March 31, 2007

Oh, Yeah, Them

All the news talks about is Sunni, Shia, Kurds. Looks like someone got left out.

Holy Week is a time when Christians think of the crucifixion of Jesus. This year, they should also be meditating on another crucifixion: that of a 14-year-old boy, nailed to a cross by Islamists in Iraq.

Chocolate stupidity doesn't offend me. This does, however. But not as much as this:

"When they cook a dish in the Middle East, it is traditional to put the meat on top of the rice when they serve it. They kidnapped a woman’s baby in Baghdad, a toddler, and because the mother was unable to pay the ransom, they returned her child – beheaded, roasted and served on a mound of rice.

So yes, let's all bicker about what some nobody said, which doesn't mean jack shit to an election over a year and a half away, while real people are being systematically terminated because of their stubborn refusal to give up their faith.

The Blog Grandfather.

There is No England Anymore

Misha found a lump of gold at Cold Fury:

This war has become demoralizing because of repeated incidents of this nature: the unwillingness of Western powers to crush the enemy even in service of defending our own people. We have allowed the enemy to think he is braver than us. We have, thereby, emboldened the enemy and made things tougher for ourselves, not easier.

We fire not on their fortress mosques, nor on their ships, nor during their holy days, nor in their holy cities, nor at their “holy men.” We dare not humiliate. Instead, we allow ourselves to be forever humiliated and forfeit our men and women. So concerned are we about not offending Muslim pride we have thrown away our own. The West has decided that all things Islamic are to be granted a reverence we no longer grant ourselves. The sand and plaster of the fortress mosque seems to carry more importance than even the flesh and blood of our own soldiers.

If there is a more accurate, precision-guided missile of "Amen, Brother" out there, we have yet to see it.

It is really a complete disgrace. The Democrats (and weak Republicans) in Washington are apparently satisfied with this. Hell, they openly advocate for it.

Where Science and Fat Dumbasses Collide...

Popular Mechanics vs. Rosie O'Donnell.

Its a bloodbath.

Conflict of Interest Mania!

Ian notes that CNN contributor James Carville is currently working and fund raising with Team Hildebeast.

In the old days of real journalism, that was known as a severe and actionable conflict of interest.

If a campaign worker of Tom Tancredo worked at CNN in the same general capacity as James Carville, would he have to step aside?

Oh, wait. He did. What say you, Baldy?

Time. To. Go.

Another Liberal "Study" Gets Flayed Alive

Jane Galt and Stubborn Facts absolutely DEMOLISH the ridiculously flawed "Democrats are more often victims of GOP Prosecutions Waaaaaahhhh" study that seems to have the less educated of the intertubes all excited.

Its a good thing they left out inconvenient data, as well as inportant facts like urban areas are overwhelmingy run by Democrats, et cetera. Because if you included all those good things (and other data they omitted and skewed), it almost makes the Clinton Administration look like a fascist Reich.

Its almost sad to see their parades rained on. Wait a minute.

No it isn't.

Skirmish at HotAir over James Dobson and Heathen Thompson (UPDATED, BUMPED)

Over at HotAir, Allah and Bryan are engaged in a vigorous debate over James Dobson's remarks on Fred Thompson's religious beliefs.

Bryan says:

I for one am fed up with bloggers jumping to the attack on Christians and Christian leaders. The MSM gets very few things right, and treats very few subjects fairly. Christian groups and leaders are perennial MSM targets, usually getting either an anthropological treatment a la the NYT or getting treatment that is outright dishonest and hostile. Treat every MSM report on both with the same skepticism that you treat MSM reports on war and politics, and expect that there is another side to the story that the MSM is leaving out. That’s almost always the case.

Allah has a different take:

Dobson’s entitled to complain about the headline but he has only his own spokesmen to blame for the rest. If what he meant was “I honestly don’t know what religion Thompson belongs to,” his spokesman could have and should have said that. He didn’t. ... His spokesman makes it sound like Dobson meant, “I suspect he’s a Christian but he’s not nearly vocal enough about it to please evangelicals,” which of course is a veiled political threat given Dobson’s own political influence. It would be like the head of the AFL-CIO saying that Hillary’s record on labor might make it hard for union members to support her — while quickly adding that of course he’s not endorsing or non-endorsing her in saying that, just “reading the tea leaves.” Nonsense.

I suspect that your perspective on this dust-up is defined mostly by whether you think James Dobson exercises too much control over the Republican Party or not enough. If you think Dobson has too much power in the GOP, then you more likely read his message as a thinly-veiled threat. If you think he has too little power, you likely don't.

Personally, I think Dobson comes across as a bully, but that perspective is undoubtedly colored by my experience in my own state, where evangelical Republicans have a long-standing and well-deserved reputation as bullies. Maybe if I was more concerned with my neighbor's sexual proclivities, I'd see Dobson as an "unwavering leader and clever strategist" rather than a "bully."

In any event, there appears to be at least a perception on the part of a lot of rank-and-file Republicans that Dobson has the power to torpedo, or at least seriously sandbag, a presidential candidate not to his liking. Further, there's a suspicion that Dobson's "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" may have more to do with the candidate's fealty to James Dobson than the candidate's personal submission to Jesus Christ, and these are just a few of the reasons why Dobson's comments have stirred up so much discussion in the conservative / Republican ranks.

UPDATE: Jawa commenter David Marcoe asks:

Why do the words [of an] idiotic individual become a millstone around the neck of an entire group? You realize that men like Falwell, Robertson, and Dobson have almost no practical influence with in American Evangelism.

MORE BELOW THE FOLD

From what I've seen, that's not completely off the mark, but James Dobson has at least cultivated the perception that he wields enormous influence over evangelical Christian Republicans. I think a whole lot of evangelical Christians (perhaps including Mr. Marcoe) are uncomfortable with the idea of an evangelical Christian leader as a political kingmaker. A lot of Christians, including evanglicals, are offended by the very idea of "Christian politics." It appears, however, that a lot of evangelical Christian Republicans are inspired by the idea, and those individuals seem to be drawn to folks like Falwell, Robertson and Dobson.

Back over at HotAir, commenter Bad Candy weighs in on the controversy:

This is exactly how I read it Allah, and his spokesman’s comment was to me was the proof. Either his spokesman screwed up royally as well as the media, and they both need a reprimand or fired for incompetence, or Dobson was demanding Ol’ Freddie kiss the Dobson’s ring. There’s no way he sends his spokesperson out there with a sloppy statement out there given the situation. The incompetence is on him, even if he was mischaracterized, he oughta know better with the media & blog watchdogs.

"rightwingprof" notices the 800-lb. gorilla in the room:

Having different factions in a party is great, provided that all are willing to compromise. However, when one of those factions, or at least someone who sets himself up as a spokesman for that faction says, “It’s my way, or the highway,” then he’s holding the party hostage. I have no problem with evangelicals at all, but sorry, they don’t get to set the litmus test, and those who will behave like little children, stamping their feet and refusing to vote aren’t mature enough to be allowed to vote in the first place.

While I don't agree with that 100%, I'm convinced that perception is a big part of what's driving this whole discussion.

Pelosi to Give Her Syrian Allies Pep Talk

More evidence that Democrats' real war is with the Bush administration, and that they are not above colluding with terrorist regimes:

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will visit Syria, a country President Bush has shunned as a sponsor of terrorism, despite being asked by the administration not to go.
"In our view, it is not the right time to have these sort of high- profile visitors to Syria," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters Friday.

Pelosi arrived in Israel on Friday in what is her second fact-finding trip to the Middle East since taking over leadership in the House in January.

Her repeat trip, an indication she plans to play a role in foreign policy, is also a direct affront to the administration, which says such diplomatic overtures by lawmakers can do more harm than good.

Seeking political help from America's enemies is a tradition with Democrats, going back at least to when Teddy Kennedy conspired with the Soviets against the Reagan administration.

The Idiot, Rosie O'Donnell, forgot about the fuel tanks in WTC #7

Rosie, you pompous arrogant nutroot bitch, really you should try to get a clue before you spew paranoid leftard conspiracy theories to millions of people.

My husband who built WTC#7 (he's an Iron Worker) says the building came down for the following reasons:

1) New York City's Emergency Control Center was located in WTC 7. The center required fuel for the emergency generators in the event of a power failure. Thus, huge fuel tanks were located on the second floor. (There was already a Con-Ed substation in the basement.) The fuel tanks were encased in concrete, which became compromised. The fuel in the tanks caught fire. If you recall, you obnoxious bimbette, the fire in 7 was centered on the second and third floors.

2) The walkway between WTC 7 and the North Tower over Vessey street (second floor again) had huge steel trusses, about 80 feet long, that took over two weeks to put in. When the North Tower went down, these extremely heavy trusses were unsupported on one end, placing additional strain on the exterior steel columns around the second floor, which transferred the weight to the internal columns.

Thus the fuel created a super hot fire at the location of the already structurally weakened steel beams, which caused the building to collapse. It was not President Bush, you ridiculous idiot, it was Osama bin Laden.

March 30, 2007

Birmingham Mosque Supporting Exiled al Qaeda Supporter? (Sticky)

***sticky***scroll down for newer**

A week after the website of radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed was shut down (thank us later), his followers have migrated to a new website. The new website is registered to an address that matches what was once Western Europe's largest Islamic house of worship: The Birmingham Central Mosque.

The mosque address is:
180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate, Birmingham England B12 0XS

A Whois search of Bakri Mohammed's website, islambase.co.uk, reveals this as the address of the registrant:
180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate 2
Birmingham, B12 0XS, United Kingdom

The. Same. Address.

The Birmingham Central Mosque is described by this Wikipedia article:

Birmingham Central Mosque is the second purpose built mosque in the United Kingdom....The mosque was then officially opened in 1975 as the largest mosque in Western Europe....Since the mosque's establishment, it has become a focal point for the Birmingham Muslim community, providing education for children and adults, lectures and seminars, counselling and a marriage bureau along with sporting and recreational activities and workshops....

The chairman of the Birmingham Mosque Trust is Dr Mohammad Naseem, a nationally recognised and sometimes controversial Muslim leader. Dr Naseem once claimed that Al Qaeda did not exist.

Does Dr. Naseem, like Omar Bakri Mohammed, support the radical Islamist agenda of al Qaeda?

Why yes, he does. In fact, "He is executive member of and home affairs spokesman for the Islamic Party of Britain."

What are the Islamic Party of Britain's goals?

Its main efforts are, however, directed at the majority of non- Muslims living in the West, who are to be offered practical alternatives to the mounting problems of modern society and may be helped to understand that as an ideology and way of life Islam is superior to the failed ideologies of capitalism and communism.

In other words, the implementation of Sharia law. They are the British front for the Muslim Brotherhood, the less violent fellow travellers of al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Dr. Naseem is on the record as both a 9/11 skeptic and has expressed doubts about the authenticity of the Mohammed Sidique Kahn martyrdom videotape.

Omar Bakri Mohammed has been told he would not be allowed to reenter the U.K. after he fled the country when a number of his followers were linked to death threats and statements in support of terror and jihad. Since that time, he has been exposed to be a supporter of al Qaeda. Much of this relationship is explored in Jeremy Reynald's book, War on the Web: Fighting the Online Jihad. Just last week this video of Bakri Mohammed justifying the 9/11 attacks was released.

[UPDATE 5/1/2007: These links were taken down and no longer appear on their webpage. It's almost like they're afraid of something..... ;-) ]His Islambase webpage, the one registered to the Central Birmingham Mosque address, has a variety of pro-jihadi material on it. For instance, one of their free English language books is titled: 39 Ways to Serve and Participate in Jihad.

Peaceful inner struggle? From the book:

So, the Muslims of today are left with no choice but that of jihad and the language of weaponry....the only way to come to an understanding with the enemy is through the language of force and revenge?

There is no solution except for the greatest jihad. World peace no longer satisfies us. (p. 6)

It just gets worse from there. Including chapters on "preparing yourself for the jihad", "financially supporting the mujahidin", and "inciting the peole to jihad".

And the ever important, "Hide the secrets of the mujahidin from the enemy". Who is the enemy? "Whoever does this [exposes the mujahidin]....he is assisting the Americans."

Their literature includes a "Clarification of 9/11" and a "Declaration of War" written by none other than....drumroll please....Osama bin Laden.

Omar Bakri Mohammed's follower's at Islambase even have their own Youtube channel.

Bakri Mohammed is a known al Qaeda sympathizer, yet when he was living in Britain he was careful always to hide this supprt by using ambiguous terms in public. But we have amassed a number of videos and audios showing that, privately, he was rather direct in this support.

There is also a large following of Bakri Mohammed in Birmingham. Those followers, once known as al-Muhajiroun until they were banned, have had clashes with Dr. Naseem in the past.

Given, though, that the remnants of the followers of al Muhajiroun are now congregating on a website registered to the very mosque that Dr. Naseem leads, one wonders how real those conflicts are? Or were those conflicts simply cover for an internal power struggle? Or over the best tactics on reaching the Islamic State? Both Naseem's Islamic Party and Bakri Muhammed's followers claim that very same goal.

So, does this all mean that there is a secret working relationship between the self-proclaimed 'moderate' leadership of the Birmingham Central Mosque and Bakri Mohammed? Or is the Birmingham Central Mosque the victim of a prankster in Bakri Mohammed's organization who thought it would be funny to register their website to the mosque address?

As of this writing, we have no idea. I would like to think the latter. I hope that either Dr. Naseem himself, or any of the others on the board of directors at the mosque have no relationship with Bakri Mohammed.

But there is one more fact which needs to be added to this mystery. It does not prove that there is a relationship, but it strongly suggests it. All Bakri Mohammed's past websites have been registered to legitimate physical addresses where he or his followers lived, worked, or congregated.

Let's hope this is an exception to the trend.

P.S.--If you are in the U.K. you might want to spread the word to Brit bloggers and/or media. I just don't have the resources to do the needed followup on this.

Related

See our new Omar Bakri Mohammed archives and the following:

Looks like Omar Bakri Mohammed is Having a Bad Day
British Cleric Encourages Muslims to Behead Hostages: Birmingham Connection
British Muslims Mock 7/7 & 9/11 Victims, Support Terror. U.K./Birmingham Subsidizing
Injured UK Soldier Accosted in Hospital
Terror Plot Linked to Exiled Cleric
UK Muslim 'Almost Ashamed' for Advocating Beheading Cartoon Blasphemers
Video of UK Imam: Ken Bigley Murder Justified
Clash of Civilizations on Our Streets: Muslim Soldiers Called Apostates, Traitors; al Qaeda Infiltration in U.K. Government?
Al Qaeda Behind British Beheading Plot; Bakri Mohammed Implicated; Suspects Identified
Muhammed Cartoon Protester Guilty
British Islamist Website Shut Down
Names of Terror Suspects Released by Bank of England
Video: British Imam Urges Terror Attacks
British Muslim: "How dare (the police) come to a Muslim area"
Exiled Muslim Cleric Behind London Protest Calling for Pope's Death
Izadeen's Group Banned!!!
Omar Bakri Mohammed Detained in Lebanon, 3 al-Muhajiroun Arrested
Abu Izzadeen Arrested: British Muslims Seethe, Threaten

Yemeni Suicide Bombers in Iraq

About 90% of suicide bombers in Iraq are foreigners with the vast majority from Yemen and North Africa. 90% of these foreign fighters go to Iraq via Syria. The State Department is warning...Syria.

If Syria does close the borders, where are the Yemeni suicide bombers going to go? They won't dissappear into thin air. It might be a good idea to start focusing on the souce of the suicide bombers, those "influential persons" in Yemen who facilitate their indocrination, training, documents, financing and transport, and later praise their deaths and the death of US troops.

Also there were more chlorine attacks by "foreign fighters." In 2005, the Yemeni military used chlorine gas as a weapon against Shiite rebels; in 2007, Yemeni jihaddists use chlorine gas in attacks in Iraq against US troops. Predictable. What are all the Salafi jihaddis currently networking in Sa'ada going to do after the Shiite Houthi rebellion is over, attack the Socialists? I don't think so.

World Tribune:

WASHINGTON — A U.S. State Dept. official said about 90 percent of the suicide attackers in Iraq came from Syria.

"It has to stop," said David Satterfield, the chief State Department adviser on Iraq.
Officials said that despite numerous appeals, Syria has failed to stop the flow of Sunni suicide bombers to Iraq. They said the lion's share of suicide bombers were foreign Arab nationals who entered Syria and made their way to Iraq.

"They [suicide bombers] see Syria as a more accommodating country through which to transit across the border to come into Iraq to perpetrate their terror," Satterfield.

Satterfield said the U.S. intelligence community has assessed that between 85 and 90 percent of suicide bombers in Iraq entered from Syria. In an address to the Washington Institute on March 27, Satterfield said 90 percent of suicide bombers in Iraq were foreigners.

Officials said North Africans and Yemenis comprised the largest element among the foreign suicide bombers....

In Iraq, foreign suicide bombers coming from Syria have increasingly used chlorine in their attacks. On Wednesday, at least 15 Iraqi and U.S. soldiers were injured when suicide bombers detonated explosives on trucks that contained chlorine in the Anbar province.

HT: Jihad Watch

Fred Thompson on Ayaan Hirsi Ali

h/t : Allah.

Disputed Waterways My Ass

Can we call THIS an act of war?

A short Army press release issued on the day of the skirmish offered the following information: U.S. soldiers from the 5th Squadron 73rd Cavalry 82nd Airborne were accompanying Iraqi forces on a routine joint patrol along the border with Iran, about 75 miles east of Baghdad, when they spotted two Iranian soldiers retreating from Iraqi territory back into Iran. A moment later, U.S. and Iraqi forces came upon a third Iranian soldier on the Iraqi side of the border, who stood his ground. As U.S. and Iraqi soldiers approached the Iranian officer and began speaking with him, a platoon of Iranian soldiers appeared and moved to surround the coalition patrol, taking up positions on high ground. At that point, according to the Army's statement, the Iranian captain told the U.S. and Iraqi soldiers that if they tried to leave they would be fired on. Fearing abduction by the Iranians, U.S. troops moved to go anyway, and fighting broke out. Army officials say the Iranian troops fired first with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades, and that U.S. troops fell further back into Iraqi territory, while four Iraqi army soldiers, one interpreter and one Iraqi border guard remained in the hands of the Iranians.

Read the article. This happened September 7th. I'm assuming that would be 2006

Sheriff Joe Arpaio Arresting Illegals

(Phoenix, Arizona) Yesterday, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio introduced new enforcement measures to arrest people suspected of being in the United States illegally. Previously, Sheriff Joe only arrested illegals believed to be conspiring with human smugglers. The new approach extends the scope of enforcement, however, deputies will not go "to Home Depot and arrest everybody."

More than three dozen Sheriff's Department officers have completed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training "that gives them the power of federal officers."

"They will now have the authority to put their federal hat on," Arpaio said. "In the course of their duties, when they stop vehicles under probable cause, they are going to take the necessary action."

One opponent of the new law enforcement tactic, activist Danny Ortega, warned of racial profiling and resultant discrimination lawsuits against individual officers. Ortega also believes that illegals will now suffer a paralyzing fear of law enforcers in the county.

Might I suggest that it's entirely normal for criminals to fear the police?

Video: Diyala, Iraq - Upcoming U.S. Offensive

Erick Stakelbeck reports on an upcoming U.S. offensive in Diyala, Iraq.
Click 'Read More' to view the video.

For more information, and some background, click here.

Fred Thompson on British Disarmament

He may be a heathen, but I still like him...

Unfortunately YouTube cut off the very end of the audio. The last sentence is "This is not the time for the free world to neglect its own defense."

h/t : Allah.

Iraqis Standing Up to Terrorists

Two from Bill. One on the chlorine attack, now claimed by al Qaeda to be one of their operations, in Fallujah:

The USMC/Iraqi team was sluggin' it out side by side. Something to see. US Marines and Jundi still gasping for air, fighting side by side. Some jundi still in their sleeping sweats or shower sandals refusing to be evacuated, fighting back with their AKs and PKCs into enemy positions. Yes, some of these jundi got what it takes.

The second one is a hat tip to Bill, but the real news is over at Acute Politics:

I'll go out on a little bit of a limb and say that the insurgency is quickly approaching a tipping point. If things continue as they are right now, our military won't need a surge to chase the terrorists out of Anbar- the citizens will do it for us, which is as it should be. It's beginning to show already: more local tips, more police recruits (far more than anticipated), and sadly- in bigger and more desperate Al-Qaeda attacks.

For those of you following the split of The 1920s Revolutionary Brigade from the Salafis, here is some important background.

Stopping Sharia in Europe: A How-To Guide

Islam Watch has some suggestions.

Australian al Qaeda Gets 7 Years

We reported on the plea deal earlier this week, but now it's official. 7 years, to be served in Australia, much of his time in custody will offset the 7 years. Expect the Australian al Qaeda to be back on the street and working the Leftwing talk circuit within 2 years.

Chocolate Jesus - Updated and Bumped

Update: Cancelled!

In another sign of just how isolated from society the "art world" has become, promoters of a life size crucified Jesus made of milk chocolate are surprised that unveiling the work during Easter Week has caused controversy.

From NBC5.com:

NEW YORK -- The Easter season unveiling of a milk chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ, dubbed "My Sweet Lord" by its creator, left a sour taste Thursday in the mouths of a Catholic group infuriated by the anatomically correct confection.

"This is one of the worst assaults on Christian sensibilities ever," said Bill Donohue, head of the watchdog Catholic League. "It's not just the ugliness of the portrayal, but the timing -- to choose Holy Week is astounding."

The gallery's creative director, mincing metrosexual milquetoast Matt Semler, described calls for a boycott as "a Catholic fatwa."

Oh come on. Have your artist come up with a statue of Mohammed having sex with child bride Aisha, made of pork suet, and we'll talk "fatwa," you pussy.

Picture: Chocolate Jesus.

Ok... so I'm not as tough as I thought...

I have to admit... this video got to me, and the lump is still in my throat.

Video of Second British "Confession"

Marine Nathan Thomas Summers apologizing for trespassing in Iranian waters and praising "the very friendly treatment" he and the other 14 captives have enjoyed.

Meanwhile the UN has passed a watered-down resolution asking Iran to release the captives "pretty please, but, hey, no prob, if you don't want to."

Actually,the U N resolution expressed "grave concern" over the situation and said they want "an early resolution to this problem, including the release of the 15 U.K. personnel''. Iran was last reported to be shaking in its boots.

Media Blackout On Dianne Feinstein Corruption (w/ Heh.)

Jim Rose and the Astute Bloggers both tried doing a Google News search for the story. You'd be hard pressed to find it on anything that wasn't a conservative blog.

Pathetic. Guess we'll just have to keep bringing it up over and over again at inconvenient times until someone notices.

MORE...Michelle Malkin has a question for DiFi. And speaking of Google News searches, check this one out. The original MetroActive story is at the top of the list, and the rest of the listed articles are about DiFi calling on the Attorney General to resign.

Heh.

For those who want to dig further, the MetroActive site's blog has a response written on March 15 from Camp DiFi regarding the paper's reporting. Here's what DiFi had to say:

Sen. Feinstein has never had any knowledge nor has she exercised any influence on the award of environmental cleanup contracts under the jurisdiction of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee.

What about other types of military and construction contracts?

More Evidence Europe Afraid of Its Muslim Citizens

I want to just chalk this up to the EU being full of John Edwardses, but I think there's more going on here. Sure, Europeans have long since surrendered to multiculturalism and social relativism, so that's part of it.

But there's more here, just beneath the surface. It's not so much that offending Muslims is the problem, as is the very real possibility that if you offend enough of them, you might just get yourself killed.

Tegraph:

The European Union has drawn up guidelines advising government spokesmen to refrain from linking Islam and terrorism in their statements. Brussels officials have confirmed the existence of a classified handbook which offers “non-offensive” phrases to use when announcing anti-terrorist operations or dealing with terrorist attacks. Banned terms are said to include “jihad”, “Islamic” or “fundamentalist”.

Since we cannot use the terms "Islamic fundamentalists", or "jihadis", what exactly are we going to call the Islamic fundametalist jihadis?

Oh, yeah: "French youth".

In related news, the following flyer is being passed around affected French neighborhoods.

A translation by Gallia Watch reads:

"They Only Stop Troublemakers!"

Under the hat it reads:

"Deliberately led into traps, forced to bow before youths still holding a Molotov cocktail in their hands (knowing that this low life will be set free the next day), forced to watch youths break windows in the name of Allah, and then being accused of 'brutality' because of a simple ID verification..."

Followed by:

Support Your National Police

before the inevitable civil war and before... that!

Tolerance comes with a price. And there is a breaking point.

Both No Pasaran and Gallia Watch have good updates.

Bush Still Polling Higher Than Dem Congress

Both are pathetic, but one is more pathetic than the other. These are averages, so they represent what all the polls together are saying.

Bush - 34.4%
Congress - 30.5%

Freedom Journal Iraq #616

This edition features stories on U.S. Soldiers helping Iraqi security forces establish a joint security station in Sadr City, U.S. Airmen moving cargo to troops in the field and troops filling in potholes to help keep Baghdad streets safer. Hosted by Pvt. Rheanna Douglas.

Freedom Journal Iraq #616
Yahoo video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #616
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #616

Incalcitrant Iran

A Ronny Gordan editorial cartoon: Appeasing the unappeasable.

Travolta Moves Mouth, Words Escape

ANTHROPOGENIC GLOBAL WARMING, yaddayadda....

AllahP noticed it too. Ever wonder what a huge carbon footprint looks like? Travolta shows us:

PHOTO BELOW THE FOLD --->

Royal Marine "Confesses"

In a new "confession" broadcast on Iranian TV, marine Nathan Thomas Summers apologized for trspassing into Iranian waters, noting that it was the second time the British Navy has done so. That refers to the 2004 incident when Iran seized 8 British sailors and held them for 3 days before releasing them. Britain has denied Iran's claims in both cases.

A second letter from sailor Faye Turney was released, in which she calls on Parliament to withdraw British troops from Iraq:

Representative of the House of Commons.

I am writing to inform you of my situation. I am a British Serviceperson currently being held in Iran.

I would like you to know of the treatment I have received whilst here.

The Iranian people are kind, considerate, warm, compassionate and very hospitable. They have brought me no harm, but have looked after me well. I have been fed, clothed and well cared for.

Unfortunately during the course of our mission we entered into Iranian waters. Even through our wrongdoing, they have still treated us well and humanely, which I am and always will be eternally grateful.

I ask the representatives of the House of Commons after the government had promised that this type of incident would not happen again why have they let this occur and why has the government not been questioned over this? Isn't it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?

Faye Turney

27/3/07

Prime Minister Tony Blair was said to be "livid" over the release of the second letter:

“It is cruel and callous to do this to somebody in this position and playing this kind of game — it is a disgrace,” said the Prime Minister’s spokesman.

UPDATE: A third letter has reportedly been written by Faye Turney to the British people, in which she claims too have been "sacrificed":

Captured sailor Faye Turney says she has been "sacrificed" to the policies of the British and U.S. governments in a third letter released by her Iranian captors today.

The letter, addressed to the British people, also said that Turney had been treated well, unlike the prisoners held by the at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

"I'm writing to you as a British serviceperson who has been sent to Iraq, sacrificed due to the intervening policies of the Bush and Blair government," the letter said.

UPDATE II: Video of Second British "Confession"

RedState Bloggers Need Your Help

Details at RedState:

Today, you have the opportunity to help send two of our own, from right here at Redstate, to tell you the real story about what's happening on the ground in Iraq.

In a nutshell, RedState has been invited by the Pentagon to go to Iraq. We want to send Jeff and AcademicElephant, who henceforth insists on being known by her real name, Victoria Coates. They'll leave during the last part of April. But, we need your help to make it possible.

Read on...

To send RedState to Iraq, we need to raise $7500.00....Please help support this worthy cause and please help send RedState to Iraq. We want this to be a community effort that will benefit us all.

UPDATE: Attention Lefty Morons: Jeff actually did enlist and fight in Iraq.

h/t : Glenn.

Hasta La Vista, Judas!

March 29, 2007

Dobson Clarifies His Statements on Fred "The Heathen" Thompson

After James Dobson expressed his opinion that Fred Thompson would have some trouble getting elected President since he didn't appear to be a "Christian," Dobson's spokesman followed up Dobson's comment with this explanation:

“We use that word—Christian—to refer to people who are evangelical Christians ... Dr. Dobson wasn’t expressing a personal opinion about his reaction to a Thompson candidacy; he was trying to ‘read the tea leaves’ about such a possibility.”

Dobson then followed up with this message to Thompson:

I said while I had no first-hand knowledge of your religious views, I was not aware that you had professed to have made a Christian commitment. If so, I said, that might discourage support from some Christian conservatives.

Here I thought Dobson was trying to steer the evangelical vote away from Thompson, and it turns out he was just practicing witchcraft. Shows what I know... (h/t Allah)

Yemen Shoots Down US Drone

Mar 29 ,2007 - A senior Yemeni official affirmed to Alayam Paper Thursday that the drone shot down In Hadromout province was an American unmanned plane.

He said that fishermen in Hadrmout reported to a close military unit that they found the drone, and then the unit moved to the site.

On the other hand, the Defence Ministry declined to comment on the incident or affirm the nationality of the drone, whether an American, a French or an Iranian.

Yesterday it was an Iranian drone.

Almotamar.net - SANAA, March 28 - Yemeni Defence Ministry announced today bringing down a foreign drone flying over the south of coasts of Hadramout governorate, east of Yemen. and local media reported that the aircraft was Iranian. The Defence Ministry website quoted an official military source his confirmation that anti-aircraft forces of Yemen were able to shoot down the drone Tuesday after watching it entering the Yemeni airspace....Raynews website reported on Tuesday that the drone plane that was downed over the area of Hadrampout governorate belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran but the official source did not disclose its identity.

Tomorrow it might become a Libyan drone. (Yemen has been accusing both Iran and Libya of supporting a band of rebels. But then they distance themselves from the statements within days.)

Update: Its back to being an Iranian drone, "Officials said the Iranian UAV flew over the Arabian Sea and conducted reconnaissance missions deep in southeastern Yemen. "

Yemeni President Saleh *is* the King of Spin.

Irony: Muslims at CAIR Complain About Those Disturbing Public Order

How does a "civil rights" group like CAIR know when Americans make false reports with the intent to discriminate? That's easy. Any time someone urges an investigation of a Muslim, for whatever reason---DISCRIMINATION!. In the words of Dana Carvey as George Michael, It's a formula, but it works.

Scott at Powerline brings news of an interesting back and forth between CAIR and the Becket Fund. Here's part of what CAIR writes.:

I believe we can both agree that Americans do not have the right to make false reports with the intent to discriminate. It is a criminal offense that disturbs public order and creates unnecessary fear, suspicion and division in any society.

Ironic given the behavior of the 6 imams which put passengers in a near panic that their plane was about to be hijacked.

But wait, there's more:

The American Muslim community has been profiled by law enforcement in the past and has been the target of numerous false allegations made by fellow Americans with the intent to discriminate.

How, pray tell, does this "civil rights" organization know that their "fellow Americans" made "false allegations" "with the intent to discriminate"???

How about this as a motivation for those allegations against Muslims: terrorism.

Even odder and more ironic is this statement:

Making false reports of suspicious behavior with the intent to discriminate during a time of war is doubly harmful.

Also doubly harmful: acting suspiciously in a time of war when precisely 100% of the people we are fighting engage in similar behaviors!

Last bit of something-like irony, they spend a couple of paragraphs comparing the fight to exempt Muslims from common courtesy, such as, you know, scaring people on an airplane, to the civil rights movement. Also comparable to the civil rights movement to CAIR: photoshopping a scarf on to an uncovered female head at an "interfaith prayer vigil" marking the anniversary of 9/11 [pictured above right].

Anyway, you can download the entire document here. It's worth a few chuckles. The Becket Fund Response is here. And Scott's analysis is here.

For an educational video on just what types of behaviors the flying imams were engaged in, see below.

Mapping Shari’a in America: Knowing the Enemy!

Global Defense Group contributor, and SANE Works Director of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Studies, Dave Gaubatz, announces a new program to map the spread of Sharia throughout the United States.
The program's goals are as follows:

[1] To conduct a thorough mapping and indexing of Shari’a in America. This will be the first of its kind Islamic threat analysis conducted on the US Homeland based upon open sources and intelligence gathering.

[2] To produce an interactive map that allows a macro- and micro-analysis of the current Shari’a-based Jihadists in the US, together with a fact-specific threat level analysis. This map will be updated bi-annually by a team of investigators, researchers and analysts working under the supervision of SANE’s senior officials.

[3] The detailed and person-specific information will be provided to the appropriate authorities, both governmental and civic, and will also be available upon subscription to the media, educational and research institutions, and other appropriate organizations, which will include the annual updates.

The following is from Dave Gaubatz's introduction to the program:

As the Director of the program, I invite you to look through our web site (www.mappingsharia.com or www.mappingsharia.us) carefully.

We have designed this site to provide you with the details of the program which we have now begun in earnest.

As most of you know, the biggest threat America faces today is from Islamic Jihadists operating all over the world and especially right here in America! Intelligence sources, both public and classified ones, inform us that al Qaeda and many related, affiliated or kindred Muslim terrorist organizations and operational cells are located in the United States. Some are actively planning and preparing for the next major wave of terrorism on our Homeland. Others are “sleeper” cells, biding time and waiting for the right opportunity and command instructions from overseas.

What we also know from our intelligence sources, and again much of this is public information, is that the ideological infrastructure is already in place for the Islamic assault on American from within America. This includes Islamic mosques, day schools, and social clubs and other organizations openly teaching historical, traditional and authoritative Islamic law or Shari’a.

Islamic law is the source of the command for faithful Muslims to war against the infidel. Sometimes this “Jihad” is taught as a personal introspective battle against the Muslim’s own demons, but just as often this Jihad is taught as a war against non-Muslims and Muslims who have gone astray.

Jihad, or Islamic holy war, can be waged peacefully through persuasion and even democratically (i.e., lobbying for electoral results), through coercion and threats, and of course through death and destruction.

Many Islamic organizations in America appear to adhere to a peaceful Jihad. Some in fact do adhere to legal and non-violent Jihad to persuade Americans to embrace Islam as a religion and even as a political ideology.

Many Islamic groups operate “underground” and explicitly advocate violence and Islamic holy war against America as the Great Satan.
But most Islamic groups and organizations take on what appears to be a legal and peaceful veneer in the English settings, but in fact preach quietly and often in Arabic, Farsi, and Urdu a very violent and anti-American Jihad.

The exact number of Islamic mosques, day schools, and social clubs and organizations in the United Stated is unknown. It is estimated at over 2,000. We do know there are approximately 6 million Muslims in the US.

What is also an unknown, and it is the single most important intelligence and counter-terrorism factor, is who provides the ideological or theological leadership of any given Muslim organization or mosque. Some are headed up by Imams; some by local councils; and some by political activists.

If we do not know the organizational structures of these organizations and who provides the religious and political instruction, we will never have a satisfactory picture of the threat from Jihad.

Moreover, while federal authorities have attempted to track financial transactions between US Muslims and foreign organizations, governments, and individuals identified as associated with terrorism, there is no evidence that a systematic study of American Islamic organizations has been conducted to assess the threat level to American security based upon the organization’s adherence to historical, traditional, and authoritative Shari’a.

It is Islamic law or Shari’a which demands of the Muslim faithful to carry out or support a violent Jihad when circumstances permit. In order to properly assess the threat level across America from Islamic Jihadists, it is first necessary to properly identify the Muslim organizations and mosques teaching and preaching Shari’a, what variety of Shari’a is being taught or preached, and how it rates on a systematic scale measuring the degree to which the specific Shari’a taught or preached is based upon one of the five historical, traditional and authoritative jurisprudential schools of fiqh (or legal interpretation) and to what degree does the particular brand of Shari’a begin advocated call for Jihad, and which aspect of Jihad.

Mapping Shari’a in America: Knowing the Enemy

That is where this highly specialized and professional program comes in. It is our task to conduct an extensive mapping of all the Islamic day schools, mosques, and other identifiable organizations in the US and to determine which ones teach or preach Islamic law, Shari’a. Further, the mapping will scale the Shari’a threat by identifying to which school of jurisprudence it belongs, its historical and contemporary call for Jihad, and whether the Jihad includes violent Jihad against non-believers.

This investigation will also map the leadership of these Muslim organizations and their other affiliations. We will also attempt to uncover any related businesses used or run by the organizations as fronts for money laundering and other illicit activities.

Finally, we will examine and map any potential targets situated near these organizations, such as city, county, and federal government buildings, schools and universities, US military installations, major utility or infrastructure sites (i.e., nuclear installations, pipelines, water supply, etc.), and transportation hubs.

The Big Question: What can I do to Help?

By emails, letters, and queries whenever I speak publicly, I am asked: What can I do to help? What can the average citizen do to protect America and its children from another 9-11 or worse?

The answer is threefold:

[1] Keep your eyes open! Keep abreast of threat warnings and new information by visiting this site and others like it regularly. Don’t ignore obvious signs. Be in touch with us by sending in tips on new mosques, Islamic day schools, and the like. There is no crime in keeping tabs on these organizations but it is a crime of indifference to pretend that the Jihadists walking down your streets and preaching to the faithful are not a threat to our national existence and existence simply!

[2] Support our program! The Mapping Shari’a in America project is sponsored by the Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), a non-profit institution recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501c3 organization. This means that your contributions are tax deductible.

This program is a grass roots effort funded by people like you: $50, $100 or $500 at a time. All contributions are tax deductible. Visit the Donate page to show your commitment today!

[3] Spread the word! We will not spend your contributions on PR. There is too much work to do to collect the data, analyze it, and to get it out to the appropriate authorities and to the public. We need your help to be our public relations effort. Remember: this is what a grass roots program is all about!

Be in touch and stay tuned. The work of saving America begins with all of us right now!

All the best,

David Gaubatz, Director Mapping Shari’a in America: Knowing the Enemy Project

Iraqi Shada Hassoon: So Hot, She May End the War

Iraqi expatriot Shada Hassoon is so hot, she may single-handedly end Iraq's bloody civil war. Shia and Sunni alike bask in her hotness. The finalist on the Lebanese equivalent of "American Idol" is said to be unifying Iraqis like nothing before.

Okay, maybe a bit of hyperbole, but just read this CNN story below. That's the language that's being used by her fans. For my money she's attractive, but fellow contestant Lebanese Tina Yamout is so hot that her mere presence on TV sends Hizbullah goons into hiding.

Bonus Shada Hasoon and Tina Yamout videos and picss below.

CNN:

Shada Hassoon, a charismatic and talented 26-year-old singer, is doing for Iraq what weary politicians in that strife-torn country have so far failed to do: unite the fractious nation.

Hassoon is a contestant representing Iraq on LBC's "Star Academy," a televised entertainment competition from Lebanon similar to "American Idol."....

[One commenter at the al Arabiya website said] "I wish upon all Iraqis abroad and inside Iraq to vote for Shada, and I wish that all of them unite, and I would like to say one word to the Arabs and the entire world that Iraqis are brethren no matter what sect or confession they belong to"....

"We voted for Shada without asking if she were a Shiite or a Sunni," Hicham Mahmoud Alaazami said on the Al-Arabiya Web site. "We voted for her just because she is an Iraqi."...

Salma thinks the singer will bring more happiness to the Iraqis than the Arab summit this week, "because the Arab summit is nothing but a show and a photo opportunity, nothing else."...

...one Iraqi TV channel is urging Iraqis to "vote for the daughter of the Euphrates."

...."despite the sad circumstances in Iraq, please vote for our daughter Shada, the daughter of the two rivers."

My guess is that both Khomeinists and Salafis are united in disdain for this hot Iraqi chick.

Shada Hassoon Star Academy 4 video & screencaps

With Tina Yamout.

Way more pics here.

Bonus Tina Yamout pics & vid

My Immortal (Tina)

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Bush Breaks 'em All Up (Video Added)

AP:

Tell us, Mr. President, how have things changed since the last broadcasters' dinner?

"A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had shot someone," President Bush said Wednesday night during the annual gathering.

"Ah," he said, "those were the good ol' days."

Come on. That's funny.
video ht: Kafir

Saudi King: "Illegal U.S. Occupation"

Our friends, the Saudis.

King Abdullah: “In the beloved Iraq, the bloodshed is continuing under an illegal foreign occupation and detestable sectarianism.”

An Inconvenient Geneva Convention

The endless liberal passion play continues unabated:

RELEASE THE PRISONERS!! FULL RIGHTS!! US CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOR ENEMY COMBATANTS FROM ANY COUNTRY! IMPEACH THE LEADERSHIP! FREE THE DETAINEES!! DOWN WITH AMERI...huh?

Iran is violating the Geneva Conventions?

Oh...uh...I have to go now.

U.S. Military Now Engaging In Cyberwarfare Against Online Jihadis?

Is the U.S. military now on an offensive war footing against the cyber-jihadis and cyber-terrorists? Maybe, but Magic 8-ball says YES. As you know, I've been advocating--no more than just advocating, agitating--for precisely the offensive strategy since day one. And you know what? People read this blog.

What kind of people? Top men. Sorry, whenever I get excited I break into dialogue from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

In any event, those top men also read Internet Haganah. And Aaron's agitation far precedes our own. And the strategy, at least in theory, seems to go back at least to 2003.

There are few times when we at The Jawa Report get so stoked that we, literally, break into the robot dance. Okay, so it's just me who is that lame, but we are all excited about this news that our official Iranophobe "John Doe" dug up this morning.

I still am of the opinion that, organizationally, the decentralized nature of the cyber-jihad requires a decentralized fix---"cyber-privateering" as it were. But with the right leadership, the right values, the right equipment, the right operators, and the right sized set of cajones, the "cyber-scorched earth" approach could work.

Keep your fingers crossed and remember to smile when you call me Dr. William Tecumseh Sherman, partner.

I don't usually throw up an entire article, but many online publications don't archive older stories. This one we're going to keep for posterity's sake.

CIO Today:

The U.S. military is quietly expanding capabilities to attack terrorists' computer networks, including Web sites that glorify insurgent attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, military officials and experts say.

The move comes as al-Qaeda and other groups fighting in Iraq and elsewhere have expanded their activities on the Internet and increased the sophistication and volume of their videos and messages. Much of the material is designed to raise money and recruit fighters for Iraq.

"You should not let them operate uncontested" on the Internet and elsewhere in cyberspace, said Marine Brig. Gen. John Davis, who heads a military command located at the National Security Agency. The command was established to develop ways to attack computer networks.

Davis and other officials declined to say whether the military has actually attacked any networks, which would require presidential authorization. The techniques are highly classified.

Pentagon contract documents show the military asks companies to develop a "full spectrum ... of computer network attack techniques." Run by the Air Force Research Laboratory, this program aims to spend $40 million over four years, documents show.

The growth in offensive capabilities signals a shift in military thinking from just monitoring terrorists' Web sites for intelligence to attacking those sites.

"The offensive is increasingly on leaders' minds," said John Arquilla, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School who also works for the Defense Department on cyberwar issues.

Some officials say cyberattacks can result in losing critical intelligence.

"You always have the built-in tension between the operator who wants to destroy the target and the intelligence officer who wants to use the target to gain more information," said Lani Kass, director of the Air Force's cyberspace task force.

"Our opponents do a heck of a lot more than just watch us in cyberspace," Davis said. "They are acting in cyberspace. We need to develop options so that we can ... dominate cyberspace."

Cyberattacks can take different forms, including eliminating terrorists' Web sites and creating doubts among insurgents about their networks' security Relevant Products/Services, said Arquilla, who favors an offensive approach he calls a "virtual scorched-earth policy."

Armed groups in Iraq videotape nearly all of their attacks on U.S. forces to help magnify their impact.

"Everything they do in Iraq and Afghanistan is geared toward propaganda," said Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., who's on the House Armed Services Committee.

The videos and messages are "getting more and more professional," said Andretta Summerville of iDefense, a private contractor that monitors terrorist activity on the Internet.

Some sites find recruits and push "them toward a pipeline that ends in suicide attacks," said Lt. Col. Matthew McLaughlin, a spokesman for Central Command, which runs the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Attacking Web sites may have limited value, said Ben Venzke of IntelCenter, a contractor that monitors terrorist Web sites and Internet forums. "The problem is the nature of the Internet itself," he said. "It can always come back up in 10 seconds."

James Dobson's Not Bullish on Thompson (Updated, Bumped)

"Everyone knows he's conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for," Dobson said of Thompson. "[But] I don't think he's a Christian; at least that's my impression."

Full article here.

UPDATE : There's some heavy discussion on this over at Free Republic. (h/t : Allah)

Democrats Are A Failed Coaching Staff

The Democrats are the stupidest people on the planet. We all know that. The problem is that they often don't know that.

Here's a way you can enlighten them as to the consequences of their actions using the greatest of all teachers - sports.

Imagine that there are two football teams - the US Eagles and the Basra Bombers are playing for a championship. They play a hard-hitting, brutal game that causes some major injuries on both sides. At the half, the US Eagles are up by a field goal, 13-10. Prior to the second half, the Eagles' assistant coaching staff confronts the head coach and informs him that regardless of the score, they will be leaving and trying to take the team with them with 4:30 left in the 3rd quarter. The coach tells them to pound sand. The game progresses (with Eagles gaining an upper hand with another field goal) until there are 4:30 left in the third quarter.

At this time, the coaching staff takes off their intercoms and headphone systems, leaves the field, and are followed by some players who they convinced to leave due to the risk of injury and the "bullishness" of the coach's strategy. After 4:30, the play resumes, but the coach is handicapped by the lack of a support staff. The players on the field don't get the proper calls and plays they need to execute the game strategy. There aren't enough people filling the defensive ranks on the sidelines to play a complete game. The US forfeits, even though they were winning, and the support staff claims "victory."

Discuss.

Freedom Journal Iraq #615

This edition features stories on soldiers who repair ceased Iraqi weapons at an Armament section of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Third Army's mission, a council meeting of Iraqi and American engineers and paratroopers who stimulate local economies by shopping in Iraqi neighborhoods. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #615
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #615
Yahoo Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #615

JibJab Video : What We Call The News

(Unfortunately, the clip isn't configured to scale correctly. The full size is here.)

Times: Iranian Kidnapping Pre-meditated

The Timesonline reports that Iranian Revolutionary Guards attacked and abducted 15 British sailors using tactics that indicate the operation was a carefully planned act of piracy, rather than a spur-of-the-moment decision by a local commander:

The British sailors and marines being held by Iran were ambushed at their most vulnerable moment, while climbing down the ladder of a merchant ship and trying to get into their bobbing inflatables.

Out of sight of their warship and without any helicopter cover, their only link to their commanders was a communications device beaming their position by satellite.

That went dead as they were captured. One theory is that it was thrown overboard to prevent the Iranians getting hold of the equipment and the information it contained.

The Ministry of Defence has released coordinates showing that the Brits were not in Iranian waters, as claimed by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

A deliberate act sanctioned by Iran's government would indicate that the regime will not release the kidnapped sailors without major concessions, and might welcome a limited war to help stifle domestic unrest. In other words, a measured military response would play into their hands.

New Threats to British Hostages in Iran

While protesters in Tehran demanded the execution of the 15 British sailors and Marines abducted last week in Iraqi waters, the Iranian government warned the UK that it's "wrong behaviour" was jeopardizing the chances of seeing the captives released:

He said: "We said that the grounds were ready for the release of a woman among the British sailors. But if we are faced with a fuss and wrong behaviour then this would be suspended and it would not take place,"

If Britain follows through with its policies on the 15 Devonport-based sailors and marines detained by Iran on Friday, Mr Larijani said “this case may face a legal path” - a reference to Iran’s prosecuting the sailors in court.

The statement has come after Britain asked the UN Security Council to support a call for the immediate release of the detainees, saying in a statement they were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate from the Security Council and at the request of Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Iranian consul in the Iraqi city of Basra accused the British troops there of intimidation tactics:

Increasing the tension, the Iranian consul in Bassra charged that British soldiers had surrounded his office in the southern Iraqi city this morning and fired shorts into the air in a "provocative act" that "could worsen the situation of the British sailors".

"British forces should rely on wisdom and not react because of the British forces’ detention. This reflects negatively on bilateral relations," said Consul-General Mohammed Ridha Nasir Baghban.

Britain denied the allegation. The Ministry of Defence said that the was an exchange of gunfire after UK troops on a foot patrol near the consulate building were ambushed.

UPDATE: Blair: Britain won't negotiate with Iran


UPDATE II: New Footage Released on Iranian TV

New Hope for 5 Hostages?

Paul Reuben

Josh Munns

Bert Nussbaumer


Jon Cote

John Young

These are the 5 contractors employed by Crescent Security Group who were kidnapped near Basra in November 2006, as seen in a hostage video released in January of this year. There has been no word on them since. But now there is new hope that their ordeal may be ending soon.

As I wrote in December 2006, a Minnesota businessman, Mark Koscielski, who is a friend of Paul Reuben, has been raising money to pay the $150,000 ransom demanded for the 4 Americans and 1 Austrian. Thousands of people have bought t-shirts and donated to the ransom fund. On Friday, Mark will arrive in Kuwait in hopes of paying the ransom and bringing the captives home.

I spoke with Mark earlier this week about his planned trip. He is optimistic about his chances of winning freedom for the contractors, who were abducted when their convoy was hijacked at a fake checkpoint. He says the kidnapping was not politically motivated, but a simple extortion scheme. He stresses that he has no ties to the American or Austrian governments, and that he is acting on behalf of the families who have waited for 5 months to have their loved ones return.

While some may question the wisdom of paying ransom to extortionists, let's pray for the success of this mission. It would be wonderful to see them home for Easter. Please remember Mark and the 5 men in your prayers, especially on Friday.

Previous:
Complete Jawa Report Hostage Archive
Kidnapped Security Contractors Alive
Austrian Hostage Identified
Friend of Hostage Paul Reuben Speaks Out
Terrorists with Ties to Iran Claim Western Hostage Taking
Four Americans Kidnapped in Iraq, Austrian Killed

"John Doe" Flying Imams Prompts Democrats to Change Rules

The House Democratic leadership is in the process of crafting new procedural rules that would make it much harder for rank-and-file members to offer changes to bills. The procedure was used only two days ago to "recommit" a bill to committee to protect "John Does" from civil lawsuits which might arise from reporting suspicious activity--such as the flying imams case.

As I've said on these pages many times: it's not so much that I like the Republicans as I fear the Democrats.

Audrey Hudson, official flying imam reporter and JY blog mascot-babe, in the Washington Times:

House Democrats want to change rules that allow Republicans to modify bills on the floor -- a tactic the GOP has used several times, including a maneuver this week to insert a shield law for "John Doe" passengers to report potential terrorists without fear of legal reprisal.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, threatened to change the rules during a press briefing Tuesday, just hours before Republicans used the procedural motion to recommit the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 back to committee to include the protective language.

The effort passed on a vote of 304-121, with 105 Democrats siding with all 199 Republicans.

Scary. Most interesting fact from the article? 17 of 19 of the motions introduced by Republicans passed with the support of rank-and-file Democrats. I think that says something about just how left-of-center the Democratic leadership really is.

March 28, 2007

Gratuitous Developing-Country Traffic Post!

They're called traffic lights, people.

I'm fascinated by the automotive chaos in poor and developing nations. Here's another one from India:

Here's a literal bug-like swarm of humanity going to and fro in Vietnam:

Or better yet, why not try a human traffic jam in a subway in the People's Paradise of Moscow? Here's a good argument against massive expansion of public transportation:

Fashion Alert! Iranian Hostage Gets Springtime Makeover!

The winter look, all Mullah, all trashed by the critics:

With sales plummeting, Ayatollah Khamenei goes with the sure winner, Palestinian Oppression!

Fight! Fight! Fight!

A vacuous bimbo Fashion editor at the NYT got into a slapfight with an equally vacuous bimbo editor of the Style section.

Doesn't matter who wins, because they're all losers.

Culture of Corruption: Dianne Feinstein Edition?

HELLO, MSM? Echooooo...

According to MetroActive, she resigned quietly (where was the MSM?) from a Military Construction Appropriations committee after a conflict of interest involving her husband, tens of millions of dollars in defense and construction contracts, etc. surfaced in January.

MetroActive speculates that the resignation was due to the impending release of a scathing expose (funded by The Nation) that threatened to blow the lid off the air-tight kettledrum of ethical problems:

SEN. Dianne Feinstein has resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee. As previously and extensively reviewed in these pages, Feinstein was chairperson and ranking member of MILCON for six years, during which time she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum's ownership of two major defense contractors, who were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein.

As MILCON leader, Feinstein relished the details of military construction, even micromanaging one project at the level of its sewer design. She regularly took junkets to military bases around the world to inspect construction projects, some of which were contracted to her husband's companies, Perini Corp. and URS Corp.

Perhaps she resigned from MILCON because she could not take the heat generated by Metro's expose of her ethics (which was partially funded by the Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute). Or was her work on the subcommittee finished because Blum divested ownership of his military construction and advanced weapons manufacturing firms in late 2005?

WHERE IS THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA?

WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS TO CONDEMN AND ASK FOR HER RESIGNATION? WHERE IS NANCY PELOSI? WHERE IS HARRY REID? WHERE IS CHUCK SCHUMER?

More importantly, WHERE THE HELL ARE THE REPUBLICANS?

This is genuine news. Political corruption on a scale as big as Duke Cunningham, and the mainstream press is worried about 8 US attorneys losing their jobs in a completely legal hard-ball political axing-session.

The Culture of Corruption has 'returned' - bigger and better than ever before!

Welcome, Instapundit readers.
ht: Michael Savage

Gulf Of Tonkin My Ass

Hey, Rosie, Archduke Ferdinand, Google it.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that Britain must admit that its 15 sailors and marines entered Iranian waters in order to resolve a standoff over their capture by Iranian authorities.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki's announcement came on a day of escalating tensions, highlighted by an Iranian video of the detained Britons that showed the only woman captive saying her group had "trespassed" in Iranian waters. Britain angrily denounced the video as unacceptable and froze most dealings with the mideast nation.

"First they have to admit that they have made a mistake. Admitting the mistake will facilitate a solution to the problem," Mottaki told The Associated Press in an interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "But unfortunately the British have not admitted their mistake."

Mottaki also backed off a prediction that the female sailor, Faye Turney, could be freed Wednesday or Thursday, but said Tehran agreed to allow British officials to meet with service personnel.

Exit question: While everyone is focused on this crisis, what is Iran doing that's off the radar, so to speak? I smell....diversion.

Muslim Woman Sues: "Civil Rights Violated" for Judge's Order to Remove Veil

A muslim woman who's case was dismissed because she failed to remove her veil in a Detroit small claims court is suing for "violations of her civil rights". What civil right? The right to "practice her religion".

Her lawyer, Nabih Ayad, is an activist for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committe (ADC). This is the same guy who sued Condi Rice and Donald Rumsfeld for failure to keep Americans in Lebanon safe during last summer's war. He's also the guy who claimed his Yemeni client "didn't know" who had placed a knife in a book he brought on to an airplane. The list goes on and on.

I'm guessing that the case will be thrown out. No, make that hoping.

Detroit News:

Ginnnah Muhammad, 42, of Detroit, says in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit that Judge Paul Paruk's request to remove her veil _ and his decision to dismiss her case when she didn't _ was unconstitutional based on her First Amendment right to practice her religion.

The claim against Paruk also cites a federal civil rights law in alleging that Muhammad was denied access to the courts because of her religion....

"The way I believe in Islam is that a woman is very virtuous," she said. "We should be covered when we come out. This protects me as well as other people. I believe that God wants me that way."

Because, in the end, it's the woman's fault for showing her nostril that causes men to rape them.

How Schoolteachers Reprogram Budding Capitalists...

A group of schoolteachers in Seattle noticed that free exchange of LEGO toys within the classroom resulted in negotiation, barter and exchange, a vigorous level of activity and a lot of cooperation:

Discussions like the one above led to children collaborating on a massive series of Lego structures we named Legotown. Children dug through hefty-sized bins of Legos, sought "cool pieces," and bartered and exchanged until they established a collection of homes, shops, public facilities, and community meeting places. We carefully protected Legotown from errant balls and jump ropes, and watched it grow day by day.

Being properly-educated schoolteachers, they were, of course, ultimately horrified by the fact that some children ultimately collected more LEGOs than others and were thereby able to wield more influence over Legotown than some other children. This is, of course, unacceptable to left-wing mind, so the teachers undertook an extensive program to "intercede" so as to guilt the successful children into accepting that their "selfish" activities were wrong, and to nurture a sense of envy within the less-succesful children:

<< MORE BELOW THE FOLD >>

We recognized that children are political beings, actively shaping their social and political understandings of ownership and economic equity — whether we interceded or not. We agreed that we want to take part in shaping the children's understandings from a perspective of social justice.

After first banning the LEGOs, the teachers set about to reprogram the children's free exchange mindset into a regulated communitarian way of thinking. They did this, in part, by making up a different game in which power was distributed completely arbitrarily:

In the game, the children could experience what they’d not been able to acknowledge in Legotown: When people are shut out of participation in the power structure, they are disenfranchised — and angry, discouraged, and hurt. ... The rules of the game — which mirrored the rules of our capitalist meritocracy — were a setup for winning and losing. ... Our analysis of the game, as teachers, guided our planning for the rest of the investigation into the issues of power, privilege, and authority that spanned the rest of the year.

After convincing the children that the arbitrary game was unfair, they then worked to convince the children that the arbitrary game was no different than what they were doing in the original Legotwon project. In other words, they worked to convince the children that they should have been unhappy playing the game they were originally playing. In any event, the teachers ultimately brought the LEGOs back, but only after convincing themselves that they'd engaged in sufficient brainwashing, and after instituting new rules to ensure that there would be an equality of outcomes.

Please understand: the linked article isn't some sort of mea culpa. They are actually proud of what they accomplished!

This, friends, is the kind of thing that goes on every day in public and private classrooms across the country. It has been going on to some degree ever since the radical leftists first took control of the nation's teachers colleges. I expect other "communitarian" teachers will be inspired by this story to replicate the "success" in their own classrooms.

h/t: John J. Miller @ NRO.

Who to lick: Leia or Padmé?

The United States Postal service unveiled 15 commemorative Star Wars stamps today.

So, which Star Wars babe is more lickable?

Princess Leia Organa

or Padmé Naberrie (aka, Queen Amidala)

I, for one, am a little miffed that there's no metal bikini stamp.

Olbermann vs. Porn Star Mary Carey

Porn star Mary Carey claims she rebuffed advances from Keith Olbermann. Olby' camp claims it was he who shot down Mary Carey. Finally, a celebrity gossip battle I'm interested in! A porn star vs. a liberal talking head blowhard.

[Right: Olby sandwiched between porn stars Mary Cary and Tawney Roberts]

So, who do I believe? Come on Olby, you're telling me you shot down a chance to go out with a porn star? Just look at yourself, Olby. In the mirror.

Plus, given Olby's record, I'll have to side with Mary Carey on this one.

As always, Olbermann Watch has the sordid details on Olby's sudden lapse of memory. Dare we call them Keith Olbermann's lies? Yes, we dare.

Previous:
Porn Star Mary Carey's take on KELO
Porn Star Mary Carey's Dinner with President Bush
Porn Star's Hot Lesbian Sex Fantasy With Bush Twins

Parting Mary Carey image.

Embracing the Suck in Fallujah and Kurdistan: Citizen Journalists Report

Embracing the suck in Fallujah, by our friend Bill from INDC:

Once perspective is established, fatalism helps. If your number comes up, it comes up. Almost - but not quite - as silly as the sentiment that "it will happen to me," is the idea that "it can never happen to me." A bunch of maniacs shooting RPG's, sniping, slinging mortars, triggering bombs and loosing machine guns are bound to hit something. And they do. But if you take reasonable precautions, keep your eyes open and do what you're told by people with experience, the overwhelming odds are, you'll be fine. And if you do get hit, at least you did everything prudent to avoid it.

READ THE REST

Michael Totten has recently been embracing the good in Iraqi Kurdistan. Little suck to be embraced in the other Iraq. But wouldn't you know, in a part of Iraq that Hitchens thinks is destined to become the model of Middle East democracy, Totten accidentally stumbles into the suck, and manages to find an enclave of crazies in this otherwise picturesque country:

They were supposed to be social democrats, the people Patrick Lasswell and I met yesterday in a compound outside the city of Suleimaniya, the cultural capital of Northern Iraqi Kurdistan. We had it all set up. We were to meet Abu Bakr Mudarisy and his associates for lunch at 11:00 A.M. and learn what we could about the anti-government resistance a few miles away in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our driver Yusef misunderstood and took us to the wrong place. He did drop us off where we met left-wing dissidents from Iran. But these weren’t the moderate English-speaking leftist intellectuals we were looking for. Instead we found ourselves in an armed camp of the military wing of the Iranian Communist Party.

READ THE REST. Looks like Tottens string of good luck findally ran out! His companion in the mishap, Patrick Laswell, has this to say about the suck:

They were the nicest Marxists I've ever met, even if the meeting was by accident.

The suck. Embrace it.

Afghan Women in Uniform

In typical fashion, the major networks have expressed no interest in the following story. While they endlessly drone on about IED attacks in Iraq, or a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, nobody mentions the astounding fact that women are serving in the new Afghan army.

Click here to view the article that accompanies this video.

From the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Nov 04, 2006

Only five years after the Taliban was ousted from power, Afghan women are playing an increasing role in their country's security through an accessions program allowing them to become members of the Afghan National Army.

"When I wear my uniform and I'm flying the helicopter, my only goal is to help the people of Afghanistan and establish peace and security. I am proud to serve my country." Capt. Lailoma, Afghan National Army.

Currently, there are 147 women serving in the Afghan National Army, including two who were among the first group of 58 pilots recently accessed into the Afghan National Army's Air Corps.

The accessions program enables the nomination of qualified women for vacant, authorized Afghan National Army positions. A board consisting of officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Afghan National Army General Staff, and the office of the Chief of Personnel reviews and determines the eligibility of each woman based on age, education and military experience from prior service in the Afghan Militia Forces.
After the accessions board reviews and approves the selection of nominees, the nominations are sent to the Defense Minister for final approval.

As the number of female officers in the Afghan National Army steadily increases, so too does the number of female noncommissioned officers. This is the result of a special accessions program that allows both men and women who were not previously nominated for specific positions to volunteer for service as a noncommissioned officer. Today, women are serving in medical, logistics and communications positions as a result of this program.

Women undergo the same accessions process that is used for men. Both genders are intermixed on nomination lists and selection boards don't take any special note if a person being considered for a position is a woman. However, since women previously were limited to serving in medical, administrative and support positions and professions, they are generally more qualified for, and are usually nominated to, similar positions in the Afghan National Army. Most positions in which women serve are located in the Kabul area.

Blogroll Call

It's that time of year where I clean up my blogroll. If you're not on the blogroll, but think you should be because I've been on yours since forever, consider this an open invitation to bribe and/or cajole me. Priority goes to those that I've made empty promises to in the past. But no promises now. Let me know if you've noticed a dead or inactive link. And remember, there are no payolla laws in the blogosphere.

Video - CONTEXT

From the folks who brought you the "Che Guevara Christmas Greeting", another kewl video:

Click Read More for two bonus videos.-->

More Context:

...&topic=politics">

(Video) Full Video of Hostage Faye Turney on Iranian TV

Full video of Iranian state television's broadcast of British hostage Faye Turney and her "confession".

Where are the human rights organizations for this intentional breaking of the Geneva Conventions which explicitly forbid this kind of public display of P.O.W.'s?

Here is the text of the letter, allegedly written by Faye Turney:

Dear Mum & Dad,

I am writing to you from Iran where I am being held.

I will try to explain to you the best what has happened.

We were out in the boats when we were arrested by Iranian forces, as we had apparently gone into Iranian waters.

I wish we hadn't because then I'd be home with you all right now.

I am so sorry we did because I know we wouldn't be here now if we hadn't.

I want you all to know that I am well and safe.

I am being well looked after. I am fed three meals a day and have a constant supply of fluids.

The people are friendly and hospitable, very compassionate and warm.

I have written a letter to the Iranian people to apologise for us entering into their waters.

Please don't worry about me, I am staying strong.

Hopefully it won't be long until I am home to get ready for Molly's birthday party with a present from the Iranian people.

Look after everyone for me, especially Adam and Molly.

I love you all more than you will ever know.

All my love,

Faye

Update: It looks like the vid was uploaded by Shawn Wassan to Liveleak, who adds, "Clearly These Statements Were Made Under Duress".

UPDATE: Brits governement reacts to video:

Britain called the broadcast "completely unacceptable" and said it was concerned that the statements from sailor Faye Turney were coerced. The British government earlier released what it called proof the boat crews were seized in Iraqi waters, and said it was freezing all contacts with Iran except negotiations to release them....

Before the video was broadcast, a Blair spokesman said any showing of British personnel on TV would be a breach of the Geneva Conventions.

"It's completely unacceptable for these pictures to be shown on television," the Foreign Office said after the broadcast. "There is no doubt our personnel were seized in Iraqi territorial waters."...

The Foreign Office said it had "grave concerns" about Turney's state of mind when she spoke on video.

"I am very concerned about these pictures and any indication of pressure on or coercion of our personnel," said Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. She added that Britain had "comprehensively demonstrated today that our personnel were operating inside Iraqi territorial waters."

MORE Updates and background below-->

From Vicki's previous post: Iran to Release Female Sailor

Iran's Foreign Minister said today that Faye Turney, the 26-year-old British sailor who was captured along with 14 male colleagues last week, would be freed on Wednesday or Thursday. (Rusty: the price of her freedom was to be her taped 'confession')

"Today or tomorrow, the lady will be released," Manouchehr Mottaki said Wednesday on the sidelines of an Arab summit that he was attending in the Saudi capital.

The British released the GPS coordinates of the vessels seized by Iran, showing that they were well inside Iraqi waters.

Vice Adm. Charles Style said the British vessels were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters when Iran seized the sailors and marines on Friday. He gave the satellite coordinates of the British crew as 29 degrees 50.36 minutes north latitude and 048 degrees 43.08 minutes east longitude, and said it had been confirmed by an Indian-flagged merchant ship boarded by the sailors and marines.

Style told reporters that the Iranians had provided a position on Sunday — a location that he said was in Iraqi waters. By Tuesday, Iranian officials had given a revised position 2 miles east, placing the British inside Iranian waters — a claim he said was not verified by global positioning system coordinates.

"It is hard to understand a legitimate reason for this change of coordinates," Style said.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said today that Britain is freezing all ties with Iran until the abducted sailors and Marines are released.

"They should not be under any doubt at all about how seriously we regard this act, which is unjustified and wrong," Mrs Beckett said.

What the Mullahs Want For The West

UAC* Holding Anti-CAIR Protests This Saturday

I don't know much about this group, but just about anyone who's protesting CAIR is doing at least one thing right:

2nd Annual Rally Against Islamofascism Day

Saturday March 31st 2007

On Saturday March 31st Americans of all ethnicities and of all religious backgrounds are urged to take to the streets in peaceful protest of Islamic radicalism. The primary locations of the rallies will be in front of several offices of the Council on American Islamic Relations deemed by many as a radical Islamist front organization.

(* not the Union Aerospace Corporation)

The full list of events is below the fold.

SEVEN (7) RALLIES All rallies will be held on Saturday March 31st:

West Coast:

Southern California:
See the press release for this rally
In front of CAIR's Southern California Office
We will be hanging an effigy of bin Laden
Location: 2180 W. Crescent Ave. Anaheim, CA 92801
Time: 1:00 PM
Contact: losangeles@unitedamericancommittee.org

Hawaii - Kona
Location: Along the Queen K Hwy, near the Mormon Temple, just south of Henry St., in Kona, Hawaii
Time: Starting at 2:00pm and until 5:00pm
Contact: for more info or to confirm attendance email americandefender@yahoo.com

Washington State:
In front of CAIR's Seattle Office
Location: 9594 1st Avenue NE, Seattle WA
Time: 1:00 PM
Contact: washington@unitedamericancommittee.org

East Coast:

New York - NYC: GROUND ZERO
MAIN RALLY AGAINST ISLAMOFASCISM DAY RALLY - BE THERE!
Location: Ground Zero - World Trade Center
Time: 12 Noon - 2 PM
Contact: newyork@unitedamericancommittee.org

Florida - Orlando:
Location: The corner of Hwy 50(Colonial Drive) and Bumby.
Time: 1:00 PM
Contact: florida@unitedamericancommittee.org

Massachusetts - Boston:
Location: Boston Common
Tremont St. in front of the Constitution memorial and across from Lowes movie theater.
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Contact: boston@unitedamericancommittee.org

Midwest:

Missouri - Columbia:
Location: Post Office on E 500 block of Walnut Street, across the street on the sidewalk.
Time: 9:45am to 11am.
Contact: ltw03y@hotmail.com

'Hundreds of militants' Attack Pakistan

From worsening Taliban rallying point border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan:

Hundreds of militants fired rockets, killed one security official and kidnapped a school principal Wednesday in a northwestern town where police had slain two men accused of recruiting students for suicide attacks, police said.

The overnight raid underlined the strength of the militants and the weakness of Pakistani authorities in a swath of territory along the Afghan border where Taliban guerrillas fighting in Afghanistan find sanctuary. The United States fears al-Qaida is trying to regroup in the same area.

Several hundred gunmen launched the attack in Tank, a town in North West Frontier Province, sparking an hours-long battle that left at least one member of the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary dead...

Probably those damn Christians and their Bibles again. Damn Jooooos, too.

Interpol issues extradition warrants for five senior Iranians and one senior Hezbollah Operative

From the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC):

Following an appeal from the Argentinean Attorney General, Interpol issued international extradition warrants for five senior Iranians and one senior Hezbollah operative. The charge was involvement in the suicide bombing attack of the Jewish community center building (AMIA) in Argentina in 1994.

1. Interpol's Executive Committee decided to issue a Red Notice for one senior Hezbollah operative and five senior Iranians. The six are suspected of involvement in the July 18, 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Building (AMIA) in Argentinan, which killed 85 individuals and wounded several hundred.

The six for whom the warrants were issued are:

A. Imad Moughnieh (also spelled 'Mugniyah'), Hassan Nasrallah's military deputy and head of Hezbollah's External Security Service. He is an internationally notorious terrorist who was responsible for many terrorist attacks against Western, Israeli and Jewish targets in Lebanon and in other countries, and is wanted by the United States.

B. Mohsen Rabbani, Iranian cultural attaché in Buenos Aires at the time of the attack.

C. Ahmad Reza Asghari (also known as Mohsen Randjbaran ), third secretary of the Iranian embassy in Buenos Aires at the time of the attack.

D. Ahmad Vahidi, formerly commander of the Qods Force and today acting minister of defense.

E. Mohsen Rezai, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, 5 formerly and currently secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council.

F. Ali Fallahijan, formerly Iran 's minister of intelligence and security, today advisor to Khamenei.

3. On November 10, 2006 the Argentinean Attorney General issued international arrest warrants for the Iran 's former president, Ali Rafsanjani, and eight additional men who were involved in the bombing of the AMIA building, on the charge of crimes against humanity. Two weeks later Argentina asked Interpol to issue warrants for the nine ( eight of whom are Iranian ). Interpol's Executive Council reported that after weighing various written and oral testimonies presented in Argentina and Iran , it had decided to adopt the summation of the report prepared by Interpol's legal department regarding issuing international arrest warrants for five Iranians and one Hezbollah operatives who had been involved in the attack.

4. The warrants will go into effect on March 31, 2007, unless Argentina or Iran (or any other country) files an appeal and expresses opposition. If an appeal is filed the issue will be transferred to in Interpol's General Assembly for deliberation ( November 2007) . Interpol did not issue international extradition warrants for former Iranian president Ali Rafsanjani , former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati or former Iranian ambassador to Argentina, Hadi Suleimanpour, who were all included in the Argentinean request for extradition, in our opinion out of political considerations.

5. Iran denies any involvement in the attack, and has criticized both the investigation conducted in Argentina and Interpol's Executive Committee decision resulting from it. Iranian spokesmen have said that Interpol's decision is unacceptable and that the issuing of warrants is a violation of Interpol's constitution. Iranian sources described the decision as “a Zionist plot” intended to deflect international attention from the “crimes Israel commits against women and children in Palestine .” Nevertheless, Iran has not yet filed an official appeal with Interpol regarding the decision.

For more information, see here.
UPDATE: Click here for more information on Imad Mugniyah.

National Review : "Alberto Gonzales Should Resign"

What little credibility Gonzales had is gone. All that now keeps him in office, save the friendship of the president, is the conviction of many Republicans that removing him would embolden the Democrats. It is an overblown fear. The Democrats will pursue scandals, real or invented, whether or not Gonzales stays. But they have an especially inviting target in Gonzales. He cannot defend the administration and its policies even when they deserve defense. Alberto Gonzales should resign. The Justice Department needs a fresh start.

Full column here. (h/t Glenn.)

Freedom Journal Iraq #614

This edition features stories on U.S. and Iraqi soldiers going on a joint patrol in southeast Baghdad, Iraqi soldiers leading, planning and executing their first joint mission of their own and two U.S. Soldiers planning an air assault mission into a village in Baghdad. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #614
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #614
Yahoo Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #614,
below the fold. Which do you like better?

"I Am John Doe"

So sayeth the crew at HotAir.

UPDATE by Rusty: Michelle Malkin's latest piece John Doe Manifesto at Townhall:

Dear Muslim Terrorist Plotter/Planner/Funder/Enabler/Apologist,

You do not know me. But I am on the lookout for you. You are my enemy. And I am yours.

I am John Doe.

I am traveling on your plane. I am riding on your train. I am at your bus stop. I am on your street. I am in your subway car. I am on your lift.

I am your neighbor. I am your customer. I am your classmate. I am your boss.

I am John Doe......

I will combat your violent propaganda on the Internet.

I am John Doe.

READ THE REST. Is it time to change my pen name from "Rusty Shackleford" to "John Doe"? Because, as far as I can tell, I am John Doe. I just never realized it until now.

Iran to Release Female Sailor

UPDATE: (Video) Full Video of Hostage Faye Turney on Iranian TV

UPDATE: Sky News (UK) reports that captured sailors will be paraded on Iranian TV.

UPDATE II: Allah says the price for Turney's release is a taped confession:

The female British sailor detained by Iran along with 14 others after their illegal entry to Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf has apologized to Tehran for the incursion.

In an interview to be broadcast later on Wednesday on television, Faye Turney, apologized for the violation of the Iranian sovereignty by the British navy service people on Friday.

She said Iranians have treated her and the other soldiers in a humane, moral manner.

H/t Michelle Malkin

Iran's Foreign Minister said today that Faye Turney, the 26-year-old British sailor who was captured along with 14 male colleagues last week, would be freed on Wednesday or Thursday.

"Today or tomorrow, the lady will be released," Manouchehr Mottaki said Wednesday on the sidelines of an Arab summit that he was attending in the Saudi capital.

The British released the GPS coordinates of the vessels seized by Iran, showing that they were well inside Iraqi waters.

Vice Adm. Charles Style said the British vessels were 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters when Iran seized the sailors and marines on Friday. He gave the satellite coordinates of the British crew as 29 degrees 50.36 minutes north latitude and 048 degrees 43.08 minutes east longitude, and said it had been confirmed by an Indian-flagged merchant ship boarded by the sailors and marines.

Style told reporters that the Iranians had provided a position on Sunday — a location that he said was in Iraqi waters. By Tuesday, Iranian officials had given a revised position 2 miles east, placing the British inside Iranian waters — a claim he said was not verified by global positioning system coordinates.

"It is hard to understand a legitimate reason for this change of coordinates," Style said.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said today that Britain is freezing all ties with Iran until the abducted sailors and Marines are released.

"They should not be under any doubt at all about how seriously we regard this act, which is unjustified and wrong," Mrs Beckett said.

Osama Bin Laden hanged in effigy at Mosque in Culver City, CA

Even on the left coast, people are finally waking up.

Jawa Report PSA : Give to Your United Way

March 27, 2007

Soldier's Angels VET PACKS

A message from Soldier's Angels:

Soldiers Angels is taking a big step in helping out the VA hospitals around the U.S. There is a big need out there for our veterans, not only those in the hospitals, but we are finding that the VA hospitals serve quite a few homeless vets. In trying to meet the needs of both the hospitalized veteran and the homeless veterans, Soldiers Angels has put together a VET PACK for a donation of $40.00 to this project you can make a veteran's hospital stay or life in general better.

To Donate a VET PACK to a Hero who needs it please go here and make your donation.

Flying Imams Shield Law Introduced in Congress [Update: PASSED!!!]

UPDATE: "Flying Imams Shield Law Passes"!!!!!!!!!!

The motion passed 304 to 121

Another UPDATE:
Bryan Preston reads my mind about the 121 who voted against, "closer than it ought to be." So, who voted against the bill?

A reader e-mails this link to the roll call: All 121 NOES are Democrats. Guess how CAIR's guy in Congress Kieth Ellison voted? [That's called a rhetorical question, for those of you in Rio Linda]

Other nay votes? The usual suspects
Waters
Kucinich
Sanchez
Harman
Jackson
Jackson-Lee
Kennedy
Nadler
Conyers
Rangel....etc.

Shuster says in a press release, "This is a big victory for all Americans. No American should ever be sued because they tried to stop a terrorist act. No American should be forced to second guess a decision to alert authorities that could save the lives of others. Unfortunately, the recent lawsuit filed by the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) seeks to do just that."

Awesome. Freaking. Oh!
---------------
UPDATE II: Thanks to Michelle Malkin--who has the text of the press release I quote above, and now has a cool pic up-- and Scott at Powerline, I learn that the Washington Times has the story [Story has been updated to reflect vote]:

House Republicans today surprised Democrats with a procedural vote to protect public-transportation passengers from being sued if they report suspicious activity -- the first step by lawmakers to protect "John Doe" airline travelers already targeted in a lawsuit by Muslim imams that charges profiling.

The introduction of a motion to recommit the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 back to committee with instructions to add the protective language was introduced by Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee.....

The amendment is retroactive to activities that took place on or after Nov. 20, 2006 -- the date of the Minneapolis incident, and authorizes courts to award attorneys' fees to defendants with immunity.

Note to Michelle, Audrey, and Scott: "The Flying Imams Shield Law" is so much better than "Protecting John Doe Act" ;-p

Update within-an-update: Like peas in a podcast, Goldstein and Ace.

--------------
Begin original post

House Republicans are proposing an amendment that would protect innocent Americans who report potential terrorist activity aboard various forms of public transportation by shielding such Americans against frivolous lawsuits. The amendment is being voted on as we speak. I call it, 'The Flying Imams Shield Law". In fact, that is exactly what it is.

The amendment is modeled after another bill sponsored by Rep. Stevan Pearce and Bill Shuster, and the leadership is running with it. Big time. Here is the text of a G.O.P leader alert that just went out, below. I'm neither a member of the Republican party nor am I a leader, but thank you to the reader who forwarded it to me.

This shield law is very important in the war on terror. It's the nature of law enforcement that most actions start with a tip. A good many of those tips turn out to be nothing at all. But in order to find out if a citizens' tip is simply a misunderstanding or the lead that stops the next 9/11 from happening, law enforcement must be free to investigate without interference from 'civil rights' groups such as CAIR.

Further, citizens like you and me must be able to forward our suspicions to the FBI and other law enforcement authorities without fear of harassment. Lawsuits against whistleblowers only discourage the kind of information from you and me that the FBI needs to combat terrorism. The kind of information Jawa Report readers regularly forward to them, especially information we collect about jihadi websites from terrorist groups.

UPDATE: Bonus video added below--Sout al-Kuffar's Flight Club: Being Naughty on a Plane. Scroll to the bottom.

Here it is:

"FLYING IMAMS" INCIDENT SPARKS GOP EFFORTS TO PROTECT AMERICANS WHO REPORT POTENTIAL TERRORIST ACTIVITY

March 27, 2007

Responding to widespread public outrage about last November's infamous "flying Imams" incident aboard a domestic airline flight, House Republicans today will offer a proposal that would protect innocent Americans who report potential terrorist activity aboard various forms of public transportation by shielding such Americans against frivolous lawsuits.

Modeled after legislation authored by Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM), the Republican measure seeks to prevent innocent Americans from being wrongly discouraged against reporting potential terrorist activity. The measure would grant immunity from civil liability to both passengers and employees of surface transportation carriers who report suspicious behavior and potential terrorist activity to authorities in good faith. The measure, to be offered as the Republican motion-to-recommit (MTR) on H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act (H.R. 1401), covers reports of potential threats to transportation systems and passenger safety and security associated with all modes of surface transportation.

Background:

In November 2006, six Islamic leaders were removed from a U.S. Airways flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix after they were observed acting suspiciously - including not sitting in their assigned seats, asking for seatbelt extenders although not needing them, making anti-American statements, and other suspicious behaviors. Earlier this month, these individuals filed suit against the passengers who reported the suspicious behavior.

The Threat:

The "flying Imams" incident has raised the disturbing possibility that frivolous lawsuits could have a chilling effect on the free flow of information that is critical in the post-9/11 world. Passenger vigilance is essential to our security; and the passengers who report such incidents in good faith should be the subjects of praise and appreciation, not frivolous lawsuits.

The GOP Solution:

By passing a specific grant of immunity that covers passengers reporting suspicious activity in good faith, Republicans will prevent special-interest lawyers from using "creative" legal theories to attack the well-meaning passengers who make reports. The motion:

* Grants immunity from civil liability to any person that voluntarily reports suspicious activity that could be a threat to transportation security.
* Provides attorneys fees for defendants victimized by frivolous lawsuits.
* Is retroactive to activities that took place on or after November 20, 2006 - the date of the Minneapolis incident, and authorizes courts to award attorneys fees to defendants with immunity.

It is important to remember that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and transportation systems nationwide (subways, railways, buses) rightfully urge passengers to report anything suspicious. Law enforcement agencies across the country have "tip lines" to report suspicious activity.

Republican Leader Press Office

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)

H-204, The Capitol

(202) 225-4000

http://republicanleader.house.gov/

-------------

A classic Sout al-Kuffar production

Time To Throw Hagel Out Of Congress

You have a duty to the country to vote Chuck Hagel out of office next term.

This piece of crap has stabbed the troops in the back for the last time.

Update, by Vinnie: Bad news, it ain't gonna happen. Two people have announced an interest in running for Hagel's seat (in local radio interviews, I live in Nebrakahahahaha, remember) in the Republican primary, but only if he decides to make a go at the Presidency.

If Hagel decides to run for the Senate again, he won't be challenged, and we face the prospect of having two Democrats from Nebraskahahahaha in the Senate in 2008.

Which is why I posted this.

USA Today : Flying Imams' Tactics Threaten "Everyone's Ability to Travel Securely"

The imams' actions last November appeared to be either deliberately provocative or clueless as to how others might perceive them. Several passengers and crewmembers told authorities that the men loudly chanted "Allah" several times, cursed U.S. involvement in Iraq and switched their seat assignments. Three imams asked for seat belt extenders, which include a heavy metal buckle that could be used as a weapon, but left them on the floor.

Under the circumstances, the pilot made a reasonable judgment call to remove them from the plane. Some of the facts are in dispute: The imams deny making any anti-American remarks and say seats were changed to accommodate a blind cleric who might need assistance. They accuse the airline of slandering them.

US Airways can afford to defend itself and the crew in court. Passengers who notified authorities don't have those resources. Several lawyers have promised to represent such passengers for free. The American Islamic Forum for Democracy, a moderate Muslim group, will raise funds for their defense. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., has introduced a bill to shield from legal liability those who report suspicious behavior.

It shouldn't have to come to that, especially if a judge has the wisdom to throw out the complaints against the "John Doe" passengers before they're identified.

As for ethnic profiling — the reprehensible practice of discriminating solely based on ethnicity — this incident doesn't qualify. The imams were tossed off the plane because of suspicious behavior, which obviously can't be ignored. Suing passengers who merely report such behavior threatens everyone's ability to travel securely.

Full article here.

Freedom Journal Iraq #613

This edition features stories on Multi-National Corps Iraq's Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola visiting troops at Forward Operating Base Key West, Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki visiting the Al Anbar Province for the first time since being elected, Iraqi soldiers receiving mortuary training to prepare for the opening of a processing center, and Baghdad community leaders meeting to plan a strategy for the success of Iraq. Hosted by Spec. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #613
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #613

Video: Global Terror Alert Cybercast II

Evan Kohlmann of the Counterterrorism Blog and of Global Terror Alert's newest cybercast. Video below. It's worth the 16 minutes of your time if you want to get up to date on recent terrorist developments. Of special interest to Jawa Report readers will be found at @ the 6 minute mark, legal charges filed against a Missouri-based Islamic charity which was really a terror front, and the 8 minute mark, the arrest of a jihadi webmaster in Spain.

In this issue: Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri's blistering attack on the Palestinian Hamas movement, Al-Qaida's continuing wave of violence in Algeria, the recent suicide bombing at a Moroccan cybercafe, legal charges filed against a Missouri-based terror financing front, the arrest of a jihadi webmaster in Spain, and a full update on the state of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq.

Google Protecting al Qaeda Copyrights

On Saturday Rusty reported some difficulty we are having with Google Video rejecting our videos. I had uploaded the video because I wanted to report on the break-down of support for al-Qaeda and their front group, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). In the video that was rejected, al-Libi begs for unity and acceptance of the ISI’s leadership by Sunni jihadis.

The ISI is a group founded by al-Qaeda’s dead emir, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, as a way to unite the various Salafi jihad groups under one leadership(al-Qaeda's). Although the ISI often states it is 'not al-Qaeda', the leader of ISI has pronounced that its goals and al-Qeada’s are the same: an Islamic Caliphate extending from Asia to Spain.

We had hoped the reason our videos were rejected was because Google was finally cracking down on jihadist propaganda on Google Video, Youtube, and blogspot. I even went so far as to check the Islamic Army in Iraq propaganda outlets at juba-online.blogspot.com and juba-thebaghdadsniper.blogspot.com to see if they were still online..... and yes, they were.

As it turns out Google actually thought it was protecting the al Qaeda owned and operated as-Sahab Media's copyright. Here is the letter I received from "The Google Video Team" answering my qeustion as to why the al Qaeda propaganda video was rejected:

Hi, Thanks for your email. Please note your videos were rejected for copyright reasons. Copyright law and the Google Video Terms of Service prohibit distributing copyrighted works, unless you have the legal right to do so. If you're unsure whether you have the right to use any of the content you wish to submit to Google Video, including any music in the video, please do not upload it to our program.

Which is ironic since,as Rusty tells me, “al-Qaeda does not have the copyright on the video. It's true. Apparently, copyright is 'un-Islamic'."

I’ve pointed that out to Google and asked for a specific reason they rejected the video. No reply yet.

Anyway, as-Sahab has released another video from al-Liby in which he scolds the Jihadis in Somalia for losing the faith in Jihad after their defeat this winter.

He also admits that al-Qaeda is powerless to retake Somalia calling the resistance, “The few and the weak.” And he also accuses them of being impotent. Sounds like a personal problem to me.

Fight a guerilla war, for it is the most durable of battles and the least in losses, most crushing and most appropriate for the weak and the few.

So rejoice, O guardians of Tawheed, and be hopeful, and shed the feelings of despair, blow away the clouds of despondency and repel the illnesses of impotence.

The few and the weak indeed! There are a lot fewer al-Qaeda terrorists in Somalia now and the ones that are left have been seriously weakened.

The part I find the most interesting is that al-Libi appears to have taken al-Zawahiri’s role as the primary spokesman for al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This may be because Zawahiri’s last few messages have had little effect. If so, then al-Libi's speeches are a failure as well as they have not been widely reported outside of Islamist circles.

The funniest part is that al-Libi sings in the video. Several times he sings verses from the Koran. He sings them terribly, at best. Do I detect a castrato?

I have some related links and the complete text of the message below with some frame grabs. I’ll try and upload the video as well so you can hear the idiot sing. It will probably be rejected, but it’s worth a shot.

As this is al-Liby's second message in less than a week, Rusty now calls him al-Qaeda’s new media whore, "who puts Paris Hilton to shame", so I’ll be accepting suggestion for a funny new nickname for him in comments.

UPDATE by Rusty: I am suddenly reminded of House Resolution 224, sponsored by Congressman Bill Shuster, which is a first attempt at discouraging the use of american corporations and servers in the dissemination of jihadi propaganda. It might be worthwhile to e-mail your House Representative and voice your support for the bill.

Update II: Google replied, same answer. Video added, below the fold, hurry it may not last long.

Update III: Allahpundit has more at Hot Air on al-Qaeda and it's sympathizers knocking off important members of 1920's Revolution Brigades.

What we have here, in all likelihood, is the terrorism equivalent of one mafia family whacking the leader of another for cooperating with the police.

Update IV: I really like how, when you post your problem on the blog, it goes away. Google reinstated the the first video. Link below the fold.

“To the Army of Difficulty in Somalia” – A Video Speech by Abu Yahya al-Libi from as-Sahab by SITE Institute
Annoying Yet Hopeful Sign that Google is Learning
More on the history of the divisions amongst the Sunni terrorist groups here.

It is important to note that all three groups mention in the AINA article (Ansar al Sunna, Jaish al Mujahidin, and The Islamic Army in Iraq) are terrorists and enemies of freedom and democracy in Iraq. But when they are divided they will be much easier to defeat. Thus the saying, "Divide and Conquer". Apparently the Left doesn't understand the importance of that.

Click the image for video

A couple of finger pointy frames from his prior speech(video added).

We have obtained copies of both videos and we can send them by request if google shoots us down again.

Text of as-Sahabs message available to our readers, who don't have to, "be someone special" to get information:

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, and may prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and upon his family, companions and allies.

To my brothers the Mujahideen and Murabiteen, the army of difficulty in Somalia the beloved: peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

I will not be devoting my talk to bewailing a bygone past, or regretting a lost possession, even if it was gold, or grieving over something missing which cannot be brought back by grief and sorrow: "…so that you not grieve over what escaped you nor over that which befell you. And Allah is well aware of all that you do." (3:153)

Don't grieve over what has been lost
Here you have grieved, but to what benefit?

Crying and sobbing has no place in a battle in which the infidels have combined all their powers, recruited all their troops, and called out to each other, advising themselves thus: "And their chiefs went out quickly [saying], 'Go on, and remain devoted to your gods, for this is certainly a thing plotted [against you].'" (38:6)

And they became enraged as they watched a seedling of life begin to flourish, come alive and shine in that barren, barefaced desert, and it was then that "they said, 'Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall attack him and his people at night, and that we shall then say to his heir: we were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are telling the truth.'" (27:49) And they came out with their massive armies "recklessly and to be seen by the people, and to hinder from the path of Allah, and Allah encompasses all that they do." (8:47) Their hearts were full of arrogance, their chests overflowed with fury, their noses were turned up in pride, and their minds were lost in satanic whispers: "And when Satan beautified to them their [evil] deeds, and said, 'No one among men can overcome you today, while I am with you.'" (8:48) Allah permitting, they will soon discover – as their predecessors and allies have discovered – that their plots are passing fantasies and their forces are empty, powerless assemblages: "But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he turned on his heels [in flight], and said, "I am innocent of you; I see what you see not; [and] I fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment.'" (8:48)

It is not for the people of tyranny and oppression to be resolute against the champions of doctrine, faith and conviction, and their plotting shall backfire and be a curse for them: "But the plotting of evil will afflict only its [plotters]. Are they waiting for what happened to the first ones? And no change will you find in Allah's way [of dealing], and no diversion will you find in Allah's way." (35:43)

And their tyranny will be the source of their doom: "That, and whoever punishes as he was punished, and then is [again] oppressed, Allah will help him, and Allah is Most Pardoning, Most Forgiving." (22:60)

Allah has decreed that oppression fells its people
And that the tables are turned on the tyrant

One verse of Allah's Noble Book is sufficient to console us over our tragedy, bandage our wounds, whet our appetites and make our feet firm: "And lose not heart, nor fall into despair, for you must gain mastery if you are [truly] believers. If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the [other] people. And those are the days [of varying fortunes] We give to people by turns, that Allah may know those that believe, and that He may take for Himself from your ranks witnesses [martyrs]. And Allah does not like those that do wrong." (3:139-140)

And another verse encourages us to continue on our path, pours into our hearts the concept of fostering perseverance, motivates us to make ourselves – despite the wounds and disasters – the pursuers instead of the pursued, and shakes from us the dust of weakness, frailty and impotence: “And do not lose heart in seeking the enemies. If you are hurting, they are hurting as you hurt: but you hope from Allah what they hope not. And Allah is all-Knowing, Wise.” (4:104)

So O lions of Somalia and champions of the deserts and jungles, O groups of the army of difficulty: resolution and perseverance, for by Allah, this is merely a distress which will vanish and a darkness which will pass, to be followed by nothing less than certain victory, pure consolidation and good outcomes. I tell you what the Prophet of Allah Moses (peace and prayers be upon him and our Prophet) told his people after they had been shaken by trials and Pharoah and his legions had inflicted on them all manner of punishment and torture and had slaughtered their sons and left their women alive: "Said Moses to his people, 'Pray for help from Allah, and be patient, for the earth is Allah's, to give as a heritage to such of his servants as He pleases; and the end is for the righteous.'" (7:128) And what was the outcome of their patience after the severity of their trial? "And We made a people who were oppressed inheritors of the East and West of the land upon which We sent down Our blessings. And the good [promise] of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because they had patience, and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people had built." (7:137) And the favor of Allah came to them from where they least expected it and His mercy enveloped them and He aided them with His victory after they said, "We will be overtaken" (26:61), and they became the inheritors and He destroyed their enemy in a blink of an eye. "And We wished to bestow our favor on those who were being oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors, and establish them in the land, and show Pharaoh, Haman and their troops what they had been fearing from them." (28:5-6)

So after severity, there is only comfort, and after difficulty, there is nothing but ease, and after hardship, there is nothing but relief: "So verily, with every difficulty, there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty there is relief." (94:5-6)

If difficulty becomes severe, then hope for ease, for
Allah's decree is that difficulty is followed by ease
Allah will bring relief, for He
Orders His creation every day
What you see will not last, and you will see
Relief from what time insisted on
So when time brings difficulty, be firm
And patient, for the key to firmness is patience
How many a long-held worry was lifted
And another's difficult straits eased

There are only two parties, and they have no third: the party of truth which fights under its banner and for it, and the party of unbelief which aids its darkness and spreads its misguidance. And what a difference there is between the mirage and the water. "Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who reject faith fight in the way of the false god. So fight against the friends of Satan; feeble indeed is the plotting of Satan." (4:76)

So rejoice, O guardians of Tawheed, and be hopeful, and shed the feelings of despair, blow away the clouds of despondency and repel the illnesses of impotence. And know that Allah is with you, surrounding you with His protection, defending you with His strength, and helping you with His help. As for the Abyssinian rabble, it suffices them that their ally is Satan. And their eyes have been blinded, so they haven't learned from what their brothers – nay, masters – are suffering in Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, Algeria and elsewhere. "Do they not travel through the earth, and see how the end of those before them was? Allah brought utter destruction on them, and the same [will be] for the unbelievers. That is because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, and because the unbelievers have no protector." (47:10-11)

Isn't Allah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in whose hand is supreme power over everything and who protects and from whom there is no protection, the One who is defending you? What, therefore, can these lowly ones do to you? "Verily, Allah defends those who believe. Verily, Allah does not love every unfaithful, ungrateful one." (22:38)

And accept the good news of your Prophet (peace be upon him), and be certain of its truth. Said he, "Give this Ummah the good news of eminence, religion, superiority, victory and establishment in the land."

So reaching this noble goal – i.e., establishment in the land, victory over the occupiers, and superiority and eminence in religion – is a certain thing, but for who? For whoever takes the straight path, relies on the Strong and Merciful and grasps the surest handhold, however long the march and difficult the situation: "O you who believe! If you help Allah, He will help you, and plant your feet firmly." (47:7)

And in order for you to guarantee a good outcome – Allah permitting – and protect the route of the caravan of truth and safeguard the Muslim group from wasting its efforts and going astray, you must grasp the devotion of Jihad and hold tightly to it. And I bring attention to the word "devotion," for by Allah, Jihad is not a "choice," as some have degraded it by adding this ugly word to it and saying (and what a terrible thing they say) "the choice of Jihad" and "the choice of resistance," thus dirtying its face and fiddling with its meaning. Jihad is a prescribed, obligatory devotion made compulsory by the Lord of Lords, He Who sent down the Book from above the seven heavens: "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it." (2:216)
We will not be like those who cut up the Quran, lest we become like those who "distort the [rules of the] words after their placing. They say, 'If you are given this, take it, but if not, beware!'" (5:41) nor like those about whom Allah said, "Have you not seen those who were told, 'Hold back your hands [from fighting] and establish regular prayers and pay regular alms,' [but] when [at length] the order for fighting was issued to them, a group of them feared men as much as – or even more than – they feared Allah. They said, 'Our Lord! Why have you ordered us to fight? Would that you had granted us respite for a little while.' Say: little is the enjoyment of this world, and the hereafter is the best for those who do right; and you will not be wronged in the very least." (4:77)

There is no choice of prayer, no choice of Hajj, no choice of fasting, and also no choice of Jihad. There is only "we have heard and obeyed" and "we believe in it, the whole of it is from our Lord." And let your slogan be the slogan of the Emigrants and Helpers, who understood that there is no life for the believer, no standing for his religion, and no establishment for his Lord's Law without Jihad, so declare it as a pledge which is not retracted and which is not said just anytime:

We are those who pledged to Muhammad
To perform Jihad for as long as we remain

So make every effort in carrying out this great act of worship out of devotion to your Lord and perseverance in difficulty, and to preserve unity between you, and continue on your pristine path, be resolute against the advance of your enemies, and be harsh with the apostates and their helpers. "O you who believe! Fight the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find harshness in you; and know that Allah is with those who fear Him." (9:123)

The Abyssinian rabble didn't enter your land and occupy your country through conferences, negotiations, accords or talks. No, they declared a blatant war against you, for which they readied armies and came together to wage it and sought help in it from partners. So don't let your enemies be better versed in Allah's ways than you, for they have understood that armed truth is only confronted by armed falsehood. And it is not for them – after sacrificing to get to where they are today the heads of their soldiers and treasures of their storehouses – to abandon all that willingly and in submission and hand leadership over to you through mere dialogue, meetings or negotiations. So it's blood and destruction, and know that existence in this world is for the strong, so stick to strength, combat and slaughter of the people of unbelief and misguidance. And fight a guerrilla war, for it is the most durable of battles and the least in losses, most crushing, and most appropriate for the weak and few. Carry out against them raid after raid, lay ambushes for them, shake the earth beneath them with bombs and mines, destroy their bases and fortresses with martyrdom operations and car bombs, cut their supply routes, frighten with them those behind them, disturb their security, and make their life miserable, for the blood of one of them is the blood of a dog.

Light a fire and make a volcano erupt under the feet of the invading occupiers regardless of their creed and their cover, and whether they invaded your country on the back of tanks and with the power of iron and fire, as Nazarene Ethiopia did, or came to you under the cloak of international legitimacy, Security Council resolutions, peacekeeping forces, or the African Union. There is only unbelief and a codified, coated occupation with which they kill jealousy and protect themselves from the intifada, so don't be deceived by their slogans and don't let Satan lure you into their traps. And seek protection in Allah: He is your Protector, and the best of protectors and best of helpers.

My brother Mujahideen in Somalia: beware of those who climb over the scattered limbs of the people of sacrifice. Beware of the bandits and robbers of efforts, those who satisfy themselves with what they were not given; the sharp-tongued impeders who sit on the fence, and whenever the balance swings in someone's favor, they run towards its people and swear to them that they are with them; "Wavering between [this and] that, [belonging] neither to these nor those." (4:143) "Those who await your [fate], so if you gain a victory from Allah, they say, 'Weren't we with you?" whereas if the unbelievers gain a victory, they say [to them], 'Didn't we surround you and guard you from the believers?'" (4:141)

Those who, every time their condition is exposed and their affair becomes clear, make excuses, and their excuse is always, "They swear by Allah, 'We only wanted kindness and reconciliation!" (4:62) They are the most dangerous group for the Jihad and Mujahideen, and they are their affliction in all arenas of modern Jihad. How many a banner they have toppled, and how many a fruit they have stolen, and how many a methodology they have perverted, and how many a Jihad they have wasted. They are the discouragers of resolves, slow to go forth, quick on the day of booty, those who blur the issues, those who are strangers to Jihad and not from its people, and by Allah, the likes of these, however much they camouflage themselves with equanimity and pretend to be concerned about the greater interest, "If they had gone out with you, they would only have provided you with corruption, and would gone back and forth between you [with evil talk] seeking sedition among you, and there are among you those who would have listened to them. And Allah knows the wrongdoers." (9:47)

So take the advice of your Lord regarding them and their like: "So if Allah brings you back to a party of them, and they ask your permission to go out, say: you shall never go out with me, nor fight an enemy with me. You preferred to sit the first time, so [now] sit with those who stay behind." (9:83).

And their identifying mark is fickleness and inconsistency. Thus, sometimes they come in the dress of wisdom, and at other times they wear the clothes of rationality. At times they ride on the back of political sophistication, while at other times – and this is most often the case – they feign moderation, centrism and balance, although it’s nothing but cowardice, feebleness and love of this world.

The cowards consider impotence to be smart
And that is the deception of lowly nature

So beware of them.

My patient brother Mujahideen in Somalia: protect the clarity of your banner and the purity of your path, and state at every turn the truth about your objectives, for the peace of mind of you and your supporters. And declare with a frankness that resonates that the goal of your fight and the purpose of your Jihad is the expulsion of the occupier and his helpers and the establishment of an Islamic state in the land of Somalia which rules by Shari'ah and rejects false gods, and only obeys the Lord of Lords. These are two inseparable things: i.e., expelling the occupier and establishing the state of Islam. And it is through this that Allah's help comes down, His aid reaches you, the hearts of your supporters are reassured, and the path is severed in front of those who climb over your sacrifices.

Champions of the army of difficulty in Somalia: you must depend completely on Allah (the Glorious and Exalted), for He is the one who has power over everything, and honor is for Him, His Messenger and the believers. And beware of expecting help from the East or West, or rejoicing in the aid of this state or that, or being deceived by the lies of the leaders of unbelief who hide in themselves what they don't reveal to you. And beware of overconfidence in those who were led by their interests to claim to stand at your side and adopt your cause, for by Allah, the hatred and animosity they carry towards you is almost as much of that of the Abyssinian trespassers, and as soon as what motivated them to back you disappears or is replaced, they will turn hostile to you, bare their fangs and reveal their true selves. Then you will go and look for others, and so on and so forth, and in this way efforts will be wasted, unity will be torn apart, and animosities will spread, and your condition will be like he who seeks refuge from heat in fire. "The parable of those who take protectors other that Allah is that of the spider, who takes for itself a house; and truly, the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house, if they but knew." (29:41)

So don't take from among them intimates from whom you seek advise in your affairs, reveal your secrets, and tie them to your cause, for them to whisper to you as they like and lead you wherever they want and dictate to you whatever they wish, for you to follow them in all that with interpretations and claims of balancing and stabilizing, and so waste your Jihad and the fruits of your efforts in these tunnels. "O you who believe! Take not others as intimates: they will not fail to corrupt you. They wish for you severe harm; hatred and animosity has already appeared from their mouths, and what their hearts conceal is worse. We have made plain to you the signs, if you comprehend." (3:118)

Perseverant Murabit brothers in Somalia: you must observe patience and encourage it, and don't be enfeebled by the great number of sacrifices, nor the continuous disasters, nor the fewness or absence of helpers, nor the length of the path, because victory comes with patience. And increase your prayers and beseeching of your Lord, and ask the weak and impoverished to do the same, for that is one of the greatest causes of victory, as the Chosen One (peace be upon him) said, "Allah gives victory to this Ummah through its weak ones: through their supplications, prayers and devotion."

I also ask my Muslim brothers to stand with their brothers and go forth to fight at their side, because all the things which make Jihad an individual duty are present in their battle against the Abyssinian occupiers and their apostate lackeys: meeting of ranks, clashing of armies and mobilization by the commanders who have appealed to the Muslims for help, aroused the fighters and sought the assistance of the Mujahideen after their land was invaded by a devious infidel enemy who took it over and ruled its people. So go forth and go forth quickly, lightly or heavily, in groups or individually, with self, wealth, prayers, garments and encouragement: "O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that, when you are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life as compared with the hereafter. Unless you go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment, and put others in your place. But Him you would not harm in the least, for Allah has power over all things." (9:38-39)

So for whoever Afghanistan was too far away, or had the way to Iraq closed for him, or the doors to Algeria locked in front of him, or was unable to reach the land of Chechnya or had the path to Palestine shut in his face, here is Somalia, just beginning with an enemy occupier, so let him show Allah what He loves to see in him, and let him demonstrate the truth of his loyalty to Allah, His Messenger and the believers, and hurry with the lightness of a bird without making excuses or procrastinating.

And I make a special request of the Mujahideen on the information frontline, who are carrying out an act of worship which is among the most honorable of devotions and loftiest of acts of obedience: incitement to fighting, which the Lord of Honor entrusted to His Prophet (peace be upon him) and commanded him to perform, due to its great rank and importance. He told him, "O Prophet! Rouse the believers to the fight." (8:65) And He also told him, "So fight in Allah's Cause – you are held responsible only for yourself – and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the might of the unbelievers. And Allah is strongest in might and strongest in punishment." (4:84) It is a request to them to adopt the cause of their brothers the Mujahideen in Somalia (or rather, their own cause, because the believer is to the believer like a building, one part of which supports the other), by spreading their news, broadcasting their sacrifices, following their developments, and bringing them to the Muslims through every legitimate means, whether text, sound or video, and encouraging them to stand at their side and provide them with every backing in order for the cause of Jihad in Somalia to remain alive and active, lest it be forgotten with time and neglected like other modern Islamic causes have been. How many a concern your releases have awakened, and how much hope they have revived, and how much resolution has been renewed by them, and how many men they have mobilized, and how many an enemy they have disappointed. May Allah bless you lions of the front, for by Allah, the fruits of your combined efforts – sound, video and text – are more severe for the infidels and their lackeys than the falling of rockets and missiles on their heads. So make your intentions sincere, purify your hearts, excel in your work, continue the march, and don't tire or become bored, lest Islam be attacked from your flank (may Allah protect you from that).

Anas (Allah was pleased with him) related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Perform Jihad against the polytheists with your wealth, selves and tongues."

And praise is for Allah, first and last.

Consistency is the Hobgoblin of Small Minds.

As backdrop to the idiotic shenanigans the Democrats have disgraced themselves into, I want to post this video periodically. Please make sure you watch and bookmark it.

LGF - 1, WaPo -0

I want to be like Howie Kurtz. A spot of intelligence pops out of the guy every now and then. But when he engages in Greenwaldism, he deserves what he gets.

Charles returned fire by finding a few HuffPoesque comments on the Washington Post story on Tony Snow's cancer. Here are some of the more choice haters.

Washington Times on Al Jazeerah.info, Jawa

The Washington Time's Inside Politics secion includes a nod to yours truly and the rest of the gang at The Jawa Report. Finally, Andy Warholl makes good on his promise to me! I've been waiting years for my 15 minutes. Thanks to Greg Pierce for including it in the Inside Politics section:

In April 2003, The Washington Times first reported that a faculty member at Dalton (Ga.) State College operates the Al-Jazeerah anti-war Web site (aljazeerah.info, which is not affiliated with the Arab-language TV news channel Al Jazeera).

Last week, Texas blogger Rusty Shackleford (mypetjawa.mu.nu) was surprised to learn that Hassan A. El-Najjar is still running the site, which Mr. Shackleford said "openly supports terrorism, conspiracy theories, and is anti-Semitic.

There's more-->

Mr. Shackleford sent an e-mail to James Burran, president of the college, and received a reply, saying that Mr. El-Najjar "is careful not to interject his political or religious views in the classroom." "The Web site to which you refer is the product of Dr. El-Najjar's own time and effort, and is in no way supported by Dalton State College," Mr. Burran wrote in the e-mail. "We cannot abridge the constitutional rights of any individual, including freedom of expression, even when we do not agree with it." Mr. Shackleford's reaction: "Can you say, cop-out? Not totally unexpected, though. ... You know, academic freedom trumps sympathy to the enemies of the United States."

Texas blogger? Well I suppose Arlen is in Texas. I prefer to think of myself as an interstellar blogger. Tatooine, after all, is still in the Cygnus system.

Wow, William Arkin is Still Employed? Sadly, Yes.

Nothing is sadder and less surprising than the Washington Post giving William Arkin a paycheck for 'national security analysis'. His latest goes on to laud Zbigniew Brzezinski's lunacy and then he suggests a 'strategy' for winning against Islamic extremists:

I say it is through ending the war and returning to a far quieter process of intelligence vigilance and law enforcement.

So, he suggests, and these are his words, 'returning to......law enforcement' mode in one sentence, which is exactly what we we're doing pre-9/11. Then three sentences down he suggests:

No one should be yearning to "return" to the good old days of a 2001 counter-terror effort

WTF? Since he's not really a security analyst, but rather a Leftwing activists, it kind of all makes sense. Especially since the crux of the argument--if one can read any point in this rambling essay at all-- seems to be that calling our counterterrorism efforts 'the war on terror' creates an 'atmosphere of fear'. Which he suggests is completely unjustified in one breath, and yet completely justified in the next.

Can someone tell the Washington Post that I will sell them equally pointless and inconsistent drivel for half the cost and with twice the international security credentials as Arkin?

PS: We last heard from this self-described 'international security expert' calling our troops 'mercinaries' and 'baby killers', not supporting our troops, and complaining that these 'arrogant and intolerant' troops live in circumstances of 'obscene amenities'.

Also, check out the conspiracy filled comments to Arkin's latest rant, the first of which identifies America as "the #1 terrorist nation in the world".

More on Dalton State's Terror Supporting Professor

Alex from Sigmund, Carl and Alfred weighs in:

Dalton State College is not being asked to 'abridge the constitutional rights of any individual, including freedom of expression, even when we do not agree with it,' but rather, to consider whether having Dr. Elnajjar on their staff and as such, representative of Dalton State College is in the best interest of the Dalston State College students and the University System of Georgia. We would ask Dalton State College president Dr. Jim Burran and others who have used similar nonsensical arguments if they would afford similar courtesies to a professor who called for the genocide of blacks or other minorities, or if they thought that having faculty that openly espoused those very beliefs are in the best interests of students. We question whether or not the parents of students who attend Dalton State College and taxpayers in the great state of Georgia would find Dr. Elnajjar's appointment to that college and Dr. Burran's vigorous defense of that appointment an appropriate expenditure of public dollars.

The rest of the post goes on about the pathologies of Arab society in general. These pathologies of self-loathing, he suggests, are the real reason behind the raging antisemitism one finds in the Middle East. I differ from Alex inasmuch as I do not believe it is Arab society that suffers these pathologies as much as it is Muslim societies. Those same pathologies are found in North Africa, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and wherever Islam becomes the dominate cultural force.

Fred Thompson Layeth Down the Smack in Online Polls

What does this mean? That's anybody's guess:

Current results here.

UPDATE: A Pajamas Media poll came back with similar, though less dramatic, results:

Current results here.

Keep in mind, folks: Fred Thompson is not an announced candidate.

Big Dick sez: "Fred laid his hands upon the hood of my Hummer and now it gets 40 mpg." /UPDATE

In a considerably more scientific poll, Gallup puts Thompson in third place:

This most current poll of Republicans included in the list, for the first time, actor, lawyer and former Senator Fred Thompson. I’m not sure what voters may think about Thompson's performance in The Hunt for Red October as the rather stilted Rear Admiral Joshua Painter. But he’s certainly creating a mini-stir of attention from rank and file Republicans. Thompson now gets getting 12% of the GOP vote. At the same time, Rudy Giuliani is down 13 points, and Mitt Romney has sunk from 8% to 3%.

h/t : Don Surber and Glenn R.

Cat Stevens: The Singing Taliban Misogynist & His Islamic Cultural Imperialism

Cat Stevens, aka ‘Yusuf Islam', is back on the radar screen. This time, for refusing to talk to women who were unveiled. Apparently, he was at an awards ceremony in Germany where he was the honored guest for 'building bridges betwen the West and Muslim world', but he refused to talk to his unveiled hosts. Charles Johnson has the details.

Building bridges? Perhaps, but the only bridges being built by 'Mr. Islam' seem to lead back to the 15th century.

Cat Stevens is held up by the press and entertainment industry as a 'model Muslim'. In addition to the German award, this year he performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony!

Perhaps it is because his songs are so full of themes of peace, or because he is so soft spoken. His mannerism make him appear to be tolerant. But, like most Salafis, scratch the surface and you will see their intolerance and barbarism just underneath.

Here is a man who won't talk to any women who are not veiled. A man who supports Islamic supremacism. A man who supports the imposition of sharia (Islamic) law. A man who wishes to make it illegal to criticize a religious figure he deems a prophet.

Sure, he speaks in near whispers. But have you ever studied the mannerisms of Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri? Yes, he speaks often of peace. As do even the most radical Wahhabis---the peace that comes with submission to Islamic rule.

Not that he is a bin Laden supporter or a Wahhabi, but the point is that speaking of 'peace' in soft tones does not make one a rolemodel. Not when that peace is really the peace of a submissive slave.

Cat Stevens, from what I gather, used to be much worse. He used to support terrorism. He used to hang out with terrorists. Of course, he, like many Muslims, defined 'terrorism' and 'terrorst' in such a way as to exclude his friends and their actions (because killing Jews is always somehow 'not terrorism' but 'legitimate resistance'). He is even publicly on the record as supporting the death penalty for those that would dare blaspheme Islam.

For Allah's sake, before 9/11 he even wrote a song praising the Taliban!

There's more-->

In fairnes to 'Yusuf Islam', he has moderated his views. Much like many Salafi in the Muslim Brotherhood who have officially rejected terrorism and violence, Cat Stevens has rejected the harshest aspects of his religion. He claims he is against all forms of terrorism, which I believe is probably true.

But 'rejecting terrorism' does not a saint nor rolemodel make. If 'rejecting terrorism' is the only standard criteria for sainthood in the Islamic world, then that is a low standard indeed. It is a form of cultural bigotry, by which we expect Muslims to live by a more primitive set of rules than we do of other 'normal' people.

Like demanding that their women cover their faces. But even worse is when they demand that our women cover their faces. That is Muslim culturial imperialism.

It's time for Cat Stevens to move to a country that he'd feel more comfortable in. I think Saudi Arabia might be more to his liking.

Sadly, in many neighborhoods around Europe, Mr. Islam would feel right at home. Neighborhoods where unveiled women receive cat calls and threats. Neighborhoods where the sharia is enforced through informal action and threats of violence.

It's bad enough that people, like Islam, who feel more at home with the Taliban are walking the streets of Western Europe. It's worse that Westerners laud him and his ilk with praise and shower him with awards of distinction.

How bad has Yusuf Islam been in the past? Here is an audio of radical Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed talking about Yusuf Islam's connection to convicted terrorist Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman and his involvement in raising funds for the families of terrorists (called 'martyrs' in the audio). Listen here [right click and save if too slow]

Cat Stevens has renounced his terror ties, but apparently he still believes in a form of Islam better suited to the Middle Ages than to the 21st century.

Related:

Claim: Cat Stevens Financed Terrorists, Tied to Radical Clerics
Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) Sings Praises of Taliban?
Cat at PAIC
Yusuf Islam Comes to the US

Fred Thompson on Supporting the Troops

Blair Warns Iran of "New Phase" in Hostage Seizure

British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Iran on Tuesday not to drag out the current hostage crisis:

“What we are trying to do at the moment is to pursue this through the diplomatic channels and make the Iranian government understand these people have to be released and that there is absolutely no justification whatever for holding them. I hope we manage to get them to realise they have to release them. If not, then this will move into a different phase."

The Iranian government has so far refused the British consular access to the hostages, but says that the 14 men and 1 woman are being treated well:

"They are in completely good health. Rest assured that they have been treated with humanitarian and moral behavior," Mohammad Ali Hosseini, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, told the Associated Press.

Mr Hosseini said that only woman sailor among the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, was being held apart from the others, to give her privacy. "Definitely all ethics have been observed," he said.

Well, I feel totally confident now.

Meanwhile, oil prices reached their highest point this year yesterday over worries of a UK-Iran showdown.

And in the How-Can-We-Live-Without-Her-Words-of-Wisdom category, Rosie O'Donnell says the incident is being staged by the British to start a war with Iran:

But interesting with the British sailors, there were 15 British sailors and Marines who apparently went into Iranian waters and they were seized by the Iranians. And I have one thing to say: Gulf of Tonkin, Google it. Okay.

Editorial Cartoon: Iran's Nuclear Shit Storm

Ronnie Gordon sends his latest. He calls it "nuclear shit storm".

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad....just saying the name makes me laugh.

(video) al-Cuties: Toddler Terrorists (bumped)

Bumped, for its sheer awesomeness......

This is so wrong---and yet, so right--on so many different levels. I'm not sure which is funnier, the fact that the "toddler terrorists" are sent to the store for that uber-pork product Spam or that they really are terrorists despite the fact that we inadvertently blow a whole lot of stuff up? It has a very Team America World Police feel to it.

It's safe for work, unless, you know, you work at some PC gestapo. Like a college. So, on second thought, maybe safe for work, maybe not. No cursing or no nudity. But a lot of dirka dirka jihad type stuff.

Video below--->

Foreign Students from the Dammaj Institute Killed Battling Shiite Rebels in Yemen

For over a thousand years, Saada, Yemen has been the historical home of Shia Zaidism, which is entirely distinct from 12er Shiism found in Iran and Iraq. The world famous Salafi Islamic Institute, Dar al-Hadith, is located in Saada, Yemen and attracts students from around the globe. It was established in 1980 by Sheik Abdal Rahman Mukbil (Hadi al-Wadi'i). Zaidism and Salafism are diametrically opposed as Zaidism is encourages re-interpretation, critical thinking, and opposing an unjust Muslim ruler. Salafi tenants hold that a Muslim ruler should not be opposed.

As early as the 1980's, the founder of the Zaidi group, the Believing Youth, Hussain al-Houthi was writing tracts disputing some of the premises of Salafism (like Shia are heretics). The Believing Youth began as a study group and was encouraged by the regime as an offset to the growing influence of Salafism in Yemen. The tide shifted around the onset of the Iraq War when the group began to oppose the regime's alliance with the US, staging protests after Friday prayers. Reportedly, the regime encouraged the Believing Youth to go to fight in Iraq against American soldiers, which they refused.

Armed conflict between the government and the Believing Youth began in 2004 after the government launched a series of harassments and arrests. Fighting renewed in 2005. An amnesty granted to the rebels in 2006 was never fully implemented by the regime. The current tactics employed by the Yemeni regime mirror those used in 2005: a complete blockade on the region, withholding food and medical supplies, arbitrary arrests, shelling civilian areas with mortars and rockets, aerial bombardment, the military deployment of tribesmen and jihaddists, the arrest of Shiite preachers, the forced imposition of Salafi preachers at Shiite mosques. Many Zaidi teachers have also been arbitrarily arrested.

Currently about 30,000 Zaidi civilians have been forced out of their homes, often after receiving regime warnings of impending bombardment. However the Yemeni regime has made no provision for their basic needs, and many are living in the mountains. The regime prohibited the shipments of food, and has confiscated produce. No food or medicine has entered Saada for over two months. The government has cut all communications and prohibited journalists from traveling to Saada.

The City of Dhahian has been destroyed from bombardment, and dead bodies lie in the streets. Air raids on Dhahian destroyed a mosque, homes and a gas station. The city of 25,000 is largely evacuated.

Since onset of the war on January 17, according to Al-Ayyam there were 416 soldiers killed and over 500 wounded; 12 tanks destroyed. 136 Houthis rebels were killed. In the last week, approximately 150 more from each side killed. Government sources place figure of Houthis killed at 300, with another 200 captured.

Not only are about 3000 Salafi tribesmen, child soldiers, and tried and true Sunni Jihaddists engaging in military battles in support of the Yemeni government and against the Shiite Believing Youth rebels, apparently the foreign students from the Salafi Dammaj Insititute have also taken up arms which were provided by the Yemeni government.

As usual, there are at least two versions of the story.

The first version is from the government's ruling party website: a French student walking down the street gets killed by rebels: almotamar.net - "Sources said the killing incident took place when students were walking in a street when some terrorist elements attacked them."

The second version of the story comes from al-Estraki.net, the opposition Socialist Party's website, which says three foreign students at Dammaj were killed. The school had been provided arms by the government, and the enthusiastic students established a checkpoint. In a shootout at the checkpoint with Houthi fighters, three Dammaaj students were killled: one Frenchman, one American, and one unidentified foreigner.

The third version is from the opposition Islamic party, Islah. Their newspaper, al-Sahwa says the Houthis assaulted the Dar al-Haidth school in Dammaj with one British, a French and an Algerian killed.al-Sahwa: "Local sources affirmed Monday that British and French students who were studying at Dmaj Centre for Islamic studies were killed. They also said that an Algerian was wounded in an assault that targeted the centre. The source cited that the centre was subjected to a similar assault last Wednesday in Saada by a Shiite rebel group, al-Houthi rebels."

Version four, the BBC who quotes a government source:

SANAA (AFP) - A French and a British student, both Muslims, were killed in an attack by Shiite rebels on a Sunni Islamic college in a restive region of Yemen, a tribal source said Monday. An Algerian student was also wounded in the attack which took place on Sunday, in the northern province of Saada, where Zaidi minority rebels are fighting government forces, the source told AFP requesting anonymity. He said that the students were part of a group who were guarding the school at night...Dozens of foreign students attend the school for Islamic studies at Dammaj, which is run by a Sunni Salafist group, the source added.

The Scotsman: One French and one Yemeni killed:

SANAA (Reuters) - A French student and a Yemeni man were killed and another Frenchman was wounded on Monday when Shi'ite rebels attacked an Islamic college in a volatile area in northern Yemen, a government official said. Earlier the official said two foreigners were killed in the attack.

A Frenchman, identified by the official only as Patrick, was killed, and a French student of Algerian origin was wounded. The attack, in which a Yemeni man was also killed, took place in the province of Saada where government forces have been battling Shi'ite rebels since the beginning of this year.

So did the students attack the Houthis at a check-point the Dammaj students created, or did the Houthis attack the institute at Dammaaj? Yemen, land of a thousand realities. Over the last years, the Houthis have restricted themselves to military targets, unlike the regime.

And why is the government of Yemen arming the students at a Salafi Islamic school? Unless they were armed already.

SJTL

Amen to the Honorable Mr. Johnson

Youtube Video: Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) Floor Speech 03.23.07And may God Bless Texas.

Hat Tip: NY.

Freedom Journal Iraq #612

This edition features stories on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rebuilding a children's hospital in Baghdad, U.S. Soldiers at Camp Liberty storing supplies and equipment for troops and Soldiers patrolling the mostly Sunni area of Saydiyah. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #612
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #612

Irshad Manji on 60 Minutes

Irshad Manji, a self-described "Muslim refusenik", speaks with 60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon about Islamic reform, her new partnership with former terrorist Hassan Butt and Ijtihad (pronounced “ij-tee-had”), Islam’s tradition of independent thinking. For more 60 Minutes coverage of former terrorist Hassan Butt, see here.

Irshad Manji is a rare voice calling for reform from within Islam. The New York Times has dubbed her “Osama Bin Laden’s worst nightmare”, which she takes as a compliment.

Click 'Read More' to view the video.

Christian Teacher Murdered by Muslim Students

(Gombe, Nigeria) According to this report, a Christian teacher allegedly desecrated the Koran and Muslim students began shouting "Allahu Akbar" and beat her to death.

Reportedly, she had collected books from a student she suspected of cheating on exams and tossed the books outside the classroom. She was unaware that one of the books was a Koran.

Muslim students at Government Day secondary school in the northeastern state of Gombe killed Christian teacher Oluwatoyin Olusase who was supervising an Islamic Religious Knowledge exam on Wednesday, according to the Nigerian newspaper This Day.

The newspaper, which described the killing as "gruesome," said that she was beaten to death and then set on fire. Students also burned the teacher's car and three blocks of the school containing classes, the school clinic, administrative offices and the library.

The principal of the school, Mohammed Sadiq, tried to protect Olusase and was also beaten. Afterward, authorities arrested 12 students and commenced an investigation.

Condolences to the family and friends of Oluwatoyin Olusase who unknowingly aggravated the religion of peace and paid with her life.

Crossing A Busy Street In India

This is a scary video.

Droppin Da Bomb

Peace out, jihadi!

March 26, 2007

Is Liberalism a Mental Disorder?

zombie's latest photo essay provides some disturbing evidence in the affirmative.

CONTENT WARNING. SERIOUSLY.

Lightsaber Duel II

This is the original:

And this is the sequel - RVD2 (Ryan vs. Dorkman II). It ends so much more brutally than the first one. Awsome:

Australian Taliban Pleads Guilty!

David Hicks, the Australian Talilban, has pleaded guilty to charges of providing material support to terrorists. Hicks was captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan. The Australian convert to Islam has become a poster-boy of the Left, who cry foul at, well, everything.

His plea deal was expected. In return, it is thought that he'll get something less than a life sentence and will serve the remainder of his time in an Australian jail.

Pity, in my mind a life sentence would have been a good compromise for a plea. He deserved the death penalty.

The Australian Johnny Walker Lindh was the first detainee to be tried under the new military commission rules. Looks like the rules are going to work. Two of his lawyers were ejected from the proceedings today after they refused to follow the procedures and submit to the authority of the court. Pure. Political. Theater. All that was missing was "The truth? You can't handle the truth!" This is Gitmo, after all.

News.com.au:

TERROR suspect David Hicks has pleaded guilty at a hearing at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The Associated Press reported that Hicks, 31, entered a guilty plea to a charge of providing material support to terrorism.

Hicks's military attorney Major Michael Mori entered the plea on behalf of his client, who stood alongside with a sombre expression.

The guilty plea came about an hour after the judge, Colonel Ralph Kohlmann, ordered prosecutors, Hicks and his legal team to return to court after the day's 3-½-hour hearing had already wrapped up.

Hicks announced his plea during the rapidly reconvened hearing at Guantanamo Bay.

Hicks answered "yes, sir," when the judge asked if that was in fact his plea.

Do they have jailhouse bitches in Australia? I sure hope so........

Earlier today: Australian Taliban Trial to Open; May Plea Bargain

Kurt Russell IS Snake Plissken!

So, they're remaking Escape From New York with Gerard Butler (King Leonidas in "300") as Snake Plissken. Apparently, the original Snake Plissken ain't too happy:

I will say that when I was told who was going to play Snake Plissken, my initial reaction was ''Oh, man!'' [Russell winces]. I do think that character was quintessentially one thing. And that is, American... messing with Snake Plissken is a whole different level of heresy... People come up to me and say, ''You played Snake Plissken.'' I didn't play Snake Plissken, I created him! ...

What if they asked you to do a cameo in the new Escape from New York, or play the Ernest Borgnine role?

F--- that! I am Snake Plissken! It's like Sean Connery always watching someone else do their version of Bond.... He's a fascinating character. In fact, he's the most complex character I've ever played.

'Polar Bears' vs. Terrorists: Terrorists Lose!

I just couldn't pass this up. The CENTCOM press release headline literally says 'Polar Bears seize terrorists and weapons cache'. I imagine it looked something like this-->

RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Coalition forces detained an 18 year-old terrorist and discovered a weapons cache along Route Malibu south of here Saturday.

Scouts from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) detained the terrorist and found the cache during a combat operation.

The scouts noticed two local national men emplacing an improvised explosive device along Route Malibu. The patrol engaged them with small arms fire.

One terrorist was wounded during the incident, both were captured.

The scouts then searched the area where they were emplacing the IED and found a cell phone, a shovel and copper wire.

The wounded terrorist was medically evacuated to Patrol Base Inchon for medical care.

Both are being held for further questioning.

Video: Lieberman on Radicalization of Muslims in U.S.

Wow, it seems like Lieberman "gets it". Towards the end, he begins to talk about the role of the internet, mosques, and Islamic jail ministries as possible sources for radicalization. The video is of March 14th. If any one has more of the video, or related items, I'd like to see it.

Thanks to Louise for the tip.

Abbas 'not optimistic' about kidnapped soldier's release

From The Jerusalem Post:

The London-based newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Monday that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was not optimistic about securing the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit in the near future, Israel Radio reported.

Abbas, who spoke during a closed meeting following the establishment of the new PA government, backed up his sentiments by noting that the kidnappers had refused his suggestion that they hand Schalit over to the Egyptians before all aspects of the transaction were completed.

In a related piece, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert says Abbas reneged on promises (what a shocker!):

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas does not live up to his commitments, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday, in a strong message before his meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"It is impossible to ignore the fact that the chairman of the PA blatantly breached commitments that he gave Israel, especially the commitment that a national unity government would not be established before Gilad Schalit was released," Olmert said before the cabinet meeting.

He said Abbas's commitment was "given to me time and time again, also during the trilateral meeting, and it was also given to leaders of foreign states. These leaders, who heard this clear commitment, wondered how it was possible to break this commitment so blatantly."

Unlike remarks made during the heat of a cabinet discussion, the prime minister's comments before the weekly cabinet meeting are carefully scripted and designed to send clear messages.

And yet, in spite of this, Condi Rice and our dysfunctional State Department are relaxing their stance against Hamas, capitulating to the Palestinian "Unity" government's demands for cash, and once again displaying the weakness of our national resolve.

US, Iraqi Forces Search for German Hostages

US and Iraqi troops went house-to-house Sunday night looking for kidnapped Germans Hannelore Krause and her 20-year-old son Sinan al-Tornachi. Unfortunately, they came up empty-handed.

Mrs. Krause, who is married to an Iraqi physician, and her son were kidnapped in February by the "Arrows of Righteousness Brigade", who released a video of the pair weeping and begging for their lives. The brave "resistance fighters" threatened to kill the hostages if Germany did not withdraw its 3000 troops from Afghanistan.

An Iraqi spokesman sounded an optimistic note:

"We hope that they can be freed soon so that their suffering will find an end," the army spokesman said about the two who were seized by kidnappers in Baghdad on February 6.

Let's hope to God that the good guys are successful and that the "Arrows of Righteousness" are the ones who will be weeping and begging for their wretched lives.

Greatest Moment in Spanish History: Widow Wears Mohammed Cartoon Shirt to Terror Trial

This is just too good to be true. Pinch me.

Reuters:

A woman who lost her husband in the 2004 Madrid train bombings displayed an infamous cartoon mocking the Prophet Mohammad on her T-shirt in front of 29, mostly Muslim, suspects on trial for the attacks on Monday.

The woman's white T-shirt showed Mohammad wearing a bomb as a turban -- one of a series published by Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten which unleashed violent protests by some Muslims last year....

The woman sat in the front row of the court wearing the T-shirt for around half-an-hour before getting up, walking up to the glass cage containing the defendants and finally walking out of the court, judicial sources said.

Somebody find that woman, and give her a big kiss from me, will ya?

UPDATE: I'm guessing this is the shirt (the white version of it). Oddly, the story linked by Flap (where I grabbed the image) shows the shirt made by Metrospy. But their website no longer has the shirt, even though the story claims it was their best selling shirt of the year.

--->Some whining below

Seriously, does no one have my back anymore? I mean, this is possibly the greatest story of all time, and not one of you thinks to e-mail me about it? Some Tatooine Forward Intel Unit I have working for me. For shame. For shame! Instead, I have to find out from Allahpundit. Kudos to him and his 72 virgins for finding this.

The Smeagol McCain Speaks Against Democratic Iraq Bill

I like Smeagol McCain much better than the Gollum version of him we usually hear about in the blogosphere. Notice what he says, at the very end, about Moveon.org's influence on the Democratic side of the aisle. He calls the Democratic bill "shameful" and "disgraceful".

Georgia Professor's Website: 9/11 an Inside Job

What sort of lunacy comes out of Dalton State College Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar's aljazeerah.info website, today?

Editorial by Jim Kerwin on Cheney's role in 9/11. Notice that he never directly accuses Cheney of orchestrating 9/11, but, instead, presents us with a set of "fact" along with a number of "questions" which inevitably lead us to that conclusion:

There were between three and five military ‘war games’ being conducted on the morning of September eleventh that were being coordinated through the Office of the Vice President of the United States. Dick Cheney is not, nor has he ever been, a qualified military officer: He did successfully dodge the draft, during Vietnam War five times over, but that was as close as he ever got to military service. His ‘office’ is not part of the Military Operations Chart, so long as the alleged-president remains alive. Why then was Cheney involved in those ‘War-Games” on September 11, 2001? ...

Whoever created those war-games also had to know what was going to happen long before it did happen. Because the closed-circuit software for the games had to be created and then issued to the North East Air Corridor radar sites, and that meant that they had to come from official NORAD sources. It is crystal clear that NORAD command was involved, right up to their phony gold-braid.

Yes, it's that bad. But, apparently, it used to be worse. Chad at In the Bullpen notes:

El-Najjar penned numerous editorials, that are simply gone from the site now, including one in which he praises Kim Jong-Il, Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by calling them ‘heroes of the year.’ In contrast, leaders and figures of England, the United States and Israel were heralded as ‘villains of the year.’

Your tax dollars at work.

Previous:

Terror Supporter and Antisemitic Conspiracy Theorist Teaches at Dalton State College, Georgia

Georgia College in Denial over Terror Supporting Teacher

Ingraham and Barnes on Gonzales, Miers and Thompson

(Click image)

Australian Taliban Trial to Open; May Plea Bargain

The Australian traitor who fought with the Taliban and al Qaeda, David Hicks, will face justice at a military commission set to reopen today at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Justice, that is, unless he cops a plea. Which it looks like he will do.

Apparently, he wants to go back to Australia to face charges there. And since Australia is part of the Coalition in Afghanistan, wouldn't fighting with the Taliban or al Qaeda be an act of treason? I love Michael Howard, but I don't think even he has the balls to charge Hicks with treason.

The media accounts, as if on cue, only quote Hick's lawyers and family [pictured right: Hick's father went on a pilgrimage to Pakistan in order to better "understand" his sons involvement with the Taliban. "He was just trying to be helpful," the elder Hicks said]. The Australian convert to Islam who voluntarily went to Afghanistan to support the barbaric regime, is portrayed as the victim. Apparently none of the reporters bothered to call up a 9/11 family to see how they felt about Hick's incarceration.

BBC:

Australian David Hicks is set to become the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to attend a hearing under revised US military tribunal rules.

His lawyers said they may plea bargain to avoid a full trial and try to have him handed into Australian custody...

The rest of the article just goes on to describe how Hicks had to grow long hair to cover his eyes so he could sleep at night because his human rights were being violated by the guards leaving the lights on. Boo-frickin-hoo. Then it goes on to say how bad America is. Bad America, bad! And it's not just the BBC coverage. I especially love this headline: Prosecutor says US not ashamed of Hicks's treatment

Socialized Health Care : Coming Soon to a Country Near You?

Soon enough, if Hillary has her way. Here's a tale of two "women" and their experiences under the Canadian socialized medicine system. Keep in mind that this is what Hilary hopes to impose on the U.S.

h/t : Michelle.

More Evidence of Saddam Hussein's Ties to International Terror Uncovered

Saddam Hussein's Greek embassy providing material support to terrorists? Apparently, yes:

Ekathimerini reported that it had been made aware of "a joint operation by Greek and US secret service officers in March 2003 (which) led to the seizure of a large cache of explosives from the basement of the Iraqi Embassy in Athens."

The types of explosives reportedly discovered were particularly noteworthy.

"Sources said a raid on the embassy unearthed explosive materials, car bombs, detonators, several guns and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Much of the material was “ready to use” while some was too old to be of any value, according to sources who said all the material was destroyed within a few weeks of discovery."

.Read the rest at Regime of Terror.

Givn the number of bombings in Greece in the post-Cold War era, and given this evidence, one wonders whether Saddam provided material support to the Leftwing terrorists responsible?

Islamic Society of Boston's Sham Lawsuit

I haven't really covered the lawsuit filed by radical Islamist supremacists of the Islamic Society of Boston against several organizations which outted their relationship with terror supporters around the globe. But Solomonia has you covered on this one. Oh, and it turns out, the "monetary damages" they are claiming due to the "conspiracy" to defame them is a sham, too. Solomonia:

Timing is important here. Remember that this suit was filed in October 2005. It alleges damages from events that were occurring back in 2003 and 2004.

Yet I am in possession of an email dated July 18, 2005, that's just three months before the ISB filed its lawsuit alleging damages, that says, and I quote, "Fundraising has been robust, and the ISB has $2 million in cash toward that amount [of $3 million]...."

Exit question: Could the lawsuit, the legal equivalent of screaming "Islamophobia", really be a ploy to raise more money? If you look at the radical Islamist front groups such as the ISNA and CAIR, the key to their fundraising efforts seems to be to convince Muslims that a witch hunt is going on and that without the protection of these 'civil rights' organizations--the next stop is: the ovens.

Tony Blair to Iran: "Let Our Sailors Go"

British PM says "This is a very serious situation."

Mad Mullahs response: Bite me.

Remember the good old days when the
U.S. sent a large hunk of the Iranian Navy on a vacation to Davy Jones Locker?

What's in Your Sandwich?

Internet anus Michael Crook (Forsake the Troops) is having turds today.

Read the whole story about Crook's humiliation at 10 Zen Monkeys.

Egypt Cracks Down on Liberal Democracy Movement

Sam Adam was at a pro-democracy demonstration last night when the Egyptian SS turned out in force and began arresting people. His main concern seems to be that no one is covering the story. The sad thing? The largest pro-democracy faction in Egypt seems to be the Islamist Egyptian Brotherhood--the al Qaeda fellow travellers. Needless to say, Sam Adam and most of the Egyptian bloggers are not in that camp.

Read the whole story, but here is what moved me. Sandmonkey:

Maybe the government is right: Maybe we don't deserve Democracy. Maybe we don't deserve our rights. Maybe we deserve everything that happens to us. We, as people, seem to lack the sense of self-respect and dignity that makes the human being demand his/her right, so how do we expect the government to respect us or give us those rights? We clearly don't deserve them. We clearly deserve to have our rights stolen, our friends imprisoned, and our women assaulted. Cause, otherwise, how would you explain how accepting we are of those things?

Maybe we don't deserve any better.

Rather depressing development. The Arabist also has a report.

Sunni "Insurgents" Using Retards "Timmy", Kids, & Puppies in Attack (Update: Now edited for PC)

Meet the new tool of Sunni "insurgents" in Iraq--the Down Syndrome bomb! Anyway, for my money, the realretards dee-dee-dees are the ones running al Qaeda in Iraq, the Army of Ansar al Sunna, Jaish al Mujahidin, and the 1920s Revolutionary Brigades. The biggest retard dee-dee-dee of them all being Abu Omar al-Baghdadi.

"Isn't that a little politically incorrect to use retards dee-dee-dees, kids, and puppies to blow up the apostates, the Zionist crusaders, and the infidels?" you ask.

Yeah, maybe, but hell, no one's gonna tell al Qaeda in Iraq who they can and can't work with.

Those goofy bastards are about the best thing they've got going.

Washington Times:

Al Qaeda in Iraq is using kidnapped children to pick up weapons dropped in battle zones, get past checkpoints and die in car bombs, according to U.S. officials and Iraqis in Baghdad.

"Men traveling with children in the back of their cars rarely get searched because they look like a family," said Hassan, a middle-aged Shi'ite living in one of the capital's older mixed neighborhoods.

"Then they leave the car and blow it up by remote control with the children in it," he said. Hassan, who did not want his full name used out of fear of retaliation, said at one point last year children with Down syndrome had been used to carry bombs.

So, we've got the first two covered, but what about puppies? Surely the Sunni insurgents wouldn't resort to blowing up puppies? Wrong, kimosabe!

As usual, Allah scoops us on this and has more commentary about the baby killers in the Sunni insurgency.

UPDATE: Every time I use the word 'retard' I offend somebody. Here's a hint: Sometimes 'Rusty' is Eric Cartman, and sometimes he's Kyle. Today is an Eric Cartman day.

But anyway, since many of you readers seem to have some sand in your vaginas, I've went ahead and edited the post to be 70% more politically correct.

Bonus audio: Timmy and the Lord's of the Underworld!

Retards "Timmy", Kids, & Puppies in Attack (Update: Now edited for PC)&bodytext=Meet the new tool of Sunni "insurgents" in Iraq--the Down Syndrome bomb! Anyway, for my money, the realretards dee-dee-dees are the ones running al Qaeda in Iraq, the Army of Ansar al Sunna, Jaish al Mujahidin, and the 1920s Revolutionary...&topic=politics">

Freedom Journal Iraq #611

This edition features stories on Iraqi police training, a new Joint Security station opens in a Baghdad suburb, and Dental care for U.S. Soldiers in Iraq. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #611
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #611

African Refugees in Yemen

Here's a report about the Horn of Africa and the Middle East in which it's difficult to figure out who the good guys are. The UN estimates that 30,000 refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia and other places have been smuggled into Yemen since January 2006.

The UN refugee agency announced Friday that over the past six days, Yemen has again received more than 1,100 Somalis and Ethiopians who arrived on smuggling boats from Bosaso, Somalia, across the Gulf of Aden.

The refugee agency added that according to information received so far at least 28 people died during these recent voyages -- from asphyxiation, beating or drowning -- and many were badly injured by the smugglers.

Others are suffering from various skin problems from prolonged contact with sea water, human waste, diesel and other chemicals. They are not allowed to move during the voyage.

So, refugees are being smuggled into Yemen and the trip comes with a very real chance of death, injury or sickness. And, then there's this:

When spotted by the Yemeni armed forces the smugglers on one boat in an attempt to distract the forces threw 35 Somalis into the water and took the remaining 215 passengers, many with their hands bound by ropes, closer to the shore where they were forced to disembark.

I find it hard to believe that "refugees" being smuggled into Yemen would have to have their hands bound by ropes. "I'm escaping, tie me up," is rarely voiced in my estimation.

Prisoners or slaves are bound, yes, but not refugees. Therefore, I suggest that the smugglers are dealing in human cargo consisting of prisoners or slaves who, presumably, have to be coerced or conned onto the boats. That's thirty-thousand prisoners/slaves in a little over a year!

Uh -- so where are they going? Some person or group in Yemen must be waiting to take the thousands of prisoners/slaves to their ultimate destination. Where, I don't know.

Nevertheless, despite what the human cargo consists of, the people pipeline is interrupted when Yemeni security forces get involved and chase down the smugglers. It's at that point, the prisoners/slaves (my contention) appear to become refugees and a problem for the government of Yemen to resolve. Furthermore, according to the UN, Yemen is patiently awaiting payment for the hospitality it shows to the "refugees."

Yemen has kept its doors open for refugees and migrants who have been arriving for several years from war-torn Somalia and other places.

Yemen has also been very patient in awaiting more support in recognition of its generosity and in the spirit of burden-sharing.

Isn't that innovative? The UN is Yemen's shill.

In summary, the reported influx of "refugees" to Yemen appears to be a forced illegal migration of humans for some unknown purpose. How else could it be explained? If the Somalians and others were true refugees, they would not need to be bound and beaten. And, if Yemen was such a generous nation, security forces wouldn't be sent out to impede the pipeline of refugees crossing the Gulf of Aden.

Jawa contributor Jane Novak of Armies of Liberation provides some followup insight on the subject.

Things in Somalia are so bad that many people willingly make the trip to Yemen in hopes of improving their lot. After that the refugees often migrate to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States.Some stay in Yemen in squalid refugee camps, others are disbursed through the nation, and they form a second class in Yemen.

Normally what happens is the smugglers let them off near shore and they swim in. They come in at various points along the coast. So unless there was someone there to recieve them, I'm not sure how they would retain custody. The fact that they are tied up may be a mechanism of maintaining control during the voyage, as this is a regular business for the smugglers. It's my impression most come willingly and retain their freedom once in Yemen but I am going to check the slavery thing.

What does dovetail with your thinking is the smuggling of Yemeni children to Saudi Arabia, often with their parents consent. These kids come from extremely poor families and are often as young as four. Once in SA, some beg, some face sexual abuse and some become slaves. Some who beg may be disfigured by their handlers to draw more sympathy and thus more money.

And, the story continues.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

It's Raining (300) Men

Can't get the wife to go with ya to see "300"?

Here's a trailer just for her.

March 25, 2007

How Modern Liberals Think

Pretty damn good. The nutroots hate it, which means it is deadly accurate.

Being a former liberal Democrat, I can vouch for much of this. The general ethos of the leftist mind necessitates that you must resist restraining (conservative) impulses. Logic and reason are restraining impulses. Since modern liberalism is primarily a state of unrestrained emotional turbulence, the liberal must find reasons for excusing his most base emotional instincts and instead embrace the "liberation" that comes from not being able to summon reason to control your impulses. Many consequently fall prey to the tempting natural impulse of letting emotion override logic and reason. The liberal creed dictates that feelings are more important than anything, and that they shall hold court over reason.

That's why a liberal will be willing and able to find just about any reason to compare Bush to Hitler or Bin Laden (or whoever), but has a hard time thinking of reasons and using that wild imagination of his/hers to think about how a driven and financed terrorist cell could smuggle and detonate a dirty bomb (or even just a fertilizer bomb) into some part of a major city and kill thousands of lefty like-minded thinkers just like him.

Plus, they hate the military and the Troops. Votes and blood money don't lie.

ht: Ace

Brit Hostages Are Bargaining Chips for 300 Iranian Linked Prisoners in Iraq

Can you say: Rusty's insane speculations are almost always nearly right?*

Pajamas Media:

American forces in Iraq now hold some 300 prisoners tied to Iran’s intelligence agencies, Pajamas Media learned from both diplomatic and military sources.

This is believed, by both sources, to be a record number of prisoners tied to Iran. Virtually all were captured in the past two months.

This week’s seizure of 15 British sailors by Iran in the contested waters of the Shattab al-Arab, the ship channel that divides Iraq and Iran, may have been payback for the capture of record number of Iranian operatives inside Iraq. “It may be a bargaining chip,” one diplomatic source said.

Well, well, well. You laughed when I said that perhaps, just maybe, the Iranians intentionally planned the seizure of 15 British sailors. But are we now seeing the underlying motivation here? Vicki reported the 'bargaining chip' angle yesterday, but the 300 number puts a whole new spin on it.

But, the worst part? The U.S. State Department:

The Pentagon received “considerable pressure” from officials in the State department and CIA to release some or all of the Iran-linked prisoners to facilitate discussions between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iranian officials.

Lord, is there anything the State Department ever gets right?

State's incompetence gives me a good lead into posting this editorial cartoon by Ronny Gordon. He calls it "Frankenstein peace" or "Condi re-animates the peace process", and its intended to be commentary on moves to reignite the Israeli-PA talks, but I think its apt here as well.

So, why now? JPOST confirms the details of the PJM report above, but adds this:

According to the official, Iran was worried that its detained people would leak sensitive intelligence information.

Allah has pretty good coverage here.

*Except, of course, when they're not. In which case they're never just slightly off target, but way off.

Sabbath Blogging: Tony Snow on Surviving Cancer

Joe Gandalman on Tony Snow's class. I had no idea Tony Snow was a cancer survivor. I also had no idea that he will go in for surgery tomorrow to have a growth removed. We wish Tony Snow the best and a quick recovery.

I noticed Joe didn't mention it in his post, but he just found out that his father has terminal lung cancer. Send him your prayers.

American IED and Dead Jihadis

And because the news won't show it (and the fact that LiveLeak has TONS of jihadi propaganda videos on it) - us killing the enemy:

A Moment of Clarity

The British, with the aid of our B-52's, should be firebombing Tehran right now until the soldiers are released.

We have to stop dicking around with these savages. They're rushing to get nukes, people.

Israel responded to the kidnapping of two soldiers by the Islamic pigs with an ultimately flawed but fierce air and artillery campaign that destroyed fortifications and operational staging positions for Hezbullah forces. As least Israel did something.

The West had better get their collective sh*t together.

The Democrats, of course, voted to do nothing about any of this and to instead kneecap the troops for peanuts.

Addendum: Apologies to Garduneh Mehr. You're still cool, bud.

Quebec Bans Veils at Polls

(Montreal, Quebec) Every time I go to the polls, usually more than one of the election workers makes sure that my face looks like the photo on my driver's license. It's inconceivable that I would be allowed to vote with a mask on my face.

Nevertheless, that's what the Muslims in Quebec wanted to do.

Muslim women will have to remove their face coverings if they want to vote in upcoming elections in Quebec, a government official said Friday, reversing his earlier decision to allow the veils.

Marcel Blanchet, the French-speaking province's election chief, had been criticized by Quebec's three main political leaders for allowing voters to wear the niqab, which covers the entire face except for the eyes, if they signed a sworn statement and showed identification when they vote.

But Blanchet reversed his earlier decision Friday, saying it was necessary to avoid disruptions when residents go to the polls.

Expect the Muslim community to claim religious intolerance, discrimination and violation of human rights.

March 24, 2007

Latest News on the Iranian Hostages

Well, so much for the misunderstanding theory, not that anyone took that very seriously anyway: the UK Sunday Times reports that

A website run by associates of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, reported last night that the Britons would be put before a court and indicted.

Referring to them as “insurgents”, the site concluded: “If it is proven that they deliberately entered Iranian territory, they will be charged with espionage. If that is proven, they can expect a very serious penalty since according to Iranian law, espionage is one of the most serious offences.”

Eight British troops were captured in 2004 and held for 3 days in Tehran, where they were subjected to mock executions and were paraded on Iranian TV before being released.

The Times story also claims that the Brits were grabbed in revenge for the arrest of 5 Revolutionary Guard officers in Iraq earlier this year:

Al-Sharq al-Awsat, a Saudi-owned newspaper based in London, quoted an Iranian military source as saying that the aim was to trade the Royal Marines and sailors for these Guards.

The claim was backed by other sources in Tehran. “As soon as the corps’s five members are released, the Britons can go home,” said one source close to the Guards.

According to Ynet News the decision to capture the troops was approved last week by the Iranian General Staff and was introduced by Iran's Supreme Security Council:

The decision was reached after a report submitted to Iran’s ground forces commander warned that information on the activities of the Revolutionary Guards and the “Al-Quds Force” in Iraq was being leaked to British and American intelligence agencies following the arrest of senior “Al-Quds Force” officers by US troops in northern Iraq.

The kidnapping of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry envoy in Baghdad and the disappearance of Iranian Colonel Amir Muhammad Shirazi in Turkey (according to Iranian estimations Shirazi was kidnapped by Americans) , also played a part in the decision to kidnap the British soldiers.

Add in the UN sanctions plan that was approved today, and it doesn't look like Iran will be backing down soon. What their ultimate goal might be is hard to tell so far: are they expecting the British to cave, or are they trying to provoke an attack that they would use to justify their nuclear program?

Miss USA 2007 Crowned, Tara Connor's Reign Ends

It’s a shame to see Tara Conner and Katie Rees go, but a new year means a new group of excruciatingly beautiful, talented and intelligent young ladies. Because it’s my Patriotic Duty as an American, Howie surfed up all the bikini pics for you.

Via Yahoo News: LOS ANGELES - Rachel Smith realized she had a real shot at the Miss USA crown when she made it to the top 15. Next up was the swimsuit portion of the pageant, and the journalism graduate from Tennessee told herself: "I'm just going to work it." Smith, 21, ultimately bested 50 other aspiring beauty queens to win the title of Miss USA on Friday night.

The 5-foot, 11-inch-tall brunette is a graduate of Belmont University and a former intern for the production company behind "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

"I'm speechless at this point, I really am," Smith said after the pageant.

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed to succeed Miss USA Tara Conner, who entered rehab after accounts surfaced suggesting she was boozing at New York clubs. The Kentucky native was in danger of losing her crown, but Donald Trump, who co-owns the pageant with NBC, gave her a second chance….

…Smith, of Clarksville, Tenn., edged out top finalists Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California; Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas; Helen Salas of Nevada; and Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island, who was named the first runner-up.

Yahoo slide show here. (includes lot’s of not bikini pics, why I don’t know…)

Miss USA website complete with galleries and videos of these excruciatingly hot chicks.

Miss USA 2007 From Tennessee Miss Rachel Smith.

More pics below the fold.

Tara Crowns Rachel.

And Now.... ....Bikini's! Yea!


Miss Arkansas

Good bye Tara. We'll miss you. Everyone likes a party now and then. Besides, you helped us get record traffic.

But then again Katie broke your record with all that good gay action.

Here is Katie's replacement, the new Miss Nevada USA 2007.

In closing let me say that I anxiously await this year's scandal. And may God bless Texas.

More here at Howie’s Moisture Farm. Moist baby.

Related links
Miss Nevada Katie Rees UNCENSORED
Miss USA Nevada Good Gay?
Tara Connor Keeps Her Crown
Miss USA In Trouble Over Drinking
Congratulations Miss KY Crowned Miss USA
Miss USA In Trouble Over Drinking.
Tara Connor Keeps Her Crown
Miss USA Nevada Good Gay?

Robert Spencer on The Bill Bennett Radio Show

Robert Spencer, founder of Jihad Watch and author of several highly acclaimed books on Islam, is interviewed by conservative talk-radio host Bill Bennett. As always Mr. Spencer presents a cogent and compelling analysis of 'mainstream' Islam. In this interview, much of the focus is on the Secular Islamic Summit which recently took place in Florida.

Click Read More to listen to the interview.

Annoying Yet Hopeful Sign that Google is Learning

Okay, in column "A" we have loads of evidence that both of Google's two main self-publishing platforms, Youtube & Blogger (.blogspot), are absolutely crawling with the vermin that call themselves the "internet mujahidin", but who we just like to call "butt-munchers". Every single complaint we've ever sent into both Blogger or Youtube about the use of their servers for spreading violent jihadi propaganda has been---literally---ignored.

No, more than ignored. It's almost like Google is proud to be hosting propaganda designed to garner support for, train, and finance terrorists. A smug holier than thou attitude about how tolerant they are and how freedom of speech trumps lesser concerns like, you know, mass murder at the hands of terrorists.

But, finally, it looks like we have an entry in column "B". That was the heretofore empty tally of Google taking down jihadi propaganda.

The other day al Qaeda leader Abu Yahia al-Libi released a high quality English-subtitled (no doubt the work of Adam Yahiye Gadahn, aka "Azzam al-Amreki") video (may be downloaded here courtesy of Laura Mansfield). The video was interesting because it included a plea from the escaped detainee for unity between various terrorist factions in Iraq. Specifically for The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah, the Islamic Army in Iraq, and the Jaish al Mujahideen--all of whom have refused to join the al Qaeda umbrella and front group "The Islamic State of Iraq"-- to get with the program. A sure sign that al Qaeda is worried about the offensive in Iraq. Very worried. (See Stratfor's excellent synopsis and analysis here).

So, Howie thought there would be some value in posting the video so all of you could see it. The problem? Google rejected the video. Which is kind of irritating. But, at the same time, a hopeful sign.

You see, they post these videos in order to discourage us (a common theme is that we can't win in Iraq or Afghanistan), to encourage support for their cause, to recruit, to train (some videos are actual "how to" guides), and even to raise money.

We post these videos in an effort to use their propaganda videos for our purposes. We think, given the proper context, these videos are actually pretty good at showing our Islamist enemies as the barbaric fools that they are.

So, even if we are a little ticked that the new al-Libi video was rejected by Google, perhaps this is a good sign that they are finally cracking down on the internet jihadis. At least, we hope so.

Parting advice from Kim Jong Il on the Jawa Report's online counterterrorism strategy.

Looks like Omar Bakri Mohammed is Having a Bad Day

Al Qaeda supporting British Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed's life just seems to keep getting worse and worse. I mean, first he is forced to flee the U.K. when his followers began to be arrested for advocating the murder of those who would dare mock Muhammed in cartoon form. If that wasn't hard enough on poor old Bakri-the-goat-humper-Muhammed's financial situation, it looks like the funds he was raising from his British followers through his website--registered to a London address--have also dried up.

http://www.omarbakri.info/ is down.

Good work Team America!

And since Bakri is in Lebanon, we suggest he follow Aaron's advice.

Know Your Enemy

An American GI is burned in effigy - in Portland, Oregon.

Where does "free speech" cross the line into outright treason? Somewhat before these nominal Americans started advocating killing our soldiers and chanting for their deaths.

This is a predictable result of a political party being invested in America's defeat, and we can thank partisan Democrats for starting these retardates down that slippery slope. Their surrender vote in Congress is just the latest manifestation of their degeneracy.

Jeff Corwin Provides Light Snack for Pachyderm

Jeff Corwin forgets the cardinal rule of dealing with wild animals... he got distracted.
Anderson Cooper, to his credit, did not run away, although there may have been some damage to his Underoos.

Click Read More to view video.

I like Jeff Corwin, and I hope he was not seriously injured.

Even More Rumors of Omar al-Baghdadi Capture

Via Alphabet City

There's nothing on the wires, nothing at Google news, nothing on its website but CNN sent this "breaking news" email alert out about two hours ago:

Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, leader of the militant group Islamic State of Iraq, has been arrested in western Baghdad, the Iraqi Interior Ministry tells CNN.

Probably just another rumor. But before Abu Muscab al-Zaqueery met his end there were many false reports of his capture. It seem as the Iraqi government starts getting close, they get overly optimistic.

We'll take it as a postive sign if for no other reason that ISI will now have to release another denial. I hope that bugs the crap out of them.

Nope, No "F*ck Yeah" ,yet. Gunshy.

March 23, 2007

Democrats Prove Us Right Again

They're unpatriotic. They don't support or care about the troops in battle. They want to lose, and now they've proven it with their votes.

The Right never hated being right so much. Behold - this is how Democrats fight wars:

The Democrats are a f*cking disgrace, and everybody saw it in full naked hideousness on the House Floor today.

American Pride Films

I've been looking into the studio putting out Americanizing Shelley. It's called American Pride Films Group (APFG). From their website:

APFG is a Hollywood based independent entertainment studio committed to generating stories that boast a healthy, non-partisan view of the American spirit. APFG's global mission is to foster positive intercultural exchange and growth between the West and the East via the medium of films and entertainment.

Namrata Singh Gujral, President of APFG, describes her company's mission as follows:

We set out to make pro-America movies. We knew this was going to be a long, uphill battle. So encouraging to know it's not a going to be a lone battle.

Ms. Gujral is a woman on a mission. More importantly, she's a VERY HOT woman on a mission. I won't traumatize Vinnie by posting any pics of Ms. Gujral here at the Jawa, but rumor has it you might find a few over here.

RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling on the Iraq War "Emergency" Bill

Via the Republican Study Committee:

This is without a doubt one of the worst bills to come to the floor since I have served in Congress. The Democrat bill creates 435 commanders-in-chief, it attempts to micromanage the war, it chokes off funding for America's troops, threatens our national security and contains billions in unrelated spending that wraps old fashioned pork in the American flag. With this bill, the Democrat majority has transformed pay-as-you-go to pork-as-you-go.

America take notice, for this is the Democrat version of fiscal responsibility and reform. Though this is a troop funding bill, the Democrats prohibit spending on spending on a Marine Corps deployed in Iraq unit beyond 210 days but spend $219 million on peanuts, shrimp, and spinach. This is how the Democrat Majority defines emergency spending? I'm told that if you look deep enough, the entire recipe for Kung Pao shrimp can be found in this bill.

Thankfully, the founding fathers created a system of government to prevent terrible pieces of legislation like this from becoming law. Thus, for all of the promises of money - and then threats - made by the Democrat leadership to their own members this week - this bill will go nowhere. In a month, we will again debate 'emergency spending' legislation and this time it will be clean.

The focus of the Iraq War Supplemental Bill ought to be on one thing: supporting our troops and securing our homeland from the threat that our nation faces from radical Islam. The Democrat's slow bleed strategy will harm our troops, harm our country and should be defeated. The cost of fighting this war is extremely high, but the cost of losing it is higher.

Is There An Iranian Bermuda Triangle?

My anti-mullah friend sent me this link to Anti-mullah (no relation to my friend):

"At least" five senior Iranian officers "disappear" in Turkey - TV

Excerpt from report by Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv on 22 March [Report by Gad Shimron: "Foreign reports: Five Iranian officers kidnapped"]

At least five senior Iranian officers disappeared over the past few days during a visit to Turkey. The report, which is based on reports in the Turkish press, said it is believed that the five defected to the West.

As it says in the post, there's no official confirmation.

Georgia College in Denial over Terror Supporting Teacher

The President of Dalton State College has responded to accusations that an Associate Professor in its Sociology department runs a website which openly supports terrorism, conspiracy theories, and is antisemitic.

Jim Burran responded with the same form letter to two separate complaints about Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar's open support for terrorists:

In response to your email message concerning Dr. Elnajjar, let me offer the following. He serves as associate professor of sociology here at DSC, a position he has held for 15 years, holds the Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, and is an American citizen. As with all faculty here, he is careful not to interject his political or religious views in the classroom.

The web site to which you refer is the product of Dr. Elnajjar's own time and effort, and is in no way supported by Dalton State College. As a public institution, we cannot abridge the constitutional rights of any individual, including freedom of expression, even when we do not agree with it. Dr. Elnajjar's viewpoints, as expressed in his web site, are his personal opinions alone and in no way reflect the position of Dalton State College. And once again, no college equipment or other resources have been constructing or maintaining Dr. Elnajjar's web site.

Please contact me again should you have questions or need additional
information.

Sincerely,
Jim Burran

Can you say, cop out? Not totally unexpected, though. Can you imagine how a public university would have responded if a pro-Nazi would have been outted during WWII? You know, academic freedom trumps sympathy to the enemies of the United States.

But, Mr. Burran is wrong to say that Dalton State College is not helping Dr. El-Najjar. In fact, they are. By lending the name of the college to Dr. El-Najjar's pro-terrorism point of view, they legitimize it. They help Dr. El-Najjar raise funds from people who buy his books, donate to his "peace" organization, and who give credibility to his antisemitism, conspiracy theories, or support of terrorists.

For instance, Dr. El-Najjar's book is heavily advertised on his website. That book is reviewed by only two people, both of them employees of Dalton State College. And one of them, in his Amazon.com review of the book, makes special note: "James A. Stevenson, Ph.D. Dalton State College"

It's not only cowardly from college administrators to run away from the fact that they are employing supporters of terror while America is in a shooting war. It's also insincere to pretend as if employment at an institution of higher learning does not contribute the credibility of their claims.

In fact, the citizens of the state of Georgia are helping spread, although very indirectly, terrorism by lending Dr. Elnajjar the name of one of their colleges.

Would firing Dr. Elnajjar be a violation of academic freedom? Perhaps. But when we, as a nation, are asking our young men and women to give up their lives in war--the right to life, in my mind being the highest prinicple of all-- is it too much for us to ask for the principle of academic freedom to be make way for the higher principle? That of protecting the lives of our soldiers abroad and of the targets of terrorism wherever they may be found.

UPDATE: Remember, freedom isn't free.

Previously: Terror Supporter and Antisemitic Conspiracy Theorist Teaches at Dalton State College, Georgia

7/7 Bombing Suspects Named

Police in Britain released the names of three men arrested yesterday on suspicion of involvement in the 7/7 London bombings. They are:

Mohammed Shakil --30 year old taxi driver from Leeds
Shipon Ullah --23, from Leeds
Sadeer Saleem --26

Very little is known about the last two, but Shakil is described as a father of three and a model employee. Two of the three were picked up at the Manchester airport, which suggests that they had been under surveillance for some time and that the arrest came only as a reaction to the fact that they were about to leave for Pakistan. Once in Pakistan, even if arrested, there would be no chance for British authorities to question them.

The police also say that the three:

were not "bomb makers", although they were suspected of providing financial support and accommodation to the bombers, and of having knowledge of the attacks on three London tube trains and a bus.

Although Shakil told his employer and friends he was just going to Pakistani controlled Kashmir to visit his sick father for a few weeks, he had quit his job and his apartment seemed abandoned.

All describe him as "nice" or "quiet" or a number of other adjectives which make him appear to be your model citizen. Which is quite typical of how terrorists or Islamic extremists are often described.

Expect more to come on these men. My friend in the U.K. is now convinced, more than ever, that he knows that the common thread is Omar Bakri Mohammed. We know Abu Izzadeen, Mohammed, and the other remnants of al Muhajiroun supported the idea of the 7/7 attacks. That they give their moral support to British Muslims killing British civilians. That in a general sense they are responsible for helping incite and provide moral justifications for the recruitment of terrorists to kill. But it is still unclear to me at least, whether there is a direct connection.

Bonus video of Omar Bakri Mohammed and Abu Izzadeen justifying 7/7 below. Izzadeen is the black guy, Bakri Mohammed the fat guy with the beard. Both are equally disgusting pieces of work. Izzadeen is in jail pending trial for inciting terrorism in the speech. Bakri Mohammed is in exile in Lebanon, but continues to preach to U.K. followers and collect money from them through his London registered website.

Blogger Getting Booted from Iraq? Military Getting Propaganda Wrong

Michael Yon may be getting the boot from Iraq. The guy has class. He doesn't even mention it until halfway through the post. Are our leading military propagandists so stupid as to want to get rid of one of their most valuable assets? Apparently, yes.

Many of the idiots in the brass want the MSM to report the "good news" from Iraq. That, they think, will bolster morale. Bullshit. The American people don't give a rat's ass about how many schools have been built and how many lollipops have been handed out. Nice stuff. The kind of stuff you see in hometown papers which nobody buys because they're so boring and uninformative. Also, not "news" because we all understand just how decent our soldiers are. Save that stuff for the Arabs.

What do we really need to see? Pictures of our soldiers killing our enemies, rather than the images the MSM is so eager to provide of themkilling us . Images, in other words, of our guys winning.

The American people are not so naive to believe the purpose of our military is to pass out blankets. No, we know our military is there to break stuff and kill people. And that is what we want to see. We want to be reassured that our military in Iraq is doing just that. Winning.

A message to General Vincent K. Brooks: Go watch the opening monologue of Patton. You might learn something.

Confederate Yankee has the roundup on Yon.

Bonus video: George C. Scott as Patton below-->

"War Emergencies," Democrat-style

A few highlights of the Democrats' Iraq War "emergency" spending bill:

NASA: Provides $35 million to NASA, under the “exploration capabilities” account, for “expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.” ...

Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program: Provides $283 million for payments under the MILC program, to extend the life of the program for one year, through September 30, 2008. MILC provides payments to dairy farmers when milk prices fall below a certain rate. ...

Peanut Storage Subsidies: Provides $74 million to extend peanut storage payments through 2007. The Peanut Subsidy Storage program, which is set to expire this year, pays farmers for the storage, handling, and other costs for peanuts voluntarily placed in the marketing loan program. ...

The full list is below the fold. Thanks to the folks at the Republican Study Committee for the info.

FY 2007 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL
SUMMARY OF “EMERGENCY” SPENDING
March 2007

The following “emergency” spending items are included in the supplemental appropriations bill, which is intended to fund the Global War on Terror.

Hurricane Citrus Program: Provides $100 million to provide assistance to citrus producers (such as orange producers) in the area declared a disaster related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

NASA: Provides $35 million to NASA, under the “exploration capabilities” account, for “expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.”

Corps of Engineers: Provides $1.3 billion to Corps of Engineers for continued repairs on the levee system in New Orleans.

FEMA: Provides $4.3 billion for disaster relief at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The bill would eliminate the state and local matching requirements for certain FEMA assistance (in connection with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Dennis) in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida, and provides that the federal portion of these costs will be 100%.

HUD Indian Housing: Provides $80 million in tenant-based rental assistance for public and Indian housing under HUD.

Crop Disaster Assistance: Provides roughly $3 billion in agriculture assistance to crop producers and livestock owners experiencing losses in 2005, 2006, or 2007 due to bad weather.

Spinach: Provides $25 million for payments to spinach producers that were unable to market spinach crops as a result of the FDA Public Health Advisory issued on September 14, 2006.

Shrimp: Provides $120 million to the shrimp industry for expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.

Frozen Farmland: Provides $20 million for the cleanup and restoration of farmland damaged by freezing temperatures during a time period beginning on January 1, 2007 through the date of enactment.

Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program: Provides $283 million for payments under the MILC program, to extend the life of the program for one year, through September 30, 2008. MILC provides payments to dairy farmers when milk prices fall below a certain rate.

Peanut Storage Subsidies: Provides $74 million to extend peanut storage payments through 2007. The Peanut Subsidy Storage program, which is set to expire this year, pays farmers for the storage, handling, and other costs for peanuts voluntarily placed in the marketing loan program.

Aquaculture Operations: Provides $5 million for payments to “aquaculture operations and other persons in the U.S. engaged in the business of breeding, rearing, or transporting live fish” (such as shellfish, oysters and clams) to cover economic losses incurred as a result of an emergency order issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on October 24, 2006.

FDA Office of Women’s Health: Provides $4 million for the Office of Women’s Health at the Food and Drug Administration.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Provides $60.4 million for fishing communities, Indian tribes, individuals, small businesses, including fishermen, fish processors, and related businesses for assistance related to “the commercial fishery failure.” According to the Committee Report, this funding is to be used to provide disaster relief for those along the California and Oregon coast affected by the “2006 salmon fishery disaster in the Klamath River.”

Avian Flu: Provides $969 million for the Department of HHS to continue to prepare and respond to an avian flu pandemic. Of this funding, $870 million is to be used for the development of vaccines.

Secure Rural Schools Act (Forest County Payments): Provides $400 million to be used for one-time payments to be allocated to states under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. This program provides a funding stream (known as forest county payments) to counties with large amounts of Bureau of Land Management land, in order to compensate for the loss of receipt-sharing payments on this land caused by decreased revenue from timber sales due to environmental protections for endangered species. The authorization for these forest county payments expired at the end of FY 2006, and counties received their last payment under the Act in December 2006.

LIHEAP: Provides $400 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Vaccine Compensation: Provides $50 million to compensate individuals for injuries caused by the H5N1 vaccine, which is a flu vaccine.

Payment to Widow of Rep. Norwood: Provides $165,200 to Gloria W. Norwood, the widow of former Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA), an RSC Member, who passed away last month. In the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2005 (H.R. 1268), Congress provided $162,100 to Doris Matsui, the widow of former Rep. Robert Matsui.

Capitol Power Plant: Provides $50 million to the Capitol Power Plant for asbestos abatement and safety improvements.

Liberia: Provides that money appropriated for FY 2007 for the Bilateral Economic Assistance program at the Department of Treasury may be used to assist Liberia in retiring its debt arrearages to the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the African Development Bank.

SCHIP: Provides $750 million to the Secretary of HHS to provide assistance to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) “shortfall states,”, in the form of an amount “as the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall.” This provision is direct spending that is essentially capped at $750 million and designated as an emergency to avoid PAYGO constraints.
Minimum Wage Increase: Increases the federal minimum wage from $5.15-per-hour to $7.25-per-hour over two-plus years—a 41% increase. Yields $16.5 billion in private-sector costs over five years.

Tax Increases and Shifts: Implements several tax increases and shifts, including: denying the lowest maximum capital gains tax rate for certain minors and adults, extending the suspension of interest payments due to the IRS, and adjusting the deadlines for corporate estimated tax payments. Costs taxpayers $1.380 billion over the FY2007-FY2017 period.

Goose Meets Gander

Pelosi has arranged for war protesters to be booted from in front of her office. Where are the cries of "help, I'm being oppressed" and why has Saint Cindy Sheehan abandoned these poor oppressed souls in their time of need?

Storage Units Advertise with Anti-Bush Message

A Manhattan storage unit company is using an anti-Bush ad campaign in order to drum up business. It's clever in that John Stewart state-the-liberal-conventional-wisdom-and-pretend-its-an-inciteful-zinger-aimed-at-the-man "ha-ha" kind of way.

Either this is a really bad idea or New Yorkers are far nuttier or liberal than I thought. Kesher talk has more photos.

Iran Funding Attacks in Iraq

Color me unsurprised. Personally, I'd hold out for $1,000 a month. But I guess the labor market for would-be infidel bombers is pretty much flooded these days.

Garduneh Mehr e-mails this piece from the The Australian:

IRANIAN agents are paying local Iraqis around the southern city of Basra as much as $500 a month to carry out attacks on coalition forces.

British Lieutenant Colonel Justin Maciejewski said contact with locals suggested that the “vast majority” of violence against British troops stationed in the city came from outside Iraq. ...

Lt-Col Maciejewski, who is the commanding officer at the British base at Basra Palace, went on: “Local sheikhs and tribal leaders here in Basra - who are desperate to prevent this violence escalating - are telling us that Iranian agents are paying up to $500 a month for young Basrawi men to attack us.

You know what would raise demand? A shooting war, rather than a proxy war, between Iran and the infidels......

Democrats Vote To Lose Iraq (UPDATED w/ snark!)

UPDATED: Tom Maguire finds the Democrats (via the NYT) metaphorically and literally "praying" for this pork-filled disgrace of a bill to pass:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, used an array of persuasion techniques — some hard, some soft — as she walked through the House chamber on Thursday, seeking out undecided legislators in hopes of securing the 218 votes needed to pass the measure. Representative John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia and a former civil rights leader and chief deputy whip, told Ms. Pelosi this week that he would oppose the bill because of his commitment to nonviolence and his unwillingness to devote more money to the war. “Let’s pray about it,” he recalled Ms. Pelosi saying. Ultimately, he added, “she respected my decision.”

Maguire goes in for the layup:

"Let's pray"? If The Coach had suggested a quick prayer with The Hammer prior to a vote on a pork-filled war appropriation, the resulting snark from lefty bloggers would fill a small cesspool. Whatever.

Here's some of the pork-fat the Defeatocrats used to grease the skids of surrender.

And then, there's this:

- - -

After spending billions in taxpayer dollars to "pork the vote," the democrats have voted for surrender by six votes.

Like we said all along, the Democrats are the party of defeat, surrender, and weakness. Our enemies laugh at us because of them.

Bush has his veto pen ready.

Video : Americanizing Shelley Trailer

h/t : Michelle.

Thoughts on John and Elizabeth Edwards

It seems to have become fashionable these days to rejoice when fellow Americans fall ill. I see it all the time from the left, and I really hope it doesn't start to catch on over on the right. However much I may disagree with John Edwards the politician, my heart goes out to John and Elizabeth Edwards and their families. Cancer is very real to most of us. It recently took away my grandmother, one of the sweetest and kindest women I've ever known. Not too many years before, it took my grandfather. Someday, cancer will probably take me. Though I'll fight John Edwards and his ideas tooth-and-nail in the political arena, I wish the Edwards family all the best as they struggle with this.

Dean Barnett has his own thoughts. (h/t Glenn)

Neocons and Social Conservatives

Does being a Neocon mean being socially conservative?
	Yes
	Its not required, but they are connected
	No
pollcode.com free polls

Discuss.

UPDATE: You can only see this with the light background template, so make sure you switch skins so, you know, you can actually read the poll. Stupid technology.

Hostage Crisis: Iran Captures 15 British Sailors & Marines

What's old is new. Iran is insisting that the 15 marines and sailors were in their waters, the British claim they were in Iraqi waters. The truth? Come on. Do you really have to ask? Unless, of course, the Iranians now consider Southern Iraq an extension of Iran. Which may not be too far off the mark.

Leonidas, where art thou?

BBC:

Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says.

The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars....

The Ministry of Defence said: "The group boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded and escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters.

"We are urgently pursuing this matter with the Iranian authorities at the highest level.

"The British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of our people and equipment."

Hat tip: Tim at Opinion Bug

P.S. & Update: Isn't this an act of war?

Another update: Given that embassies in Tehran were making evacuation plans yesterday.....er, I hate to place the tinfoil hat on here, but what are the chances that this was a planned operation?

Allah provides video of the last time Iran took British personell hostage and says:

Iran can’t have meant to do this, not with Ahmadinejad set to address the Security Council tomorrow about the nuclear program and not to the British, who’ve been adamant in opposing any military action on Iran.

Maybe, and in my heart of hearts I'm a Realist--which posits that nations are rational actors that act in their own interests. But rationality is constrained by culture and what may seem rational in Tehran may seem crazy-insane to the rest of us. Case in point: all of Iranian history since 1979.

Anyway, I agree that they'll probably be let go unharmed. And it's far more likely that Allah is right and that this is probably nothing more than a bunch of Iranian sailors working from the cuff and egged on by years of propaganda, but never completely write off the crazy. Especially when you're dealing with Iran.

If our resident Persian expert, GM, is around, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

UPDATE exctracted from the comments of Garduneh Mehr:

Thanks Dr. S., I don't know for sure but I suspect this transgression like the last one (mentioned above by Randman) has been committed by the naval branch of the IRGC (the idealogical terrorist army that's the mullah's main prop). And again I speculate that they've done this so as to dissuade the coalition from aggressively inspecting ships which would make it easier for the IRGC to smuggle arms and/or terrorists into Iraq. Looking at the bigger picture, it seems to me that the terrorist acts in Iraq are basically a proxy war conducted on behalf of the IRGC and the Mullahcracy's ministry of intelligence VEVAK. Ken Timmermann had a very insightful article on this recently. As for removing the gloves vis-a-vis the Mullahcracy, that is long long over due. There is one more thing I'd like to mention. These IRGC/Basiji types are basically thugs and bullies; when it comes to dealing with them one most forget all niceties and ceremonies and courtesies of international law because the IRGC/Basiji/VEVAK do not represent a nation. As they themselves will tell you, they represent an idealogy. In brief, I believe the Royal Navy ought to have made quick work of the f**kers.

Navy SEAL BUD/S Training

Excellent series, this. These guys are so badass that it can kill terrorists just to watch them train.

They're that hard. Well, the 30% or so who survive training, that is.

Watch these all when you get two free hours. The Hell Week segment is broken up into five videos.

1.

PARTS 2 & 3 BELOW THE FOLD -->

2.

Hell Week, I-V

I.

II.

III.

iV.

V.

3.

March 22, 2007

Iraq: Kidnap Victim Rescued, Six Weapons Caches Found

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
By Maj. Rob Parke, 3rd SBCT
2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs Officer

BAGHDAD – Nearly 1,600 partnered Iraqi security forces and coalition Soldiers continued clearing operations today in the Iraqi capital’s Mansour Security District. This was the second day of clearing in the southern Ghazaliya and Ameriya neighborhoods.

During clearing operations coalition Soldiers from A Co, 1-23 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division rescued a kidnap victim in an empty house handcuffed to a chair. The victim had three gunshot wounds in his leg and was evacuated to a coalition forces medical treatment facility. After a more extensive search of the house, Soldiers found a weapons cache consisting of one rocket propelled grenade launcher with 10 rounds; three AK-47 assault rifles; nine 60mm mortar rounds; seven hand grenades; plastic explosives; containers of ferric nitrate, sodium hydrogen and chromic oxide; and numerous explosive making materials.

In addition to the weapons cache above, five other weapons caches were discovered today totaling one 155mm artillery shell, three 120mm mortar rounds, two 60mm mortar rounds, three mortar rounds of unknown diameter, two improvised explosive devices, 15 pounds of homemade explosive, three RPG rounds, and two hand grenades.

Iraqi Army soldiers also detained two suspected terrorists with two assault rifles and 18 magazines of ammunition.

The operation coined as Arrowhead Strike 9 included approximately 500 Iraqi security forces from 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division; 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division; 4th Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division; and 5th Battalion, 2nd National Police Brigade. Nearly 1,100 U.S Army Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division were also involved in the operation.

Canadian Islamofascists Turn Up the Heat

Someone left the following lovely message on the voicemail of Munir Pervaiz, secretary general of the secular/liberal Muslim Canadian Congress:

"This is a warning to Tarek Fatah and Farzana Hassan and to all the members of your Munafiq (Apostate) organization. Wa Allah al-Azeem (In the name of God who is great), I swear… on all 99 names of Allah, if you do not cease from your campaign of smearing Islam...Wa Allahi, Wa Allahi, Wa Allahi, (by God, by God, by God), I will slaughter all of you."

Audio here.

"300" - the PG Version

So that children may enjoy the movie as well. Brush your TEETH!

Thanks to JC

"The term "neo-Soviet" implies all that was bad in the USSR plus some new bad stuff."

A group of dissident students in Russia have some messages for the world. They are particularly dismayed at the level of brainwashing going on at their institution:

In recent years, lectures at the department have become ever more insipid and formal exercises. The administration has cut the number of seminars and practical classes. We are allowed to take ever fewer course units in neighboring disciplines. We are hardly ever given the opportunity to attend talks by outside lecturers. Exam questions are limited to the contents of a textbook authored by the dean. The dean's office has distributed a brochure to all students which approvingly quotes the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," blames Freemasons and Zionists for the world wars, and claims that they control US and British policy and the global financial system. ...

The dean’s office has distributed a brochure entitled “Why is the Russian Land being ‘cleansed’?,” whose authors blame Freemasons for “starting the world wars and initiating the creation of the atomic bomb” and claim that “the Zionist lobby … dictates US and British policy, is in charge of the global financial system (including the issuing of dollars), and practically controls all major mass media and telecommunications,” calls Russia “the Righteous Country” and the USA “the Beast Country,” and quote the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” as a reliable source.

h/t : Glenn.

Terror Supporter and Antisemitic Conspiracy Theorist Teaches at Dalton State College, Georgia

This is not "news" in the sense that its neither "new" nor "surprising". Imagine my, er, shock when reader Mike e-mailed me about yet another antisemitic conspiracy theorists and terror supporter in academia. Given that this is Georgia, though, I would have imagined that the good people of the state would have demanded the firing of Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar. He teaches Sociology at Dalton State College.

Dr. El-Najjar runs the website Aljazeerah.info, which is not associated with Arabic satellite television station from Qatar, which is the al Jazeera, or with aljazeera.com, a British Islamists website. No, Dr. El-Najjar's al Jazeerah is an antisemetic conspiracy website---much worse than the al Jazeera, if that is imaginable. Needless to say, they are pro-terrorism. Oh, they claim they are against "terrorism", but, like so many Muslims in the world, define "terrorism" in such a way as to exclude, you know, real terrorists.

So, who are the 'terrorists' according to Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar? The Israelis, of course! Israeli occupation terrorist forces kill youngman

While Shaikh Ahamed Yassin, a man who was the head of an officially listed terrorist organization Hamas, is called a "martyr". Similarly, Abu Ali Mustafa, the dead leader of another group specially designated by the State Department as foreign terror orgainzation, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palesitne (PFLP), is also labelled a "martyr".

IDF soldier trying to find terrorists = terrorist.
Leaders of officially listed terror organization = heroes.

But Dr. El-Najjar does not simply single out those that kill Jews as "not terrorists". He also includes those that kill Americans, Iraqi police and soldiers, and Iraqi women and children in the "not terrorists" camp. From one of his stories he published today: "5 Iraqi resistance fighters were killed in north Baghdad".

Dr. El-Najjar, who supports officially designated terrorist organizations, also has the audacity to call his website the "Aljazeerah Peace Information Center". He also solicits contributions.

So, we've established that Dr. El-Najjar is pro-terrorism, but what about conspiracy theories? My case will begin this editorial: How Israel Lobby Controls US Policies: The Arab Bank Case then move to the fact that his website used to link to a copy of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (source--no longer linked).

And then end with this, from the same news story, linked above, written by Dr. El-Najjar, and published today:

It is inaccurate to describe the war in Iraq as if it is fought between Muslim Shi'is and Muslim Sunnis...It is more accurate to describe it as fought between US-led forces and Iraqi resistance fighters. Even killing civilians is part of the war, as the evidence earlier demonstrated that Interior Ministry death squads and British soldiers were caught either targeting or attempting to target civilians to make the war appear as if it is between Shi'is and Sunnis....

Moreover, on September 19, 2005, two British soldiers were arrested by Iraqi police for driving a car bomb in a Basra street. They were freed by British forces before being interrogated by Iraqi police. This incident sheds some light on who might be behind car bomb explosions in Iraq.

In other words, all those deaths we hear about? A U.S. & British plot to make it look like civil war!! This is exactly the kind of stuff you read in the radical Islamist press. The pro-al Qaeda propaganda outlets. The only thing missing is an allusion to a Zionist plot!

Wow, that's what we call in academia "scholarship". As for El-Najjar's other "scholarship", this includes a self-published book called The Gulf War : Overreaction & Excessiveness. One of the two reviews of the book is by fellow Dalton State College professor, Dr. James A. Stevenson, who, shockingly, contributes antiwar columns to the pro-terror conspiracy website. The other reviewer? Also a Dalton State professor.

From reading a few of both Dr. Stevenson's and Dr. El-Najjar's columns, it seems likely that the pair are old-school Leninists (eg, Zionism: The Highest Stage of Imperialism; While World Capitalists Spend Trillions of Dollars on their Wanton Wars, Hunger Kills 18,000 Children Each Day). Not surprisingly, the website has many links to The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and a link to our favorite peace-rage activist Rachel Corrie.

Again, none of this is "news" in the sense that its "new". Campus Watch reran an extensive 2003 Washington Times story by Stacie McCain about El-Najjar here. American Intelligence has all the still valid hosting info here. Nor, as I said, is it at all surprising that terror supporters are in academia (eg, Julio Pino at Kent State; Joseph Massad and others at Columbia, etc.). Like I said, what is really surprising is that the people of Georgia aren't demanding the immediate firing of Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar.

Or does tenure & academic freedom trump all other considerations? Including that of supporting terrorism and spreading antisemetic conspiracy theories?

PS: The President of Dalton State College, Dr. James Burran: jburran@daltonstate.edu. Be civil.

And here is complete telephone contact information for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. E-mails can be sent via this page.

Double P.S.: Just in case there was any question as to whether the editor of aljazeera.info was really the same man as the Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar, who teaches at Dalton State. A) He openly admits it and B) Here is the address listed at the contact page:

Editor,
Al-Jazeerah Information Center,
P.O. Box 724, Dalton, GA 30722, USA.

UPDATE 3/23: Dalton College responds. What a cop out.

Sharia Law in Germany?

German judge says its okay for Muslim men to beat their wives, you know, because its their culture and all that.

It Takes A Pelosi To Clean The House...

NOT.

Love the Drudge teasers:

HOUSE IN DISARRAY
Dem leadership pulls DC voting bill from floor; conservative Dems were supporting DC gun repeal...
Leader Hoyer seen yelling at staff on floor...
Speaker Pelosi absent because she is desperately searching for Iraq supplemental votes...
Holmes-Norton standing silently in disbelief..

The Democrats' much vaunted "plan" is aparently falling apart. Can't run on hate and Bush-bashing forever, because sooner or later the bill is going to come due.

Didn't take long that long, either - three months and they're fresh out of leadership and ideas. Plus, they've got their own cockroaches from the leftwingnut base to deal with.

Anybody else want to jump into the ring and campaign to save the bloated and criminally retarded United States Congress?

I also don't mind admitting that I'm taking great and fulfilling pleasure watching the Democrat Party fail at everything they're trying to do. Continued failure to the Democrats in the future (and the way this is going, it's assured.)

Operation America Rising

The following is re-printed from the Operation America Rising website:

Largest Rally in History
"Operation America Rising" Will take place on 7-7-07 in every capitol city in America at the same time. There will be prominent speakers and entertainers. Children and adultswill be gathered together saluting America's finest. This national salute to our troops will be a gleaming observance of America's patriotism. People of all ages will show our troops that we are behind them and their mission and that we are not the silent majority anymore.

Why We Need You
Quite simply, a rally of this magnitude requires the help and leadership of Americans all over the country. We need volunteers to organize their state rally. We need volunteers to assist the state leaders. We will need entertainers, speakers, and sponsors to make this the largest support the troops rally in history. The media, government leaders, and United States military will hear our voice on that bright July day.

We need all of the support we can get. We will accept donations for flags, banners, entertainment, stages and all of the things needed to make this rally possible. 100% of the donations made here and on the Real American Truth will be donated to the rally. Also, a large portion of rally merchandise purchased at Conservative Buys will be donated for the rally. The rest of the money made from the merchandise to various support the troops charities that will be posted on this site.
God bless you and we will see you on 7-7-07!

Click HERE to learn more.

Three Arrested in 7/7 Bombings

More arrests in the London 7/7 bombings today. 7/7 has been called the U.K.'s 9/11. 52 passengers on various public transportaion lines in London were murdered on that day by Muslims inpired by al Qaeda. Police in Britain believe that al Qaeda may have been involved in both the planning and funding of the mass murder.

Guardian:

Three men were today arrested in connection with the July 7 London bombings, which killed 52 commuters on the capital's public transport system.

In the first significant arrests since the 2005 suicide attacks, two men, aged 23 and 30, were detained shortly before 1pm at Manchester airport, where they were due to catch a flight to Pakistan.

A third man, aged 26, was arrested at a house in Leeds shortly after 4pm...

It is understood the three arrested men are from Leeds. The property being searched in Colwyn Rd is on the same street as the house where Tanweer lived with his parents, who worked in a fish and chip shop.

UPDATE: As always, The Counterterrorism Blog has excellent coverage and much more info.

Allah reminds us that there had previously been a link between the 7/7 bomb plotters and Leeds. You'll recall that Magdi El-Nashar had been 'detained' in Egypt in July of last year [pictured above right]. Authories found the substance TATP in Magdy al-Nashar's Leeds apartment, but he claimed the explosive 'wasn't his'. He was a professor at Leed's University. Interesting fact about Magdi El-Nasher: He spent a semester at North Carolina University in grad school studying biochemistry.

On a related note, in a British court today Manfo Asiedu, who was arrested two weeks after the 7/7 bombings, claimed that he had planned an attack which would be "bigger and better" than the transit system bombings. He's radically changed his defense from 'it was all a joke, we're victims of Islamophobia' to 'we were planning to blow up an apartment complex'. Apparently he's pointing the finger at another defendant at the trial, Muktar Said Ibrahim, as the ringleader. UPDATE: LGF has video here.

Allah also reminds readers of how 7/7 got to Abu Izzadeen's funny bone. And since we just ran a video of Abu Izzadeen a few days ago, you might want to go check out his sermon on Islam=terrorism. Be sure to wait til he begins justifying the beheading of Paul Johnson by the 'mujahidin'.

I have a friend in Britain who swears that if Izzadeen wasn't personally involved in the 7/7 attacks, then it was at least inspired by his mentor, Omar Bakri Mohammed. Here is a a video of Bakri Muhammed extolling the virtues of al Qaeda, shortly before the 7/7 bombings.

Video below-->

Freedom Journal Iraq #610

This edition features previously aired stories on Marines training Iraqi Soldiers, Coalition advisors stepping back while Iraqis Soldiers step up, female service members establishing themselves on the battlefield and the significance of pararescuemen in country. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #610
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #610

Ahmadinejad Flies Into Snit Over "300"

From Entertainment Weekly:

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has spoken out against the hit movie 300, joining the chorus of Iranian critics who claim that the Warner Bros. movie unfairly portrays the country's history. Though he didn't name the movie by name, in a speech delivered on Wednesday (March 21), Ahmadinejad said Western countries are ''trying to tamper with history by making a film and by making Iran's image look savage.''

Silly Mahmoud, it's not "300" that makes your country look savage. It's kidnapping diplomats. And denying the Holocaust. And trying to develop nuclear weapons for jihad. And threatening to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. And supporting brave jihadi babyhunters...

Btw, "300" went over the $100 million mark last Friday.

North Carolina City to ACLU: Up Yours, A-Holes

Or words to that effect. Whatever, they've decided to challenge the forces of darkness.

From citizenlink.com:

Officials in Thomasville, N.C., voted 6-1 Monday to ignore threats from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and allow prayer at city-council meetings.

Mike Johnson, senior legal counsel for Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), provided the council with a proposed policy in compliance with the U.S. Constitution.

“It’s amazing that, in a country founded on religious liberty, the right to open a public meeting with a prayer would be under attack,” he said. “But that is exactly what the ACLU has been doing the past several months – using its familiar tactics of fear, intimidation and disinformation to force municipalities into passive compliance with its agenda to eliminate our First Liberty, religious freedom.”

Councilman Dwight Cornelius said he hopes other municipalities will stand up to the ACLU.

“This is a freedom of speech issue, pure and simple,” he said.

ADF offers assistance to any municipality that’s under attack for “simply continuing a practice that the Supreme Court knows is ‘deeply embedded in the history and tradition of our country,’ ” Johnson added.

Via Stop the ACLU.

Video : A Gathering of Eagles

A Sout al-Kuffar tribute to the Gathering of Eagles:

Muslims Murder Christian Teacher for "Koran Desecration"

Ah, the Religion of Tolerance, once again, tolerates someone to death. The teacher had apparently taken away a Koran from a student who was reading it in class. The students then accused her of 'desecrating it' before murdering her.

What constitutes 'desecration'? Apparently her unclean (harem) Christian hands touched the Quran.

The reporter goes on to the 'nuanced' explanationthat the teacher wasn't really killed for blasphemy, but claims that in 'reality' religion just a cover for 'ethnic or political conflicts and competition for resources'.

Right. Denial aint just a river in Nigeria......

The reporter also does not let the readers know that the state of Gombe---like most of Northern Nigeria-- where the incident happened, is ruled by sharia law.

BBC:

Secondary school pupils in north-eastern Nigeria have killed a teacher after apparently accusing her of desecrating the Koran, police say.

The teacher, a Christian, was attacked after supervising an exam in Gombe city....Similar accusations sparked riots in neighbouring Bauchi State last year.

Thanks to Lucky for helping make this an all Africa day at the Jawa.

UPDATE: Good news on a related front--Fwench court acquites cartoon blasphemers.

Mauritania: Islamic "Model" for Democracy

Publius Pundit reports on an Islamic country which seems to fast be heading towards democracy and which, he claims, could serve as a model for other Muslim majority countries. Seems like very good news.

Of course, there's this one little caveat:

This isn't to say that Mauritania is a shining bright spot on the world. It's one of the only places in the world where slavery is still practiced to a large degree; racial [sic--"racism"???] has historically been extreme. Economic and cultural liberalization have been slow to take hold and in most cases outright suppressed since independence.

Hopefully he's right that the new democratic movement will lead to liberalism. Personally, I'm more of a fan of liberty than I am of democracy, but rarely do we find one without the other. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I can only hold my breath for so long.

"Christian" Hostage Wants Clemency for His Captors

A former British peace activist held hostage in Iraq wants to defend his captors in court. He's not just trying to shield them from the death sentence, but also from a "long prison sentence". He even believes that if they were released, that they may become hostage takers again.

As I've said from time to time on these pages, this is one of the logical outcome of Christian fundamentalism and New Testament literalism. Pacifism is a form of Christian fundamentalism and literalism.

I hope the reason I bring this up is obvious. But, to state the obvious to the clueless: When was the last time you met a Muslim literalilst or fundamentalist who was a pacifist? All religions, my friends, are not the same.

Christians face the problematic of justifying violence when pacifism, in my mind, is clearly an immoral position. As history shows, Christians have not had that hard of a time figuring out a way to justify violence when necessary (and often, when not necessary). But, most of the violence committed in Christianity's name comes only after the Church rejected a core literalist tennet: seperation of church and state.

Muslims, on the other hand, have quite the opposite problem. The Quran and the hadiths clearly show that violence is God's way of not only defending the faith, but also in spreading the faith and in enforcing its moral codes. Thus, for the Muslim, the problematic is justifying peace when the Quran, the sayings of Muhammed (hadiths), and Mohammed's example (sunna), when taken literally, indicate that "God" wants his "submitters" to act immorally.

And, like Christians who rejected a literal interpretation of Christ's "turn the other cheek" or Paul's invitation to soldier converts to "do no violence", because doing so in every situation would clearly be immoral (eg, allowing genocide), so too have many Muslims, over the years, worked out ways of justifying peaceful coexistence with infidels (eg, India--at least, from time to time) or in rejecting sharia as nothing more than a set of values not to be enforced by state power (eg, "liberal" or "secular" Muslims). Because human beings have a way of finding the moral thing to do, even when Allah commands them to "strike the neck of the unbelievers".

But just because we have the capacity to see the immorality of pacifism or of jihad & sharia, this does not mean that people always follow their conscience. Ideas can have powerful effects on killing our innermost humanity. Marxism is the main example that comes to mind. An idea so powerful that it lead to the deaths of tens of millions of people.

In any event, there is something deeply troubling about a man who takes his reading of the New Testament so literally that he wishes to translate his personal forgiveness of his hostage takers into a public policy stance which would set them free, only to take more people hostage. Of course, Norman Kember's forgiveness stance is much less troubling than Osama bin Laden's kill the infidel stance. Both are problematic, but only one leads to mass murder.

Reuters:

A year after his release from almost four months of captivity when he was chained to fellow hostages, deprived of daylight and denied contact with the outside world, Norman Kember wants to defend his captors.

The British peace activist, seized in Baghdad with two Canadians and an American in November 2005 and held hostage for 118 days, says he will plead for the lives of the men accused of holding him and killing his American friend Tom Fox even though he fears they could kidnap or murder again.

"It's certainly part of Christianity and it's part of other religions, that forgiveness and an attempt to restore people who have done you wrong is the most positive outcome of something like this," Kember said in a telephone interview.

Let me just add one more thing. Pacifism has been an essential part of a number of fundamentalist and literalist Christian sects for quite some time. But what is troubling about many of these so-called "Christian pacifists" is their relentless focus on stopping Western countries from war, but their total (or seemingly so) lack of interest for non-Westerners killing each other. Thus, their pacifism is really a form of anti-Americanism or anti-Westernism. Not all pacifists, of course, but a healthy number of them. For instance, how come there are no "Christian" human shields lining themselves up to protect Jews in Israel from attacks from Palestinian terrorists? Similarly, how come we don't see these so-called "peace activists" lining up for human shield duty at predominately Shia markets in Iraq?

For more, see our Norman Kember archives here.

PS-for the record, I am a "Christian" and a "fundamentalist" (ie, back to the basics) but not a Biblical "literalist". I go to church every week, in fact. I am a believer. Or, at least, a "suspecter". Which is what Orson Scott Card describes as, to paraphrase, something more than a "hoper" but something a little less than full of faith.

Michigan Dumpster Reveals Disturbing Items

From The Northeast Intelligence Network:

A dumpster behind a hydraulics plant in the 13000 block of Inkster Road, Redford, Michigan – just a few miles north of Dearborn, Michigan yielded an interesting if not disconcerting find for a Redford businessman. Military style gas masks that were still in their boxes, a map of a Michigan county with the airport prominently circled, clothing, pictures (some “nicely laminated”) depicting bombings and their aftermaths and various handwritten notes (some making reference to an explosion and fireball) were reportedly found by Andrew Wishaw, the president of R.W. Hydraulics Inc., in the dumpster behind his business last weekend. Mr. Wishaw was reportedly interviewed by the FBI yesterday about the items he discovered and turned over to the Redford Police Department.

According to a police report filed in Redford Township, items recovered from the dumpster also included a copy of the Earth First! Journal, female clothing and a map of Mecosta County, Michigan. According to published reports, it was unclear whether the map was actually Mecosta County, but the airport on that specific map was circled. Mr. Wishaw added that it appeared to him that the items were discarded "in haste," adding that it looked like stuff, at first, that people dumped out of an apartment.”

Marines + Air Support = No Jihad for You

March 21, 2007

9-11 Trutherism is a Mental Disorder

This is the disorder take to its logical extreme (assuming its real):

Truther 1: got to go know THE WIFE'S CRACKING UP (not drugs!)
anyone else got the same problem?

Truther 2: I had the exact same problem with my wife, she was always going on about my 911 obsession, I tried to reason with her and to a certain degree she agreed there was something wrong with the official version of events,
She however was not able to comprehend the importance of being active in exposing the truth, it was a bone of contention as she claimed i gave her and the kids no attention which was not true then she left me when i told her that this issue was more important than her insecurities and I was fighting with others to ensure a better life and world for our children.
She took my kids away which broke my heart but luckily (i'm not being callous and would never repeat this to my children) she was killed in a road accident in August last year so i have my kids back and carry on unhindered.

Wow. Just..just wow. There's plenty of batsh*t insanity at that link - time and space will bend around you.

ht: Screw Loose Change

Bonus Truther excuse for ending friendships, relationships, marriages:

yeah, just goes to the show the enormity of the threshold one has to cross- once you've got it you're changed forever - have compassion, try and prepare their minds for the truth, but be prepared to move on if necessary. Easy to say I know.....

Democrat Warplan: An Ongoing Series

ht: The Hill
New Jawa Report Category: 'Democrat Warplan'

Virtual Tour of Captured Palestinian Arms

The Intelligence and Terrorism Research Center presents a virtual tour of it's collection of captured palestinian 'materials'. These materials include a smörgåsbord of guns, grenades, rockets, suicide belts, a wide variety of munitions and the materials to build new weapons.

The online display is in the form of a Quicktime virtual tour that may be navigated by mouse, and it provides a clear glimpse into the heart of the Palestinian methodology.

From the tour's description:

The Display is meant to help the public understand the features of Palestinian terrorism, its dimensions and its ideological, cultural and practical aspects. It contains documents, exhibits and various captured items relating to terrorism and the incitement to hatred and violence.

The Display is the first of its kind and includes a selection of authentic documents (taken from the apparatuses of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian terrorist organizations), inflammatory propaganda materials and weapons, both homemade and among those captured on the ship “Karin A.”

The exhibits were sorted and chosen from a wealth of material captured by IDF soldiers and the Israeli security forces during Operation Defensive Shield (April 2002) and during the missions they have carried out since in their on-going struggle against Palestinian terrorism.

View the virtual gallery tour here.

'Global Warming' Update: Caption This Jackass!

R.I.P., Larry "Bud" Melman

Calvert DeForest, better known as Larry "Bud" Melman, has died:

NEW YORK (AP) -- The balding, bespectacled nebbish who gained cult status as the oddball Larry "Bud'' Melman on David Letterman's late night television shows has died after a long illness.

I first saw Larry "Bud" Melman in a Knoxville, Tennessee hotel room while en route to the World's Fair.

There were four of us staying in the room, but my wife and her brother had fallen asleep after a full day of travel. My longtime buddy Frank and I watched the introduction of the Larry "Bud" Melman character and laughed 'til tears came. It was the most original television I had ever seen, and we weren't sure at the time whether the premise, that Larry "Bud" was simply a random audience member asked to step in for host David Letterman was true or not.

Larry "Bud" provided more entertainment than that ill-starred World's Fair. Much more.

Godspeed, Calvert DeForest. Thanks for making me laugh out loud.

"Screw Them"--African Taliban Desecrate Bodies

Yesterday, I noted that a group calling itself Tawhid wal Jihad in Somalia had claimed responsibility for several attacks in Mogadishu. I also noted that as being significant because Tawhid wal Jihad was the name of Abu Musab al Zarqawi's organization in Iraq before he officially changed it to al Qaeda. I then warned that you should, "expect casualties and atrocities."

Residents of Mogadishu gather around the body of a Somali soldier who was killed during heavy fighting in Somalia's capital. The fighting killed as many as 14 people in an escalation of violence which saw the bodies of dead soldiers burned and dragged through the streets.(AFP/Mustafa Abdi)

Many may have forgotten about the last time a group calling itself Tawhid wal Jihad was part of an Islamist governingg coalition. That city was Fallujah and under the administration of a Salafi Islamist Shura Council it offered safe haven for Abu Musab al Zarqawi and allowed members of his group enforce Taliban like style justice.

--->More

Residents of Fallujah celebrate after murdering two American contractors in Iraq. Their bodies were then dragged through the streets and then burned. Leftist blogger Markos "Kos" Moulitsas Zúniga upon learning of their murder: "Screw them."

If Somali mujahidin are now taking inspiration from the Abu Musab al Zarqawi brand of al Qaeda--a style that seemed even to sicken the likes of Osama bin Laden for its excessive and unmedia savvy brutality-- then I am afraid that the fate of this poor fellow has been sealed.

The reemergence of the African Taliban--officially called "The Islamic Courts Union"---after their swift defeat by U.S. allies in Ethiopia should come as no surprise. Many veteran mujahidin from Iraq and Afghanistan are now in Somalia after al Qaeda leader Zawahiri and other Salafi st spiritual leaders issued a call to jihad. Dozens and dozens of foreigners---including Americans and Brits--were captured in Somalia or in neigbhoring Kenya after the African Talilban government collapsed.

I've always known it was just a matter of time before these forces reemerged, but I was hoping for later rather than sooner. After all, when crowds of people hold up images of Osama bin Laden in protest rallies supporting an Islamist government, you might just have yourself an ideal place for hiding insurgents from foreign occupiers trying to impose some sort of moderation.

It's not clear what the proper strategy for defeating such barbarians is. Containment? That was our Clinton era strategy against the Taliban of Afghanistan which directly led to 9-11. If containment has been a failure, it seems that Bush era counterinsurgency & nation-building models employed in Iraq and Afghanistan, if not technically a "failure", certainly aren't ringing successes either.

The lesson to be learned here may be that of WWII. It's not enough to defeat your enemy. You must defeat them so thoroughly as to take away any and all capacity to make war (or in this case, violent jihad) for the next 50 years. Which means killing a lot more people--an entire generation, even.

Because this one thing, above all others, fuels insurgencies--even religious and ideological driven ones: hope for victory. As long as you leave your enemies with hope, they will find people to fight.

We should heed the call of the African Union to send more money and troops to Somalia before the African Taliban and their various jihadi allies--including Tawhid wal Jihad--turn that country back into the safe haven for terrorists that it was under the administration of the Islamists. Either we support our allies in the region to fight the African Taliban or we wait for the fight to come to us.

Gateway Pundit and Hot Air have more.

PS: Forget Grimey. Whatever happened to Ibrahim Hassan Addou?

Another Iranian General MIA

My anti-mullah friend emails:

Hi Vinnie, Another IRGC general has disappeared. Radio Israel's Persian Service quotes the Sunday Times of London that IRGC Brigadier Mohammad Sultani in charge of IRGC op's in the Persian Gulf has also gone missing. Sunday Times [according to Radis.org] quotes an Israeli source as saying that successive disappearances of Asgari and Sultani are far from coincidental; rather it appears that there are [covert] operations in place aimed at shaking the command structure of IRGC [the main prop of the mullahcracy]. Sunday times [according to Radis.org] goes on to say that the concensus in Israel seems to be that branches of the U.S. government in charge of U.S. policy vis-a-vis Iran and Syria are in the midst of organizing operations in collaboration with [the dissatisfied] commanders of the IRGC.

Excellent

Mu-slimes Who Beheaded Christian Girls, Get To Live, Short Sentence

Via AsiaNews:

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Central Jakarta District Court Wednesday sentenced a Muslim militant to 20 years in prison for masterminding the gruesome murder of three Christian schoolgirls in the Central Sulawesi's town of Poso in 2005. The two men who killed the three girls and beheaded them were sentenced instead to 14 years in prison. Given the fact that all three Islamists could have received the death sentence the court’s decision is very lenient. The Indonesian press noted that the sentences corresponded to the demands of the prosecution.

Hasanuddin, who is linked to the terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah, was found guilty of organising the crime, buying the machetes used in the beheading, and writing the notes left near the bodies threatening additional murders.

According to the prosecutor Payaman SH, Hasanuddin had asked his men to get “at least a hundred Christian heads in Poso.”

This fits the pattern of justice in Indonesia. Confess to a horrific murder of innocent schoolgirls, Get a light sentence. In fact, I’ve little doubt that the sentences will be reduced at a later date. If you are a Christian accused of being involved in a riot on shaky evidence, you get beaten and shot post haste.

Since Big White Infidel has been offline for a while, I’ll post this for him. I know he’d be very upset at the outcome of this.

Here is a youtube video BWI made to raise awareness of the treatment of Christians by some in Indonesia. I encourage you to click the video and add your comments.

Original Muslimes Who Beheaded Christian Girls Get To Live, Short Sentence post here at Juba Sucks.

More here at Prairie Pundit who adds this thought, "Compare these sentences to that given Aussie visitors, caught with pot, who got life sentences."

Indeed.

More Related links below the fold.

Bali Bombers Freed
Indonesia Releases Bashir
Widow Fights For Justice in Indonesia
Militant says girls were beheaded for revenge
Indonesia Executes 3 Christians
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Manbearpig Sighting on Capital Hill

Manbearpig sightings breaking out all over Capital Hill. UPDATE: I'm super serial about this.

Just a little bit of hero worship...

Robert A. Heinlein Centennial
Hyatt Regency Crown Center & Westin Crown Center
Kansas City, Missouri – July 6-7-8, 2007

July 7, 2007 will be the birth centennial of American author, futurist, philosopher and spaceflight advocate Robert A. Heinlein. Commemoration and celebrations will fill the science fiction Grandmaster's Centennial year, with the grandest event to be held on the weekend of July 6, 7 and 8 in his home town of Kansas City, Missouri.

For more information, click here.

"Peace Activists" Vandalize Congressman's Office

Give peace a chance. And by "peace" we mean "communism". Or "socialism". Maybe even "fascism" if Hugo Chavez is, in fact, a "fascist". I guess any "ism" will do, as long as its not "pro-Americanism".

Story here. Thanks to Scott Malensek.

Idiotic Democrat / MSM Full-Court Press

Pay attention. You are in the midst of witnessing a Demediacrat power grab / political hit job of magnificent proportions. Its like watching a herd of shrieking buffalo barreling through the front window of the china shop of everyday politics.

We have the LA Times propagandizing for the Democrats.

We have the Democrats ignoring the letters of the law and openly sabotaging the war (while simultaneously porking THE CHILDREN and THE FUTURE further into bankruptcy). Isn't Pelosi a grandmother?

We have more Soviet show trials for the prosecution of non-existent (and often Democrat utilized) crimes.

We have Democrats already campaigning off of this stupidity.

Its a good thing that Congress is polling worse than Bush.

$64,000 Dollar Q: For such a clear and forceful "mandate" in 2006, isn't 28% a little on the appallingly bad side?

ht: AllahP

Leftists Supporting Our Troops

Disgraceful and puerile.

UPDATE: Interesting Rally Sign of the Day (from the above photo album):

Palestinian Mansions

Help me I'm being oppressed alert! If it wasn't for the fact that Palestinian Authority controlled land was so thoroughly ethnically cleansed and is now completely Jew-free, then I might just blame this on the Zionist oppressors.

Not that I'm against Arabs living in mansions--I'm all for anybody living in as large a house as they can afford, restricted only by their conscience--but I do think this is a glaring example of both the media and Palestinian agitator hypocrisy. When was the last time you saw any images of Palestinians which weren't of "refugee camps" or of kids being "oppressed by Israel"? The only thing more satisfying would be to learn that these mansions had Hamas officials living in them since one of their major sources of support seems to have been from the destitute masses which perceived Fatah officials as systematcally corrupt. Heh, even Hamas gets things correct from time to time.

Shiloh Musings has more pics here and here. Thanks to Dust My Broom for the tip.

UPDATE: More pics of Palestinians being "oppressed".

Freedom Journal Iraq #609

This edition features stories on a day in the life of medics at Camp Liberty, a forward ammunition and refueling point where Soldiers maintain helicopters and how Chaplains are nurturing spiritual needs in Iraq. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #609
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #609

Fred Thompson Has Some Advice for the Mexican President

Allah has the audio here.

Lauren Maggi Guilty in "Spit On Soldier" Case

(Syracuse, New York) Last November, 35-year-old Lauren Maggi was charged with harassment for spitting in a soldier's face at Hancock Airport. Reportedly, out of the clear blue, Maggi walked up to 21-year-old Jason Jones, a Ft. Drum soldier, and spit at him without provocation.

Yesterday, Maggi pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and explained her actions.

Lauren Maggi had been verbally abused on the phone by a male acquaintance who is in the military at Fort Drum, and she "displaced her anger" when she encountered the victim as she walked through the airport, defense lawyer Louis Mannara said.

"I was crushed that people saw this as an anti-uniform, anti-war gesture," Maggi said. Maggi said she is a registered Republican who twice voted for President George W. Bush and supports the administration's war effort and the soldiers who are carrying out that mission.

Her punishment for the offense wasn't reported.

Frankly, I'm skeptical regarding her "displaced anger" explanation and her stated loyalty to the troops because it just doesn't make much sense. It's not logical that someone with a healthy regard for the United States military would arbitrarily show such base disrespect for the uniform. Leftists, on the other hand, have repeatedly shown their disrespect by hawking lugies at soldiers and others they disagree with.

One has to wonder what would have happened if Maggi were to have a "displaced anger" moment with a Muslim imam by spitting on him in the airport.

Rusty Shackleford Sings "Hillary Clinton is a Man"

We already knew Rusty was a genius, but didja know he plays guitar, too?

h/t : Michael Weaver

March 20, 2007

US Forces Handing More Terrorists Their Asses

The real fun (aka, the AH-1 Cobras rumbling in) starts around the 0:54 second mark.

Elsa Pataky Naked Topless Photos UNCENSORED

I don't know who this chick is, but she's got a perfect pair of ya-yas.

The uncensored photos of Elsa Pataky are here.

UPDATE: Turns out she's the chick from Snakes on a Plane.

Children Used as Props in Car Bombing

If any reasonable person needed another reason to doubt the humanity of Islamist terrorists, this report provides it:

Insurgents in Iraq detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle with two children in the back seat after US soldiers let it through a Baghdad checkpoint over the weekend, a senior US military official said Tuesday.
The vehicle was stopped at the checkpoint but was allowed through when soldiers saw the children in the back, said Major General Michael Barbero of the Pentagon's Joint Staff.

"Children in the back seat lowered suspicion. We let it move through. They parked the vehicle, and the adults ran out and detonated it with the children in the back," Barbero said.

These are the animals to whom the irresponsible idiots on the Left demand that we surrender.

Tawhid wal Jihad in Somalia Emulate Zarqawi

Still think that al Qaeda and the Islamic Courts Union aren't working together? Yesterday, Vinnie posted about an "insurgent" attack in Somalia. Today, a group calling itself Tawhid wal Jihad in Somalia claimed responsibility for the attack.

Significance?

Tawhid wal Jihad was the name of Abu Musab al Zarqawi's organization in Iraq, before they changed their name to al Qaeda.

A group calling itself the Brigades of Tawhid and Jihad in the Land of Somalia claimed responsibility for the late Monday attacks.

It said in a statement posted on the Web site of Somalia's routed Islamic movement that it attacked several parts of the capital where "infidels live." [source]

And, as noted by Vinnie yesterday, despite the fact that the group claiming responsibility for the attack has chosen to name themselves after that of a known terrorist who's claim to fame is slowly beheading civilian hostages, the AP chooses to call them insurgents. Expect casualties and atrocities.

More information about Tawhid wal Jihad.

Related: The African Taliban: Now A Protected Species

Rusty Suddenly Joins the Peace Movement

I found the protest interesting.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Then, suddenly, I lost interest.*

Bonus Star Wars themed protest pic below**

Look, by most standards, she's not hot. Just average. I'd give her a 7 if she had a tan. But by naked protest standards, she's hot. Red hot. Like, a 12. Any naked protest chick who's tits aren't sagging below her knees gets like an automatic 8. A 9 if they shave their pits.

*Actually ripping off one of Kevin Nealon's bits from SNL where he reviews a porn movie for Weekend Update.

**Bonus Star Wars themed pic. Greg, is that you?

More evidence that the Sith, the Empire, and the Dark Side of the Force represent the good guys**

Iraqis / U.S. Open Up Can of Whoop-Ass on al Qaeda

Stratasphere reports:

Members of an Iraqi tribe along with local police managed to kill 39 al-Qaeda fighters in the town of Falluja, west of the capital city, Iraq’s state TV said on Tuesday.

Six more arrested.

But wait, there's more. Much more....

Various MNF Iraq and CENTCOM press releases.

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Coalition Forces detained nine suspected terrorists Tuesday during raids targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

In Mosul, seven suspected terrorists were detained with alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and attacks against Coalition Forces and the Iraqi police. One of the detainees reportedly procures chemicals for the production of improvised explosive devices.

In another raid southwest of Abu Ghurayb, Coalition Forces netted two suspected terrorists allegedly involved in moving foreign terrorists into Iraq.

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Iraqi Police captured a suspected insurgent, reportedly linked to an Improvised Explosive Device cell, during operations with Coalition advisors Mar 19 in Ramadi. The suspect is allegedly involved in multiple bombing attacks targeting Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces in the area.

Iraqi Forces detained 3 additional persons for questioning.

---------

Iraqi police and local tribesmen killed or captured at least four heavily armed terrorists after the insurgents tried to attack locals and police Thursday, at the Hardinia police station near Balad, Iraq.

The group of insurgents parked their white sedan in front of the police headquarters around 7 a.m., and they immediately opened up with small-arms fire. IPs repelled the initial attack and moved toward the vehicle, which was actually a car bomb. One terrorist was killed when the car bomb prematurely detonated before he could flee.

The remaining terrorists fled the area as one individual killed himself by detonating a suicide vest during his escape.

“The people of this area have always known that the terrorists have very little to offer, but they’ve often been too afraid to take action on their own, preferring to leave it to the Coalition or Iraqi Security Forces,“ said Maj. John Throckmorton, operations officer, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

“In the past month, however, we’ve seen an increasing trend of neighborhoods standing up for themselves and against the terrorists,” he said. “There’s a sense that the extremist’s days are numbered. The terrorists are definitely being beaten back in this area.”

The attack resulted in three terrorists killed, two IPs wounded, one local national killed and one wounded. One terrorist was detained.

The Two Faces of Abu Mazen

Thanks to Ronny Gordon for the editorial cartoon. No matter how expensive the suit, the terrorist lies just beneath the surface.

Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz on P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas (aka, Abu Mazen) at ynet:

The president of the Palestinian Authority is the person we should talk to for peace. I call upon Abu Mazen (Abbas): Fulfill your commitment and release Gilad Shalit. That would provide the required breakthrough for the political process.

"We will not compromise on the war against terrorism. Those who refuse to recognize the State of Israel reject the possibility for peace," he stated.

Life Imitating Art?

DEATH TO AMERICA!

ht: Michelle Malkin

Jihad Julio Update -- E-mails Show Kent State Professor Supporting Terror, Claimed Knowledge of Planned Terror Attacks

Kent State Professor Julio Pino is hoping the hot water he is in might turn tepid. But we cook with only two settings, off and high.

Amanda Garrett via The Plain Dealer: The retired U.S. Navy man never intended to leave his e-mail address behind when he posted a message about his Christianity two years ago on a jihadist's blog.

Yet, when the jihadist - using a Kent State University e-mail address - wrote back citing a Bible verse, the Navy man was intrigued.

"I am fighting to save the life of my people, as you are yours," the jihadist said. "My weapon is faith, as is yours."

On the days that followed, the Navy man and the jihadist politely debated online until the jihadist left a chilling post about sleeper cells:

"Who knows when the next martyrdom operation might be coming to your town? I do."

The Navy man was shaken. He figured the jihadist must be a student, but a trail of e-mails and computer tracking - recently shared with The Plain Dealer by the Navy man and four others - appeared to lead to Kent State University professor Julio Pino…

Mike Adams is still on the case and predicts that Jihad Julio won’t be down by the school yard much longer. Until then, he is free to keep, “Brainwashing our children.”

Related:

Kent State Professor’s Cyber Jihad Over
Kent State Professor is a Traitorous Bastard
Terror Supporter Teaching at Kent State
Kent State Still in Denial Mode About Jihadi Professor

Bribing Congress to End the War

The defeatist Democratic leaders in Congress are attempting to bribe war fence-sitters into voting for a bill that would end the war. How so? With pork. Lots and lots of pork is being offered to key Congressmen in a funding bill that would cut off money to troops in Iraq. The President, to his credit, has threatened to veto the bill.

WaPo:

House Democratic leaders are offering billions in federal funds for lawmakers' pet projects large and small to secure enough votes this week to pass an Iraq funding bill that would end the war next year.

So far, the projects -- which range from the reconstruction of New Orleans levees to the building of peanut storehouses in Georgia -- have had little impact on the tally. For a funding bill that establishes tough new readiness standards for deploying combat forces and sets an Aug. 31, 2008, deadline to bring the troops home, votes do not come cheap.

Gawd, I hate Congress.

Let me just reiterate a point because I was reminded of it this morning when reading one Lefty's (or, perhaps, a sock-puppet for a jihad) anti-war comment about "Bush's war".

Administrations do no have wars. Nations have wars. Just as political parties do not have armies. We did not fight 'the Nazis', we fought the Germans. The Republican Party does not have an army. America does.

This is our war. This is America's war. And, I would suggest, that whatever the reasons it began or whatever bad strategy has gotten us to this point, that it is in America's interest to win its wars.

Hat tip: Pundi

Freedom Journal Iraq #608

This edition features stories on the Iraqi workers who help keep a combat hospital running 24 hours a day, U.S. Soldiers handling detained prisoners in Iraq and Anti-Coalition groups threatening Iraqi civilians to keep them from aiding Coalition forces. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #608
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #608

Jihadi Sockpuppets Posing as Antiwar Vets

Informed Jawa Report readers have known that jihadis often pose as "Iraq War veterans" who are now against the war. It looks like the strategy is spreading. MEMRI:

Islamist Website Instructs Mujahideen in Using Popular U.S. Web Forums to Foster Anti-War Sentiment among Americans

“Invent Stories About American Soldiers You Have [Allegedly] Personally Known”

“Obviously, you should post your contribution… as an American… You should correspond with visitors to this forum, [bringing to their attention] the frustrating situation of their troops in Iraq… You should invent stories about American soldiers you have [allegedly] personally known (as classmates… or members in a club who played baseball and tennis with you) who were drafted to Iraq and then committed suicide while in service by hanging or shooting themselves…”

“Also, write using a sad tone, and tell them that you feel sorry for your [female] neighbor or co-worker who became addicted to alcohol or drugs… because her poor fiancé, a former soldier in Iraq, was paralyzed or [because] his legs were amputated… [Use any story] which will break their spirits, oh brave fighter for the sake of God…”

The real question, though, is why do the jihadis need sockpuppets when the American Left is so willing to do their work for them? Allahpundit has much more on this important and little recognized aspect of the online jihad. Pay special attention to his notes on Youtube.

In any event, you'll remember the now not-so infamous case of "Lee Tucker", which is a good illustration of the stategy. The jihadis of The Islamic Army in Iraq, to this day, have a website dedicated to a soldier who "recorded his thoughts on why the war was wrong" before he was killed and his flash drive, filled with anti-war rhetoric, was "posted to the internet". They also made a high production value propaganda video out of it. Of course, Lee Tucker is alive, well, and not anti-war. But that doesn't stop the IAI from posting their propaganda. To this day, their website dedicated to "Lee's Life for Lies" remains open.

It's the 1980s all over again

Japan wants to buy the F-22 Raptor, but the U.S. State Department is saying no. Why? Because they are afraid it might anger Beijing. Why does the first decade of the 21st century increasingly look like the 1980s to me?

With Europeans protesting about plans to install anti-missile systems because they might anger the Russians, peacenicks wishing to appease Islamofascists because is it such a crazy thing to do if the Muslims love their children too, and Democrats in Congress trying to hamstring the abilities of the President to fight international enemies--- it's like a tragic deja vu.

Only this time, we have no one in the White House to convincingly articulate the moral and strategic imperetive of a strong America.

The ghost of Ronald Reagan, where art thou? Uncle Ronnie, why hast thou forsaken us?

The Anti-American Radicals

Lt. Smash has a great post up examining the many different flavors of the same crappy pizza - the radical / anarchist left.

ht: Michelle Malkin, Bane of Drudge

Remember Tokyo's Subway Terror

Today is the 12th anniversary of the terrorist sarin gas attacks in the Tokyo subway system by members of the doomsday cult known as Aum Shinrikyo, or the Aum Supreme Truth Sect.

Condolences to all the victims of the murderous Aum Shimrikyo. Notably, the cult changed its name to Aleph in an effort to distance itself from the deadly terror acts. Aum Shinrikyo, however, remains as its most recognizable name.

From Mainichi:

Tokyo Metro workers and bereaved family members gathered at six stations on Tuesday, the 12th anniversary of the AUM Shinrikyo cult's deadly gas attacks on the Tokyo subway, to remember the 12 people who died and more than 5,500 who were injured in the attacks.

At Kasumigaseki Station in Tokyo's Chiyoda-ku, 17 station workers held a moment of silence at 8 a.m. and laid down white lilies and chrysanthemums for the victims.

Unfortunately, the Aum Shinrikyo cult is still in existence although the leader and founder, guru Shoko Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, was sentenced to death for masterminding the attack on the subway. He is currently on death row.

A source last year quoted the head of the Public Security Investigation Agency as stating that Aum Shinrikyo operated with about 650 full-time members and 1,000 lay members in Japan. Russia had about 300 members.

Ominously, a spinoff group was announced earlier this year by the former second-in-command of Aum Shinrikyo, 44-year-old Fumihiro Joyu. It's believed that about one-fourth of the Aum Shinrikyo membership will follow Joyu into the new and as yet unnamed cult. Sadly, the handsome Joyu has appeared on television regularly attempting to deny Aum involvement in terror and, as a result, has won admirers, particularly among young women and girls.

Authorities contend that the doomsday Aum cult and its spinoff continue to pose a grave threat to society.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

"You will return when your children are slaughtered..."

A message to the peaceniks:

You will return when your children are slaughtered in their schools. You will return when one of our cities burns. You will return when your cities freeze in the winter, your drinks warm without ice in the summer, your iPods go flat as you walk streets with few lights, when your electricity is rationed, and the shelves of your store are bare. You will return when the crops fail and the trucks cannot run.

Look around you. Everything you have, everything, is there because of oil. The brute fact of the planet right now and into the next few decades is that without oil, the machine that enables you to be you runs on oil. If that oil runs out, your nation, any nation, will do all that it can to get it back. And you will be back not "with peace, but with a sword" of a terrible fire. In your name. In all our names. . . .

If we leave because of your pouting and pique, we will return because of your stupidity. There will be blood after and blood later and fire to follow. That war will not take four years. It will take an afternoon at best, but decades of digging out will follow. A million may die here but many millions will die there. What follows will make the Great Depression seem a mild recession. History will unfold in ways we cannot now fathom. The American experiment, still young, may falter. Other forces, not so easily congenial to freedom, may rise. The utopian world you seek will be set back a century at the least. We will all have to bear the brand of that fire, but on your foreheads the mark will be sharp and deep. And we will know you for what you are. Worse still, you will know.

March 19, 2007

The African Taliban: Now A Protected Species

Along with terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine, the African Taliban in Somalia now lies cozy under the warm blanket of media terminology:

MOGADISHU (AFP) - Mortar shells crashed onto Mogadishu's port on Monday, triggering heavy fighting between insurgents and Somali troops, as military hardware arrived by sea for African peacekeepers.

Funny, I don't recall the Islamic Courts Union being referred to as "insurgents" when they ran the country, and I don't recall the few Somalis who stood up to them as being referred to as "insurgents" at the time either.

"Insurgent" translated into plain English? "Nothing to see here, move along."

Iraq Experiencing Unexplained Outbreak Of Stiff Necks

Buh-bye.

BAGHDAD - The former deputy in Saddam Hussein's government was hanged before dawn Tuesday for the killings of 148 Shiites, an official with the prime minister's office said. Taha Yassin Ramadan, who was Saddam's vice president when the regime was ousted by the U.S.-led invasion that began four years ago Tuesday in Iraq, was the fourth man to be executed in the killings of 148 Shiites following a 1982 assassination attempt against the former leader in the town of Dujail north of Baghdad.

The official, who witnessed the hanging but spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made, said precautions had been taken to prevent a repeat of what happened to Saddam's half brother and co-defendant Barzan Ibrahim, who was inadvertently decapitated on the gallows.

That last paragraph should provide some proof that Iraq is on the road to modernization. They're taking precautions to prevent their former ruthless overlords from being decapitated.

Fred Thompson on "300"

Over at Pajamas Media, Fred Thompson weighs in on "300":

I must say that I’m impressed that Hollywood took on a politically incorrect villain. Must have run out of neo-Nazis. So now these sensitive souls in Iran think that Hollywood is part of a U.S. government conspiracy to humiliate them into submission. I can only wish we were that effective.

Read the full post here.

(Video) British Muslim: Islam = Terrorism, Paul Johnson Beheading Justified

Abu Izzadeen, a follower of British cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, talks about that peaceful inner struggle called "jihad". Try not to throw anything at your computer screen as you watch. The video takes place in a London mosque:

Terrorism is part and parcel to Islam. Terrorism is part of the deen [Islamic way of life] of Islam. Yes. Allah said ... "to terrify the enemis of Allah, we should prepare ourselves." Prepare to go to war [jihad]. Jihad is [a religous obligation] on Muslims, on the males of like us here. That is why you should teach your son how to ride. How to shoot. It is the sunna [example of the Prophet Muhammed] of Muhammed, and a [religious obligation] on you as a father to teach him to become a mujahidid....

They want to say. "You know, Islam is only self defense. Islam is not offensive jihad"

Two types: Offensive jihad, to conquer and to protect the authority of the sharia [Islamic law]. And defensive jihad: to protect Muslim lands. Two types. And for your information...Mohammed, he took part in 27 battles. 27. And all of them offensive jihads.

All come out of Medina to go to the enemy. Every single battle....All offensive jihads. And we should follow them. Because the messenger Muhammed said in the hadiths [sayings of the prophet], "Upon you, binding upon you Muslims, is the living sunna [example of the prophet] and the sunna of the sahabba."

And for your information the sahabba ...he removed all Jews and Christians from the Hijaz [Arabian peninsula]....completely.

(Allahu Akhbar)

We will do the same.

That's why when you hear on the news that the mujahideen [reference to al Qaeda], you know, of [Saudi Arabia], they killed those British and they killed those Americans [ie, a reference to the beheading of American Paul Johnson and murder of Kenneth Scroggs and BBC cameraman Simon Cumbers] don't be surprised. It's not some new phenomenon to kill the enemies of Allah.

And you may say to yourself, "No, they [Paul Johnson, et al] are innocent."

No kafir [unbeliever, non-Muslim] is innocent. Innocence is only for the Muslims. No kafir is innocent.

Thou sayest.

For more, check out this book.

"So, Mr. Hitchens, Were You Wrong About Iraq?"

So, you seriously mean to say that we would not be living in a better or safer world if the coalition forces had turned around and sailed or flown home in the spring of 2003?

That's exactly what I mean to say.

Read the rest of what Hitchens has to say here.

'The Age of Individual Jihad' in Suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia? (Updated, Bumped)

*Scroll down for important updates and newer posts if viewing from homepage.*

A returned soldier in the Atlanta suburbs claims to have been attacked by Muslims. He shot one of them.

We are now in the age of individual jihad. How do we know? Al Qaeda sympathizers have recently declared it so. Further, these al Qaeda fellow-travellers have produced a series of 'how-to' videos for the individual jihadist. A kind of step-by-step do-it-yourself guide for would-be jihadists who do not, or cannot, belong to an organized terror cell. The terrorist of the future--and of now--may not belong to a terror group at all, but rather, will carry out acts of terrorism with little or no outside direction or support.

Was this alleged attack on a returned soldier in Georgia an act of individual jihad? It's unclear (UPDATE: Scroll down, but there seems to be some evidence that this was individual jihad). It's very possible that this is nothing more than a case of overblown egos clashing. But it's also not wise, in this 'age of individual jihad', to simply write the incident off simply because the two Muslims do not have any known connection to extremist groups.

If it is true that the Arabs were taunting the U.S. veteran, this is not necessarily 'individual jihad', but might be a related problem with even more troubling implications because it is much more widespread--the problem of Muslim nationalism. Muslim nationalists, as I define them, are those who see their primary national identity as 'Muslim'. A problem because they see themselves as 'foreigners' living amongst us. A double problem because these 'foreigners' sympathize with the very enemies we fight. An intrastate 'clash of civilizations'.

My patriotism generally translates into an inclination to believe a returned soldier's word. But I have been known to be wrong in the past. Still, all things being equal, my money is on the soldier. The charges against the soldier were dropped--even though he is the one who shot one of the Muslim attackers. But one of the Muslim who accosted him was arrested for criminal tresspass. So I guess that puts the DeKalb County D.A. on my side of the bet. And when CAIR gets involved, I double down.

Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Spc. Craig Perkins' uniform made him a target in Baghdad — and, he believes, again in an apartment complex near Clarkston.

Perkins, who returned last summer after almost a year's duty in Iraq, shot a man outside his apartment March 9 in what he says was the culmination of months of insults by some of his neighbors from the Middle East.

Perkins, 34, said some residents in the ethnically diverse Kristopher Woods Apartments taunted him and made spitting sounds when they saw him in uniform heading to or from National Guard duty.

Perkins said he shot 26-year-old Tareq Ali Bualsafared in self-defense after Bualsafared and another man threatened him. He said the two men rushed toward his front door even after he fired a warning shot.

Bualsafared, a college student from the United Arab Emirates, said Perkins was the aggressor. He said Perkins cursed them.

Bualsafared, who was shot in the leg, said neither he nor his friend, Saleh Ali, a 17-year-old refugee from Iraq, knew anything about Perkins before he confronted them as they walked by his apartment....

But he said he could feel the animosity when he walked by his Middle Eastern neighbors in his Guard uniform....

On many occasions, he said, he received signs of disrespect he knew from Iraq. Men made exaggerated spitting noises, and "they would raise their shoe at me to show me the bottom of their feet, or they would take off their shoe and wave it at me."...

Yusof Burke, spokesman for the North Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he had been asked to look into the incident on behalf of the Arab men. He said they felt "unjustly accused."(emphasis mine)

Thanks to Laura Mansfield for the tip. As she said in her e-mail, "this deserves a whole lot more coverage." She's right, although since I was on vacation the only thing I know is that the story has exactly 1 Google News entry. Hopefully, some blogs picked up on this.

UPDATE: Michelle Malkin with a prediction I'd also lay money on:

The Council on American-Islamic Relations will be hounding this American soldier and milking this incident for every last "Islamophobia"-mongering dime they can raise

BTW--Clarkston is a suburb of Atlanta, and so is Sandy Springs. All the more worrisome given the recent death threats made by Muslims in the Atlanta area against Georgia drivers with bumper stickers deemed blasphemous.

UPDATE: Dan Riehl did a bit of Googling and came up with this ironical piece of information. One of the aggressors (or victims?) of the attack was a multicultural poster-boy for DeKalb Tech:

“I am from the United Arab Emirates and I chose DeKalb Tech to earn my Associate Degree in Automotive Technology. The automotive program at DeKalb Tech provides classroom and hands-on experience. I am glad to be here!”

Thanks to Charles and Michelle for the links.

UPDATE II: Dan found a thread with Tareq Bualsafared's signature on it at this Islamist website. The translation of his message roughly reads "Or Aljahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Aaaaaaad .... Aljahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Aaaaaad .... God bless you and accept you, God". Innocous, until I did some more searching and found the original thread that it was attached to. If you open that website you should immediately hear a sermon being preached, the first words of which are a call to jihad. And the content of the sermon? Not 100% sure, but the first response to it by a commenter is:

The name of God the Merciful ... ..Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings .. Cheickna argues no peace between us and the Jews is war or victory that God Almighty and ask God to make us his innocent witnesses of the May peace and God's mercy and blessings

The other comments also seem to indicate that the speaker was also a 'martyr'. Here we have a man with the same name as the man who allegedly assaulted a returned U.S. soldier who is echoing words equivalent to "Amen" at an Islamist website calling for violent jihad against Christians and Jews.

If this is the same Tareq Bualsafared, then the evidence seems to suggest that this is, indeed, an act of individual jihad. However, Dan's Google search found another man named Tareq Bualsafared. They are the same guy, I overlooked that in the original article, and Dan just pointed that out to me:

former DeKalb Technical College student who said he was visiting friends in Clarkston on spring break from his current studies at Penn State University.

Here you see his e-mail: student at Penn State. Since the names seem so uncommon, there's a fairly good chance he is the one trolling Islamists websites for sermons on jihad and nashids that inspire martyrdom.

Which is worrisome, and sort of changes the entire story, doesn't it?

And yes, I'm back. Thanks to every one for covering while I was gone. But I got to tell you, this place sucks a whole lot less when I'm on vacation. Embrace the suck.......

Ken Timmerman discusses Iran on The Daily Show

The video below contains an interview with Kenneth Timmerman.
While the interview is not new, it still has great bearing on current events, and it is well worth watching.

Ken Timmerman is a first-rate investigative journalist, a Nobel prize nominee, the founder of the Foundation for Democracy in Iran and the author of several highly regarded books. Timmerman's books should be considered required reading for all Americans who seek a better understanding of the west's current conflict with Islam as a whole, and Iran in particular.

Those Leggy Kurdish Stewardesses

Really, I wish he had taken a picture. Oh, there are plenty of pictures, but not of the 'attractive long legged stewardess' on his flight to Kurdistan. Mike Totten e-mails with his latest dispatch from the Iraq that the MSM has never heard of. The peaceful, prosperous Iraq. A few highlights, but you really do need to see the amazing pictures and read the rest:

Nation-building is a hard and violent slog in the center and south of Iraq, and it might not ever work out. But in Kurdistan, in the north, it already is a reality.

Massive new construction projects are literally everywhere. Most of those that had started when I arrived for the first time are finished, and ambitious new projects are well underway....

Kurdistan is safe even without its anti-terrorist trench, and that's not because it is protected by American soldiers. Only 50 or so troops remain in this part of Iraq. There is no anti-American insurgency (because there is virtually no anti-Americanism) and there is no terrorism. If the Arab Iraqis were as peaceable as the Kurds, the American military could have folded its tents a long time ago.

Read the rest. Each time Totten goes to Kurdistan, I get jealous. Really jealous.

Exit question: Do I finally have permission from you, the readers, to state the morally obvious, now that it is de facto reality? Kurdistan ought to be free and independent. NOW.

Gathering of Eagles Photo Gallery

The Official Gathering of Ealges Photo Gallery is back online. It's still a little sparse, but I expect it'll get filled up once the word gets around.

In addition, there are photo collections here, here, here, here and here.

According to Manufacturer, Israeli 'Drones' Fly Over Iraq, Afghanistan

From The Associated Press:

Pilotless planes small enough for a single soldier to carry and operate are gathering intelligence for U.S.-led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli manufacturer said Monday.

Elbit Systems, one of Israel's leading defense electronics companies, said its little "Skylark" can cover an area within a range of 6 miles day or night. It is about 7 feet long with a wingspan of nearly 8 feet, the company said.

"Skylark is operational and currently deployed in the global war on terror in Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan," the statement said. It described the Skylark as suited for "close range, beyond-the-next hill, counter-terror missions."

For more information on the Skylark UAV, click HERE.

Chinese Olympic Logo Revealed

What can I say? I'm a sucker for jokes which simply state the obvious. Thanks to David Lunde for designing and sending the logo to me. I hope that I'm not violating any Chinese copyright law, but I hear that is a bit of an oxymoron.

Italian Reporter Freed, For a Price

Via Monters and Critics:

Rome - The Taliban have freed an Italian journalist held by the insurgents since March 4, the Italian government said Monday, confirming earlier reports out of Kabul.

'Daniele Mastrogiacomo has been freed and is in good condition,' Prime Minister Romano Prodi said in Rome.

Prodi said Mastrogiacomo was currently in a hospital run by Emergency, an Italian non-governmental organization, and that he expected him to return to Italy 'within a few days.'

The premier was speaking just minutes after the publication of a report by the Pajhwok Afghan News, which quoted a Taliban commander as saying Mastrogiacomo had been handed over to Italian officials in Afghanistan in exchange for the release of five Taliban prisoners.

Unfortunately everyone who works for the NGO called Ewergency is now in danger. Once the Taliban figure out how easy it was to extort concessions from the Italians they will use this.

So the reporter got his story. It only cost the release of five terrorists and his driver's life. Some bargain, I hope it was worth it.

More information here.

USS Cole Bombers: Where are they now?

Yahoo: WASHINGTON - Waleed Mohammed bin Attash, long suspected of plotting the bombing of the USS Cole, confessed to planning the attack during a hearing at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to a Pentagon transcript released Monday.

An alleged chief operational planner for al-Qaida, bin Attash also said he helped organize the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 that killed more than 200, the transcript said. Seventeen sailors were killed and dozens injured when suicide bombers steered an explosives-laden boat into the guided missile destroyer Cole on Oct. 12, 2000.

"I participated in the buying or purchasing of the explosives," bin Attash said when asked what his role was in the attacks on the Cole and the embassies. "I put together the plan for the operation a year and a half prior to the operation, buying the boat and recruiting the members that did the operation."

Cooperative Research provides an excellent timeline of the intelligence failures that lead to the Cole Bombing and notes:

In May 2001, UPI will report, “According to several US government sources, one of the reasons the attack on the Cole succeeded was involvement by the ‘highest levels’ of the Yemen government of President Ali Abdallah Saleh, although Saleh himself personally was not, one said.” [United Press International, 5/20/2001]

However, Ahmed al-Hasani, Commander of the Yemeni Navy at the time of the bombing, stated in a media interview that President Saleh had prior knowledge of the terrorist plot. Al-Hasani is currently in exile in the UK.

Since the bombing of the USS Cole, many thought to be involved in the conspiracy have recieved light sentences or escaped jail in Yemen:

Six convicted Cole conspirators’ appeal verdict was rendered in March of 2005. In 2005, a court appeal reduced al-Badawis’ sentence from death to 15 years, Mamoon Amswah was commuted from eight to five years. The court upheld the death for Abdu al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who is being held in US custody and who is believed to be the mastermind of the USS Cole attack. Fahd Al-Quso’s ten year prison sentence was upheld. Ali Mohamed Murakab and Morad al-Sorori both retained five years in prison for forging identification documents.

Jamal al-Badawi was originally sentenced to death by a Yemeni court for his involvement in the attack. The sentence was commuted upon appeal to fifteen years in prison. However, al-Badawi managed to escape from jail twice and is currently at large. In May 2003 after their escape from prison the month prior, Jamal Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Badawi and Fahd al-Quso ak/ak Fahd al-Qis’e were indicted by a federal grand jury in Manhattan, New York for plotting the attack on the Cole and in total were indicted for an excess of fifty terror related offenses. Both al-Quso and al-Badawi were recaptured in March 2004.

Jamal Al-Badawi escaped from prison again in 2006 along with 22 other al-Qaeda operatives. Al-Badawi currently remains at large. Shortly after the escape, Yemen’s Specialized Penal Court ordered the release of Hadi Saleh Al-Waeli suspected of selling arms, ammunition and explosives to the terrorists who bombed the USS Cole Destroyer at Aden Port in 2000. Khaldoun Al-Hukaimi and Saleh Mana held in connection with the attack managed to escape from the custody of the Political Security Organization in Aden in 2003 along with eight other detainees. The pair was reported to have committed suicide attacks in Iraq in 2005, RayNews reported.

In 2003, Yemen arrested Mohammed Hamdi al-Ahdal who was on the US list of most wanted terrorists in Yemen and was believed to be one of the masterminds of the Cole bombing. Yemen refused to allow US federal investigators access to Al-Ahdal, the Yemen Times reported, suggesting instead that the FBI submit questions for al-Ahdal in writing. Sources indicated to the Yemen Times that al-Ahdal had confessed to involvement in the bombing. He admitted “being in charge of technical and financial preparations” for both the Cole and Limburg attacks, the paper reported. Al-Ahdal was tried in 2006 on charges of distributing money for al-Qaeda. No charges were brought relating to the Cole bombing. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison, and with time served, was expected to be released shortly. Also tried in 2006 was Ghalib Al-Zaidi who was charged with harboring al-Ahdal for a month following the Cole bombing; al-Zaidi was sentenced to three years time served and released.

SJTL

Chuck Schumer's Conflict of Interest

Regarding the 8 ousted USAs non-scandal, Chuck Schumer's ridiculous witch hunt is politically motivated:

Senator Specter, a Republican of Pennsylvania, said yesterday that Mr. Schumer had crossed the line, pointing out that a senator caught up in the controversy, Peter Domenici of New Mexico, is a lawmaker Mr. Schumer is aiming to oust in 2008. Mr. Specter, the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he confronted Mr. Schumer about the issue last week and that the New York senator had "taken a very political stance." "I think that the inquiry by the Judiciary Committee ought to have at least a modicum of objectivity,"

Don't make me laugh.

Michelle Malkin's Full Video Report on The Gathering of Eagles

Via Michelle Malkin's blog.

Many highlights there, but take special note of the face-off at the 6:00 minute mark. As you can see, we spent most of the day covering the march on the Eagles' side of the fence. Why? Because almost all of the news camera crews we spotted--the ones that bothered to show up, that is--gathered around Cindy Sheehan and the anti-war freak show

Michelle has much more, including links to other coverage, like how moonbat protesters treat ladys in Ronald Reagan t-shirts.

Ahmed "Mack Daddy" Bedier's "Charm Offensive"

The lovely and talented Pim's Ghost recently received a message from CAIR's Ahmed Bedier:

Sent: March 15, 2007
Subject: Do we have anything to talk about?
Message:
Hi P,

I noticed that you've dedicated a significant number of posts about me, where you've expressed some harsh opinions. I also noticed that you live in the Tampa Bay area, do you think it would be wise for us to meet over coffee to discuss some of your concerns? I have nothing to hide and I think it's only fair to raise your concerns directly to me rather than attacking and judging me.

so let me know if you're interested in an informal meeting at whatever public location you choose and you're welcome to bring whoever.

Ahmed Bedier

Her response is here.

CAIRBABY.COM

A little Monday morning fun. It'd all be even funnier if it weren't so damn true.

h/t : Pim's Ghost.

Double Plus Ungood

Obama supporters attack Hillary with reqorking of the famous Apple Computer "1984" ad.

Freedom Journal Iraq #606 & 607

Video's moved below the fold.

I dunno they show up in the middle of posts on dialup.

• Fighting Vehicle Fires
• Corps of Engineers Helps
(Update : Google Video has rejected to host Freedom Journal 606 so hurry up before it goes down)

Your video "Freedom Journal Iraq Episode 606" was rejected because it didn't comply with our Program Policies.

Videos submitted to our program are subject to an initial review to ensure that they comply with our guidelines. When videos do not meet our standards, we disapprove them. You can review our guidelines.

Freedom Journal Iraq #606
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #606
I've added an alternate copy of FJI#606 here.

This edition features stories on Soldiers towing heavy machinery for various repairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers training Iraqis to repair and maintain local oil refineries, a memorial honoring fallen service members members and Soldiers constructing a new checkpoint outside Samaara. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq 607
Google Video Copy of Freedom Journal Iraq 607

larger image

March 18, 2007

Lights Out on Preferential Treatment...

...for some Memphis Democrats dodging utility bills and getting special leniency that wasn't afforded to the great unwashed of the city's citizenry.

Paragraph in which a political party is finally identified?

16, and it is in reference to DLC Chair Harold Ford, Jr (D, Tenessee):

Only Mr. Ford, it seemed, could get an Edmund Ford deal. For months, and over a period of years, Mr. Ford, a member of the city’s foremost power-broker political family and uncle of Harold E. Ford Jr., a former congressman and the current chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, was allowed to put off paying bills at his funeral parlor and home that eventually totaled more than $16,000.

He had a good excuse, though - Bush did it / made him do it.

Apparently, this is just the tip of the iceberg in the corruption of the Democrat-dominated Memphis city government.

I wonder how many other Democrat-dominated cities have to endure this kind of corruption. Surely, there are no 137-count indictments against Democrats my hometown!

George $oro$ Make$ Million$ on Halliburton $tock

O, delicious irony of delicious ironies.

Soros is now officially a hypocrite, with the title signed and sealed in dollar signs. What say you, lefties?

Wait - I know. "CHENEY DOES IT!!1! WARMONGER!!"

Sadly, Factcheck.org says NO to that as well.

You lefties spent years and many sleepless nights trying to convince the free world that this company is "pure eeeeevil," and yet here is your own transnational sugar daddy dipping his hand deeeeep into the honey pot of Halliburton stock.

So I'm to assume now that Soros supports war profiteering, because he just became Exhibit A for the definition. At least, that's the Democrat definition of war profiteering we last heard being screamed obnoxiously from the proverbial rooftops.

Can't part with that juicy Halliburton stock, though, can he? Cheney did, after all.

Hypocrisy, cubed.

PS - The mere fact that Keith Olbermann can't legitimately 'report' on Halliburton and Republicans anymore without a huge dipsh*t omelette smeared across his face is just the cherry on top.

Gathering of Eagles : A Soaring Success

A message from Kit at Gathering of Eagles:

…ANSWER had a year to plan their well-publicized event and were hoping for around 100,000. They actually drew about 5,000-10,000, according to various news reports today. The Gathering of Eagles, on the other hand, had about six weeks to plan an unprecedented response - and with no advertising, no publicity, no celebrity or political endorsement, no news coverage, and no big money, we had about 30,000 boots on the ground!

The volunteers poured themselves into this historic event, and all of you who attended gave so much to be there. I’ll stop here and let your words speak for themselves.

Michelle reports on a massive decrepancy between the National Park Service estimates of the size of the Gathering of Eagles rally and the reporting by the New York Times. The National Park Service, estimates that there were 30,000. The Times says this:

[T]he protesters met what several veterans of the antiwar movement described as an unusually large contingent of several hundred counterdemonstrators.

I dunno about you, but given the well-publicized anti-American bias of the NYT, I'm willing to go with the Park Service on this one.

I understand that the GoE site is putting together a gallery of photos from the event. It's down right now, but I'll post the link when it's back up.

Spock's Beard - June

One of the my favorite groups ever performing one of may favorite songs ever.

More about Spock's Beard here.

March 17, 2007

Iraqis: Life Is Getting Better

No matter how many times Joe Biden throws hysterical tantrums of legislative impotence or Michael Moore declares that life was better under Saddam, both are unequivocally wrong.

Anxiously awaiting the Kosbot Koolaid Brigade spin on "how this is a Bush planted poll that was funded by big oil and administered by Karl Rove."

al-Gore's Zinc Mine

How many carbon offsets does it take to cover a strip mine?

Terrorists Use More Chemical Weapons in Iraq

Via AP:

BAGHDAD (AP) - Three suicide bombers driving chlorine-laden trucks struck in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar province, killing two policemen and forcing about 350 Iraqi civilians and six U.S. troops to seek treatment for exposure to the gas, the military said Saturday.

The attacks came after back-to-back bombings last month released chlorine gas, prompting the U.S. military to warn that insurgents are adopting new tactics in a campaign to spread panic.

Just after 4 p.m. Friday, a driver detonated explosives in a pickup truck northeast of Ramadi, wounding one U.S. service member and one Iraqi civilian, the military said in a statement.

That was followed by a similar explosion involving a dump truck south of Fallujah in Amiriyah that killed two policemen and left as many as 100 local citizens showing signs of chlorine exposure, with symptoms ranging from minor skin and lung irritations to vomiting, the military said.

Bill Roggio has more here.

While the attacks haven't been claimed by al Qaeda, the attacks show the hallmarks of an al Qaeda operation. The attacks were carried out within hours of each other, used methods designed to cause mass casualties and mass media attention, and targeted a tribal leader opposed to al Qaeda's operations in the region. Multinational Forces Iraq breaks down the timing and targets:

Who can doubt that if al-Qaeda had more spophisticated chemical weapons, they would use them?

Hat Tip: Ace.

Related : Troops Find Chemical Bomb Factory, Terrorists Use WMD in Iraq ,Michael Moore's Minutemen Detonate Chemical Weapon, Chemical Weapons Attack on U.S. Troops in Iraq, Zarqawi says will use chemical weapons, Chemical Attack in Iraq?,Claim: Second Report of Chemical Attack in Iraq

Anti-War Rally at the Pentagon

On C-SPAN, I watched today's anti-war rally outside the Pentagon, catching the event after it started. The initial group of speakers included Cynthia McKinney, Cindy Sheehan, Michael Berg, a couple of Muslims and several others who all complained of the cold outside. Red plastic pails were passed around for donations.

From various camera shots, I'd estimate no more than 10 thousand in attendance at the peak. The content was mostly bumper-sticker leftist sloganeering addressing impeachment of Bush and Cheney with AG Gonzalez's name thrown in as an occasional afterthought.

Then there were these people:

- A woman named Gloria LaRiva wants to free the Cuban five and keep the U.S. out of Cuba.

- Giuliana Sgrena, Italian journalist and activist -- Said there is no security, no water, and no work in Iraq. Indicates that she wants U.S. bases out of Italy but the Italian government won't comply so the Americans must leave Iraq first.

- Rocky Anderson, Mayor of Salt Lake City -- Very energetic calls for impeachment of Bush. "We will not tolerate abuse of treaties, kidnapping and disappearance of citizens."

- Melida Arredondo, Gold Star Mothers for Peace, step-mom of soldier killed in Iraq -- Said the Bush administration is at war with immigrants. The Iraq War is being fought by immigrants who are not citizens. Discussed last week's ICE raid in Massachusetts, including the story of the baby torn from a nursing mother's arms. Said they weren't even illegal, they were just undocumented.

- Carlos Arredondo, son killed in Iraq, part of hip-hop caucus traveling the U.S. -- Said he's protecting his son's honor. "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!"

- Debra Sweet, World Can't Wait National Coordinator -- "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! Drive out the Bush regime!" Need more protests. We need to resist and have shipments blocked at ports. We need George Bush in handcuffs.

- Efia Nwangaza, Not In Our Name -- Demanded Bush be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Calls for tax protest on April 15th.

- Brian Becker, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coordinator -- Said U.S. exploits land, labor and resources of countries throughout the world. Military recruiters will be confronted in schools and communities.

- Imam Mahdi Bray, Muslim American Society -- End the war today! "Bush lied and put wounded soldiers in rat-infested housing." Poverty, health care, Katrina mentioned. By the way, Katrina was mentioned by many speakers.

- Leah Obias, Alliance for Justice Not War in the Philippines -- "U.S. Imperialists! No. 1 Terrorists!" U.S, imperialists are destroying the Philippines causing immigration to America. "We, Filipino women refuse to join this war on terror." U.S. military is back in Philippines oppressing progressives. "Long live international solidarity!"

- Ben Depuy, National Popular Party of Haiti -- Wants more American dollars for Latin America, South America. Quoted Hugo Chavez throughout. We need socialism for the 21st century.. "Down with capitalism!"

- Chuck Kauffman, Nicaraugua Network National Coordinator -- 700 military bases unneeded, school of assassins at Ft. Benning, we need to turn from protest to resistance - Stop business as usual in cities and towns - Spend money on schools, health care - "Hands off Cuba, Venezuela, and Columbia!"

- Maria Magallanes, Mexico Solidarity Network Education Coordinator -- "No war in Palestine, no war on the border!"

- Larry Holmes, Troops Out Now Coalition -- "Imperialism abroad is not all we are fighting, we have police brutality at home, Katrina, racism against immigrant workers, deportations, ..."

- Jihan Hafiz, Youth for Truth -- Demand end to military-industrial complex. Need to resist, can't count on politicians. "Resist, Resist, Raise up your fist!"

- Unnamed, Party for Socialism spokesgirl -- Said all the problems are from capitalism. We need socialism. Credited with confronting the "fascist Minutemen" on a campus somewhere.

- Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, National Lawyers Guild, Partnership for Civil Justice Co-founder -- Bush is buiding an empire for himself which only helps Hallibuton, corporate sponsors. We want our kids to have their lives back.

- Mahdi Bray closes by telling everyone to resist. Protest and resist!

About 4 pm, the event concluded with Eugene Puryear, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coordinator, announcing website addresses and pleading for people to get involved and contribute.

At the end, the shivering crowd had dwindled to, I'd guess, 2,000-2,500 people and they dispersed quickly. There were announcements about busses leaving for Boston. I saw three. One, I think I saw twice.

Orig. at Interested-Participant.

The Blog Sabbath Caption Contest: Early Edition (Updated: Answered!)

So, it's not the Blog Sabbath, but it's a caption contest with a twist.

Caption the photo, the person who gets the closest caption to the truth will be given a "i will cut ur neck" fatwa, the highest form of caption contest fatwa issued at TJR. Thereby removing the need for me to issue a fatwa.

The blog that posted the photo, and therefore the answer, will be linked tomorrow.

Certain entries will be disqualified, they know who they are.

Update: As promised, here's the background for the picture.

Have fun fatwa-ing yourselves, I'm going to go drink green beer and Irish whiskey till someone vomits.

Update, Too: The vomiting will have to wait. The wife wants to see "The 300."

Donch'a wish your wife was hot like mine?

"Global Warming" : Is it in Dispute?

The Bush Administration says it isn't, and claims that scientists know with "virtual certainty" that:

A warming trend of about 0.7 to 1.5°F occurred during the 20th century. Warming occurred in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and over the oceans (NRC, 2001).

Is this accurate? Not accurate? Do we have any climatologists in the audience? If so, please weigh in.

Iranian TV Reviews "300"; Hilarity Ensues

I always get a kick out of propagandists who go out of their way to lie when the truth serves just as well or better. According to Iranian TV, "300" is Zionist propaganda that depicts the Spartans as "peace lovers" and Persians as "uncivilized."

You probably have to see the movie to fully understand how ridiculous the second and third claims are, but you probably got the idea from the trailers that the movie depicts a group of warlike and battle-hungry Spartans licking their chops to take on the armies of the vast and incredibly wealthy Persian civilization. The Persian elites bathe in luxury while Leonidas's troops enjoy a lifestyle that can best be described as "spartan." The Persians are shown as rigid and disciplined, employing advanced military technology (including hand grenades) while the Spartans make do with their swords and spears. The film slams the Persians plenty--but not for being "uncivilized."

If I were looking to whip up the Persian masses, I think I might've mentioned that the only Persian women shown in the flick are lesbians, that the Persians are shown engaging in decadent, gender-bending orgies and that King Xerxes is portrayed as vain, incompetent, very wierd and ambiguously gay--and I include the word "ambiguously" only because he's not explicitly shown banging any dudes. Think Ra from Stargate--only taller and more gay.

The funny thing here is that the movie doesn't say anything about the ancient (pre-Islamic) Persian civilization that the Iranian Ayatollahs don't say about it themselves. I guess it's like that whole "only I get to say my sister is ugly" thing.

h/t : Allah.

Gathering of Eagles

I was really hoping to be liveblogging the Gathering of Eagles event today, but American cancelled my flight to D.C. and I was unable to get on any other flight to the east coast in time for the event. As a result, I'm here instead of there.

Luckily, Good Lt., Michelle and Bryan are out there doing the job the Ragnar won't do.

UPDATE (Good Lt): Sorry, Rags. I got globalwarmed in as well.

Joe Wilson Outed Valerie Plame

Heh.

Tell us news, not history.

Here's an MP3 of Richard Armitage telling Bob Woodward that Joe Wilson told everybody about Valerie Plame.

Also, read this interesting and valid point from protein wisdom commenter proudvastrightwingconspirator:

It’s interesting to ponder how this drama would have played out if instead of being a critic of the Bush Administration, Joe Wilson had written an editorial for the NYT that contained damning information about, say, Bill Clinton’s lack of interest in capturing Bin Laden during his tenure as POTUS, and was later proven to have lied by a bi-partisan Senate Intelligence Committee review of his allegations. Further assume that his wife, a CIA employee was “outed” by one of the many Clinton synchophants in the media.

Would there even bee a Senate hearing about his wife’s identity being revealed? Would Joe and Valerie be the toast of the DC cocktail circuit with book deals in hand? Or would Joe be getting the Linda Tripp/Ken Starr treatment from the mainstream media? To what great lengths would the NYT and major networks go to define and clarify his every lie and misrepresentation? And how snarky would the coverage be of his too-pretty wife and her absurd allegations of her own self-importance within the CIA?

This whole thing just reeks of media bias and lies by ommission.
Sorta like the phony “outrage” over the firing of eight Federal Attorney’s, or the lack of any outrage (or media focus on) Sandy Berger’s document thefts, William “Cold-Cash” Jefferson’s bribe money or the fact that the Nancy Pelosi’s hand-picked Democrat Chairman of House Intelligence Committee doesn’t know a Shiite from Shinola.

The Washington Times also notes that Valerie Plame's name was published before Novak's column.

It was also in the 1999 edition of Who's Who?. Proof?

Either Plame is outright lying about her "status," or is too stupid and incompetent to know what her status even was. Fitz didn't find anything to prosecute there, and Armitage would've been prosecuted as the leaker if he had.

US Forces Strafing Terrorists

Glorious. Michael Moore wept.

ht: Ace

Memo to Dems : Economic Freedom Beats Socialism

The Democrats don't have a monopoly on bad ideas, but they tend to plant more than their share. With minds fixed squarely in the economic thinking of the late nineteenth century, Democrats are always trotting out some "new and improved" "anti-poverty" program--which invariably involves overriding free market decisions in favor of some preferred, centrally-planned outcome. They trot out the same old socialist programs time and time again--despite the abysmal track record socialism has in practice.

If you're aware that a free market is the most effective anti-poverty program ever invented, you'd be considered a "radical" in many corners of the world. This is true despite the generally unimpressive, and often catastrophic, track record of socialism in practice. Unfortunately for the world's central planning and redistribution advocates, every year brings even more evidence that the free market beats the living crap out of socialism when it comes to actually improving real lives in the real world. The evidence has shown, time and time again, that the wealth of a nation is strongly correlated to the degree of economic freedom in that nation. This is a truth, but it doesn't sell itself. Luckily for the world, The Heritage Foundation has pulled a whole buttload of the recent evidence together in a nice, convenient package in the form of the 2007 Index of Economic Freedom. The money shot:

I'd encourage you to forward this chart to your favorite hippie.

'Global Warming' Update - Yet Another Ice Storm

It is with heavy heart and sad disposition that I write this post.

I was not able to attend the much-anticipated Gathering of Eagles today because of a freak occurrence of global warming that paralyzed much of this metropolitan area overnight.

And by global warming, I mean a fierce ice/sleet storm that covered every location from Delaware to Boston in nearly a foot of slush, ice and/or snow. When I awoke this morning, the global warming had frozen the slush that had been collecting all afternoon and evening on the roadways to a solid sheet of ice. Navigating the unplowed and untreated roads would have been very dangerous in my front-wheel drive Honda (problems in the past have taught me this), and I felt that the risks of trying to push through the quagmire of man-made sleet/ice/snow/warming was enough to turn me away from the long trip.

This has been frustrating, and I apologize to the readers for not being able to cover the event. Ragnar hopefully made it down there, although many international airports were closed and/or in flux last night due to the global warming.

G-d Bless the Veterans. I wish with every fiber of my being that I could have been there. I wonder if Algore's conspicuous consumption of 25X my energy usage could have had anything to do with this.

Yemen from Nepotism to Internal Jihad

Are the Yemeni Government's actions against a small band of Shiite rebels part of a broader pattern of internal jihad?

The upper levels of the Yemeni military, judiciary and intelligence services are inculcated with hard core Salafism, and many aspects of Yemeni state institutions support jihaddist campaigns all over the world, including Iraq. It is in this context that the Yemeni Ministry of Defense recently published a fatwa on its website authorizing and obligating the use of deadly force against the Believing Youth, a small band of Shiite Zaidi rebels that has been battling the government on and off since 2004. Essentially Yemen’s military leadership declared a jihad on the group.

Yemeni President Saleh’s nephews, relatives and tribesmen make up the leadership of Yemen’s military and security forces. Presidential relative General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar is leading the assault on the Shiite rebels. Al-Ahmar is the powerful commander of Yemen’s North West military region and a reputed Salafi who recruited fighters for Osama bin Laden in the 1980’s.

In the current round of fighting, the Yemeni military has augmented its ranks with child soldiers, tribesmen and Jihaddists. Several induction centers have been opened and local media report children as young as 15 have been given weapons and sent to the front with no training. Tribesmen from President Saleh’s tribe, the Hashid Confederation, have also volunteered and been inducted for service in the thousands. As the Believing Youth are from the Bakil Tribal Confederation, military deployment of tribal irregulars has increased the threat of all out tribal warfare.

Yemeni Jihaddists, unlike Yemen’s child soldiers, are extremely well trained. Many are veterans of prior conflicts in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia and other Jihaddist campaigns. Some currently receive terrorist training in Yemen, reportedly with aid from some top military commanders. Saleh’s use of Salafist proxies dates back at least to Yemen’s 1994 civil war when Jihaddists targeted Southern Socialist forces that had been labeled as apostates.

In 2007, a variety of Salafi Jihaddists joined Yemen’s military efforts against the rebels even before the Defense Ministry published the fatwa. These included members of the Abyan Aden Islamic Army and its leader Khalidabdul Nabi according to local reports. (In 2003, the Yemeni government reported to the U.S. that Nabi was dead when he was in fact released from custody.)

In February, Yahya al-Houthi, exiled Member of Parliament for the Sa’ada region and brother of rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi, reported that “foreign gangs that escaped Egypt, Jordan, Syria, (and) Somalia” were also fighting against the Believing Youth. Clearly President Saleh and General al-Ahmar have sacrificed significant command and control capacity by unleashing roving bands of Salafi Jihaddists in the region populated by Shiite civilians. The potential for indiscriminate targeting of civilians remains high.

Some of Saddam’s former henchmen are also alongside the Yemeni military in Sa’ada. Numerous Iraq generals were recruited into the Yemeni military in 2003 from among the nearly thirty thousand Iraqi’s who fled to Yemen including high level Baathists. The Iraqi insurgency is thought to maintain a significant base in Yemen, and Yemenis comprise one of the largest contingents of foreign fighters in Iraq. Yemeni law does not criminalize violent acts committed beyond its borders as long as they occur in a country deemed “Muslim” and “occupied” and can be classified as Jihad.

In Yemen’s fractured authoritarianism, some power centers are co-opted by Salafists and others are not, leading to an often irrational, contradictory governmental policy. For example, the regime granted amnesty to the Believing Youth in 2005 and then itself violated the terms, a governmental committee found. Security forces systematically continued to arrest and imprison them after the amnesty, the rebels reported. Military members occupied rebel homes. Soldiers’ physically and sometimes intimately inspected Zaidi women in markets. The rebels turned to the Governor of Sa’ada for help, and when none was forthcoming, they sought refuge in the mountains. (The Yemeni government subsequently disbanded the committee, accusing it of bias.)

As military causalities rise to the dismay of Yemenis, public sympathy is also focused on the civilians in Sa’ada. The military has targeted the rebels with notoriously imprecise weaponry, including Katuysha missiles, destroying civilian homes and property. Currently the Yemeni regime, as it did in 2005, is blocking shipments of food, oil and medicine to the region. It has cut all telecommunications. Over 10,000 citizens are estimated to be internal refugees and without shelter. Wounded civilians have little medical care as the hospitals are overwhelmed with military casualties. Food is in critically short supply. The siege of Sa’ada, while intended to weaken the rebel logistics, can also be seen as a policy of collective punishment.

Since fighting began in 2004, the totality of Zaidism has been under attack. The Yemeni regime has prohibited some mainstream Zaidi religious literature, replaced Zaidi preachers with Salafis at gunpoint, banned some Zaidi religious festivals, and those in civil society charged with supporting the rebellion receive harsh sentencing as contrasted with al-Qaeda elements which routinely receive short sentences, amnesty or manage to escape multiple times.

Zaidi and other schools have been closed as “extremist” but Wahabbi ones are flourishing. Jihaddists making their way to Iraq seem to have little difficulty hopping a Yemenia flight to Damascus; however several journalists and opposition politicians have been prohibited at the airport from leaving the country. With the recent outbreak of clashes in Sa’ada, the regime cracked down on journalists reporting the Sa’ada events, and the military’s website accused prominent editor Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, among others, of supporting the rebellion, which in the context of the fatwa, justifies his murder. Some Salafi mosque preachers recently increased their rhetoric against Zaidis in general, reportedly on orders from the regime.

The repetitive wars in Sa’ada and the broader actions of the state targeting Zaidism can be seen as part of a systematic effort to eliminate the only effective barrier to the full domination of Salafism in Yemen, in both the religious and political arenas. However sectarian tensions have been imposed on Yemenis rather than rising spontaneously from Yemeni society. While Salafism is gaining in popularity and is entrenched in the overt and covert power centers in Yemen, Shafi Sunnis comprise about 60% of Yemenis. Zaidi Shia (who make up 30% of Yemenis) and Shafi Sunnis are both moderate denominations which historically have had excellent relations. However the growing influence of dedicated Salafists in the military, judiciary and the intelligence services has had a chilling effect on the previously open sense of religious pluralism in Yemen.

All states have the right to a monopoly on the use of force and President Saleh, declaring no prospect of further negotiations, has vowed to crush the rebel group. What remains to be seen is if Sa’ada’s Zaidi population and Zaidism in Yemen will be crushed as well.

SJTL

March 16, 2007

CIA Analyst Michael Scheuer on KSM : "We Don't Take This Threat Seriously"

h/t : Johnny Dollar's Place via Allah.

Extremists Want To Drive US School Buses—I Wonder Why

The FBI says extremists are trying to earn licenses to drive US school buses—I wonder why. Oh yeah, does Beslan ring a bell?

FOX News—The FBI has issued an "informational bulletin" to state and local officials saying to watch out for people tied to extremist groups trying to earn licenses to drive school buses.

The Associated Press reports that members of the unnamed extremist groups have succeeded in gaining the drivers licenses, but a Department of Homeland Security official told FOX News that "at this time there is no evidence that any of these individuals have got these jobs, or got hold of school buses." ...

Remember the children of Beslan.

Why Muslims Are So Pissed Off

As with most things, the answers can be found in South Park.

** Gathering Of Eagles Tomorrow in D.C.**

Much anticipated anti-leftist protest/memorial protection operation begins at 7 am tomorrow!

Stay tuned to the Jawa Report for coverage (not live, sorry) from the Gathering of Eagles at The Wall. Ragnar should be there, too.

ALSO - Call C-SPAN and politely ask that they allocate resources to cover this event tomorrow. They will be covering the anti-American scum, so help make sure the Vets are represented as well (especially if you can't make it there!)

Be polite and firm.

C-SPAN Main Number: (202) 737-3220
C-SPAN FAX number 202-737-6226 (Assignment Desk)

Maj Troy Gilbert's Body Desecrated in Video

Via Centcom:

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Recent news reports stated that the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist organization is releasing a video on Maj. Troy Gilbert’s death.

Major Gilbert was killed Nov. 27, 2006, when his F-16C crashed while he was supporting Coalition ground combat operations approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad.

He was positively identified and classified as killed in action through DNA analysis by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. The identification was made from human remains recovered from the crash site. His body was removed from the crash site by anti-Coalition personnel before U.S. forces could arrive to secure the area.

“We are aware of the attempts by anti-Coalition forces to exploit Major Gilbert’s death. It is appalling and cowardly that they did not treat his remains with the respect deserved of an honorable warrior,” said Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander, United States Central Command Air Forces.

Major Gilbert was assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, at the time of his death.

The trailer, yes the terrorists release trailers for their sick videos, contains an image of Troy's ID(below the fold).

We were worried that when Troy's body was taken that the enemy would use it for propaganda purposes. This sounds similar to previous videos that the terrorist have released of american soldier's bodies being abused and descrated. This is a war crime under the Geneva Convention and the terrorists should be held to account.

We pray that Troy's remains are recovered and those who disrespected his remains are brought to justice.

Related posts on Troy here, here and here

We are working to obtain a copy of the video. We will make selected frame grabs available and copies available by request for those who need them.

Press Bias Poll: 'Well, Duh'

A new Zogby poll on press bias yields the expected results:

83 percent of likely voters think bias is "alive and well." Of that number, 64 percent said the press leans left, while slightly more than a quarter -- 28 percent -- said there was a conservative bias.

Naturally, there's a partisan divide, and a pronounced one. Among Republican respondents, 97 percent said the press was liberal. Two-thirds of political independents agreed with them, with less than a quarter of the independents -- 23 percent -- saying there was a conservative bias.

The only real surprise here is that a full 28% of Americans suffer from mental retardation and/or pathological dishonesty.

The Death of Free Speech at Concordia U.

Its from 2002, but its still clearly relevant. Very powerful documentary, and a happy ending following 40+ minutes of frustration, leftism and Antisemitism. Kudos to LGF.

PARTS II- V BELOW THE FOLD --->

II.

III.

IV.

V.

Italian Reporter's Driver Found Murdered

Via Vicki at Not Ready for my Burqua:

ROME - One of two Afghan nationals kidnapped with Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo in Afghanistan last week has been killed, Italy’s ANSA news agency said on Friday, quoting a Taleban fighter.

‘His throat was slit at 7 a.m. because he was confirmed to be a spy for foreign military forces,’ ANSA quoted Ibrahim Hanifi as saying. The dead man is believed to have been Mastrogiacomo’s driver.

More background here and here.

March 15, 2007

Surprising Confessions from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

The MSM's been reporting quite a bit on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's recent confessions, including alleged plots to kill Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Although KSM's voluminous confessions on high-profile terrorist acts have received plenty of coverage, I was a bit surprised to see that the reports omitted several of KSM's more surprising claims.

Most stories failed to mention, for example, KSM's claims that he...

...was the "real killer" of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman,

...was the second gunman,

...shot J.R. Ewing,

...knows where Jimmy Hoffa is buried,

...has periodically moonlighted as an actor under the screen name "Ron Jeremy,"

...invented the Internet,

...was conceived on a bridge in Selma, Alabama,

...was the inspiration for the movie "Love Story,"

...was named after Sir Edmund Hillary,

...has farted on meringue, sneezed on braised endives, and performed unspeakable acts on cream of mushroom soup,

...was the driving force behind the "New Coke" fiasco,

...is responsible for the intermittent availability of the pork-based "McRib" sandwich,

...killed Betamax,

...was solely responsible for the rash of "Sasquatch" sightings in the mid-1980s,

...personally stole the UFO and the alien corpse from Area 51,

...provided the seed funding for the film "Battlefield Earth,"

...is the father of Anna Nicole's baby, and

...is personally causing global warming...with his mind.

Sockpuppetmania! (UPDATED - Its Baack!)

UPDATE - Nothing quite says "mental disorder" like a liberal commenter using sock puppets. Click the comments in this post to observe the outward manifestation of this psychiatric problem. Note the leftard posing as Michael Weaver, Jeff Bargholtz, "Jake," or whoever else he thinks he's beclowning.

Get. A. Life. Troll.
- - -
Is it a full moon or something?

There appears to have been a number of shenanigans taking place over the past week or so involving lefty sockpuppets and their exalted sockpuppet high priests. First Indepundit, then The Jawa Report, and today Rick Ellensberg Glenn Greenwald letting fly his latest windy, nothing-signifying sound and fury slime-piece regarding some perceived crime at LGF.

Rove's weather machine acting up again?

Seditious Jackass Sells Out America for Political Gain

Howard Dean is openly undermining American national security by making sure our enemies feel free to walk all over us.

Llama Butchers is wondering why this shouldn't be prosecuted under 18 USC § 953:

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

ht: Ace

Interesting MSM Passage of the Day

The eeeevil Rovian Email Plot to Function as the Political Advisor to the President:

On its face, the plan is not improper, inappropriate or even unusual: The president has the right to fire U.S. attorneys at any time, and presidents have done so when they took office.

Its Libby Redux.

Faux-outrage. Trying to find impropriety and crimes where there are none. Open admission that these things aren't illegal or unusual, and that those before have done the same things for the same reasons. Mountains made of molehills. Important news ignored. Nobody cares.

The American people aren't being fooled, you know.

Race of Veterans

Race of veterans – race of victors!
Race of the soil, ready for conflict – race of the conquering march!
(No more credulity’s race, abiding temper’d race,)
Race henceforth owning no law but the law itself,
Race of passion and the storm.

-Walt Whitman, 1871

Donks Don't Have Votes To Limit War

All Democrat blustering, posturing, and beclowning aside, the Democrats are all talk. Unless they can get the 60 votes needed for passage in the Senate, they've got nothing. They just don't have the votes.

And they know it.

So much for the much vaunted "national realignment" we were hearing so much about in November. More like business as usual - Democrats playing politics with the war, and the GOP doing little more than holding ground rather than doing anything to move it forward.

Tokyo Rosie The "Truther"

Not content with the outrage over her defense of the murdering fat bastard Khalid the Sheep Humping Sheik Mohammed, Rosie ran waddled home, discovered Google and started posting about WTC #7.

Barbara, Darling, you need to dump Rosie. Because to her, everything is a Kihnspiracy!

Seriously, break it off Barbara, you deserve better.

The only part of KSM's confession she believes is that he was abused. Which is not true. Never mind he confessed(bragged) before he was captured. No sense arguing with her. You can't cure stupid.

I'll file this under Genital Puppets, for obvious reasons.

Hat Tip: Ghost of a Flea.

My goodness, Greg was so young and skinny. It's been a long, long, long time.

Freedom Journal Iraq #605

This edition features stories on an Iraqi police station forced to rebuild after a bombing, Iraq security forces taking the lead in security and search operations and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working to double Iraqi's import/export capacity. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #605
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #605

This edition features stories on a resupply drop, police training, and a weapons crew. Hosted by Cpl. Nick Diorio.
Bonus video Freedom Watch Afghanistan 03/15/07
Google Video copy of Freedom Watch Afghanistan 03/15/07

I thought I'd include Freedom Watch Afghanistan, can't forget Afghanistan.

Italian Reporter in Hostage Video(updated/Bumped)

The Taliban have been holding Daniele Mastrogiacomo and two others. They claim that he confessed to spying and they found “lasers in his shampoo.” The Taliban have threatened to Murder Mr. Mastrogiacomo. A videotape was sent to his paper today through an Italian NGO. The tape was made Monday the 12th. This is probably a “proof of life” statement in an attempt to gain the release of four of their members. Probably some ransom as well.

The paper has released one still and a transcript of his statement. The statement by the terrorists is here. The tape has not been been made public.

Via La Repubblica: "My name is Daniele Mastrogiacomo, I'm a journalist for la Repubblica newspaper. I'm here in Afghanistan. My father's name is Mario, my mother's name is Franca Lisa. Today is Monday, March 12th and it's 8 o'clock a.m., here in Afghanistan".

"As you can see, I'm in good physical condition... at least.... However I'm alive, luckily, until now".

"I'm under detention... I've been arrested by a taliban group. They believe that we (myself and two other afghan colleagues) have entered illegaly into their territory. So, now I'm addressing the italian government and mr. president Romano Prodi, in order to ask them to do everything in their power, to act with all their means in order to obtain our freedom as soon as possible... so that we should no longer be in this situation... in a word... that we be released...".

"I'm also speaking to my wife Luisella and my daughter and son Alice and Michele: be calm, there's no problem. You'll see that your father will be able to work it out, anyway. I believe this is a situation... they arrested me because I was in taliban territory. I think they will soon release me. Obviously you have to be just a little patient. And I'm sure you are all with me. Thank you for all you're trying to do for me. Thank you".

Hat Tip: Vicki at Not Ready For My Burqua.

Update: The video has been uploaded to youtube.

Update II: In a new audio message recieved today Mr. Mastrogiacomo is begging for his life. He says the Taliban have given two days before they will murder him.

Via IOL: Kabul - An Italian journalist abducted in Afghanistan 10 days ago has appealed to authorities to meet his kidnappers' demands, warning he would otherwise be executed in two days, an Afghan news agency said on Thursday.

"After that they will kill us," a voice said to be that of Daniele Mastrogiacomo said in English in a compact disc recording obtained by Reuters from the Pajhwok agency. "There are only two days. Please. Please."

Related.

Stack Those Persian Bodies High

As Dr. Rusty Shackleford says, if you don't love this movie, you either hate America...or you're gay.

Fred Thompson : "What Would Gandhi Do?"

h/t : Allah.

Two Jihadi Webmasters Busted

Via Anmdrokos International: Saragozza, 14 March (AKI) - A Spanish man has been arrested in the northeastern town of Zaragoza on suspicion of promoting terrorism on the Internet. A Moroccan citizen was also arrested Wednesday in an unspecified Spanish location during an ongoing anti-terror operation by the Civil Guard which says it may lead to further arrests. The 31-year-old Spaniard and the 23-year-old Moroccan - both male - are allegedly the webmasters of the Spanish jihadist website Al-Andalus Islamiya which publishes messages supporting and justifying Islamist terrorism.

Good riddance.

Hat Tip: Scooter.

Emerson on Hannity and Colmes

Alan Colmes (as usual) carries water for CAIR and the NYT. Emerson (as usual) tears him a new one:

h/t : The Investigative Project.

Fat Disgusting Animal

Defends fat disgusting animal.

KSM confessing to beheading Daniel Pearl Via Yahoo News:

"I decapitated with my blessed right hand the head of the American Jew, Daniel Pearl, in the city of Karachi, Pakistan," Mohammed is quoted as saying in a transcript of a military hearing at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, released by the Pentagon.

"For those who would like to confirm, there are pictures of me on the Internet holding his head," he added.

I cannot believe how stupid Rosie is? And the other ones just sit by and agree with her? I'm sorry but the left is sick, sick, sick. She defends his "humanity". What about Daniel Pearl's humanity?

You treat animals like animals and this guy is an animal.

RIP: Daniel. Justice is just around the corner.

Frank Gaffney on Grover Norquist and the Islamic Institute

Frank Gaffney lays out some troubling information that may help explain why the Bush Administration keeps getting caught associating with terrorist front groups:

The Islamic Institute was established by Grover Norquist in 1998 with $20,000 in seed money from Abdurahman Alamoudi (who is currently serving a 23-year federal sentence for terrorism-related activities). II is the principal vehicle for the Islamists’ influence operation aimed at the Bush Administration and Republican and conservative circles. Norquist was its founding president; Alamoudi’s long-time deputy, Khalid Saffuri, was its first executive director; and II’s offices continue to be housed in the downtown Washington office suite rented by Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform.

In fact, Grover Norquist is the Islamic Institute’s chief enabler. As Arab-American pollster, John Zogby, put it to the New Republic in November 2001, “[Grover]’s played the role of interlocutor. With all respect, many of the leaders [of the Muslim-American community] are immigrants and don’t have years and years of experience. Grover has filled that void.” He went on to say that “absolutely, [Grover is] central to the White House outreach.”

As detailed at length in “A Troubling Influence,”[15] Norquist has for years used his weekly Washington “Wednesday Group” meetings of what he calls the “Center-Right Coalition” to promote Saffuri, Khan and others associated with the Islamic Institute team as movement conservatives, or at least as reliable allies. Saffuri and Khan are routinely accorded privileged seating at these events. On occasion, in Norquist’s absence, Khan has actually chaired the meeting – a private-sector role of political activism during business hours that seems unlikely to be consistent with the guidelines for conduct of his day-job with the federal government.

If Suhail Khan is useful to Norquist today, he was incalculably valuable in his previous capacity. Prior to becoming a political appointee in the Transportation Department’s Federal Highway Administration (where he reportedly has access to highly sensitive information about the movement of military convoys and nuclear and other hazardous materials and contingency plans),[16] Khan was responsible not just for “outreach” in the White House Public Liaison Office (as his sanitized ACU resume puts it); he oversaw Muslim outreach. Presumably, that had something to do with why when a White House access list of Muslims to be invited to meetings in the presidential complex was prepared, it actually had Norquist at its top.

Interestingly, most of the others on that list were drawn from the various Saudi-funded, pro-Islamist and generally anti-American groups that purport to comprise the so-called “Muslim-American leadership.” People now serving hard time like Abdurahman Alamoudi and Sami al-Arian were at various points among those Khan, Norquist and Saffuri considered appropriate for courting by the Bush team. Others were individuals, like Jamal Barzinji, a board member of several Islamist-sympathizing organizations that were raided and investigated by the FBI on suspicion of fundraising for terrorists.

March 14, 2007

KSM Sings: Wanted Jihad on Clinton, Carter

Why? Didn't Clinton's approach include leaving them alone so that they would in turn leave us alone? Didn't Clinton's approach foster peace and 'good will' towards the jihadis?

And nobody's bent farther backwards for the Palestinians and against the Jews than Dhimmi Carter.

What the fark's going on here? Maybe one of you lefties can help us all out.

Exit question: Did the team Clinton response to WTC 1993 prevent WTC 2001?

Chuckle

When you pool together all the combined energy it takes to drive and build a Toyota Prius, the flagship car of energy fanatics, it takes almost 50 percent more energy than a Hummer - the Prius' arch nemesis.

Occam's razor.

The amazing thing? That's a college newspaper. Heresy!!!!

Trump Wins. FATALITY.

I'm Shocked. Shocked I Say

Now tell us something we don't know.

He's such an alleged mastermind of 9/11, we've been hearing about his alleged mastermindedness since, oh, 9/12 or thereabouts.

Even Hollywood went so far as to (gasp!) portray him as the mastermind behind 9/11 in the appropriately titled "The Path to 9/11."

Look, Mr. Pentagon Guys, the American public doesn't need a reason to hang Khalid the Sheep Humping Sheik Mohammed. Releasing this will feed the media monster for a day at best, before they go back to whining that they don't have access to these hearings.

Leak transcripts of the really good stuff coming from the guys off the radar.

Make them publish that. And if they don't, well, my email is vinceautmorire at gmail dot com.

Just sayin'.

Holidaze In Iran

My anti-mullah friend sends:

Vinnie, As I expected the regime and the celebrants have clashed once again this year. The mullahs of course claim that they don't really oppose the celebrations only "the mischief makers and the unruly element".

This blogger claims that the regime's own media outlet KAYHAN (of Tehran) reports hundreds of "mischief makers" being arrested around the country
and that nine of the regime's guards have been killed in the clashes and more than 100 other IRGC men injured.

On an unrelated note: Mullahs are training hundreds of Hama men.

Here's the celebration the mullahs love to hate.

For those thirsting for news about Asgari, the missing general, I don't have anything worthwhile to post. Conflicting stories are all over the intertubes.

However, this piece by Michael Ledeen is worth a read.

Doing The Job American Leftists Won't Do

Highly decorated Canadian veteran of combat in Afghanistan jumped and beaten by peaceful anti-war protestors.

I'm not Canadian, so I won't question their patriotism. However, I will continue to muse as to why they're willing to conduct sneak attacks in a bar rather than traveling to fight alongside their allies the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Fear of bullets, maybe?

stein hoist: GM

"Eagles" Gathering Steam

As of this writing, the Gathering of Eagles Petition has received 1,722 signatures. A force of 1,722 will likely be dwarfed by the massive moonbat crowds gathering to disrespect our nation, its veterans, and their memorials. Nonetheless, we've seen time and time again through history that a small group of men and women can make a difference, and that's what the Gathering of Eagles will be doing this Saturday. (Besides, I'd put my cash on a pissed-off veteran against any 100 stink-ass hippies.)

And here's a message from Melony Melanie Morgan:

Be there, or suck. If you're going to be there, please let the organizers know by signing the petition.

"300": Most Important Piece of Propaganda Made Since 9-11 (Sticky, Scroll Down For New)

I just saw "300". It is probably the most important movie made since 9-11.

As you know, I wasn't going to see the movie for fear that it would be a 2 hour advertisement for joining the gays. You know, something about a bunch of guys prancing around in banana hammocks that creeps me out. To quote Sarah Silverman: it doesn't really matter if you're homosexual or bisexual--both are equally gross.

But watching Sout al-Kuffar's mash-up today, I said to myself, self, let's go see that movie. You are on vacation, after all. And it was a kick ass mash up. So I went. I wasn't disappointed.

I know enough about history to know that the movie was terribly inaccurate. I also know enough about both Sparta that if given the choice of living under the Persian yoke or the Spartan yoke, I'd gladly take Persia.

But this movie was fiction. No, more than fiction. This movie was propaganda.

But longtime readers know how much I believe in the necessity of propaganda. Propaganda is neither good nor bad. Propaganda is about adding purpose to ideas. It is only when either those purposes or those ideas are bad, that propaganda becomes a problem.

There was no hidden agenda in "300". It was not a "metaphor" about Western Civilization standing up against the Asiatic hordes. There is no Rorschach effect here as I thought going into the movie--Leftists and Islamist apologists seeing the Persians as a metaphor for U.S. imperialism, while those on the Right and Liberals of all stripes seeing Sparta as representing the U.S. fight against Islamofascism.

Not hidden, but explicitly stated. The characters come right out and say that Sparta is protecting Enlightenment principles of reason, freedom, and liberty from the "Asiatic hordes". They actually use those words--"Asiatic hordes".

And, what did the "Asiatic hordes" look like? Muslim jihadis.

And, no, I'm not reading anything into the movie here. That is exactly what they looked like. Not the leaders, but the warriors. All except the Persian "Immortals", who were obviously modeled after Japanese Samurais--down to their swords.

The vast majority of Persian warriors looked like this:

You're telling me I'm "reading something into that"?

Or how about these guys, with more than a passing resemblance to Hamas fighters or any number of would-be shahids about to commit suicide?

And the dialogue? Puh-lease! It's absolutely thick with the notion that the Spartans are fighting for freedom and liberty defined exactly in the Western Enlightenment sense of those terms. The dialogue consists of only three themes: liberty, sacrifice, and gay jokes. And the monologues are strictly about the first two.

Any Leftist, Islamist, or other hater of Western values who saw this as a "metaphor" for oppressed people around the world fighting against the vastly superior power of the U.S. is simply deluded.

Sometimes a rose is just a rose. And sometimes the rose is a metaphor for something else. But I got news for you: a picture of a giant penis isn't a metaphor for something phallic. It is phallic.

I'm not even going to explain the larger point of this great piece of propaganda. It is simple and straight forward: Western civilization is worth fighting for.

There are some more subtle messages in their, too. Like: Professional warriors fight and die so that people like you and me can become philosophers, artists, and politicians.

Oh, there's more. Much more.

The propaganda, it is oh-so-beautiful. It rivals anything put out by Republic Pictures or Warner Brother's animation during WWII. Heroic Americans fight the Hunnish/Asiatic hordes (many seem to forget that it wasn't until after WWII that our movies redeemed the "Germans" by separating them from the "Nazis"---part of the Cold War propaganda effort).

In fact, I'll go out on a limb and compare this to Eisenstein's Ivan the Terrible, Part I--that classic piece of Soviet propaganda which artfully legitimized the Stalinistic purges as an effort to consolidate state power in the face of a foreign menace (Ivan as Stalin, the boyars as anti-revolutionary forces, and the Turks as the Germans). And who would argue that Eisenstein's masterpiece wasn't needed to help the war effort? Or Bugs Bunny? Or John Wayne?

No, "300" brings us back to the good-old days of propaganda. When propaganda was produced in support of our country. When propaganda was produced to remind us that we are the good guys and that our ideals are better than the ideals of our enemies.

Go see "300". If you don't like it you probably hate America. That, or you're gay.

So, Can We Shoot Him Now?

Via Fred W. Baker III at DEFENSELINK:

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2007 – Suspected al Qaeda operative Khalid Sheikh Muhammad has admitted masterminding the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as well as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

“I was responsible for the 9/11 operation, from A to Z,” an interpreter read from Muhammad’s statement to the Combatant Status Review Tribunal on March 10 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The tribunal was an administrative trial to determine only whether Muhammad could be designated as an enemy combatant. Muhammad used the opportunity to submit, through an interpreter, a two-part personal statement with 38 terrorism-related admissions.

He led the list by pledging his jihad allegiance to Osama bin Laden and finished with an admission to trying to destroy the American oil company in Indonesia owned by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Muhammad claimed responsibility for the 2001 attempted shoe bombing of American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris.

He offered a chilling confession to “managing and following up on the Cell for the Production of Biological Weapons, such as anthrax and others, and following up on Dirty Bomb Operations on American soil.”

He also named four other skyscrapers that were supposed to be destroyed in a “second wave” of attacks after 9/11. They were the Library Tower in Los Angeles, the Sears Tower in Chicago, the Plaza Bank in Seattle and the Empire State Building in New York City.

“I shared responsibility for the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II while he was visiting the Philippines,” Muhammad also admitted.

Muhammad’s lengthy closing oral statement began with a pledge to Allah in Arabic followed by a refusal to take an oath as part of the tribunal. He explained that he was not lying, but that his religious beliefs prevented him taking the oath and thereby accepting, at least in part, American law and its constitution.

Muhammad went on to say that he was not trying to make himself out to be a hero, but an enemy of America.

The transcript, in pdf format, is here at the blotter and at USDD here at the bottom of the page.

Allahpundit has more including a plot against Big Ben.

Hat Tip: The Blotter.

Wasn't some one here miffed at Brian today as I recall?

How Many Jooos Did Mama Kill?

This video at Memri will leave you speechless. At least it did me. It's an interview with two kidergarteners about how mama blew herself up to kill the jooos.

Jesus wept.

Via Allahpundit.

Bad News For the Left

What's a dedicated defeatist to do about horrible news like this:

MIL-IRAQ-US SOLDIERS Baghdad security crackdown seriously curbs killings of US soldiers

BAGHDAD, March 14 (KUNA) -- The rate of killings of US troops in Iraq has been on the decline, down by 60 percent, since the launch of the new security measures in Baghdad, according to statistics revealed by the Multi-National Force -Iraq Combined Press Information Centre.

Only 17 members of the US military in Iraq have been killed since February 14 till March 13, compared to 42 from January 13 to February 13; the rate was on the decline during the first month of the security crackdown, compared to a month before.

Two of the 17 soldiers died at US Baghdad camps of non-combat causes.

The remarkable decrease in killings among the US troops came at a time when more of these troops were deployed in the Iraqi capital, especially in districts previously regarded as extremely hazardous for them such as Al-Sadr City, Al-Azamiyah, and Al-Doura.

Meanwhile, US attacks on insurgent strongholds north of Baghdad curbed attacks against helicopters. Before the new security plan, many such craft were downed leaving 20 soldiers dead.

Well, at least liberals can count on juicy attacks against civilians, can't they? Alas, sadly, no:

The US army in Iraq had earlier said that sectarian fighting and violence in Baghdad had dropped sharply, by about 80 percent, since the launch of the plan.

According to radio host Rush Limbaugh, Matt Drudge has been receiving death threats from the progressive crowd since linking to this story on his website.

See also this post by Good Lt.

New MPJ Category!

That’s right! In our quest to totally foul up TJR while Rusty is on vacation, Vinnie and I have added a new category. While working on this email a terrorist thread I noticed just how much stuff we have on Omar Bakri Muhammad.

Omar is a radical cleric who has been linked to al-Qaeda and other terror organizations and plots.

Here are a few examples.

(Audio) British Cleric Encourages Muslims to Behead Hostages: Birmingham Connection.

Exiled Muslim Cleric Behind London Protest Calling for Pope's Death.

Bakri Celebrates British Deaths.

When compiling these I have to get the post title and then google that to get the url, quite a pain in the arse. So, to make my life easier, our Editor in Chief, Vinnie added a new category for me. Without further delay I present to you the new category:

Omar The Goat Humping Bakri Muhammad

Great name huh? I figure it goes right along with the spirit and intent of MPJ. It will take some time to get all the posts moved under that category. Maybe forever, but until that time we will work diligently to accumulate all the posts on old goat humper into this one place. I’ve added a few already. You can access MPJ categories on the left sidebar.

Also to update Jawa readers on this post

The same server that contains Omar, The Goat Humping, Bakri Muhammad’s website also contains a number of Jihadi forums and websites. It has encryption, encryption hacking, hack tools, DDOS, various other worms and virus sites and a porn site. It is the remnants of a former ISP that specialized in carrying Jihadi websites and information. One of the websites was a favorite of the Madrid bombers.

I’m sure many of our British readers will be interested to know the same spew that resulted in the tube attacks is still being broadcast over the internet from Britain.

I’m not posting all the URLs for the sites due to the malicious software sites. But I can send them by request. I’ll try and keep you updated as best I can.

Hopefully these sites can be taken down and this provider found and prosecuted.

As a reminder of what the purpose of these sites are, here is a video of Omar, The Goat Humping, Bakri Muhammad talking about the UBL and the 7/7 London attacks before they happened.

Hat Tip: Glen.

Update: Heh

WaPo: Surge Working

That's inconvenient for a number of Democrats, isn't it?

NYT : CAIR Impugned By "A Small Band of [Jew] Critics" (Updated)

Update : Karl provides aven more evisceration over at Protein Wisdom.

The NYT published a very vague, and generally sympathetic profile of CAIR today:

A small band of critics have made a determined but unsuccessful effort to link [CAIR] to Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been designated as terrorist organizations by the State Department, and have gone so far as calling the group an American front for the two.

In the latest confrontation yesterday, CAIR held a panel discussion on Islam and the West in a Capitol meeting room despite demands by House Republicans that Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, not allow the event. The Republicans called its members “terrorist apologists.”...

CAIR and its supporters say its accusers are a small band of people who hate Muslims and deal in half-truths. Ms. Boxer’s decision to revoke the Sacramento commendation provoked an outcry from organizations that vouch for the group’s advocacy, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the California Council of Churches.

“They have been a leading organization that has advocated for civil rights and civil liberties in the face of fear and intolerance, in the face of religious and ethnic profiling,” said Maya Harris, the executive director of the A.C.L.U. of Northern California...

Several federal officials said CAIR’s Washington office frequently issued controversial statements that made it hard for senior government figures to be associated with the group, particularly since some pro-Israeli lobbyists have created what one official called a “cottage industry” of attacking the group and anyone dealing with it....

"A-ha! It's those damned JOOOOS again! I knew it! Sneaky bastards..."

Some Muslims, particularly the secular, find CAIR overly influenced by Saudi religious interpretations, criticizing it for stating in news releases, for example, that all Muslim women are required to veil their hair when the matter is openly debated.

But they still support its civil rights work and endorse the idea of anyone working to make American Islam a more integral part of society. One Arab-American advocate compared CAIR to “the tough cousin who curses at anyone who speaks badly about the family.”

Some activists and academics view the controversy surrounding the group as typical of why Washington fails so often in the Middle East, while extremism mushrooms.

Of course, this "small band of [Jew] critics" has nothing to back up their claims. Unnamed "government officials" denounced the critics' charges as "akin to McCarthyism":

Government officials in Washington said they were not aware of any criminal investigation of the group. More than one described the standards used by critics to link CAIR to terrorism as akin to McCarthyism, essentially guilt by association.

“Of all the groups, there is probably more suspicion about CAIR, but when you ask people for cold hard facts, you get blank stares,” said Michael Rolince, a retired F.B.I. official who directed counterterrorism in the Washington field office from 2002 to 2005....

Captain Ed comments:

Let's get specific and move past any blank stares, shall we? For instance, on Kaufman's site, they have screen captures from 9/17/01 of CAIR attempting to direct visitors to their web site to make donations for 9/11 relief to what they first identified as "NY/DC Emergency Relief Fund". The hyperlink took people to the Holy Land Foundation's website. The HLF funneled money to Hamas by the millions until the federal government shut it down in December 2001. Eight days later, they changed the hyperlink to identify the site as HLF and added one for the Global Relief Foundation -- which also got shut down in December 2001, this time for channeling money to al-Qaeda and Hamas.

CAIR exploited 9/11 to help fund the very group that perpetrated the attack. Is that specific enough for MacFarquhar? Why didn't he bother to note this very specific charge in his article, filled as it was with protestations of lack of specificity?

That's not all that makes critics suspicious of CAIR. Several of its officers have involvement in terror, including the founder of CAIR's parent group and the man who ran the Holy Land Foundation, Mousa Abu Mazook. The US deported Mazook in 1997 for his work with Hamas. Ghassan Elashi helped found the Texas chapter and served on its board until 2002 -- when the US deported him for selling forbidden computer technology to Libya and Syria. Rabih Haddad worked as a CAIR fundraiser until his deportation in 2003, as well as launching the Global Relief Fund that fed al-Qaeda and Hamas. Joe Kaufman included these specifics in a Front Page article three years ago -- again, something MacFarquhar apparently missed in his journalistic investigation.

Dafydd has more commentary here.

Freedom Journal Iraq #604

This edition features stories on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers trying to improve Iraq's oil infrastructure, Soldiers on guard at combat outpost Falcon and how Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon is bringing more Iraqi Police into Baghdad. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #604
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #604

Imus Trounces GOP, Democrats, Libs

Funny, especially the labeling of Boston Herald lib as a "fat bastard."

ht: Ace

Paper, Plastic, or Shari'a?

Via Kansas City Star:

MINNEAPOLIS - Beryl Dsouza was late and in no mood for delays when she stopped at a Target store after work two weeks ago for milk, bread and bacon.

So Dsouza was taken aback when the cashier - who had on the traditional headscarf, or hijab, worn by many Muslim women - refused to swipe the bacon through the checkout scanner.

"She made me scan the bacon. Then she opened the bag and made me put it in the bag," said Dsouza, 53, of Minneapolis. "It made me wonder why this person took a job as a cashier."

In the latest example of religious beliefs creating tension in the workplace, some Muslims in the Twin Cities are adhering to a strict interpretation of the Quran that prohibits the handling of pork products.

Instead of swiping the items themselves, they are asking non-Muslim employees or shoppers to do it for them.

More over at LGF.

March 13, 2007

Gotcha, Sockpuppet!

The commentor known as "smurf," also known as "Jake' is was trying to start an argument with sock puppets in the comments of this thread.

Bwaha!

Lt Smash also had a sockpuppet problem recently. Strange times.

"300" Still Under Assault From the Left

I absolutely adore the way the movie "300," adapted from a graphic novel and filmed on the cheap without any "name" stars, has reduced the Progressive set to so many fanatical, spittle-cheeked censors, determined to stop people from seeing the film. Who knew such a simple message ("freedom isn't free..." says the Spartan queen at one point) could send so many of them into such a frenzy of homophobic ranting?

This story in the Toronto Star, attacking the movie struck me as rather venomous for a simple assistant history professor. Apparently, "300" is the greatest fraud perpetrated on mankind since the Cardiff Giant.

Professor Ephraim Lytle lays it on pretty thick, accusing the movie's creators of massive historical distortions (undoubtedly, they're guilty of taking poetic license, though nowhere does the phrase "based on a true story" appear in the credits).

This moral universe would have appeared as bizarre to ancient Greeks as it does to modern historians. Most Greeks would have traded their homes in Athens for hovels in Sparta about as willingly as I would trade my apartment in Toronto for a condo in Pyongyang.

Wow! The Spartans were insane, starving Communists deliberately cut off from the rest of the world! Who knew? Dude, it's a movie. Calm down.

Now, keep in mind that Ephraim Lytle is offended by "300" as a historian, so there's no reason to think Lytle's article is part of the general liberal assault on the film, is there?

Of course, the Star didn't mention that Ephraim Lytle was a Kos Kid. "Eph" signs his full name to this letter [click here for screencap].

**Gathering Of Eagles: Moonbat Safety Tips

I'll be there and will have a full report with vids and audio (it may take a little bit to assemble.) Hope to see you there (even though you'll have no idea who I am!)

Take it away, Uncle Jimbo!

My Review Of "The 300"

Damn fine movie, damn fine.

I'll be seeing it again, in the theater, and that's saying something. 99% of the movies I watch, I wait for the DVD.

I won't debate the historical accuracy at all. It's a movie based on a graphic novel. Period. It's not a film adaptation of the works of Herodotus.

I give it two thumbs and a big toe up.

Rumor has it Rusty saw it today as well, and came away with the same opinion.

Hillary Calls On Reno Gonzalez To Resign

Absolutely laughable.

Well, she would've called for Reno's (and Clenis's) head if her positions would be consistent for more than a year at a time. But alas, Democrats have no guiding principles and assume everyone else has a short-to-non-existent memory.

What say you to this little blast from the past, Hildabeast?

Article (walled up behind Times Select) here.

Michael Yon's First FOXNEWS Dispatch

Via Foxnews:

Some of the soldiers streaming into Iraq are new to battle; others are serving their second, third and fourth combat tours. Some have fought across Afghanistan, in Africa or in some corner in a secret fight, on a special team of some sort, killing men in jungle camps in South America, in wars few people have heard about.

Around the world, dangerous American soldiers will close in on men tonight and kill them in small battles that will never be discussed. Al Qaeda turned it on but is powerless to turn it off.

Terrorists started this war with killing and are suing for peace with more killing, lashing out at schoolyards, marketplaces and soccer matches, blowing up kids, women and men on their way to work or worship. All to win the battle for headlines, which they are certain to get; the greater the savagery, the bigger the font.

You can read the rest at Michael's blog here. it's very good. Note he finds out he has some very big fans.

What is a "Militia"?

The signification attributed to the term Militia appears from the debates in the Convention, the history and legislation of Colonies and States, and the writings of approved commentators. These show plainly enough that the Militia comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense.

UNITED STATES v. MILLER et al., 307 U.S. 174 (1939)

Remember those words the next time some ignorant lefty tries to tell you that the Second Amendment only applies to the National Guard.

Al Gore's Retirement Plan

Ever wonder who gets the money when Al Gore buys a "carbon offset" to balance the enormous energy consumption of his household? Al Gore gets the money.

Signal 94 explains it all.

Freedom Journal Iraq #603

This edition features stories on Soldiers training to maintain and operate the Armored Security Vehicle, the U.S. Corps of Engineers constructing a maxium security prision in Baghdad, a maxium security prison designed to rehabilitate Iraqi prisoners and service members qualifying at a shooting range. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #603
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #603

Fred Thompson on the Issues

According to AP, Fred Thompson:

Is "pro-life," and believes federal judges should overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision as "bad law and bad medical science."

Opposes gay marriage, but would let states decide whether to allow civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don't believe judges ought to come along and change that."

Opposes gun control, and praised last week's 2-1 federal appeals decision overturning a long-standing handgun ban. "The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that."

Supports President Bush's decision to increase troops in Iraq. "Wars are full of mistakes. You rectify things. I think we're doing that now," he said. "Why would we not take any chance, even though there's certainly no guarantees, to not be run out of that place? I mean, we've got to take that opportunity and give it a chance to work."

Would pardon former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice now, rather than waiting until all his appeals are exhausted. Thompson is a fundraiser for Libby's defense.

I'm still learning about this guy, but so far, I'm liking what I'm hearing.

NYT Photo or Photoshop?

I only have one question about this story at the NYT. WTF is that funny white line on the right side of the floating man in the pic?

The Photo caption reads

A Palestinian youth threw stones at Israeli soldiers in Ramallah, West Bank, last week. Parents fear that the atmosphere of despair has destroyed their children's sense of hope.

I surfed through the rest of the slide show on the story but those looked OK at first glance.

Larger source image here.

European Tourists Freed in Ethiopa

Good news:

AP via Yahoo News: LONDON - Five Europeans abducted almost two weeks ago in one of Ethiopia's most remote and inhospitable regions were released Tuesday in neighboring Eritrea after the government there pressured tribal leaders to intervene, officials said. British officials would not say whether a ransom had been paid....

....Beckett said officials "continue to be concerned for the welfare" of eight Ethiopians abducted at the same time.

She would not say whether ransom was paid in return for the European hostages' release. "I can't tell you that and I'm not sure I would, actually," Beckett said.

I hope a ransom was not paid to secure their release. I fear that will only encourage more kidnappings and place others in danger. That being said, I'm glad they are free and safe.

We also pray for the release of the eight Ethiopians still held captive.

Taliban Still Holding Italian Reporter

A couple updates to this story. La Repubblica has denied any spying. The Taliban now claim the reporter had lasers in his Shampoo. They say if he can prove he is not a spy they will release him. But they also say he has already confessed. As Rusty said in his previous entry, “When Islamists accuse a hostage of spying, it is usually a prelude to his murder.”

Reuters: ROME, March 7 (Reuters) - Italian newspaper La Repubblica has denied that one of its journalists who was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan was a spy.
A Taliban spokesman said on Tuesday that Daniele Mastrogiacomo, 52, had confessed to spying for British troops after being picked up in the lawless Helmand province.

"He has no relationship whatsoever either with military organisations nor with police or intelligence services of any kind or country," Ezio Mauro, the paper's editor-in-chief, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Agence France Presse news agency said on Wednesday it received a voice recording of a man claiming to be top Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah, who said the reporter and two Afghans accompanying him had confessed to seeking information on the guerrilla group's hideouts to provide to British troops.

More on the lasers also via Reuters:

SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The Taliban said on Friday they would free kidnapped Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo if he could prove he was not a spy.

Khan said the Taliban had recovered a video camera, a satellite phone and "lasers in shampoo bottles" that could help in air strikes on the Taliban positions. Air strikes are often guided by lasers from troops on the ground.

"We're investigating if the journalist Daniele was involved in bringing lasers in shampoo bottles," he added.

As Rusty said in his first post on this subject. “We demand the unconditional release of Daniele Mastrogiacomo. All those who would qualify their demands for his safe release are unfit to be called human beings.”

Related: Taliban Kidnap Italian Reporter, Two Others

In case you are wondering just what the Taliban does to those they consider to be a spy. Of course they think everyone is a spy.

Which reminds me that, Adahm Gadahn has been leaving Rusty secret messages in that open directory on as-Sahab’s server. He has been regularly emailing TJR asking to be rescued. He keeps saying how he, "loves America" and is being held, "against his will." and forced to narrate all those Taliban Videos. He also sent me his location and asked for a dozen laser pointers and a short wave radio. I just want to let Adahm know that we are doing all we can to help. ;)

"300" (Sout al-Kuffar Remix) (Updated, Bumped)

Update : Apparently, an underling somewhere within in vast Sout al-Kuffar media empire forgot to switch the video over to 'public.' He is currently being flogged for his incompetence. I understand the embed is working now.

Today's Heh: Dave Barry on Congress

The Democrats seem to be basically nicer people, but they have demonstrated time and again that they have the management skills of celery. They're the kind of people who'd stop to help you change a flat, but would somehow manage to set your car on fire. I would be reluctant to entrust them with a Cuisinart, let alone the economy. The Republicans, on the other hand, would know how to fix your tire, but they wouldn't bother to stop because they'd want to be on time for Ugly Pants Night at the country club.

Linky.

Halliburton Will Move HQ to Dubai

According to The Associated Press:

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Oil services giant Halliburton Co. will soon shift its corporate headquarters from Houston to the Mideast financial powerhouse of Dubai, chief executive Dave Lesar announced Sunday.

"Halliburton is opening its corporate headquarters in Dubai while maintaining a corporate office in Houston," spokeswoman Cathy Mann said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "The chairman, president and CEO will office from and be based in Dubai to run the company from the UAE."

So, a major American defense contractor is moving it's headquarters from Texas to the Middle East, while we are at war in the Middle East.

No big deal.
We'll just pull our contracts, leave our troops un-supplied, leave Iraq to rebuild her infrastructure with totally new, hastily chosen and relatively untried companies in the midst of an insurgency and a potential civil war.

The AP went on to say:

"The eastern hemisphere is a market that is more heavily weighted toward oil exploration and production opportunities and growing our business here will bring more balance to Halliburton's overall portfolio," Lesar said.

In 2006, Halliburton _ once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney _ earned profits of $2.3 billion on revenues of $22.6 billion.

More than 38 percent of Halliburton's $13 billion oil field services revenue last year stemmed from sources in the eastern hemisphere, where the firm has 16,000 of its 45,000 employees...

... Halliburton last month announced a 40-percent decline in fourth-quarter profit, despite heavy demand for its oil field equipment and personnel.

It would seem Halliburton has us, literally, over a barrel.
I'm waiting for the resounding cries of 'Remember Dubai Ports World!' to begin ringing in the halls of Washington.

(crickets)

The Video al-Gore Doesn't Want You To See.

According to a group of scientists brought together by documentary-maker Martin Durkin, if the planet is heating up, it isn't your fault ... all » and there's nothing you can do about it.
Google Video: Channel 4 Documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle

NYT: is 'Inconvenient Truth' Alarmist?

Well, duh. A movie made by a politician and designed to build his base by conferring heretic status on anyone who disagrees with him just might be a bit...overstated.

The New York Times writes:

But part of his scientific audience is uneasy. In talks, articles and blog entries that have appeared since his film and accompanying book came out last year, these scientists argue that some of Mr. Gore’s central points are exaggerated and erroneous. They are alarmed, some say, at what they call his alarmism.

“I don’t want to pick on Al Gore,” Don J. Easterbrook, an emeritus professor of geology at Western Washington University, told hundreds of experts at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America. “But there are a lot of inaccuracies in the statements we are seeing, and we have to temper that with real data.”

Real data? We don't need no steenkin' real data!

Gore explained that he wanted to get his divine revelations important message out in "lay language" that he understands.

And, of course, as Mr. Gore and the mainstream media have been telling us, the debate is over:

“Nowhere does Mr. Gore tell his audience that all of the phenomena that he describes fall within the natural range of environmental change on our planet,” Robert M. Carter, a marine geologist at James Cook University in Australia, said in a September blog. “Nor does he present any evidence that climate during the 20th century departed discernibly from its historical pattern of constant change.

"An Inconvenient Truth" - coming to your kid's school soon.

Yemen's Jihad on its Shiite Population

Up Close and Personal

As we earlier discussed, the Yemeni regime has distributed a fatwa justifying violence against a band of Zaidi (Shiite) rebels. A variety of established jihaddist groups have joined the battle, for example the Aden Abyan Islamic Army and Khalidabdul Nabi, along with thousands of Salafi tribesmen. The regime has ordered Salafi mosque preachers to increase their rhetoric against Zaidis in general. The regime has furthermore entirely blocked off the region where the rebels are located, prohibited shipments of food and medicine for two months, and ordered villagers to leave their homes in advance of military assaults without providing any shelter. The Yemeni military assault is being lead by General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a "former" friend of Osama Bin Laden, and the upper ranks of Yemen's military, security forces, judiciary and administration are thought to contain numerous individuals of a hard core Salafist orientation.

To follow is a listing from the rebels side of the Yemeni government's actions and their impact on the civilian population.

1- The government prohibiting corn and other beans and foods from coming to the governorate

2- Prohibiting medical supplies from entering the Saada region, closing pharmacies and clinics. Also only allowing military personnel and others fighting with the government to enter the Republic Hospital and Alsalam Hospital and arresting the injured civilians who come to the hospital for treatment.

3- Prohibiting all kinds of energy supplies from entering the governorate

4- Cutting the public electricity supply in all parts of the governorate

5- Cutting all telecommunication supplies, home land phones, cell phones and internet

6- Banning civilians from selling their agriculture production although it is their only recourse for surviving, and confiscating their products in check points under the justifications that they are supporters for Alhouthi

7- Providing soldiers with religious books that describe us as disbelievers that deserve to be killed and we have samples of these books

8- Forcing people to guest military soldiers and using their homes to perform military actions including firing heavy weapons from inside these homes and making schools as military camps.

9- Indiscriminating arrest for large numbers of civilians in Saadah and other governorate. Taking these arrested people to unknown places. The arrest includes religious scholars, religious guidelines, religious teachers and innocent in general.

10- Continuous indiscriminating attacks with heavy weapons including missiles, heavy cannons and others. This leads to destroying homes while civilians are inside it as what happened to the home of Gar Allah Fardan in Altalh are when he was killed inside his home with his two daughters in Altalh area. In addition to confiscating properties from homes by soldiers.

11- Continuous attacks especially air forces attacks over cities and villages especially on the areas of (All Alseefi), (Alhamazat), (lmahather), (Altalh), (Bani Mouath), (Algomolah) and (Majz). In addition to threatening to attacking areas that have not been attacked yet. This leads to hundreds of families to become displaced. They have been going suddenly to deserts, mountain and caves with out covers, tents, camps and any surviving supplies.

12- Assassinating number of social figures through different means and claiming untruly that the followers of Alhouthi are behind it in order to flame tribal revenge as what happened to Dr. Ahmed Alagam and Taha Alsaddi

13- Making pressure on heads of tribes to send their tribes men to fight with the army in order to flame tribal retaliation that will continue even after the war.

14- Establishing units inside the army from Salafi religious group that believe that we are disbelievers and it is (according to their understanding of religion) Ok to kill us, to take our property and it is OK to rape our females and it is OK to take our children as slaves.

15- Forcing religious speakers to invite people to join the army to fight and distributing publication that encourage for that.

16- Pressuring the Association of the religious guidelines to issue a religious testimony (Fatwa) that legitimize fighting us and justified killing us. This statement was published every where including official media (radio, TV and newspapers). This statement was published with out signatures and with out names.

17- There is credible news that confirms that there are ten troops (ten military units) – with full equipment- are in their way to the governorate from different part of the country.

More on the jihad and all things Yemeni at AOL

March 12, 2007

Interesting AP Photo of the Day

Weird:

Cheney = Teh Israel?

Forget The Wire Reports

Forget the Very Serious Conservative Bloglitterati reports on the wire reports about Chuck Hagel.

Nebraska speaks.

Trust us, we hate the douche.

'Global Warming' Update: NYT Rightwing Mouthpiece?

Remeber A Cooling World, 1975.

Heh:

Criticisms of Mr. Gore have come not only from conservative groups and prominent skeptics of catastrophic warming, but also from rank-and-file scientists like Dr. Easterbook, who told his peers that he had no political ax to grind. A few see natural variation as more central to global warming than heat-trapping gases. Many appear to occupy a middle ground in the climate debate, seeing human activity as a serious threat but challenging what they call the extremism of both skeptics and zealots.

Notice that they didn't say "most."

Wonder how many death threats will be flooding those inboxes on West 43rd between tonight and tomorrow.

hoist: Ace

Little-Known Facts About Fred Thompson

Via IMAO:

* The reason Fred Thompson didn't want to stay in the Senate for long is because all the extra scrutiny kept him from doing his favorite hobby: Prowling the streets at night killing drug dealers.

* Every night before going to sleep, Osama bin Laden checks under his bed for Fred Thompson.

* Fred Thompson took over what was Al Gore's Senate seat, thereby dramatically reducing the Senate's carbon footprint. Fred Thompson then created carbon offset offsets by wastefully burning hippies...

* Fred Thompson's gaze can kill small animals.

* Fred Thompson once ended a filibuster by ripping out a Senator's heart and showing it to him before he died.

* The actual cause of global warming: Fred Thompson's burning rage....

* Only two things can kill Superman: Kryptonite and Fred Thompson....

* Fred Thompson can know both the exact position and momentum of a particle. Furthermore, he knows Schroedinger's cat is dead because he personally strangled it.

Much more here.

h/t : Ann @ Instapundit.

Six Flying Imams Planning to Sue

Via LGF:

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/12/07) - On Tuesday, March 13, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference in Washington, D.C., to announce the filing of a discrimination lawsuit against US Airways by six imams, or Islamic religious leaders, removed from a flight in Minneapolis last November. The imams say their removal from the flight was based on racism and religious intolerance.

In case you don't know the story of the Six Flying Imams, here's a helpful instructional video:

Pay Up, Or Shut Up, Suckas

They couldn't get their own oil out of the ground without Western technology, hell, they can't even refine their own oil into gasoline. They have to import it. Now they can't get their nuke plant up and running without it.

This story gave me a good laugh. Apparently, nobody told Khamenei and Ahmadinnerjacket that even Allah can't make money grow on trees.

Maybe if some enterprising Spartan kicked them down the well of the twelth imam, they might find some there.

Freedom Journal Iraq #602

This edition features stories on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building a water treatment facility in the An Nasiriyah region, Soldiers dropping cargo to troops by parachute and Soldiers taking part in a marriage enrichment class at Camp Taji. Hosted by Spc. John Sheldon.
Freedom Journal Iraq #602
Google Video copy of Freedom Journal Iraq #602

News Flash : Cojones Spotted on GOP House Leadership

The article sucks, but the story is friggin' sweet:

WASHINGTON - A House Republican leadership group said Monday that Democrats should retract an offer to let the nation's largest Islamic civil liberties organization use a Capitol conference room for a seminar.

The House Republican Conference referred to the Council on American-Islamic Relations as "terrorist apologists" and called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) to cancel the forum scheduled for Tuesday.

h/t : LGF