three ethnic armies, pushed them back to their barracks and disarmed them. The peace allowed diplomats to start rebuilding Bosnia's state institutions.

Over the years, the security situation improved enough to allow NATO to decrease the number of troops to the current level of 7,000. Under NATO leadership, the country started slowly melting its three ethnically divided armed forces into one army to apply for NATO membership. NATO is handing EU forces a peaceful Bosnia with a multiethnic Defense Ministry and former enemies — Bosniak, Serb and Croat soldiers — obeying to a joint command. Although still wearing different insignia on their uniforms, Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats stood shoulder to shoulder under one flag in the honor guard at Thursday's ceremony.

"All this is part of a journey with only one destination — institutions of the European Union," EU Secretary General Javier Solana told the ceremony. "The people of Bosnia do not deserve anything less than that." The Alliance will keep a headquarters in Sarajevo to help finish Bosnia's military reforms and hunt war-crimes suspects still at large. "NATO's Bosnia mission has been one of the Alliance's greatest successes in its 55-year history," U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns in Brussels said. The United States also plans to keep about 150 of its own troops in the country.
Posted by: Seafarious || 12/02/2004 1:33:24 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  There goes the neighborhood...
Posted by: mojo || 12/02/2004 14:08 Comments || Top||

#2  Haiti Part Deux
Posted by: Don || 12/02/2004 17:10 Comments || Top||

#3  Tell them that they can have Kosovo too and put our troops someplace where they can do some good.
Posted by: RWV || 12/02/2004 18:48 Comments || Top||


Belgrade attack 'was road rage'
A feared assassination attempt on Serbia's President Boris Tadic was actually a case of "road rage" the interior minister has said. Dragan Jocic said a security guard employed by the US embassy has admitted that he was the driver of a car which challenged Mr Tadic's motorcade.
Oops!
In the incident in Belgrade on Tuesday night, a car is said to have repeatedly tried to hit the president's motorcade. In 2003, pro-western Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was killed in Belgrade. Most local media immediately described the incident involving the president's motorcade as an assassination attempt. Mr Tadic's office had called for a quick investigation on Wednesday. Later, the interior minister said it was found to be a simple traffic violation. "A security officer at the U.S. embassy in Belgrade... had no idea that he hit the escort of President Boris Tadic," Mr Jocic told a news conference. Officials said the driver, Miroslav Cimpl, had become irritated at the manner in which Mr Tadic's vehicles were being driven through the Belgrade traffic.
I think we can now safely refer to Mr. Cimpl as a "former security officer".
Posted by: Steve || 12/02/2004 8:37:19 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  and 9/11 was just 'flight rage'
Posted by: john || 12/02/2004 11:16 Comments || Top||


Ukraine Rivals Agree to Hold New Presidential Election
Posted by: Fred || 12/02/2004 9:26:42 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


International-UN-NGOs
Kyoto Re-Think Needed after U.S. Unmoved - Blair
I post this to remind you that Kyoto was brought to you courtesy of the United Nations. Kyoto is a scam so huge that its difficult to get your mind around the staggering sums of money involved.
The international community must find "a different way forward" to tackle climate change because the US will not change its mind over the Kyoto protocol, Tony Blair said today. The protocol will become a legally-binding treaty in February despite the US's refusal to sign up.
Its only legally binding on the signatories.
But Mr Blair said without US participation there was little hope of securing the action needed to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
Not true! If the signatories think its so important they can increase their CO2 cuts to make up for the USA (and Australian) non-participation.
"I think everybody accepts that the American position is not going to change on Kyoto," he said. "The important thing is to get a dialogue with America on how we recognise both the scale of the problem on greenhouse gas emissions and a process that enables us to confront and deal with it."
Which means?
But he added: "One thing is for sure: However much we want to criticise America, without America's participation there's not much of a prospect of getting the action we require. On the other hand I don't think anyone is believing America is going to come into this themselves. What I am trying to do is find a different way forward therefore in order to handle this issue."
To cut a long rant short, Kyoto is socialist conspiracy. The evidence is conclusive, CO2 cannot be the cause of climate change. I recommend this excellent site (http://www.co2science.org) for those who are interested in the subject.
Posted by: phil_b || 12/02/2004 1:08:48 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  That's a Good link, phil.
Posted by: Ptah || 12/02/2004 9:02 Comments || Top||

#2  One interesting bit about CO2. Plants create far more of their biomass "from the air" than "from the ground", needing only water and minerals from the soil. They have pores in their skin to absorb the CO2 to be photosynthesized into sugar. These pores open up only enough to get the optimum amount of CO2, because when they open up, water is lost. But if CO2 levels are high, the pores don't open up very much, so little water is lost, and plant roots don't need to uptake so much water from the soil. And having moister soil means that more plants can live in a given area of land. And this means that there is a direct correlation between greenhouse gases and greater plant density.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 12/02/2004 10:04 Comments || Top||

#3  Strange with all the chicken little spouting, iirc, the quality of the air and water is now better than anytime since 1970 in the US. We're working on it by ourselves without any needed coaching from others who seem to be having problems meeting even the modest goals they awarded themselves under Kyoto. Actually, I think Bush should send the damn thing to the Senate asking for a direct vote, noting that while he doesn't support it, let the representatives of the American people declare their position.
Posted by: Don || 12/02/2004 11:08 Comments || Top||

#4  Most of the Kyoto signators were able use their support to pander to anti-american constituentspromote local political agendas knowing full well that as long as the US and Russia were out, they would never have to deliver on the committments.

Now that Putin has determined that pollution credits are good extortion business (a reflection of the post-Soviet economic collapse), the Kyoto supporters are desperate to call another round of talks to review the unobtainable requirements and pursue US support continue the anti-american rant
Posted by: john || 12/02/2004 11:41 Comments || Top||


Japan calls for major UN shake-up
Japan has urged that the veto powers given to the US, Britain, France, China and Russia be reconsidered. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said on Wednesday that all permanent members of the UN Security Council should be treated the same as other members. "Japan considers it unfavourable to have permanent Security Council members that have veto power and those that don't have it," Takashima said. But the spokesman added that Japan would bow to the majority within the UN "if we get a seat and a veto as well if it is the consensus of the international community". A high-level panel on reforming the UN appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed two models for reform, including one that would add six new permanent members to the council but without the power of veto. Japan, along with Germany, has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council. Annan wants a decision on reform next year. Any change to the council membership needs approval from two-thirds of the 191-member General Assembly and must avoid a veto by any of the council's current permanent members.
Posted by: Fred || 12/02/2004 9:40:56 PM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "There's two kinds of people in this world - those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig."
-- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Posted by: mojo || 12/02/2004 0:34 Comments || Top||

#2  [Q] You a bounty hunter? [A] Mans got to make a livin.

Dying aint much of a livin boy.

- OJW
Posted by: Cog || 12/02/2004 5:51 Comments || Top||

#3  Seems to me the UN was founded because of a little dust-up the Japs and Krauts started Shut the FUCK-UP

Paraphrased

"Given that this is a Trident Submarine armed with the most powerful SLBM in the world can blow your country clean off the face of the Earth, you have to ask yourself ""Do you feel lucky? Well do you punks""."
Posted by: Cheaderhead || 12/02/2004 5:58 Comments || Top||

#4  I agree with Takashima but I would propose a different solutions either have only permanent members on the Security Council or leave the UN. I'd even give Takashima the choice.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 8:44 Comments || Top||

#5  "somebody needs to teach you some manners"

-Highplains Drifter
Posted by: Phiter Glolung1555 (aka Jarhead) || 12/02/2004 9:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Go ahead, move it to Tokyo, make every member equal, and reduce our share of the budget to an equal share. Works for me.
Posted by: Tom || 12/02/2004 9:21 Comments || Top||

#7  And give veto power to every country paying that equal share. Including Israel.

Alternatively, I submit the motion that --ceteris paribus-- France's veto-power be given to Israel. Let's think outside of the box.
Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) || 12/02/2004 10:58 Comments || Top||

#8  I call for a shake up of the UN.......with a wrecking ball, some C4....
Posted by: mmurray821 || 12/02/2004 11:14 Comments || Top||

#9  Seems like an odd comment to make when they've been lobbying for their own permenant seat on the Security Council.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 12/02/2004 11:43 Comments || Top||

#10  There are some points that need to be made with respect of the current makeup of the UNSC. Why are there no members from South America or Africa? Why is France still on the SC and not Japan, when the latter pays more towards the budget of the UN? Why are Committee Chairmanships given on a rotating basis and not by merit? This lead to Iran and Libya serving on the key committees that they do not really deserve. My un Rant of the Day.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge || 12/02/2004 11:52 Comments || Top||

#11  Train's leaving the station. Ex-China Asia's taking our side vs France. All aboard!
Posted by: lex || 12/02/2004 11:52 Comments || Top||

#12  Takashima's proposal is emminently sensible. Which is why it is doomed.

In UN diplospeak, one dissparages what one most desires.

Arguably the US will not stand in the way of losing UNSC Veto power. The US ultimately has the military power to do whatever it needs to do, irrespective of the rest of the UN. But other countries find the UNSC Veto the only ticket they have to diplomatic status. As in France may quietly promote a Japanese veto status to save it's own.

The UN without the US would be as useful as Kyoto. Something the UN does not forget.
Posted by: john || 12/02/2004 11:55 Comments || Top||

#13  But the spokesman added that Japan would bow to the majority within the UN..

You are hereby excused for this horrible pun.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama || 12/02/2004 12:10 Comments || Top||

#14  I wonder if this statement is linked to the dustup with the EU over the fusion research site. I.e. is Japan giving this bone to the Europeans as a way to get them to agree to site the center in Japan vs. France?

If so I think they're doomed to disappointment.

OTOH, perhaps it's France's veto they wish to dismantle? Or, is this related to China's economic moves re: ASEAN?

Curious.
Posted by: rkb || 12/02/2004 17:29 Comments || Top||

#15  For both Japan and Germany, admission to the Security Council means they have been forgiven for WWII, can put war guilt behind them, and are fully admitted back in the club of world powers. For Japan, it is no coincidence that this is happening at the same time the fetters of the MacArthur constitution on foreign military activity are being loosened. It reflects the passing of control to leaders who have no first hand memory of the war.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis || 12/02/2004 17:48 Comments || Top||

#16  If I may add to Mrs. Davis comment, the date of Japan's proposal is coming very close to a certain anniversary for the Americans....
Posted by: Canuck || 12/02/2004 18:46 Comments || Top||

#17  Bill Clinton's ideal of GLOBAL INTEGRATED CONFEDERATION is just feel-good, PC hyper for OWG and GLOBAL COMMUNISM, and his "America is no longer the Big Boy on the block" just hyper for the UNION OF SOVIETIZED STTAES OF AMEMRIKA (USSA, as governed and ruled by the Revolutionary Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USA (CPUSA). ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, LAWFULLY OR UNLAWFULLY, PC OR MERITORIOUSLY, the Failed Left wants hyperpower America to wage [limited][multi-regional]war(s) around the world and to be warred against, for America to attack and be attacked - no matter the consequences or how many Americans or world citizens die, its REGULATION, BIG GOVERNMENT, OWG and SOCIALISM-COMMUNISM! ONLY IN AMERICA CAN *** WORK = AMERICA IS A ROGUE ITSELF THAT MUST [INEVITABLY] BE DESTROYED = AMERICA MUST DO NOTHING SAVE ABSORB/TOLERATE CASUALTIES AND DEPEND ON THE UNO FOR EVERYTHING, EVEN ITS OWN NATIONAL SECURITY, ....................@! Lefty EQUALISM = being WEAK/MINOR = BEING STRONG = DEPENDING ON THE MIGHTY UNO = SAVING RUSSIA-CHINA! Lefty Equalism > UPWARD EVOLUTION OF GOVERNANCE = DOWNWARD REGRESSION/DEVOLUTION OF THE MASSES AND THE RIGHTS OF THE MASSES >ergo = UTOPIANISM. The Failed Left wants Global Integration, Global Socialism-Communism, Global Unitary/Centralized Government, and Global Regulation, etc., AT ANY PRICE, EVEN IFF IT MEANS DESTROYING THE WORLD [Y2020+]! The Cold War objectives haven't changed for the Left and Commies - the WOT > KIND OF GLOBAL EMPIRE AND WHAT -ISMS WILL DICTATE THE COMING OWG - the post WW2 and Cold War UNO, as we and our parents knew it, and any contemporary "improvement" thereupon, is only a tertiary or secondary priority to the Failed Left. ITS STILL WEST VS EAST, NATO VS. COMMUNIST BLOC, WASHINGTON AND AMERICA versus MOSCOW-BEIJING, i.e. WHOM WILL DOMINATE AND RULE OWG - PRAY GOD IT'LL BE NON-CLINTONIZED AMERICA! Radical Islam aside, nations like anti-US FRANCE are being absolutely foolish and delusional if they believe Russia-China will let FRANCO-PHOBIA and STATE/REGION-SPECIFIC NATIONALISM continue under Left-based Global Communism and OWG!
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/02/2004 21:35 Comments || Top||

#18  Fred, I think it may be time to ban the gentleman from Guam. His rant is so visually disturbing that I can't even read it to find out whether it makes any sense.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/03/2004 0:35 Comments || Top||


Africa: Subsaharan
Bob rules out regime change
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe ruled out any regime change in this southern African country as his ruling ZANU-PF party held a congress to renew the party's leadership. The 80-year-old head of state, who has led the southern African country downhill since independence in 1980, said the country had remained unified in the face of attempts by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to effect a regime change through the backing of "stooge parties". Mugabe accuses Blair's government of working with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to illegally remove Zimbabwe's current government from power. "Regime change in our country, regime change Mr (Tony) Blair? Who are you to talk of regime change in Zimbabwe?"
"Who d'you think you are? Prime Minister of Great Britain!"
Mugabe asked in his opening address to the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party congress. "Let there be regime change in Britain, we will not talk about it, but here, never ever. Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans and only Zimbabweans can determine who shall rule them or not," he said to loud applause from party members.
"And lemme make the point that we rule, we don't govern here! None 'o that velvet glove stuff for us, no war of words! Sticks and stones, that's the ticket!"
The congress, held every five years, will see Mugabe re-elected to run the party until 2009 and is also set to elect a new vice president, widely held to be the likely successor to Mugabe when his current term expires in 2008.
Or when he does, prior to that. He can't live forever. Can he?
Vice President Joseph Msika scoffed at calls for Mugabe to step down from office saying he should continue to rule until he is "walking with the aid of a walking stick". "They say you should leave and give way to others. To us that is a luxury we cannot afford. We don't know whether God will give us another Mugabe or a traitor who will sell away our country," said Msika.
"There can be only one!"
Mugabe predicted that the MDC would not last long, saying "unity... has continued to energise us even as our external and internal enemies have been vigorously seeking their dream of regime change. They come and go, these stooge parties, and just now the way is very clear to the extinction of yet another opposition party."
And when they say extinction, they really mean it
"We are proud that we are meeting as a united Zimbabwean party, leading a united Zimbabwean people that believe in themselves," Mugabe said. "Our enemies and detractors have failed to destroy this identity, even as they resort to various machinations, including the formation of stooge opposition parties," he charged.
A united Zimbabwean people, following Bob right over the cliff
He slammed MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai over his European tour to rally support for the MDC saying he was wasting time there when he should be campaigning back home where he can be shot for next year's parliamentary elections. The five-day congress of ZANU-PF, which is being held in the capital Harare, is expected to choose a woman vice president for the first time in the country's 24-year history.
Who? Surely not Grace?
The congress comes a day after six senior ruling party officials were suspended and Information Minister Jonathan Moyo reprimanded for organising a meeting that allegedly aimed to scupper party efforts to elect Water Resources Minister Joyce Mujuru as vice president. "We wonder why some amongst us should seek to depart from agreed democratic positions allowing their ambitions to mislead them," Mugabe said.
"If we want you to have a position, we give it to you. So shut up!"
Posted by: Steve || 12/02/2004 11:29:11 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Mugabe conveniently forgets that he was put into power by regime change, engineered from outside.
Posted by: Grunter || 12/02/2004 13:34 Comments || Top||


Rwanda denies army in Congo
Rwanda has denied it has pushed troops into Democratic Republic of Congo hours after U.N. peacekeepers said they had compelling evidence that some had entered the vast country. "All reported sightings of Rwandan troops in the DRC are false. Rwanda does not have any troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Richard Sezibera, President Paul Kagame's adviser on Congo, told a news conference on Thursday.
"Rwanda is not at war with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda has never been at war with the Democratic Republic of Congo."
Rwanda has threatened to attack Hutu fighters based in Congo if the government in Kinshasa and U.N. forces failed to disarm the rebels, some of whom took part in Rwanda's 1994 genocide. But the U.N. mission in Congo said it had compelling evidence Rwandan soldiers carrying new military hardware had crossed into the east of the vast Central African country. "Our helicopter reconnaissance patrols have been able to take photos of abandoned bivouacs and well-equipped soldiers who are moving with new uniforms and materials," said Mamadou Bah, a spokesman in Kinshasa for the U.N. mission (MONUC).
Took pictures from the air and flew back in time for tea.
Sezibera said Rwanda did not wish to enter the territory of the DRC and was not an enemy of the Congolese government.But he added: "If it became necessary in the defence of Rwandan territory, her sovereignty and her people and in pursuit of genocidal forces in the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda would be forced to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo." "Rwanda calls upon on the international community and the DRC to help Rwanda not to have to enter the DRC," he said.
"Don't make us come in there!"
"The DRC government does not face a threat from Rwanda. Rwanda is not an enemy of the DRC... Rwanda is a threat to the Interahamwe and will continue to be a threat to them. We do not think the Interahamwe are members of the Congolese government so when Rwanda says it will attack the Interahamwe it does not mean it will attack the Congolese government."
Posted by: Steve || 12/02/2004 11:10:12 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Culture Wars
Christmastime event is no-Christian zone
In the latest skirmish over Christmas in America, a Christian group is not allowed to participate in Denver's annual Parade of Lights, because church members sought to sing yuletide hymns and proclaim a "Merry Christmas" message on their float. However, the event, now in its 30th year, will include homosexual American Indians, Kung Fu artisans, belly dancers and, of course, Santa Claus. "I think there's an agenda that is anti-Christian," Pastor George Morrison, tells WorldNetDaily. "It seems like this agenda has crept in, and it's robbing us." Morrison heads the Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, Colo., among Denver's largest evangelical churches with over 4,000 attendees each week...
I suggest they immediately apply for a permit to hold a "Christmas-only"-themed parade, which excludes those whose themes are neither Christmas or Christian oriented. If the city turns them down because it is not "inclusive", then they can file a whopper of a lawsuit.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 12/02/2004 9:25:31 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well, have a merry Mas, anyway.
Posted by: Steve from Relto || 12/02/2004 10:20 Comments || Top||

#2  Anyone catch the History of Christmas on the History Channel?
Posted by: Don || 12/02/2004 11:12 Comments || Top||

#3  A blandly inoffensive, generic, seasonal greeting to all, and to all a good night!
Posted by: eLarson || 12/02/2004 11:19 Comments || Top||

#4  Cn you say "Festivus"!!
Posted by: Yosemite Sam || 12/02/2004 11:27 Comments || Top||

#5  From Michelle Malkin's My Christmas Crusade (on her blog):

I am hereby launching the Lump of Coal campaign. Later today, I will box up a lump of charcoal, mark the package "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" and send it to the Denver Mayor in protest of his idiotic policy. Please join me in doing the same (and if you take a photo of your creatively designed package, I will link/post).

Send to:

Mayor John W. Hickenlooper
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80202
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/02/2004 11:47 Comments || Top||

#6  If the Parade is sponsored by the City of Denver, they can not legally exclude ANYONE from participating. If the Parade is privately funded, exclusions are legal. The Supreme Court decided that in the case brought by a Gay Rights group against the organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston a few years ago. The Supreme Court found in favor of the Prganizers of the St Patrick's Day Parade under the freedom of association clause of the Constitution. I would guess the Mayor has no legal footing for this ban.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 12/02/2004 12:05 Comments || Top||

#7  Show up and march anyway. Let 'em arrest you. Sue 'em white.

Merry Christmas!
Posted by: mojo || 12/02/2004 14:06 Comments || Top||

#8  That's ridiculous. Perhaps they forgot to turn on the Christmas Tree lights on their float?

Anyway, an early Merry Christmas! to all of you who celebrate it. And Greetings of the Season to the rest of you :-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/02/2004 23:14 Comments || Top||


CBS mulls procedural changes
ScrappleFace
(2004-12-01) -- CBS News executives, facing the prospect of a Rather-less evening news program for the first time in two decades, may experiment with a so-called "reality TV" newscast format, according to one unnamed network insider.

"Anchors and personalities cost big bucks," said the source. "Instead of trying to find the next Dan Rather or Ted Baxter, we're thinking of getting back to basics. You know...just the facts. We're dead last now, so how bad could it get?"

Indeed a notesheet obtained from a top-level CBS programming meeting seems to confirm that the network may be ready to shake things up. Here's a partial excerpt of the brainstorming session notes:
-- "What if the news itself were the star of the show, rather than the newscasters?
-- What if reporters and anchors were chosen for their ability to accurately recount the day's events?
-- What if we skipped the flashy graphics and fancy sets, and used the extra cash to hire more reporters?
-- What if the length of the newscast were determined daily by the volume and significance of the news?
-- What if we reported on the important stuff even if we didn't have any b-roll video to illustrate it?
-- What if reporters spent the first 20 seconds of every story admitting their preconceived ideas, biases and opinions on the subject?
-- What if we superimposed an elephant or donkey graphic next to a reporter's name to indicate his political affiliation?
-- What if we didn't care about who wins the ratings war, but only about the accuracy, fairness and relevance of our reporting?
-- What if we ran a separate audio track allowing viewers to hear our news sources commenting about the accuracy of the stories we do about them?
-- What if viewers could download all of the raw videotape and transcripts from our interviews immediately after the show?
-- What if viewers could talk back to producers during the show on our blog?
-- What if we had a real blog?
-- What if we weren't too smart to try some of these ideas?"

CBS has launched an internal investigation to assess the authenticity of the notesheet and to determine who leaked it to the so-called "mainstream media."
Posted by: Korora || 12/02/2004 12:12:15 AM || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I think their new anchor should report the news while wearing pajamas.
Posted by: Seafarious || 12/02/2004 10:00 Comments || Top||

#2  Sadly, this is ScrappleFace. What if CBS News just delivered news as quickly and as accurately as possible?
Posted by: Tom || 12/02/2004 10:04 Comments || Top||

#3  But even if they compromised half-way and hired Tim Russert - they still have no back-up staff with any knowledge of fonts...
Posted by: BigEd || 12/02/2004 13:40 Comments || Top||

#4  What if you can prove a reporter lied during his newscast, he gets put for 5 years into a Federal pound'em in the ass prison.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 12/02/2004 14:25 Comments || Top||

#5  Did that prick Rather mention that he was talking to me the other day? Bastard didn't even have a light when I asked him for one.
Journalist, my ass...
Posted by: The Ghost Of Ed Murrow || 12/02/2004 21:27 Comments || Top||


Africa: Subsaharan
Mugabe purges challengers
You mean there were a few left?
Posted by: Steve White || 12/02/2004 12:03:29 AM || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I wrote this last May, but here it is again:

"Mad"
As sung by Bad Bob Mugabe
To the tune of "Bad" by Michael Jackson

Your dough is mine, yeah that is right.
'Cause I'm the man who has the might
I'll try to save economy
By printing out some more money.
'Cause I, run Zimbabwe, give it to me, all right!

My nabaddest tyrant 'neath the sun
If one of my cronies you are
Then in this life, you will go far.

Don't try me to limit
Or the boneyard you will see
When I get those luckily rare
Moments of clarity

I know I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
I know I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
I know I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
And I'll make my econ policies and I'll go and show the world
Who's mad!

From Libya I'll get our needs
The people's land pays for the deeds.
I'll use my policies racist
To tightly clench my iron fist
Anyone who dares to cross me
Lands in a cemetery
Don't try me to limit
Or the boneyard you will see
When I get those luckily rare
Moments of clarity

I know I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
I know I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
I know I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
And inflation's at an alarming rate; let me tell you one again
Who's mad!

I try to save my own 2@#
So why'm I in disgrace!?
Why have I in the global
Village lost much face!?

Because I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
Because I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
Because I'm mad! I'm mad! And I ruin Zimbabwe
And the whole world knows that I'm insane; with my actions I tell them
Who's mad!
Posted by: Korora || 12/02/2004 0:22 Comments || Top||

#2  The Stalin complex in action.
Posted by: gromgorru || 12/02/2004 4:17 Comments || Top||

#3  ooo.. slapped down Moyo..
Last time I was paying attention, I got the impression that Moyo was the sharpest of the gang, or at least the best speaker. He'll probably take it laying down, but he might not.
Posted by: Dishman || 12/02/2004 10:29 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
91[untagged]

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


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.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2004-12-02
  NCRI sez Iran making missiles to hit Europe
Wed 2004-12-01
  Barghouti to Seek Palestinian Presidency
Tue 2004-11-30
  Abbas tells Palestinian media to avoid incitement
Mon 2004-11-29
  Sheikh Yousef: Hamas ready for 'hudna'
Sun 2004-11-28
  Abizaid calls for bolder action against Salafism
Sat 2004-11-27
  Palestinians Dismantle Gaza Death Group Militia
Fri 2004-11-26
  Zarqawi hollers for help
Thu 2004-11-25
  Syria ready for unconditional talks with Israel
Wed 2004-11-24
  Saudis arrest killers of French engineer
Tue 2004-11-23
  Mass Offensive Launched South of Baghdad
Mon 2004-11-22
  Association of Muslim Scholars has one less "scholar"
Sun 2004-11-21
  Azam Tariq murder was plotted at Qazi's house
Sat 2004-11-20
  Baath Party sets up in Gay Paree
Fri 2004-11-19
  Commandos set to storm Mosul
Thu 2004-11-18
  Zarqawi's Fallujah Headquarters Found

Better than the average link...



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.
52.90.227.42
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Operations (17)    WoT Background (52)    Opinion (2)    (0)    (0)