Phoenix Sniper update 7/28/2006

Phoenix police continue their efforts to inform the public about a pair of serial predators in metropolitan Phoenix. Phoenix police are looking for at least two serial killers, the "Baseline Killer" has been linked to a series of sexual assaults, robberies and six killings. The "Serial Shooter" has been definitively connected to four incidents - the Dec. 29 wounding of a man and the shootings of several dogs and a horse. But, the shooter is believed responsible for five killings and 17 shootings targeting people, including a nonfatal Saturday shooting of a Mesa, Arizona man riding his bicycle to work.

Phoenix police have compiled a list of sniper related shootings on their department website:

The lead homicide detective at Phoenix Police Department has advised on this case that as this investigation on a series of possibly related shootings continues, incidents have been added to this list, making it a total of 34 possibly related incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call Phoenix Police at 602-262-6141 or Silent Witness.

Incidents:

1.Phoenix - 700 W Camelback Rd...............05-24-05, 0030hrs - Homicide
2.Phoenix - 1610 N 83rd Ave......................06-26-05, 0108hrs - Criminal Damage Shooting
3.Tolleson - 1500 N 83rd Ave.....................06-29-05, 0332hrs - Homicide
4.Tolleson - 504 N Georgia Way.................06-29-05, 0850hrs - Animal Shooting
5.Tolleson - 204 W Alzora Way...................07-19-05, 1800-0530hrs - Animal Shooting
6.Phoenix - 3002 n 87th Ave.......................07-20-05, 0008hrs - Animal Shooting
7.Avondale - 2311 N 107th Ave...................07-25-05, 1900-0140hrs - Animal Shooting
8.Tolleson - 907 N Alzora Way....................07-25-05, unk time - Animal Shooting
9.Tolleson - 901 N Lizanne Way.................08-05-05, unk time - Animal Shooting
10.Phoenix - 6828 W Heatherbrae Dr.......08-06-05, 1234hrs - Animal Shooting
11.Glendale - 5001 N 61st Dr......................11-11-05, 2145hrs - Animal Shooting
12.Glendale - 5102 N 65th Ave...................11-11-05, 2148hrs - Animal Shooting
13.Phoenix - 3029 E Glenrosa Ave.............12-29-05, 2223hrs - Animal Shooting
14.Phoenix - 900 W Woodland Ave............12-29-05, 2339hrs - Shooting
15.Phoenix - 200 N 10th Ave......................12-29-05, 2339hrs - Homicide
16.Phoenix - 100 S 10th Ave.......................12-29-05, 2339hrs - Homicide
17.Phoenix - 3401 E Granada Rd................12-30-05, 0010hrs - Animal Shooting
18.Phoenix - 3400 E Van Buren St.............12-30-05, 0015hrs - Shooting
19.Phoenix - 2802 N 34th St.......................12-30-05, unk time - Animal Shooting
20.Phoenix - 4000 W Camelback Rd.........03-10-06, 0130hrs - Shooting
21.Phoenix - 427 N 44th St..........................05-02-06, 2205hrs - Shooting
22.Scottsdale - 6100 E Thomas Rd.............05-02-06, 2200hrs - Homicide
23.Phoenix - 4820 N 89th Ave....................05-30-06, 2305hrs - Shooting
24.Phoenix - 7002 W Indian School Rd......05-31-05, 0137hrs - Shooting
25.Phoenix - 8600 W Camelback Rd..........05-31-06, 0146hrs - Shooting
26.Phoenix - 7800 W Indian School Rd......06-08-06, 2332hrs - Shooting
27.Phoenix - 10100 W Camelback Rd........06-11-06, 2225hrs - Shooting
28.Phoenix - 901 E Indian School Rd.........06-20-06, 0158hrs - Shooting
29.Phoenix - 4403 E Van Buren St.............06-20-06, 0221hrs - Shooting
30.Phoenix - 2515 E Van Buren St.............07-01-06, 0123hrs - Shooting
31.Phoenix - 1600 E Oak St.........................07-01-06, 0153hrs - Shooting
32.Phoenix - 2535 E Indian School Rd.......07-03-06, 0312hrs - Shooting
33.Phoenix - 4200 N 44th St.......................07-08-06, 0240hrs - Shooting
34.Phoenix - 5012 E Van Buren St.............07-08-06, 0303hrs - Shooting

Serial Crimes News Conference

The police news conference was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, that covered the serial crime spree and can be viewed at this link. Watch the News Conference Video

Safety Tips - Consejos de Seguridad

Additional information:

The Phoenix Snipers now have made the Washington Post. With no suspects or motives the police appear to have little to go on. It was not until mid-July 2006, that authorities finally held a news conference to discuss the troubling crime wave.

Phoenix in terror as serial killers compete for notoriety The desert city of Phoenix, the fastest-growing metropolis in the United States, is being terrorized by two serial killers .....

Snipers grip Phoenix in fear - Yahoo! News A series of sniper-style murders, rapes and robberies has paralyzed the southwestern desert city of ... LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A series of sniper-style murders, rapes and robberies has paralyzed the ...

Snipers Grip City of Phoenix in Fear????? A series of sniper-style murders, rapes and robberies has paralyzed the southwestern desert city of Phoenix, Arizona in fear as police remain unable to find clues.....

Phoenix Snipers Update The Phoenix Sniper story was regionalized for a time. “Do you think it is crime or domestic terrorism? How do we differentiate between the two?” When the DC Snipers started their reign of terror, they started small by experimenting on how to kill and worked up the nerve to go big time.....

Technorati Tags: Phoenix … Sniper … Armed … Violent Crime … Arizona … Domestic Terrorism … Scottsdale … Tolleson … Serial Killers … Phoenix Crime spree

Dean slams Iraqi prime minister an "anti-Semite"

CNSNews.com - The Republican National Committee calls it "incredibly troubling" that Howard Dean - the chairman of the Democratic Party - would call the Iraqi prime minister an "anti-Semite."

The RNC accused Dean of trying to "score cheap political points by attacking the democratically elected prime minister of Iraq." On Wednesday, the same day that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki addresses a joint session of Congress, Dean said, "The Iraqi prime minister is an anti-Semite," adding that the U.S. doesn't "need to spend $200 and $300 and $500 billion bringing democracy to Iraq to turn it over to people who believe that Israel doesn't have a right to defend itself and who refuse to condemn Hizballah."

Senate Democrats have also criticized Maliki and questioned his ability to bring stability to the Middle East. Link to additional Los Vegas Sun Article

Bosun's comment: As usual, the Democrats are on the wrong side of history

Technorati Tags: anti-Semite … Middle East … Terrorism … Howard Dean … Iraq … Iraq Hater … liberal … Islam … Terrorist … Maliki … demagog … Democrat

MEMRI: Ahmadinejad - "Lebanon is the Scene of an Historic Test"

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
Special Dispatch - Iran
July 26, 2006
No. 1212

DISCLAIMER: The different points of views of MEMRI and its contributors are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of the Bosun Locker or any entity affiliated with the Bosun Locker.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad on IRINN TV: "Lebanon is the Scene of an Historic Test, Which Will Determine the Future of Humanity"

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: Lebanon is the Scene of an Historic Test, Which Will Determine the Future of Humanity.


The following are excerpts from an interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which aired on the Iranian News Channel (IRINN) on July 23, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: Interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "In my opinion, Lebanon is the scene of an historic test, which will determine the future of humanity. Everyone must be put to the test. Everyone. It is inconceivable for anyone who calls himself a Muslim and who heads an Islamic state to maintain relations under the table with the regime that occupied Jerusalem. He cannot take pleasure in the [Israeli] killing of Muslims yet present himself as a Muslim. This is inconceivable, and must be exposed. Allah willing, it will. You will see.

"This is a mirror that will reveal everyone's true essence. This is not one of those ordinary tests. Not at all. It will expose everything. A bunch of people with no honor rule some countries in the region. People are being killed before their eyes, while they play games, giving compliments to one another. They think they can let time go by until this issue is forgotten, and then return to the scene. No, they are mistaken.

"In this case, they must make their position clear. Of course, some of them have taken positive positions, but others have buried their heads in the sand. Their true character will be exposed in this scene. For them, this is 'the Day that all things secret will be tested.' They will reach this day. The hypocrisy must be exposed."

[...]

"England was the founder of this sinister regime. It is an accomplice to all its crimes. America, which supports it now, is an accomplice to all its crimes. They are the ones who started this fire. They are the ones who support [Israel], and encourage it to strike at the people in such a manner. They say: 'They took two of our soldiers.' Fine, but you took 5,000 of theirs. Sit together and have a prisoner exchange. But you are destroying the life of an entire people, and harming innocent people - all for two soldiers? Do you value human life at all?

"They even lie to those wretched people whom they have collected from around the world and brought to the occupied lands. In fact, their leaders are having a good time around the world. After all, they are not in the battlefield. They are outside the scene. They have collected a bunch of people and put them there to serve as their shields, so they can realize their colonialist, domineering goals."

*********************

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at MEMRI Website

Technorati Tags: Hizbollah … Middle East … Terrorism … Ahmadinejad … Lebanon … Shia … Iran … Islam … Terrorist … Persia … 12th Imam … Muslim

Israel and Lebanon: The News

There are several sides to this news article, so the facts shall speak for themselves. Israel left Lebanon after having a buffer for 18 years, only to allow Hizbollah to claim a victory due to terrorism and continue to recruit young, influential minds to become suicide bombers, murderers, and haters of Israel.

Many people in the south of Lebanon did not hate the Israelis, just as the Israelis do not the Lebanese. The problem, it appears, is Hizbollah. They do not want Israel to exist as they are puppets of Iran supported by Syria.

Does this mean Israel has always been right? In protecting herself, yes, in her policy, who knows? Unless we have been within the government or lived there, it is hard to say; but it is well known that no government is 100% right. That is just absurd!

It appears that the Arabs and other Muslims believe this to be an incursion by Israel, while Israel is the country that has lost 1500 people to terrorist attacks in the past few years. Some of the articles on the side with Hizbollah are Musharraf, Abdullah discuss Lebanon, Syria will step in if Lebanon invaded (as if they ever left), Aid stuck in transit to traumatised Lebanon and REGION: Iran tells Israel to ‘pack up and go’. These articles were found in The Daily Star and the The Daily Times (Pakistan).

On the Israeli side of the story, we have (Haaretz Daily Paper) Peretz: Hezbollah has fired 2,200 rockets at northern Israel so far, Report: Nasrallah says IDF incursions won't stop rocket fire, PM: Media biased, doesn't show 'murderous viciousness' of Hezbollah, (Jerusalem Prayer Team) Iran's Hizballah Ready to Attack Israel and U.S., A Strategic Assessment of the Hizballah War: Defeating the Iranian-Syrian Axis in Lebanon and Hizbollah is Here.

Reading these, one might be led to believe they were in the Twilight Zone. We hope when this matter is resolved, it is truly resolved. Until that time, we will be forced to write more fiction than is desired.

PS. Many of these articles are short in length. That is one of the reasons I chose them, so view a few. Thanks.

Category: Middle East.

Wow! Does Pundit Review have a line-up tonignt!

I am thrilled to bring to you this review of the radio show that will broadcast tonight from 7pm-10pm EST on station WRKO in Boston, MA.

For the 7pm hour, Kevin and Greg (who wrote a book, "Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies" which is available now) will be discussing the high price of gas and some solutions with Sal Scuderi of The Scuderi Group. They are going to be discussing the new auto products that may be coming down the line due market demand, and they will also discuss some of the pros and cons of the beginning hybrids.

Kevin has made it known (it's called full disclosure, NY Times) that he has business relationship with the Scuderi Group. I believe this a good thing, because we usually do not invest in companies we don't think are going to be profitable!

In the 8pm hour, they will be discussing what the heck is going on over there in the Middle East. Dave Bender, a photo/video journalist and reporter based in Jerusalem will be joining the conversation. His blog, Israel at Level Ground is full of interesting Podcasts and coverage of the current situation and daily life in Israel. Check it out.

Then, in the 9pm hour, we will be treated to Blackfive's "Someone You Should Know." He will grace us with another true story about the Heroes the dinosaur media just doesn't seem to be able find.

At 9:20, we will have the pleasure of hearing a true Marine, Pat Dollard. Kevin and Greg (buy a book here!) have asked Froggy (a 14 year Navy SEAL!) from Blackfive's to inform us about Pat Dollard.

I ran across Pat Dollard’s website tonight, and let me tell you something. If you don’t know anybody in the military, spend 10 minutes watching his videos and then you will. Apparently, Pat is a former Hollywood type that went to Iraq on his own dime like Michael Yon and Bill Rogio to spend time in the field with the Marines serving in the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad. While his combat footage is great, better still are the video interviews of the Marines, contractors, and Iraqi soldiers…

But the real masterpiece is the “Welcome to the Triangle of Death” vid where he tapes himself and several Marines suffering and praying aloud during a mortar attack as the rounds are steadily walking closer and closer. It will send a chill up your spine, and give you a tremendous appreciation for the real horror of being the target of insurgent mortars. A very young female Marine describes the death of a comrade outside the chowhall in excruciating detail.

You can watch, "Welcome to the Triange of Death" here.

This is going to be one exciting evening, so go get everything done. Grab a cup of coffee (or a beer, I don't drink. lol), something to munch on, and lay back. You will enjoy yourself. I promise. Until then, take care.

Category: Radio Shows and Someone You Should Know.

"Moral Equivalence"...."Moral Relativity"..."Disproportionate Force"..."Proportionate Response"...?!?

by The WordSmith from Nantucket

There are a couple of buzz phrases that are currently being kicked around: One is "Proportionate response/disproportionate force". The other is "cycle of violence".

This is due to the Israeli military response 8 days ago, to the Hezbollah incursion across the southern Lebanese border and the capture of two Israeli soldiers.

The EU is basically calling the Israeli response, "disproportionate".

So what do they expect the proper response to have been? The hostage taking of 2 Hezbollah terrorists to counterbalance the abduction of 2 Israeli soldiers?

Patriot at A Soldier's Perspective writes:

those same types of terrorists “only” collapsed a few buildings in New York City in 2003 and our country destroyed Afghanistan. There is no such thing as “disproportionate force” when fighting a war. Actually, it’s something you want. Wars aren’t won when each side counts what the other has and organized his force to ensure everything is equal. The reason America is the greatest military power on earth is because of our disproportionate force.

Exactly right. This isn't a game, where you fight with "fair play" in mind. In warfare, your objective is to overwhelm the enemy with superior and sustained firepower, in the hopes of bringing the conflict to a quick and decisive resolution, with minimal casualties to your side.

I've heard some ridiculous charges by some people who call the U.S. a cowardly bully for attacking a "weak" foe like Saddam's regime, and not go after a North Korea or China who have a "fighting chance" against our military might. These same people wonder why we're allowed to have nuclear weapons while others are not. I can only look for the nearest brick wall to hammer my head against, to relieve the pain of dealing with such idiocy. Warfare and global politics is not a sport. Can you imagine someone criticizing law enforcement officers as cowards, because whenever possible, they do not act alone to bring down a suspect? But might tackle and take him down by virtue of superior numbers? This is for the suspect's safety as much as for the safety of the officers'. In a prizefight, unless you like punishment, you don't stand there toe to toe, exchanging blow for blow; you go for the win and avoid as much as possible, any damage to yourself in kind. But because it is a spectator sport, the whole nature of the rules- such as having weight divisions- is to maximize and equalize the potential for punishment to be received by both combatants.

Old Soldier writes the following, in regards to "Proportional response":

War is the resultant associated with the breakdown of humanity. War is the final solution when diplomacy (read appeasement) fails. The military objective of each battle specifically and war in general is to soundly defeat the enemy. That is not done via 'proportional responses'. It is a complex task designed to remove the ability of the enemy to continue to wage war. It can be achieved by destroying the enemy's war making capabilities – like bombing the industrial complexes of Germany during WWII. Or it can break the will of the enemy to continue to wage war – like Nagasaki and Hiroshima did to the Japanese. Had we engaged our enemies of WWII with 'proportional responses', we would still be at war with Germany and Japan today and millions upon millions more people would be in graves because of it.

I think it was last week, that I listened to Dennis Prager make mention of the morally absent phrase, "cycle of violence".

Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, and suddenly we are "caught up in a cycle of violence". Why? Why must the ones who started the violence, be absolved of blame and the ones defending themselves, be held responsible for perpetuating the "cycle of violence"?

One of the interesting antidotes by Prager, was in relating how even as a child, he was bothered by the moral relativity inherent in how many adults solve disputes between kids. Rather than try and discover who was at fault, the parent will often punish both kids as being equally at fault. One kid hits another kid first, who then proceeds to defend himself. The adult comes along and what happens? Rather than seeking to meet out justice, the adult simply wants to "make the problem go away". As I wrote in Old Soldier's comment section, "[Prager] found it morally lazy and immoral that the adult would not care to find out" who was in the right and who was in the wrong.

Thomas Sowell puts things into perspective this way:

Of all the Western democracies, only two have no choice but to depend on their own military forces for their survival -- the United States and Israel. The rest have for more than half a century had the luxury of depending on American military forces in general and the American nuclear deterrent in particular.

People who have long been sheltered from mortal dangers can indulge themselves in the belief that there are no mortal dangers. Nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran or North Korea -- and, through them, in the hands of hate-filled terrorists -- may be all that will finally wake up such people. But that may be tragically too late.

Those who keep calling for an end to the "cycle of violence" are what make such violence more likely. "World opinion" in general and the United Nations in particular can always be counted on to counsel "restraint" in response to attacks and "negotiations" in response to lethal threats.

What that means is that those who start trouble will have a lower price to pay than if those they attacked were free to go all out in their counter-attack. Lowering the price to be paid by aggressors virtually guarantees more aggression.

Dennis Prager outlines some of the reasons why Israel is the one who has consistently traveled the moral high ground throughout their conflicts with the Arab world:

Those who deny this and ascribe the conflict to other reasons, such as "Israeli occupation," "Jewish settlements," a "cycle of violence," "the Zionist lobby" and the like, do so despite the fact that Israel's enemies regularly announce the reason for the conflict. The Iranian regime, Hizbollah, Hamas and the Palestinians — in their public opinion polls, in their anti-Semitic school curricula and media, in their election of Hamas, in their support for terror against Israeli civilians in pre-1967 borders — as well as their Muslim supporters around the world, all want the Jewish state annihilated.

In 1947-48, the Arab states tried to destroy the tiny Jewish state formed by the United Nations partition plan. In 1967, Egypt, Syria and Jordan tried to destroy Israel in what became known as the Six-Day War. All of this took place before Israel occupied one millimeter of Palestinian land and before there was a single Jewish settler in the West Bank.

Two months after the Six-Day War of June 5-10, 1967, the Arab countries convened in Khartoum, Sudan, and announced on Sept. 1, 1967, their famous "Three NOs" to Israel: "No peace, No recognition, No negotiations."

Six years later, in 1973, Egypt invaded the Israeli-held Sinai Peninsula, a war that ended in a boost in Egyptian morale from its initially successful surprise attack. Though nearly all of the Sinai remained in Israel's hands, the boost in Egyptian self-confidence enabled Egypt's visionary president, Anwar Sadat, four years later (November 1977), to do the unimaginable for an Arab leader: He visited Israel and addressed its parliament in Jerusalem. As a result, in 1978, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty in return for which Israel gave all of the oil-rich Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt.

Three years later, in 1981, Sadat was assassinated by Egyptian Muslims, a killing welcomed by most Arabs, including the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization). Why welcomed? Because Sadat had done the unforgivable — recognized Israel and made peace with it.

The lesson that Palestinians should have learned from the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement was that if you make peace with Israel, you will not only get peace in return, you will also get all or nearly all of your land back. That is how much Israelis ache for peace.

As a lifelong liberal critic of Israeli policies, the New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman wrote just two weeks ago: "The Palestinians could have a state on the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem tomorrow, if they and the Arab League clearly recognized Israel, normalized relations and renounced violence. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know Israel today."

Give Israel peace, and Israel will give you land.

Which is exactly what Israel agreed to do in the last year of the Clinton administration. It offered PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat about 97 percent of the West Bank and three percent of Israel's land in exchange for peace. Instead, Israel got its men, women and children routinely blown up and maimed by Palestinian terrorists after the Palestinians rejected the Israeli offer at Camp David. Even President Clinton, desirous of being the honest broker and yearning to be history's Middle East peacemaker, blamed the ensuing violence entirely on the Palestinians.

Israel's Camp David offer of a Palestinian state for Palestinian peace was rejected because most Palestinians and their Arab and Muslim supporters don't want a second state. They want Israel destroyed. They admit it. Only those who wish Israel's demise and the willfully naive do not.

Israel wages war by weighing into consideration, civilian casualties. Their aim is in taking out Hezbollah safehouses and military targets. The aim of Hezbollah and Islamic terrorists is to maximize civilian casualties on both sides. So where is the moral equivalence? It should be clear which side yearns for peace and which side rages to wage destruction.

Hat tip: The Dennis Prager Show

Also blogging the Prager mention of "Cycle of Violence": Green Pieces

More at Mike's America

Cross-posted from The Bosun Locker blogspot

Sniper update

Hat tip to TTHOMAS 48 over at Stop the ACLU for providing information on how to search more effectively for "phoenix sniper." Unfortunately last night when I read the initial report off the AFP wire, I did not google "phoenix sniper news" when looking for information on the "Phoenix Snipers." Instead, I used the basic web search and came up with nothing at the time.

TTHOMAS 48, Thank you. I learned something new about effective google news searches. Use the news option instead of the web option.

The Phoenix Sniper story was regionalized for a time. As TTHOMAS 48 pointed out, perhaps it was overshadowed by the news about the Middle East. Now, the story is beginning to get national attention. In reviewing other news articles, I discovered that the Phoenix snipers have been active for quite some time. Apparently the snipers started by shooting livestock and worked their way up to human targets. I am hoping some of our Phoenix area readers will comment on their experiences and how the public is looking at it in the city of Phoenix.

The questions are, "Do you think it is crime or domestic terrorism? How do we differentiate between the two?" When the DC Snipers started their reign of terror, they started small by experimenting on how to kill and worked up the nerve to go big time. By the time they reached Montgomery County, Maryland, they were lunatics on a mission to create terror and havoc.

Lets go back to a classic example of a domestic terror that struck Japan in 1995:

The religious cult, AUM Shinrikyo (オウム真理教, literally, “AUM the True Teaching”) committed five coordinated attacks using sarin gas in the Tokyo subway. After the attacks, the Japanese police started looking at other unusual “crimes” and discovered that AUM Shinrikyo had experimented with various ways to kill, including testing ways to release Sarin gas and perfecting the elivery methods.

They used animals before they targeted and killed humans. Aum Shinriko also experimented other other poisons. The other "unusual" crimes were aired on the news but appeared random. No one connected the dots until later.

The police in Phoenix do not know who or what they are dealing with at the present time. Any readers in the Phoenix area, please let us know what is going on from your prospective.

Addition information on the Phoenix Snipers:

Phoenix Killings Spark Serial Killer Scare
PHOENIX, Arizona People aren't going out alone at night anymore. Co-workers are walking to their cars in pairs in the evenings ... The killings and wounding of at least 16 other people evoked the terror of the 2002 Washington-area sniper shootings ... WINK TV 27 minutes ago

Fifteen minutes in Havana
The sniper," I said. My trip had coincided with the Washington-area sniper shootings. The killings were covered even in Cuba ... avoid dying of thirst in the Arizona desert, or try to look after Mexican citizens' practical needs at consulates in Phoenix ... Chillico Gazette 7/18/2006

SNIPER PARALYSES PHOENIX
A series of sniper-style murders, rapes and robberies has paralyzed the south-western US city of Phoenix, Arizona as police remain unable to find clues to the crime wave. Police are searching for two distinct shooters believed responsible for 11 ... Special Broadcast Service 19 hours ago

The freedom to leave one's country
The sniper,'' I said. My trip had coincided with the Washington-area sniper shootings. The killings were covered even in Cuba ... avoid dying of thirst in the Arizona desert, or try to look after Mexican citizens' practical needs at consulates in Phoenix ... Centre Daily 22 hours ago

Mystery killers throw Phoenix into terror
PHOENIX, Arizona - People aren't going out alone at night anymore. Co-workers are walking to their cars in pairs in the evenings ... The killings and wounding of at least 16 other people evoked the terror of the 2002 Washington-area sniper shootings ... Long Beach Press-Telegram 7/17/2006

Killings terrorizing Phoenix
PHOENIX, Arizona - People aren't going out alone at night anymore. Co-workers are walking to their cars in pairs in the evenings ... The killings and wounding of at least 16 other people evoked the terror of the 2002 Washington-area sniper shootings ... Charleston Post & Courier 7/15/2006

Police rely on tips, criminals' slip-ups
Phoenix police have been trying to get to the bottom of a series of violent crimes linked to two assailants. The "Baseline ... Sniper case was a faulty lead resulting from media pressure, said Lucille Baur, a civilian worker in the Montgomery County ... AZCentral.com (Registration Required) 7/16/2006

Technorati Tags: Phoenix ... Sniper ... Armed ... Violent Crime ... Arizona ... Guardian Angel ... Domestic Terrorism.

Does Hezbollah have the ability to strike the US?

According to a Reuters report dated July 18th, Iran's Hezbollah party which claims links to Hezbollah in Lebanon said that it stood ready to attack Israeli and U.S. interests worldwide. Reuters Link

In the meantime, the FBI is trying to ferret out possible Hezbollah agents in the United States amid concerns that rising U.S.-Iranian tensions could trigger attacks on American soil.

American law enforcement officials are concerned the Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which has so far focused on fund-raising and other support activities inside the United States, could turn to violence in solidarity with Iran. Link to Reuters

A name recently resurfaced in our news media but did not get much attention: Imad Fayez Mugniyah (one of the leaders of Hezbollah security organization). Mugniyah has been active on the terrorism circuit for the past 20 years. According to Laura Mansfield's Notebook, America's Truth Forum, there appears to be striking similarities between Mugniyah's brand of terrorism for the past 20 years and the practices of the present-day terrorists in Iraq.

Mugniyah allegedly has been tied to kidnappings and bombings throughout the world over the past two decades, including the following:

▪ April 18, 1983 bombing of the United States embassy in Beirut, which killed 63 people including 17 Americans

▪ October 23, 1983 simultaneous truck bombings against the French paratroopers and US Marine killing 58 French soldiers and 241 Marines.

▪ September 20, 1984, he attacked the US embassy annex building.

▪ Linked to the numerous kidnappings of Westerners in Beirut through the 1980s – some were killed, some by beheading, and a few were eventually released

▪ March 17, 1992 bombings of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires Argentina, which killed 29

▪ July 1994 bombing of the AMIA cultural building in in Buenos Aires Argentina, killing 86 people

▪ Orchestrated the 2000 abductions of three Israeli soldiers in the southern part of Lebanon

▪ Abduction of Israeli Colonel Elchanan Tenenbaum. Source: Laura Mansfield

As was seen in Hezbollah's South American operations in 1992 and 1994, Hezbollah appears to have been busy in our Western Hemisphere.

In 2002 Jeffrey Goldberg, reporter-at-large for The New Yorker magazine, did an interesting 2-part article, "IN THE PARTY OF GOD" that included Hezbollah operations in South America and the United States:

• Part 1 - Are terrorists in Lebanon preparing for a larger war?
• Part 2 - Hezbollah sets up operations in South America and the United States

Here is an excerpt from Part 2 of Goldberg's article:

"Roughly two hundred thousand people live in the Ciudad del Este region, including a substantial minority of Arab Muslims; in the Triple Frontier zone, there may be as many as thirty thousand. According to intelligence officials in the region and in Washington, this Muslim community has in its midst a hard core of terrorists, many of them associated with Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite group backed by the Iranian government; some with Hamas, the Palestinian fundamentalist group; and some with Al Qaeda. It is, over all, a community under the influence of extreme Islamic beliefs; intelligence officials told me that some of the Triple Frontier Arabs held celebrations on September 11th of last year and also on the anniversary this year. These officials said that Hezbollah runs weekend training camps on farms cut out of the rain forest of the Triple Frontier. In at least one of these camps, in the remote jungle terrain near Foz do Iguaçu, young adults get weapons training and children are indoctrinated in Hezbollah ideology—a mixture of anti-American and anti-Jewish views inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini.

In the Triple Frontier, Hezbollah raises money from legitimate businesses but, more frequently, from illicit activities, ranging from drug smuggling to the pirating of compact disks. Unlike the other radical Islamic groups in the Triple Frontier, Hezbollah, it is said, has the capability to commit acts of terror."

Part 2 of the series takes place in South America, not, the Middle East. It seems to me that the Atlantic Ocean offers little protection from the spread of terrorism as we witnessed in New York City on September 11, 2001.

We have been very lucky for the past five years. However, the powder keg of Lebanon may have broader ramifications. Does Hezbollah have the ability to strike here?

Be ever vigilant.

Update: Doug Farah, author of Blood from Stones, has also written an article about Imad Mugniya. In this article, Douglas tries to explain how these people think and work. He also demands that we use our minds. We must get rid of those old stereotypes that say, 'Sunnis won't work with Shi'ites,' etc.

They are also in Southern Columbia. You remember FARC? You look for drugs or diamonds or any commodity which does not go into a bank, you will find they have a hand in it. They do get around, so Bos'un is absolutely correct. Stay vigilent.

Homeland security ... War on terror ... Military ...`Hizbollah ... Hezbullah ... Iran ... Israel ... Terror ... Terrorism ... Terrorist ... Cell ... Lebanon ... US ... FBI ... Law Enforcement ... Laura Mansfield's Notebook ... Iraq ... Buenos Aires ... Argentina ... Jeffrey Goldberg ... news feed ... journalists ... Opinion.

Snipers grip the city of Phoenix in Fear?

Very disturbing story at BREITBART.COM from an AFP newfeed: Snipers grip Phoenix in fear, Dated Jul 18th.

I have not been able to find additional information on this story. Anyone in the Phoenix area who can provide additional information, citizens reactions, or other tips, please email The Bosun directly.

A series of sniper-style murders, rapes and robberies has paralyzed the southwestern desert city of Phoenix, Arizona in fear as police remain unable to find clues to the crime wave. Police are searching for two distinct shooters believed responsible for 11 murders and as many as 37 robberies and sexual assaults since last summer.

Please visit the link for information.

Technorati Tags: Phoenix ... Sniper ... Armed ... Violent Crime ... Arizona ... Guardian Angel ... Domestic Terrorism

Egypt gains new political party

Osama Ghazali Harb, who left the National Democratic Party (NDP) on Sunday to start a new political party, did so because of a lack of reforms promised by Mubarak. Also, he was tired of the corruption and the detaining of political opponents. There were many human rights abuses.

"Oppression, corruption and hypocrisy have led us to suffocation," the party said in a statement. It highlighted the need for "a new social governance that is based on the rule of people by the people and which relies on the transition of power and the limitation of terms."

In September 2005, Mubarak won his fifth six-year term by only 23%.

The new party's logo, which is the number 77 in Arabic, represents the "77-percent silent majority that did not vote as a form of protest and disapproval of the present alternatives and the integrity of the elections," the statement said.

Egyptians are not impervious to the corruption, hypocracy, and heavy-handedness of President Mubarak. He is the leader of the NDP, and those who left did so to join with the 77% Majority who did not vote for him.

Source: The Daily Star, Lebanon.

Category: Egypt and Politics/Debate.

Civil Liberties group to sue Hazelton, Pa for immigration ordinance

Hat tip to: Barking Moonbat Early Warning System

According the a Reuters news article, 'Rights Group sue Pennsylvania Town on Immigration Law', the city of Hazelton, Pennsylvania passed "one of the toughest immigration laws in the United States this week." Of course the civil liberties pundits slapped the town threats of a law suite saying that the town of Hazelton has "overstepped its authority."

The crime: Hazelton passed a measure that will deny a business permit to anyone hiring illegal immigrants. Here is an excerpt from the Hazelton ordinance:

That illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, contributes to overcrowded classrooms and failing schools, subjects our hospitals to fiscal hardship and legal residents to substandard quality of care, contributes to other burdens on public services, increasing their cost and diminishing their availability to lawful residents, and destroys our neighborhoods and diminishes our overall quality of life. Source: ORDINANCE 2006-10, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION RELIEF ACT ORDINANCE

The ordinance imposes a $1,000 fine on any landlord who rents to illegal immigrants. and establishes English as the city's official language .

You see folks, Hazelton has recognized that as illegal immigrants move into their area, the illegals are linked to higher crime rates, overcrowded classrooms, and impose a financial burden on hospitals and social service organizations. Although true, that type of logic is a no no for the politically correct police of the civil action liberals.

After all the brouhaha from the ACLU and rights groups regarding the ordinance, Mayor Lou Barletta issued an open letter posted on the city website:

I believe the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth. People who are in this country have an incredible amount of opportunities and blessings. But some people have taken advantage of America’s openness and tolerance. Some come to this country and refuse to learn English, creating a language barrier for city employees. Others enter the country illegally and use government services by not paying taxes or by committing crime on our streets, further draining resources here in Hazelton.

Illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, contributes to overcrowded classrooms and failing schools, subjects our hospitals to fiscal hardship and legal residents to substandard quality of care, and destroys our neighborhoods and diminishes our overall quality of life.

The City of Hazelton is empowered and mandated by the people of Hazelton to abate the nuisance of illegal immigration by aggressively prohibiting and punishing the acts, policies, people and businesses that aid and abet illegal aliens. That is why I proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act.

Part of this ordinance, if enacted, would punish companies that hire illegal immigrants by denying them permits, making it harder for them to renew permits and forcing their loss of city business.

Another part would hold landlords accountable. Because people moving into the city naturally require a place to sleep, our landlords are our first line of defense. Landlords who rent to illegal immigrants — that is, who rent to people without checking their documentation, may be fined $1,000.00 for every illegal immigrant staying on their properties.

The final part of this ordinance makes English the official language of Hazelton. All city documents will only be available in English. Those applying for a permit would have to speak English. While our emergency services will never be denied to anyone because of a language barrier, every other aspect of city business will be conducted only in English. Let me be clear, this ordinance is intended to make Hazelton one of the most difficult places in the U.S. for illegal immigrants.

This measure is not racist because it does not target one particular race. The Illegal Immigration Relief Act is intended to deter and punish any illegal immigration in the City of Hazelton. Requiring the use of English does not target any other language; it merely states that no matter what language you prefer to speak at home, English will be spoken when you conduct business with Hazelton officials.

Illegal Immigration is a drain on city resources. Every domestic incident, every traffic accident, every noise complaint, each time we send our police department, fire department or code enforcement officer to respond, it costs taxpayer dollars.
If the City of Hazelton began publishing official documents or conducting business in a second language, how would we respond when someone asks us to use a third, or fourth language?

Recent crimes – the shooting on Chestnut Street, the discharge of firearms at the Pine Street Playground, and high profile drug busts – have involved illegal immigrants.

Sadly, some of those allegedly involved in those crimes were detained by other law enforcement officials over the years, but were somehow allowed to remain in this country. They eventually migrated into Hazelton, where they helped create a sense of fear in the good, hardworking residents who are here legally.

This ordinance does not roll back the welcome mat to those who are legally in the United States. This country was built on the backs of legal immigrants. My own great grandparents came to this country seeking a better life. Rather, this ordinance seeks to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into Hazelton. They are not welcome here!

To the residents of Hazelton, I say thank you for your continued support. Hazelton is moving forward and becoming an even better place to live. To our recently arrived legal immigrants, I say welcome. I personally wish you all the best. With hard work and determination, the United States and Hazelton can be a place where your dreams come true. And to illegal immigrants and those who would hire or abet them in any way, I say your time is up. You are no longer welcome.

If you support this measure, please click this link to email us your support . You can also show your support by attending the City Council meeting on Thursday, June 15th @ 7:00 P.M. where this ordinance will be presented to Council for approval. The next council meeting where the second reading will take place is July 13th @ 7:00 P.M. Please mail your petition in before that date to show your support. You may also contact my office at 570-459-4910.

Thank you and God Bless America.
LOU BARLETTA
Mayor, City of Hazelton

Send Lou Barletta and the city of Hazelton a note. Let them know what you think about the ordinance. Join the City of Hazelton in solidarity during legal battles with the ACLU and civil liberties groups to regain fiscal control of their small city of 31,000.

Technorati tags: America ... Immigration ... Borders ... Language ... Culture ... English ... Border Control ... Illegal Immigration ... Politically Correct ... Hazelton, Pennsylvania ... ACLU ... Liberalism ... Illegals

We are at war: Newt Gingrich, July 15th 2006

"This is World War III," Gingrich said. And once that's accepted, he said calls for restraint would fall away:

"Israel wouldn't leave southern Lebanon as long as there was a single missile there. I would go in and clean them all out and I would announce that any Iranian airplane trying to bring missiles to re-supply them would be shot down. This idea that we have this one-sided war where the other team gets to plan how to kill us and we get to talk, is nuts." For the rest of the story, visit the Seattle Times

Israel: Act of War

"This was an act of war." Thus Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert succinctly summarized the facts, the law, and the consequences of the raid Wednesday by the Lebanese terrorist group-cum-governing-partner Hezbollah into Israeli sovereign territory that resulted in the abduction of two Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers.

The article, Israel: "Act of War" was reposted with permission from the editors of TSC Daily.

DISCLAIMER: The different points of views of TSC Daily or it’s contributors are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of Knickerbocker News, The Bosun Locker or any entity affiliated with them.

By J. Peter Pham & Michael I. Krauss : BIO 13 Jul 2006

Olmert is correct in the careful distinction that he made, one that has been unfortunately lost on many in the media and even on the White House. The Hezbollah action was "not a terrorist attack but the action of a sovereign state that attacked Israel for no reason and without provocation" -- that is, a pure casus belli. As Olmert patiently tried to explain to the media, "Lebanon is responsible and it will bear responsibility." After Hamas's incursion near Gaza, Israel has been attacked in two locations, by two governments.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Sinioura's claim that his government was "not aware of and does not take responsibility for, nor endorses what happened" at what he conceded was "the international border" of another sovereign nation rings hollow considering his was the first ever government in Beirut to bring Hezbollah into its cabinet. The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel was Mr. Sinioura's chief interlocutor in the negotiations to set up his cabinet last summer.

In fact, since then, as we have previously noted, the Lebanese government has allowed Hezbollah to control Lebanon's border with Israel, and to act as a government in the largely Shiite southern part of the country. In so doing, Beirut ignored a United Nations resolution calling upon it to assume control of its frontiers and to disarm the terrorist group. Note that pleas of helplessness are unacceptable; the Lebanese government has never invoked its inability to control its territory or asked for foreign assistance in fulfilling its obligations. No, Hezbollah controls its territory as part and parcel of Lebanese sovereignty. That case is closed. Israel was invaded by a foreign power. That foreign power killed Israelis and kidnapped soldiers. Israel has demanded the soldiers' safe return (and, we presume, the rendition of the invaders for punishment in Israel). Lebanon has declined to help, which would have been the only way to rescind the casus belli. Israel is now free, indeed obliged by its own sovereignty, to use all necessary force to accomplish this goal.

Beyond Lebanon's responsibility, of course, Syria and Iran are also sine qua non causes of the invasion of Israel. The former, despite its much ballyhooed withdrawal from Lebanon last year still, exercises considerable influence and enables Iran, as we pointed out last week, to reinforce its Hezbollah client. A strong legal case can now be made that Iran and Syria have become legitimate targets of Israeli self-defense.

So war it is -- a war of self-defense against unlawful Lebanese aggression in which the Israeli government has the obligation to its citizens to inflict maximum damage to the infrastructure of those who have attacked them. But this responsibility is not Israel's alone. If the international community wishes to vindicate those most sacrosanct principles of national sovereignty and the right to self-defense, it must assist Israel. It must condemn the attack and demand both the safe return of the IDF soldiers and the bringing to justice of all Lebanese officials who have been complicit in this act of war. It must demand the dismantling of the Hezbollah infrastructure, which it has already (toothlessly) called for.

Of course, we do not hold our breaths for the UN to do what it must. Its new Human Rights Council was elected in May with high hopes that it would stop coddling human-rights abusers tolerating atrocities (e.g., Darfur) as its predecessor, the disgraced Human Rights Commission, had done. With streamlined membership and new rules, there were claims that things would be different. The UN's new council finished its first session recently. So how did it do? Did it call on the world to get tough on human-rights abuses in China? Oops. No. China's on the Council panel. How about the abysmal state of women's rights in Saudi Arabia (see our description here)? Sorry. Saudi Arabia's a member too. Russia? Cuba? Sorry. They're members. No, the Council panel took direct aim at a familiar target: Israel.

The Cold War preceding World War III arguably began when Iranians occupied the US Embassy in Tehran under Jimmy Carter. It's just heated up immeasurably, as a bastion of the West has been formally attacked twice. Time for all good nations to come to the aid of freedom.

J. Peter Pham is director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs at James Madison University. Michael I. Krauss is professor of law at George Mason University School of Law. Both are adjunct fellows of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

I would be amiss if I did not give a a special thanks and a job well done to the editors of TSC Daily and it’s contributors. Please visit TSC Daily for other interesting and though provoking articles. You may also sign up for daily emails and other advance services directly from TSC Daily. If you are a producer or reporter who is interested in receiving more information about this article or the author, please email your request to interview@tcsdaily.com

Technorati Tags:homeland security ... war ... war on terror ... axis of evil ... military ... world war III ... hizbullah ... transfer ... soldiers ... iran ... lebanon ... israel ... hezbollah ... Ehud Olmert

Joe WIlson Made Trip To Middle East

Satire
Third rate ambassador Joe Wilson, desiring his privacy, has just returned from a trip to the Middle East, a trip that his wife, a terrible non-covert former CIA analyst, arranged. Wilson met with Iranian President Ahmadinejad and while the two drank mint julep tea, Wilson asked him if Iran had anything to do with the situation in Israel. Ahmadinejad replied that he did not and said that reports indicating he wanted Israel wiped off the map were manufactured by George Bush in order to make a case for war against his peaceful country.

From Iran Wilson traveled to Syria where he met with Hezbollah and Hamas representatives. Wilson asked them if they sneaked into Israel and kidnapped Israeli soldiers. While sipping mint julep tea, Wilson listened to these leaders deny such a charge and say that this was George Bush's manufactured story to incite anger and violence in the Middle East. One representative, who asked to remain anonymous because he is wanted in 50 countries said, "We are a peaceful people and have never been involved in violence. The US came in here on trumped up charges that you, Mr. Wilson, exposed. We would not be in such a state if the Zionists in Israel were not war mongers intent on eradicating our peaceful religion of Islam, Allah be praised."

Mr. Wilson returned to the US where he wrote an OP-ED piece in The New York Times. In the piece he stated that Vice President Dick Cheney's office requested that he go to the Middle East. He indicated that anyone who suggests that his wife had anything to do with it is only trying to discredit him and out her as a retired CIA analyst. The piece goes on to say:

While I sat in various locations throughout the Middle East drinking mint julep tea, I asked many questions and received honest answers from a misunderstood people. They told me, quite frankly, that they had nothing to do with any of the items attributed to them including the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and the support of Hezbollah by Iran. These were peaceful meetings and I was awestruck at how the Islamic world only wants to live in peace but are stopped in every attempt by George Bush and the Zionists in Israel.

I can only conclude that the Islamic nations in the Middle East had nothing to do with the violence that is occurring and that George Bush greatly exaggerated or flat out lied when he said that the Israeli soldiers had to be released. It is obvious from my meetings that no Israeli soldiers are being held and that this is a lie set up by the Bush administration to justify more violence in a part of the world synonymous with peace. Hezbollah's claim that they have no rockets and have not fired into Israel coupled with their adamant denial of soldier kidnappings leaves me to believe that, once again, George Bush lied us into conflict. George Bush used his puppets in Israel by feeding them false information and stirred them into violence. I believe the claims by Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran that the Special Operations guys in the US Army carried out these attacks to bolster support for the continued conflict.

Please be sure to watch your local bookstores because my new book, Bush Lied, Valerie Cried, and I love Mint Julep Tea, which I will write as soon as we are done suing Cheney, Rove, and Libby. We are also in the process of adding a guy named Big Dog to the mix because of his connection with the vast right wing conspiracy. We have had some trouble with this because I have ascertained that Big Dog shoots liberals first and asks questions later. Valerie and I actually believe that George Bush allowed Big Dog to write about us to intimidate us. He is a more dangerous threat than any so called outing of my wife."

There you have it. Joe Wilson says it so it must be true. He also wrote it in the New York Times and we know how they feel about George Bush and the Country. The Times Editorial staff has written a piece calling the lies of George Bush and the bloggong of Big Dog a secret anti-terrorism program and therefore believe it is their duty to disclose it. They still stand by their position that the only secret that should have been kept was Plame's "secret" identity.

End Satire
Cross Posted at Big Dog's Weblog

Update on Man Allowed to Board Aircraft

In yesterday's Houston Chronicle story, 'HPD, airport security at odds over incident ', a traveler at the Houston Hobby airport was apparently deceptive when Transportation Security Agency (TSA) screeners asked if he had a laptop computer in his baggage, an X-ray machine operator detected a laptop after he apparently indicated that he did not. Upon further examination, screeners claimed that they found a clock with a 9-volt battery taped to it in his luggage and examined the man's shoes. The shoes were described by the TSA screener to be "hollowed out."

In today's follow-up article, 'Screeners' actions at Hobby questioned', it appears to people in authority are looking at TSA screener's actions or inactions instead of analyzing if this incident was a probe or a dry run on airport security, except for Representative John Culberson, R-Houston.

Representative Gene Green D-Houston did his typical liberal tolerant act by asking the question (and insinuating blame on TSA), why did (TSA) baggage screeners defer to a Houston police officer instead of using their authority to keep a man (they suspected of carrying bomb parts) from boarding a plane at Hobby Airport.

Staffers for Representative John Culberson, R-Houston, went a step further and are seeking explanations from the FBI and TSA about what happened. Thank you for trying to get to the bottom of the problem, Representative Culberson.

In the meantime, a TSA spokeswoman indicated that TSA security officers acted in accordance with their training and protocols. The Houston Police Department chimed in that the shoes were old and worn, not "hollowed out" like the screener claims. The police officer defended his actions and his representatives indicated that the clock worked when the battery was inserted, but did not ask why the battery taped to the outside of the clock to begin with. According to the news article, nobody asked why the man originally indicated that there was no computer in his carry-on baggage. Now others are also second guessing the TSA screener.

A security expert commented that: "The idea that TSA is going to stop, randomly, people who happen to be carrying an alarm or a laptop or are not wearing brand-new shoes seems a bit excessive, ......... It sounds like they need to revise their training procedures of who and what to look for." Remember, the famous Shoe Bomber, Richard Reid, was originally questioned and missed his flight from Paris to Miami on December 21, 2001, after French security agent becomes suspicious because he (Reid) was traveling without checked luggage. Those security agents cleared Reid to board the next days flight. On December 22, 2001, about 90 minutes into the flight, Reid tried light explosives hidden in his shoes. Reid had successfully eluded airport security procedures when they were already suspicious of him. Could this scenario happen again?

Sounds to me that what we have here is an old standoff between the Houston police, TSA, and other government agencies in Houston. Everyone is looking for a fall guy and the TSA screener is a likely candidate. Perhaps the man in Houston had a legitimate reason to act the way he did, perhaps he did not.

Were the man's shoes "hollowed out" or worn out? Was this current situation a probe or dry run on airport security?

TSA has been on the job for three years. Now we have to answer the question, "Do they (TSA) have the authority and backing of their officials to deny a traveler from boarding a flight or not?"
One has to hope that the authorities involved have learned from this situation and will fix any flawed procedures that they have discovered.

Previous Post: Man allowed to board aircraft appeared to have bomb components

Technorati Tags: Airport Security... TSA ... Security Screeners ... Bomb Components ... Airline Safety ... Travel ... Houston Police ... Friendly Skies ... Shoe Bomber ... Richard Reid ... Delta Airlines ... HPD

Man allowed to board aircraft appeared to have bomb components

Hat tip to: Doug Hagmann, Director, Northeast Intelligence Network.

According to a Houston Chronicle article, ' HPD, airport security at odds over incident,' on June 26th, a man was allowed to board a Delta Airlines flight after being stopped at the airport security screening area with what appeared to be suspected bomb components. The man was allowed to board a Delta Airlines plane with what was described as "hollowed out shoes, a computer in his carry-on luggage that he originally denied having, and a clock with a 9-volt battery taped to it." Apparently a screener examined the man's shoes and determined that the "entire soles of both shoes were gutted out." Upon further examination, no explosive material was detected, the paper said.

A police officer was dispatched to the airport security screening area and questioned the man. The officer then cleared the man for travel saying that he had no probable cause to hold the man. A Transportation Security Agency (TSA) screener disagreed with the officer and indicted that man's shoes were tampered with and he had components of (a bomb) except for the explosives. To make matters worst, the officer apparently was not able to check the man's criminal background because of computer problems. The official position of Houston police department is. "Our job is not to be the gatekeepers," a police spokesman said. "That burden falls squarely on the airline and TSA to make that final decision."

The FBI was ultimately called and cleared the man of any wrongdoing, adding that "no federal laws were broken and the man did not pose any risk to the aircraft or its passengers." The FBI termed the incident as a "non-event." Source: 'HPD, airport security at odds over incident'

According Northeast Intelligence Network report, 'Incredible Incident at Houston's Hobby Airport' , "Investigators from the Northeast Intelligence Network have been investigating the incident and have tentatively identified the passenger who indeed has an Arabic name, identified the security officers involved and confirmed the contents of the carry-on luggage through the law enforcement sensitive report. Although no one is "officially" talking, our investigation into the incident continues. Federal officials have yet to respond to Northeast Intelligence Network's inquiries for further information pertaining to the suspicious incident... Source: 'Incredible Incident at Houston's Hobby Airport'

Complacency has once again returned to law enforcement authorities and public safety officials. In 03/2006, TSA revised regulations regarding what is allowed in a passenger's carry-on luggage. TSA now allows: Safety Razors (including disposable razors), Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tips, and Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length. You may find the revised list of allowed and prohibited articles at the TSA website: Prohibited Items List (English) (Word 281KB) (Revised 3-2-2006): Printable Prohibited Items Brochure (PDF 402KB)

I checked the list and other documents on the TSA website. As you would know it, hollowed out shoes, batteries tapes to clocks and other paraphernalia that this man had in his possession were not on the prohibited list. All he did wrong was to deny having a computer in his possession.

One has to wonder why the man hollowed out his shoes and allegedly lied about his computer. A battery taped to his clock was rather odd, but, was not illegal. Was the man probing airport security, a confused traveler, or was he perhaps a hard headed individual with a bad attitude?

Technorati Tags: Airport Security... TSA ... Security Screeners ... Bomb Components ... Airline Safety ... Travel ... Houston Police ... Friendly Skies ... Delta Airlines ... HPD

Plot to bomb NY tunnel: report

The Daily News earlier today reported that there has been an arrest in Beirut on terrorism charges. He was involved in the planning of an attack on our NYC's Holland Tunnel.

The Daily News quoted a counterterrorism source as saying officials were alarmed because the plotters allegedly got a pledge of financial and tactical support from Jordanian associates of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq before he was killed last month in a US air strike. [continue reading]

Indeed. So do you think we were just kidding when we said, "It's not a matter of if, but when"? I certainly hope so.

This report is from Australia's "The Australian." If you find the site has been moved, please go here to read the story. Thank you, and be careful.

Category: Terrorism.

MEMRI: Saudi Columnist says Hamas acting like terrorist organization

Special Dispatch-Palestinian Authority
July 7, 2006
No. 1199

Saudi Columnist on June 25 Gaza Attack: This is a Despicable Attack by Hamas, Which is Acting Like a Terrorist Organization

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: HTML: Saudi Columnist Criticizes Hamas .

In an article in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa titled "The Crime at the Kerem Shalom Crossing," Saudi columnist Yusuf Nasir Al-Suweidan argues that the June 25, 2006 attack at the Kerem Shalom crossing, in which Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit was taken hostage, has turned the Palestinian dream of an independent state into a thing of the past, and that after Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians should have laid down their weapons and worked to develop Palestinian society.

The following are excerpts from the article: (1)

"When Vietcong Fighters Dug Underground Tunnels in Order to Reach the American Danang Base in South Vietnam... They Did so Inside the Borders of Their Homeland"

"When Vietcong fighters dug underground tunnels in order to reach the American Danang base in South Vietnam in the 1960s, they did so inside the borders of their homeland, Vietnam, and in the context of a minor world war in which the strong players were the Americans, the Chinese, and the Soviets.

"But the faulty course of action taken by the Palestinians, for instance this war of tunnels, is something else entirely. The tunnel dug by the terrorists from the Gaza Strip to the Kerem Shalom crossing took them outside the Palestinian border, and they used it to penetrate into Israel - an independent, sovereign, U.N. member state. There [in Israel] they perpetrated the crime of murdering two Israelis, kidnapping a third, and wounding others, with all the dangerous consequences that [such a] despicable attack has caused and will cause to the Palestinian side. As Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina put it: 'Things are back to square one'..."

Hamas' Claims of "Important Victory" in This Attack are Absurd

"It would be absurd to try to believe the claims of the terrorist Hamas movement, and of its allies and masters in Tehran and Damascus, that speak of an 'important victory' over the Israelis in this desperate attack. This [claim is absurd], for the simple and obvious reason that the military, political, and economic balance of power, along with every other parameter, will always favor Israel to a considerable degree, so that the very notion of equilibrium between the two sides in the conflict is [nothing but] a wild fantasy.

"[In addition] it would [be] a complete fantasy to think that the Israelis will react like 'harmless lambs' to what occurred near the Kerem Shalom crossing last Sunday. Several minutes after the terrorist attack, the crossings [were] closed and the Israeli military units began moving in battle readiness. This was the largest Israeli military build-up since the withdrawal from Gaza last September. This shows that the Israelis are determined to invade the Gaza Strip within hours [if three conditions are not met]: firstly, if the kidnapped Israeli is not released; secondly, if the firing of Qassam missiles into Israeli territories does not cease; and thirdly, [if] the terrorist infrastructure is not dismantled.

"If this invasion materializes, then this time, a new reality will be created in the Gaza Strip in which all talk about 'back to square one' will be nothing but wild optimism - since the [situation] will regress [far beyond that], to a level where it is possible to talk of a plan of deportation and demographic change in Gaza, and this [plan] might even be implemented soon. This will turn the Palestinian dream of an independent state into a thing of the past..."

"What [The Palestinian Masses] Need Most is Food, Medicine, Clothing... Not Explosive Belts, Car Bombs, and the Slogan, 'Congratulations, Oh Martyr, the Black-Eyed Virgin Awaits You'"

"The main mistake lies in the fact that the Palestinian organizations did not respond correctly to the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza... and its consequences. Instead of beating their swords into plowshares, pens, and other things that are needed for the development of Palestinian society - in terms of the economy, society, culture, and so on - most of them read the developments incorrectly and immaturely. This was exploited by the terrorist networks, that are funded and run by the regimes of the ayatollahs in Tehran and the Ba'th [party] in Syria, and [people] have been taken in by delusions and empty slogans like 'liberation from the river to the sea' [that are heard] among the poor, hungry, and desperate Palestinian masses. At present, what [these masses] need most is food, medicines, clothing, and other essentials - not explosive belts, car bombs, and the slogan, 'Congratulations, oh Martyr, the black-eyed virgin awaits you.'"

Endnote:
(1) Al-Siyassa (Kuwait), June 27, 2006.

*********************
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at MEMRI Website

Technorati Tags: Hamas ... Qassam missile ... Terrorism ... Palestinian militants ... Gaza Strip ... Islamists ... Attitudinal problem ... Kerem Shalom ... Fundamentalist Militants ... Middle East ... Muslim ... Israel ... Martyr ... Ayatollahs ... Al-Suweidan ... MEMRI

Unconfirmed: Ken Lay is Dead

Enron founder who was found guilty earlier this year of cheating many people out of money has apparently been found dead of a heart attack, as reported by KHOU.

Source: The Drudge Report.

Category: News.

North Korean Missiles set of fireworks with the international community

Apparently, Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK) attempted to fire a long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile on July 4th, but it failed after about 40 seconds in flight, several news sources indicated.

The development of the Taep’o-dong 2 is estimated to have begun at the same time as the Taep’o-dong 1, in 1990. The Taep'o-dong 2 missile is a 2-stage liquid, possible 3-stage, with a range of 6,000-9,000 km.

Along with DPRK, Pakistan and Iran have jointly worked on similar missile projects with DPRK. The Iranian Shahab-5/Shahab 6 is similar in technology and in design to the Taep'o-dong 2. Source: Missile
Threat.Com - Taep’o-dong 2

However, DPRK successfully fire several non-guided, medium-range Scud-style missiles which apparently landed in the Sea of Japan and will cause a furor with the United States' Asian ally. These were downplayed in the media as "scud type missiles" with little other information.

It is unsure if the medium - range Scud -style missiles were Taep’o-dong 1 (Daep’o-dong 1, Nodong 2, Scud X, Scud Mod. E, Rodong 2) or perhaps another advanced version of the same. The Taep’o-dong 1 is a medium-range, liquid and solid propellant, single warhead ballistic missile.

The Taep'o-Dong 1 is said to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to a maximum range of 2,000 km (1,243 miles). The Taep'o-dong 1 program has been in development since 1990 and with advance testing throughout the Clinton administration.

Perhaps Madeline Albright and others in the deposed Clinton administration could enlighten the American public on the DPRK programs developed during their reign. DPRK's successfully first test launched the Taep'o-dong 1 in 1998, which caused an outrage in Japan. Throughout the Clinton Presidential years (January 1993 - January 2001), North Korea succeeded in developing its “Nodong” missile and nuclear programs. By 1998 DPRK's “Nodong” missile had a range estimated at up to 900 miles and was capable of covering South Korea and most of Japan. Lets not forget our globe trotting peacenix, Jimmy Carter. All of the appeasement and apologist agreements that former President Jimmy Carter made with DPRK was for naught.

One cannot blame only Clinton or Carter for their appeasement and apologist attitudes and policies regarding DPRK. It (mismanagement and miscalculation) has occurred on every American Presidents' watch for the past 30 years. America's mainstream media has short term memory and appears to not recall or care about reporting the significance of DPRK's missile tests. One has to wonder what foreign representatives were present to observe the test firing or who DPRK is planning to sell its advanced technology to.

So, for the past 30 years as the world has sat idly by, DPRK has pursued development of an ever expanding ballistic missile development program devoted to its development of a nuclear weapon delivery program.

Links for more information on DPRK Missile Technology:

• Missilethreat.Com - News Archive North Korea
• FAS - Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) DPRK - Iranian Shahab - 3 Technology
• FAS - Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) DPRK - Iranian Shahab - 6 Technology
• Janes: Iran moves its Shahab 3 units
• History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK

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