Thursday, May 31, 2007

Ahmadinejad's Spiritual Advisor Shouted Down in Canada

This time... Ahmadinejad's Spiritual Advisor was the one who was silenced!

"I don't understand dancing with wolves and calling it a peace dialogue."

-Iranian activist Shahrzad Mojab
on the radical clerics holding a "peace dialogue" at a university in Ontario.

Ahmadinejad's spiritual advisor, Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, was shouted down by angry Iranian and Afghan protesters a minute into his talk at a liberal college in Canada this week.

The school was forced to call off the session.
Winston reported this from The Record earlier this week.

Dozens of irate protesters yelling "shame," "murderers" and "terrorists" shouted down a Waterloo meeting last night that was intended to build peace [to give Iranian islamofascist Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi a tribune ].

About 50 protesters stood around the meeting hall at Conrad Grebel University College waiting for the dialogue between Mennonites and Muslim clerics from Iran to begin.

Police from Waterloo Region and Toronto, Waterloo firefighters, paramedics and University of Waterloo police were called in in anticipation of protests.

The protesters, Iranians and Afghans from the Greater Toronto Area, stayed mostly silent during the opening prayers.

They shuffled around and held aloft a gruesome photo gallery of torture victims, hangings and firing squad executions they say were taken in Iran.

But less than a minute into a talk by a Shiite Muslim cleric from the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute in Qom, Iran, the barrage of shouts erupted.

One by one at first, then hitting a crescendo of chanting "Down with the Islamic Republic of Iran!"

Rev. Brice Balmer, moderator of the meeting tried to calm the loud crowd.

"This is a religious conference," he pleaded.

But it was to no avail.

The verbal salvos kept flying from around the room while more than 100 people in the audience calmly waited for the meeting to continue.

After about 10 minutes, and some failed attempts to negotiate for the protesters to have their say, organizers called off the meeting.

VENEZUELAN STUDENT SHOT DEAD! Protests Rock Caracas

THE FIRST FATALITY...

Maria AndreĆ­na Go'mez Guevara, a student of Sociology of the UCAB of 24 years, has passed away apparently victim of a firing in a confused incident. (Noticias24)
Jungle Hut has the story and updates on Venezuela.
Daniel at Venezuela News and Views has updates on the growing tension in Venezuela.

Private sector workers joined university students and took to the streets of Venenzuela to reject the government's crackdown on the media.

Supporters and opponents of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez fight during a protest in Caracas, Wednesday, May 30, 2007. Former presidential candidate Manuel Rosales, a top opponent of Chavez demanded the release of jailed protesters as university students poured into the streets for a third day to protest the removal of a leading opposition TV station Radio Caracas Television, RCTV, from the air. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

The street protests continue in Venezuela against the Marxist dictator Hugo Chavez:

A top opponent of President Hugo Chavez demanded the release of jailed protesters Wednesday as university students poured into the streets for a third day to protest the removal of a leading opposition TV station from the air.

Former presidential candidate Manuel Rosales said protests over the government's move to halt the broadcasts of Radio Caracas Television show that "freedom cannot be negotiated nor bargained."

Protesters have filled the capital's plazas and streets since the opposition-aligned channel went off the air at midnight Sunday. Chavez refused to renew its broadcast license, and police have clashed with crowds hurling rocks and bottles.

A total of 182 people, mostly university students and minors, have been detained in nearly 100 protests since Sunday, Justice Minister Pedro Carreno said Tuesday. At least 30 were charged with violent acts, prosecutors said, but it was unknown how many remained in jail.

"Freedom for those young men and women, immediately. They should not be treated like criminals," said Rosales, the governor of Zulia state who was defeated by Chavez in December elections.

"I know that Radio Caracas will return to the air," Rosales said. He said protesters demand not only free speech but also the right to protest "peacefully and democratically."

From "Movimiento Estudiantil" by Miguel Weil

Previously:
Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!
CHAVEZ FORCES CLASH WITH DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS!
Chavez Moves on Second Opposition Station- Students Protest
CHAVEZ REGIME IS SHOOTING STUDENTS! (VIDEO)
Venezuelan Protests Continue- Chilean Leader Condemns Crackdown
IT'S WAR! CHAVISTA THUGS SHOOT UP PROTESTERS! (VIDEO)

RNC Faces Money Crunch Over Immigration Bill

40 percent fall-off in small-donor contributions!

Tammy Bruce covers the crisis.

Hillary's Socialist History Rewrite

Socialist Hillary sees a big controlling government behind the the rise of America.

This follows her remarks earlier in the week on "shared prosperity."
Yikes!
Hat Tip Larwyn

Soldier's Family Needs Immediate Help

** Bumped to Top- For more recent postings scroll down.
Paul Brooks is a guardsman fighting in Iraq. His newborn baby has a hole in his heart between his two bottom ventricles and needs surgery.
The family and community is asking for help.

(left to right) Aidan (3), Samara (2), and Logan (5) is holding baby Denver (almost 3 months).

(I posted this story on Memorial Day but I just received more information on this soldier's family in need so I am reposting.)
Pat Rowe Kerr, the Missouri State Veterans Ombudsman, forwarded this article about a Southern Missouri soldier's family in need.
KY3TV reported:

This Memorial Day Weekend, one group is asking you to help a soldier who's fighting two battles. One battle is in Iraq and the other is here at home against his newborn's failing heart.

Baby Denver is quite a handful, though he is one of the most content babies you'll ever see. "It's been rough," said his mother Nicole Brooks.

It's been a difficult time because Denver has a hole in his heart between his two bottom ventricles and that means he'll have to have heart surgery.

"It's really nice having family that supports us," said Brooks, but she adds the person she needs the most, her husband, can't be by her side.

Paul Brooks is a guardsman fighting in Iraq. Up until a few months ago, he was bringing home a six figure salary, but now it's much less. And the Missouri Veterans Commission is taking notice.

"We can help them take care of the needs here at home," said Retired Colonel Jack Jackson who knows exactly what this family and others like them are going through. While serving in Vietnam, Jackson's wife became ill.

Though people are remembering those who served years ago this Memorial Day Weekend, the colonel said people need to also remember those who are serving now.

"I can remember flying combat missions as a marine pilot and sometimes drifting away from the thoughts of the mission at hand to how's my family? Is someone watching my daughter? Is my wife gonna get better?" Jackson recalled.

The Veterans Commission and friends of the group hope people will help this family--like this family is helping many people--through service.

If you'd like to help, 100% of all funds received will go directly to the family to assist them with their financial needs.

Donations should be made payable to:
Operation Baby’s Heart
C/O State of Missouri Veterans Commission
205 Jefferson Street, 12th Floor
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Carol and Mary from Operation Undergarment have agreed to use their PayPal account to donate to "Operation Baby's Heart." All donations we collect at their PayPal account for "Operation Baby's Heart" will be turned over to Baby Denver's parents through Pat Kerr.

UPDATE- Pat adds this:

"A few years ago the Missouri Veterans Commission stood up a
program called Operation Outreach to assist families of our Global War
on Terror Service Members and Veterans * however, it is important to
know that the state does not have discretionary funds to assist those
who are serving in the military. We are relying on the kindness and
generosity of our communities to help our military families cope with
the difficult effects a military deployment can have" said Brigadier
General Larry D. Kay, Deputy Director of the Missouri Veterans
Commission.
Update: (8:30 PM CST) Thanks to all who donated.
Operation Undergarment collected $1,163.42 so far today for the family.

Syrians Arrested For Plot Against Saudi Ambassador

That Assad Regime sure likes to stir up trouble.
ADN Kronos reported:

Lebanese authorities have arrested two Syrians for allegedly spying on Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, a Saudi newspaper reported Thursday. The two - Ibrahim Hasan Shabli, 22, and Ramadan Mundhar al Hamidi, 25 - were picked up in an apartment close to the residency of Ambassador Abdelalziz Khouja, the al-Watan daily said.

The two men are suspected of monitoring the ambassador's movement with video and photographic equipment to plot an attack against him, al-Watan said.

ACLU Fights For Your Right to Catch TB

Because being part of a modern day plague- Is everyone's right.

--Welcome back John Stephenson from your tour of duty!

Bob McCarty has more on the TB scare.

Media Refuses to Acknowledge Al Qaeda Torture

The Smoking Gun published a collection collection of Al Qaeda torture drawings last week.
Here are a couple of images found inside the Al Qaeda "safe house":

Well, it's been over a week since the story broke.
NewsBusters and the Media Research Center reported today on how the media responded to this rare find- an Al Qaeda torture manual:

To their credit, CNN and Fox News Channel ran stories on the declassified material. Yet nine days since the material was released, neither ABC, CBS, NBC, The New York Times nor The Washington Post has run a story with the photos of this shocking evidence of al-Qaeda’s barbarism.
MRC President Brent Bozell issued the following statement:

“The elite media’s liberal bias is abundantly clear in this case. U.S. soldiers raided several al-Qaeda safe houses in Iraq and discovered stacks of evidence about how al-Qaeda tortures its victims. The tools, the drawings, and the photos are gruesome and clearly show what type of enemy the U.S. is facing.

“Yet most of the liberal media are deliberately silent. This is the same self-righteous liberal media that ran more than 6,000 stories and countless photos of Abu Ghraib and the abuse of prisoners there by several U.S. soldiers. Where are they now? Why will they not show the American people what al-Qaeda is actually doing in Iraq right now? Whose side are they on?
I think it goes without saying, Brent.

Media Shocker... "Iraqi Residents Fight Al Qaeda, Ask for US Aid"

It's not even Friday (although it is a short work week) and the media let this headline slip through its filters:

"Iraqi Residents Fight Al Qaeda, Ask for US Aid"

What's up with the AP?
How did this story ever squeak by?...

A battle raged Thursday in west Baghdad after residents rose up against al-Qaida and called for U.S. military help to end random gunfire that forced people to huddle indoors and threats that kept students from final exams, a member of the district council said...

U.S. forces backed by helicopter gunships clashed with suspected al-Qaida gunmen in western Baghdad's primarily Sunni Muslim Amariyah neighborhood in an engagement that lasted several hours, said the district councilman, who would not allow use of his name for fear of al-Qaida retribution.

Casualty figures were not immediately available and there was not immediate word from the U.S. military on the engagement.

But the councilman said the al-Qaida leader in the Amariyah district, known as Haji Hameed, was killed and 45 other fighters were detained.

Members of al-Qaida, who consider the district part of their so-called Islamic State of Iraq, were preventing students from attending final exams, shooting randomly and forcing residents to stay in their homes, the councilman said.
Amazing!
So when did Al Qaeda start operating in Iraq?

Powerline has more.

Jimmy Carter Spits On America Again

Jimmy Carter spits more bile at America.
The Daily Times of Pakistan reports on a new "Peace Index" that was released on Wednesday:

Pakistan among 10 least peaceful countries

Norway is the most peaceful country in the world and Iraq the least, according to the study, which notably puts Japan near the top and Russia and Israel close to the bottom.

The Global Peace Index, published a week before a Group of Eight (G8) summit in Germany, rates 121 countries from Algeria to Zimbabwe on factors including levels of violence, organised crime and military expenditure. While most European countries including Britain rank in the top, more peaceful, half of the league table, the United States is nearer the bottom in 96th place, while Russia is fifth from last on 118th.

...The index is backed by international figures including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US president Jimmy Carter and US economist Joseph Stiglitz, all winners of the Nobel peace prize.
Well, the list of America-haters endorsing the study explains why America is placed near the bottom of the list.

Delving deeper into this ridiculous America-bashing poll you start to get a feel for what these Far Left nuts were looking at:

First Global Peace Index Ranks 121 Countries

The Economist Intelligence Unit measured countries' peacefulness based on wide range of indicators - 24 in all - including ease of access to "weapons of minor destruction" (guns, small explosives), military expenditure, local corruption, and the level of respect for human rights.

After compiling the Index, the researchers examined it for patterns in order to identify the "drivers" that make for peaceful societies. They found that peaceful countries often shared high levels of democracy and transparency of government, education and material well-being. While the U.S. possesses many of these characteristics, its ranking was brought down by its engagement in warfare and external conflict, as well as high levels of incarceration and homicide. The U.S.'s rank also suffered due to the large share of military expenditure from its GDP, attributed to its status as one of the world's military-diplomatic powers.

The main findings of the Global Peace Index are:

-- Peace is correlated to indicators such as income, schooling and the level of regional integration
-- Peaceful countries often shared high levels of transparency of government and low corruption
-- Small, stable countries which are part of regional blocs are most likely to get a higher ranking

Norway tops list, U.S. comes in at 96

"The objective of the Global Peace Index was to go beyond a crude measure of wars by systematically exploring the texture of peace," explained Global Peace Index President, Mr. Clyde McConaghy, speaking in Washington. "The Index provides a quantitative measure of peacefulness that is comparable over time, and we hope it will inspire and influence world leaders and governments to further action."

The Index has already won the support of an influential and distinguished group of supporters, many of whom are dedicated to promoting global peace, including former U.S. President James Carter, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Richard Branson and Harriet Fulbright of the Fulbright Centre.
Here is the "peace list" compiled by the Far Left group. Notice the regimes that rank above the United States:

121 GPI rankings
Countries most at peace ranked first


Rank Country Score
1 Norway 1.357
2 New Zealand 1.363
3 Denmark 1.377
4 Ireland 1.396
5 Japan 1.413
6 Finland 1.447
7 Sweden 1.478
8 Canada 1.481
9 Portugal 1.481
10 Austria 1.483
11 Belgium 1.498
12 Germany 1.523
13 Czech Republic 1.524
14 Switzerland 1.526
15 Slovenia 1.539
16 Chile 1.568
17 Slovakia 1.571
18 Hungary 1.575
19 Bhutan 1.611
20 Netherlands 1.620
21 Spain 1.633
22 Oman 1.641
23 Hong Kong 1.657
24 Uruguay 1.661
25 Australia 1.664
26 Romania 1.682
27 Poland 1.683
28 Estonia 1.684
29 Singapore 1.692
30 Qatar 1.702
31 Costa Rica 1.702
32 South Korea 1.719
33 Italy 1.724
34 France 1.729
35 Vietnam 1.729
36 Taiwan 1.731
37 Malaysia 1.744
38 United Arab
Emirates 1.747
39 Tunisia 1.762
40 Ghana 1.765
41 Madagascar 1.766
42 Botswana 1.786
43 Lithuania 1.788
44 Greece 1.791
45 Panama 1.798
46 Kuwait 1.818
47 Latvia 1.848
48 Morocco 1.893
49 United Kingdom 1.898
50 Mozambique 1.909
51 Cyprus 1.915
52 Argentina 1.923
53 Zambia 1.930
54 Bulgaria 1.936
55 Paraguay 1.946
56 Gabon 1.952
57 Tanzania 1.966
58 Libya 1.967
59 Cuba 1.968
60 China 1.980
61 Kazakhstan 1.995
62 Bahrain 1.995
63 Jordan 1.997
64 Namibia 2.003
65 Senegal 2.017
66 Nicaragua 2.020
67 Croatia 2.030
68 Malawi 2.038
69 Bolivia 2.052
70 Peru 2.056
71 Equatorial
Guinea 2.059
72 Moldova 2.059
73 Egypt 2.068
74 Dominican
Republic 2.071
75 Bosnia and
Herzegovina 2.089
76 Cameroon 2.093
77 Syria 2.106
78 Indonesia 2.111
79 Mexico 2.125
80 Ukraine 2.150
81 Jamaica 2.164
82 Macedonia 2.170
83 Brazil 2.173
84 Serbia 2.181
85 Cambodia 2.197
86 Bangladesh 2.219
87 Ecuador 2.219
88 Papua New
Guinea 2.223
89 El Salvador 2.244
90 Saudi Arabia 2.246
91 Kenya 2.258
92 Turkey 2.272
93 Guatemala 2.285
94 Trinidad and
Tobago 2.286
95 Yemen 2.309
96 United States
of America 2.317

97 Iran 2.320
98 Honduras 2.390
99 South Africa 2.399
100 Philippines 2.428
101 Azerbaijan 2.448
102 Venezuela 2.453
103 Ethiopia 2.479
104 Uganda 2.489
105 Thailand 2.491
106 Zimbabwe 2.495
107 Algeria 2.503
108 Myanmar 2.524
109 India 2.530
110 Uzbekistan 2.542
111 Sri Lanka 2.575
112 Angola 2.587
113 Cote d'Ivoire 2.638
114 Lebanon 2.662
115 Pakistan 2.697
116 Colombia 2.770
117 Nigeria 2.898
118 Russia 2.903
119 Israel 3.033
120 Sudan 3.182
121 Iraq 3.437
Here are just a couple of quick observations:
** Brazil suffers 55,000 murders annually.
** A number of the countries listed above the US are not even free- the worst kind of human rights violence.
** Saudi Arabia at 90? Where gays are flogged in public and Christianity is outlawed?
** Iran is placed one spot below the US?
Is this "peace"?

Where women are beaten for not covering their heads... And terrorism is a major export???

And... Did you notice they have Israel as one of the most violent?... And, it's not because they are getting Palestinian missiles lobbed at them daily you can be sure!
No wonder Jimmy Carter liked it!

Give me a break.
Update: Jules Crittenden looks at the silly Leftist results.

Jim DeMint Blasts Wimpy Reid For Aiding Enemy in Iraq

The "cut and runners" got a deserved tongue lashing yesterday from Senator DeMint.
Their disgraceful words came back to haunt them.

Senator Jim DeMint blasted the democratic cut and runners and specifically Majority Leader harry Reid yesterday in a talk to constituents.
The State reported:

Sen. Jim DeMint on Tuesday blamed Democratic “wimps” in Congress for American casualties in Iraq, and cited Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for special censure.

During a luncheon speech to 100 constituents in Spartanburg, DeMint also took issue with the now widespread belief that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction, saying the executed Iraqi dictator had “stockpiles of chemical weapons” that still exist.

DeMint devoted most of his comments to the current immigration debate in the Senate. But he spoke about the war when a woman in the audience stood and asked him how long U.S. troops will remain in Iraq.

"Al-Qaida knows that we’ve got a lot of wimps in Congress," DeMint said. "I believe a lot of the casualties can be laid at the feet of all the talk in Congress about how we’ve got to get out, we’ve got to cut and run."

Asked later who he had targeted in his comments, DeMint replied:

“To a large degree, the Democratic party and those who basically declared defeat like Harry Reid.”
Here was Reid's pathetic response:

Reid, a Nevada Democrat, became the Senate leader after his party gained control of Congress in November.

“The last thing this country needs right now is this kind of disgraceful rhetoric,” Jim Manley, a spokesman for Reid, said of DeMint’s remarks.
Boy, now if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

California Man Kills Family Over "Religious Differences"

Call me crazy... But with the information I am given in this politically correct account of a brutal murder in California, I am just slightly inclined to think that the killer might be a Muslim man.

Karishma Dhanak (AP)

But... the AP doesn't want to help spread any Islamophobia so they speak in code to trick those who tend to torch mosques if they knew the truth:

A man held for questioning in the murder of a father and daughter in California was upset with the family because they broke off his relationship with another daughter for religious reasons, court documents indicated.

Friends told the Orange County Register newspaper the victims were devoutly Hindu, and court papers said the religions in question were Hindu and Muslim.

Iftekhar Murtaza, 22, of Los Angeles was arrested on a fugitive warrant Saturday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona, and was being held on Wednesday without bail.

An extradition hearing was scheduled Thursday.

The Register reported that Murtaza had a one-way ticket to Bangladesh.

Murtaza had not been charged with a crime but was considered a "person of interest" in the deaths of Jayprakash Dhanak, 56, and his 20-year-old daughter, Karishma, Anaheim police Sgt. Rick Martinez said Wednesday.
Let's see... Two religions involved- The slain family was Hindu. Maybe the young man with the ticket to Bangladesh is Muslim?
Just saying?

Michelle Malkin has more on this brutal mass murder.

Captured Al Qaeda Terrorist Is Syrian Double Agent


Palestinians pass by a poster of the late president of Iraq Saddam Hussein at the Palestinian Beddawi refugee camp in northern Lebanon May 29, 2007. Sporadic fighting erupted on Tuesday between the Lebanese army and Sunni Islamist militants holed up in a battered Palestinian camp. (REUTERS/Jerry Lampen)

Ya Libnan is reporting that a captured Al Qaeda terrorist in a Beirut Hotel this week is actually a double agent working with Syria:

This is an update on yesterday's Ya Libnan report on the arrest by the Lebanese security agents of the Al- Qaida terrorist mastermind at a Beirut hotel . The arrest was called 'a major catch '.

Interrogation revealed that the terrorist is a ranking al-Qaida terrorist who is acting as "a double agent for Syrian intelligence," a reliable source said.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspect whose name and nationality could not be revealed pending completion of the ongoing investigation, was busted Tuesday at a hotel suite in Beirut's district of Ashrafiyeh.

The "very dangerous terrorist," according to the source, had crossed into Lebanon "illegally" overland from neighboring Syria over the weekend to follow up "coordination with Fatah al-Islam terrorists" besieged in the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.

The suspect, a national of an oil-rich Arab country, used "two forged Lebanese identity cards, one identified him as Hagop and the second identified him as Ahmed Merie," the source said.

"He also had 12 forged travel documents, including British, Arab and Latin American passports," added the source who asked not to be identified.

The suspect, according to the source, had "sold out al-Qaida in favor of cooperation with Syrian intelligence after he was offered safe haven in Syria."

Last week, according to the source, the suspect "turned in to the Syrian intelligence a ranking Saudi member of al-Qaida known as Abu Talha. He did the Syrians a major favor that could help them boost their tense relations with the Americans."

Abu Talha, whose real name is not known, is on the U.S. list of most wanted terrorists, according to the source.

After turning in Abu Talha, the Syrian intelligence command "sent the suspect to Lebanon to re-organize Fatah al-Islam and other Syrian-sponsored terrorists and sponsor a spate of attacks on a variety of targets in Lebanon aimed at destabilizing the situation," the source added.

"The Syrians want to destabilize Lebanon and tell the Americans: 'We can control the situation like we arrested Abu Talha. Strike a deal with us and Lebanon would be under control'," the source said.

He said Fatah al-Islam terrorists arrested in north Lebanon "told investigators of the suspect's moves and revealed important information which led to his arrest."

He said anti-terrorism police officers also confiscated "a large number of compact discs and a personal computer providing a wealth of information on terrorists' activities in Lebanon and the region."

The source explained that al-Qaida is "no more a solid-structure network. Many of its ranking members have joined several intelligence agencies and are used to infiltrate, control and direct local Qaida-inspired fanatics to carry out attacks that serve the interests of these intelligence agencies."

Fatah al-Islam, the source added, "is one of such local groups. Its members are inspired by al-Qaida ideology, but its attacks are directed by Syrian intelligence officers."
In other news from Lebanon... A stun grenade went off in Beirut just minutes after the UN vote on the Hariri tribunal. There were no casualties.

Young Lebanese men dance to celebrate the U.N. resolution on the Rafik Hariri tribunal in the predominantly Sunni area of Tariq el-Jadidah in downtown Beirut, Lebanon Wednesday, May 30, 2007. Supporters of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri cheered and wept — and some even danced in the streets — late Wednesday to celebrate the U.N. Security Council approval of the international tribunal to prosecute suspects in his killing. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Ace and Right Wing Nuthouse have analysis.

Human Shields in Iraq

Looking for safety.

A young Iraqi seeks shelter behind a U.S. soldier following a suicide blast. (RofP)

These human shields are not exactly your Code Pink variety.

** I am thinking that I have seen this photo before- But I don't really care.
It is just amazing.

UPDATE: You must see Military Motivator's interpretation of this photo!

IT'S WAR! CHAVISTA THUGS SHOOT UP PROTESTERS! (VIDEO)

THERE'S WAR ON THE STREETS OF VENEZUELA...

Jungle Hut- Venezuelan President Hugo ChƔvez asked low-income areas in Caracas to be on the alert to defend the Bolivarian revolution.


It's not just the regime officials that are packing heat in Venenzuela.
The Chavista thugs were out in force on the streets shooting up student protesters!
Sugiero sends this video:
(3 minutes 38 seconds)

Jungle Hut- The Paraguayan press corps is getting involved.
Daniel at Venezuela News and Views did a podcast with the BBC on the latest developments.
Venezuelan opposition leader Manuel Rosales is urging citizens to flood the streets in peaceful protest against this week's closure of Radio Caracas Television, saying President Hugo Chavez is creating "media hegemony."
A. M. Mora y Leon at Publius Pundit has a roundup on the latest protest action.
Fausta is following the developments at Pajamas Media.

Previously:
Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!
CHAVEZ FORCES CLASH WITH DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS!
Chavez Moves on Second Opposition Station- Students Protest
CHAVEZ REGIME IS SHOOTING STUDENTS! (VIDEO)
Venezuelan Protests Continue- Chilean Leader Condemns Crackdown

Al Qaeda-linked Cleric Wants to Run For President in Indonesia

Jemaah Islamiyah spiritual Leader Abu Bakar Bashir, 68, was jailed for only 26 months for conspiracy for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Now Bashir wants to be President of Indonesia.
ADN Kronos reported

Abu Bakar Bashir, the radical Muslim cleric who is spiritual leader of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, Jemaah Islamiyah, is considering running for president in the 2009 elections. Fauzan Al Anshori, the spokesperson for Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI), an organisation made up of groups fighting for Islamic law or Sharia in Indonesia, told Adnkronos International (AKI), that "Bashir is considering the possibility." "He said that he wants to see what the people say first," Al Anshori told AKI.

Bashir, who is in his late 60s, was released from prison in 2006 after serving less than 26 months in Jakarta's Cipinang penitentiary for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people and thrust Indonesia onto the front lines of the war on terror. Bashir has consistently denied any connection to that or other attacks blamed on the Southeast Asian militant group, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) whose objective is the creation of an Islamic 'caliphate' in the region.

The MMI spokesperson said that Bashir first had the idea of running in the 2009 presidential election after the scandal involving illegal funds in the 2004 electoral campaign first emerged. The scandal, which was made public a few weeks ago, appears to involve all the candidates in the election, including Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"There is so much corruption everywhere and we need clean people to lead the country," said Al Anshori.
Clean people without links to Al-Qaeda, preferably.

Abu Bakar Bashir also believes that sharia will be imposed when Muslims become the majority in Australia.

Abu Bakar Bashir wants to see what the people say first before he makes it official.

Previously:
Indonesia Releases Al Qaeda-Linked Cleric, Will Execute Christians
Indonesia Clears Radical Islamic Cleric Abu Bakar Bashir

Family Refuses to Offer Up Girls for Payment in Ruling

Three-year-old Tasleem and four-year-old Farzana were given to a complainant as a penalty in a local ruling.
The family refused to give the girls up.
Now, the family is being threatened with death.

Stop Honour Killings and the Pakistani Daily Times reported on a sad story from Pakistan.
The family of two small girls is under threat in Pakistan for not giving up their baby girls as payment for a penalty brought before them.

LARKANA: The family of two small girls has been under threat for the past ten days after they refused to give up their daughters when a ‘jirga’ decided that three-year-old Tasleem and four-year-old Farzana be given as a penalty.

Both girls are of the Mirjat caste. Aijaz Mirjat, their uncle, said that the girls are from village Hamal of Taluka Warah in district Kambar-Shahdad Kot.

Tasleem is the daughter of Aijaz’s brother, Niaz, and Farzana is the daughter of Ali Asghar Mirjat. He said that a penalty was issued after karo kari was blamed on his brother, Ibrahim Mirjat.

He said that despite jirgas being illegal, one was held by an influential cast member, Wadero Athar Mirjat, during which he announced that the two minors should be given to the complainant as a penalty.

They are still being threatened to either accept the decision or face the consequences, added Aijaz. “But how can we hand over our innocent girls,” he asked.

A delegation from the PPP comprising MNA Anwer Bhutto, MNA Hizbulla Buhgio, and MPA Ayaz Soomro visited the family and the girls and assured them that that the PPP will help however it can.
Karo Kari in Pakistan is capital punishment for girls accused of causing disgrace to family honor and are killed as honor killing.

Venezuelan Protests Continue- Chilean Leader Condemns Crackdown

Chilean Leftist President Michelle Bachelet condemned the Chavez government for closing the opposition television station on Sunday.
Chile now joins representatives from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Honduras in condemning the Marxist Chavez government for the latest crackdown on independent media.
The Devil's Excrement reports that over 100 demonstrations were reported throughout the country on Tuesday.

10 of 12 TV signals with national coverage are controlled by the government comprising over 85% of the television spectrum in Venezuela. The government controls 36 television stations (directly or indirectly) and over 200 radio stations.

University students march in Caracas, Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in protest against Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez's decision to shut down opposition-aligned television station Radio Caracas Television, RCTV, and replace it with a new state-funded channel. (AP Photo/Howard Yanes)

Chilean TV TeleTrece captured video of the regime firing on the university students yesterday.
Fausta has an excellent roundup of the events so far at Pajamas Media.
Adam Housley is blogging at FOX News.

Somebody gets it...

Demonstrators protest outside the local headquarters of the Organization of American States, in Caracas May 29, 2007 against the decision by President Hugo Chavez to take the country's oldest television channel, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), off the air and replace it with a state-run channel to promote his socialist programs. The poster with a drawing of Hitler-like portrait of Chavez reads, "For freedom. United we will win." (REUTERS/Edwin Montilva)

Previously:
Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!
CHAVEZ FORCES CLASH WITH DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS!
Chavez Moves on Second Opposition Station- Students Protest
CHAVEZ REGIME IS SHOOTING STUDENTS! (VIDEO)

Condi Rice Too Much for Pakistani Player

It looks like Newsweek is stirring it up again in Pakistan.
From the Pakistani Daily Times today:

Referring to Rice’s first visit to Pakistan in March 2005, the author writes, “yet, when Rice sat down with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who fancies himself as ladies’ man, Aziz puffed himself up and held forth in what he obviously thought was his seductive baritone. (He bragged – to Western diplomats, no less – that he could conquer any woman in two minutes)”. An eyewitness and participant at the meeting recalled that “there was this test of wills where he was trying to use all his charms on her as a woman, and she just basically stared him down. By the end of the meeting, he was babbling".
The Pakistani opposition is now submitting a motion seeking to debate the article by Newsweek. The opposition said that the matter published was shameful for the entire nation and needed to be discussed on the floor of the House.
Definite Player Haters.

More Bad News for Muqtada- Cabinet Members Get Axed

Poor Muqtada Al-Sadr... It's been nothing but bum news since his parade into Kufa.

First... the Brits and Iraqi forces took out Wissam al-Waili, 23, also known as Abu Qadir, a top aide to Al Sadr and two of his henchmen in Basra on Friday.

Then... After US and Iraqi forces captured a terror leader with connections to Iran, 5 militants were killed in Sadr City, his stomping grounds, on Saturday.

Now... There is the news that his lackeys who resigned from the Iraqi Cabinet last month will be replaced- pronto.
Iraq leader announces Cabinet changes

Iraq's prime minister asked Parliament Thursday to approve six new Cabinet members to replace a group which resigned last month on the orders of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Al-Sadr ordered his ministers to quit the government over Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's refusal to call for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal. The anti-American cleric went into hiding in Iran last February when the Baghdad security crackdown was launched.

In Parliament, al-Maliki thanked al-Sadr for giving him the "authority to choose the ministers."

He told the chamber, which will decide in a vote Sunday, that all six were independent "not because we have something against parties, but we were keen on their being independent because that was one of the conditions put for the selection."

Al-Maliki was upset because there were not enough legislators to approve his choices on the spot, and was instead forced to delay the vote by three days. He admitted that he took a long time in choosing them, but said it was the result of the time needed to review the candidates history. Describing them as technocrats, he said none had any record of corruption.

He also announced a future Cabinet reshuffle, but said he had not yet received any proposals for candidates from the parties that make up his government.

"Some blocs want to change their ministers, and some ministers we want to change. It is not a shame to talk about a Cabinet reshuffle because we seek the best" people, al-Maliki told Parliament.

The new six candidates included one woman, Khiloud Sami, who has been proposed for the post of state minister for provincial affairs. Although the religious affiliation of the six were not announced, all had traditionally Shiite names.

The six are Sabah Rasoul for Health ministry, Ali al-Bahadli for Agriculture, Amir Abdul-Jabbar for Transportation, Thamir Jafar al-Zubaidi for the Civil Society Ministry, and Zuhair Mohammed Ali Sharba for the Tourism and Antiquity ministry.
Hat Tip J. Fishman

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

3 More Provinces To Be Handed Over to Iraqis

Business is booming in Irbil, Iraq.
Trade and Investiment Shows are planned.

A view from the tenth floor of the new Naz City Apartments in Irbil, located near the new state-of-the-art convention center and Irbil International Airport. A group of international investors traveled the stable northern region of Iraq and continued to meet with local business leaders, members of chambers of commerce and key government officials as some arranged for return trips to begin projects Friday. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Juanita Chang, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. (MNF-I)

Iraqi-American Haider Ajina sends this good news from Voices of Iraq an independent conglomerate Iraqi news agency:

Peshmerga fighters will receive the security file in Iraq's Kurdistan region
By Abdul Hamid Zibari

Arbil, May 28, (VOI)- Voices of Iraq, The Peshmerga fighters will receive the security file in Iraq's Kurdistan region from the Multi-National forces during a handover ceremony this week, an official source from Kurdistan government said on Monday.

"We have been discussing the hand over for several months, and we are prepared to receive the security file in Kurdistan region during a ceremony this week," Jabar Yawar, Peshmerga second top official, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will authorize Kurdistan President Massoud Barazani to sign a memorandum of understanding with the commander of the Multi-National forces, he added.

"The ceremony will be attended by al-Maliki , Barazani, Iraqi lawmakers and ambassadors of a number of countries, including U.S. and British diplomats," the spokesman also said.

Yawar pointed out to a meeting to be held between representatives of the Peshmerga command and the Iraqi government on the suggestion that Peshmerga (local Kurdish fighters) would take part in maintaining security in the cities with a Kurdish majority outside Kurdistan region like Khaneqeen, Mandli, al-Saadiyah and Mosul.

"We want to have high-level talks with coalition forces and the Iraqi government regarding the Peshmerga's participation in preserving security in these cities in a legal way," he noted.

Kurdistan region, a safe region in northern Iraq, is composed of three Kurdish provinces: Arbil, Sulaimaniya and Duhuk.
Haider Ajina comments:

Three more provinces are being handed over to the Iraqis to take over security responsibilities. The Kurds in northern Iraq have had an almost autonomous protected area since we liberated Kuwait in February 1991. Our protection of the Kurdish region after liberating Kuwait allowed the Kurds to flourish. They flourished economically and politically. They have had over 16 years of practice in self governance and local democracy, along with a formidable militia known as the Peshmerga. The Peshmerga fighters were the strongest Iraqi armed resistance to Saddam during his rule. They are tough, well trained, agile and well equipped.

The Kurds’ unique language makes it very difficult to be infiltrated by Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups. By the way, most of Iraqi Kurds are Sunni Muslims. These Sunni Muslims and their Arab Shiite Muslim brethren have formed the majority elected new Iraqi government a year ago, with President Jelal Talabani (Kurd Sunni Muslim) and Prime Minister Nourie Al-Maliki (Arab Shiite Muslim) at the helm. Here we have Iraqi Shiite and Sunni working side by side to serve their country.

Kurdistan in its three provinces of Arbil, Sulaimaniya and Dehuck covers 14673.4 sq mi of Iraqi territory and a population of 3.8 million Iraqis. This represents 3.4% of Iraq’s territory and 15.2% of the population. In the south the provinces of Maysan, Nejaf, Muthena & Dhi Qar are already under Iraqi provincial control. By the time the hand over of the Kurdish provinces is complete seven out of eighteen Iraqi provinces will be under provincial control. The provinces under full Iraqi control, after the Kurdish provinces are handed over, will be a total of 35.4% of Iraq’s territory and 29% of the population.

All this has been achieved, in a country with little experience in democracy and the rule of law in its recent history and after 30 years of tyrannical rule, and only 4 short years since the liberation, and combating terrorists trying to destabilize an elected government.
Haider Ajina
Jules Crittenden has more news from Iraq.

Hillary's Socialism & the Facts

Today's news includes this confession by Hillary:

Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined a broad economic vision Tuesday, saying it's time to replace an "on your own" society with one based on shared responsibility and prosperity.

what the Bush administration touts as an ownership society really is an "on your own" society that has widened the gap between rich and poor.

"I prefer a 'we're all in it together' society," she said. "I believe our government can once again work for all Americans. It can promote the great American tradition of opportunity for all and special privileges for none."

That means pairing growth with fairness, she said, to ensure that the middle-class succeeds in the global economy, not just corporate CEOs.

"There is no greater force for economic growth than free markets. But markets work best with rules that promote our values, protect our workers and give all people a chance to succeed," she said. "Fairness doesn't just happen. It requires the right government policies."
Socialist Shocker? Not really.
This is just another piece of evidence.

Today's news also included this...
Some facts on Bush's "On your own society." (This won't ever be asked of Hillary so it's just for your own information.)

From the Washington Post today:

...The bottom fifth of families with children, whose average income in 2005 was $16,800, enjoyed a larger percentage increase in income from 1991 to 2005 than all other groups except the top fifth. Despite the recession of 2001, the bottom fifth had a 35 percent increase in income (adjusted for inflation), compared with around 20 percent for the second, third and fourth fifths. (The top fifth had about a 50 percent increase.)
Again... Don't expect any reporter to ask Hillary about these facts any time in the near future.

Don Surber has more.

Tony Blair Still Gets It

He may be leaving office soon and he may not share the same admiration as he did when he took the Prime Minister's post...
But, Tony Blair still gets it.
The Times Online reported (Via Astute Bloggers):

I was stopped by someone the other week who said it was not surprising there was so much terrorism in the world when we invaded their countries (meaning Afghanistan and Iraq). No wonder Muslims felt angry.

When he had finished, I said to him: tell me exactly what they feel angry about. We remove two utterly brutal and dictatorial regimes; we replace them with a United Nations-supervised democratic process and the Muslims in both countries get the chance to vote, which incidentally they take in very large numbers. And the only reason it is difficult still is because other Muslims are using terrorism to try to destroy the fledgling democracy and, in doing so, are killing fellow Muslims.

What’s more, British troops are risking their lives trying to prevent the killing. Why should anyone feel angry about us? Why aren’t they angry about the people doing the killing? The odd thing about the conversation is that I could tell it was the first time he had even heard the alternative argument.

CHAVEZ REGIME IS SHOOTING STUDENTS! (VIDEO)

THE HUGO CHAVEZ REGIME IS SHOOTING STUDENTS!

Venezuela News and Views linked to this clip of extreme violence against the university students in Caracas, Venezuela.

Chilean TV TeleTrece captured the attacks on the students:

The regime used tear gas and shot rubber bullets at the university students.

The regime is chasing down and blasting the protesting students with rubber bullets in Caracas!

But, the university students are not leaving!
The students are gathering in a square saying they will not leave until RCTV is reopened.


A water cannon sprays demonstrators during a protest against the closure of private network RCTV (Radio Caracas Television) in Caracas, 27 May 2007. Venezuela's oldest television network has gone off the air at midnight in a move slammed by the opposition as a new push by President Hugo Chavez to tighten his grip on the nation's media.(AFP/Pedro Rey)


University students throw back tear gas fired by riot police, unseen, in Caracas, Tuesday, May 29, 2007. (AP)

Devil's Excrement has a roundup of the regime attacks on the students.
HotAir has news on the newest Venezuelan Chavista station.
Venezuela News and Views is following developments.
V-Crisis has updates from Venezuela.

The region is reacting to Chavez:
Nicaraguan Parliament condemned the the end of RCTV
Honduras criticized Chavez
Costa Rican and Salvadorian media stop broadcast in solidarity with RCTV

Others:
British leaders write an open letter of support to Chavez
Democratic blog Daily Kos supports Chavez

Previously:
Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!
CHAVEZ FORCES CLASH WITH DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS!
Chavez Moves on Second Opposition Station- Students Protest

More on the Civil War that Isn't

Outside the Wire has the news from the ground in Iraq and it is not what you would expect.

Another Popular Baathist- Assad Wins Election With 97% of Vote

Those Baathists sure know how to field a candidate!
Bashir Assad won re-election as president of Syria on Sunday with an astounding 97.62% of the vote!
In Baathist tradition... Bashir was the only candidate on the ballot.
ADN Kronos reported the results today:

Basher al-Assad has been re-elected president of Syria with a massive 97.62 percent of the vote, the official Sana news agency reported Tuesday citing the interior minister. Voters on Sunday were called to either vote "yes" or a "no" for another seven-year mandate for al-Assad, who was nominated as the sole candidate by the Syrian parliament dominated by the ruling Baath Party and its allies. Interior minister Bassam Abdel Majid said Assad, 41, won with 97.62 percent of the vote and that turnout was almost 96 percent, with some 11.19 million Syrians casting their ballots.
This win by Bashir almost equalled Saddam's big re-election win in 2002 with 100% of the votes cast.
Of course, we all know how that term ended...

Snapped Shot follows the celebration.

Mexico Shows It's Love For America

By abusing Miss USA.

Meanwhile, Japan rules the universe.

Say Anything has video.

Jack Lewis has an amazing story on the poise of Miss USA Rachel Smith.

Bush Proposes Action On Darfur Genocide- Blasts UN Approach

Enough is Enough.
Hundreds of thousands have died.
The genocide in Darfur continues.
And, the UN approach has not stopped the bloodshed.

Sheikas, or traditional women leaders, are seen at the south Darfur refugee camp of Kalma April 10, 2007. Now in its fourth year, the Darfur conflict has become the world's worst humanitarian crisis, and rape is its regular byproduct, U.N. and other human rights activists say. Sudan's government denies arming and unleashing the janjaweed, and bristles at the charges of rape, saying its conservative Islamic society would never tolerate it. (AP Photo/Alfred de Montesquiou)

Today President Bush told the world community and UN that it was time to act on Darfur.
The White House reported:

Good morning. For too long, the people of Darfur have suffered at the hands of a government that is complicit in the bombing, murder, and rape of innocent civilians. My administration has called these actions by their rightful name: genocide. The world has a responsibility to help put an end to it.

Last month I announced that the United States was prepared to take new steps if the government of Sudan did not allow the full deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force; if the government did not begin living up to its many commitments, that the United States would act. I made clear that the time for promises was over, and that President Bashir had to do something to end the suffering.

I held off implementing these steps because the United Nations believed that President Bashir could meet his obligations to stop the killing, and would meet his obligations to stop the killing. Unfortunately, he hasn't met those obligations. President Bashir's actions over the past few weeks follow a long pattern of promising cooperation while finding new methods for obstruction.

One day after I spoke, the military bombed a meeting of rebel commanders designed to discuss a possible peace deal with the government. In following weeks, he used his army and government-sponsored militias to attack rebels and civilians in South Darfur. He's taken no steps to disarm these militias in the year since the Darfur peace agreement was signed. Senior officials continue to oppose the deployment of the U.N. peacekeeping force.

The result is that the dire security situation on the ground in Darfur has not changed. And so today, at my instruction, the United States has taken the steps I announced in April. First, the Department of Treasury is tightening U.S. economic sanctions on Sudan. With this new effort, the United States will more aggressively enforce existing sanctions against Sudan's government...
Good for President Bush.
May this be the start of the end of genocide in Darfur.

In response... China said they would take up the slack and support the Bashir Regime.
Hat Tip Chris Whitener

Antiwar Mother Ends Road Show

Cindy Sheehan is finally going to "Stop the Bulls**t!"

Mother Sheehan is heading home.
The freckled face of the Left is giving up the front page photo ops, the global trips, the Marxist dictator coddling... and heading back home after giving up on the democratic party and liberal news outlets who used her like a cheap media whore.

But, for how long?

And, just think... After all of the attention the media gave this crazed woman they refused to discuss her anti-American and Marxist ambitions:

* To distribute wealth evenly
* To help set up a Department of Peace
* To set up a Department of History where Cindy will be the first Secretary!
* To get the occupiers out of New Orleans
* To fight the perverse, murderous, genocidal, immoral empire
* To build a world in which the human being is really human
* To stop concealing torture camps in other countries allied to the empire
* To stop our government and corporatism from impoverishing or killing innocents
* To stop an invasion of Venezuela
* To stop US President George W. Bush in his "terrorism against the world"
* To sing communist hymns with fists raised
* To teach our troops that "Hajis," the brown skinned people of Iraq who clean their toilets, showers, and wash their clothes are NOT less than people

How sad and dishonest that the mainstream media kept this from the public.

Don't expect Cindy to be out of the limelight too long. After all, she would be a perfect fit for The View and there just happens to be an opening.

NewsBusters notes that the media is not completely honest about her departure, either.

Ahmadinejad Proves Any Fool Can Find a Poll to Back Them Up


(AFP Photo)
On the final leg of his trip to Isfahan Province Ahmadinejad backs up his claim that the world is backing the regime in Iran. How does he know this?... By citing some as-yet-to-be-published polling results. Mahmoud told the crowd the international community overwhelmingly supports the mullah's nuke ambitions.
IRNA reported:

The enemies are not afraid of the Iranian nuclear technology but they are afraid of the nation's rich culture, he added.

They are displeased with the use of nuclear energy by the Iranian nation in order to achieve progress, welfare, peace and development.

As to the opinion poll conducted in the world regarding Iran's nuclear program, he said according to the poll, 70 percent of the world nations and western countries and over 90 percent of the independent and free countries have supported Iran's right to acquire peaceful nuclear technology.

He further reiterated that the bullying powers should know that the Iranian nation will resist against their conspiracies and will support its legitimate right to make use of peaceful nuclear energy.
Well why not?
Maybe Mahmoud noticed how the Leftists in the West latched on to that bogus Lancet-Johns Hopkins poll for political gain.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Hackers Hijack Chinese TV- Broadcast Anti-Government Messages

The Revolution Will Be Televised
Chinese hackers in Guangdong Province interrupted programming with anti-government messages!

ABC4 reported -via Global Incident Map:

Hackers allegedly hijacked satellite TV signals in southern China to broadcast anti-government messages, news reports said Thursday.Viewers complained that their TV screens went blank for nearly two hours or showed anti-government messages for 30 to 40 seconds Tuesday evening, the Shanghai-based Xinmin Evening News said in a report on the Web site Sohu.com. The report didn't describe the content of the messages that aired in Guangdong province.

TV station operators told viewers that hackers may have hijacked their satellites, the report said. But a receptionist who answered the phone at a cable TV operator in Guangdong said the incident involved a satellite problem that has been fixed.

"The satellite's reception wasn't very stable," said the receptionist, who declined to be named because she was not a spokeswoman.

Chavez Moves on Second Opposition Station- Students Protest

Just hours after Marxist Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez shut down the very popular opposition television station RCTV claiming it spread capitalism and propaganda against the revolution...
His Chavista thugs were out attacking another opposition station- Globovision.
Devil's Excrement posted photos of the thugs vandalizing the station:



Now there are reports that the Chavista government is already moving to close Globovision -one of the few remaining free stations.
Reuters reported late on Monday:
Hours after President Hugo Chavez shut down Venezuela's main opposition broadcaster, his government demanded an investigation of news network Globovision on Monday for allegedly inciting an assassination attempt on the leftist leader.

Chavez took Radio Caracas Television, or RCTV, off the air at midnight on Sunday and replaced it with a state-run channel to promote his socialist programs. The move sparked international condemnation and accusations from the opposition that he was undermining democracy in the OPEC nation.

Protests over the closure of RCTV, Venezuela's oldest private channel, simmered in several Venezuelan cities on Monday. In some locations, the police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Seizing on the momentum of RCTV's closure, Communications Minister Willian Lara presented a case to the state prosecutor's office saying experts hired by the ministry had found that opposition broadcaster Globovision was inciting assassination attempts on Chavez.

As evidence, he cited Globovision showing footage of an assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in 1981 accompanied by the song "This Does Not Stop Here," sung by Ruben Blades, now Panama's minister of tourism.

"The conclusion of the specialists ... is that (in this segment) they are inciting the assassination of the president of Venezuela," Lara told reporters at the prosecutor's office.

Globovision was not immediately available to respond to the government's charge, but one of its reporters at the prosecutor's office said the footage was taken out of context.
The students of Caracas held a march today protesting against the regime.
But, it may be too late for the youth- a lifetime of Marxism awaits them.

University students march in protest against Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez's decision to shut down opposition-aligned television station Radio Caracas Television, RCTV, in Caracas, Monday, May 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)

The students marched in Caracas against the closure of the station.

The regime was there to greet them. (Globovision)

The Devil's Excrement reported that at Universidad Metropplitana the police gassed the students.
Citizen Feathers says the civil unrest continues.

Update: The regime cracks down!

Devil's Excrement has a roundup of the regime attacks on the students.
Hat Tip Larwyn

The American Left is siding with Chavez.

Previously:
Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!
CHAVEZ FORCES CLASH WITH DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS!

Google Does It Again

Ignores Memorial Day.

Nancy Pelosi was not much better.

Zombie is having a contest!

Fatah Al-Islam Leader Abssi Releases Tape- Fighting Continues

The leader of Fatah al-Islam said in the video, "We wish to die. We wish to die for the sake of God."

Al-Abssi (al-Absi), sitting, said he was willing
to set an example to his followers (Aljazeera)

The leader of Fatah al-Islam, the al-Qaeda linked terror group battling the Lebanese government in Tripoli released a tape that aired on Aljazeera today:

Earlier on Saturday, Al Jazeera aired a tape featuring a speech by Fatah al-Islam's leader.

Shaker al-Abssi said: "We wish to die. We wish to die for the sake of God. If the leader is sitting at the forefront, he will set an example for his followers."

He said Fatah al-Islam would fight "the Jews, the Americans and their loyalists", an apparent reference to Lebanon's government.

On Friday, Hassan Nasrallah, secretary-general of Hezbollah, said in a televised speech that the country risked getting dragged into America's war against al-Qaeda.

He said: "The problem in the north can be solved politically and through the judiciary."

Nasrallah said accepting US help would draw more fighters into the country and potentially destabilise it.

Fuad Siniora, Lebanon's prime minister, has defended the import of military supplies from the US, saying the supplies had been offered by several countries months ago.
In an earlier video released on Friday, Fatah al-Islam warned Christians in Lebanon, via SITE:

That if the strikes do not cease, then “we will tear out your hearts with traps and surround your places with explosive canisters, and target all your businesses, beginning with tourism and ending with other rotten industries... We warn you for the last time, and after it there will only be rivers of blood.”
The Fatah al-Islam members fighting the Lebanonese Army in Tripoli this week included 50 terrorists with previous experience fighting in Iraq.
The New York Times connects the blame to America:

Last week, the Lebanese army was in a furious battle against a militant group, Fatah al-Islam, whose ranks included as many as 50 veterans of the war in Iraq, according to Rifi. More than 30 Lebanese soldiers were killed fighting the group at a refugee camp near Tripoli.

The group's leader, Shakir al-Abssi, was an associate of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaida in Iraq who was killed last summer. In an interview, Abssi confirmed reports that the Syrian government forces had killed his son-in-law as he tried crossing into Iraq to collaborate with insurgents.

Militant leaders warn that the situation in Lebanon is indicative of the spread of fighters. "You have 50 fighters from Iraq in Lebanon now, but with good caution I can say there are a hundred times that many, 5,000 or higher, who are just waiting for the right moment to act," Mohammad al-Massari, a Saudi dissident in Britain who runs the jihadist Internet forum, Tajdeed.net, said in an interview Friday.
Previously:
Al Qaeda Organizing Attacks on Israel & UNIFIL Forces in Lebanon
Lebanese Troops Battle Syrian Sponsored Al Qaeda Group- 48 Dead!
Death Toll at 65 in Lebanon- Wanted Terrorist Among Dead
Fighting Rages in Lebanon- Fatah al-Islam Bombs Beirut Markets
Palestinians Threaten Violence & Mass Uprisings Across Lebanon
Fatah al-Islam Family Members Shot Up in Lebanon Fighting
4 Saudi Fatah al-Islam Terrorists Killed in Lebanon

"Road to Surrender" Commemorative Plate Series

As seen on "The 1/2 Hour News Hour"...
Now you can remember all of your favorite moments on the Road to Surrender in Iraq.
The Franklin Mint has created the "Road to Surrender Commemorative Plate Series" so that you will remember each step on America's humiliating road to surrender in Iraq.
(2 Minutes)

As seen on The 1/2 Hour News Hour program on Sunday May 27, 2007.
A lasting tribute to the democrat's lack of resolve in Iraq.
Just Beautiful!
Remember... Father's Day is just around the corner!

And, don't forget your T-shirts....
Bob McCarty is promoting his IRAQ SURRENDER GROUP FLAG Fitted T-Shirt for the holiday weekend:
Front-

Back-

Bob also notes where Speaker Pelosi is spending her weekend.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Memorial Day 2007

We alone of all the nations
Shed our blood for freedoms call
So Gods' blessings do abound us
Save us even when we fall

Ner' forget the ones who've served us
Honor every end of May
Cheer the brave and weary soldier
Here at home and far away

Beto Ochoa
First of all... As we remember those who went before us-
Thank you to all of the brave men and women who are serving in the military today... And, especially to those who are serving this great nation in Iraq or Afghanistan. Thank you.

Pat Rowe Kerr, the Missouri State Veterans Ombudsman, forwarded this article about a Southern Missouri soldier's family in need.
KY3TV reported:

This Memorial Day Weekend, one group is asking you to help a soldier who's fighting two battles. One battle is in Iraq and the other is here at home against his newborn's failing heart.

Baby Denver is quite a handful, though he is one of the most content babies you'll ever see. "It's been rough," said his mother Nicole Brooks.

It's been a difficult time because Denver has a hole in his heart between his two bottom ventricles and that means he'll have to have heart surgery.

"It's really nice having family that supports us," said Brooks, but she adds the person she needs the most, her husband, can't be by her side.

Paul Brooks is a guardsman fighting in Iraq. Up until a few months ago, he was bringing home a six figure salary, but now it's much less. And the Missouri Veterans Commission is taking notice.

"We can help them take care of the needs here at home," said Retired Colonel Jack Jackson who knows exactly what this family and others like them are going through. While serving in Vietnam, Jackson's wife became ill.

Though people are remembering those who served years ago this Memorial Day Weekend, the colonel said people need to also remember those who are serving now.

"I can remember flying combat missions as a marine pilot and sometimes drifting away from the thoughts of the mission at hand to how's my family? Is someone watching my daughter? Is my wife gonna get better?" Jackson recalled.

The Veterans Commission and friends of the group hope people will help this family--like this family is helping many people--through service.

If you'd like to help, 100% of all funds received will go directly to the family to assist them with their financial needs.

Donations should be made payable to:
Operation Baby’s Heart
C/O State of Missouri Veterans Commission
205 Jefferson Street, 12th Floor
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
I am still waiting to hear if there is a PayPal account set up for donations.

Jules Crittenden offers thoughts on the media's poor performance.
Michelle Malkin has "How not to honor a fallen soldier."
Democracy Project has thoughts on Memorial Day.
Glenn Reynolds has a great story from Michael Yon.

Less than a year ago... A sniper’s bullet somehow flew barely under the Marine Lance Cpl. John McClellan's helmet, hitting just above his left ear. It severed facial nerves and parts of his ear, ripped a hole in the lower section of his skull and brain, and tore its way out through the back of his neck. But it missed his carotid artery by the thickness of a few sheets of paper. And it missed vital sections of his brain. It missed his vision and vocal controls, too.
Yesterday, John was honored at a banquet in central Missouri.

John's sister and her husband, Jamie, Paige Ely, John, Carl & Connie-John's mother.

At a banquet last night in Columbia, Missouri, John and the other distinguished guests were introduced and honored. John got a standing ovation. His mother COnnie said, "It was wonderful!"

Dr. Sanity ends her wonderful Memorial Day Post with this:
“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.”
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
Hat Tip Larwyn

CHAVEZ FORCES CLASH WITH DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS!

Venezuala continues its descent into hell.
** The Jungle Hut is following the clashes from Venezuala.
** Globovision has photos from the crackdown by the regime.
** Venezuela News and Views- Even in San Felipe we are hearing sirens and pot banging!
** Devil's Excrement- "Chavista thugs are attacking another private station!" -Photos
** Xeni Jardin has video links of the regime blasting the protesters with water cannons.
** Citizen Feathers has video of the "pot-banging" against the regime.
** Bizzyblog has updates.

(ElPais)

Chavez warned (via BBC): "Venezuelan armed forces are ready. Anyone generating violence will regret it."

He even sent in the tanks for the first time on the opposition.

A supporter of Radio Caracas TV (RCTV) uses the Venezuelan flag to cover herself from tear gas during a protest outside the National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL) in Caracas May 27, 2007. (Reuters)

Venezuelan troops earlier today seized the broadcast equipment of the opposition television station.
Reuters reported:

Venezuelan troops have seized an anti-government television channel's broadcast equipment, the station said on Sunday, ahead of a controversial midnight EDT/0400 GMT takeover by President Hugo Chavez that will take the broadcaster off the air.

Supporters of Radio Caracas TV (RCTV) lie on the floor after being hit by tear gas during a protest outside the National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL) in Caracas May 27, 2007. RCTV is being forced off the air after President Hugo Chavez's administration refused to renew its broadcasting license which ends on Sunday. (REUTERS/Yuri Ferrioli)

Publius Pundit has several pictures from the protest earlier before the clashes.
Fausta has a podcast posted discussing the closure of the popular opposition news station.
FREERCTV.com has more on the shutdown.
This is very sad.

Actress Cynthia Lander cries during a live broadcast at RCTV station in Caracas May 27, 2007. The government is not renewing RCTV's license after 53 years on the air because of accusations that the broadcaster participated in a bungled 2002 coup against Chavez, incited violent demonstrations and aired immoral programming. (REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)


Supporters of Radio Caracas TV (RCTV) clash with police during a protest outside the National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL) in Caracas May 27, 2007. RCTV is being forced off the air after President Hugo Chavez's administration refused to renew its broadcasting license which ends on Sunday. (REUTERS/Francesco Spotorno)

Previously:
Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!

Pro-Junta Thugs Crush Democracy Protest in Burma

A rare protest took place in Myanmar this weekend. Hundreds of pro-democracy activists gathered to protest for the release of leader Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest for 11 of the last 18 years.

Pro-junta thugs crushed the protest and dragged away one of the opposition leaders.

AAP reported:

Pro-junta thugs in Burma clashed with hundreds of supporters of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, hurling abuse and preventing them from marching to a prayer vigil for the detained Nobel laureate, witnesses said.

Holding photos of the 61-year-old, about 500 members of her National League for Democracy party shouted "Free Aung San Suu Kyi" as they staged a rally outside the party's headquarters in Burma's largest city, Rangoon.

The supporters had intended to go on to a Buddhist pagoda in downtown Rangoon to pray for Suu Kyi's release, but were blocked by about 100 supporters of the junta, leading to a tense stand-off, witnesses said.

The junta supporters shouted abuse at the other side for about 15 minutes, and one NLD elected member was dragged away by them, witnesses said, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

"Please understand that we are not frightened by your threats ... we will proceed with peaceful gatherings," Min Ko Naing, a prominent anti-government activist, was quoted as telling the junta supporters. "We can pray for her from here," he said from outside the NLD head office.

Police vans were parked near by. The rally ended peacefully.
Aung San Suu Kyi found out on Friday that she would have to spend yet another year under house arrest.

Ahmadinejad Chides Germany For Believing Holocaust Myth


(Fars)

Ahmadinejad continued his disgusting attacks on Israel today chiding Germany for believing in the Holocaust myth.
Fars News reported:
He further pointed to a recent statement released by one of the EU countries on the worrying conditions of human rights in Iran, and said, "Do you understand human rights at all? You have suppressed your own people for 60 years and you adopt different measures, including arrangement of fairs and exhibitions and building of statutes, to convince them that their ancestors have been criminals all in a bid to give concessions to the criminal Zionists."

"And if anyone of your people protests to the crimes of the Zionist regime, you will arrest him/her," the president added.

He reminded the barbaric actions of the Zionist regime in the occupied territories, and said, "When big powers witness that a nation is echoing the cries of the oppressed Palestinian people, they accuse it of supporting terrorists."
In an earlier speech on Friday Ahmadinejad again threatened Israel:

In another part of his speech, the Iranian president referred to the Zionist regime's invasion of Palestine, and said, "If you think that by bombing and assassinating Palestinian leaders you are preparing ground for new attacks on Lebanon in the summer, I am telling you that you are seriously wrong."

He further warned Israel that if this year it repeats the same mistake of the last year, it will have to face an angry ocean of the regional nations.

Ahmadinejad warned Israel that "60 years of invasion and assassination is enough. If you do not cease invasion and massacre, soon the hand of power of the nations of the region will rub you criminals with earth."

4 Saudi Fatah al-Islam Terrorists Killed in Lebanon

** 4 Saudi nationals were among those killed at the Nahr Al-Bared refugee camp in Lebanon.
** And... A terrorist who participated in the hijacking of the Achille Lauro is also holed up in the Palestinian refugee camp.

Angry relatives of Bilal Drakish, a prominent militant also known as Abu Jandal, who was shot dead in the raid on Wednesday, May 23, hold his coffin in Tripoli's northern neighborhood of Tibanneh, Lebanon Thursday, May 24, 2007. Lebanese troops killed Wednesday an Islamic militant as he prepared to throw a grenade at a unit of security forces raiding an apartment in the country's north, the police said. (AP Photo)

Ya Libnan reported:

Four Saudi nationals of the Fatah Al-Islam militant group are among those killed in clashes with Lebanese troops in a Palestinian camp of north Lebanon, an Arab newspaper reported on Sunday.

The Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Abdul Aziz Khoja, told Al-Hayat newspaper that up to now four Saudis have been killed in the ongoing clashes between the Lebanese army and the Fatah Al-Islam group, but they have yet to be identified.Ya Liban

Lebanese troops have encircled Nahr Al-Bared refugee camp since May 20 when fighting broke out with the Fatah Al-Islam militia. Fatah Al Islam action resulted in the killing of 78 people, forced thousands to flee and trapped thousands more civilians inside which were used as human shields by the miltants.

Almost 25 Fatah Al-Islam members, including two of its leaders, have been killed and dozens taken prisoner in the confrontation.
A terrorist who escaped Italy after a conviction for taking part in the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruis ship is also fighting the Lebanese government in the camp.
Ya Libnan also reported:

A Palestinian who escaped from Italy while on parole for the 1985 hijacking of cruise ship Achille Lauro is holed up in the Lebanon refugee camp where the army is besieging Islamist militants.

Bassam al-Ashker, now 39, told reporters by telephone that he is now a militiaman for the mainstream Fatah faction of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and saw it as his duty to brave the fighting to help the thousands of trapped civilians.

Ashker was just 17 when he took part in the assault on the Achille Lauro by commandos of the Palestine Liberation Front of Abu Abbas in which some 450 passengers were held hostage for several days and a wheelchair-bound U.S. tourist was killed.
Previously:
Al Qaeda Organizing Attacks on Israel & UNIFIL Forces in Lebanon
Lebanese Troops Battle Syrian Sponsored Al Qaeda Group- 48 Dead!
Death Toll at 65 in Lebanon- Wanted Terrorist Among Dead
Fighting Rages in Lebanon- Fatah al-Islam Bombs Beirut Markets
Palestinians Threaten Violence & Mass Uprisings Across Lebanon
Fatah al-Islam Family Members Shot Up in Lebanon Fighting

Hugo Chavez Silences the Opposition- Sends Tanks In!

UPDATE- This has been updated below since Hugo Chavez sent tanks in for the first time to an opposition rally!

There is very sad news from Venezuela this weekend.

Hugo Chavez is proceeding with his plan to silence all opposition.
The doors to freedom are closing in Venezuela.

Supporters of Radio Caracas Tv (RCTV) weep during a protest march in Caracas May 26, 2007.Tens of thousands of Venezuelan protesters marched on Saturday to the Caracas headquarters of an anti-government television station, which is being forced off the air after President Hugo Chavez's administration refused to renew its broadcasting license. (REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

A. M. Mora y Leon has pirctures from the protest today against the Chavez regime.

It is so disheartening to see the people of Venezuela quickly disappear under the Marxist blanket made by Hugo Chavez.
This weekend was an important step for Chavez in silencing the opposition in Venezuela.

Thousands of demonstrators participate of a march in Caracas, in support of private broadcaster RCTV (Radio Caracas Television). They rallyed in support of the country's oldest and defiantly anti-government network which is set to go off the air Sunday after the government refused to renew its broadcast license.(AFP/Juan Barreto)

Daniel at Venezuela News and Views wrote me about this Venezuelan national emergency.
Here is his plea:

Dear Friends:

At some point I have been in touch with all of you. Most of you write, or have written, great blogs in the past, blogs who have had the kindness to worry about what is happening in Venezuela under Chavez; blogs that go from left to the right written by people who have enough of a brain to understand that the few good intentions that Chavez professes are not enough to make the happiness of his people, even if he is able to fool a large chunk of them.

As you might know, next Sunday (today) Chavez is getting ready to shut down the main opposition TV network, RCTV, which has an average rating floating around 40%. The simple reason is politics even though the Chavez administration has advanced a lot of spurious arguments. International condemnations are raining over Venezuela, noteworthy an unusual unanimous resolution of the US Senate who sees Kennedy, Clinton and Obama next to Lugar and Mc Cain signing as co-sponsors.

Needless to say that the hour is crucial.

Miguel at Devil's Excrement and myself at Venezuela News & Views have been writing extensively on the matter. After the dispiriting December elections we are now basically the last two bloggers covering the Venezuelan day to day situation in English.

Thus my request for today. Please, do try to follow this extremely important development as Chavez finally comes out of his fascist closet to show the dictator that he has been all along. Closing RCTV is a major restriction in freedom of information, a preliminary step before freedom of expression. And a stepping stone to more autocracy. For all practical purpose Venezuela is now a military ruled state with the paradox that the army did not even need to make a coup! there will be plenty of information through our blogs, and you are welcome to write to either one of us for any details you might need if you wish to post something to that effect, to help two solitary bloggers who might sooner than later be under attack. Do not forget that Chavez has nationalized the main Telecom business of Venezuela last week, the telecom which controls more than 80% of the Internet and thus control of Internet is now a distinct possibility for the government. That is, assuming chavismo has the skills to control Internet, which I doubt personally. However countries like China or Iran have shown many creative ways to put pressure on bloggers. And they are Chavez allies.

Thank you for any help you can bring to our cause over the next week.
Fausta interviewed Thor Halvorssen, President and CEO of the Human Rights Foundation, Daniel Duquenal of Venezuela News and Views, Miguel Octavio, of The Devil's Excrement, and oil industry expert Gustavo Coronel.
Fausta has the important podcast interview posted HERE.

The podcast is very good. The international community does not understand the vast abuse on the people of Venezuela. Rule of law, private property rights, and freedom of press are all now absent under the Chavez regime.

UPDATE: This photo from the Publius post...

Chavez sent in the tanks today to the opposition protest- a first.

For the first time today, Hugo Chavez has sent in tanks to the city centers to line up against the opposition protesting his Marxist takeover of the media:

Mr. Chavez also warned of possible efforts to sabotage the new public channel, and he said security forces are prepared to respond.

Venezuelan army tanks and security forces deployed across the capital and other cities ahead of the protests, which are expected to continue Sunday.

Army General Juan Paredes Torrealba said the military is authorized to guard against possible violence. He says they are not expecting disorder or disturbances from small groups of people, but if there is trouble, the armed forces are prepared to act.
Chavez warned (via BBC): "Venezuelan armed forces are ready. Anyone generating violence will regret it."

Blogger Gets Sued For Posting on Muslims Linked to Terror

A US blogger is being sued for publishing stories about Muslims with ties to Islamic terrorists.

Zawahiri: Al Qaeda Is Winning Iraq- Time to Expand Holy War

But, How could this be? Al Qaeda is not in Iraq!

Al Qaeda Leader Ayman al-Zawahiri sent a letter to his followers in Iraq urging them to extend their campaign since Iraq is already won.

Al-Qaeda number-two Ayman al-Zawahiri, seen here in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan in November 2001. Zawahiri has poured scorn on a US congressional bill tying war funding to a pullout from Iraq, saying it reflected US failure, in a video posted on the Internet back on May 5th.(AFP/Ausaf Newspaper/File)

FOX News and The Times Online reported:

The deputy leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has urged supporters in Iraq to extend their "holy war" to other Middle Eastern countries.

In a letter sent to the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq in the past few weeks, Zawahiri claims that it is defeating U.S. forces and urges followers to expand their campaign of terror.

He conjures a vision of an Islamic state comprising Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, where Al Qaeda has already gained its first footholds.

The goal of an Islamic "greater Syria," first outlined by Zawahiri two years ago, is detailed in the letter amid growing concern about the activities of new groups under Al Qaeda's influence in the countries concerned...

Zawahiri's letter was sent to Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, and intercepted by a Middle Eastern intelligence service.

A senior American security source said he was aware of the letter and Al Qaeda's growing emphasis on spreading jihad through a volatile region.

The source said Zawahiri, a Sunni, was determined to prevent Lebanon falling into the hands of the Shiite Hezbollah movement, which has tried to bring down the government.
In related news... Al Qaeda agreed with Bush this week...

Al Qaeda (flag above) says they agree with Bush that the coming months in Iraq will be difficult.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Battle of Bullhorns: "Eagles" & Moonbats Clash at West Point!

At the gates of West Point...
"Leftist Protesters Are Not Welcome Here!"

Demonstrators participating in an anti-war protest are met at by war supporters at Thayer Gate at the West Point Military Academy as the cadet's commencement address is given by Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday, May 26, 2007, in Highland Falls, N.Y. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

The battle was outside of West Point today.

Anti-war protester Kathy Devlin of Brookfield, Conn., center, tells a police officer that she is being harassed by Iraq war supporters outside the West Point Military Academy in Highland Falls, N.Y., Saturday, May 26, 2007, where Vice President Dick Cheney addressed the 2007 graduating class. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

The Gathering of Eagles showed up in force outside of West Point today to confront the antiwar protesters from ANSWER who were there to protest Vice President Dick Cheney and the military at West Point Graduation.
Urban Infidel has photos.

Elyse, our New Jersey Eagle, has reported in. The Eagles are making their presence known!! They arrived at the gate around 0730. Not too many of the moonbats present - it was too early for them, I suppose. At 0900 one busload of the moonbats arrived.

The Eagles are lining both sides of the gate. Present for the good guys are different groups including Marines and bikers. Eagles from Maine and North Carolina are present. Dan Maloney and Ken Bancroft, of the Eagles, have been interviewed by the media.


(Urban Infidel)
One Eagle has set up a crane on site and has our glorious flag proudly displayed for all to see! Elyse says it is an incredible sight!!

They are getting a lot of positive feedback from passersby as well as the military.

The moonbats apparently have funding for gas as they are continuously driving around in a circle - including one in a truck whose cargo is a coffin.

One faction of Eagles and/or supporters have bullhorns as do the moonbats. They are engaged in a “war of bullhorns”!!
Here's more from Eagle "Silent Man":

One of the moonbats tried to grab my megaphone and run away with it, but the police stopped her, and she took off running to the moonbat side. Another male moonbat tried to poke one of our Eagles in the stomach with his sign, almost starting a melee, which the Police had to break up with short notice, but with no arrest or forceful movement.
Now- Here is a little of what went on inside...
Vice President Dick Cheney spoke to future leaders of our military at West Point today for Commencement ceremonies.
The White House reported:

In Iraq today, the al Qaeda network that struck America is one of the elements trying to destroy a democratic government. They are surging their capabilities, attacking Iraqi and American forces, and killing innocent civilians. America is fighting this enemy in Iraq because that is where they have gathered. We are there because, after 9/11, we decided to deny terrorists any safe haven. We are there because, having removed Saddam Hussein, we promised not to allow another dictator to rise in his place.

And we are there because the security of this nation depends on a successful outcome. The war on terror does not have to be an endless war. But to prevail in the long run, we must remove the conditions that inspire such blind, prideful hatred that drove 19 men to get onto airplanes and come to kill us on 9/11. We know from history that when people live in freedom, answering to their own conscience and charting their own destiny, they will not be drawn to the ideologies of hatred and violence. We know, as well, that when people are given the chance to live in freedom, most of them will make that choice.

The people of Iraq now have a chance to secure their country's future. More than 300,000 of them have joined security forces -- despite all the threats, and murders, and car bombs at recruiting stations. And when it was time for national elections, the Iraqi people defied the killers and voted at a higher rate of turnout than we have here in the United States. In the struggle against terror, no country has had more battlefield deaths, or lost more civilians, than Iraq itself. They and their elected leaders are striving to preserve democracy against direct attack by merciless enemies. And they can know that our country, as in other times and other places, stands firmly for the cause of democracy.
Once again the mainstream media mostly ignored the military supporters except for a few shots including the predictable angry "pro-war" protester...
Tom Patton, right, of Grahmsville, N.Y., and other war supporters yell at protesters marching near West Point Military Academy during graduation ceremonies, Saturday, May 26, 2007, in Highland Falls, N.Y. (AP)


Second Lt. Daniel Palmer, left, salutes his grandfather retired Col. Warren Palmer before being sworn in as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army following graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 26, 2007 at West Point Military Academy in Highland Falls, N.Y. The class of 2007 had 64 cadets who are sons and daughters of graduates, five cadets have parents who were both graduates. (AP Photo/Daniel Morel)

This Aint Hell has great photos of the Rolling Thunder riders who were protesting in DC today.
Say Anything notes that it took a judge's ruling to ban the protesters from going inside West Point to protest.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Comes Clean On Rosie Blowout (Video)

Don't hold back, Elisabeth. Let it out!
After months of being bullied, interrupted and disrespected by Rosie O'Donnell on "The View" Elisabeth Hasselbeck let loose on Rosie O'Donnell on Wednesday May 23, 2007.

Here is what Elisabeth had to say about the blowout, via Fox News:

HotAir linked to the transcript of this interview with Extra.
Elisabeth looks relieved. Obviously- she got a lot off her chest on Wednesday.
And, she was once again more respectful than Rosie or her cohorts.

It's just too bad that Rosie won't be back for another tongue lashing.

Oh... And, Rosie is answering questions about "The View" now in code.

Horror! Feminists Force Sweden Out of Miss Universe Pageant

Isabel Lestapier Winqvist, 20, has dropped out of the Miss Universe competition because Swedes say the Miss Universe competition is degrading to women and weighed down by scandals.

The Local Sweden News in English reported today that the Miss Sweden candidate for Miss Universe has withdrawn from the contest:

Sweden will not send a candidate to the Miss Universe contest in Mexico, it has been announced. Organizers of Miss Sweden say the international competition is too old fashioned.

"The modernization of the international competition has been significantly slower than the Swedish contest, although we see signs of change on horizon. Until the parent organization catches up we have chosen not to participate this year," organizer Panos Papadopoulos said in a statement on Wednesday.

The decision follows revelations that the current Miss Sweden, Isabel Lestapier Winqvist, (Photo via Access Atlanta) posed in a swimsuit for the Swedish edition of men's magazine FHM. Papadopoulous told The Local earlier this week that the pictures were out of line with the contest's new modern image, adding he was considering removing her crown.

Wednesday's statement did not link the decision to withdraw to Winqvist's poses in FHM, but blamed the decision on criticism in Sweden "that we are sending candidates of this calibre to Miss Universe."

The new, feminist Miss Sweden contest has no swimwear section. The focus has shifted to attracting "intelligent and well-educated candidates," who are expected to be representatives of and role models for the youth of Sweden.

Surprise!... Lawsuit Ties Clintons to Shady Marketing Firm

Another day, another Clinton stinker.

Bill, Hill and Vinod Gupta.
This family picture was taken before Vinod Gupta's firm InfoUSA bought Opinion Research Corporation a marketing firm which conducts polling with CNN. (Theodore's World)

A lawsuit filed by shareholders of InfoUSA last year claims that Clinton supporter Vinod Gupta abused company assets and resources which he spent lavishly on Bill and Hillary Clinton.
The AP reported:

A longtime Clinton benefactor used corporate jets to fly the former president and Hillary Rodham Clinton on business, personal and campaign trips that a lawsuit brands as wasteful company spending.

The supporter, Vinod Gupta, also secured contracts worth more than $3 million for Bill Clinton to provide consulting services to Gupta's Nebraska-based company, infoUSA, from 2003 through 2008, according to the suit.

Since 2002, Gupta spent $900,000 flying the former president to international locations on presidential foundation business and flying Hillary Clinton, a Democratic senator from New York, to political events.

The suit, filed by infoUSA shareholders last year, claims those expenses as well as millions of others unrelated to the Clintons were a "serial misuse of corporate assets and resources." The Clintons are not a party to the suit.

Details of the suit were first reported in February by The Deal, a business publication. Accounts also appeared in Saturday's New York Times and Washington Post.

The suit names only a "former high-ranking official" and his wife. But campaign aides and company officials confirmed for the publications that the reference is to the Clintons.

Bill and Vinod (Theodore's World)

Vinod Gupta also is a big democratic donor which has its perks, especially when there is a Clinton in the White House:

The suit offers a glimpse into the personal and political relationships between the Clintons and a contributor who was willing to spend more than $145,000 to fly himself and the Clintons to Acapulco, Mexico, on a vacation in 2002.

Gupta has been a major donor to Democrats over the years and especially prominent as a Clinton fundraiser. He was rewarded with a night in the White House's Lincoln bedroom during Clinton's presidency. He also donated at least $1 million to Bill Clinton's presidential library in Little Rock., Ark.
But, that is not all... Here is the last paragraph of the AP article:

The company has come under scrutiny not only for Gupta's spending habits. The Times reported last week that customer data sold by the company had been used by thieves to bilk older people. The company said it would take steps to assure such a sale would not occur again.
Dick Morris wrote much more about this ugly firm and its even uglier practices earlier this week:

According to the The New York Times, InfoUSA compiled and sold lists that disclosed the names of elderly men and women who would be likely to respond to unscrupulous scams. The lists left no doubt about the vulnerability of the elderly targets. The Times reported, for example, that InfoUSA advertised lists of “Elderly Opportunity Seekers,” 3.3 million older people “looking for ways to make money,” and “Suffering Seniors,” 4.7 million people with cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. “Oldies but Goodies” contained 500,000 gamblers over 55 years old, for 8.5 cents apiece. One list said: “These people are gullible. They want to believe that their luck can change.”

InfoUSA sold lists to companies that were under investigation or closed down by courts because of their criminal activity. The company’s internal emails show that employees were aware that the investigation for elderly fraud involved their customers, but sold the lists anyway.
Dick Morris also lists the extensive links between the Clintons and Gupta- It's long.
It makes you want to take a shower already.

BizzyBlog has more detail on the scandal.
(The included photos were posted on Gupta's website last year. They have since been removed.)

No Shabazz for the Canooks

Gates of Vienna describes black hate in the Great White North.

Al Sadr Homecoming Party Bombs Out

This was not the homecoming party Al Sadr expected.
Since his parade of cars into Kufa, it's been nothing but bum news.

First... the Brits and Iraqi forces took out Wissam al-Waili, 23, also known as Abu Qadir, a top Al Sadr aide and two of his henchmen in Basra yesterday.

Now... After US and Iraqi forces captured a terror leader with connections to Iran, 5 militants were killed in Sadr City today.
The AP reported:

A day after radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr resurfaced to end nearly four months in hiding and demand U.S. troops leave Iraq, American forces raided his Sadr City stronghold and killed five suspected militia fighters in air strikes Saturday.

U.S. and Iraqi forces called in the air strikes after a raid in which they captured a "suspected terrorist cell leader," the U.S. military said in statement.

The statement claimed the captured man was "the suspected leader in a secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training."

EFP's are deadly roadside bombs that hurl a fist-size slug of molten copper that penetrates armor, a weapon that has been highly effective against American forces over the past year.

The militia fighters were killed in air strikes on nine cars that were seen positioning themselves to attack American forces after the raid, the military said.
Jules Crittenden has a Mookie roundup.

Iranian Regime Brutality Caught on Tape

Ready to rumble...

The Iranian regime continues its massive crack down on the youth of Iran in what they claim is a campaign against "street gangs".
Some people woonder "who are the real gang members here?"

Kamangir and Iran Press News have video of one "arrest".
Warning- It is very violent:

Kamangir has more clips of the regime abuse.

It's just another day's work for the regime thugs.
If AI wasn't so busy castigating America and Israel and making silly Bush-bashing cartoons maybe they could say something about such outrageous abuse.

Iran Denies Involvement in Erbil Blast

Iranian officials deny the recent reports that an Iraqi Shia, linked to the Iranian officials detained by the US in Erbil, was behind the recent blast in Erbil that killed at least 19 Iraqis.
Iranian Bazteb News reported:

Iran's Embassy in Baghdad on Friday denied a report by Al-Arabiya satellite channel allegedly linking recent blasts in Iraq's Kurdistan with Iranian diplomats detained by US forces.

Al-Arabiya, quoting Iraq's Kurdistan officials, claimed that an Iraqi Shia, recently arrested by Kurdistan's security officials, had confessed to being connected with the five Iranian diplomats -detained by the US in Iraqi city of Erbil on January 11- and implicated them in the recent blasts in Kurdistan.

"Stressing the deep-rooted and friendly ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kurds in north of Iraq, we consider as biased the fake report released by Al-Arabiya about the confession of an Iraqi Shia who implicated Iranian diplomats arrested in Erbil in the recent explosions in Iraq's Kurdistan," said the embassy in a statement.

"Such reports are fabricated by enemies of the two nations to damage Iran's relations with all ethnic and religious groups in Iraq," it added.
A new extremist group calling itself The Kurdistan Brigade of al-Qaeda in Iraq - which belongs to the Kurdish Ansar al-Islam, claimed responsibility for the bomb blast in Erbil that killed 19.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Another Document Surfaces Suggesting (Proving?) Plame Lied

The evidence against Valerie Plame's testimony under oath continues to pile up...

Another document was released this week that shows that Valerie Plame did indeed suggest her husband for the Niger mission.

Valerie Plame's dramatic testimony on March 16 comes under attack.

Byron York describes the contents of the "Iraq-related Nuclear Report Makes a Splash" document at The Corner at National Review:

The memo seems to show that Mrs. Wilson did indeed suggest her husband for the Niger mission. And it sheds new light on why Mrs. Wilson was involved in the Niger uranium matter to begin with. The conventional wisdom has always been that she suggested her husband's name in response to an inquiry from Vice President Dick Cheney about the Iraq Niger uranium story. But her memo, written on February 12, seems to show that she suggested her husband's name before the vice president asked his question on February 13. In addition, committee investigators found a cable in which Mrs. Wilson wrote that "both State and DOD have requested additional clarification" on the Niger matter. She added that "indeed, the vice president's office just asked for background information on the Niger report." The cable was dated February 13 at 3:42 p.m. — the day after she suggested her husband for the Niger mission.
Of course...
This follows previous evidence that Plame's testimony under oath was not true.
An unclassified government document, the Carl Ford Jr. memo had this to say about sending Joe Wilson to Niger:


Here's a closeup of the document...


Notes: Niger/Iraq uranium meeting CIA 2/19/02

Meeting apparently convened by Valerie Wilson, a CIA WMD managerial type and the wife of Amb. Joe Wilson, with the idea that the agency and the larger USG could dispatch Joe to Niger to use his contacts there to sort out the Niger/Iraq uranium sale question. Joe went to Niger in late 1999 in regard to Niger's uranium program, apparently with CIA support.
Then there is this later U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S PREWAR INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENTS report on the NEXT TIME she sent him to Africa:

Some CPD officials could not recall how the office decided to contact the former ambassador, however, interviews and documents provided to the Committee indicate that his wife, a CPD employee, suggested his name for the trip. The CPD reports officer told Committee staff that the former ambassador's wife "offered up his name" and a memorandum to the Deputy Chief of the CPD on February 12, 2002, from the former ambassador's wife says, "my husband has good relations with both the PM [prime minister] and the former Minister of Mines (not to mention lots of French contacts), both of whom could possibly shed light on this sort of activity."
It's just too bad that Valerie was so stressed that she cannot remember sending her husband on a Niger trip.

The New York Sun reported this on Plame suggesting her husband for the trip to Niger:

Mr. Wilson acknowledged that his wife drafted a memo describing his previous involvement with Niger, but he said she did so at the request of her supervisor. A Senate Intelligence Committee report issued in July 2004 said Ms. Plame "suggested his name for the trip."
The evidence against the Wilson-Plames keeps stacking up. This week's release was just another document on the pile.

Macsmind sees a liar.

Previously:
Sadly... Valerie Plame Is BUSTED Lying to Congress Today

Reports: After Smackdown Bully Rosie Won't Return to "The View"

Sing Halleluiah!... Our long national nightmare is over!

It's official...
SHE WON"T BE BACK- Google It!

It was a bad week for Rosie. Comparing our troops to terrorists didn't go over so well with some Americans.
Hat Tip GOC and Andy Stewart

Rosie O'Donnell was so upset after she was confronted by co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck that she may not return to "The View".
Figures.
** TMZ says it's official.
HotAir saw it coming.
The View News says it's official... She won't be back.
NewsBusters has the announcement.
Sister Toldjah- "Good Riddance!"
RWN- "David vs. Goliath"
Gina Cobb- She stopped being funny a long time ago.

Meanwhile... Rosie producer, Janette Barber, was escorted from the set after the show on Wednesday for drawing mustaches on Hasselbeck's photos in the studio.
The NY Post reported:

ROSIE O'Donnell left "The View" with a bang, not a whimper, following her on-air smackdown with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Wednesday.

Yesterday, Rosie's chief writer, Janette Barber, was allegedly escorted from the building after she was caught drawing moustaches on photographs of Hasselbeck that hang in the "View" studios.

The Post's Adam Buckman reports ABC confirmed in a statement only that "photographs at 'The View's' offices were defaced. Rosie O'Donnell was not in the building. ABC Legal and Human Resources are investigating the matter." Barber is an old friend of O'Donnell who worked with her years ago on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show."

There were also rumors O'Donnell was so angry after her argument with Hasselbeck that she trashed her dressing room, although ABC denied the tantrum.

Meanwhile, "The View" went on yesterday without O'Donnell, who was taking a previously planned day off to celebrate partner Kelli Carpenter's 40th birthday.

Hasselbeck - who had tangled with O'Donnell before about President Bush's handling of the Iraq war - was on the show with Joy Behar, Barbara Walters and guest host Kathy Griffin. The four discussed the blowup only briefly before switching topics.

As for O'Donnell, she's been posting comments on her personal Web site, rosie.com, fueling speculation she might not return to "The View" ever again. Her scheduled last day is Wednesday, June 20.
Don't let the door hit you.

...or your producer.

News Buckit says- "Keep supporting the troops... or terrorists, whichever."

Previously:
BLOWOUT On "The View"... Hasselbeck Takes Down Rosie!

Mahmoud and Adolf... 1938 and Today

"...my first and foremost task will be the annihilation of the Jews."
Adolph Hitler
1922

"...Just as the Soviet Union was wiped out and today does not exist, so will the Zionist regime soon be wiped out."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
December 13, 2006

Speaking to the youth of Germany at a Nuremberg rally ...

"...You, my youth, are our nation's most precious guarantee for a great future, and you are destined to be the leaders of a glorious new order under the supremacy of National Socialism. Never forget that one day you will rule the world…"
Adolf Hitler
September 10, 1938
Speaking to the youth of Iran at a Golpayegan rally...

"...The western countries try to dampen the spirit of the Iranian youth but they should know as long as these firm young people are present, Iran will be independent of western powers and will defeat them... Once Iran is established as a nuclear state, all the world nations would come under the political flag of Iran."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
May 25, 2007

Ahmadinejad: "World Will Come Under Political Flag of Iran"

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD RAMPS UP THREATS!

"Once Iran is established as a nuclear state,
All the world nations would come under the political flag of Iran!"

(I thought they said it was a peaceful nuclear program?)

Yesterday he threatened to eliminate the "Zionist Criminals".
Today Mahmoud warns that... "The West will be defeated!"

(IRNA)
After threatening to eliminate the Zionist Regime on Thursday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a crowd of supporters on Friday that Iran will defeat and humiliate the West!
Bazteb News reported:

President Ahmadinejad says Iran has been able to prove itself as a big power in the world thanks to its 'resolute and talented' youth.

"The presence of talented young people can revolutionize the country in cultural and scientific arenas," he said addressing a crowd of people in the central city of Golpayegan on Friday.

"The western countries try to dampen the spirit of the Iranian youth but they should know as long as these firm young people are present, Iran will be independent of western powers and will defeat them," he stressed.

Turning to the 28 year-long scientific and technological sanctions of the West against Iran, Ahmadinejad said, "The West imposed sanctions on Iran because they know if Iran acquires technology in different scientific fields, they will lose their grip on monopoly."

"Iran has made its decision (to acquire this technology) and none of the world powers can stop the resolve of the Iranian nation," the President stressed.

"The western powers can never harm the Iranian nation and any attempt in this case will bring them further humiliation," he noted.
Iranian FARS News has more madness from Mahmoud:

The president further pointed out that all the world nations from west to east are tired of oppressions and cruelties and are looking for a new way for redemption, adding, "They should know that Islam is the only way of salvage and redemption for nations."

"Once Iran is established as a nuclear state, all the world nations would come under the political flag of Iran; enemies know this point and due to the same reason they have mobilized all their possibilities and capabilities to prevent this event from happening in Iran and in the world," Ahmadinejad said.
And, there's more from Iranian News:

"Had your missiles, warships and planes been able to do anything, they would have saved you from Iraq quagmire," he said, adding, "You should know that the era of such acts is over."

Pointing to Iraq occupiers' claim of restoring democracy to the country, the president said that the bullying powers are unable even to save their troops from the quagmire...

Ahmadinejad termed the Zionist regime as the `prime terrorist of the world', noting that the regime is falsely claiming of combating terrorism.

Zionists' allies issue statement when leg of an animal breaks under a car, while keep silence against the regime's crimes in the case of the Palestinian people, ridiculed the president.

Is It Impeachment Time?

The Anchoress is fed up.

John Boehner Gets Emotional During Iraq Debate

Grand Slam...
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) gets choked up talking about protecting America.
I always respected Rep. Boehner, but this elevates him to new heights in my eyes.

Today Top Execs Make Half of What They Made During '90's

While the Clinton years were the boom years for top execs-
Sadly, the Bush years have not been as generous.

In fact... Top executives on average are not making even half of what the were making during the Clinton years!

Here are the statistics the New York Times published today on top executive pay in the United States over the last decade:

And, here is the title of the article:

More Than Ever, It Pays to Be the Top Executive

As executive pay has surged in most American companies, attention has focused on the growing gap between the earnings of top executives and the average wage of workers in cubicles or on the shop floor. Little noticed, though, is how much the gap has also widened between the summit and the next few echelons down.

“It’s executive pay chasing executive pay,” said Mark Van Clieaf, managing director of MVC Associates International, a consulting firm that develops compensation plans. “But nobody looked at the issue of internal pay equity, so the disparity just kept getting bigger.”
What a ridiculous article!
Not only has top executive pay gone down dramatically under the Bush Administration- You can clearly see this in the first chart in the series of the three above...

Goodness- Top executives are not making even half of what the were making during the Clinton years!
You'd think that would make a few headlines!

But... The "growing gap between the earnings of top executives and the average wage of workers in cubicles or on the shop floor" has dropped under the Bush Administration as reported in February of this year- also by the New York Times.

Here is a chart from the February article that shows the real CEO boom years were during the Clinton '90's:

So is it really honest to report:
"More Than Ever, It Pays to Be the Top Executive"

No.

Previously:
The Roaring 90's: The Real CEO Boom Years

Security Progress Means Economic Opportunity in Al Anbar

Michael Yon has been reporting the good news from Al Anbar Province this week.

Even liberal TIME magazine is reporting the security progress in Iraq.

Jhad, a local vendor who sells trinkets to soldiers, stands outside the wire of US Base Camp Tallil in Iraq on April 21. Some soldiers also take Jhad's camel for a ride. (Photo and caption submitted by John DaSilva)

Here's more...
Al-Anbar province is beginnning to see economic progress as the security situation continues to improve.
The following article from MNF-I was suggested by Iraqi-American Haider Ajina:

Al-Anbar rejection of al-Qaeda creates economic, political opportunities
Wednesday, 23 May 2007

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John Allen, deputy commander of Multi-National Division-West, and Mamoun Sami Rashid Al-Awani, the governor of Al-Anbar province, discussed the progression of security and stability in Al-Anbar province at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad Tuesday. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined Press Information Center.BAGHDAD — The deputy commander of Multi-National Force-West and the governor of Al-Anbar province held a press conference at the Combined Press Information Center Tuesday.

U.S.Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John Allen, deputy commander of MNF-W, and Mamoun Sami Rashid Al-Awani, the governor of Al-Anbar province, discussed the progression of security and stability in Al-Anbar province.

“The Al-Anbar province is in transition,” said Allen. “The recent improvement in the security situation across the province has created significant political and economic opportunities.”

Recently, Al-Anbar citizens have made several big steps engaging al-Qaeda in the province and have grown politically and economically closer with the Iraqi central government.

“There are dramatic changes in Al-Anbar,” said Allen. “The Anbaris have rejected al-Qaeda’s.

“The security improvements have been brought about by a groundswell of opposition to al-Qaeda, represented in the fact that just in a year, the police forces in Al-Anbar have grown from about 2,000 to 14,500,” he added.

As tribal and elder leaders in Al-Anbar province offer their sons to combat terrorism through the Iraqi Army or Iraqi Police, Coalition forces are optimistic about the overall situation in the province.

“A partnership exists today in Al-Anbar province between Coalition forces, the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army,” said Allen. “By and large, al-Qaeda has been expelled out of the population centers.”

As efforts in security progress, the economy in Al-Anbar province is expected to pick up.

“In 2006, we finished more than 160 projects all over the province,” said Al-Awani. “Thankfully, this year, things have been different [because of security progress], and we are carrying out more projects in Al-Anbar province than we have conducted last year.”

While the Al-Anbar province has improved economically and in security, al-Qaeda continues to attack Iraqi and Coalition forces.

“There are still some security issues, and there will be spectacular attacks by al-Qaeda to gain headlines and to grab attention,” said Allen.

With the arrival of more Coalition troops to support Al-Anbar in pursuing al-Qaeda, the Al-Anbar provincial government is expected to focus more on reconstruction and ultimately returning to normalcy.

According to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, the Coalition wins the war only when the Iraqis achieve peace.

While Coalition leaders expect peace in Iraq to be lengthy and difficult, Multi-National Force-Iraq remains committed to the goal of self-governance, economic prosperity and security of the population for the Iraqis.

(U.S. Army story by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined Press Information Center)
Haider Ajina comments:

In two of the four restive provinces in Iraq we read about tremendous positive steps towards security improvement. Both of these provinces have been the sources of most of the Baathists who brutalized Iraq. These provinces are also predominantly Sunni Arab. After we freed Iraq from the Batthists, the provinces found them selves out of power, in the minority and in fear of retaliation for their brutality.

Now reading about these same Iraqis from Anbar province entering the ISF (Iraqi security forces) in large numbers, is a very hopeful sign. Locals rejecting Alqaida and fighting them is diminishing the recruiting base for the terrorist. Recently the percentage of terrorists arrested and killed who are non Iraqis is hovering around 60%-70%. Progress is very evident in the most difficult parts of Iraq. Not only are the locals fighting terrorists, joining the ISF and increasing participation in the government of reconciliation, the Iraqi security forces are increasing in numbers and capabilities to eventually take over security responsibilities for their own country.

To read more about what our brave men and women are achieving in Iraq visit http://www.mnf-iraq.com/.
Regards,
Haider Ajina

Security Forces also nabbed 20 Al Qaeda members last night in a raid.

Al Sadr's Comeback Spoiled After Top Aides Are Shot Dead

This was supposed to be his day!
Al Sadr makes first public appearance since October.
Back from his Iranian vacation, al Sadr was at the pulpit attacking the US...

While Iraqi Special Forces and the Brits took out his top commanders in Basra.
Welcome Back Mookie.

Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks to supporters at Friday prayers at his local mosque in Kufa. Sadr appeared at Friday prayers at his local mosque in Kufa, central Iraq, to demand a US troop withdrawal five months after commanders claimed he had fled to Iran.(AFP/Qassem Zein)

Firebrand anti-American, anti-Israeli cleric made his first public appearance in 7 months.
AFP reported:

Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr appeared at Friday prayers at his local mosque in Kufa, central Iraq, to demand a US troop withdrawal five months after commanders claimed he had fled to Iran.

The young preacher, the leader of one of Iraq's most powerful armed movements, arrived at the mosque surrounded by an entourage of Shiite clerics for weekly prayers for the first time since October last year.

"No, no to the unjust! No, no to America! No, no to colonialism! No, no to Israel! No, no to Satan," he declared, as he began his address before hundreds of supporters, who showered him with handfuls of sweets.

"I want to renew our demand for the departure of the occupation," he said.

US officials had said the firebrand cleric slipped out of Iraq in January ahead of a joint US-Iraqi security sweep that has since targeted his militia, the Mahdi Army, which is accused of taking part in sectarian attacks.
But, things may not be so rosy for Al-Sadr...
US officials reported that he had returned to Iraq after a four-month sojourn in Iran earlier this week.
Chron.com reported:

The prevailing view among U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence reports is that al-Sadr's aim at a minimum is to raise his political profile in Iraq and possibly strengthen his position in anticipation of provincial elections next year.

There also have been reports that his militia has been splintering, and he may be trying to reinforce influence over his supporters.
MORE... While Mookie was raging at the Americans he lost a couple of his boys in Basra.
The Guardian reported:

The leader of the Shia Mahdi Army militia in the southern Iraqi city of Basra has been killed in a shoot out with British soldiers, Iraqi police said.

Wissam al-Waili, 23, also known as Abu Qadir, was shot and killed along with his brother and two aides during the battle.

The Mahdi Army of radical Shia Muqtada al-Sadr is fiercely opposed to the presence of US and British troops in Iraq. However, the militia has lowered its profile since US-led forces began a security crackdown in Baghdad in February.

The gunbattle began about 4pm when British forces attempted to arrest al-Waili after he left a mosque in Jumhoriyah a middle class, residential area in central Basra, police said.

Al-Waili and his three companions opened fire and were killed in the subsequent gunbattle, police said.
Bill Roggio has the full scoop on Al Sadr.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Drag Queens Make Afghan Men's Party a Night to Remember (Video)

These guys know how to P-A-R-T-Y!

It was a great night out for the men in Afghanistan...
The band was playing. The campfire was lit up. The ladies were back at home.
And... The young boys in drag never danced better!

Talk about a good time!
How do you top this?

What a magical night.
I think my favorite part was when they were spinning. Beautiful.

No wonder... After the drag queens were beat down in a Pakistani village, the men launched attacks against the Taliban.

Now... Democrats Surrender to Bush

More bowing to Bush.
US Senate- 80-14.
US House- 280-142.

It's hard to keep track of who they are surrendering to.
First it was Al Qaeda in Iraq- Now it's Bush.

Hat Tip Cornhusker
All this time wasted while our military needed funding for war.
Finally, democrats ran out of tricks.

John Edwards Shows He Is Ready to Protect America

Doug Ross explains.

Sick MoveOn.Org Ad Equates Osama With George Bush

It must be moral equivalence week for deranged Leftists.

Now, a MoveOn.Org front group declares Osama bin Laden = Dick Cheney and George W. Bush

But... Didn't the Left say Bush and Osama were working together on 9-11?

Quiz Time: Gitmo or Al Qaeda Safe House?

I didn't think I'd write much about this torture story today since I figured the Left would be all over it, considering how much they detest torture and have such a clear understanding of human rights violations.

The US military recovered an assortment of drawings at an Al Qaeda "safe house" depicting the different torture techniques used by the freedom fighters in Iraq.

The Smoking Gun has the collection.
Here a couple images to give you a feel of life at a "safe house":


The military also released photos of Iraqis captured and rescued by the Americans.

Sort of reminds you of Gitmo, huh?
Don Surber notes the media silence.

Ahmadinejad Threatens to Eliminate "Zionist Criminals"

Maybe during talks next week with Iran the US could ask about this...

While speaking to an assembled crowd in Isfahan, Iranian President Ahmadinejad again threatened to Eliminate the Zionist Regime!
Iranian News reported:
IRNA
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here on Thursday that the Zionist regime will face other nations's anger if repeats its past mistakes such as Lebanon's invasion.

Addressing large groups of provincial residents on his 29th provincial tour, Ahmadinejad said the Zionist regime should not think that it can pave the way for a repeated attack on Lebanon by assassinating the Palestinian leaders and crackdown on the public.

"Thanks God Almighty, the world nations and Palestinian people have become aware," he said, adding, "Any repetition of the mistakes will make regional nations angry and result in elimination of the Zionist entity."
Touching on the 60-year crimes of the Zionist Regime, including massacre of women and children at their houses and making the Palestinians homeless, Ahmadinejad noted that big powers do not oppose such actions and support the illegitimate regime instead.

Advising the Zionists to stop 60 years of massacre, assassination, crime and aggression, he said, "If you do not stop massacring, regional nations will soon come on the scene and eliminate you criminals."
Ahmadinjad also warned Israel not to attack Lebanon this summer.

"Gathering of Eagles" Counter-Protests Communist Group

The patriotic Gathering of Eagles counter-protested the groupies from the communist antiwar ANSWER Coalition at the president's commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday.



Dick Archibald, of Boston, a Vietnam veteran who has a son serving in Iraq, holds a flag at the main gate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in response to President Bush's visit to the annual commencement ceremony. Archibald participated in a counter-demonstration to an anti-war protest with a group called the Gathering of Eagles. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

TERRIFIC!
Next up... West Point Graduation on Saturday.

L'Horreur! Chirac's Secret Bank Account Holds Millions!

French Fried!
Jacques Chirac gets busted with millions stashed in a secret account.
The Scotsman reported:

LONG-STANDING rumours that the former French president Jacques Chirac holds a secret multi-million-euro bank account in Japan appear to have been confirmed by files seized from the home of a senior spy.

Papers seized by two investigating magistrates from General Philippe Rondot, a former head of the DGSE, France's intelligence service, show Mr Chirac opened an account in the mid-1990s at Tokyo Sowa Bank, credited with the equivalent of £30 million. It is not known where the money came from, nor whether it is connected to various kick-back scandals to which Mr Chirac's name has been linked over the past decade.

Last year, Mr Chirac "categorically denied" having a bank account in Japan.

The seized documents have been described by the magistrates as "explosive" and are believed to contain copies of the former president's bank statements.

A magistrate close to the investigation told the satirical magazine Le Canard EnchaƮnƩ: "Subject to verification of the documents, there is enough material to open a new judicial investigation for breach of trust or for possession of money received from corruption. Moreover, the investigating judges have everything necessary to trace the network back to its ringleaders."
It sounds like Jacques did much better personally than the French economy while he was in charge.

Grim Milestone: War on Terror Fatalities Reach Ominous Threshold

It is not an easy decision to vote for war.
It's not easy committing your soldiers to the battlefield.
Yet, the democratic-led Congress did just that in 2002.

Surely, they knew what their vote would mean for this nation and to all of the soldiers they were sending to the front.
Surely, they knew there would be fatalities and casualties...
It was war they voted for after all!

We all know today how the democratic-led Congress feels about their decision to vote for war.
Still- the war hasn't been as tragic as what the democrats predicted.


There have been remarkably low fatalities in the Iraqi Freedom campaign- considering it is war. In fact, just this month the losses in Iraq and Afghanistan combined passed the halfway mark of military fatalities during the Clinton Years.

The US has lost 3434 soldiers and marines in Iraq and 390 soldiers and marines in Afghanistan over the past 5 years. This total of 3824 has passed half of the number of soldiers lost during the Clinton years during peacetime- Via Murdoc Online.

** The US has been fighting the War on Terror for over 5 years and has lost just over half the soldiers in battle as the Clinton Administration was losing during peacetime in 8 years.

It puts things into perspective.
Don't expect this grim milestone to be reported by the mainstream media any time too soon.

Here are some other charts that puts the Iraqi Freedom Campaign into context:
Yearly Military Deaths During Clinton Years Exceeded Iraq War (Via Murdoc)...


US war fatalities...


War losses in Iraq compared to other wars when US population is figured in as a factor...


America's willingness to sacrifice has gone down over the years...


Jason Smith has words from what Bush might say.

Previously:
How Bad Are Things in Iraq Really
Bamboozled America: The Sick "Iraq Is Vietnam" Comparisons
US Lost More Soldiers Annually Under Clinton Than in Iraq
Comparing Quagmires: Iraq, France, Brazil and the Clintons
The Unreported Good News From Iraq Vs. the Leaked News
More Duping of America: The Democrats & Media Quagmire Lie
A Couple Other Grim Milestones Missed by the Media Today

"70%" of Iraqi Insurgents Are Not From Iraq!

Gulf States do their part in Iraqi 'Civil War'

Despite what Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi says...
The Jerusalem Post is reporting that 70% of terrorists in Iraq are not from Iraq!

Seventy percent of insurgents fighting in Iraq come from Gulf countries via Syria where they are provided with forged passports, an Iraqi intelligence officer alleged in a published report Wednesday.

"They, according to their own confessions, gather in mosques in the said (Gulf) states to travel to Syria using their passports, taking with them phone numbers of individuals waiting for them there," Brig. Gen. Rashid Fleih, the assistant undersecretary for intelligence of Iraq's Interior Ministry, told Kuwait's Al-Qabas daily in an interview.

Fleih did not provide more specific details about the alleged insurgents or which countries they come from. But he said once in Syria, the alleged insurgents are transported to the al-Qaim border area. Individuals provide the men them with new passports after destroying the old ones, Fleih alleged in an interview from Baghdad.

Once in Iraq, the insurgents are provided with forged Iraqi documentation and "lots of money which they use to buy cars and booby trap them," Fleih told the newspaper.
Via Free Republic

The Story Behind the Latest Iranian-American Hostage

An Iranian website offers more details on the latest American arrested in Iran.

Kian Tajbakhsh joins three other Americans detained by the Iranian Regime.

Iran Press News reports on the Soros consultant working in Iran who was arrested recently:

Another Iranian-American arrested in Iran

The regime-run site Baztab reports: Following the arrest of Haleh Esfandiyari in Iran and the White House’s claim that 3 other women were also arrested in Iran; American newspapers now claim a 4th arrest, and they blame the Islamic Republic of trouble-making on the verge negotiations between Iran and America.

The Washington Post claims that Kian Tajbakhsh, the 4th Iranian-American who has been imprisoned in Iran in recent weeks. It is said that Tajbakhsh was arrested on May 11th but his family and friends were unaware until this week.

In another sign of apparent tension between Iran and the U.S., granting visas to several Americans who had been invited to attend a conference in Tehran has been denied. According to academics and Iranian officials, others visas for traveling to Iran have also been canceled.

45-year-old Tajbakhsh, has been working for George Soros’s Open Society Institute branch in Tehran since 2004; he is also said to have done some work for the World Bank in Tehran.

An Iranian government source also announced on Tuesday, May 22nd that Tajbakhsh has also worked as a consultant for a number of the Islamic Regime’s own ministries as well; he is also said to be a very well-respected Sociologists among members of Tehran’s regime.

He is said to have been arrested approximately 3 days after the imprisonment of Halley Esfandiyari.
This brings up several questions... If Kian is so respected by the regime and has worked closely inside the regime, why is he being held now?... The same question can be asked about Haleh Esfandiari. Many believe that she has been supportive of the regime so why is she being held now?
What kind of game is the regime playing?

Iran Press News has more on Haleh Esfandiari today.
Warning: This was written by Robin Wright from the Washington Post and therefore slants to the Leftist "we need to talk with Iran" point of view.

Translation by Iran Press News

Syrian Dissidents & Activists Dismayed at Pelosi's Ignorance

"In the Middle East, violence is not the result of poor communication but a
tool for political gain." ...Barry Rubin


Reform Party of Syria posted this on the sad situation for democracy activists since Speaker Pelosi paraded into Damascus:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Syria last month, and the related question of whether or not the U.S. should formally re-engage this Baathist republic, remains as controversial a topic on the streets of Damascus as it was in the days afterwards among Beltway bloggers. And, perverse as it may seem to some American liberals, it is the Syrians who are most sympathetic to their progressive values who have been most critical of Ms. Pelosi’s attempts to begin a dialogue with Syria’s government.

Many Syrian dissidents and pro-democracy activists have privately expressed dismay at Ms. Pelosi’s message of friendship to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They say that Ms. Pelosi’s visit, no matter how well-intentioned, has effectively pulled the rug out from under them, critically damaging their efforts to create momentum for reform from within.

“Pelosi’s visit made the regime feel that Americans were divided on how to deal with Syria,” said a Damascus-based women’s-rights activist who, like five other activists interviewed for this article, asked that his name be withheld because he feared punishment. “This sends a message to the regime that the pressure is off, that it can do what it likes.”

It has certainly seemed that way in the weeks since Ms. Pelosi’s departure, during which time the government has imprisoned Kurdish opposition figures while maintaining travel and work bans on political activists.

In the eastern Syrian town of Raqqa, hundreds of people were arrested for protesting rigged parliamentary elections. And over the last month, the Syrian courts have embarked on a veritable spree of sentencing, handing down harsh prison sentences to some of Syria’s most prominent pro-democracy activists.

Last week, the physician and dissident Kamal Labwani was sentenced to 12 years in prison for having met with American officials during a 2005 trip to Washington. This past weekend, the activists Michel Kilo and Mahmoud Issa were sentenced to three years each for having signed the so-called Damascus Declaration, a document petitioning Syria’s government to normalize relations with neighboring Lebanon.

The few Syrian activists who are not presently behind bars say they have all but ceased working.

"So much of Syria’s opposition was against Pelosi’s visit, against the E.U.’s talks with the regime," Mr. al-Bunni explained. "They believe that these offers of friendship strengthen the regime and increase its totalitarian tendencies, and they’re angry."
Sad. There's more.

Amerji has more from the prison cells of Syria.
Hat Tip Enuff

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Amnesty International Finally Makes Itself Irrelevant

Amnesty International didn't need anyone else to do it for them.
They managed just fine.
But, after today's nonsense, who can take them seriously anymore?

Amnesty International says:

Australian PM John Howard = Zimbabwean Dictator Robert Mugabe
US President George Bush = Sudan Dictator Omar Al-Bashir
Here's a question:
IN...

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa brutally attacked.

WHAT...

Opposition leader Gift Tandare was shot dead by government forces of Zimbabwe.

UNIVERSE?...

700,000 saw their homes destroyed in "Operation Drive Out the Filth" last year.

And, then there is the Amnesty International Cheney Quiz...

Charles Johnson nails Amnesty International nailing themselves.

No Pasaran! has more on the potbangers.

UPDATE: Amnesty International is facing fire.

Irshad Manji Takes Terror-Sympathizer Ahmed Younis To Woodshed (Video)

No wonder Muslim extremists hate reformist Irshad Manji!
She doesn't play along with their radical agenda or nonsense.

Irshad Manji at the Secular Islam Summit with Austin Dacey.

Tonight on The O'Reilly Factor, Irshad Manji took Ahmed Younis to the woodshed on his shocking radical-sympathizing nonsense:

Ahmed Younis: ...These ideologies that are being harbored by this small percentage of young Muslims that say that it is justified...(25%!) It's 25% that say that at some situation it might be justified. But, those people are taking it from the book of Howard Zinn, from the book of Leftist Western political ideology more than they're taking it from the Koran and when they infuse the Koran...

Irshad Manji: No. I have to disagree with that. You know John mentioned that this time last year in my own city of Toronto where I'm speaking to you now from 17 young Muslim Canadians, men, were arrested on evidence that they were planning a beheading of the Prime Minister and an explosion of the Parliament buildings. Guess what? They named their campaign after the first military victory that was acheived by the Prophet Mohammad. My point is that there was a religious motivation to this and they were not just blowing off steam.
Ouch. She'll get some more death threats for that.
Here's the segment:

You have to love Irshad's expression when Younis was blaming Leftists for suicide bombers.

Iran Jails Soros Consultant in Tehran

The Regime in Iran is now holding 4 Americans.
Iran alleges that the involvement of Soros and his Iranian consultant Kian Tahbakhsh in a plot to overthrow the regime was revealed in a full confession by another American detainee Haleh Esfandiari.

Kian Tajbakhsh joins three other Americans detained by the Iranian Regime.

ADKronos reported:

Iranian authorities announced Wednesday they have detained Kian Tajbakhsh, a consultant of the Open Society of American billionaire philanthropist George Soros. The arrrest brings to four the number of Iranians with US passports being held in Iranian jails or being prevented from leaving Iran.

Tajbakhsh, 45, who was in Tehran researching drug addiction and AIDS, was detained on 11 May but the news became public only on Wednesday. The former World Bank consultant is accused by the authorities of coming to Iran for Soros with the aim of organising a non-violent revolt against the theocratic regime.
Haleh Esfandiari, 67, the other US academic of Iranian origin, in jail in Tehran since 8 May is also accused of complicty with the Hungarian-born Soros.

The Ministry of Intelligence, in a statement, alleges that the involvement of Soros and his Iranian consultant in a plot to overthrow the regime was revealed in a full confession by Haleh Esfandiari.

According to the Iranian intelligence service, the foundation headed by Soros was seeking to finance and organise "a coloured revolution like that which happened in recent years in Serbia and in some former Soviet republics".

The same accusation is made against Parnaz Azima (pictured), a journalist of Radio Farda, a Farsi language broadcaster, based in Prague and financed by the US Congress. Parnaz Azima, who is not in detention but whose travel documents have been confiscated, was asked on Wednesday morning to provide a 350,000 Euro caution to be allowed to leave the country.

"My client has been accused of propaganda against the regime and therefore has to pay a caution, which according to the judge corresponds to the salaries received in these years for her work for the radio" said lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi.

Again... Americans Just Want Secure Borders

In case anyone missed it...
Rasmussen reports that an overwhelming majority of Americans want their government to Just close the border:

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey conducted Monday and Tuesday night shows that just 26% of American voters favor passage of the legislation. Forty-eight percent (48%) are opposed while 26% are not sure. The bi-partisan agreement among influential Senators and the White House has been met with bi-partisan opposition among the public. The measure is opposed by 47% of Republicans, 51% of Democrats, and 46% of those not affiliated with either major party.

The enforcement side of the debate is clearly where the public passion lies on the issue. Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters say it is Very Important for “the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration.” That view is held by 89% of Republicans, 65% of Democrats, and 63% of unaffiliated voters.

Advocates of “comprehensive” reform have taken to arguing that those who want an enforcement-only policy must explain how they would deal with the 12 million illegal aliens already living in the country. The public reaction to that question appears to be “Why?” Only 29% of voters say it is Very Important for “the government to legalize the status of illegal aliens already in the United States.”
Michelle Malkin has an important post on 7 things you should know about the proposed immigration bill.
Right Wing News believes it is Political Suicide for Republicans.

Bob McCarty has the Top 10 Flaws in Immigration Bill listed.

Democracy Project says get ready for a factless debate.

BLOWOUT On "The View"... Hasselbeck Takes Down Rosie!

** UH-OH--- Leftist Bully Bludgeoned!

Even mild-mannered, America-supporting, Christian Conservatives get fed up with obnoxious Leftist blathering and attacks after a while...

Elisabeth Hasselbeck fired back at Rosie O'Donnell today after months of getting sand kicked in her face on The View.

HotAir has the the scoop and the video linked:

Ahhh... I bet Elisabeth sleeps good tonight!
As I commented at HotAir about today's TV battle:

I GET SO SICK OF ROSIE USING THAT BOGUS # FROM LANCET & Johns Hopkins!

When every Leftist group that has been counting civilian deaths in Iraq, Iraq Body Count included, comes up with a number that is over 500,000 less than what Rosie is quoting day in and day out... It tells you more about Rosie and the feelings she has for this country than it has to do with the truth on the ground in Iraq.

I wish Elisabeth Hasselbeck would nail her on that!
Rosie makes her hatred for this country more obvious by the day.
I must say... Elisabeth Hasselbeck wins the Valor Award for today. It's not easy taking on Rosie on national TV.

She ought to give conservatives everywhere hope and strength for the next loudmouth America-hating Leftist they encounter on the street.

The Jawa Report does not hold back.
News Buckit has the "zinger".

Swamp Shifts Hands... But Still For Sale

My What a Difference a Week Makes For the Ethically Impaired...
The Freshmen Fail Ethics Exam.


Same Swamp- Different Owners.
And to think... It was just last week that the democrats held a press conference on how they were going to push for stronger ethics enforcement.
MajorityAP reported:

Despite last week’s media blitz promoting tougher ethics enforcement, a group of freshmen Congressmen failed their first practical test Tuesday night, when they refused to reprimand one of their colleagues for an apparent ethics violation.

In fact, those freshmen wouldn't even allow a debate to occur on the House floor, killing a privileged resolution before it could be considered by the full House.

On May 16, Democrat lawmakers held a news conference in Washington, DC, where more than two dozen freshmen announced a push for stronger ethics enforcement. The members followed up that event with local media, garnering widespread attention for vowing to reform Congress.

"Members of Congress must know that if they break the rules,” Ohio’s Zack Space told C-SPAN, “they will be caught and punished.”

But when Space was given the chance to punish one of his own, Pennsylvania Democrat Jack Murtha, he refused. Murtha contributed $2,000 to Space’s campaign last fall.
Speaker Pelosi said she missed the Murtha's confrontation with Rep. Rogers. But, no one asked her about Murtha's confrontation with Rep. Todd Tiahrt the week before on the House floor where the antiwar Murtha made similar threats.
The threats were caught on tape even:

Murtha is one loose cannon.
Democrats better put a muzzle on that one.

This is how Roll Call described the backtracking dems:

House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) said Tuesday he would not include earmarks in appropriations bills until they reach conference, angering some of his Republican counterparts and prompting accusations that Democrats were going against their pledge to reform and bring transparency to the earmarking process.
Instapundit has more on the mockery.

Previously:
Murtha Threatens Fellow Congressman On House Floor!... VIDEO!
Speaker Pelosi Backs Murtha's Unhinged Threats

Fatah al-Islam Family Members Shot Up in Lebanon Fighting

Family members & Fatah al-Islam leaders were shot up in fighting this week with Lebanese forces including the group's leader and his son in law.

Fatah al-Islam leader Shaker al-Absi who was seriously wounded in his hand and his shoulder as a result of Lebanese army shelling. (Ya Libnan)

Fatah al-Islam's #2 man lost his foot in fighting at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp.
Ya Libnan reported:

Fatah al-Islam's No. 2 man and son-in-law of the extremist group's leader Shaker Absi has been reportedly wounded during clashes with Lebanese troops in the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.

The daily An Nahar did not identify Absi's relative, but said his foot was blown off in the fighting.
As far as Fatah al-Islam being connected to Al-Qaeda, this Jordanian news item from yesterday pretty much confirms Shaker Al-Absi's connections:

A senior security official said that Shaker Yousef al-Absi, the leader of Fatah al-Islam whose militants were involved in armed clashes with the Lebanese army in northern Lebanon for a second straight day Monday, is wanted by the Jordanian authorities.

The official told United Press International on condition of anonymity that the State Security Court had in July 2004 sentenced Absi to death, in absentia. He was convicted of terrorism and the assassination of a U.S. Agency for International Development employee, Laurence Foley, who was shot and killed in front of his residence in Amman in 2002.

Last year, two people -- a Libyan and a Jordanian -- were put to death by hanging for killing Foley, in which al-Qaida in Iraq leader, Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was accused of masterminding the attack. Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. air strike in Iraq last year.

The official said Absi does not have a Jordanian citizenship, but carries a Palestinian travel document and was living in Syria at the time of his trial and sentencing in the Jordanian court.
Blacksmiths of Lebanon has updates on the fighting.
Beirut Spring- Aljazeera loses its Lebanese audience.

Previously:
Al Qaeda Organizing Attacks on Israel & UNIFIL Forces in Lebanon
Lebanese Troops Battle Syrian Sponsored Al Qaeda Group- 48 Dead!
Death Toll at 65 in Lebanon- Wanted Terrorist Among Dead
Fighting Rages in Lebanon- Fatah al-Islam Bombs Beirut Markets
Palestinians Threaten Violence & Mass Uprisings Across Lebanon

NOW VIDEO!!-- Iranian Women Beaten Bloody By Regime!

** BEATEN BLOODY BY THE "MODESTY" POLICE! **

On Sunday... Both in the morning and later in the evening, a group of Police officers got involved in physical struggle with three girls who they questioned for their "immodesty". According to eye witnesses, the officers were trying to arrest the girls, but because of their restraint, a few men on the scene got involved in the incident.

That's when all hell broke loose...

The women were beaten bloody.
Kamangir translated the story from Iran Press News and an Iranian Women's Rights Group:

A female officer started pulling a girl’s hand to get her in the police patrol, but she refused. Then, a male officer attacked the girl. That was when others got involved. The girls were taken away by passing cars safe from the police.
There were rumors that this brutal event was recorded on a cameraphone.

IT WAS...
Iran Press News (Persian) and Kamangir found the clip and posted the video of the aftermath of this vicious attack by the "Modesty Police" on unveiled Iranian women in Tehran.
Here it is:
(31 seconds)

Shocking!

** Kamangir translates what is being said in the video and he found a different video of the attack.
Thank God for camera-phones!

UPDATE: Pajamas Media special correspondent Ardeshir Arian says the people are getting fed up with the tactics of the regime:

Just yesterday, in the midst of police beating on two defenseless women in Haft e Tir, a popular square in Tehran, people quickly gathered, holding hands with one another and chanting loud and clear against the police, demanding them to let the women go. The police squad, suddenly frightened, radioed for help, but amid the turmoil they were kicked by a young man. Others released the victims from police custody and helped them escape to safety. The young man who also disappeared in the crowd.

And today, reports from Tehran said that in another incident near an upscale shopping mall in the north of the city, a girl was being harassed by a police officer for her dress code, but then she pulled a knife and attacked the policeman. People tried to help the girl, but a special police backup unit quickly arrived and manage to take the the girl away by force.
Previously:
Mullah Compares Unveiled Women to Buses: "Anyone Can Ride Them"
Despite Protests Iran Begins Massive Crackdown On Women
Pajama Wars Heat Up at Iranian Campus
Iran Continues Crackdown... Women's Rights Activists Sentenced
Regime Cracks Down on Music... Top Iranian Rapper Reza Pishro Arrested! (Video)
150,000 Iranian Women Arrested For Breaking Dress Code!
Caught on Tape: Shocking Video of Iranian Regime Cracking Down on Women!
Banned In Iran... A Helpful Guide For Living With the Mullahs
Iranian Woman Rips Off Veil in Public to Protest Regime!! (Video)
Iranian Woman "Kicked" Into Police Car for Removing Hijab!
Ghastly Police Brutality Against Women in Iran!
My God!!! They're Beating Their Women to a Bloody Pulp!
Iranian Official: "Unveiled Women Are Animals"

Body of Missing US Soldier Found in Euphrates River

Iraqi police found the body of a man who was wearing what appeared to be a U.S. military uniform and had a tattoo on his left hand. The man had been shot in the head and chest.

The U.S. military said in an e-mail that it was looking into the report, but could not confirm it. (IHT)

The missing US soldiers from Mahmoudiya (left to right): Alex Jimenez and his wife Yaderlin Jimenez (Via IraqSlogger), Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, and Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr..

The BBC reported this sad news this morning:

Iraqi police say they have found the body of one of three US soldiers missing in Iraq since 12 May.
The body was found in the Euphrates river in Musayyib, south of Baghdad. The US has not confirmed its identity.

The men disappeared after an ambush on a patrol south of Baghdad, and have been the subject of a massive search.
Pajamas Media is following the story.

Update: The body was identified today as Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr. from California.
Please remember his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Previously:
5 US Soldiers Killed... 3 Missing in Mahmoudiya
Al Qaeda Claims It Is Holding Missing US "Crusader" Soldiers!!
Al Qaeda Says It Will Align Itself With Democrats
Al Qaeda Warns US to Stop Searching For Missing Soldiers
Captured US Soldiers in Iraq Are From Ft. Drum
Pentagon Releases Information on Missing Soldiers
Pentagon: "Reason to Believe" Missing Troops May Be Alive! (Video)
The Search For the Missing US Soldiers Continues
4th Soldier Identified- 3 US Soldiers Still Missing
General Petraeus: At Least 2 Missing US Soldiers Are Alive! (Video)

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

UN Hides Report That Troops Traded Gold For Guns

Kofi Annan may have stepped down months ago as head of the UN but his administration's scandals are still making headlines.

UN peacekeeping forces traded guns with African militias for gold in 2005 and then tried to bury the report after it was found out.

A UN study found that the weapons were traded to Congolese militias in Mongbwalu by UN soldiers for gold. But, the study was buried for political reasons. (BBC)

The BBC reported:

Pakistani UN peacekeeping troops have traded in gold and sold weapons to Congolese militia groups they were meant to disarm, the BBC has learnt.

These militia groups were guilty of some of the worst human rights abuses during the Democratic Republic of Congo's long civil war.

The trading went on in 2005. A UN investigative team sent to gather evidence was obstructed and threatened.

The team's report was buried by the UN itself to "avoid political fallout".

These events took place in and around the mining town of Mongbwalu, in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Pakistani battalion of the UN peacekeeping mission deployed there in 2005 and helped bring peace to an area that had previously seen bitter fighting between the Lendu and Hema ethnic groups.
Fred Fry put together a partial list of recent UN scandals.

Graduates Warned of Gulf of Mexico Engulfing Missouri

Another nutty Leftist at graduation:

...Sea levels will rise many tens, even hundreds of feet over a lifetime. Never mind New Orleans, cities like Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Houston will be under water. It wasn’t so long ago in the geological past that the Gulf of Mexico reached to Cape Girardeau, Missouri-- soon, in geological years, the Gulf of Mexico will be lapping at the southern end of Missouri again.
What ever happened to go forth and prosper?

Student Bomber Arrested Ahead of Falwell Funeral

Mark David Uhl was arrested last night on charges of manufacturing explosive devices.

ABC News reported that the 19-year-old told authorities he was making the bombs to stop liberal hatemongers from disrupting the funeral. The official told ABC that the bombs were "slow burn" and would not have been very destructive- Via FOX.

A Liberty University student was arrested before the funeral today for Jerry Falwell with bombs in his trunk.
WDBJ7 reported:

Investigators say they found five or six explosive devices equipped with detonators in a Liberty University student's car late last night. The student is now under arrest.

The Campbell County Sheriff's office says 19-year-old Mark David Uhl mentioned to his family that he had made some devices and talked about coming to Reverend Jerry Falwell's funeral. The family became concerned and contacted officials. Investigators say there was never any direct threat against the funeral or to the protestors outside it.

Major Steve Hutcherson says Uhl just completed his freshman year at Liberty. Uhl is from Amissville in northern Virginia.

Hutcherson says that judging by the items seized, Uhl "appeared to know what he was doing." Uhl is charged with manufacturing an explosive device.

The sheriff's office says there are indications that others were involved in manufacturing the devices and those individuals are being investigated.

WDBJ7 said the student had problems with the protesters outside of the funeral:

Sheriff Terry Gaddy described the five bombs as "sort of like Napalm" and they were about the size of soda cans.

Gaddy says he does NOT believe the Falwells were ever in any danger.

He says investigators had determined that Uhl had problems with the group that staged a protest across the street from Thomas Road Baptist Church where the funeral was held.
MSNBC has more on the student's arrest.
ABC News has more.

Palestinians Threaten Violence & Mass Uprisings Across Lebanon

The Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are threatening all out violence if the Lebanese Army does not quit pursuing the Fatah al-Islam terrorists.

Palestinians children watch tyres burn after setting them on fire during a protest in Beddawi refugee camp in northern Lebanon May 22, 2007. Lebanese tanks and artillery battered the Palestinian Nahr al-Bared refugee camp where Islamist militants are holed up for a third day on Tuesday, amid growing concern for the plight of 40,000 civilians trapped there. (REUTERS/Omar Ibrahim)

The leader of the Fatah group in Lebanon threatened uprisings across the country if the government continued to go after the terrorists in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp.
Aljazeera reported:

Palestinians angered by the assault on the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon have set fire to car tyres at three other camps.

The protests at Ain el-Hilweh, Lebanon's largest Palestinian camp, Rashidiyeh and Beddawi have raised fears of an uprising by Palestinians across the country.

Fatah said on Tuesday that refugees across Lebanon could rise up if the army continues shelling the camp in which fighters from the Fatah al-Islam group, which split from the mainstream group, are under siege.

"If the random shelling does not stop... there will be uprisings in all the camps in Lebanon," Sultan Abul Aynayn, the head of Fatah in the country, told the AFP news agency.
Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon, via Ya Libnan:

Name of camps and number of Registered refugees

Mar Elias camp ............612 refugees
Burj el-Barajneh camp...15,484 refugees
Dbayeh camp................4,002 refugees
Shatila camp.................8,212 refugees
Ein el-Hilweh camp .......45,004 refugees
Mieh Mieh camp............4,473 refugees
El-Buss camp..... ..........9,287 refugees
Rashidieh camp..... ......25,745 refugees
Burj el-Shemali camp....18,625 refugees
Nahr el-Bared camp......30,439 refugees
Beddawi camp..............15,641 refugees
Wavel camp.................7,551 refugees
Dikwaneh & Nabatieh (destroyed camps) .....16,282
+ 9,595 refugees distributed throughout the camps.

Reuters posts terrorist closeups at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp:

A Palestinian militant from Fatah al-Islam runs inside the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon May 22, 2007. The Lebanese army shelled Palestinian refugee camp Nahr al-Bared to try to flush out Islamist militants for a third day on Tuesday, amid growing concern for the plight of 40,000 civilians trapped there. (REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir)

Snapped Shot has more on Mohamed Azakir and his uncanny knack to photograph the terrorists and their human shields up close and personal.

Abu Kais at From Beirut to the Beltway has more on the human shield factor.
Blacksmiths of Lebanon has more on the action.

Previously:
Lebanese Troops Battle Syrian Sponsored Al Qaeda Group- 48 Dead!
Death Toll at 65 in Lebanon- Wanted Terrorist Among Dead
Fighting Rages in Lebanon- Fatah al-Islam Bombs Beirut Markets

Military Recruiting Exceedingly Strong--- Dems Want Draft

All branches of the military met their active duty recruiting goals for fiscal year 2006 and despite Murtha have met or exceeded their recruiting goals for every month since, but that doesn't stop the democrats from making bogus claims about our military and proposing a draft.

Hamas After School Program Continues

It keeps the kids off the streets.

Iranian Official: "Unveiled Women Are Animals"

I think we all know who the animals are...

Kamangir has more on this atrocity.

An Iranian official preached "to the animals" today:

Iranians who do not abide by Islamic dress code rules are animals, according to an Iranian government aide quoted by Iran's official news agency IRNA. "Anyone abandoning the principles of Islamic dress codes become members of the animal world," said Zahra Suizi, an education ministry official. In an interview on the moralization campaign launched last month by the government of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, under which women can be arrested if they do not strictly abide by Muslim dress codes, Suizi said the veil "is a moral and religious obligation."

"The hijab (veil) represents the essence of women and it is the symbol of a population and a country," said the government official.
Well, it's the symbol of the population and country now... Since around 1979.

Cox & Forkum add this...

"Slave to Fashion"

More regime brutality.

Previously:
Mullah Compares Unveiled Women to Buses: "Anyone Can Ride Them"
Despite Protests Iran Begins Massive Crackdown On Women
Pajama Wars Heat Up at Iranian Campus
Iran Continues Crackdown... Women's Rights Activists Sentenced
Regime Cracks Down on Music... Top Iranian Rapper Reza Pishro Arrested! (Video)
150,000 Iranian Women Arrested For Breaking Dress Code!
Caught on Tape: Shocking Video of Iranian Regime Cracking Down on Women!
Banned In Iran... A Helpful Guide For Living With the Mullahs
Iranian Woman Rips Off Veil in Public to Protest Regime!! (Video)
Iranian Woman "Kicked" Into Police Car for Removing Hijab!
Ghastly Police Brutality Against Women in Iran!
My God!!! They're Beating Their Women to a Bloody Pulp!

After Iranian Police Raid Party- Gay Men Jump From Windows

In Iran, marriage is not the biggest human rights concern for gays...
Death and flogging top the list.

Farshad and Farham (jtwnetwork.nl)

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, male homosexual acts, or lavat, are punishable by death.

The Iranian Regime arrested 17 gay men at a party in Isfahan this month.
The men were beaten and thrown in prison.
JWTNetwork, Amnesty International and Gay.com reported:

Iranian authorities arrested 87 people, including 80 suspected gay men, Thursday night at a party in Isfahan, beating most of them and detaining them in dire conditions over the weekend, the Toronto-based Iranian Queer Organization reported Monday.

Police raided the birthday party of a man the rights group identified only as Farhad, beating the male guests with batons and arresting the host's parents as well, the rights group said after talking with witnesses by phone.

The women were released soon after; witnesses said; the men remain in custody without bail or visitors.

In the Islamic republic of Iran, male homosexual acts, or lavat, are punishable by death. Rights workers said they feared the detainees could be tortured.

"I went to buy a gift for Farhad and so I arrived late for the party," a man identified as Peyman told the Iranian Queer Organization by phone.

"As soon as I turned in to their street, I saw police cars parked everywhere; all my friends were arrested while seven or eight policeman beat them with batons.

"Two had jumped from the second-floor window and were in a bad condition. Farhad's family were also arrested. Everyone was transported into a big car and taken into custody. All their cell phones are off and we have no information about the situation inside the jail."

25% of Younger US Muslims Approve of Suicide Bombings

Shocking:

One in four younger U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings to defend their religion are acceptable at least in some circumstances, though most Muslim Americans overwhelmingly reject the tactic and are critical of Islamic extremism and al-Qaida, a poll says.
This is a problem- via Michelle Malkin.

The BBC calls this being "well integrated"...

That doesn't say much for Great Britain.
But then again, in Great Britain they're looking at 4,000 terrorism suspects.

Massive Protest Against Iranian Regime in Tabriz (Video!!)

IT WAS A YEAR AGO TODAY... That ethnic protests broke out across northern Iran against the regime. Tens of Thousands of protesters marched in Tabriz. Later a few of the protesters hurled stones and torched buildings in violent demonstrations enraged by an offensive cockroach cartoon that slammed the Azeri minority.

Police used tear gas to disperse the Azeri protesters who attended the massive rally in Tabriz some 600 kms (360 miles) northwest of Tehran, on Monday May 22, 2006.

But the protests continued anyway...

Until the regime clamped down on its people.
Iranian Woman wrote at that time:
It is about the readiness of a multi-ethnic nation to explode...
Wake up and smell the gunpowder! Revolutions don't wait for calendar dates...
Soon after, the regime sent in its thugs to squelch the unrest.

But that was last year...

Today the ethnic Azeris took to the streets on the anniversary of last year's massive protests against the regime.

And... It was another massive rally in Tabriz against the regime-
The video is already posted:
(4 minutes)

Tabriz,Urmu,Xoy,Erdebil,Sulduz--Popular protest against the Persian authorities in South Azerbaijan (Iran) May 22 2006, (Hordat 1,1385).
Today the protesters were back.

Michael Ledeen has thoughts on the Western silence.

UPDATE: The Iranian regime arrested 15 later today for organizing the protests in Tabriz.

Finally... A Democrat Who Talks Strong On Defense

No... not any of the Far-Left presidential candidates.... Former Senator Bob Kerrey at The Opinion Journal today:

Let me restate the case for this Iraq war from the U.S. point of view. The U.S. led an invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein because Iraq was rightly seen as a threat following Sept. 11, 2001. For two decades we had suffered attacks by radical Islamic groups but were lulled into a false sense of complacency because all previous attacks were "over there." It was our nation and our people who had been identified by Osama bin Laden as the "head of the snake." But suddenly Middle Eastern radicals had demonstrated extraordinary capacity to reach our shores.

As for Saddam, he had refused to comply with numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions outlining specific requirements related to disclosure of his weapons programs. He could have complied with the Security Council resolutions with the greatest of ease. He chose not to because he was stealing and extorting billions of dollars from the U.N. Oil for Food program.

No matter how incompetent the Bush administration and no matter how poorly they chose their words to describe themselves and their political opponents, Iraq was a larger national security risk after Sept. 11 than it was before. And no matter how much we might want to turn the clock back and either avoid the invasion itself or the blunders that followed, we cannot. The war to overthrow Saddam Hussein is over. What remains is a war to overthrow the government of Iraq...

American liberals need to face these truths: The demand for self-government was and remains strong in Iraq despite all our mistakes and the violent efforts of al Qaeda, Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias to disrupt it. Al Qaeda in particular has targeted for abduction and murder those who are essential to a functioning democracy: school teachers, aid workers, private contractors working to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure, police officers and anyone who cooperates with the Iraqi government. Much of Iraq's middle class has fled the country in fear.

With these facts on the scales, what does your conscience tell you to do? If the answer is nothing, that it is not our responsibility or that this is all about oil, then no wonder today we Democrats are not trusted with the reins of power. American lawmakers who are watching public opinion tell them to move away from Iraq as quickly as possible should remember this: Concessions will not work with either al Qaeda or other foreign fighters who will not rest until they have killed or driven into exile the last remaining Iraqi who favors democracy.
The former senator said it better than any Republican could.
Good for Bob Kerrey for his honesty during these trying times.

HotAir and The American Mind have more on this piece of liberal honesty.
Instapundit has more.

And, to be fair- There is one democratic senator who is still strong on defense.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Fighting Rages in Lebanon- Fatah al-Islam Bombs Beirut Markets

Fighting resumed for the third day between the Lebanese army and Islamist militants taking refuge in the Nahr al-Bared camp Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli.

Fatah al-Islam members fired on rescuers who were attempting to evacuate injured civilians from the camp.

For the second night in a row a bomb was set off in a Beirut market, BBC Video HERE.

Smoke rises from the Palestinian Nahr al-Bared refugee camp as Lebanese army tanks shelled positions held by Fateh al-Islam fighters in northern Lebanon May 21, 2007. Battles engulfed the Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon on Monday and the death toll from two days of fighting between the Lebanon army and al-Qaeda-inspired militants climbed to 71. (REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir)

Fatah al-Islam fighters spread out across the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp and fired on rescuers who were attempting to evacuate injured civilians.
Naharnet reported:

Sources in Nahr el-Bared, which has an estimated population of 40.000 refugees, told Naharnet around 200 fighters from Fatah al-Islam streamed across the narrow alleys of the camp opening fire from assault rifles at rescuers trying to evacuate civilians wounded in the cross-fire.

Wedad, a Native of the camp, told Naharnet by telephone the terrorists are "using us as human shields."

"They have taken the population hostage. They even interrupted the evacuation of the wounded civilians. They opened fire at civilians who were trying to run away from the camp" to safer areas in the nearby Baddawi camp and the northern town of Triploi, said Wedad who was reached through her mobile telephone.

Abdul Qader, a 50-year-old resident of the camp, said about 150-200 armed elements from Fatah al-Islam carried out a broad-front advance from their beach enclave across the narrow streets of the camp and took up sniping nests on rooftops and in residential apartments from which they opened fire on rescuers and Lebanese troops.

Abdul Qader, himself a veteran Palestinian guerrilla who had fought for the mainstream Fatah faction, said terrorists had brought in seaborne support by fishing boats from neighboring Syria to fight what appears to be a final showdown with the Lebanese army.

Smoke billows from the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in north Lebanon. Lebanese troops bombarded Islamist militiamen with tank shells and heavy artillery on Monday, the second day of the bloodiest internal fighting since the civil war that has now left 58 people dead and raised fears about Lebanon's fragile security.(AFP/Ramzi Haidar)

Surprise! Blacksmiths of Lebanon offers this:

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Forces official website is reporting the arrest of a Syrian man in the Sid el Baouchrieh suburb of the capital, after he was stopped by an ISF patrol and found to be in possession of bomb making materials.

Lebanese soldiers carry the bodies of their colleagues during their funeral procession in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. The Lebanese government offered late Monday a truce in its confrontation with Islamists in north Lebanon that cost 58 lives, as a bomb exploded in Beirut for the second straight night.(AFP/Ramzi Haidar)

Fighting resumed at the Palestinian camp this morning. Fatah al-Islam took responsibility for the bomb attacks at the Beirut malls- AFP reported:

The new bout of fighting between troops and the Sunni Muslim Fatah al-Islam militants shattered an overnight lull and followed indirect negotiations to try to reach a ceasefire amid mounting fears of a humanitarian crisis for people trapped inside Nahr al-Bared.

Fatah Al-Islam remained defiant, with spokesman Abu Salim Taha insisting in a telephone call with AFP that "if the army continues its attacks, our fighters are ready to fight until the last drop of blood."

The group, which had warned it would take its fight beyond Nahr al-Bared and the nearby Mediterranean port city of Tripoli, also claimed in a statement it was behind two bomb attacks in Beirut over the past two nights.
From Beirut to the Beltway has more on the Beirut bombings.

Identity checks of the militants killed in the fighting have revealed that most of them are not Palestinians, but have different nationalities.

Atlas has a roundup on the jihad against Lebanon.
Jules Crittenden has links.
Snapped Shot- the violence may be spreading to other camps.

Previously:
Lebanese Troops Battle Syrian Sponsored Al Qaeda Group- 48 Dead!
Death Toll at 65 in Lebanon- Wanted Terrorist Among Dead

UPDATE: UN aid convoy which entered the Nahr al-Bared camp has been fired upon. There are reports of casualties.

UPDATE 2: Stratfor has extensive analysis on the leaders of Fatah al-Islam. Here is an excerpt:

Shaker Abssi, who heads Fatah al-Islam, is said to have links with former al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Along with al-Zarqawi, Abssi was sentenced to death in Jordan for his suspected involvement in the 2002 killing of a U.S. diplomat in Amman. He served a three-year jail sentence in Syria and then moved into Nahr al-Bared to set up Fatah al-Islam. It appears Damascus helped facilitate Abssi's new base of operations, and has used him as a point-man to manage the group's activities. Nahr al-Bared is located close enough to the Syrian border to allow easy transit between Syria and Lebanon. Fatah al-Islam could not have used force to take control over the camp without strong backing from Syrian intelligence officers in the region.

Fatah al-Islam is of use to Syria in a variety of ways. The Alawite-Baathist regime in Damascus long has been adept at funneling different shades of militants across its borders and using militant proxies in Lebanon for its own political aims, regardless of religious, ideological or political orientation. By turning a blind eye to foreign jihadists traveling to Iraq to fight, for example, Syria has promoted itself as an integral piece to any negotiations the United States conducts over Iraq to control the Iraqi insurgency.

Syrian intelligence and security forces in the region also have facilitated the movement of many of these jihadist-oriented militants into Lebanon, which became most apparent with the surfacing of Fatah al-Islam in November 2006. Syrian intelligence recently permitted a fundamentalist officer named Khalid Najjar to enter Lebanon. Najjar has been on a mission on behalf of Syrian military intelligence to facilitate the arrival of Fatah al-Islam recruits from the Yarmuk refugee camp in Damascus to the Nahr al-Bared camp in northern Lebanon. Syria's ability to manage these jihadists is questionable, however, considering the jihadists view the Alawites as kuffar (unbelievers). Though Syria has an interest in demonstrating to the United States that it can rein in the jihadists if need be, these militants could be operating more as mercenaries than as militants motivated purely by ideology.

Though Syria's Alawite rulers are more ideologically in tune with Hezbollah than the Palestinian factions are, the Syrian government understands that Hezbollah has its own political considerations and so Damascus cannot rely as heavily on the Shiite militant group to carry out politically motivated attacks in Lebanon. A Palestinian faction such as Fatah al-Islam is seen as a more expendable insurance policy for Damascus, and better suited for this type of militant activity. Many of Fatah al-Islam's cadres have been waiting to go and fight in Iraq, but have been kept in Nahr al-Bared by their handlers, thus giving Syria substantial control over how it negotiates with the United States regarding its "commitment" to crack down on the flow of insurgents.
Hat Tip Andy Stewart and BG

IRANIAN RAPPERS Bash the Regime!

This is just awesome!

You don't need to speak Farsi to get this...

Iranian rappers bash the regime for their brutal crackdown on women.
IT IS POWERFUL!
(5 minutes 29 seconds)

Via Iran Press News and www.pasargodtv.com

Jimmy vs. Jimmy... His Bush-Bash Lie Caught on Tape

On Saturday... Jimmy Carter told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history..."

But... Today Jimmy Carter backtracked on his Bush-Bashing comments on The Today Show:

Former President Jimmy Carter is backing off his remark this weekend that the Bush administration's foreign policy "has been the worst in history," telling TODAY during an exclusive interview Monday that his comment was "careless" and widely misinterpreted.

"I think Richard Nixon had a very good and productive foreign policy. My remarks were maybe careless or misinterpreted, but I wasn't comparing the overall administration, and I certainly was not talking personally about any president," said Carter.

"Are you saying now that you believe now that [your remarks] were careless or reckless?" Vieira asked.

"Well, I think they were, yes, because they were interpreted as comparing [Bush's] whole administration to all other administrations," Carter said. "What I was actually doing was responding to a question about foreign policy between Richard Nixon and this administration. I think this administration's foreign policy compared to President Nixon's was much worse."
Jimmy says he was "misintrepreted".
Here are both quotes from Jimmy Carter- You be the judge:

The News Buckit has more of the interview by Jimmy from Saturday.

As far as foreign policy goes... Democratic President Jimmy Carter watched communists take over: Ethiopia, South Yemen (located at the mouth of the Red Sea where they could block Mideast oil shipments and access to the Suez Canal), Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique, Grenada and Nicaragua- all on his watch... not to mention the Iran hostage debacle.

Previously:
No He Didn't!... Worst President Viciously Attacks Tony Blair!
Carter Backpedals On Bush Attacks... Says "It Wasn't Personal" Update: He Lied

As far as foreign policy goes... Democratic President Jimmy Carter watched communists take over: Ethiopia, South Yemen (located at the mouth of the Red Sea where they could block Mideast oil shipments and access to the Suez Canal), Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique, Grenada and Nicaragua- all on his watch... not to mention the Iran hostage debacle.

Nutty Left: Evil CIA Created Al Qaeda-linked Fatah Al-Islam

Sweet Jesus--- These people are just nuts.


A lunatic Leftist website claims that the Al Qaeda-linked Fatah al-Islam group that is fighting the Lebanese army in Tripoli was created by the evil CIA!
The Wayne Madsen Report claims:

Fath al-Islam was reportedly started with funding and other support from the CIA and Lebanese Phalangist forces to act as a counterweight to Hezbollah. In reality, Fath al-Islam is designed to give the Bush administration, NATO, and the Fouad Siniora government a pretext for granting the U.S. military and NATO access to northern Lebanon and the Kleiaat airbase. Fath al-Islam's activities are already being blamed on "Al Qaeda" units operating in the north of the country.
At least this gives Rosie some new nutty talking points.
Hat Tip Nutty Nardami

My God!!! They're Beating Their Women to a Bloody Pulp!

THEY'RE BEATING THE WOMEN SENSELESS IN IRAN!!

Masih blog has more photos from the bloody attacks in Tehran on unveiled women.

Kamangir has the rundown from the Iranian blogosphere.

The Iranian blogosphere is all over this...
Will America ignore this brutality??????????


Iran Press News released this photo yesterday on the crackdown against women.

Kamangir translated this gruesome story of abuse against the Iranian woman.

Good God!

UPDATE: Here's the video.

Previously:
Mullah Compares Unveiled Women to Buses: "Anyone Can Ride Them"