Abetting Terrorism

Re-posted the article, Abetting terrorism with permission from the editor of the Cavalier Daily, University of Virginia. DISCLAIMER: The different points of views of Cavalier Daily are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of the Bosun Locker, Knickerbocker News, or any entity affiliated with the Bosun Locker or Knickerbocker News.

Abetting terrorism

Josh Levy
Cavalier Daily Columnist

ON SEPT. 20, 2001 President Bush declared, "Afghanistan's people have been brutalized -- many are starving and many have fled. Women are not allowed to attend school. You can be jailed for owning a television. Religion can be practiced only as their leaders dictate. A man can be in jailed in Afghanistan if his beard is not long enough." Bush then went on to demand that Afghanistan sever all terrorist ties or face the consequences -- the famous Bush Doctrine. Today, Somalia is the new Afghanistan. The civil unrest and rise of the ruling Conservative Council of Islamic Courts (formerly the Islamic Courts Union) parallels the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan in the early 1990s almost perfectly. In its shift from idealism and democratization to realism and caution in its foreign policy, the Bush Administration is missing the opportunity to nip a terrorist regime in the bud and make the world a safer place.

After the Soviet-installed regime in Afghanistan was overthrown in 1992, civil war raged. Various factions and warlords vied for control in the power vacuum, but a grouping of Mujahideen (religious fighters) proved victorious by 1996. The war-weary Afghan people were grateful that one side had prevailed. Unfortunately, the victors were a band of firebrand Islamic radicals bent on strictly enforcing Sunni Islamic law with no dissidence tolerated. The Taliban regime was known to be harboring terrorists -- most notably Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda. Throughout this whole ordeal, the Clinton Administration looked the other way, blissfully ignorant. The results were the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole (which drew a token response of a few Cruise missiles) and the horrific events of Sept. 11. One would think that America has learned that radical Islamic groups with terrorist ties cannot be trusted to govern. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.

The autocratic government of Somalia collapsed in 1991 in the wake of a bloody coup d'etât led by warlords and the succession of Somaliland (northern Somalia). In keeping with Clinton's internationalism, U.N. forces with U.S. troops tried to restore order from 1993-1995. By 1995, the United States and the United Nations decided to cut and run like frightened rabbits because of mounting casualties. (Remember the movie Black Hawk Down?) As a result, civil war continued to rage with a loose coalition of Islamic courts eventually becoming a significant military and political force by 1999. The secular warlords formed the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) which, according to former U.S. intelligence officials, received U.S. funding (although this was never officially confirmed or denied). The Islamic Courts stuck their first decisive victory a few weeks ago capturing Mogadishu; they now have effective control over the surrounding area. According to BBC News, the Islamic Courts have been associated with "al-Qaeda-linked attacks in East Africa –- including the 1998 bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2002 attacks on Israeli tourists in Kenya." If according to President Bush, "It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world," then what gives?

Since 1995, the only "action" the United States has taken with regards to Somalia is to fund the ARPCT whose human rights record is at best suspect but at least has not been linked to Islamic terrorists. The United Nations has spent more time condemning the U.S. for funding the ARPCT than actually trying to secure peace. Since fighting its way into power, the Islamic Courts have called even the use of African Union troops in Somalia "foreign occupation" and the people of Somalia are too worn out from 15 years of anarchy to organize effective resistance. All the western powers are doing is calling meetings despite the fact that both the United States and Great Britain officially have stated that the Islamic Courts are harboring at least 3 major Al Qaeda leaders. This whole time, the rights of average Somalians are slowly disintegrating –- local Islamic Courts leaders have banned television and are requiring men to grow beards, just as the Taliban did in Afghanistan. American inaction on Somalia is the most dangerous part of a larger trend within the Bush Administration towards realpolitik, as evidenced by the departure of prominent neoconservatives such as Doug Feith and Paul Wolfowitz. This may well be the right course to take, particularly for Iran and Eastern Europe. But in Somalia, allowing an Islamic government with terrorist ties and little if any respect for rights to rise to power does not bode well for future security.

Josh Levy is a Cavalier Daily Columnist. He can be reached at jlevy@cavalierdaily.com

Technorati Tags: Cavalier Daily ... Somalia ... Terrorism ... East Africa ... Radical Islam ... Islamists ... ARPCT ... Tanzania ... Fundamentalist Militants ... Islamic World ... Muslim ... Mujahideen ... Sharia law ... Kafir ... Caliphate ... Taliban

Government claims VA laptop with 26 million vets personal information has been recovered

According to an Associated Press (AP) story this morning at My Way News, the government claims that a laptop with sensitive information on its harddrive stolen from a home of a Veterans Affairs (VA) analyst on May 3rd. has been recovered. The stolen harddrive contained information on 26.5 million vets' social security numbers, dates of birth, and other identity theft capable information. Details regarding the recovery of the laptop and the identity of the suspects have not yet been released.

According to Secretary Nicolson, "There is reason to be optimistic," he told reporters just before the start of another in a series of hearings Congress has had on one of the worst breaches of information security. "It's a very positive note in this very tragic incident..."

For the AP story: Government Says Stolen VA Laptop Recovered

On a positive note:

The initial loss of personal information brought to the forefront a growing national problem of identity theft and some steps the consumer may want to consider. Fortunately, existing laws indicate that YOU (the consumer or victim of identity theft) has the right to ask that nationwide consumer reporting agencies place “fraud alerts” in your file to let potential creditors and others know that you may be a victim of identity theft. Of course there is a charge for that protection and depending on who looses the information and if the person or organization that looses the information will step up to the plate and be responsible, you may have to pay for the fraud alert service.

A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you. Of course, it also may delay your ability to obtain credit, a small price to pay for the damage it will cause if the information falls into the wrong hands. Individually, one may place a fraud alert in ones file by calling just one of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. As soon as that agency processes the fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which then also must place fraud alerts in the consumer's file.

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
• Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com

An initial fraud alert will stay in your file for at least 90 days. You may file an extended alert which will stay in your file for one year or seven years. To place the 90 day, one year, or seven year alert, the consumer reporting agency will require you to provide appropriate proof of your identity, which may include your Social Security number. If you ask for an extended alert, you will have to provide an identity theft report.

The identity theft report includes a copy of a report you have filed with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, and additional information a consumer reporting agency may require you to submit.

For more detailed information about the identity theft report, visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Technorati Tags: America ... Veterans Affairs ... VA ... Social Security ... Identity Theft ... Veterans ... Consumer Credit ... Equifax ... Money ... TransUnion ... Experian ... Fraud Alert... Compromise ... Unlawful ... SNAFU ... Public ... Opinion

Sports: NBA Draft

We do not a sports commentator at the Knickerbocker News, but we do receive news about activities within the sports arenas. If you are interested, you may find the NBA Draft. If you are interested in playing Fantasy Basketball, you may sign up now. Yahoo! Sports Blog is also new to the field. It should be enjoyable to those who are interested. Thank you, and have a nice day.

Category: Basketball and Sports-2.

Japan Preparing to Sanction NK over 'Missile Crisis'

If North Korea launches any missiles, Japan is prepared to sanction the North Korean country without going to the UN. (They will be acting unilaterally, because of fears that the UN won't do a daggone thing because of China's and Russia's veto. Isn't this a hoot?!)

"The laws have been passed, so all those options would come on to the table," Aso told NHK television, referring to provisions that could be used to freeze cash transfers and ban ferry services between Japan and North Korea.
<...>
Japan and the United States have threatened to refer North Korea to the U.N. Security Council if it launches a missile. But analysts have said the Security Council is unlikely to impose sanctions, due to likely opposition by China and Russia. [continue reading]

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is writing another bill to deal with other sanctions that may be viable. For instance, they would ban Japanese financial institutions from doing any business with anyone suspected of money laundering. (They don't even have to be found guilty! Maybe we should start looking closer at these people who are upset with our human rights record, eh?)

Category: (Military) News, North Korea, Japan and News.

Kidnapped victim freed; 9 terror suspects captured by Iraqi Security Forces

In a press release by CENTCOM on June 23, 2006, we find that the Iraqi forces freed a kidnapped woman after receiving a tip from an Iraqi citizen. They also captured the man who was holding her. When they brought him in for questioning, he admitted to the crime and told where the rest of the men involved were hiding.

Congratulations Iraqi Forces. Great job.

Category: (Military) News.

Privacy invaded again, this time the Navy

It has happened again. Only this time, they are civilians. What were they before? Hmm. Anyway, here goes:

The Navy said Friday the information was in five documents and included people's names, birth dates and Social Security numbers. Navy spokesman Lt. Justin Cole would not identify the Web site or its owner, but said the information had been removed. He would not provide any details about how the information ended up on the site. [continue reading]

It has the potential to affect 28,000 Sailors and their families. I am pretty upset about this.

I am beginning to see a pattern here. They have over half a million (I think) names, numbers, and birthdates right now, but who are they? Are they friendlies? Are they enemies? Is someone determined to get into the base to do harm on American soil?

I want answers, and I want them NOW. Our men and women deserve much better protection than this. After all, they are giving their best to protect us.

Category: (Military) News.

Syria and Russia Strengthen Ties

Syria and Iran have already strengthened ties, and now Russia is entering fray. The USSR used to use the Tartus naval base in the harbor. This was a strategic port for them against the USA. They are now back, and they are bringing weapons and men with them.

This does not appear friendly toward the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

A team of technicians is currently replacing hatches and antennas on the base's floating dock, where incoming ships are refueled and loaded with provisions. More and more Russian landing vessels like the "Jamal," and modernized warships like the "Smetlivy" and the "Pytlivy," are dropping anchor in the ancient Crusader port. The missile cruiser "Moskva," the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, with a crew of 850 and Vice Admiral Vassily Kondakov on board, paid a visit to the Latakia naval base in February. As in the old days, Kondakov met with the head of Syria's navy to assure his Syrian counterpart that Russian-Syrian relations are about to experience "an upswing." [continue reading]

The USA must take precautions to make sure the Ba'athists who are hiding in Syria, and the terrorists as well, do not gain access to the weapons of mass destruction that Syrians president has in his possession. Also, this is a base for Hizbollah.

There is much more information in the Der Spiegel, a German newspaper. I recommend this paper highly, because our own papers only want to play gotcha. They are not concerned with our national security. Don't let them fool you.

Germany has better dealings with the news around the world. A friend of ours, Jorg, covers the Carnivals of German-American Relations. While this article does not directly deal with our trans-Atlantic relationship, I would like to submit it to the Carnival.

I really want to encourage all of you who have a blog or a site to look through your archives. You may have an article recently written dealing with Germany, Europe, or our relationship that you would like to submit as well. Let me know, and I will help you.

You may also want to visit Jorg's site to read what the Germans and Americans think. Some articles are pro-trans-Atlantic, some are not. No surprise there. Give it a try. Thank you, and have a good day.

Category: Syria, USSR, Terrorism and Germany.

Kelo's Almost Dead!

Today (June 23, 2006), with the stroke of his pen, President Bush made it impossible for governments to steal private land to give to private owners. He essentially killed the Kelo decision.

While it is restricted to the federal government, no state shall make laws that go outside the scope of the federal government. Let's see if this argument stands up in court.

Category: Politics/Debate and News.

Iraq's Reconcilliation Plan

The rumors of an amnesty of all insurgents (terrorists) turns out to be just that, a rumor. In an article written by Joshua Partlow of the Washington Post, he states that PM al-Maliki was going to grant amnesty to those who had "carried weapons" but not to those who have committed crimes.

Earlier proposals suggested offering pardons to Iraqis who have attacked U.S. troops but not to those who attacked Iraqis, an idea the U.S. Senate strongly denounced. The new plan does not make that distinction, Iraqi officials said.

"It says that the government will issue an amnesty for all those who have not committed crimes against the people of Iraq and the friends of Iraq," said Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, an ethnic Kurd from President Jalal Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. "Those who attack U.S. forces are not immune from legal consequences. An attack on Iraqi forces or multinational forces are seen legally . . . as the same thing from the perspective of the government."

This turns out to be the best of both situations. It is only fair to charge those responsible for the deaths of those who fought for your freedom.

The plan has about 20 central points, which include inviting human rights organizations to monitor Iraqi prisons and allowing certain members of Hussein's Baath Party who were removed from their jobs after the U.S. invasion to make a case for reinstatement, officials said. "Implementing it will be the real challenge," Saleh said.

Special correspondent K.I. Ibrahim contributed to this report.

Category: (Military) News and News.

Troopers would arrest immigrants

The Boston Globe brings us this article.

Romney seeks federal OK to expand powers
By Yvonne Abraham and Scott Helman, Globe Staff June 21, 2006.

The Governor of Mass., Mitt Romney (R), has asked the federal government for permission to catch illegal aliens. They would do this through routine traffic stops. As it is stands right now, this is not allowed.

An aside: Are we not allowed to catch bank robbers? Well that's a federal crime. I have the perfect way to break the federal governments back.

Stop upholding all federal laws, including collecting income taxes and social security (FICA). Collect only those monies that pertain to the individual states.

This way, we let the federal government know they cannot choose the laws we are to uphold! Back to the story.

Federal immigration authorities would provide the troopers with 4 1/2 weeks of training in immigration laws and procedures, civil rights, and avoiding racial profiling.

If the proposal is approved, Massachusetts would join a handful of states and localities that have entered into such pacts since they were first authorized in 1996. That list includes Florida, Alabama, and a few counties in California and North Carolina, where a limited number of officers have been trained to enforce immigration laws.

How many knew of this? We at this cyber-paper did not. We are glad to see someone is on the ball.

Category: American News & Issues, Constitutional Issues, News and Terrorism.

CNN: FBI Director Robert Mueller regarding home grown terrorism

Email passed on from CNN Pipeline.

I thought you might be interested to know that CNN Pipeline will be featuring FBI Director Robert Mueller giving a speech to the City Club of Cleveland regarding home grown terrorism. He is expected to have a short press conference afterwards. Both will be LIVE on CNN Pipeline at 12PM ET.

CNN Pipeline is an online, commercial-free, multiple live-news feed. It showcases four simultaneous news feeds from around the world and an on-demand function that allows you to select from a variety of news stories.

According to CNN, you may be able to visit their URL, www.cnn.com and click on the CNN Pipeline link to watch it *live.* This is a pay for view feature at CNN. Check to see if you qualify for two-week free trial. The Bosun and Knickerbocker News are not affiliated with CNN, but, are passing on the email message announcing CNN Pipeline and Director Mueller's speech.

Technorati tags: Terrorism ... Florida ... CNN ... FBI ... Miami ... Chicago ... Sears Tower ... al Qaeda ... Terrorism ... Homegrown Terror ... Robert Mueller ... CNN Pipeline ... Terror Cell ... Imminent threat

BN: FBI arrests 7 suspected of terrorism plot

Seven people were arrested, 5 were citizens, 1 has permantent residency, and the other was here ILLEGALLY (overstayed visa). The only one of two targeted plots that I caught was the Sears Towers in Chicago, Illinois. More news to come.

I cannot believe it. The AP is actually covering this! I am in shock. I must lay down. lol.

It takes about 30 seconds to come up on the screen. Here is the same article, only easier to access. (This is my "My Newz 'n Ideas Plus!" site.) Remember, I did not write this, they did. Have a good day.

Category: Terrorism.

Senate Rejects Calls on Iraq Troop Pullout

In two votes today, the GOP-controlled Senate rejected Democratic calls to start withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by years' end, as the two parties sought to define their election-year positions on a war that has grown increasingly unpopular.

In an 86-13 vote, the Senate turned back a proposal from some Democrats that would require the administration to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by July 1, 2007, with redeployments beginning this year.

Minutes later, the Senate rejected the nonbinding phased withdrawl plan with a vote of 60-39. The Levin & Reid proposal was a nonbinding resolution that would call for the administration to begin withdrawing troops, but with no timetable for the war's end. More from Channel 8 San Diego>>

At Fox News: Senate Rejects BidsTo Set Iraq Pullout

Stop The ACLU has posted: 'Senate rejects calls on Iraq troop pullout '

Also writing about the Senate Rejecting: Hot Air .... Sister Toldjah .... Captain’s Quarters .... Right on the Right

Technorati tags: America ... John Kerry ... Iraq ... Cut and Run ... Withdrawal ... Politically Correct ... Liberalism ... socialism ... War on Terror ... Carl Levin ... Harry Reid ... Senate Republicans ... Senate Democrats ... Politics ... Liberal ... Lefti ... War ... Political Correctness

Sri Lanka: Civil War or Counter Terrorism

I did not know very much about Sri Lanka, so I had to do some research to distinguish who the terrorists and good guys were. It appears that may not be so easy.

Allow me to share with you what I did find. Sri Lanka has a population of 20,222,240 people on an island slightly larger than W. Virginia. Their birth rate is higher than their death rate: 15.51:6.52/1000. Their ethnic make up is 73.8% Sinhadese, 7.2% Sri Lankan Moors, 4.6% Indian Tamil, 3.9% Sri Lankan Tamil, 3.9%, .5% other and 10% unspecified. (2001 provisional cencus)

There is also the same ratio according to religion: Buddhists, 69.1%; Muslim, 7.6%; Hindu, 7.17%; and Christian, 6.2%.

The group that appears to be starting and continuing this civil war is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). They seem unwilling to even speak with the government, yet on Tuesday both sides recommitted to the 2002 truce.

The terrorist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is ignoring this. There has been a civil war in one sense or another for 23 long years for which approxiamately 2,826 people died per year. It is believed they are trying to force Sri Lanka to hand over 12-14% of the island to them, so these people can control their own way of life. But just what is that?

In the story I was reading in the Der Spiegel, it was odd to hear the government blamed the same way as the terrorists for the unrest. That is like saying, "There is a riot! Quick, call the police!" The police show up, have to disperse tear gas to quell the rioters, and then blame the police for the entire problem! Unbelievable.

I find it hard to believe the police are at fault here, but that is with limited knowledge. That is why, children, we must stay in school and insist upon our teachers teaching us the facts about the world around us! (Just thought I'd through that in here. lol)

Either way, I pray for this to be resolved very soon in a way that is good for everyone. Maybe. The LTTE was put on the EU's terrorist list on May 29, 2006. Maybe it not such a good idea to wish them peace? This looks like another religious war. God, why don't they understand they are NOT doing this in Your name?

Technorati: Sri Lanka, Der Spiegel, terrorism and religion.

Category: Sri Lanka and Terrorism.

North Korea provokes USA into Missile Defense

Today President Bush has given permission to get the Missile Defense System in ready status, because the North Koreans have gassed and set one or more of their missiles on the launch pad, we have just learned from Bill Gertz who writes for The Washington Times.

The Pentagon activated its new U.S. ground-based interceptor missile defense system, and officials announced yesterday that any long-range missile launch by North Korea would be considered a "provocative act."
<...>
Two Navy Aegis warships are patrolling near North Korea as part of the global missile defense and would be among the first sensors that would trigger the use of interceptors, the officials said yesterday.
<...>
"The United States has a limited missile defense system," Mr. Whitman said. He declined to say if the system is operational or whether it would be used.

"U.S. Northern Command continues to monitor the situation, and we are prepared to defend the country in any way necessary," said spokesman Michael Kucharek. [continue reading]

It is about time. Now let's pray that it works.

Category: (Military) News and News.

UN to Meet with Islamic Militants, Official says

United Nations Press Release, 19 June 2006 – Saying that militias connected to Islamic courts now control three major districts of Somalia and might be driving toward the Ethiopian border, the top United Nations envoy to the country stressed today that it is crucial to open a legitimate dialogue between the leaders of that movement and the Transitional Government.

“If something is not done now, the conflict might take on a regional dimension,” François Lonsény Fall, Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative told journalists in New York after briefing the Security Council upon returning from his trip to the region.

Any dialogue with the Union of Islamic Courts, who earlier this month drove warlords out of the capital, Mogadishu, must, he stressed, be done under the framework of the transitional Charter and the other transitional institutions that have be painstakingly built over the past few years with the support of the international community in Somalia, which has not had a functioning government since the collapse of President Muhammad Siad Barre’s regime in 1991.

In response to journalists’ questions, Mr. Fall said that even given its long history as a “failed State,” Somalia was receiving stronger Council attention at the current time because progress in building those transitional institutions could now be erased, and it is very possible that there are extremist elements among the Islamic Court leaders, though very little is known about them.
He also pointed to the danger of regional destabilization; there have already been unconfirmed indications of Ethiopian troop movements toward the Somali border.

Compounding this, humanitarian agencies are facing increasing difficulties in gaining access to people in the areas now controlled by the Islamic Courts. Mr. Fall said that a meeting between an international humanitarian team and leaders of the Islamic courts was in the process of being arranged, representing the first diplomatic contacts with any of them.

Meanwhile, The UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported today that the recent fighting, the worst drought in a decade and decreased humanitarian access have combined to create the most severe malnutrition in Somalia in years.

With malnutrition rates at 23 per cent, the agencies say, the situation is much worse than the 15 per cent malnutrition that would signal an emergency. In southern Somalia, five surveys taken since January found that one fifth of children were so malnourished that they needed supplementary or therapeutic feeding and than only 10 per cent of those needing such feeding were being reached.

The agencies called on Somali authorities, donors and others to take urgent action over the next 10 weeks to get food and other assistance to those most in need.

• Secretary-General calls on Somalis to unite after ouster of warlords from capital - 15 June
• Top UN envoy meets with Somali leaders on political, humanitarian situation - 13 June
• Top UN envoy holds high-level talks on humanitarian assistance for Somalia - 9 June
• Concerned at rising violence in Somalia, Security Council urges dialogue - 8 June
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SOMALIA - 19 June
• SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON SOMALIA - 31 May

Also writing about this story: KIRO NEWS Somalia

Technorati tags: UN ... United Nations ... Somalia ... militias ... Islamic courts ... Ethiopia ... Dictatorship ... Terrorism

Prosecutors demand death penalty: Saddam, 3 others

The prosecutors for the Saddam trial, along with his cronies, are demanding the death penalty for Saddam, Saddam's half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti, former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan and the former chief judge of Saddam's Revolutionary Court, Awad Hamed al-Bandar.

The prosecutions case closed last Monday, and the defense attorneys will provide their closing arguments July 10, 2006. The judge is granting the defense three days on which to provide their case, although they initially requested more time to prepare their case. It should last from July 10 through July 13.

It appears the prosecution wishes to release some people, Mohammad Azzam Azzawi, a former official of the ruling Baath Party with responsibility for the Dujail area, on the grounds they were only following orders. Someone should show him the Nuremberg Trials for the Nazi party.

The alleged facts of the trial will focus on this:

"Entire families were imprisoned, including old men, women and children .. They were taken to mukhabarat headquarters in Baghdad, and they suffered from physical and mental torture, including electrical shocks."

Forty-six people died from torture or the conditions of imprisonment, he said. The Revolutionary Court then sentenced 148 to death after a "show trial in which the defendants did not appear and had no chance for defense," he said. [continue reading]

Stay tuned.

Source: The Daily Star.

Category: Iraq, Human Rights and News.

US Busts Human Smuggling Ring

There has been a human smuggling ring busted in North Dakota. This is proof that 'slavery' has reared it's ugly head once again. People will continue to mistreat and take advantage of the desperate, hungry people if there are not enforceable immigration laws.

"This whole case started with two Mexican guys who walked away from the restaurant in Grand Forks -- or were fired -- and were found walking along a road outside Grand Forks in a thunderstorm,'' Assistant US Attorney Nick Chase said.

That was in August 2004. The two Mexican men told Immigration and Customs agents they had been working more than 70 hours a week for less than US$2 an hour at the Buffet House, a Chinese restaurant in Grand Forks. They had been living with eight other restaurant employees in a small apartment a block from the restaurant. [continue reading]

This must be stopped wherever and whenever it occurs. It is a crime not only to those people, but slavery is immoral, indecent, and a crime against humanity.

Editor's Note: I am appalled at this finding. People do not understand just how many instances like this one happen each and every day, yet they are not exposed. What do we do for them? How do we protect them?

We do this by deporting them in the first place. If everything is made to be above board, then the immigrants will be protected by our laws without fear. People will not try to do these type of things, because they will fear being caught. It is a horrible, disgusting, low-life of a person who would take advantage of the weak, the poor, and/or the desperate.

I am only grateful that these people are going to prison. In my opinion, not for a long enough time. I would actually prefer a public hanging. A little rough? Ah, yes. But would the next person think twice about enslaving a human being?

Category: American News & Issues, Constitutional Issues, Human Rights, News, (Religion) Other, Mexico and the USA.

Father's Day Edition of Pundit Review Radio

I want to hurry and get this information out to you, so I have 'borrowed' what they have written over at Pundit Review Radio. I'm sure they won't mind, as long as I give them the credit. :)

Tonight we will interview Jillian Russell, a singer and songwriter based in LA. Jillian has written a touching song, “To dad with Love”, a Fathers Day tribute her dad, and all military dads.

Jillian’s dad Jim is a member of the Mass. National Guard and was deployed to Iraq. After a year in the field, he was wounded and spent 7 months in the Walter Reed Hospitial, has had seven surgeries to date and is still on the road to recovery.

We will also speak to Jillian’s dad Jim about his service, and the song his daughter has written. The song can be purchsed by listeners on the Soldiers Angels website with proceeds going to SA’S for care packages for our troops.

At 9pm, as always, Matt from Blackfive will join us for a special edition of Someone You Should Know.

Pundit Review Radio
8-10pm est.
Streaming live at WRKO.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Hailed as “Groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening at 8pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Leader.

I would like to add my gratitude to all the men in America who have stepped up to the plate of Fatherhood. You are definitely heroes. If you do not believe me, look into the eyes of your child. That is all the proof you need.

For you men who do not have children, I love you too. You are special, and don't you feel left out or forgotten. There is too much of that going around. You are not forgotten. At least not by me. Happy Men's Day! :)

PS. However, you may want to think about asking that gal you've got your arm around to marry you so you can start a family...lol.

Category: Radio Shows.

Bosun's Op-ed: Dems The wrong side of history

The House of Representatives (213 Republicans and 43 Democrats) passed a nonbinding resolution in a 256-153 vote that praised United States troops, linked the Iraq war to the global War on Terror and rejected an "arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment." However, 149 House Democrats, 1 Independent, and 3 Republicans voted against the proposal and in support of a "Cut and Run Strategy" for Iraq. In reality, the House Resolution squeaked by with about 63% of the vote compared to 93% of the Senate who voted on a similar proposal.

• Click here to see how your representative voted.
• Click here to see how your senator voted on a similar bill.

Here is what two of the House Democrats, Dumb and Dumber, said:

House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat, California: "I will vote against this resolution because it is an affirmation of (President Bush's) failed policy in Iraq.....The war in Iraq has been a grotesque mistake .. stay the course? I don't think so, Mr. President"

Congressman Jack Murtha, the un-military hero Democrat from Pennsylvania ranted about the lack of success of our military, need for withdrawal, and compared Americans to Saddam Hussein:

• Rep. John Murtha (D-PA): "We can't win this." (Rep. John Murtha, Congressional Record, 6/15/06, p. H4028)
• Rep. Murtha: "We are causing the problem."(Rep.John Murtha, Congressional Record, 6/15/06, p. H4028)
• Rep. Murtha Claims Americans Are Driving Iraqis Out Of The Country, Just Like Saddam Hussein.
• Rep.Murtha: "Almost 900,000 people left when Saddam Hussein was there... The time we have been there, 900,000 people have left the county." (Rep. John Murtha, Congressional Record, 6/15/06, p. H4027) Source: GOP.Com

In the history of the world, every great society comes to an untimely demise because of ineffective leadership and whackos. Rome, for example, was destroyed from within by crazy inbred rulers, moral and social declination, and their own brand of political correctness. Unfortunately, it appears that America is going to be destroyed from within, too. Funny how history repeats itself.

Presently, America is strong and resolute. We have a good President. However.....

Jack Murtha, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Joe Biden, Dick Durbin and the rest of the left can mismanage how to use the military and undercut the President's war on terrorism. Ineffective "metro-males," Dhimmis, and outright enemies of the state will continue to work against American society and our core values.

It is this humble blogger's opinion that the Donk Lefti, Dhimmis, et. al., joined with politically correct entities such as the 9th Circus Court and ACLU, work against "Mom, John Wayne, and apple pie." One might surmise that the left wing and their politically correct agenda are chipping away at the very fabric of our great country.

Are we in deep kimchee? Do we not realize it?

Also writing about this topic: Big Dog's Weblog - Look At Who Will Not Declare That We Will Win

Technorati tags: America ... John Kerry ... Nancy Pelosi ... Iraq ... Cut and Run ... Withdrawal ... Jack Murtha ... Politically Correct ... Liberalism ... socialism ... War on Terror ... House Republicans ... House Democrats ... Politics ... Liberal ... Lefti ... War ... Political Correctness

Senate approves $60 million for Darfur peacekeepers

The Senate has let the people in Darfur down once more. There was supposed to be more, much more. Sen. Sam Brownback (R) has been working on a bill for over 2 years now that would severely punish Kartoum.

The Darfur money was included in an amendment sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, and co-sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas. To pay for the proposed peacekeeping mission, funding for a huge U.S. embassy project in Baghdad was cut. (More about the $94.5 billion spending bill)

Menendez said he hoped a U.N. peacekeeping mission would bring peace and stability to the region. In 2004, Congress enacted a measure to stop trade and separately approved a resolution declaring that the atrocities in western Sudan were acts of genocide. [continue reading]

I hope that someday soon someone on Capital Hill will realize it takes more than just talk and small gestures.

Category: Sudan, News and Politics/Debate.

U.N. hears of mass Darfur killings

It has been several years now, and finally the UN has decided to at least hear about the genocide in Darfur.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N.-backed court probing war crimes in Darfur has documented thousands of civilian deaths, hundreds of alleged rapes and a "significant number" of massacres that killed hundreds of people at once, the top prosecutor said Wednesday. [continue reading]

I am not going to get my hopes up, because China, Russia, and France all have their eyes and hands on the oil in Sudan. They know if they vote against that government, he will pull their contracts and tear them up.

Ya see, they don't any rules to play by. Not like we do. With Somalia going to the jihadists and genocide in Sudan, I wonder how long the UN will stand as an ineffectual institution...

Category: Sudan and the UN.

Why Gaddafi is so Afraid of Charles Taylor

This is an excellent article by Douglas Farah. You wonder to yourself, "Why?"

It is interesting to see that Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is slamming Nigeria for turning Charles Taylor over to face justice. News reports quote Gad[d]affi as saying such a move sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of Africa. [continue reading]

This man is a brilliant researcher and analyst on counter-terrorism. He is not beholden to a political party, nor is he confined to one area of expertise. He has written several books. His newest book is, "Blood from Stones", and you may purchase it from Amazon.com.

I have focused on this article in Douglas' site, because this is the person I go to for information. I like to cooberate my data, and I trust the information I receive from Douglas.

Category: Lybia, Liberia and Nigeria.

Somalia, Iran, Charles Taylor, Afghanistan and NK News

I sure do wish there were more than 24 hours in a day. It is difficult (for me, lol) to cover everything I'd like in this short amount of time. Especially when it comes to the weekend, because most people are out with their families. These articles are of utmost import, so please take a moment and consider them.

The title has the original article, and the 'continue reading' has a copy of the article. I do this because I'm tired of losing articles. Make no mistake, however, that these articles are the property of the authors and press they belong to. Thank you.

SOMALIA: Regional body imposes sanctions against "warlords" by AlertNet.org

NAIROBI, 14 June (IRIN) - East African states have agreed to isolate leaders of armed factions in Somalia by imposing a regional travel ban on them and freezing their assets in a bid to help the nation's fledgling transitional federal government restore stability.

Kenya took the lead last week, imposing sanctions against Somalia's so-called "warlords" after they and their militia were driven out of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, by forces loyal to the city's Islamic courts. The faction leaders were accused of being the main stumbling block in efforts to re-establish a government in Somalia, where anarchy has reigned since the overthrow in 1991 of the administration led by Muhammad Siyad Barre. [continue reading]

We Are Playing With Fire, and Radiation, in Iran by Jay D. Homnick, Posted Jun 16, 2006.

...Nor do I relish here the role of skeptic. I am as enamored as the next guy with the image of 'our team' running rhetorical circles around the primitive hooligans who run Iran. We could get them to agree not to nuke Manhattan Island, and all it will cost us is $24 worth of trinkets. Show those guys once and for all that the Great Satan can pitch you anything with forked tongue and make you like it. Worse comes to worst, we might have to throw in a boatload of free burqas as an incentive, complete with ILGWU labels. [continue reading]

UK pressed to jail Charles Taylor By Norman Smith, BBC News, Freetown.

Sierra Leone's leader says it would be "very helpful" if the UK were to jail ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor if he were convicted of war crimes.

He faces the charges in the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, which requested his trial be transferred to The Hague for security reasons.

But the Dutch government said it would only accept this if any ensuing jail term was served in another country. [continue reading here and here.]

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 45 Militants By TINI TRAN, ABC News International.

KABUL, Afghanistan Jun 17, 2006 (AP)— Coalition forces pressed forward with a major offensive in southern Afghanistan, killing an estimated 45 insurgents in attacks on two Taliban militant camps, military officials said Saturday.

Most died when Afghan and coalition forces surprised militants as they gathered at a "known enemy camp" in Khod Valley, part of the Shaheed Hasas district of Uruzgan province, the military said in a statement. [continue reading]

Reports: NKorea to test fire missile. by Canoe Network (cnews.canoe.ca)

TOKYO (AP) - The United States and Japan urged North Korea not to proceed with reported plans to test-fire a long-range missile that could reach the U.S. mainland, saying Saturday that a launch would be dangerous and provocative.

But North Korean officials later denied such preparations, the Kyodo News agency reported, citing a South Korean official it did not identify. [continue reading]

I hope these articles keep informed as to what America is facing in these perilous times. There is an author I like to follow who writes several articles about Charles Taylor, terrorism, et al. His name is Douglas Farah. I encourage you to visit his site.

He also writes for The Counter Terrorism Blog. Bill Roggio, known to many of us through his older blog, "The Fourth Rail," also writes for this site. At this moment, he is in Afghanistan covering the events in real time. We may not receive all the information, which is proper, but he is doing a fantastic job! Thank you, and have a great day. (Don't forget, tomorrow is Father's Day!)

Category: Somalia, Lybia, United Kingdom, Iran, Afghanistan, (Military) News, North Korea and Terrorism.

Happy Birthday USA Army and USA Flag

Today, 231 years ago, the men (and women) of our country came together to form a more perfect Army to be honored with our blessed Flag. At that period in time, men and women understood what it meant to sacrifice for that which was worth the sacrifice. They honored each other and the United States (although she was not yet the United States). There was no shame in defending one's country, one's family, one's self.


Today, I still hold these truths to be as valuable. America is indeed beautiful, but she was purchased through the blood of many whose boots I am not worth to clean. I honor you, Military. I respect you, and I know you are the only ones standing between harm's way and me. I give you my deepest gratitude. Thank you.

We have heard so many stories about our flag. Some even try to dismiss them, while others disrespect her by setting her aflame. As you do this to a symbol that is so dear to us, please remember this: Without those whom you protesting, you would not carry the freedom with you to do such a thing. In some countries, you would receive the death penalty.
So treat her with respect. Understand that we do not worship our flag, but we love her. It was the flag who inspired Francis Scott Key on that battle at Fort Henry of the shores of Baltimore Harbor in 1812 to write our national anthem. It was the sight of our flag that let them know, that inspired them to carry on with strength, that we still held the line.

You see, if we had lost that one particular battle, we would have lost it all. So be thankful. Understand what you are doing before you do it, and thank those brave men and women whom give you the opportunity to act like an ass.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, AND GOD BLESS THE USA ARMY!

Now for some remarkable remembrances: Blackfive, Theodore's World has one for Flag Day and one for the Army's 231st Birthday and Euphoric Reality.

PS. I cannot get blogger to allow me to publish a flag. :( Sorry.

Category: (Military) News.

Zarqawi's been DEAD for a whole week

While the dinosaur media would like you to believe this was only a little, insignificant mission, I am not going to allow that to happen! This was HUGE! Great going, all of you guys. I am so proud of you. Stay safe, destroy all of the enemies, and bring it on home. Godspeed.

ICE nabs illigals across the United States

ICE agents and officers have apprehended 2,179 criminal aliens, illegal alien gang members, fugitive aliens and other immigration violators as part of a nationwide interior immigration enforcement operation.

What took so long? The federal authorities should have been doing this for a long time.

The nationwide blitz called "Operation Return to Sender," has been conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers nationwide since May 26TH.

Officials are currently targeting child molesters, gang members, violent criminals and others, who have returned to the country after being deported by a judge, the Associated Press reported. The operation has caught more than 140 immigrants with convictions for sexual offenses against children; 367 known gang members, including street soldiers in the deadly Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13; and about 640 people who had already been deported once, immigration officials said. The numbers include more than 720 arrests in California alone.

For addition information on Operation Return to Sender please visit the links below:

• News 8 San Diego: Agency Nabs Illegals Across United States >>>>
• World Net Daily: Operation Return to Sender sends agents across country to target violent criminals>>>>

Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) links:

• Child Exploitation
• Gangs
• Human Trafficking
• Secure Borders (SBI)
• Special Registration & More
• Inside ICE provides all the latest top stories and more from the ICE case files.
• ICE Photos and Imagery: Stanislaus County Gang Enforcement Operation

Technorati tags: America ... DHS, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) ... California ... Illegal ... MS-13 ... Gang Enforcement ... SoCal ... Human trafficking ... Child Exploitation ... Immigration ... Mara Salvatrucha ... President Bush ... Deported ... Welfare ... Border Control ... Border Fence ... Politically Correct ... Liberalism ... Economics ... socialism

Iranian Leadership; Resolution of the Holocaust - Destruction of Israel

Special Dispatch-Iran/Antisemitism Documentation Project
June 15, 2006
No. 1186

DISCLAIMER: The different points of views on MEMRI are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of the Rumors of War or any entity affiliated with the Rumors of War.

Iranian Presidential Advisor Mohammad Ali Ramin: "The Resolution of the Holocaust Issue Will End in the Destruction of Israel"

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: HTML The Resolution of the Holocaust: Destruction of Israel .

On June 9, 2006, the reformist online daily Rooz reported that during a visit with students at Gilan University in Rasht, Iran, Mohammad Ali Ramin, advisor to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, discussed historical accusations against the Jews and questioned the Holocaust.

The following are excerpts from the Rooz article, in the original English:(1)

"'Throughout History, This Religious Group [i.e. the Jews] has Inflicted the Most Damage on the Human Race'"

"On a visit to Gilan University, president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's advisor Mohammad Ali Ramin said to a group of students in the town of Rasht, 'Ten years ago, when I brought up the issue of the Holocaust for the first time in this country, my goal was to defend the Jewish people. But among the Jews there have always been those who killed God's prophets and who opposed justice and righteousness. Throughout history, this religious group has inflicted the most damage on the human race, while some of its groups engaged in plotting against other nations and ethnic groups to cause cruelty, malice and wickedness.'

"'Historically, there are many accusations against the Jews. For example, it was said that they were the source for such deadly disease as the plague and typhus. This is because the Jews are very filthy people. For a time people also said that they poisoned water wells belonging to Christians and thus killed them,' Ramin said.

"Ramin also pointed that there were other plots that powerful people used to mislead public opinion around the world. 'When the Islamic Revolution of Iran succeeded and attracted many people around the world, including Christians, the AIDS epidemic came about, and fear again overtook the world. After the September 11 attacks, the deadly epidermis broke out, which was destroyed when the U.S. invaded Afghanistan. On the eve of the invasion of Iran, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) illness broke out, but disappeared after the invasion,' he said."

"'Nobody Asks How a Bird That had the Flu Could Fly From Australia to Siberia'"

"Ramin also claimed that the spread of bird flu was a conspiracy plot cause[d] by the failure of America, Israel and Britain in the Middle East. Ramin pointed out that to cover up and hide their failures, these countries have spread the news about the bird flu to preoccupy and distract public opinion for some 5 to 6 months. 'Nobody asks how a bird that had the flu could fly from Australia to Siberia,' he said, adding that even the Iranian minister of health had claimed to have stopped the disease at Iran's borders. He claimed the holocaust story and bird flu rumors are interrelated. He attributed the killing of millions of chicken was to control the price and amount [of] chicken in the market."

"In Order to Deny the Germans the Ability to Increase Their Power, 'the British and Americans Present Them as a Human-Burning Nation'"

"While acknowledging not knowing the source of these events around the world, Ramin said, 'I only know that Jews have been accused of such conspiracies and sabotage throughout history and have not performed well.'

"And repeating the president's claims about the Holocaust, he presented four theories that are presented in its support.

"The first is that in order to deny the Germans the ability to increase their power, 'the British and Americans present them as a human-burning nation.' The second theory is that the Americans and the British have cocked up this story with the Zionists, so as to create the state of Israel in the middle of the Islamic world and thus control the Islamic world on the Holocaust pretext, and getting rid of the Jews from Europe. The third hypothesis relates to the traditional animosity between Christians and the Jews. 'The U.S., Britain with the cooperation of France, Russia and Germany, and because of their Christian leanings and its animosity with the Jews, launched the idea of the Holocaust after the Second World War to scare off the Jews and sent them to what is now Israel in order to get rid of them in Europe and America,' he said. He further said that the movement that created Israel is in fact against the Jews. The fourth theory relates to covering up the crimes of the U.S. and Britain. He claimed that Britain had killed some 100 million red Indians in the last 300 years and the U.S. had leveled Hiroshima, which he said were the real Holocausts."

"'The Resolution of the Holocaust Issue Will End in the Destruction of Israel'"

"Claiming that the Holocaust was the principal reason why Palestine was occupied while Israel was the main cause of crises and catastrophe in the Middle East. 'So long as Israel exists in the region there will never be peace and security in the Middle East,' he said adding, 'So the resolution of the Holocaust issue will end in the destruction of Israel.'

"Turning to President Ahmadinejad's comments on the Holocaust, Ramin said that he criticized the president for making those comments. 'We do not know whether the Holocaust existed or not and so must find out in order to defend the suffered party. My suggestion to him was to set up an investigative committee on this to collect the supporting documents,' he said."

Endnote:

(1) Rooz, June 9, 2006, 'Throughout History, This Religious Group [i.e. the Jews] has Inflicted the Most Damage on the Human Race' .

*********************
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 www.memri.org

Technorati Tags: Iran ... Middle East ... Terrorism ... Ahmadinejad ... Holocaust ... Jews ... Israel ... Islam ... Irrational Behavior ... Islamic World ... Muslim

Civil War Breaks Out, Nobody to Cover It

This is precious. The press is just waiting for Iraq to fall apart (which it will not), while there is an actual civil war taking place...PALESTINIAN CIVIL WAR. You may find this at the New York Post ONLINE.

You would think, since we are so eager to hear about civil wars, that at least one (dinosaur) news channel would have covered this. I guess they really don't care the Arabs. Hmm. Who knew?

Category: ME News.

Vote on Judges, Not Flags, Say Conservatives

This story, written by Monisha Bansal of CNSNews.com, takes the words right out of my mouth.

"Our constituents will not be put off by being told that the Senate has more pressing business than judicial nominees," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America. "We know that judges affect every area of our lives and certainly the most important issues of life, liberty and property.

"We want actions, not excuses," LaRue said at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "If Americans continue to see obstruction and hear excuses rather than debate and votes on nominees, senators should not be surprised that come November 8, the votes they want may not be there." [continue reading]

Now doesn't that sound about right?

Update: I am aware that the link is not working as of right now. Please be patient. I have e-mailed CNSNews.com to find the URL of where they moved the actual article. I didn't want to steal it by copying the whole thing. I am not, after all, the New York Times. lol. I will post it and let you know as soon as I have it straightened out. Thank you.

Category: Politics & Debate.

Judge Rejects San Francisco's Handgun Ban

Unbelievable. This happened in San Francisco? Someone pinch me. lol.

(CNSNews.com) - A San Francisco Superior Court judge on Monday threw out the city's voter-approved ban on handguns, ruling that state law trumps local jurisdictions in gun control matters..."The right of citizens to be safe in their homes and communities can never be subject to a popular vote," said SAF founder Alan Gottlieb. [continue reading]

Finally, the guys win one. Keep up the pressure all the way to every district in these United States. They cannot take away our rights that are not given by them.

They are elected officials who are in office to protect these rights, no matter whether they agree with them or not. We abolished slavery, and we shall abolish the disdain for self-defense. Maybe then we can once again live in a society where the criminals think twice before acting the fool...

Category: American News & Issues, Bill of Rights and Constitutional Issues.

President Bush Addresses Troops in Iraq

Green Zone, Baghdad

In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you for the warm welcome. Thought I'd stop in to say "hello." (Laughter and applause.) I bring greetings from a grateful nation. (Applause.) I thank you for your sacrifice, I thank you for your service, I thank you for making history.

You know, one of the things I try to do is put good people in place who accomplish hard jobs. And I can't think of two better leaders than Zal Khalilzad and General Casey to lead this important effort. (Applause.) I thank you all very much for your service to our country. Your sacrifice is noble and your sacrifice is important.

I understand long deployments are tough -- they're tough on you and they're tough on your families. And so the first thing I want to tell you is the American people are incredibly grateful for what you do, and I bring their greetings and their thanks for the sacrifices you and your family make.

These are historic times. The mission that you're accomplishing here in Iraq will go down in the history books as an incredibly important moment in the history of freedom and peace; an incredibly important moment of doing our duty to secure our homeland.

You know, right after September the 11th I knew that some would forget the dangers we face. Some would hope that the world would be what it's not -- a peaceful place in which people wouldn't want to do harm to those of us who love freedom. I vowed that day, after September the 11th, to do everything I could to protect the American people. And I was able to make that claim because I knew there were people such as yourself who were willing to be on the front line in the war on terror. [Continue reading]

Category: (Military) News, USA, News, Iraq and Politics & Debate.

Bush visits Baghdad, Iraq

Baghdad - President Bush unexpectedly decided to take a trip to Iraq during his war summit at Camp David. After everyone retired for the evening at Camp David, President Bush made a sortie to Baghdad for a surprise face to face meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. President Bush departed Camp David about 9 PM, Monday evening and made the 11 hour trip to Baghdad. al-Maliki was not aware about the personal visit and found out five minutes before President Bush met with him.

al-Maliki originally thought that he would be speaking by teleconference hookup for the war summit meeting with President Bush and his advisers at the Camp David presidential retreat.

With this trip to Baghdad, President Bush sends a strong message that the United States stands firmly with the Iraqi government. President Bush is committed to the process of shifting responsibility to the Iraqi people and has faith in the al-Maliki government.

Press reports for this trip have been released while President Bush is still on the ground in Baghdad. The last time he visited Iraq as to visit United States troops for Thanksgiving, November 27, 2003. During that 2003 visit, press reports were not released until President Bush was on his way back to the United States. For his latest visit to be released while he is still on the ground in Iraq shows that the Iraqi government has come a long way and the country is more secure.

President Bush appears to be confident with the successes al-Maliki's Iraqi government. This trip is bound to drive the liberal pundits nuts. Bush shows that he is totally committed and will not cut and run, as liberal pundits would like.

Thank you Mr. President for sending the message to the Iraqi people and the world that you are behind the Iraqi government and the United States is in it for the long haul.

Technorati Tags: Iraq ... al-Maliki ... Baghdad ... Middle East ... President Bush ... Diplomacy ... Islam ... Opinion

Breaking News: No Indictment for Rove

We have learned this morning, thanks to Byron York over at National Review Online, that Karl Rove will face any charges from Fitzgerald.

Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has informed top White House adviser Karl Rove that Rove will not face indictment in the CIA-leak investigation, National Review Online has learned. The word came yesterday, when Fitzgerald told Rove lawyer Robert Luskin that he, Fitzgerald, did not plan to seek charges against Rove. [continue reading]

This is good news for some, heartbreaking news for others. Whatever side you are on, this should put an end to the speculations. Now it is time to move on. Have a nice day.

Category: Politics/Debate and News.

Offend Christians, tough. Offend Muslims, they sue

It is so amazingly un-American and un-democratic that I am shocked Italy would even consider the thought of hearing this case. I am very disappointed.

Oriana Fallaci's trial started today in Italy. Her charge? She wrote a book that had a few paragraphs which offended Islam. Oh? No one sued Adel Smith, president of the Muslim Union of Italy, when he called for the elimination of all Christian reminders in Italy! THAT is offensive.

Michelle Malkin has her finger on the pulse of this story. So does Robert Spencer. I wonder, where are all the free-speech activists? Where are all the women's rights activists? Where are all the media (she is a journalist)?

Another case in point. Korosh, an Iranian from Knickerbocker News, has shown us what it is truly like to fight for women's rights. Have we forgotten so quickly that not even 100 years ago we were not allowed to vote, to own property, to get a divorce, etc.? Many of these rights are new. Some of them are certainly abused, but that is the price we must pay for freedom.

After all, freedom has never been free. There has alway been a price to pay. Should the women of Iran suffer in silence because we don't want to think about them? I say, "NO." Please call your Congressperson and Senators. Express your concern. Speak up for those whom have no voice...yet. God bless you.

Category: (Religion) Other, Italy, News and Women.

MEMRI: Ayatollah Khomeini's Grandson: Grandfather's Revolution Devoured its Children, Strayed From Original Course

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1184
June 13, 2006 No.1184

Ayatollah Khomeini's Grandson: Grandfather's Revolution Devoured its Children, Strayed From Original Course

In an interview with the Al-Arabiyya TV website ( Alarabiya Net ) on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the death of Islamic Republic of Iran founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson Ayatollah Hussein Khomeini said that the current Iranian regime was "a dictatorship of clerics who control every aspect of life," and called for foreign intervention to topple the regime. [1]

In the interview, Ayatollah Hussein Khomeini argued that the "rule of the jurisprudent" was not based on Shi'ite religious principle, but developed for historical reasons having to do with persecution of clerics in pre-revolutionary Iran. He also says that in its current form, the revolution has "strayed from its original course" by abandoning the principles of freedom and democracy, and states that Iran will gain real power only when it re-embraces these principles, not through relying on bombs and weapons.

For the last three years, the Iranian regime has kept Ayatollah Hussein Khomeini under surveillance and has banned him from giving interviews to the Iranian media owing to his criticism of the regime. [2]

Link to the MEMRI interview: Ayatollah Khomeini's Grandson: Grandfather's Revolution Devoured its Children, Strayed From Original Course

[1] Ayatollah Hussein Khomeini was born in Tehran in 1958. In 1965, he emigrated with his family to Iraq, where he studied in a religious seminary. After the Iraqi Ba'th revolution of 1968, he returned to Iran. He defines himself as a "liberal religious person."

[2] Iran Bans Khomeini from giving speeches, May 31, 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 www.memri.org

Technorati Tags: MEMRI ... Iran ... Khomeini ... Iran Freedom ... Shi'ite ... Baqubah ... Islam ... Muslim ... Iraqi Ba'th

Need prayers quickly: Roethlisberger in bike accident

There has been a terrible accident. Somehow, Pittsburgh's star QB was in a motorcycle accident just a few hours ago. There is no news on his condition. No one is talking. Maybe this good? They did say he was conscious when they arrived on the scene.

I know it isn't done on purpose (most of the time), but you car drivers need to LOOK when you're driving. I have almost been killed by you son's of a no-brained Mother! (It's better than what I really want to say.)

Ben is 24 years old. This is what ABC News has to say (after slurring him by saying he prefers not to wear a helmet):

In only his second year in the NFL, Roethlisberger helped guide the Steelers to the Super Bowl championship last season

I ask you, what is the importance of stating that he once commented he preferred not to wear a helmet? That is my position as well! However, I wear one. My preferences do not rule the day.

So could it be someone is looking for a new law at the expense of Ben's tragic accident, when you should actually be out there teaching people how to freakin' drive? Hmm...

Update: The Pittsburgh Channel has picked up the story. Ben is undergoing surgery as I am writing this. He has suffered a broken jaw, broke his left sinus cavity, suffered a 9-inch laceration to the back of his head, lost many teeth and has severe injuries to his knees from hitting the pavement.

"On behalf of everyone within the Steelers organization, I want to express my concern for Ben Roethlisberger. I am sure Ben knows that we are praying for his complete recovery.

It was reported that upon his arrival, he was in serious but stable condition. Keep those prayers coming!

Source: ABC News and The Pittsburgh Channel.

Category: Sports-2 and Prayer.

Suicide Bombers Without The Bombs

Three terrorists being held at Club Gitmo in beautiful sunny Cuba hanged themselves over the weekend. Looks like terrorists have been having problems this week with staying in and getting bombed or just hanging around. Well, now we are hearing all the outcry from the people who think that holding terrorists in jail offends them. We even have the Saudis complaining about human rights. Now that in and of itself is a laugh. These terrorists and their supporters could be in the Democratic party the way they keep a straight face when saying such outlandish things. Here are a few quotes from the article:

Military officials said the suicides were coordinated acts of protests, but human rights activists and defense attorneys said the deaths signaled the desperation of many of the 460 detainees held on suspicion of links to al-Qaida and the Taliban.
~snip~
Amnesty International said the apparent suicides "are the tragic results of years of arbitrary and indefinite detention" and called the prison "an indictment" of the Bush administration's human rights record.
~snip~
To help prevent more suicides, guards will now give bed sheets to detainees only when they go to bed and remove them after they wake up in the morning, Harris said.

Let's take a look at these things. Will someone explain to me why it is that when a terrorist in jail commits suicide by hanging himself it is an act of desperation but when he straps a bomb to his chest and kills a bunch of women and children he is an insurgent and a freedom fighter protesting the west? Why is it when these guys commit suicide and kill others they are heroes but if they die alone they are not? How is it that Bush can get blamed when a suicide bomber kills himself and many innocents and yet also get blamed when the same kind of person commits suicide and kills no one else? The fact that these guys killed themselves does not bother me one bit. They would have done that if they were free and others would have died. Just consider them suicide bombers in training who failed the class. Additionally, if the dead guys did this out of desperation can we conclude that desperation is what causes them to blow themselves up? Since desperation causes suicide we can now see, with the help of the left, that these suicide bombers kill themselves out of desperation because they are LOSING the war.

Now for the dumb asses at Amnesty International. Let us understand that the first problem with this organization is AMNESTY. That means to forget that a person has done bad things. Like our Senate wants to do with ILLEGALS. One can only hope that the folks from AI are the targets if these monsters are released. However, looking at the statement one has to see the obvious moonbat contradictions. First there is the subtle swipe at the military in the "apparent suicides" (translated: They say it is suicide but the murderers in the military probably did it and is trying to cover it up). Then we hear about these suicides being the tragic results of us holding them captive, blah, blah. OK, then what events cause these guys to blow themselves up when they are not captive? When they are not at Club Gitmo and are roaming around the sandbox they should have no reason to commit suicide so why do they? Perhaps, as the Admiral says in the article. They have no regard for human life, ours or their own.

And last, they military will take away bedsheets in the morning and issue them at night. What do you want to bet that some jackass from the left side of Congress calls this torture? My God, we can not take away their sheets! If we do that what will they wear on their heads? I say why should we give them any sheets at all? They are used to sleeping on the sand, not having bed sheets should be no problem. But if they are bound to hang themselves then I say given them a whole linen closet full of sheets. But mark my words, someone will complain that these terrorists are being deprived of bed sheets.

Oh yeah, prisoners in US jails commit suicide all the time. If we follow the logic of these folks, we will need to release all criminals so they do not become desperate. Oh wait, the only people our government lets get away with crime are the ILLEGALS...

They had better be careful down at Club Gitmo or John Murtha is going to accuse them of murder......

Source: My Way News

Cross Posted at Big Dog's Weblog

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