Down In The Hole

The Media think that they are wonderful, but this article points out that they are not all that great and they and the troops they cover have a great dislike for them. And WHY they are so disliked. HA!

Morale: Down In The Hole: "Down In The Hole

February 1, 2008: One story the American mass media won't touch is the impact of inaccurate and biased war reporting on the troops. Unlike in past wars, the troops are able to keep up on the news back home. With web access, and email from home, inaccurate and hateful reporting on the military reaches the troops quickly. This has had some interesting results. Aside from creating several million troops and veterans who now no longer trust mainstream media military reporting, it's made the job of reporters harder. New reporters have come to expect that whatever inaccurate military reporting they have done in the past, will be quickly known by any troops they interview. You can't hide from Google."

Counter-Terrorism: For a Fistful of Candy

This is Top Secret info that the Left does NOT want to release. Therefore, I have to post it for all to see. Go read the rest and enjoy the way the US has beat the terrorists - despite the efforts made by the Leftist and Media Elites.

Counter-Terrorism: For a Fistful of Candy: "For a Fistful of Candy

January 31, 2008: While one gets the impression that most Iraqis hate American troops, that's only partially true. The Sunni Arabs have the biggest reason to hate, but these days, the few Sunni Arabs left in Iraq, are quite friendly with the U.S. soldiers and marines. These Americans are the main thing that prevents the Shia Arab death squads from resuming their mass murders. Kids in general like the American troops. The U.S. soldiers and marines are, well, just like the movies. Except the super soldiers are right in front of you. It took a while, but even the kids noticed that the Americans were careful with their weapons. None of this firing in the air, or at 'anything that moves' stuff. The media concentrates on the few times that American troops do hit civilians, but the average Iraqi has did the math after a few years, and realized they were safer when around the Americans. The kids also like the spontaneity and generosity of these Americans with guns. The G.I.s and marines look intimidating as hell, but they will smile, and give you candy. While some kids worked for the terrorists, they eventually figured out they were on the losing side. Learning English has become popular with young Iraqis, as has figuring out how to get into the United States."

Northern Exposure: The Right Way to Address U.S.-Canadian Counterterrorism

This is a great article with a lot of thought and insight. Like most writings from Heritage it should be required reading for policy makers. Not that many can handle the big words.

Northern Exposure: The Right Way to Address U.S.-Canadian Counterterrorism: "A sound U.S.-Canadian strategy must give equal weight to the following priorities: securing the North American perimeter, policing the homeland and diminishing the threat of radicalization, and enhanc­ing security at the border. However, any cooperative strategy must respect the principle of national sover­eignty and uphold each nation's right to secure its border and determine its own migration and domestic security policies. U.S. and Canadian policymakers should focus on four key initiatives:

* Promoting private infrastructure development on the border,
* Coordinating visa policy initiatives,
* Building greater capacity for cooperation in mari­time security, and
* Enhancing cross-border law enforcement programs."

Held hostage

Nice reminder of what is truely at stake in the near future. The Democrats want to stop intruding upon the privacy of terrorists and organized crime, most Republicans want to smash the terrorists and criminals.

The Pueblo Chieftain Online - Held hostage: "Held hostage
EDITORIAL
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

THE ABILITY of American intelligence officials to keep tabs on al-Qaida is in jeopardy with a move by Senate Democrats this week to block a permanent fix for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Furthermore, they failed to support a 30-day extension of the program under a bill passed last summer. That act expires Friday without final congressional action in the Senate.

This is election-year politics playing fast and loose with the safety of the nation.

Much foreign communications pass through the U.S. owing to the nature of global electronic communications networks. When FISA first was approved in 1978, those networks did not exist.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid claimed that the Senate needs another month to do what it couldn't do since summer. The far left in this nation - haters of President Bush - want to deny this president the tools he needs to protect the nation.

We don’t think it’s wise to allow a minority to hold national security hostage in this manner. So here’s hoping that as Friday’s deadline looms, cooler heads will prevail."

Mentally Retarded Women Used in Bombings

I think it might be safe to say that ANYONE who straps a bomb to themselves to kill others is mentally retarded in someway. But it is disgusting that AQ will use these poor victims like this. Capture them and beat them to death with a pig's leg. I can think of no punishment worse than this or I would suggest it. The mentally retarded should be protected and safe from predators like this. What kind of scum are these?

I don't even think Hillary has used the mentally ill like this, and look at her support base! They are mostly very disturbed!

Mentally Retarded Women Used in Bombings: "Two mentally retarded women strapped with remote-control explosives—and possibly used as unwitting suicide bombers—brought carnage Friday to two pet bazaars, killing at 73 people in the deadliest day since Washington flooded the capital with extra troops last spring.

The coordinated blasts—coming 20 minutes apart in different parts of the city—appeared to reinforce U.S. claims al-Qaida in Iraq may be increasingly desperate and running short of able-bodied men willing or available for such missions.

But they also served as a reminder that Iraqi insurgents are constantly shifting their strategies in attempts to unravel recent security gains around the country. Women have been used in ever greater frequency in suicide attacks.

The twin attacks at the pet markets, however, could mark a disturbing use of unknowing agents of death.

Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, Iraq's chief military spokesman in Baghdad, said the women had Down syndrome and may not have known they were on suicide missions. He said the bombs were detonated by remote control."

Clinton advocates slowing down economy

Political Punch: "Former President Bill Clinton was in Denver, Colorado, stumping for his wife yesterday.

In a long, and interesting speech, he characterized what the U.S. and other industrialized nations need to do to combat global warming this way: 'We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emissions 'cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren.'

At a time that the nation is worried about a recession is that really the characterization his wife would want him making? 'Slow down our economy'?

I don't really think there's much debate that, at least initially, a full commitment to reduce greenhouse gases would slow down the economy….So was this a moment of candor?

He went on to say that his the U.S. -- and those countries that have committed to reducing greenhouse gases -- could ultimately increase jobs and raise wages with a good energy plan.."

Al Qaeda Commander in Afghanistan Dead

Good bye! You won't be missed

FOXNews.com - Web Site: Al Qaeda Commander in Afghanistan Dead - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "Al-Libi was an Al Qaeda training camp leader who has appeared in many Internet videos and who the U.S. says was likely behind the Feb. 2007 bombing at the U.S. base at Bagram during a visit by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney that killed 23 people.

A knowledgeable Western official said that 'it appears at this point that Al-Libi has met his demise,' but declined to talk about the circumstances. 'It was a major success in taking one of the top terrorists in the world off the street,' the official said. He added that the death occurred 'within the last few days.'

Al-Libi was a key link between the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

He was listed among the 12 most-wanted men the U.S. offered a US$200,000 reward for five.

Pakistani counterterrorism officials say al-Libi — 'the Libyan' in Arabic language — has served as an Al Qaeda spokesman and commander in eastern Afghanistan. They say they have no information on his current whereabouts."

Michael J. Totten

Michael J. Totten: "At the end of 2006 there were 3,000 Marines in Fallujah. Despite what you might expect during a surge of troops to Iraq, that number has been reduced by 90 percent. All Iraqi Army soldiers have likewise redeployed from the city. A skeleton crew of a mere 250 Marines is all that remains as the United States wraps up its final mission in what was once Iraq's most violent city.

“The Iraqi Police could almost take over now,” Second Lieutenant Gary Laughlin told me. “Most logistics problems are slowly being resolved. My platoon will probably be the last one out here in the Jolan neighborhood.”

“The Iraqi Police in Jolan are very good,” Second Lieutenant Mike Barefoot added. “Elsewhere in Fallujah they're not as far along yet. Theoretically we could leave the area now and they would be okay, except they would run out of money.”"

Michael J. Totten: The Final Mission, Part I

This is more excellent reporting from the Man. I love to see how things in Iraq are getting continuously better, despite the Leftist and Media slander.

Michael J. Totten: The Final Mission, Part I: "I can see why there are only 250 Marines in the city. Fallujah really isn't a war zone anymore. It seems like the Marines really should be able to leave once the local government and the Iraqi Police get their act together. Many say that would rather go to Afghanistan where they can still “get some.”

A minority of Marines, however, think this is naive wishful thinking.

“None of the bad guys dares to take a shot at us because they know it's a death sentence if they do,” one of them said. “But they'll go after the Iraqi Police once we pull out.”

“As soon as we leave, it's going to pop off again,” said another.

There is no way they can know that is true. It is just a gut feeling based on what they've seen and what they've heard, and it's the minority viewpoint. But a gloomy Army soldier I met last summer in Baghdad said something so simple, depressing, and obviously correct that I doubt I will ever forget it.

“Iraq will always be Iraq,” he said as he shook his head and stared at his feet."

Dispute over airport breakroom leads to lawsuit

ksl.com - Dispute over airport breakroom leads to lawsuit: "A shuttle driver has filed a complaint with the FAA against the Salt Lake International Airport, saying officials allowed thousands of religious services to be conducted on public property. Muslim cab drivers began praying in a small airport building used as a break room after 9-11, because, the airport says, they became targets, with people yelling at them and throwing things.

Last week we brought you the story of a Muslim cab driver at the airport who says he was assaulted when he tried to pray inside the building. Tonight the man charged in that case speaks out about his case against the airport.


Shuttle driver Jeff Brueningsen took photos inside the building he and other drivers share at the airport. 'It was definitely an Islamic center.' He said it didn't feel right, so he filed a complaint with the FAA against the airport.

'In proper, polite company you never bring up politics or religion. And they introduced both instantly into what's supposed to be a professional, secular transportation-aviation facility,' Brueningsen said.

In the complaint he details claims that he was harassed by a group of Muslim drivers who he says have threatened to kill him. It came to a head earlier this month when Brueningsen says Mohammed Alahmed and other drivers attacked him.

'They were going like this, using their fin"

Goodbye Johnny

I am going to miss all the fun jokes about Mr. Metrosexual. Au revoir Madam...

Teenage girl strangled in 'honour killing'

The joys of Islam. If my sister leaves her husband's house without permission, should I kill her too? Ooops! I am 'crusader' and don't believe in killing women and children. One of these days, I might convert to Islam so I can kill indiscriminately, but not anytime soon.

Gulfnews: Teenage girl strangled in 'honour killing': "A Jordanian prosecutor has charged the victim’s brother, a 20-year-old man, with premeditated murder.

Local newspapers reported that he had stuffed a scarf in his sister's mouth, choked her with an electric cable and smoked a pack of cigarettes before turning himself in."

Terror Suspects Hone Anti-Detection Skills

They get better, we get better. Have these families take a blood oath to defend their new country and to serve in the military for five years before they can get permission to bring their families to their new homes. This might keep the True Believers from infiltrating. If not, then they are finger printed and DNAd which makes them easier to trace later if they decide to become suicidal or terrorists. Which is about one in five of the Muslims? That is about every family with a terrorist in their house.

This article is good for learning what the current terrorist training entails. Well, their counter-surveillence training at least. Makes the Law Enforcement boys have to work so much harder.

Terror Suspects Hone Anti-Detection Skills: "In an age of spy satellites, security cameras and an Internet that stores every keystroke, terrorism suspects are using simple, low-tech tricks to cloak their communications, making life difficult for authorities who had hoped technology would give them the upper hand.

Across Europe, al-Qaeda operatives and sympathizers are avoiding places that they assume are bugged or monitored, such as mosques and Islamic bookshops, counterterrorism experts said. In several cases, suspects have gone back to nature -- leaving the cities on camping trips or wilderness expeditions so they can discuss plots without fear of being overheard.

In Britain, a man who called himself 'Osama bin London' is among five people being tried on charges of operating terrorist training camps in remote areas, sometimes under the guise of paintball fights in the woods. The camps' participants included four men who later tried to set off backpack bombs on the London transit system on July 21, 2005.

In a separate case in London, a Ugandan immigrant is scheduled to go on trial this month on charges of receiving terrorist training in the New Forest, site of a former royal hunting ground established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror.

And in Germany, three Islamic extremists suspected of plotting to bomb U.S. targets in September were"

Muslim mums win discrimination appeal

What a joke! I highlighted what, to me, seems to be the key phrase here. I can just see some Muslim family, on the run from their oppressive government and looking for freedom, that will sue because some poor lifeguard did not make it to their drowning kid in time. Freedom from oppession seems to be contraindicated in Islam - they take it with them. Allahu Akhbar.

The Local - Muslim mums win discrimination appeal: "Muslim mums win discrimination appeal

Published: 29 Jan 08 12:26 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/9808/

Two Muslim mothers have won a court appeal against a municipal pool in Gothenburg that required them to take off their veils and body-covering clothing.

* Polish sign reported for discrimination (25 Jan 08)
* Probe into Swedish-only workplace idea (22 Dec 07)
* Girl tested for circumcision 'because she was Somalian' (3 Sep 07)

The Court of Appeal for western Sweden found the City of Gothenburg guilty of ethnic discrimination and ordered the authorities to pay the women 20,000 kronor ($3,000) each in damages.

The women, Houda Morabet and Hayal Eroglu, were at the pool separately on two different occasions in April 2004, accompanying their young children but not to swim themselves.

Both were wearing veils, long pants and long-sleeved tee-shirts because their religion does not allow them to reveal parts of their body in public.

In its judgment, the court said that the actions of the swimming pool lifeguards, who insisted that the women should change into tee-shirts, could be deemed discriminatory even if this had not been their intention.

The nature of Sweden's discrimination laws mean that it was up to the City of Gothenburg to prove that the request for the women to remove some of their clothing had nothing to do with their religion.

"In the view of the Court of Appeal, the City of Gothenburg did not succeed in doing this," the court said in a statement.

In March last year, Gothenburg District Court ruled that the municipal pool had not discriminated against the women.

It ordered the Ombudsman against Ethnic Discrimination, which had brought the case on their behalf, to pay the City of Gothenburg's costs of 30,850 kronor ($4,720 dollars).

The lifeguards testified that although there was nothing in the security regulations about veils, the rules did require people in the pool area to wear shorts and tee-shirts, even if they don't plan to swim.

The mothers' cumbersome clothing would have prevented them from coming to the rescue of their children if necessary, they argued."

Egypt Warns Hamas to Get Terrorists Out of Sinai

Those Pallys just don't listen to anyone, do they?

Egypt Warns Hamas to Get Terrorists Out of Sinai - News Briefs - Arutz Sheva: "Egypt Warns Hamas to Get Terrorists Out of Sinai

(IsraelNN.com) Palestinian Authority sources quoted in the Jerusalem Post said Tuesday that Egyptian officials have warned Hamas to get its terrorists out of Sinai. Hundreds of armed Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists remain in Sinai and refuse to leave, they explained.

Egyptian authorities are “very serious” about the issue, PA officials said, and have warned Hamas to have the armed men back in Gaza by the weekend. Over 100 armed Gaza Arabs have been arrested in Sinai in the past week. Most had their weapons confiscated and were returned to Gaza."

Iraq: The War So Far

//this is just part of the story. Read the full thing for many insights.

Iraq: The War So Far: "Despite the need for solutions, too many American politicians were more concerned with political correctness. That isn't always bad. For example, there has been enormous emphasis, in Iraq, on keeping American casualties down. This has been a success, with the casualty rate being about half what it was in Vietnam, and at a record low level historically. This has amazed military experts the world over, but was accomplished by adopting tactics that limited what American troops could do. The civilian deaths, as a result of U.S. combat operations, declined even more. That got little media attention either. But it was a big deal with the Iraqis.

Iraq can either be a turning point in Middle Eastern history, or the democracy can be corrupted, as it was in 1958 when the constitutional monarchy was overthrown by the Sunni Arab dominated military. To that end, the Iraqis are trying to negotiate a long term treaty with the United States that would include an American promise to 'coup-proof' elected Iraqi governments. That's novel, but depends on the election process remaining uncorrupted. Nothing is simple in the Middle East."

Anbar Disappoints

My Brother Marines join to fight, not to sit in no place. That is why they have volunteered! It might be time to allow the Army to run the little patrols and let the Warriors go to someplace dangerous.

I added the emphasis in the article. Enjoy!

Morale: Anbar Disappoints: " A U.S. Marine, Lance Cpl. James M. Gluff was killed in western Iraq on January 19th. Gluff shot a suicide bomber that was approaching his platoon. The explosion killed the bomber, and Gluff, but saved the lives of many nearby marines. This was the first marine combat death in Iraq in 103 days (since last October.) A marine regiment (over 4,000 troops) has been patrolling Anbar province (which comprises most of western Iraq) for quite some time. The marines have worked out security arrangements with most of the Sunni Arab tribes that dominate the area. That has sharply reduced the violence. So far this month, 29 U.S. military personnel have died in combat in Iraq.

Marines returning to Iraq, are surprised at the reduction in terrorist violence. These veterans are noting things like a 90 percent reduction in the number of roadside bombs encountered. This has a dangerous side effect, as it's harder to stay alert, to possible roadside bombs, while on patrol, because you spot so few of them. In the past, you could be sure to at least one for every two patrols. But now, many younger marines, in Iraq for the first time, have yet to encounter any bombs or gun fire after dozens of patrols. These marines are disappointed, and fearful that they will not earn the Combat Action Ribbon. For years, marines associated Anbar with war, but now it's just another quiet patch of desert. "

Marines Confront the Weight Problem

Infantry: Marines Confront the Weight Problem: "There's an ongoing debate in the infantry community over the need for so much body armor. There are times when the troops have to move fast (as when chasing down a sniper). But the senior commanders are under a lot of pressure to keep friendly casualties down, so they tend to insist that the troops wear all their armor all the time. Despite this, some subordinate commanders look the other way when troops shed their armor temporarily to get some needed speed. The new protective vests have a quick release feature, that makes it easier to get the vest off, and back on again."

NBC Weapons: Chemically Enhanced Holy Warriors

NBC Weapons: Chemically Enhanced Holy Warriors: "There have been numerous complaints from U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, about the inability of their weapons to take down enemy troops. This led to criticism of the 5.56mm M4/16 rifle bullet, and the 9mm pistol round. But after interrogation of many captured fighters, and medical examination of those killed or wounded, another factor was discovered. Many, often most, of the bad guys were doped up. With methamphetamine and pain killers drugs of choice. This put the fighters into a combative mood, and insensitive to pain. The enemy considered themselves 'holy warriors,' with each battle likely to be their last. These guys also knew, from talking to survivors of fights with the Americans, that they stood little chance of surviving such battles. The meth and pain killers enabled them to get shot several times, hardly feel anything, and keep going. Just what a holy warrior wants."

Israel: Posturing For Power

Why does the Media ignore the poor Egyptians who have been injured by the Pallys? I guess that Pallys are immune to attacks by the Media.

Israel: Posturing For Power: "So far, nearly 40 Egyptian soldiers and police have been injured by Hamas gunmen and Palestinian civilians. The Egyptians don't want to start a war with Hamas, but it is clear that the longer the breeches remain, the more criminal activity (smuggling, of people and goods) will go on. Egyptian police have been halting Palestinians trying to cross the desert to Cairo. This would enable Palestinians to try and get to another country, particularly in Europe, where they can claim asylum from Israeli oppression, and get away with it. The Hamas security forces have backed off a bit, and are stopping Palestinians in cars from crossing the border. Apparently the Egyptians have made it clear that force was going to be used if then went on much longer. Some of the Palestinians the Egyptians caught, trying to drive to Cairo, had weapons and explosives in their cars. The Egyptians know that Hamas is harboring Egyptian Islamic terrorists, as well as Palestinian terrorists eager for a chance to blow up things in Egypt."

V-22 Sprints to Success

Good to see this pig finally fly! For more than a few miles anyway.

Air Transportation: V-22 Sprints to Success: "V-22 Sprints to Success

January 25, 2008: The U.S. Marine Corps has had ten MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft (a squadron) in Iraq for five months now [PHOTOS]. The marines wanted combat experience for their new aircraft, and they got it. This enabled the marines to find out what the MV-22 did best. As expected, the higher speed and cruising altitude of the MV-22 was very useful. Moving troops to where they are needed, or getting badly wounded marines to a hospital, were things the MV-22 excelled at, moving at twice the speed of the helicopters previously used. Cruising at a higher altitude (10,000 feet or more) than helicopters, and moving faster, gave the enemy much less opportunity to get off a shot, much less score a hit. The heavy use also revealed which parts were likely to wear out when, something you never really find out until you get the aircraft into a combat zone. The modern cockpit, including auto-pilot, makes the MV-22 much easier to fly than the helicopters they replace."

Gaza buried in flour?

Since Mohammad does not teach math, and it is not in the Koran, I see that it is still not required or expected to be taught in Gaza. Of course, one might expect it to be taught in the West, but these ARE journalists. Math and journalism do not mix.

Gaza buried in flour [Martin Kramer's Sandbox]: "The Boston Globe has just run an op-ed under the headline 'Ending the Stranglehold on Gaza.' The authors are Eyad al-Sarraj, identified as founder of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, and Sara Roy, identified as senior research scholar at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University. The bias of the op-ed speaks for itself, and I won't even dwell on it. But I do want to call attention to this sentence:

Although Gaza daily requires 680,000 tons of flour to feed its population, Israel had cut this to 90 tons per day by November 2007, a reduction of 99 percent.

You don't need to be a math genius to figure out that if Gaza has a population of 1.5 million, as the authors also note, then 680,000 tons of flour a day come out to almost half a ton of flour per Gazan, per day."

Terrorist Dies, Palestinians Mourn

What a pity. That he didn't take his friends with him. Burn for eternity you terrorist scum!

lgf: put your foot on the rock: "Terrorist Dies, Palestinians Mourn

Sat, Jan 26, 2008 at 8:53:00 pm PST

He dedicated his life to evil, and was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people. Now he’s dead himself, after years spent escaping justice for his crimes. And our “partner in peace” Mahmoud Abbas is praising him: PFLP founder Habash dies; PA mourns.

George Habash, the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, died Saturday evening at his home in Amman, a senior Jordanian official said. Habash was 82-years-old.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning in the wake of Habash’s death. The PA chairman also ordered Palestinian flags to be brought down to half mast and mourners to be received at the presidential office in Ramallah.

Habash was born in Lod to Greek Orthodox parents and became a refugee in the wake of the 1948 war. He was a medical student at The American University of Beirut, and was among the founders of the Arab Nationalist Movement in the 1950s.

In 1969, Habash became the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Marxist group that carried out numerous terror attacks and “specialized” in hijacking planes across the world. Habash joined the PLO leade"