May 10, 2013

A new twitter feed has emerged claiming to be Omar Hammami aka Abu Mansoor Al-Amriki.

I had my doubts, so I've asked for pictures, proof, something.

But my gut says its not fake, if it is whomever is running the sock puppet has an extremely uncanny ability to imitate Omar.

And yeah you experts out there can second guess me, but that's a pretty tough game to win because I effing rock.

I'd left a little room,, although less than some, for Omar to survive because he's proven he has nine lives in the past. The longer he went without communicating the greater I felt the the chance he really was killed.

Now assuming this new feed works out, will anyone at all be able to talk sense into Hammami?

I doubt it, the Soap Opera ain't over yet.

Update: After further observation I'm leaning to forgery.

Due to the troll's behaviour over the weekend combined with another round phishing attacks against Jawa Report, add to that several reliable sources' doubts and one super reliable source saying that they've not heard a peep from Omar since the 3rd via any channel.

Add it all up and you get, *I was wrong and he's still missing.

*Yes I'm like totally gullible. Which is why I adhere to the observe over time method.

Quite amazing, she was able to find a place in there to survive.

Death Toll now at 1000.

May 07, 2013

Yahoo:

Three women who went missing separately about a decade ago were found Monday in a home just south of downtown and likely had been tied up during years of captivity, said police, who arrested three brothers. One of the women said she had been abducted and told a 911 dispatcher in a frantic call, "I'm free now."

May 01, 2013

Developing

BOSTON (WABC) -- Boston police say three additional suspects taken into custody in Marathon bombing case. Details to follow.

BREAKING NEWS - EARLIER STORY BELOW

Update: More here

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Three new suspects have been taken into custody in the Boston Marathon bombings investigation, the Boston Police Dept. tweeted Wednesday morning.

The development comes as investigators have continued to scrutinize two of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's classmates at UMass-Dartmouth.

>>SKYFOX live over Moakley federal courthouse in Boston

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's alleged associates are natives of Khazakstahn and have already been detained by U.S. immigration officials for alleged immigration violations.

Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev were in federal immigration court earlier Wednesday morning on those matters, a government source said; however, the court hearing was delayed.

Authorities were not immediately saying who the three detained were or if Tsarnaev's two classmates were part of the new group of suspects.

An attorney for Kadyrbayev has told media outlets that the two young men have been interviewed by FBI agents and that they were cooperating.

The Boston Police Dept. broke the news in a tweet, writing, "Three additional suspects taken into custody in Marathon bombing case. Details to follow."[More...]

Update III by Howie: Two of the suspects were already in custody on emigration issues.

They are identified as Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev:

The third person is a US citizen. I'm speculating its the wife of Tamarlan, because its said that she warned the bombers they were wanted. But that's pure speculation on my part. We'll update when their identity is confirmed.

Hat Tip: Laura.

Update IV by SH: Gov Deval Patrick was briefed and said the suspects helped after the fact and it was his belief that they had nothing to do with the bombing. I am also hearing the 3rd suspect is a male?

Update V by SH: U.S. Attorney's Office - District of MA:

Three men[Note 3rd is male..ed] arrested in connection with Boston Marathon bombing. Conspiring to obstruct justice and false statements charges.

Three men arrested in connection with Boston Marathon will appear in federal court at 3:30 in Courtroom 19. Overflow in #20.

Two men from Kazakhstan and a man from Cambridge were arrested and charged today in the Boston Marathon bombings investigation, federal prosecutors said.

Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev, both 19 and of New Bedford, were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice by plotting to dispose of a laptop computer and a backpack containing fireworks belonging to bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the US attorney’s office said in a statement.

Robel Phillipos, 19, of Cambridge was charged with making false statements to law enforcement officials in a terorism investigation, prosecutors said.

Tazhayakov and Kadyrbayev face maximum sentences of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Phillipos faces a maximum sentence of eight years and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.[More...]

Sick f**ks.

Update VII by SH: Criminal Complaint against Tazhayakov and Kadyrbayev [Phillipos included in complaint] here. I just started reading it.

Update VIII by SH: Criminal Complaint against Phillipos here. His full name is Robel Kidan Phillipos

As what was noted by FNC's Greta:

At this point in the criminal process, the prosecutor just charges with a couple counts to hold the suspects. When it goes to the grand jury, they are going to see a giant indictment!

April 22, 2013

I am hearing NYC may have been one of their targets.

Developing

Canadian police and intelligence agencies will announce later today they have thwarted a plot to carry out a major terrorist attack, arresting two suspects in Montreal and Toronto, CBC News has learned.

Highly placed sources tell CBC News the alleged plotters have been under surveillance for more than a year in Quebec and southern Ontario.

The arrests Monday morning were co-ordinated and executed by a special joint task force of RCMP and CSIS anti-terrorism units, combined with provincial and municipal police forces in Ontario and Quebec.

The RCMP are expected to hold a press conference Monday afternoon to announce the arrests and provide details of the alleged plot, and give an overview of the extensive police and intelligence operation.

Law enforcement officials say the terror suspects arrested today have no connection to the two brothers accused of last week's Boston Marathon bombings.

Update: Press conference is still on but this is what we have learned so far

The two suspects in an alleged terror plot in Canada, Chiheb Esseghaier and Raed Jaser, are accused of conspiring to murder people on a VIA train, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said. The RCMP said that while the suspects had the capacity to carry out an attack, the public was never in imminent danger.

UPDATE: Presser -- The perps were receiving support from elements of al-Qaeda in Iran.

UPDATE by Rusty: The plot was against a train traveling between Toronto and the U.S.

UPDATE by SH: Al-Qaeda in Iran leader is reportedly Muhsin al-Fadhli. Early last year he replaced Yasin al Suri. I guess Suri was bringing to much attention to the group. Ooops

UPDATE here

April 20, 2013

For Now

An indication of the complex investigation ahead came Friday night, when an Obama administration official told NBC News that Tsarnaev would not be given a Miranda warning when he is physically able to be interrogated after receiving medical treatment.

Instead, the official said, the government will invoke a legal rule known as the "public safety exception," which will enable investigators to question Tsarnaev without first advising him of his right to remain silent and to be afforded legal counsel.

The exemption can be invoked when information is needed to protect public safety. In this instance, the government believes it's vital to find out if Tsarnaev planted any other explosives before his capture or whether others might have plotted with him to do so, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

April 19, 2013

I'm watching this live. Could this be the end? Let's hope so.

Developing.....

UPDATE: Shots still being fired as we speak. Multiple shots heard......

UPDATE: Ambulance on the way. Speculation that suspect is down.

UPDATE: Boston's Fox 25 scrolling "2nd Suspect is Down on Franklin St" on screen.

UPDATE: A woman noticed blood on her boat, called the cops. Shootout happened when police arrived to investigate.

EOD is on the scene with a robot, presumably to go into the boat and see if there's a bomb in there.

UPDATE: I know the impulse is to pray that he's dead. Don't. Pray that he's alive. Dean men tell no tales.

UPDATE: Wow, Google Earth pays off. Here's the boat at 67 Franklins St. in Watertown. Looks like they don't move it much.

UPDATE: "Refusing to come out of boat". The worry is he has an IED on him. His brother did.

UPDATE: Robot approaching boat......

UPDATE: Possible flashbang grenades ..... series of 8 explosion sounds reported.

UPDATE by SH: He is in custody! CONFIRMED

Well done all capturing him alive

WATERTOWN — The man that police believe is responsible for placing the bombs that struck the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing 3 and injuring more than 170, is in custody after a standoff lasting nearly two hours in Watertown.

Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, was taken into custody shortly before 8:45 p.m.

“They got him. He’s in custody,” a state trooper told the media gathered in the neighborhood. A crowd of onlookers broke into applause.

Tsarnaev had been pinned down in a boat in the backyard of a home in Watertown, just outside the city. He was rushed to a local hospital.

Update by SH: Clarification at news conference concerning how he was found. A man called the Watertown PD after seeing him in his boat and stating he was full of blood. A police chopper used thermal imaging to verify he was indeed in the boat.

Bumped, scroll for newer posts Breaking now... one police officer is dead ....dark hat in the video released by the FBI is dead....white hat is on the loose in an area of Boston....shootouts have taken place, they were using hand grenades against the cops.

Update: Matt Damon... Suspects are two brothers, Chechens.

Updates JN: The Tsarnaev brothers robbed a 7-11 on the MIT campus at 10:20. A MIT University officer Sean Collier was found by police shot in his car minutes later and died in the hospital, ABC reported.

They carjacked an SUV at 11:00 pm. At 1:00 am, police find the men in the car and there is a shoot-out where the brothers also throw explosives and the older brother, Tamerlan, is killed. The younger Dzhokhar apparently escapes. ( Watch video of Boston firefight at Pat Dollard.) Residents throughout Boston are advised to shelter in place (see notice taped to doors overnight) Officials said they believe Dzhokhar Tsarnaev may be strapped with explosives.

WaPo Authorities shot and killed one suspect in Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings and were conducting a massive hunt for a second suspect in Watertown, Mass., Friday morning following a chaotic night that left one police officer dead and another critically wounded in the Boston suburbs.

The suspects — introduced to the world via photos and video footage Thursday night — are brothers, law enforcement officials said Friday morning. The one still at large was identified by law enforcement authorities as Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, of Cambridge.

Russian journalist @aavst reporting that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,19, was born in Chechen capital of Grozny, attended school in Dagestan before coming to US (via @BlakeHounshell) The family moved to Russia's Dagestan from Kyrgyzstan in 2001.

Via Good Lt: The older and now deceased brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev subscribed to "Allah is the One" YouTube channel 2 months ago. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was a boxer ( photos). The MIT police officer killed was 26.

8:35 am EST Police surrounding house in Watertown, gunfire and explosions heard. 9:00 am Shooting has ended at the scene in Watertown.

Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, as seen in new FBI photo:

2:30 pm: ABC reporting a Black Hawk Helicopter has landed at Dartmouth University where Dzhokhar Tsarnaev attended school. All universities in Boston were evacuated and closed earlier.

UPDATE By DMartyr: Dead suspect killed by gunshot and blast injuries. Rest in pieces.

UPDATE by Rusty: Looking at Tamerlan Tsarnaev's YouTube account one thing becomes very clear: these guys are radical Islamists.

First clue? Has a playlist entitled "Terrorists". The videos have been taken down, but the links and titles remain. They are videos of "Emir Abu Duzhana", formerly of The Islamic Emirate of the Cuacuses -- the al Qaeda affiliate in Chechnya.

UPDATE by Rusty: The vk.com website allegedly belonging to Dzhokhar is fake. VK -- or V'Kontakte -- is the Russian equivalent of Facebook. I happen to speak Russian and spent a year in college there, so I have a VK account, so I was able to check the veracity of the claims myself.

The first clue? Well, his last update was, um, today.

UPDATE by Rusty: The related twitter account also looks like a hoax.

At a news conference the Boston PD just clarified that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is still at large.

UPDATE by Rusty: Watching the friends and relatives interviewed I can't help but wonder: Are these people stupid?

The common response is something like, "He was such a nice guy. I can't believe he's a terrorist!"

People, if you think terrorists are "mean" or "loud" you watch too much TV. Homicidal killers are just like you and me. Nice most of the time.

They aren't louder than you and I. They don't necessarily spout off on every little thing.

They don't walk around stealing candy from babies, wheelchairs from the disabled, and abusing animals.

You ever watched a video of Osama bin Laden? He's pretty soft spoken.

Murderers and terrorists don't have a "vibe". There is no equivalent of the "gaydar" that will let your spidey-senses pick up on a potential terrorist.

Evil is mundane. It is banal. It comes in all shapes and sizes.

The day you realize this is the day you'll cease to be surprised when the nice guy next door turns out to be a terrorist.

UPDATE by Rusty: It looks like this is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev real twitter account.

Interesting enough, he tweeted after the bombings. Including, "LOL those people are cooked." Classy.

On a sidenote, the Kavkaz Center -- which is the voice of the Chechen jihad -- seems to have taken the line that the two brothers are terrorists and that what they did is a bad thing.

Why murdering a bunch of Russian kids is a good thing and killing a few American infidels is a bad thing they don't bother to explain.

UPDATE by Rusty: Still on the loose. I'm watching the latest presser and .... no new information.

But we do have word that there is a third suspect in custody who might have some connection, if not to the bombing then to the planning of the bombing.

I know this is probably obvious, but looking at Dzhokhar's Twitter account, I can't but help get the feeling that the two thought he could get away with it.

The casualness of the tweets. The fact that they came after the bombing. The other explosive devices.

Did this pair have a long term plan to spread terror? That's what my gut says.

Like I said, it's obvious, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

Oh my: As I wrote that I was watching the Boston CBS local affiliate and they just reported that one of the two brothers (don't know which one, I'll look that up ---UPDATE: Yup, it was Dzhokhar, the one brother still on the loose) went back to UMass Dartmouth after the bombing. That his friends saw him there as late as Wednesday.

So, it sounds to me like they thought they were going to get away with it ... and that they had gotten away with it.

Update by SH: Apparently 'Jahar', the terrorist on the run, is a 9/11 truther.

Note: He became a naturalized US citizen Nov. 12th of last year, 11 days after the above tweet.

WGRZ:

A high ranking source tells 2 On Your Side that the traffic stop in Niagara Falls this morning was routine, but police are searching items in the vehicle and residents are being asked to stay away from the area.

Police stopped the car at 19th and Elmwood in the Falls.

The vehicle has Massachusetts license plates.

A source earlier this morning said the two occupants were Russian nationals, but police now say that is not true.

April 17, 2013

Video of the explosion at the fertilizer plant.

Numerous injuries reported.

An arrest is reported to have been made.

We'll update with details when then become available.

April 15, 2013

Original post below the fold. New updates (Vinnie)

Video of the bombings from different angles. They say "graphic" but I don't think the Weekly Standard knows what that word thinks they think it means.

What would we do without Dianne Firearmstealer?

Update by SH: Dear Weekly Standard, this is ^GRAPHIC [NSFW: Below the fold AND try to tell me this is NOT terrorism]

BTW, anti-2nd Amendments nutz are trying to s;y a child from Sandy Hook died in the marathon.

Exploiting this is the worse kind of evil.

This is terrorism no matter if it be foreign or domestic. One bomb goes off and another one happens seconds later. It was meant to cause mass injuries/casualties. Only problem is those in the marathon stopped and didn't know what the hell happened as the next one went off. Mass injuries/casualties averted.

Sound familiar? We read about what happens all the time in Iraq and Afghanistan. AND, Yemen AND etc. etc. etc. The peoples run from a IED only to be caught up in a very lethal second IED.

THE MFM have failed to mention possible foreigners may be injured in the attack. Brits are waiting for word as well as Ireland

Relatives of the 347 British and 108 Irish runners taking part in the Boston marathon were waiting for news of their loved ones as survivors told of their horror at the blasts.

*graphic

WARNING:

This is Baghdad/Iraq ala Boston, Massachusetts:

Tell me again the above IS NOT TERRORISM.

My thoughts and prayers are with hima and his family and all those affected by this horrific terror attack.

Details are sketchy, but often times running shoes just don't explode unless Allah Wills it.

WCVB:

Two explosions have been reported near the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street as thousands of people gathered for the race, and there are reports of injuries.

The blasts happened at about 2:50 p.m. near the intersection of Boylston and Exeter streets. Witnesses said several victims lost limbs, and the area was being evacuated.

The first explosion happened across from the Lenox Hotel and the second blast was about 15 seconds later, witnesses said.

We'll update as more becomes available.

UPDATE by Rusty: I'm combining Howie and Matt Damon's post together.
--

Matt Damon: Update:

More here at CNN:

Double explosions of course are a hallmark of al-Qaeda but that would be speculation at this point. There is a known presence of Jihadi s there.

I've reports that Boston.com is live blogging but the site appears to be down.

UPDATE by Rusty: Over at Boston.com the usual suspects are warning us not to "jump to conclusions". I'm not sure at what point common sense became jumping to conclusions.

In any event, common sense says this is terrorism. Of course, common sense is sometimes wrong. Sometimes. But what makes common sense common? Well, it's usually right.

We're hearing that 12 or more are dead. NYPost:

A federal law-enforcement source told The Post there are at least 12 dead and twice as many injured.

Law-enforcement sources said at least the first explosion occurred in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel.

Fox News is reporting Boston Marathon bystanders saying they were struck by ball bearings during explosions

UPDATE: Local PD seem to have reeled the death toll back. I'm now hearing only 2 - 3 dead, with dozens injured.

I'd say thank God, but this also could be one of those instances where they don't want to give a number until all the casualties are confirmed. So, keep the victims in your prayers.

UPDATE: Reports say that at least two other explosive devices were found.

UPDATE: Trying to find a live TV feed I was forced to watch MSNBC until I found this livestream of the local Fox affiliate.

Apparently some news reports are claiming these are "pipe bombs". That's very hard to believe. I've made pipe bombs (as a kid). I never was able to produce an explosion this big. Not even close.

UPDATE: Via Ace, this from the NYPost:

Authorities have a identified a suspect, who is currently being guarded in a Boston hospital with shrapnel wounds.

If I had to merit a guess I'd say that they'll find the first bomb was made from something like a pressure cooker or a propane tank.

UPDATE: Watching Boston PD press conference live. Confirm that a third "incident" happened at the "JFK Library"

They are asking for the public's help in finding any one involved, which seemed to contradict the earlier Post report that a suspect was already in custody.

UPDATE: The Post is doubling down saying there is a suspect in custody, and that he's a Saudi national:

The suspect — a Saudi national who suffered shrapnel wounds in today's blast — is currently being guarded in a Boston hospital.

UPDATE:Lefties blame:

1. "patriots" (aka Tea Partiers)

2. "insurgents" (some libs think terrorists are legitimate fighters)

3. Anti-Gitmo activists.

UPDATE: Here's an insightful tweet, and parallels some speculation that I think DMartyr or Matt Damon made behind the scenes:

Small bombs in multiple locations. Sounds like the planned NYC subway bombing the FBI thwarted in 2009.

Also, word is the FBI are already calling this "terrorism".

A buddy of mine (no liberal, he) pointed out that the Saudi who is reportedly in custody may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Closest Arab to the scene of the crime.

I've no idea, but it would be ironic if he was a victim of racial profiling in one of America's most liberal cities?

UPDATE: Ok, two things to update. Over on Twitter there are a number of reports that the Boston PD is denying that any one is in custody. But the local Fox affiliate is reporting that the ATF and FBI just swarmed on Brigham and Women's hospital. Possibly they're just starting to get witness testimony after a mass briefing. But on the other hand ....

Secondly, The Jester noticed that there was a guy on the roof of the hotel when it exploded. Possible suspect? Or just some guy on the roof watching the marathon?

I've cut the image down to something more manageable.

Could just be some guy, but it's interesting nonetheless. On a related note, the FBI and Boston PD are seeking film spectators might have of the area before the explosion.

Random semantic thought by Rusty UPDATE: This was not a tragedy. This was an atrocity.

Tragedy is a passive word. It implies less than direct causation. It implies inevitability.

When someone dies from cancer when they are still in their 20s, that's tragic.

When someone is murdered, it's not a tragedy, it's an atrocity.

I hate when people call 9/11 or any other act of terror a tragedy. The word doesn't come close to being accurate or capturing the magnitude of the horror inflicted on the victims and on our nation.

UPDATE: President Obama just got on TV and told us that something bad happened in Boston and that the authorities would hold the perpetrators accountable.

Gee, that was so informative. Thank you President Obama!

Also, pretty much all the updates are me, Rusty. Howie went home or into a Hobbit hole or wherever he goes when we unshackle him from the desk we keep him chained to from 9 - 5 weekdays.

So, blame me, not him, for any typos or baseless speculation.

UPDATE: You know what word was missing from President O's presser? Terrorism.

You know, you'd have to be pretty stupid at this point to think this was something other than terrorism.

But you know what word he did use? Tragedy.

Maybe it's time to demand those college transcripts again?

UPDATE: CNN now reporting 90+ hurt, 2 killed.

UPDATE: And on cue:

“American blood isn’t more precious than Muslim blood,” said Mohammad al-Chalabi, who was convicted in an al-Qaeda-linked plot to attack US and other Western diplomatic missions in Jordan in 2003.

“Let the Americans feel the pain we endured by their armies occupying Iraq and Afghanistan and killing our people there,” he said early Tuesday.

April 11, 2013

Ever wonder who is running al-Shabaab's twitter feed?

Hayyy baby, how you doin'?

The Sun

Samantha Lewthwaite, dubbed the White Widow, called a terror chief “an irritating prat”.

Her target was high-profile fugitive Omar Hammami(sic) , who has a £3.3million price on his head.

Wanted Lewthwaite, 29, who was wed to 7/7 suicide bomber Jermaine Lindsay and is on the run in Africa, clashed with Hammadi online earlier this month.

April 09, 2013

Prepare to surrender your knives.

From Culture Map Houston:

At least 12 people have been injured in a Tuesday afternoon stabbing spree on the Cypress-Fairbanks campus of Lone Star College, according to KHOU Ch. 11.

While the Harris County Sheriff's Office has not confirmed the number of victims, officials say that a male suspect has been detained by Cy-Fair ISD police. A second suspect remains at large, according to a statement from the school.

Congresswoman DeGette commented that had one of the victims had a legally carried handgun, they probably would have been stabbed anyway.

Update: The suspect appears to be a long haired Ginger looking hippie type. Gingers have no souls you know.

April 05, 2013

The bad news the unemployment rate fell to 7.6.

How this bad?

Being oh say about 100,000 jobs short of all the BS they were saying this morning, 88,000. The drop in unemployment is more because of people falling off the rolls rather than the blistering Obamaconomy.

April 03, 2013

Details are still sketchy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Ft. Knox spokesman says the post lifted its lockdown just after 7 p.m., in the midst of a shooting investigation on post.

There was no word on casualties as of 7:25 p.m[More]

Prayers for those affected by this.

March 22, 2013

Whatever is done with these people, assuming they are found guilty. It won't be enough.

CNN: wo teenagers have been arrested in the shooting death of a 13-month-old boy who was in his stroller, according to police in Brunswick, Georgia.

The suspects are a 17-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, Police Chief Tobe Green told reporters Friday. He said they are being held on suspicion of first-degree murder.

The boy tried to grab her purse and opened fire when she said tried to tell him she had no money, West said, grazing her head. She said the boy then shot her in the leg.

She continued, "And then, all of a sudden, he walked over and he shot my baby in the face."

He is reported to be a member of a gang called the Midtown Goons. The profile matches the mugshot of Elkins.

He seems interested in money, may another dollar never pass through his hands.

Update: I'm not really getting why the MSM is leaving out Demarquise Money-ville Elkin's gang affiliations and quotes? What gives. Anyway I've saved the public portion of the Facebook page if anyone needs it.

Update II: Mommy alibi #FAIL.

he mother and the aunt of one of the two teenage boys accused of fatally shooting a 13-month-old boy in Brunswick, Georgia, last Thursday have been arrested by Brunswick Police, according to documents in the case.

Seventeen-year-old murder suspect De'Marquise Elkins' mother, Karimah Aisha Elkins, 36, and his aunt, Katrina Latrelle Elkins, 33, have been accused of "false statements or writings," and other charges, the complaint said.

March 20, 2013

Pun intended.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed landmark new gun laws on Wednesday expanding background checks on gun purchases and limiting the size of ammunition magazines, placing the traditionally firearm-friendly state among the handful to pass new restrictions in the wake of the shooting in Newtown, Conn.

I was going to say that this could possibly ruin his political career, but Colorado has been steadily overrun by liberals leaving California so who knows, really.

At any rate, this is going to cost Colorado jobs as companies like Magpul flee the state. So the headline stands.

March 13, 2013

Either they've chosen a Pope or else there is a party.

Congratulations to the New Pope and all the best to the Church of St. Peter.

Update: The new Pope is..Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina.

He has chosen Pope Francis the First as his papal name.

March 11, 2013

If you can get a Bronze Star for a great Power Point presentation on why we shouldn't burn Qurans, why not one for exceptional use of Moveable Type for defending the troops from accusations of war crimes? Or grammar checking a Word document on why Islam is a religion of peace above and beyond the call of duty?

Hell, why stop there?

One time I literally threw myself on some antisemitic comments made by a troll, thus saving the comments section from blowing up. That's a Congressional Medal of Honor right there if ever one was deserved.

But seriously, what has happened to our military where they consider a Power Point presentation an act of valor worthy of distinction?

February 15, 2013

CNN:

A meteor streaked through the skies above Russia's Urals region Friday morning, before exploding with a flash and boom that shattered glass in buildings and left hundreds of people hurt.

Twitter post showing Zinc Factory struck

The number of injured continues to rise as new reports come in from across a wide area.

As of noon Moscow time, as many as 725 people had sought medical help, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.

Deputy Health Minister Igor Kagramanyan said 571 people had sought medical help, with 34 of them hospitalized, according to state-news agency Itar-Tass.

Another asteroid will be approaching Earth at a distance if 17K miles a little after 2:00 pm US eastern.

Given that many asteroids have large boulders held by weak gravity and also these events close proximity, I'm speculating that 2012-DA14 could have many companion objects in its orbit, possibly from a prior collision. Obviously the public statements of no danger at all were less than accurate, although we know the large asteroid will not strike Earth. Its possible there are other unknown objects.

More video below the fold.

Update: Actual astronomers say my speculation is wrong, that the meteor that struck Russia came from a different direction than the asteroid due to pass Earth here in a few minutes.

What struck Russia is part of a phenomenon called February Fireballs.

But what the hell would they know?

December 27, 2012

If we would all pray for GHWB.

Former President George H.W. Bush continues to fight a stubborn fever in the intensive care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital.

“Following a series of setbacks including a persistent fever, President Bush was admitted to the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital on Sunday where he remains in guarded condition,” Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath revealed in a prepared statement. “Doctors at Methodist continue to be cautiously optimistic about the current course of treatment. The president is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family.”

December 21, 2012

RTV6:

Three people have been arrested in the explosion on Indianapolis' south side that killed two neighbors and damaged dozens of homes, RTV6 has learned.

Monserrate Shirley and her boyfriend, Mark Leonard, who lived in the home, along with Leonard's brother, Robert Leonard, were arrested Friday on numerous charges, including murder and arson.

December 19, 2012

Everyone wave buh bye to Westboro and hope they have a shitty trip back to Kansas.

December 14, 2012

****STICKY***** for awhile. Scroll down for newer posts

We will be updating.

From CBS:

NEWTOWN, Conn. (CBS Connecticut/AP) — CBS News is reporting that 27 people are dead, including 14 students, after a shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. The gunman is among the dead.

CBS News’ John Miller reports there is preliminary information that the gunman was the father of one of the students. Miller additionally reports the gunman is 20 years old and is from New Jersey.

Fox is reporting 18 of the dead are children.

UPDATE by SH: A news conference was just held. No more info available about the dead and wounded until their families have been contacted.

UPDATE again by SH: Unconfirmed report: An entire kindergarten class unaccounted for.

Update By Howie: Killer identified as Ryan Lanza.

Update by Howie: We've some more information. We are also researching behind the scenes as well. Due to the fog of everyone running with this or that the 2 source rule apparently doesn't work in cases like these. So I've decided to just link and quote wire services until the fog clears a bit.

AP:

A law enforcement official says the suspect in the Connecticut school shootings is 24-year-old Ryan Lanza and that his younger brother is being held for questioning as a possible second shooter. The law enforcement official says the boys' mother, Nancy Lanza, works at the school as a teacher.

The official also said Ryan Lanza's girlfriend and another friend are missing in New Jersey.

There are even questions now as to weather the ID with the name found on the shooter is even correct. We'll update as things clear up a bit. NY Post is reporting the shooter as named Adam not Ryan.

SooperMexican has more on the confusion here. If these leads pan out the original Facebook image was of a victim who lost family.

The murdered principal has been identified as one Dawn Hochsprung.

Update: AP agrees that first Facebook page reported by many outlets was brother of the shooter Adam. There are now reports that the man killed at the residence was not the father. I can't confirm this at this time.

Update by SH: 18 children died at the school and 2 died later of their injuries at the hospital

December 11, 2012

Breaking.

Live stream via @KGWNews

(Note: At other times of day, and during newscast commercial breaks, the live stream feed will be blank)

Update:

PORTLAND– At least three people were shot and a suspect was "neutralized" inside the Clackamas Town Center mall Tuesday, police said. At least one person was killed.

Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies said it was an "active shooting call" around 3:30 p.m. and urged people to stay away from the area. Deputies said the suspect had been "neutralized" at a news conference.[More...]

December 08, 2012

Killed while eating his waffles..

A senior al-Qaida official and potential successor to the group’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed Friday morning in a Predator drone strike, according to reports on jihadi web forums and U.S. officials.

Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdul Rehman Al-Hussainan, aka Abu-Zaid al Kuwaiti, was killed in Pakistan while eating breakfast, according to the accounts. The 46-year-old cleric was seen as part of the “very top tier" of al-Qaida's remaining leaders in the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden, according to one expert on the terror group.

The news was first announced on an al-Qaida web forum early Friday. “We celebrate to you the news of the martyrdom of the working scholar Shaykh Khalid al-Hussainan (Abu Zaid al-Kuwaiti) while eating his Suhoor (dawn time) meal, and we ask Allah to accept him in paradise," a post said.

Evan Kohlmann, an NBC News counterterrorism analyst, said al-Hussainan was at the forefront of a new wave of al-Qaida leadership.

“That's a big gap in the leadership,” said Kohlmann, who is also a Justice Department consultant. “He was the last senior Al-Qaida leader in the Afghanistan-Pakistan area who was, one, from the Arabian Peninsula and, two, who had serious clerical credentials. Now there is no obvious publicly recognizable candidate left to succeed Zawahiri.”

In recent years, al-Hussainan was seen in numerous al-Qaida videos offering religious training to the group’s operatives. The videos were widely circulated by al-Shabab, al-Qaida’s media wing. He also authored several books of religious thoughts.

November 21, 2012

There are a few details available, so far there are no reports of anyone killed although some are said to be seriously injured. There was also a second device on the bus that failed to explode, thus probably limiting the casualties.

A man threw a bag onto the bus as it was passing by near an Israeli Defense Ministry office.

CNN: Israeli television showed images of white smoke rising up from the bombed public transportation bus in Tel Aviv, but from the outside the vehicle appeared intact. At least one passenger was taken out on a stretcher.

An unexploded bomb was still on the bus, said Ofir Gendelman, spokesman for the Israeli prime minister.

November 17, 2012

Washington Guardian

In a blockbuster report John Solomon confirms what we all suspected.....President Obama knew.

U.S. intelligence told President Barack Obama and senior administration officials within 72 hours of the Benghazi tragedy that the attack was likely carried out by local militia and other armed extremists sympathetic to al-Qaida in the region, officials directly familiar with the information told the Washington Guardian on Friday.

Based on electronic intercepts and human intelligence on the ground, the early briefings after the deadly Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya identified possible organizers and participants. Most were believed to be from a local Libyan militia group called Ansar al-Sharia that is sympathetic to al-Qaida, the official said, while a handful of others was linked to a direct al-Qaida affiliate in North Africa known as AQIM.

November 14, 2012

This is just breaking. Apparently, Petraeus contacted the CIA and congressional committees and wants to testify on the Benghazi clusterf*ckup.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus has agreed to testify before the House and Senate intelligence committees, Fox News has learned.

After Petraeus' resignation, lawmakers complained that the scandal was no reason they shouldn't hear from the man at the helm of the CIA when CIA operatives came under attack alongside State Department employees in Benghazi last month.

The logistics of Petraeus' appearance are still being worked out. But a source close to Petraeus said the former four-star general has contacted the CIA, as well as committees in both the House and Senate, to offer his testimony as the former CIA director.

Fox News has learned he is expected to speak off-site to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Friday about his Libya report. The House side is still being worked out[...]

While Petraeus prepares to give his side, lawmakers have begun to openly question when Petraeus first knew about the investigation that uncovered his affair -- and whether it impacted his statements to Congress on Sept. 14 about the Libya terror attack.

Petraeus briefed lawmakers that day that the attack was akin to a flash mob, and some top lawmakers noted to Fox News he seemed "wedded" to the administration's narrative that it was a demonstration spun out of control. The briefing appeared to conflict with one from the FBI and National Counterterrorism Center a day earlier in which officials said the intelligence supported an Al Qaeda or Al Qaeda-affiliated attack.[More...]

#Benghazi: US Foreign Policy and the Influence of Shariah Doctrine
Did #Petraeus 'Mistress' Reveal 'Classified Information' on #Benghazi?
'Secret' CIA 'Blacksite' (Interrogation Center) Possible Cause For Attack To Free Prisoners
Hillary Clinton Declines To Testify Next Week On #Benghazi Due To Scheduling Conflict
House Panel to Hold Hearing on #Benghazi Terror Attack With Top Obama Intel Advisers
#Benghazi Terror Attack Suspect List Expands To Include Egyptians, Al Qaeda in Iraq
The Innocence of Muslims Film Maker Will Spend 1 yr In Jail
Officials: Cable Warning of #Benghazi Vulnerability Would Have Gone To White House
Vote Tuesday, Because They Can't
What Laser Capability Did #Benghazi Team Have?
Axelrod on #Benghazi: I Know Nothing, Honest
Obama Administration's LEAD #Benghazi Investigator Slams America and Islamophobes
CPMA Study: Media Framed #Benghazi In Obama's Terms
Sources, emails point to communication breakdown in Obama administration during Libya attack[CIA timeline released by the agency on Thursday]
Senator McCain: Veterans Angy About Benghazi
Sources: Key Task Force Not Convened During Benghazi Attack
Oversight Queries Clinton on New Documents Indicating Involvement of Libyan Government Personnel in Benghazi Attacks
FP Exclusive: What We Found in Benghazi: The Troubling Documents The FBI Missed
Arab TV Exposes Lax Security At Benghazi Prior to Ambassador Stevens Arrival
Pat Caddell On FNC Discussing Benghazi & MSM Coverage
FNC Exclusive: A Month Prior to Attack a Classified Cable WARNED Benghazi Consulate Couldn't Withstand a Coordinated Attack
Terror in Benghazi: Emerging Facts
Fallen Former SEAL Ty Woods Family On Fox
Video: Benghazi Story and MSM
Rep McKeon Wants Answers on Benghazi
US Army Motto: See No (Islamist) Evil?
Obama Can't Bring Himself To Call Benghazi Attackers "Terrorists"
#Benghazi: Fallen SEAL's Father: Hillary Told Me 'We're Going to Arrest & Prosecute ... The Man That Made The Mo Video' At Funeral
Benghazi Terror Attack: Emails To WH Show There Were NO Mohammed Video Reference
'Within Hours' St Dept Emails Show Obama Administration Knew Benghazi Attack Was Claimed By Al Qaeda Terror Group
Report: Top Suspect In Benghazi Attack STILL Has Not Been Questioned
St Dept Confirms Marines on 9/11/2012 Were Protecting Embassy in Barbados
6/6/2012 Attack on US Consulate in Benghazi by the Brigades of the Imprisoned Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman (Blind Sheikh)
Rep Kelly: Benghazi Security Cut While Vienna Embassy Gained Chevy Volts
Rep Trey Kelly: Carney, Rice Gave 'Demonstrably False Statements' on Benghazi Attack
Today's Hearings on the Security Failures at Benghazi Compound
Email Shows Obama's St Dept Rejecting Security Teams Request to Retain DC-3 at US Embassy in Libya
White House 9/14/2012 Photo of the Day
UK Media: America Was Warned of Embassy Attack And Did Nothing
[Bumped]CIA DIA Denied Help For Consulate - Fallen SEALs Denied Requests For Security Backup
Rid The World 'Of Those Savages'
Third American Murdered in Benghazi Attack Identified As Former Navy SEAL Glen Doherty
Was SOFREP Contributor, Co-Wrote 21st Century Sniper w Brandon Webb
4th American Murdered Identified As
Former Navy SEAL Tyrone S. Woods
US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens Murdered in Benghazi Libya
Confirmed: FSO Sean Smith Also Killed
Report: Libyan Ansar al-Sharia Has Claimed Responsibility For Attack
US: Attack Was Planned
[Bumped]

November 12, 2012

It's about time:

[Twitchy]WCNC reporter Dianne Gallagher is reporting that FBI agents are entering David Petraeus biographer Paula Broadwell’s home tonight, carrying in evidence bags and taking photos:

Dianne Gallagher:
BREAKING: Confirmed the agents at Paula Broadwells home are with FBI. Brought bags & boxes, taking photos @wcnc pic.twitter.com/nXZ5u4Ke

I see agents snapping photographs in 1st floor room of Paula Broadwell home. They brought in large evidence boxes, huge black duffel bags.

What appears to be agents taking photos of Paula Broadwell home @wcnc. #dilworth pic.twitter.com/raaA0KUk

@DavidSpuntWBTV
First time light has been on in Paula Broadwell's house since scandal broke. About ten investigators inside @WBTV_News pic.twitter.com/DQXVWRaQ

Update:

@CNBC
FBI agents are at the home of Paula Broadwell in Charlotte; law enforcement official says it's a consensual search, not a raid - NBC

Nothing to see here, move along..

[But]Most likely related:

Did #Petraeus 'Mistress' Reveal 'Classified Information' on #Benghazi?
'Secret' CIA 'Blacksite' (Interrogation Center) Possible Cause For Attack To Free Prisoners Broadwell's Website & FB Page Scrubbed From Net

Must.keep.our.focus.on.Benghazi

Previous:

Report: FBI Agent in #Petraeus Case Under Scrutiny For Sending Shirtless Pictures Of Himself..
Breaking David Petraeus Resigns as Head of CIA

November 09, 2012

No, I'm not kidding.

[Update 11/12/12: Petraeus's mistress, Paula Broadwell's, Home raided by FBI]

UPDATE: I hope she was hot. Vinnie thinks her name was something like "Benghazi".

Hat Tip: Vinnie.

UPDATE by SH: Per CBS WH correspondent Mark Knoller:

Senate Intelligence Committee says Petraeus will not testify at next week’s closed hearing on the events in Benghazi

11/10/12 UPDATE by SH: Meet Paula Broadwell, Petraeus mistress.

Also, Broadwell was apparently under investigation for trying to access Petraeus's email

The biographer for resigning CIA Director David Petraeus is under FBI investigation for improperly trying to access his email and possibly gaining access to classified information, law enforcement officials told NBC News on Friday.

Yesterday, the Obamamedia showed they could do investigative journalism unlike their reporting on the terror attack in Benghazi. Was it because of the way they feel about Petraeus?

Flashback to 2007, Obama skipped Senate vote to condemn MoveOn's General Betray Us ad. Hillary voted against it.

The resolution condemning the ad was sponsored by conservative Republican John Cornyn of Texas. Voting against it were Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut.

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, another contender for the Democratic nomination, did not vote, although he voted minutes earlier for an alternative resolution by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. That resolution condemned the MoveOn ad as an "unwarranted personal attack," but also condemned political attack ads that questioned the patriotism of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and former Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga., both Vietnam veterans.

UPDATE by SH: Hmmmmmm, this investigation has been going on for a long time:

Ronald Kessler reporting from Washington, D.C. — The resignation of David H. Petraeus as CIA director followed an FBI investigation of many months, raising the question of why he was not forced out until after the election[...].

Still, the White House, with concurrence by the FBI and Justice Department, held off on asking for Petraeus’ resignation until after the election. His resignation occurred three days after the election, avoiding the possibility that Obama’s ill-fated appointment of Petraeus could become an issue in the election.

FBI agents on the case were aware that such a decision had been made to hold off on forcing him out until after the election and were outraged.

“The decision was made to delay the resignation apparently to avoid potential embarrassment to the president before the election,” an FBI source says. “To leave him in such a sensitive position where he was vulnerable to potential blackmail for months compromised our security and is inexcusable.”

Related:
Who authorized FBI surveillance of Gen. Petraeus?

November 06, 2012

I was wrong. The professional statisticians were better than my amateur go. Obama looks like he's going to win.

What do we have to look forward to?
Trillion dollar deficits every year for the next four years.
Massive tax hikes.
Lower standard of living for the next generation.

Canada isn't sounding so bad anymore. Or, better yet, what are the prospects of Alaska actually secceeding?

October 26, 2012

[Bumped, scroll down for newer]

Developing... Update: FOX

Fox News has learned from sources who were on the ground in Benghazi that three urgent requests from the CIA annex for military back-up during the attack on the U.S. Consulate and subsequent attack nearly seven hours later were denied by officials in the CIA chain of command -- who also told the CIA operators to "stand down" rather than help the ambassador's team when shots were heard at approximately 9:40 p.m. in Benghazi on Sept. 11.

Former Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were part of a small team who were at the CIA annex about a mile from the U.S. Consulate where Ambassador Chris Stevens and his team came under attack. When they heard the shots fired, they radioed to inform their higher-ups to tell them what they were hearing. They were told to "stand down," according to sources familiar with the exchange. An hour later, they called again to headquarters and were again told to "stand down."

Woods, Doherty and at least two others ignored those orders and made their way to the Consulate which at that point was on fire. Shots were exchanged. The quick reaction force from the CIA annex evacuated those who remained at the Consulate and Sean Smith, who had been killed in the initial attack. They could not find the ambassador and returned to the CIA annex at about midnight.

At that point, they called again for military support and help because they were taking fire at the CIA safe house, or annex. The request was denied. There were no communications problems at the annex, according those present at the compound. The team was in constant radio contact with their headquarters. In fact, at least one member of the team was on the roof of the annex manning a heavy machine gun when mortars were fired at the CIA compound. The security officer had a laser on the target that was firing[see update on laser below fold..ed] and repeatedly requested back-up support from a Specter gunship, which is commonly used by U.S. Special Operations forces to provide support to Special Operations teams on the ground involved in intense firefights. The fighting at the CIA annex went on for more than four hours -- enough time for any planes based in Sigonella Air base, just 480 miles away, to arrive. Fox News has also learned that two separate Tier One Special operations forces were told to wait, among them Delta Force operators

[READ IT ALL]

Update II: Video added [Prof Jacobson: "No, the CIA is not going to take the fall for Obama on Libya-gate"]

Update III: Ty Woods father was on the phone with Megyn Kelly: "I only wish those in the White House who made the call not to help my son would have had the same moral courage as my son displayed" [Update: video below of the interview]

“I Do Not Appreciate Cowardice, And I Do Not Appreciate Lies”: Father of Former Navy SEAL Killed in Libya Attack Reacts to Learning His Son Disobeyed Orders to Save Fellow Americans"

Note: Meghn Kelly just noted a correction from the interview. Former SEAL Doherty flew in from Tripoli with the rapid response team and was delayed at the Benghazi airport because of arguments among the Libya military of some sort as to who would escort them.

God Bless this man, how heartbreaking this news must be for him let alone others that are just know learning this. Obamamedia will likely not be interested in this.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the heroes families.

Related:
#Benghazi: Fallen SEAL's Father: Hillary Told Me 'We're Going to Arrest & Prosecute ... The Man That Made The Mo Video' At Funeral

At Blackflag a retired Delta operator had this to say to about the 'laser on target'

One of the former SEALs was actively painting the target. That means that Specter WAS ON STATION! Probably an AC130U. A ground laser designator is not a briefing pointer laser. You do not "paint" a target until the weapons system/designator is synched; which means that the AC130 was on station.

Only two places could have called off the attack at that point; the WH situation command (based on POTUS direction) or AFRICOM commander based on information directly from the target area.

October 21, 2012

Developing...

Via Jordan News Agency

Amman, Oct. 21 (Petra) -- The General Intelligence Department has foiled a major terrorist plot while in the planning and preliminary stages. The plot by a group of 11 terrorists associated with the ideology of Al Qaeda, was designed to target and carry out attacks against vital targets in Jordan including shopping centers, residential areas, diplomats and foreign nationals.

The objective of the plot, labeled as 9/11 (2) in reference to the Amman hotel bombings of 2005, was to cause chaos and anarchy and spread fear among the population, setting the stage for further operations to follow. The group had intended to take advantage of what they believed was the Intelligence "preoccupation" with other files, to carry out their plans.

The terrorist group made comprehensive preparations to carry out their crimes against selected targets. They performed surveillance and casing of these potential targets and laid plans for execution using explosives, booby-trapped cars as well as submachine guns and mortars.

The group, under constant surveillance at every stage by GID, experimented with explosives after procuring basic material and consulting with senior explosives' experts from Al Qaeda in Iraq through terrorist websites.

Their objective was to create a highly destructive explosive that would cause the highest number of casualties and extensive physical damage. They had planned to bring TNT explosives and mortar shells from Syria, exploiting the ongoing crisis there.

[ Continue reading]

Information Minister Samih Maayatah told a news conference, meanwhile, that the 11 suspects had entered Jordan from neighbouring Syria.

"The prisoners came across the border from Syria and were caught red-handed," he said, adding that authorities seized weapons and maps showing the locations of the sites they planned to attack.,

"They will face two charges: conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts and possession of explosives," said the source who declined to be named. The charges carry the death penalty.

Update: The US Embassy in Amman among the targets the terrorists wanted to hit. Gee, what did Obama say? alQaeda on the run?

[WaPo]A Western official briefed on details of the plot confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Amman was among the targets

September 30, 2012

Developing

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – Police say two people are dead and another is injured after a shooting at a central Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Winter Springs Police said a charity motorcycle ride was supposed to depart from the post when the shooting broke out Sunday morning while the riders were eating breakfast. The Orlando Sentinel reports an unknown number of armed men came in and began firing. It's unclear if any of the attendees shot back.

September 28, 2012

ACE:

Guy shot himself. People like seeing sudden violence. It's all very shocking if you have the innocence of a five year old, or like pretending you do.

In fact if the TEE VEE watching public was never shown the truth of the brutality of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The deaths of Tom Fox, Paul Johnson and so many others, many of which were not Americans. But no, one person offs himself in a tame almost sterile sequence and OUTRAGE.

What would these folks do with themselves has the press had the balls to actually show the truth of what happened in Iraq, Afghanistan and Chechnya.

The feed is below the fold for those of you who missed it and want to know what all the fuss is about.

September 12, 2012

The US ambassador to Lybia J. Christopher Stevens was murdered by Islamic militants on the 11th anniversary of 9/11. May he rest in peace. Three other staffers were also murdered in the attack.

Update by SH: Foreign Service Information Officer Sean Smith confirmed as one of the three others killed:

Sean Smith was a husband and a father of two, who joined the Department ten years ago. Like Chris, Sean was one of our best. Prior to arriving in Benghazi, he served in Baghdad, Pretoria, Montreal, and most recently The Hague.

"(12:54:09 PM) vile_rat: assuming we don't die tonight. We saw one of our 'police' that guard the compound taking pictures."

We pray for the families of those murdered and that justice is served on those who attack the United States.

CNN:

The United States ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed in a rocket attack on the U.S. Consulate in the city of Benghazi on Tuesday, President Obama said Wednesday.

"I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens," Obama said in a statement.

"Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States," Obama said.

The other three victims were American security staff, said a contractor working at the mission, who asked not to be named for security reasons.

He said he saw all four bodies on the street Wednesday morning.

Libyan officials also blamed the attack on former elements of the Gadhafi regime. A claim that is also very dubious.

The reports are that he was killed by a rocket attack. I'm not sure but this image appears to show the ambassador's body in the hands of the attackers(also here). And all the staffers were drug into the streets according to reports.

I've some video of the scene below the fold. May those who murdered Ambassador Stevens and our citizens be brought to justice.

We will add updates as more information becomes available.

Update II: Its worth noting that al-Zawahiri called for revenge for the death of Abu Yahya al-Libi in a video message also timed close to the 9/11 anniversary.[Update by SH]:

According to al-Sharef[Libyan Interior Ministry..ed], the angry mob stormed the consulate after the U.S. troops who responded fired rounds into the air to try and disperse the crowd. Al-Sharef said there had been threats that Islamic militants might try to take revenge for the death of al Qaeda's No. 2 commander Abu Yahya al-Libi, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan in June, and he said the U.S. consulate should have been better protected.

Confirming al-Libi's death for the first time in a video posted online Monday, al Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahri called on Muslim's in al-Libi's native Libya to take revenge for his death.

He said Stevens, 52, and other officials were moved to a second building - deemed safer - after the initial wave of protests at the consulate compound. According to al-Sharef, members of the Libyan security team seem to have indicated to the protesters the building to which the American officials had been relocated, and that building then came under attack.

Update IV: Apparently, the Libyan jihadi group, Ansar al-Sharia, has claimed responsibility for the attack

There have been indications in recent months that radical, armed Islamic groups have gained a foothold in Libya since the fall of the Qaddafi regime.

One of the groups to emerge in post-revolution Libya, Ansar al-Sharia, claimed responsibility Wednesday for the attack in Benghazi, which has been condemned by the country's new government.

Update V (Jane): Meet the Ambassador, in his own words:

Update VI by SH: What we have thought all along, the attack on the embassy was planned and the movie was used as an excuse:

CNNBut U.S. sources told CNN on Wednesday that the Benghazi attack was planned, and the attackers used the protest outside the consulate as a diversion. The sources could not say whether the attackers instigated the protest or merely took advantage of it, and they say they don't believe Stevens was specifically targeted.

A senior U.S. official familiar with the details of the attack said a rocket-propelled grenade set the building ablaze, leaving the Americans facing a fire inside and attackers outside. Stevens and the others who died were separated from the rest of the staff while trying to escape to the roof of the building and succumbed to smoke inhalation, the senior official said.

Final moments of Chris Stevens, US Ambassador to Libya. He died of wounds after mob and Islamist attacked Ud embassy in Benghazi with rocket launchers

Update VII by SH: Yes, I think so:[h/t Mean Kitteh]Did Libyan Security Forces Assist In Embassy Attack?

California-born ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed in the assault, but it was not clear how or where he died. U.S. consular staff were rushed to a safe house after the initial attack, Libya’s Deputy Interior Minister Wanis Al-Sharif said[...]

An evacuation plane with U.S. commandos units then arrived from Tripoli to evacuate them from the house.

“It was supposed to be a secret place and we were surprised the armed groups knew about it

Update by SH: Sigh: 12 Photos Of Libyans Apologizing To Americans

Yet another update by SH: U.S. evacuates staff from Benghazi, cuts Tripoli embassy staff to unspecified "emergency" levels

Yet another update by SH: In a volatile area this administration feels one would be safe with a lock and key. Apology tour FAIL and 4 of our own died because of it.

No Marines, no bulletproof windows. No nothing-- except "lock and key security," also known as "no security."

The administration "explains" this by saying it was an "interim facility." Apparently you don't have to fear attacks at an "interim facility." It's like a Church in the Highlander series.

Except it's not.

But it would be crude politics to say something like "Obama should have provided security at the 'interim facility.'"

How was he to know there was any danger? It's not like Benghazi has long been a, what are the right words?, an Al Qaeda stronghold or anything.

Oh wait. That's right, it always has been an Al Qaeda stronghold.

Now he's sending in ships and helicopters and Marines.[More, Ace is on a roll on the SCOAMF]

Update, again: No new information to speak of in this briefing. There is still no timeline on what happened to Ambassador Stevens after the attack and when they finally received his body several hours later: Briefing by Senior Administration Officials to Update Recent Events in Libya

Oh, and the AP of terrorists has identified the "real name" of the manager of the company that made the Mohammad film. Gee, who gives a flying f**k. He didn't kill Ambassador Stevens, Mr Smith and the two others. ROPMA did, dammit to hell!

August 24, 2012

Developing

I am hearing the gunman, now dead, was fired and came back to his former work place and started shooting indiscriminately.

Update:

A dispute between coworkers exploded into gunfire outside the Empire State Building this morning — with the guman killing an innocent bystander before he was fatally shot by police, sources said.

There were a total of 10 people struck — and the 9 a.m. shooting sent panicked pedestrians scrambling from the jam-packed intersection of 34th Street and Fifth Avenue[...]

It’s unclear what sparked the deadly argument, which happened in the heart of the morning rush on a street loaded with commuters and tourists.

The two men fought right on the sidewalk before one suddenly drew his weapon and opened fire.

Responding NYPD cops fatally shot the gunman.

August 15, 2012

FRC.org:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments after an FRC security guard was shot this morning:

"The police are investigating this incident. Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today. Our concern is for him and his family."

Yesterday they mourned the loss of Nellie Gray, founder of the March for Life.

The group is described by leftists as, you know, hateful due to their opposition to gay marriage. See here, here and here. The group has drawn special disdain from Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs.

More on the incident here at the Washington Examiner.

Two people, including one security guard, were shot at the office of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., this morning.

“The police are investigating this incident,” said FRC President Tony Perkins in a statement on the shooting. “Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today. Our concern is for him and his family.”

The shooter was also reportedly shot, according to a local news report, which notes that the FBI is at the scene.

sometimes good people just love so very much — and hate hate with such a burning, righteous hatred — that they make these kinds of principled mistakes.

The suspect "made statements regarding their policies, and then opened fire with a gun striking a security guard," a source told Fox News. WJLA-TV7 reported the suspect was also shot.

Authorities were treating the attack as a case of domestic terrorism.

Hat Tip: Ace.

Take these reports with a grain of salt, but just one grain. Methinks you're not going to need the whole shaker.

UPDATE by Rusty: His name seems to be Floyd Corkin. Here's a pic.

It's looking more and more like this nut was outraged over the FRC's backing of the policy stance on gay marriage which President Obama was elected on.

Updated by Howie 08/16/12 at 07:32 cdt:

CBS: A man suspected of shooting and wounding a security guard in the lobby of a Christian lobbying group had been volunteering at a community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

..David Mariner is executive director of The DC Center for the LGBT Community. He says Corkins had been volunteering at the center for about the past 6 months. Mariner describes Corkins as "kind, gentle and unassuming."

While police have not yet stated what motivated Corkins, a coalition of 25 gay rights groups released a statement through GLAAD condemning the shooting.

"The motivation and circumstances behind today's tragedy are still unknown, but regardless of what emerges as the reason for this shooting, we utterly reject and condemn such violence. We wish for a swift and complete recovery for the victim of this terrible incident," the statement read.

make no mistake: the Family Research Council is, and remains, a far right hate group, trafficking in bigotry and religious fanaticism in order to deprive gay people of human rights. “Hate group” is the correct term for what they are, and no one should stop referring to them as such

Of course one could rewrite Chucky's statement on reverse to show that those who support gay marriage are intolerant haters of Strait, religious and center-right folk.