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Muslims seethe over Pope's remarks
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 5: Russia-Former Soviet Union
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Afghanistan
Canada to send more troops and tanks to Afghanistan
Canada will send between 200 and 500 additional soldiers and a squadron of Leopard tanks to Afghanistan to battle resurgent Taliban fighters, the Canadian government said Friday. The extra soldiers and equipment are "a necessary response to the Taliban," the Department of National Defence said in a release. The department said it will add an infantry company from Quebec's Royal 22nd Regiment, the Van Doos, 15 Leopard tanks based in Edmonton and armoured engineering vehicles called Badgers to help with rebuilding projects. Four tanks will be shipped by air to Afghanistan as quickly as possible, Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of defence staff, told reporters. The tanks will help battle the Taliban, which has changed its tactics and been fighting more conventional battles. The reinforcements will raise the total number of soldiers to about 2,500. The department's news release said there are currently "more than 2,000 members of the Canadian Forces" in Afghanistan. However, military officials say the number is closer to 2,300, adding that the number of soldiers in the country fluctuates constantly.
Posted by: Al Coholic || 09/15/2006 18:29 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  shame on the French, Germans and Spanish. Kick them out of NATO
Posted by: Frank G || 09/15/2006 19:52 Comments || Top||

#2  Thank you Brothers. Right track you are on. Bless you.
Posted by: newc || 09/15/2006 20:36 Comments || Top||

#3  Isn't it nice that our neighbor is an Ally once again? Been about 40 years.
Posted by: Jackal || 09/15/2006 21:52 Comments || Top||

#4  Amazing how much Canada under Steven Harper makes you forget the Paul Martin days. I worked with the RCAF (never really felt comfortable saying Canadian Forces-Air) in the 70's and 80's and found them to be solid troops, the kind you can count on when you need to count on someone.
Posted by: RWV || 09/15/2006 22:41 Comments || Top||

#5  Can someone help me out here?
I'm not from a military background, so maybe I'm missing something.
When we first went into Afghanistan after 9/11, it seemed to me that most of the fighting was done by the Northern Alliance and we supplied logistic and air support. These guys knew the terrain like the back of their hands and knew who was who in the zoo, so they could go straight to where the Taliban were.
I'm not hearing much about their use these days, it's mainly what the Western allies are doing.
Any reason why this is so?
Posted by: tipper || 09/15/2006 23:00 Comments || Top||

#6  Not an expert either...but the screw up at Tora Bora could have something to do with it. They let Binny get away.
Posted by: Rafael || 09/15/2006 23:15 Comments || Top||

#7  Northern Alliance?
Posted by: Frank G || 09/15/2006 23:19 Comments || Top||

#8  This "Northern Alliance"
Posted by: tipper || 09/15/2006 23:24 Comments || Top||

#9  I've always assumed it was the Northern Alliance. Could be wrong. Certainly they pushed as far south as Kandahar, in the early days.
Posted by: Rafael || 09/15/2006 23:36 Comments || Top||


NATO Fears New Front in Afghanistan
As NATO troops exert pressure on Taliban forces in southern Afghanistan, militants have regrouped in western provinces and ignited violence that has killed a dozen people in two days, officials said Thursday. Afghan and NATO fear that Farah province, which borders Iran and is twice the size of Maryland, could become a Taliban sanctuary if military power isn't used to crush the militant threat quickly. Farah is a predominantly Pashtun area where people have ethnic links to the Taliban militia.

U.S.-led and NATO forces have been battling Taliban and allied militants this year in Afghanistan's worst spate of violence since the American-led invasion that toppled the hard-line regime in 2001 for harboring al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Up to 200 Taliban fighters in dozens of pickup trucks poured into the Farah town of Bakwa early Thursday, surrounding a police compound and firing rocket-propelled grenades at policemen, said Maj. Gen. Sayed Agha Saqeb, the provincial police chief. Taliban fighters took over the compound for an hour before police reinforcements drove them off into the desert darkness. Two militants were killed and two wounded, while two police also died and two were wounded, Saqeb said.

The raid came a day after Taliban insurgents ambushed a police patrol in Farah. Four police and four militants were killed. Several days earlier, a roadside bombing there wounded four Italian soldiers. "If there is the possibility of some sort of security deterioration in the area, we will get onto it very quickly," NATO spokesman Maj. Toby Jackman told The Associated Press.

Just 1,600 NATO-led troops operate in western Afghanistan's desert plains and mountainous provinces like Farah. The region has long been spared the kind of violence witnessed in southern and eastern provinces. Canadian-led troops are mounting a fierce incursion into southern Kandahar province's Panjwayi and Zhari districts. They have killed at least 510 Taliban in an operation that began Sept. 2.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How many of these were just released from Perv's jails?
Posted by: 3dc || 09/15/2006 0:34 Comments || Top||

#2  That's funny, they aren't acting as if there's anything to fear.
Posted by: gorb || 09/15/2006 3:26 Comments || Top||

#3  Weird Beards...
Posted by: danking_70 || 09/15/2006 11:32 Comments || Top||

#4  Thank you, Iran.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins || 09/15/2006 14:26 Comments || Top||

#5  # words: Balochistan Liberation Front.
Posted by: ed || 09/15/2006 14:51 Comments || Top||

#6  That's 3 words.
Posted by: ed || 09/15/2006 14:52 Comments || Top||

#7  NATO Fears
What else is new?
Posted by: eLarson || 09/15/2006 15:40 Comments || Top||

#8  "How many of these were just released from Perv's jails?"

Likely not all that many, unless they took the long way around. Probably many of these "miltants" were guests of the Iranian government and waited for the right time.
Posted by: Fordesque || 09/15/2006 20:51 Comments || Top||


Poland offers troops to boost NATO’s Afghan force
WARSAW: Poland said on Thursday it would send 1,000 troops to Afghanistan in the first offer since a NATO appeal for reinforcements, but it was unclear whether any would go to the dangerous south and none would go until February.

NATO’s top commander of operations James Jones said last week he wanted reinforcements of up to 2,500 in the south by the onset of the Afghan winter in a matter of weeks. Nations had failed at talks on Wednesday to respond with firm offers. “We know this will be a dangerous operation,” Poland’s Defence Ministry spokesman Leszek Laszczak said. “Poland understands that NATO will have to be more active in Afghanistan. We are well aware of that, and that is why we decided to increase the size of the force.”

Deputy Defence Minister Boguslaw Winid told Reuters that Poland had agreed with NATO that the bulk of the troops would go to the east of the country. Asked whether it could agree to send some to the south, he said that was a matter of discussion. “This is still a subject of discussions. We have to talk through all details with NATO and the final decision will be made by the president soon,” he said. “This is what we have agreed so far,” he added.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  What do Rzeczpospolita Polska, Česká republika, România, Република България have in common?

One word. Allies in WOI. Okay, 5 then.
Posted by: twobyfour || 09/15/2006 0:37 Comments || Top||

#2  Bless you Poland. You are the only one to stand up.
Posted by: newc || 09/15/2006 0:51 Comments || Top||

#3  yea, we wouldn't want the frenchies or germans in the distance, away from the battle, to feel any threat.
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:02 Comments || Top||

#4  There's a lot behind the story here. The Polish-German relationship has soured considerably since the conservatives took power in Poland and after the Germans "re-kindled" their relationship with Russia via the Baltic Sea gas pipeline (which will bypass Poland and allow Russia to put a squeeze on Poland, as they did to Ukraine).
The US is also offering some incentives in the form of a southern gas pipeline into Poland (in effect neutralizing Russia) in return for placing the ABM shield on Polish territory.

An ABM shield in Poland will surely piss-off Russia. The idiot Lukashenko is just to the east of the eastern Polish border. The EU is militarily weak, and are not exactly happy with their maverick Poland's antics. Do the math, apply quantum mechanics, and you can see why Poland is looking for a strong friend. One that can actually inflict damage (US) instead of just sending warm letters of condolence (EU), should the eventuality arise.

That said, this could prove to be a gamble for Poland. Like I said many times before, Poland is a row boat in the middle of the Atlantic heading towards America. Good idea? Time will tell.
(This reminds me of an 80's joke: A son asks his father, "So Dad, how far is this America anyway?" The father answers, "Stop talking so much and keep rowing".)
Posted by: Rafael || 09/15/2006 12:56 Comments || Top||

#5  Interesting timing with the article below on the "release" of 1,000 Taliban from Paki-waki land, eh? Could be we're finally gearing up for a slaughter when the "release" occurs?
Posted by: BA || 09/15/2006 13:44 Comments || Top||

#6  Do the math, apply quantum mechanics

Golly, I do love Rantburg!!
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 13:46 Comments || Top||

#7  That said, the Polish people are not as enamoured of America as once they were, I've been told. A Polish girlfriend of mine went back to visit family for the first time since she left a decade ago, and says they are starting to sound like Western Europeans -- Bush is stupid, Americans throwing their weight around, all that vicious nonsense. Poland is fighting EU hegemony on too many fronts, perhaps. Much as she enjoyed showing off her Kurdish husband and two stunningly beautiful children, she was glad to come home to America, where more people understand the reality of the situation.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 13:57 Comments || Top||

#8  I don't understand why we are not putting incredible pressure on the Germans and French to put substantial forces into Afghanistan. These are the supposed two powers of Europe and yet they can do nothing. Each should have no less than 15,000 troops on the ground fighting. Or at least 5,000 apiece fighting and 10,000 apiece fixing stuff and making schitzel / croque madame.
Posted by: remoteman || 09/15/2006 14:19 Comments || Top||

#9  Interesting thoughts, Rafeal. I worry about Poland, they've been the jelly in many an imperial sandwich.

Remoteman, there's a simple reason: Mother Hubbard has been busy on the French and German militaries. While they have many men on the rolls, neither has any significant expeditionary capability. They simply can't get more than a regiment or two far away from home without tapping out their logistics and finances.

Both armies were rebuilt in the 50s and 60s, and especially with the Germans, to do one thing: stop the Soviet hordes. When the Cold War ended the Euros collectively said, "Hooray, we can stop spending money on our militaries", and pretty much that's what they did.

So we shouldn't look to the French or Germans for much, even if they wanted to help (which they don't really), because they don't have it.
Posted by: Steve White || 09/15/2006 14:28 Comments || Top||

#10  That said, the Polish people are not as enamoured of America as once they were, I've been told.

That's true and it will get worse as more and more Poles get sick with EU fever (reports say 1 million Poles left Poland for work in western Europe). Last time I did some informal polling, it was roughly a 50/50 split. The standard of living will improve exponentially in Poland over the next few years, and this will be largely seen as a benefit of joining the EU. Score one for the EU.

Even among Poles capable of rational thought (read: those lacking the moonbat gene), the debate continues as to whether Poland's place is in Europe, rather than across the Atlantic.

The conservative coalition is fragile, and an early election can change Poland's stance altogether. And that's not even considering the divisions between the conservatives and the moonbat-prone ultra-conservatives within the government itself. See here for a good primer.

Otoh, Poland's relationship with the EU isn't (and won't be) entirley rosy either. Germany's economic partnering with Russia is indeed worrisome, as is the more recent Erica Steinbach debacle. The whole multi-cultural Europe thing is also being questioned in light of the foiled terrorist attacks, riots in France, etc. Poland has also suffered its share of casualties in Iraq, and there haven't been large protests demanding a pullout.

That's not to say all this will translate into more love for the US. But it will mean the Polish government will keep its options open...at least for now.
Posted by: Rafael || 09/15/2006 15:29 Comments || Top||

#11  Earlier I said: ...instead of just sending warm letters of condolence (EU),

In the interest of fairness and objectivity... I entirely forgot about France's declaration on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Weimar Triangle, that they would defend their allies with nuclear weapons, should the need arise. (Remember that?)

I don't recall Poland's response to this, if there ever was one...except that they didn't end up going to the summit. :-)
Posted by: Rafael || 09/15/2006 15:43 Comments || Top||

#12  Remoteman said I don't understand why we are not putting incredible pressure on the Germans and French to put substantial forces into Afghanistan.

answer: pressure + jelly = ?

The social arithmetic is left to the reader as an exercise.
Posted by: Hupolunter Craiger5022 || 09/15/2006 16:28 Comments || Top||

#13  It's sad to read your comments, Rafael.

If Poland were to fully embrace capitalism and the US, shedding the EU nanny-state socialism and soft power BS, there's no substantive reason why they'd ever be anybody's "jelly" again.

France and Germany have ceded all advantages they ever held and have decided to enthusiastically become irrelevant voyeurs.

I don't see why Poland couldn't step into the gap and grow into an economic powerhouse, perhaps even a modern military powerhouse, if only they had the vision and the stones. Collaboration with the US would accelerate both rather dramatically. Certainly they have the potential, but if they've decided they must remain a patsy, a meal for the power-hungry, then so be it...
Posted by: flyover || 09/15/2006 16:39 Comments || Top||

#14  My take, flyover, is that Poland hasn't yet decided.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 16:45 Comments || Top||

#15  They joined the EU. That sealed it. Not that they had a choice.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 09/15/2006 17:32 Comments || Top||


Two killed as Taliban try to capture district
About 150 Taliban stormed a district in western Afghanistan, taking control of the headquarters for about an hour before being repelled in a battle in which two insurgents were killed, police said on Thursday. It was the third major attack in the province in three days. "Two Taliban were killed, four wounded and two policemen were also wounded in the three hours of exchange of fire," he said.

A police convoy was attacked in Farah province on Wednesday and four policemen and four Taliban were killed in the fighting. In another attack, four rockets were fired near Qalat, the capital of troubled Zabul province, but caused no damage or casualties.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  One hundred fifty attacked, and only two killed? Have the locals forgotten all their training and gone back to shooting from the hip with their eyes closed?
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 7:18 Comments || Top||

#2  Part of the problem is that the Taliban are non-uniformed and carry guns, so they look identical to all the other males in town.

"In another attack, four rockets were fired near Qalat, the capital of troubled Zabul province, but caused no damage or casualties."
Trained by Palestinians?
Posted by: Darrell || 09/15/2006 7:25 Comments || Top||

#3  Only two killed indicates no US air support. And probably no US ground support either. It sounds like the Afghans managed this one on their own, with a 2 to 0 kill ratio.
Posted by: Glenmore || 09/15/2006 7:34 Comments || Top||


Arabia
U.S. Sends 2 Gitmo Detainees to Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY (AP) - Two Kuwaitis released from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay returned on Friday to their homeland, where their lawyer said they would face trials on terrorism-related charges.

The U.S. military said an administrative review board had recommended the two men be transferred back to Kuwait from the prison in southeastern Cuba, where the U.S. now holds about 455 men on suspicion of links to al-Qaida or the Taliban.

Two two men, Omar Rajab Amin, 41, and Abdullah Kamel al-Kundari, 32, who had been held at Guantanamo for four years, arrived at an airport in Kuwait early Friday, said Khaled al-Odah, who heads the Kuwaiti Family Committee, an advocacy group for men held at the prison. They were taken to a hospital for a medical examination and to meet with their families.

Both men had been held at Guantanamo since January 2002, but had not been charged with any crimes. The military said that they had ties to charities with links to terror groups and that their names had been found on the hard drive of a computer seized from a suspected al-Qaida member, according to their attorney, David Cynamon, and military documents.

Cynamon said the two men had only traveled to Afghanistan to help refugees from the country's civil war and have no connection to any terror groups.
Just pious Qur'an thumpers distributing aid and ammo.
The lawyer predicted they would be cleared by the courts in their country - as were five other Kuwaitis previously released from Guantanamo.
Posted by: Steve White || 09/15/2006 00:22 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Thank Gawd, we were running low on flushable karens
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:03 Comments || Top||

#2  Send all of them to Korea so they will have something to feed the rabbits.
Posted by: gorb || 09/15/2006 2:38 Comments || Top||

#3  They should be sent to Arizona and South Carolina. Release them outside the offices of McCain and Graham.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 09/15/2006 8:40 Comments || Top||

#4  I for one am in favor of repatriating most, (if not all) of the detainees from Gitmo to their home countries. Before you protest, understand that the fate that awaits most of them is far worse than anything we could do legally. A terrorist sent back to say Egypt can expect a week or so of torture, a speedy tribunal, and a quick execution. Soon we would be able to close Gitmo and work out a system that allows us to transport unlawful combatants directly to their home countries for “disposition”. How could that August body, the un, fault us for returning a wayward jihadist and return them to their home.
Posted by: Da Pope || 09/15/2006 11:06 Comments || Top||

#5  That works well as long as the Jihadis aren't from say... Iran, Syria, Pakland, Yemen, France etc.
Posted by: Mike N. || 09/15/2006 13:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Could be the reason they were "immediately taken to the hospital," eh Pope?
Posted by: BA || 09/15/2006 13:52 Comments || Top||


Europe
German prosecutors order release of suspect in failed train bombings
German prosecutors on Thursday ordered the release of a Syrian man accused of helping two Lebanese men in a failed plot to blow up two trains, citing lack of evidence. Fadi al-Saleh, 23, was detained in southern Germany on allegations he did Internet research in preparation for the failed July 31 bombings. Though prosecutors said their investigation continued, they said in a statement that there was not enough evidence — including through the questioning in Lebanon of prime suspect Jihad Hamad — to hold al-Saleh any longer. "Further investigation, in particular questioning of Jihad H. — a fellow suspect arrested in Lebanon — did not the strengthen the suspicions against him in such as to justify keeping him in pretrial confinement," prosecutors said in a statement.

Hamad, 20, along with Youssef Mohammed el-Hajdib, 21, are accused of planting bombs on July 31 in two trains at a railway station in the German city of Cologne. The pair were seen in grainy surveillance camera footage pulling wheeled suitcases. The bombs were found later in the day on regional trains, and authorities said that the detonators went off but failed to ignite the devices. El-Hajdib was arrested last month in Germany while Hamad was picked up in Lebanon along with three other subjects. Al-Saleh was arrested in the German city of Konstanz. All six have been charged by Lebanese prosecutors with attempting to kill a large number of people in the failed train attacks.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The West: mature civilization or senile dementia?
Posted by: gromgoru || 09/15/2006 1:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Surely there is a requirement to subdermal chip these fuckers like there is with wild animals in werenotnaziland. No?
Posted by: pihkalbadger || 09/15/2006 3:50 Comments || Top||

#3  The West: mature civilization or senile dementia?

Western Atlantic? Mature civilization.
Western Europe? Senile dementia.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 4:23 Comments || Top||

#4  sure give them another chance too bite you in the ass maybe you will get your heads out of the sand then
Posted by: sinse || 09/15/2006 9:22 Comments || Top||

#5  Western Atlantic: Senile Dementia
Western Europe: Comatose
Posted by: Odysseus || 09/15/2006 14:09 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
10 Things to Know About Guantanamo
Hat tip Instapundit.
The Pentagon successfully avoided being on David Letterman's Top Ten list for many years. So this week Secretary Donald Rumsfeld 's speechwriters tried to help, sending out "Ten Facts About Guantanamo" to highlight what a nice place it is.

The first fact notes that the inmates include some truly nasty terrorist trainers and bombmakers. The second says "More money is spent on meals for detainees than" on U.S. troops stationed there. "The average weight gain per detainee is 20 pounds."
Not near enough. They should gain 100 pounds each. A fat terrorist is a slow terrorist.
"The Muslim call to prayer sounds five times a day," we are told, and arrows point "toward the holy city of Mecca."

The prisoners receive free medical, dental and psychiatric care, and in 2005 "there were 35 teeth cleanings." The other 400 or so housed there will have to wait awhile.

Fact No. 5 notes that the Red Cross visits "every few months" and that there's regular contact between the terrorism suspects and their families.

"Recreation activities include basketball, volleyball, soccer, ping-pong and board games," according to Fact No. 6. "High-top sneakers are provided."

We are told that upon release, everyone gets "a Koran, a jean jacket, a white T-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, high-top sneakers" -- a second pair -- "a gym bag of toiletries" (remember not to try to take the liquids onboard), and "a pillow and blanket for the flight home."

Fact No. 8, probably one of the most important, notes that, contrary to what you might have heard, the prisoners actually really want to be in Guantanamo. "The mother of a detainee stated: 'Of course they wanted to stay there. . . . They had human rights and good living standards there. They had dentists and good meals -- everything they wanted.' " Turns out, this quote from a March 2004 edition of the London Times was a Russian mother comparing Guantanamo with Russian jails.
Or you could compare the treatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib with American versus Iraqi prisoners.
There was "Arabic language TV," a large library with books in 13 languages. "The most requested book is 'Harry Potter,' " we're told.

And Fact No. 10. "In 2005, Amnesty International stated that 'the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay has become the gulag of our times.' " This last fact was intended as a shot at Amnesty for comparing a veritable five-star hotel with the infamous Soviet labor camps. After all, the commies never gave away high-tops.
They were stingy with food, too, as I recall.
We're told some Pentagon folks balked at putting the list up on the Pentagon Web site, but an updated version -- minus the Russian mother quote -- is up there now.

Matt Latimer, director of the Pentagon writers group, who put together the list, said, "We welcome the chance to let people know there's more than one side to the story in Guantanamo." Latimer said, "We've gotten a lot of kudos from people who are glad we are at last . . . defending the facility."
Posted by: Steve White || 09/15/2006 10:43 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Guess I'm going order my Club Gitmo gear soon, before they close the place.
order here

Posted by: ex-lib || 09/15/2006 11:33 Comments || Top||

#2  "The Muslim call to prayer sounds five times a day," we are told, and arrows point "toward the holy city of Mecca."
Slowley but surely, reposition the arrows.
Posted by: plainslow || 09/15/2006 12:38 Comments || Top||

#3  Point 'em at Epcot.
Posted by: 6 || 09/15/2006 13:26 Comments || Top||

#4  Great, these assholes live the good life in Cuba, while I eat ramen noodles and drive on bald tires so I can afford college.

Hurray for fucking America!
Posted by: Gleper Whomoque3392 || 09/15/2006 14:22 Comments || Top||

#5  The prisoners receive free medical, dental and psychiatric care, and in 2005 "there were 35 teeth cleanings." The other 400 or so housed there will have to wait awhile.

I'll gladly volunteer to perform dental work on the other 400.

Now where did I leave that old rusty pliers?

Posted by: john || 09/15/2006 16:26 Comments || Top||

#6  And I'll supply my own Brillo pads.. no cost to the taxpayer
Posted by: john || 09/15/2006 16:33 Comments || Top||

#7  True, Gleper Whomoque3392, but at the end of it you will have an education, the opportunities that go therewith, and all that having built a strong character entails. They will be fat, incredibly out of shape, bitter, and generally as useless as human beings as they were before they were caught. Hooray for America, indeed. And good luck with school -- this country can use more like you, who know the value of their choices and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make things happen.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 20:12 Comments || Top||

#8  Must be nice to demand that America treats its Radical-Anarchistic, etc. enemies wid perfectionist "benevolent/ethical humanism", but our enemies don't have to do the same to us.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 09/15/2006 21:46 Comments || Top||

#9  America must lead the world by example, D *** it, which is why our enemies, including but not limited to Anti-AMer Americans, demand America [WEst] be the only ones to surrender, submit, concede, and appease, including to our own unilateral "polite' extermination.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 09/15/2006 21:49 Comments || Top||

#10  JosephM, I'm proud that you include yourself amongst us Americans. In your own way you are a unique and valuable asset.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 22:59 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Militant behind Hindu massacre in Kashmir killed
(IANS) A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant allegedly responsible for the massacre of 13 Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir in May was gunned down by security forces in Udhampur district Thursday. Based on specific army intelligence inputs, personnel of the 12 Rashtriya Rifles, the Border Security Force (BSF) and police launched a joint operation Thursday morning in Panera village of Udhampur, about 150 km north of Jammu. Security forces circled a house in the village where LeT militants were reported to be hiding and a fierce fire fight began. The security forces were able to shoot the militant, identified as Ejaz Ahmad, a top militant of LeT. According to official sources in Udhampur quoting the latest reports, the militant was behind the killings of the 13 Hindus on May 1 in this area. An Indian soldier was also injured in the encounter.

Officials described the killing as a 'major success' as the security forces had been on his trail for a long time. The gun battle was still continuing with his accomplices holed up in the house, officials said. In two major successes earlier this month, security forces had killed Billoo Gujjar, a top commander of Hizbul Mujahedeen, in the Gool area of Udhampur district as well as a top militant of the Al Badr in Rajouri district.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Every little bit helps.
Posted by: gromgoru || 09/15/2006 1:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Militant behind Hindu massacre in Kashmir killed

Good, more of this and the problem vanishes.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 09/15/2006 6:19 Comments || Top||

#3  Perv is dead?
Posted by: gromgoru || 09/15/2006 10:39 Comments || Top||

#4  Why dont India invade Pakland with the US help,That country is the epicentre of terrorism worldwide!!!!
Posted by: Gliper Phereck2334 || 09/15/2006 11:42 Comments || Top||

#5  India doesn't want Pakistan, Gliper Phereck2334, and neither do we. From all I've read about it, especially Rantburg's professor of history (Indian Subcontinent) john (tenured, of course) and the blogs of disaffected emigrants, Pakistan is the question which the neutron bomb was invented to answer. I can only hope that our bomb makers are building up the inventory in anticipation of this future need.

I do not believe in glassing over large portions of the limited real estate available on humanity's only planet, however satisfying that might feel. We have non-nuclear weapons that can clear the landscape of bad people and their dangerous things without permanently (a couple thousand or hundred years is permanent enough for me, given my projected span of 120 total) taking the real estate out of inventory, not to mention that which floats downwind. Yes, I know that people moved back to Hiroshima ahortly after, and I know that Chernoble is now a flourishing nature preserve, while Europe appears largely unaffected by the windborn dust. And I've reluctantly concluded that it's highly probable we are going to have to wipe out the Arab world, to keep from having to kill every single Muslim and Muslim sympathizer everywhere... But different weapons for different purposes: glassing over Western Saudi Arabia would be a salutory lesson for the Muslim world, while limiting harm to crucial assets, but glassing over Pakistan teaches nothing, while preventing overflow Indian population from productively colonizing empty lands.

Gliper Phereck2334, I realize you only suggested invasion, not nukes. But I'm working through this, and I'm afraid your post triggered the fallout. (Sorry!)
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 13:34 Comments || Top||

#6  Ghandi was right, TW. The creation of Pakistan was a huge mistake.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 09/15/2006 15:01 Comments || Top||


Two killed in bomb blast
ISLAMABAD: A bomb exploded in the suburbs of the federal capital on Thursday morning, killing two labourers, police said. They said that the blast occurred at an under-construction building in Garden Housing Scoiety, Sihala police jurisdiction. Two labourers from Green Construction Company, who had been working at the time of the blast, were killed in the explosion, they added. The two men have been identified only as Shahid and Khawer.
Sounds like the victims were the low bidders. My guess would be the perps are the second lowest bidders.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


US outraged as Pakistan frees Taliban fighters
Pakistan's credibility as a leading ally in the war on terrorism was called into question last night when it emerged that President Pervez Musharraf's government had authorised the release from jail of thousands of Taliban fighters caught fighting coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Five years after American-led coalition forces overthrew the Taliban during Operation Enduring Freedom, United States officials have been horrified to discover that thousands of foreign fighters detained by Pakistan after fleeing the battleground in Afghanistan have been quietly released and allowed to return to their home countries.

Pakistani lawyers acting for the militants claim they have freed 2,500 foreigners who were originally held on suspicion of having links to al-Qa'eda or the Taliban over the past four years.

Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Time to carpet bomb sections of Pakistan. We can prosecute if they can't. We need to terrain map all of the border crossings to Afghanistan with armed UAVs and begin strafing any large groups passing through.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 0:22 Comments || Top||

#2  Remember Perv planned the Kargil War.
Posted by: 3dc || 09/15/2006 0:32 Comments || Top||

#3  In the double game that Perverse is inextricably tied in with the final consideration is always whether things safeguard and enhance his butt. So obvious, so predictable. Now while you're believed to be not looking....and more undetected.
Posted by: Duh! || 09/15/2006 0:41 Comments || Top||

#4  Time to cut all aid to Pakistan.
Posted by: gromgoru || 09/15/2006 1:40 Comments || Top||

#5  Pervert is jealous of Indo-US relations, and his thug mind thinks he can get a better bargain out of the US this way.
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 1:54 Comments || Top||

#6  his thug mind thinks he can get a better bargain out of the US this way.

He's gonna get a lotta bombs a whole bunch cheaper than he's ever gotten 'em before.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 1:56 Comments || Top||

#7  Pakistan's credibility as a leading ally in the war on terrorism was called into question...

No shit? Wow. I think it was apparent some years ago, but I won't quibble.

Perhaps this is behind the new activity in the western province. And, just perhaps, they were losing so many mooks they needed reinforcement in a bad way.

And Pervy responded in a bad way. This "outrage" should mean all bets are off, especially regards paying any attention to the border. If some Pakis get greased in the process, tough shit.
Posted by: flyover || 09/15/2006 2:29 Comments || Top||

#8  Git 'r done! Do it now.
Posted by: Hupailing Ebbuns2352 || 09/15/2006 2:29 Comments || Top||

#9  Yesterday even.
Posted by: Hupailing Ebbuns2352 || 09/15/2006 2:29 Comments || Top||

#10  Yesterday even.
Posted by: Hupailing Ebbuns2352 || 09/15/2006 2:29 Comments || Top||

#11  Yesterday even.
Posted by: Hupailing Ebbuns2352 || 09/15/2006 2:30 Comments || Top||

#12  Seems like the death penalty without all the fuss.
Posted by: gorb || 09/15/2006 3:29 Comments || Top||

#13  Whar Moron put "Pakistan" and "Ally" in the same sentence?
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 09/15/2006 6:23 Comments || Top||

#14  Good news Mullah Omar! Thousands of reinforcements are enroute from Pakistan for the Fall Offensive! We'll put the infidel on the run!

Spit.

Here's an idea. Pack and ship the bodies of the dead Taliban directly back to Perv. In small boxes.

Here's a thought. The first
Posted by: Mark Z || 09/15/2006 6:56 Comments || Top||

#15  Prisoners have become a real problem in this war. This shows that our "allies" will not hold them. The Supremes, McCain and Graham think they should have constitutional rights and Geneva Convention protections.

I say don't take any more prisoners. Before the cries of "what about our prisoners?" start up, recall what happens to US prisoners.
Posted by: SR-71 || 09/15/2006 7:15 Comments || Top||

#16  We need to stop fighting in ways that produce prisoners.
Posted by: Darrell || 09/15/2006 7:15 Comments || Top||

#17  But what about the innocent farmboys caught up in the chaos of war?

Well ... there might be one.
Posted by: Bobby || 09/15/2006 7:19 Comments || Top||

#18  George W. Bush remembers little slights like this, and does not forgive. Life should become considerably more amusing for President Musharraf when he most needs it not to be.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/15/2006 7:26 Comments || Top||

#19  They were "held on suspicion", just like all those we've released from Guantanamo Bay. We couldn't find sufficient cause to continue to hold them, so how can we expect Pakistan to? Of course, many of the ones we released went back to fighting us, so I have to assume the same will happen with these. Let's hope for more battles like we saw a few days ago with 94 Talis whacked and only 1 wounded.
Posted by: Glenmore || 09/15/2006 7:39 Comments || Top||

#20  "Tommy Bring up G12".
Posted by: Bright Pebbles in Blairistan || 09/15/2006 9:14 Comments || Top||

#21  We needed new Geneva Convention rules 5 years ago.
Another UN failure, but who's counting.
Posted by: wxjames || 09/15/2006 9:31 Comments || Top||

#22  At first I thoguht Glenmore was the voice of reason (#19).

But then I thought, "They can't do that! They're a third-world toilet! How dare they act like a democracy?

But many will be back. Fewer prisoners seems to be the answer.
Posted by: Bobby || 09/15/2006 9:33 Comments || Top||

#23  Why, shit, this really pegs the surprise meter. The sale of those F-16's must be stopped. These fools can do too much damage with them until they stop flying due to lack of maintanance. Iran and Pakland have to be primary targets. We should not have taken prisoners from day one, except for interrogation (at unnamed locales). These prisoners would then mysteriously disappear from sight.
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 09/15/2006 10:22 Comments || Top||

#24  Easy - Kill them. No prisoners, they are illegal combatantas and have mno protections under the Geneva accords (in spite of many attempts to invent such things by the left). Take the bodies and drop them out of the back of a C-130 on a regular basis to "repatriate" them to Pakistan.

Preferrably over Perv's house.

Posted by: Oldspook || 09/15/2006 10:36 Comments || Top||

#25  Sunni terrorism is run in Pakistan funded by Saudi.

These should be our targets along with Iran and Syria who fund shiite terrorism via Hisbollah

Bottom line west must know who their true freinds/enemies are!
Posted by: Gliper Phereck2334 || 09/15/2006 10:49 Comments || Top||

#26  Maybe Perv is providing us the pretense we need to take out the NWFP?
Posted by: mjh || 09/15/2006 12:18 Comments || Top||

#27  Oldspook, as long as you have prosocuters like Lt. Col. James P. Daniel Jr. in the military we aint gonna win. End of story. Buy your womenfolk burkas and avoid the rush.
Posted by: tipper || 09/15/2006 12:51 Comments || Top||

#28  Contact McCain, Warner and Graham and ask them morons on how we should treat these prisoners if we catch them. Musharraf's days are numbered. It won't be long before Pakistan is another Iran.
Posted by: Art || 09/15/2006 12:55 Comments || Top||

#29  At first, I was completely pissed at this, then I've turned my thoughts toward more of mjh's line of thinking. Could this be a "planned release" right into our troops (or the Brits) when they cross the border? I've almost gotta believe that Mushy "gets it" after the numerous assassination attempts on his life. Maybe releasing them into "the flypaper" across the border? I sure hope so, but I've often been accused of being an optimist too.
Posted by: BA || 09/15/2006 13:41 Comments || Top||

#30  I hope they are keeping the engines warm on the AC-130's and A-10's. Feed these swine into the shredder.
We all know that Perv walks a tightrope. I'm quite confident that it has been made extremely clear to him what will happen to Pakiland should uhm, extreme elements, gain control of the country. Between the US and India the place would be a parking lot.
Posted by: remoteman || 09/15/2006 14:32 Comments || Top||

#31  I believe there should be a series of manufacturing and technical problems with the weapons promised to Pakistan.
Posted by: ed || 09/15/2006 14:39 Comments || Top||

#32  I am ashamed that the Air Force hasn't proposed and pushed hard for ARCLIGHT strikes on the "tribal areas" of Pakistan. I've reached the point where I don't care about "collateral damage" any longer, and want the job DONE, and done right. We need to start bringing Buffs back out of mothballs, reconfiguring them to drop conventional weapons, and start drawing boxes to dump those weapons into. We're trying to fight a war with the three smallest fingers of the left hand, and it's not working. We need to begin playing for keeps.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 09/15/2006 16:46 Comments || Top||

#33  Old Patriot, I've objected to some of the extreme measures that you've suggested in the past. Not so in this case. These thousands of Taleban have one objective in mind, killing our troops and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

We need to make the path back in that direction a meat grinder for these vermin. Giving a taste of our wrath those who have probably sheltered bin Laden and mullah Omar is merely a bonus.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 17:21 Comments || Top||


Govt official kidnapped in Waziristan
MIRANSHAH: A government official has been kidnapped in North Waziristan, officials said on Thursday, the first such incident in the area following this month's peace deal with local militants. Assistant Director for Rural Development Muhammad Iqbal told Daily Times: "Aurangzeb Gandapur, rural development official, was kidnapped by masked gunmen on Wednesday when he was on his way back from school inspection in Khadi village in Mir Ali town."

The unknown kidnappers let the driver and another person go before abducting Gandapur, Iqbal said, adding that he did not know at this point who was behind the abduction. He also confirmed that Assistant Political Agent Mir Ali Muhammad Fida had served a notice to the Khadi tribe, directing it to recover the official under the principle of territorial responsibility as enshrined in the Frontiers Crimes Regulation. Under this law, the government holds the relevant tribe responsible for any crime that occurs under its jurisdiction. While no group has so far claimed responsibility for the abduction, government officials have in the past blamed pro-Taliban militants for such attacks. However, a Peshawar-based security official said it was too early to hold local militants responsible, stressing that "the area is also infamous for kidnapping for ransom".
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Oh, I get it! They make a peace deal and wait to see which side pisses on it first
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:06 Comments || Top||

#2  so hows that "peace treaty" working out for ya?
Posted by: Cravitch Fleregum5558 || 09/15/2006 16:29 Comments || Top||

#3  actually I understand the treaty - all those Taliban Prev just released need to go somewhere...
Posted by: Gleagum Phaise6790 || 09/15/2006 16:30 Comments || Top||


Tiger Memon's hitman convicted
Mumbai: A special TADA court hearing the 1993 Mumbai blasts case has held as guilty Mohammad Shoaib Kasam Ghansar on charges of conspiracy and murder. Ghansar was the mastermind of the Zaveri Bazaar blast and had parked a scooter laden with explosives in the bazaar that exploded and killed 17 people. He is currently lodged in jail. The prosecution is likely to plead for death sentence for Ghansar. "Mohammad Ghansar, accused of masterminding the Zaveri Bazaar blast that killed 17 people, has been found guilty. The prosecution will be pleading for a death sentence," announced public prosecuter Ujjwal Nikam. However, the verdict for accused no.

10 to 13 will not be announced on Thursday, court sources said. Forty-three-year-old Ghansar is the accused no. 9 and the fifth in the Mumbai blasts case (after the four Memons) to be held guilty. Ghansar is also the first of Tiger Memon's hit men to be sentenced and has 14 charges against him - including charges under Section 3 TADA act and Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code - the punishment of which could range from five years in jail to life imprisonment. Said Ghansar's lawyer, Farhana Shah, "They are being tried under Section 120b and Section 32 and face either life imprisonment or death penalty."

Ghansar studied till Class VII, quit school in 1977 and worked as a mechanic and an electrician. He later went to Saudi Arabia for work where he became a partner at a shop called "Al-Panna" at the Heera Panna shopping complex On March 11, Ghansar was taken to Tiger Memon by Tiger's manager where he was told to take an explosive-laden Bajaj Chetak scooter and park it at Zaveri Bazaar which he did knowing fully well that the scooter was loaded. He was an witness to all the explosive filled vehicles being readied in Tiger's garage in al-Husseini building in Mahim. He parked the scooter at 0215 hrs on April 12, 1993, went to a mosque, prayed for forgiveness and went back home. He also reportedly went to the Sahar International Airport and picked up the boarding passes for Tiger.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Balakot camp run by Masood Azhar
Maulana Masood Azhar, India's most wanted terrorist, founded the dreaded terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad in January 2000. CNN-IBN's Special Investigation has now learnt that he runs a terror training camp in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir at Balakot on the Manasera Road. Given below are Masood's ISI-trained instructors:
Abu Jindal to operate Kalashnikov guns

Abu Bakr for Bomb-Making and using mines

Abu Saifullah for operating rocket launchers

Saifullah Gandap to teach guerilla warfare
Three years ago, Masood was isolated for the likely involvement of Jaish members in a plot to assassinate Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf. But today he is back in business. “Well, Azhar has undergone a certain decline in prestige after the December 2003 attacks on Musharraf but he represents a fairly lethal organisation and once again has been rehabilitated and is enjoying complete freedom of movement in Pakistan,” says Executive Director, Institute of Conflict Management, Ajai Sahni.

Masood, arrested in 1994 in Kashmir, was released during the hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 which was taken to Kandahar. Within months, his terror outfit the Jaish-e-Mohammad was back to attacking India. In October 2001, three Jaish terrorists attack the J&K Assembly complex killing 42 unarmed civilians. In December, 2001, the Indian Parliament was attacked by five Jaish terrorists. The attack brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. In November, 2005, a Jaish suicide bomber exploded a car bomb hours before the swearing in of Ghulam Nabi Azad as J&K Chief Minister.

“JeM is a very significant organisation as far as terrorism in India is concerned,” says Sahni. The Jaish is now also being linked with al Qaeda. London police arrested suspects that they claim were plotting to blow up 10 US-bound aircraft. Also involved was Jaish terrorist Rashid Rauf - a British citizen living in Pakistan, who is also Masood Azhar's brother in-law.

Despite the fact that Masood has been linked to the Al Qaeda and with an assassination attempt on Musharraf, he and the Jaish-e-Mohammed find safe haven in Pakistan. It is felt that as long as he delivers on the agenda to destabilise India, he will be tolerated.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Kinda thinkin a Hellfire missle up the Masood is in order here
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:08 Comments || Top||

#2  All leads lead to one area Pakistan!!!!

This and Iran must be a priority!!!!
Posted by: Gliper Phereck2334 || 09/15/2006 10:55 Comments || Top||


Iraq
Key Terror Leader Captured in Iraq; Security Focus in Baghdad Expands
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2006 – Iraqi and coalition forces captured a key al Qaeda goat molestor operative and some 70 more terror suspects in Iraq during a series of 25 raids in and around Baghdad Sept. 12, a senior Multinational Force Iraq spokesman told reporters in Baghdad today.
The raids netted a bunk buddy personal associate of Abu Ayyoub al-Masri, Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said. Masri took control of al Qaeda in Iraq after a U.S.-led Urban Renewal air strike killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in early June.

While not revealing the detainee’s name, Caldwell called him “the leader of assassination, kidnapping and IED (improvised explosive device) cells in Baghdad.” He “is known to have directly participated in numerous terrorist acts” and to have contributed to gene pool reduction sectarian violence throughout the city, Caldwell said. In addition, the detainee at a safe distance played a key operational role in terrorist activities leading up to and during operations in Fallujah in November 2004, he said.

The Sept. 12 raids, which also netted dozens of other vermin terror suspects and multiple weapons caches, is part of an ongoing effort to help secure Baghdad during Operation Together Forward, Caldwell told reporters.

Iraqi and coalition forces have been focusing on five specific cesspools neighborhoods that were experiencing the most sectarian violence. During the past two weeks, more than 150 focused operations resulted in 66 terrorists killed and 830 terror suspects detained, Caldwell said. The focus expanded today into the Shaab and Ur neighborhoods, he said.

This approach appears to be working in the focus areas, where violence is down, Caldwell said. However, he acknowledged that violence in other parts of Baghdad experienced a “spike” yesterday and noted that terrorist death squads “are clearly targeting civilians outside the focus areas.”
Duhhhh!
“Overall, Baghdad’s level of sectarian violence has been reduced,” he said, “but remains above the levels of violence we saw before the Golden Mosque bombing in Samarra in late February.”

Iraqi and coalition forces are working together to help bring these levels down, particularly with Ramadan just 10 days away. “As we approach Ramadan, we know there is generally an increase in violence, and the government of Iraq has ongoing plans to address this,” Caldwell said.
What better way for a "Peace Loving" religion to celebrate.
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 09/15/2006 00:52 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  In every city in the world, there are "good" neighborhoods and "bad" neighborhoods. This is important when cleaning up a city like Baghdad, because the troublemakers are very 'hood oriented, *and* there is a reason "good" neighborhoods are good.

This means that when they leave the bad part of town to attack the good, they are both out of their element, and everyone there is their enemy. They stand out in several ways, and operating is one heck of a lot harder.

Once their old 'hood has been purged, they will try to return, to find that everything has changed. This usually "takes a lot of the air out of their tires."
Posted by: Anonymoose || 09/15/2006 11:08 Comments || Top||


Body of slain journalist found in eastern Baghdad
(KUNA) -- The body of a slain journalist photographer was found in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Thursday. The Iraqi press monitor said that unidentified men had attacked a laboratory in eastern Baghdad and opened intensive fire, with which the photographer was killed and his body was dumped near Al-Sadr city.

Up to three journalists were killed during the past 48 hours bringing up the number of Iraqi journalists who were killed since 2003 to 174. The monitor called on Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maleki to draw up a plan to protect journalists and pursue perpetrators.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well, I am sure our brave reporters from the NY Slimes and WaPo would brave the conditions to get the newz out.
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:11 Comments || Top||

#2  It's a Quagnure, we have to pull all Journalists out of the war zone immediately. (Mad Hysterical Laughter in background)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 09/15/2006 6:28 Comments || Top||

#3  they go there on their own freewill so let them provide their own security why should the US or iraqis have too do it
Posted by: sinse || 09/15/2006 9:18 Comments || Top||

#4  Don't the bad guyz know the journos are their friends?
Posted by: Bobby || 09/15/2006 9:34 Comments || Top||

#5  Do like the Chinese in Tianaman Square. Make them all leave, then end the revolt with no one looking over your shoulder.
Posted by: plainslow || 09/15/2006 10:04 Comments || Top||

#6  We've got to get real about this news media in combat areas. Not allowed. If they go there, target them first. Then take out the garbage.
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 09/15/2006 10:28 Comments || Top||


Baghdad bombing kills eight, wounds 10
(KUNA) -- At least eight people were killed early on Thursday and 10 others wounded when a booby-trapped car exploded Thursday near the passport department on Baghdad. An Interior Ministry source told reporters that this was the preliminary casualty count.

Ambulances rushed to the site of the explosion and police prevented civilians from coming close to the area. The booby-trapped car had been parked near a checkpoint only 100 meters away from the main passport department on Alawiya Street. The area is one of the capital's busiest districts and is home to three hospital, the main criminal and passport departments, as well as the Ministry of Higher Education.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Terrorists kill council member in Kirkuk
(KUNA) -- Terrorsits killed on Thursday member of a local council and his son in Kirkuk. Speaking to Kuwait news Agency, a police source said the member, Ali Abdullah Al-Azzawi, and his son Ghassan were killed in southern Kirkuk's Daqouq district by unknown gunmen. Council member Al-Azzawi was a chief of Al-Azzah tribe, noted the source. Two weeks ago, a terrorist group called Saraya A-Mujahideen threatened to kill members of Daqouq's local council if they do not resign.

In another development, a suicide terrorist blast with an explosive belt killed an officer and two civilians in Tal-afar, said a police source from Mosul.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Bomb kills 6 at soccer field in western Iraq
A roadside bomb killed six people and wounded 13 others on Thursday in the city of Fallujah in Iraq's western Anbar province, police said. The bomb exploded at a soccer field just before dusk and two of those killed were children, said police Lt. Amer Mohammed.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Soccer is unislamic?
Posted by: Conan the Barbarian || 09/15/2006 1:34 Comments || Top||

#2  Ooops, forgot to change handle from last comment (Conan the Barbarian),
Posted by: gromgoru || 09/15/2006 1:35 Comments || Top||

#3  Footy is unislamic because they're shit at it.
Posted by: Howard UK || 09/15/2006 3:44 Comments || Top||

#4  Basically, everything imaginable is un-Islamic, except when it isn't. Just ask any mullah. If you're not a Muslim, every damn thing on earth and yet to be is un-Islamic. If you are a Muslim, any-fucking-thing goes. All taqqiya, all the time.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 4:21 Comments || Top||

#5  Didn't this happen previously in Iraq (on a worse scale...more kids killed)? What is it with these goons and their hatred of soccer?
Posted by: BA || 09/15/2006 13:48 Comments || Top||

#6  What is it with these goons and their hatred of soccer?

Let's try, exposed manly flesh which gives their wimmen folk the vapors. Or, a popular activity imported from the West. The mere fact that people are having fun without a Koran in their hands is enough to drive some mullahs over the edge. The mere fact that some people are having fun, period, is enough to drive the rest over the edge.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 14:32 Comments || Top||

#7  Let's try, exposed manly flesh which gives their wimmen men folk the vapors

I got your back Zen.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 09/15/2006 16:19 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Gunmen attack Palestinian official in Gaza, killing 5
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a car in Gaza City in a drive by shooting that killed a top Palestinian security officer and four of his bodyguards, senior Palestinian security officials said.

The brazen mid-afternoon attack occurred near the Beach refugee camp, not far from the home of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

The gunmen, driving a sports utility vehicle, targeted a gray Audi belonging to Brig. Gen. Jad Tayeh, the head of international coordination in the Palestinian intelligence service, spraying dozens of bullets into the car, said Khaled Abu Hilal, interior ministry spokesman. Tayeh was killed along with four bodyguards.

The motive for the attack was not immediately clear, though officials speculated that it could be an internal feud within the intelligence service. Security officials said the attackers took a black briefcase Tayeh was carrying.

"This crime and its timing is a dangerous message. We won't accept it or stay silent," said Interior Minister Said Siyam. Siyam said the attack appeared timed to disrupt negotiations to form a national unity government.

Gaza has been wracked for much of the year by internal violence between militants from Hamas, which won Palestinian parliamentary elections in January, and those affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party, which controls the security services.

The internal fighting ebbed after Israel began a widescale offensive into Gaza in response to a June 25 attack by Hamas-linked militants that led to the capture of an Israeli soldier.

Earlier this week, Abbas and Haniyeh, of Hamas, announced that they would form a national unity government in an effort to end sanctions against the Palestinian Authority. Many Palestinians hoped that the agreement would also end the internal tensions.

Also Friday, a small explosion caused minor damage in a courtyard outside a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City, church workers said. The early morning blast appeared to have been caused by a small, homemade explosive device, which damaged a door and caused minor damage to the floor and walls, church workers said. No one was injured.

A second explosion hit the church hours later and a concussion grenade was thrown near the church in the afternoon. Neither of those blasts caused any damage, but church officials worried that the attacks were retaliation for remarks that Pope Benedict XVI made Tuesday that angered Muslims.

"This is the first time this has ever happened to our church," said the church's priest, Rev. Artinious Alexious. "We don't know why they have done this. We are Greek Orthodox and have no relation to the Pope."

Hossam Taweel, a Christian lawmaker and representative of Gaza's Christians, said there was no firm link between the attacks and the controversy over the Pope.

"We deal with this incident as a criminal activity and not as a sectarian act," he said.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 09/15/2006 13:02 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Exactley where are the Palestinian's helping us in Irag? I mean that's what the Muslim street is up in arms about right?
I thought everything in thier world was now linked to Irag.
Posted by: plainslow || 09/15/2006 13:13 Comments || Top||

#2  Gunmen attack Palestinian official in Gaza, killing 5.


In the name of Mohamed.
Posted by: Gleper Whomoque3392 || 09/15/2006 14:17 Comments || Top||

#3  Hmmmm.

A "security officer" has to have more than four bodyguards.

Anybody (in Gaza) see what's wrong with this picture?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 09/15/2006 15:05 Comments || Top||

#4  A "security officer" has to have more than four bodyguards.

Barbara, layers of security are one of the only things running deeper than the bullsh!t spewing forth from the Palestinians.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 15:45 Comments || Top||

#5  Ah, red on red. My favorite color scheme.
Posted by: WhitecollarRedneck || 09/15/2006 17:04 Comments || Top||

#6  Sounds like we need to send more arms to both side of this issue and let them settle it like men.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge || 09/15/2006 17:34 Comments || Top||

#7  #4 Zen - I know. It's a testament to the paleos' insanity that they think this kind of shit is normal.

If they could get rid of all the Jews in the Middle East, they'd still be insane. Wonder who their next target would be?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 09/15/2006 19:18 Comments || Top||

#8  Didn't take long for Pope Benedict to relatiate, did it?
Posted by: Matt || 09/15/2006 19:46 Comments || Top||

#9  Wonder who their next target would be?

Probably all people with the last name of Jue, then all Chinese people named Joo. I'm sure that somewhere near the end of the list is themselves. They just can't help it. Too bad they can't work in reverse order.
Posted by: Zenster || 09/15/2006 22:57 Comments || Top||


Terror attack foiled at Karni Crossing
A terror attack was foiled at the Karni Crossing in a joint operation involving the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), it was released for publication on Thursday. Popular Resistance Committees operative Maja'ad Kambaz was arrested by the forces in August on suspicion of his involvement in a terror attack at Karni six months ago in which six Israelis were killed. During his interrogation, Kambaz revealed the information about another planned attack which was to be perpetrated by means of a tunnel which terrorists had dug under the crossing.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Can't these tunnels be identified by satellite?
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:14 Comments || Top||

#2  CA -
Not as far as I know. You can ID the openings by thermal contrast, or if they have spread the removed soil around nearby. You might be able to detect some shallow tunnels with an airborne ground penetrating radar, but not from a satellite. Tools not sensitive enough to detect gravitation variations. Contrast between tunnel and surroundings not large enough to make a meaningful magnetic signature - though you might be able to see their power line if they've electified the tunnel (hard to distinguish in an urban, electrified environment, but possibly by some kind of computerized pattern matching?) What other physical properties have I missed that might be remotely sensible?
Posted by: Glenmore || 09/15/2006 7:31 Comments || Top||

#3  one suggestion - take the water from the treated sewage in Gaza and over-saturate the ground along the border fence. Even the burrowing Paleos can't tunnel in mud, especially that water
Posted by: Frank G || 09/15/2006 7:42 Comments || Top||

#4  Mighty early for civil engineering, isn't it, Frank? Personally, I suggest just leveling everything for a mile in -- makes the tunnel digging take a lot more effort. If they keep digging, you do another mile. There aren't too many miles available, so you'd eventually get their attention.
Posted by: Darrell || 09/15/2006 7:49 Comments || Top||

#5  the tunnels are often 15 feet or more below ground. Hard for water to seep that far down. Heat signatures wouldn't show up either. radar woun't detect. plus, their openings are often based inside paleo homes -- which is why Israel bulldozes the ones closer to the border.
Posted by: PlanetDan || 09/15/2006 10:37 Comments || Top||

#6  In more hospitable areas, tunnels can be detected by the lack of water in the soil and the effect of that loss to plant life. It's hard to use that technique in a desert.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 09/15/2006 20:16 Comments || Top||

#7  Recently the Israeli found a a tunnel 800 meters in length dug to a depth of 17 meters. So I suppose that moving everyone a mile out will make it more difficult but not impossible.

What about sound detectors? I remember reading in WW2 the Germans used that method.

Posted by: Bernardz || 09/15/2006 23:07 Comments || Top||


IDF arrests Hamas, Tanzim operatives in W. Bank
IDF forces arrested a senior Hamas operative in Bethlehem on Thursday afternoon, while in Hebron, troops nabbed a Tanzim fugitive who was allegedly involved in a number of terror attacks. The two were detained by security forces for interrogation.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Only the McCain, Warner, & Graham interrogation rules apply. Tea anyone?
Posted by: Captain America || 09/15/2006 2:12 Comments || Top||


Sri Lanka
Ten killed in Sri Lanka amid fresh violence
VAVUNIYA: At least 10 people have died in fresh violence in Sri Lanka, officials said on Thursday, despite an agreement among the island's warring parties to talk peace.

Three migrant workers from Sri Lanka's majority Sinhalese community were gunned down in an open field in the town of Vavuniya, police said. The town borders territory held in the island's north by rebels from the minority Tamil population. "We initially suspected the victims were local Tamils, but other labourers have now identified them as those who came here looking for work," a police official said. The Defence Ministry blamed the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam group for the workers' killings.

The ministry also said rebels shot dead a civilian in nearby Trincomalee district Thursday, adding commandos repulsed a guerrilla attack there and killed two rebels. On Wednesday two bomb blasts in Vavuniya wounded 18 people, including two soldiers. Meanwhile three soldiers died in two skirmishes late on Wednesday on the Jaffna peninsula, and a fourth was killed in a mortar bomb attack in Trincomalee district, the ministry said.
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Good morning....
Oriana Fallaci (77) has passed away in Florence (Italy)No such thing as a moderate Muslim, says MahathirUS outraged as Pakistan frees Taliban fightersHezbollah criticises Amnesty report accusing it of war crimesTablighi Jamaat unfazed by claims of al Qaeda linksNATO Fears New Front in AfghanistanTurkish Official Compares Pope to HitlerJimmy Carter: Tony Blair a Mindless Bush Mimic
Posted by: Fred || 09/15/2006 12:02 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Beach Volleyball, anyone?
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 09/15/2006 13:04 Comments || Top||

#2  I'll take "Beach Blanket Bingo" for $200, Alex.
Posted by: Mike || 09/15/2006 13:06 Comments || Top||

#3  grow'd up on the Pac coast
with loads of surf & foam
played frisky on the beach
and youse waz home

Posted by: RD || 09/15/2006 13:15 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2006-09-15
  Muslims seethe over Pope's remarks
Thu 2006-09-14
  General Udi Adam resigns
Wed 2006-09-13
  Law, order restored to outskirts of US Embassy in Damascus
Tue 2006-09-12
  Bush rallies nation to ‘struggle for civilization’
Mon 2006-09-11
  Five Years: Never Forgive, Never Forget, Never "Understand"
Sun 2006-09-10
  NATO troops kill 60 Taliban in Afghanistan
Sat 2006-09-09
  5 more suspects held in Danish terror probe
Fri 2006-09-08
  Blasts near Indian mosque kill 20
Thu 2006-09-07
  Iraq hangs 27 on terrorism charges
Wed 2006-09-06
  7 held in Denmark after anti-terror sting
Tue 2006-09-05
  Peace deal signed in Wazoo
Mon 2006-09-04
  British police search 17 terror suspects' homes
Sun 2006-09-03
  Ayman sez "Convert or die!"
Sat 2006-09-02
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Fri 2006-09-01
  IAEA submits Iran report


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