Protest boats seek an end to Gaza siege

If these idiots want to help the poor innocent people of Gaza, then arrest them for attempting to break the siege and jail them in Sderot. If they are killed by their good friends in Gaza, that is just tough. After a few months of bombardment they might wonder why only food and medical supplies are allowed to travel from Israel into Gaza. If they STILL don't understand, then they are even bigger fools than they seem in this.

I am sure that these fools are nice enough individuals, but they must have IQs in the lowest quarter of humanity. Gullible, yet useful, fools. Stalin would have loved them.

AKI - Adnkronos international Middle East: Protest boats seek an end to Gaza siege: "Two boats carrying more than 40 international human rights activists left the Mediterranean island of Cyprus on Friday for the Gaza Strip in a bid to break Israel's blockade in the Palestinian Territories.

The activists, members of the Free Gaza Movement, fear they may be stopped and arrested by Israeli Defense Forces as they seek to draw attention to what they call the "illegality" of Israel's actions.

"Our goal is to break the blockade that Israel has imposed on the Gazan people," Huweida Arraf from the movement told Adnkronos International (AKI) in a telephone interview from one of the boats.

"What Israel does is to justify the siege and blockade under a security pretext. Under this security pretext, they are starving and humiliating an entire people."

The crew consists of people from 16 different countries and includes a Greek parliamentarian,Tasos Kourakis, Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and an 81-year old Catholic nun.

The protesters plan to deliver 5,000 balloons for children, as well as hearing aids to a Palestinian charity.

...

"Israel is an occupying power, and as such they are keeping 1.5 million civilians under siege, effectively instituting collective punishment which is illegal under international law," said Arraf, a lawyer who also runs the International Solidarity Movement.

"Israel is breaking international law. It (the siege) is also immoral and illegal. This is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. Everybody in this boat is appalled that the internationally community has not spoken against this."

The two boats, the 21-metre long 'SS Free Gaza' and an 18-metre boat called 'Liberty' left the southern port of Larnaca in Cyprus early on Friday morning."

iowahawk: Obama Pix Hipster Prix to Reclick with Stix Hix

When the 'Hawk eventually retires, I might have to give up the Internet. where does he get this stuff?

Make sure you empty your bladder and have throughly wet your whistle before you read this. Accidents happen...


iowahawk: Obama Pix Hipster Prix to Reclick with Stix Hix: "'A lot of the plebe douchebags come in here full of swagger, thinking all it takes is a few hours of FM country music endurance training, and I have to tell them they have no idea what they're up against,' says Ethan Dodge, a Seattle conceptual theater set designer and veteran douchebag of Obama's Iowa caucus campaign. 'Believe me, I've been to Dubuque. I know.'

To toughen up the recruits for the task ahead, Dodge and other drill instructors take a direct approach.

'We tell them straight up: we aren't your mommy or daddy or your au pair. There aren't any independent lesbian film festivals in Youngstown, and just because Iowa has a lot of farmers it doesn't mean they are going to see a lot of Sunday chill-out farmers' markets,' says Voorhees. 'After that shock wears off, we tell them about how the natives drink Pabst unironically.'

'Sure, it scares some recruits off,' admits Dodge. 'But the ones who stay are much less likely to crack under the pressure of a two week isolation from American Apparel or Urban Outfitters.'"

Christian Theology Students Forced off Campus by Mob of Islamic Hard-liners - International News | News of the World | Middle East News

FOXNews.com - Christian Theology Students Forced off Campus by Mob of Islamic Hard-liners - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "Since being driven from campus, nearly 600 female students have been sleeping under suspended tarps at a nearby scout camp, where they had to dig trenches to keep water out during downpours. Classes are held with megaphones in the sweltering summer heat, under trees or the tarps. A similar number of male students live in a guesthouse. The remainder have returned to their families.

Food, water and school supplies are donated by church groups and community charities.

"We feel like refugees in our own country," said Dessy Nope, 19, a second-year student majoring in education. "How can you study here? I only followed 20 percent of my last lesson. It's difficult to concentrate."

Christians have not been the only targets for Muslim hard-liners, who this year set fire to mosques of a Muslim sect, Ahmadiyah, that they consider heretical.

In June, the government ordered members of the sect to return to mainstream Islam, sparking concern among activists who fear the state is interfering in matters of faith and caving in to the demands of radicals.

"We're living in a country where there are many religions, but the government cannot prevent the actions of fundamentalist groups," said Manave, the school spokesman. "The government cannot protect minorities." "

U.S. attack may have cemented bin Laden, al-Qaida alliance

If President Bush hadn't attacked the AQ bases, then the Taliban would not have protected them and aided them, allowing them to plan the 9/11 attacks and ... Never mind. Bush was just a governor back then. He probably tricked the Clintons into the attacks! Even though they were the smartest Presidents EVER and Bush is a low grade moron.

Amazing how this wonderfully Left leaning paper never mentions any President in this article. If there had been ANY way to pass the buck to a Republican, you can bet they would have. Over and over again. Just to drive home the hint.

Nation & World | U.S. attack may have cemented bin Laden, al-Qaida alliance | Seattle Times Newspaper: "The U.S. cruise-missile strike on an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan in 1998 was meant to kill Osama bin Laden. But he apparently left shortly before the missiles struck, and newly declassified U.S. documents suggest the attack cemented an alliance with his Taliban protectors.

The State Department documents released Wednesday provide details of the evolving relationship between Taliban leader Mullah Omar and al-Qaida chief bin Laden over four months in 1998. The period begins Aug. 21, 1998, one day after the U.S. launched 62 Tomahawk cruise missiles at two al-Qaida training camps in Afghanistan as retaliation for the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on Aug. 7 of that year. Bin Laden was believed to be at one of the camps, but he left shortly before the missiles struck.

Omar said publicly on Aug. 21 that he would continue to protect bin Laden."

Back to School Time - The Perfect Time for Flag Etiquette

What a nice idea. Not too many people know what the proper etiquette for the flag is. Just look at Obama's gaffe putting the flag upside down on his campaign passes. Unfortunately, not too many Liberals will care to read this and most Conservatives will know most, if not all, of it.

Go and check your knowledge and see how you do. Then fly your flag proudly! This is a great country!

Back to School Time - The Perfect Time for Flag Etiquette & Information Offered by FlagandBanner.com: "FlagandBanner.com (http://www.flagandbanner.com), a leading retail supplier of American flags and patriotic items, announced today that it will be providing free Flag Etiquette (http://www.FlagandBanner.com/fab/flag.asp?cpage=etiquette1) information year round for all those interested in learning the proper way to display the United States Flag.

Back To School: Time for Answers

'Every year when school starts we get a lot of e-mails and phone calls about proper flag etiquette. So many patriotic Americans are unaware of proper flag etiquette -- when to take flags down, how to dispose of flags, and other general flag information,' stated Kerry McCoy, owner of Flag and Banner. 'Because so many people from all over the United States getting ready for school to start have inquired about when and how to display the flag, we decided to provide the information in one place along with our e-mail alerts for people wanting notification on when to fly their flags at half mast,' Kerry continued.

Information on the Flag and Banner website includes:"

Taliban Claims Responsibility for Homicide Blasts That Killed 59 in Pakistan

I am worried about the hints that this was a nuclear processing facility for the Pakistani nuclear program. I do not think that the new Pakistani government is strong enough to stand up on its own feet yet and they might lose control over these weapons. I am praying that a F117 might be out of retirement, or a B2 might be standing by just in case the bombs need to be destroyed before the terrorists can get them.

Who can intervene? If it is the US, then we will be denounced as warmongers and evil - but what else is new. If it is India, then that is the reason why Pakistan developed Nuclear weapons in the first place! They fear a take over by the Hindus they persecuted for centuries. China might want to do it, because of the Pakistani terrorists now infiltrating China to cause trouble there. However, none of these will be tolerable to even the most enlightened and Westernized Pakistanis.

I recommend just taking the weapons to the US and returning them when the situation is stabilized. If it can't be stabilized, then Islam will just be in control and Muslim areas are rarely stable anyway.

FOXNews.com - Taliban Claims Responsibility for Homicide Blasts That Killed 59 in Pakistan - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "Twin Taliban homicide bombings at Pakistan's largest weapons complex killed at least 59 people Thursday, heightening the turmoil following Pervez Musharraf's ouster as president.

The ruling coalition, made up of traditional rivals who were united primarily in their determination to force Musharraf from office, meanwhile appeared to be veering toward collapse. The two main parties have been unable to bridge key differences such as whether judges fired by Musharraf should be quickly reinstated and who should succeed him as president.

Pakistanis have urged the civilian government to stop bickering and turn quickly to tackling the country's problems from an economic downturn to extremist violence in the volatile northwest, where fighting between security forces and Islamic militants has escalated in recent weeks.

• Click here for photos.

The bombers struck two different gates of the government weapons complex just as workers were leaving. The complex, comprising 12 factories, is located in Wah, a garrison city 20 miles west of the capital, Islamabad.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the perimeter is guarded by a dedicate"

Bomb found near Lewis County power plant

These were some really lucky miners and train workers! By rights they should be dead!

Now, who could have done something like this? CAIR? ACLU? UN? ELF? DNC?

Bomb found near Lewis County power plant | KOMO News - Seattle, Washington | News: "An explosive device with the potential to deliver 'an incredible amount of destructive power' was found alongside tracks leading to Lewis County's Trans Alta mine on Wednesday, officials said.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office said the device was found by a Trans Alta employee who did not recognize it as a bomb and transported it in a rail truck to turn over to the supervisor.


The stretch of tracks where the bomb was found is shown above.
The company then alerted sheriff's deputies, who secured the scene and then called in the Washington State Patrol's bomb squad.

The device was a five-gallon propane tank with green and yellow wires coming out the tank. The wires were similar to those used in electrical blasting caps.

After arriving at the scene, the bomb squad x-rayed the tank, and removed a blasting cap from the device. The blasting cap had been activated but the powder inside the tank for unknown reasons had not detonated."

TWO FORMER LAKE CITY EMPLOYEES PLEAD GUILTY TO SABOTAGE OF WAR MATERIALS

Two real idiots . When people this stupid are found, sometimes I think that they should be sterilized and removed from the gene pool.

A million rounds of ammunition are stolen? Since we are having a few minor ammunition shortages on the training side, this means that our GIs were not trained up to modern standards before being sent to war. And they only get two years? F them! Give them a decade each for general stupidity.

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Kansas City Field Division - Press Release - Department of Justice: "TWO FORMER LAKE CITY EMPLOYEES PLEAD GUILTY TO SABOTAGE OF WAR MATERIALS

ADMIT TO STEALING THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF COPPER USED TO MANUFACTURE BULLETS FOR THE ARMY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two former employees of a firm operating at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing more than 16,000 pounds of copper components used to manufacture ammunition for the U.S. Army, which they sold for scrap metal.

Charles Dale Osborn, 46, of Odessa, Mo., and Timothy Duane Langevin, 36, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty in separate appearances today before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to the charge contained in an April 14, 2008, federal indictment.

Osborn and Langevin admitted that they participated in a conspiracy to steal specially fabricated copper components, known in the munitions industry as bullet cups, which are used to manufacture copper-jacketed 7.62 mm bullets, from the Lake City plant from Sept. 27, 2007, through March 28, 2008. Osborn and Langevin delivered the bullet cups for destruction to the Fusselman Salvage Company in Moberly, Mo.

The diversion of bullet cups interfered with and obstructed the ability of the United States to prepare for and carry on war activities by interrupting the supply of 7.62 mm rounds of ammunition to the U.S. Army. The 7.62 mm rounds are manufactured by Alliant Techsystems, Inc., at the Lake City plant under a contract with the U.S. Army to deliver 7.62 mm ammunition to be used by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Osborn and Langevin were employed as machine repairmen by Alliant Techsystems during the course of the conspiracy.

Osborn and Langevin diverted approximately 16,528 pounds of copper bullet cups from the Lake City plant to Fusselman Salvage Company. That amount of copper would otherwise have produced approximately 1.5 million rounds of ammunition, and amounts to more than two weeks' production of 7.62 mm ammunition. Osborn and Langevin shared approximately $45,362 in proceeds from salvaging the copper material, which was valued at $78,838.

Osborn and Langevin initially used five gallon buckets to transport the bullet cups from the grounds of Lake City to the salvage company. Later, they used a company forklift to move entire skids of large boxes containing the bullet cups to a pickup truck for transport. Finally, the amounts of material became so large that the conspirators rented a U-Haul trailer to transport the material.

Under federal statutes, Osborn and Langevin could be subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. Under the terms of today's plea agreements, the government and the defendants have agreed that the defendants should be sentenced to at least two years in federal prison without parole.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Cowles. It was investigated by the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command and the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Petraeus Book 'Endorsement' Draws Fire

What a crock. Mr Weinstein is taking his anti-religious views too far. Can we shoot him if he endorses any religion? Even the anti-religion of atheism? That is what he seems to be endorsing. Moron.

Petraeus Book 'Endorsement' Draws Fire: "Gen. David Petraeus is used to controversy surrounding the war in Iraq, but his publicized thoughts on an Army chaplain's book for Soldiers put him squarely in the middle of the ongoing conflict over religious proselytizing in the U.S. military.

The book is 'Under Orders: A Spiritual Handbook for Military Personnel,' by Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) William McCoy, and according to Petraeus' published endorsement of the work, 'it should be in every rucksack for those times when soldiers need spiritual energy.'

But the endorsement - which has spurred a demand by a watchdog group for Petraeus' dismissal and court martial on the grounds of establishing a religious requirement on troops - was a personal view never intended for publication, the book's author now says.

...

Mikey Weinstein, head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, believes McCoy is taking the fall for Petraeus and Hertling's improper endorsements. Weinstein said it "strains credulity" that Petraeus never knew that his private written endorsement of the book was in the public domain since last year.

Weinstein is a former Air Force judge advocate general and White House counsel during the Reagan administration. His group has been fighting in the courts to keep improper proselytizing out of the military. Now, he said, he intends to incorprate the Petraeus and Hertling endorsements into an ongoing lawsuit against the Pentagon for an alleged pervasive and permicious "pattern and practice" of religious liberties violations in the military.

"MRFF is now officially putting both Army chaplain Lt. Col. Bill McCoy and General Petraeus on notice not to destroy any of the written or electronic records of their communications about this [issue]," Weinstein said.

The chapters in McCoy's book are offered up as "Orders," he said, and one of them is titled "Believe in God."

With his plug for "Under Orders," Weinstein said in a statement to Military.com, Petraeus - one of the most widely recognized officers in the American military - is endorsing religion as something all Soldiers should have and, specifically, the Christian religion."

Russia halts military work with NATO

Russia is going to stop cooperating with NATO, temporarily, because NATO is not going to cooperate with it? What a spin! I highlighted another key part of this slanted story: it took US pressure for NATO to get off its butt and agree to even send a stern note of protest.

I am NOT an isolationist, but we are trying to protect a world that has forgotten about the wolves at the doorstep! Maybe it is time to pull back and let them go to hell. I wonder how many days it would take for Russia to conquer Europe if the US told them it would not interfere for the first two years? Can the combined militarys of Europe do anything to stop even one Soviet division?

We have been the world's protector for too long. We need to either start forcing the militant countries to calm down, or let the sheep get their way as we neglect them. Shitte or get off the pot! This crud is making me sick.

Russia halts military work with NATO: Norway | International | Reuters: "Doubts surfaced over the future of military cooperation between NATO and Russia on Wednesday after Norway said Moscow had informed it of a decision to freeze all joint work with the alliance in the row over Georgia.

However Russia's ambassador to NATO played down any future steps, saying the decisions were 'of temporary character, of regional character, not global character'. A NATO spokeswoman said it had no notification of a Russian move.

'Norway has noted that Russia has decided for the time being to 'freeze' all military cooperation with NATO and allied countries,' Norway's Defence Ministry said on its website.

A defence ministry spokeswoman told Reuters that Moscow had sent 'a message' to Oslo -- with which it has had warm relations -- about the freeze but declined to provide further details.

On Tuesday NATO countries agreed after U.S. pressure on to freeze regular contacts with Russia until Moscow had withdrawn its troops from Georgia in line with a peace deal."

Marines turn over training of Iraqi Police to Iraqis

It takes years to train a good cop, but with the training that the Marines have started them with, they will start to finish this insane war that the fanatics started. Good for them! That is the Marines and the Sons of Iraq, both. Semper Fi!

I MEF Home Page: "Marines train Iraqi citizen group to take over policing

By SSgt. Michael Hjelmstad

ZAIDON, Iraq(August 12, 2008) – Sixty-eight members of the Sons of Iraq, a citizen watch group trained in protecting the community here, took the next step in becoming law enforcement officers on Aug. 12.
Distinguished leaders of the greater al Nu’Amyiah area and Marines from Camp Fallujah participated in a graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the first class of SOI to complete an academy that will prepare them to make the transition to Iraqi Police. Col. George Bristol, commanding officer, First Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group took the time to individually congratulate each graduate. (Photo by SSgt. Michael Hjelmstad)
“There are many great things a man can do with his life, but I believe the greatest is to protect other people,” said Col. George Bristol, commanding officer, First Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. “The emblem over your heart represents what you now stand for. Each one of you should be proud, as I am proud of you.” Bristol took the time to individually congratulate each graduate.
Sheikh Abd Al-Hamid Hussein from the Jumayli tribe presented a squad with their graduation certificates. (Photo by SSgt. Michael Hjelmstad)
Sheikh Abd Al-Hamid Hussein from the Jumayli tribe and other local leaders in attendance acknowledged the important role these graduates have as the region grows toward self governance. “There is now a great responsibility upon your shoulders to uphold the laws and protect the good people of [the greater al Nu’Amyiah area].” he said.
“Today is the result of a year of work for us,” said Capt. Ruth Wilson, company commander, Guardian Company, I MHG. “All the work-ups, all the sweat, all the patrols, everything went into making this day possible, and now it’s up to them to make it successful. All we can do is show them how.”
“This is how all future academies should be run,” said IP Lt. Col. Da’wud Ahmed Sliman who oversaw the training. “The first days especially were difficult, but you made great improvements with each day and now you stand before us having completed something worthwhile.” He said to the class. “We could have never achieved this without the Marine instructors and your hard work.” Sgt. Horton Brisco instructs a student what to do in case a person detained appears to have a possible explosive on their body as demonstrated by Cpl. Michael Farber. (Photo by SSgt. Michael Hjelmstad)
The Marine instructors were hand picked from Guardian Company as part of a long term plan to improve security in the region.
“It was really rewarding to see all that effort pay off today.” Wilson said. “Without security, nothing else is possible.”
In just six days the students were exposed to a challenging curriculum that ranged from the basics of law and how to conduct a legal search to the benefits of community policing.
“In six days we gave them training that should be done over a period of weeks or months,” said Sgt. Horton Brisco, Chief Instructor. “They are eager to learn and retain an amazing amount of information.”
The academy was also physically demanding as students were exposed to the intensity of Marine Corps physical training between periods of classroom instruction. The squads showed great enthusiasm as they competed, but then took time to recognize the abilities and motivation of each other. The Marines emphasized to the SOI how much stronger they are when they stand as a group, and after one event two squads lined up to congratulate each other just like an American baseball team.
Hussein recognized the training as a landmark in the turnover of security from Coalition forces to Iraqi authority. “I don’t not have words for how grateful I am for what you have done here.” He said to the Marines. "

Russia: Still Second Rate And Unloved

This talks about the fact that the Russians/Soviets have been in the planning stages for the war on Georgia for months and have incited the violence. They know they can get away with it because the UN is worthless and NATO has no teeth left. The US is the only country that can confront the Soviets and the American Left will do almost anything that their communist friends want them to. Traitors.

Of course, I have been called a traitor for thinking that America is great and should encourage the spread of Freedom as much as possible. It seems that the Left hates that kind of thinking. If you think that way, then you can piss off and leave my blog alone.

Russia: Still Second Rate And Unloved: "Still Second Rate And Unloved

August 20, 2008: The Russian military demonstrated great resourcefulness and innovation during its recent campaign in Georgia. This includes the strategic planning, because the war was a set up. Russia used only one infantry division for the invasion, and had held training exercises in July. The increased border violence by South Ossetian forces caused the Georgians think they could retake the lost (in 1991) province. Less than a day after the Georgian forces entered South Ossetia, the Russian force of over 20,000 troops (including combat experienced Chechen counter-terror units and North Ossetian militia groups) came in. The Georgians were not prepared for this, even though the Russians had been making a lot of noise, for weeks, on the Internet about the growing "crises" in South Ossetia. By August 8th, the Russian Cyber War preparations became evident, as most Georgian media and government web sites were shut down by Russian attacks. It was the Internet version of the blitzkrieg, and a blow to military and civilian morale in Georgia. But on the ground, the combat experience of the Russian troops quickly translated in defeats for inexperienced Georgian troops. Despite several years of training under the supervision of Israeli and American combat veterans, the Georgians were still not as effective as the Russians (who have been fighting in Chechnya for over a decade). Although the Georgian anti-aircraft units brought down some Russian jets, the Russians basically ruled the skies and used that to constantly pick apart Georgian units. It was Russian air power the prevented the Georgians from mounting an effective defense.

Russia told the UN that it would veto any UN attempt to pass resolutions urging Russia to hurry up and get out of Georgia. The Russian success in Georgia was very popular inside Russia, where there has been growing unhappiness over Russias loss of empire and superpower status in the early 1990s. Nationalist politicians are talking about rebuilding the empire. This could get tricky, and is one reason the Russians get so excited when another of their neighbors talks about joining NATO. That organization is designed for mutual defense. You attack one NATO member, you attack them all, and two of them (France left NATO in the 1960s, but is considered an associate member) have nuclear weapons. "

Afghanistan: Scary Monsters

Even though the Left is cheering for the Taliban, they are still getting wiped out. They are targeting the Allies in Afghanistan now instead of the US troops because they know that President Bush is not going to pull out despite the many calls for him to do so from the Taliban's allies in the Media and Far Left. They do hope that the next American President will pull out, so once the election is held I anticipate a huge upswing in suicide attacks to make it look like the Taliban are still in a position of power. This won't work on most Americans, but the Left and Media will fall for it and demand an instant surrender to the forces of fundamentalist Islam.

Piss on the Left. Piss on the fundamentalists and radicals.

Afghanistan: Scary Monsters: "The Taliban have embarked on what amounts to a large scale suicide strategy. In addition to dozens of individual suicide bombers, they have dozens of field units, each of about a hundred gunmen, looking to score spectacular (from a media, not a military, standpoint) victories. Such attacks are being deliberately made against foreign troops from specific countries. France and Canada are particular targets. Month by month, the Taliban lose far more troops than they kill, in going after specific national contingents, but they are heartened by news reports of political unrest back in these countries, and calls for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The Taliban don't really understand how democracy works (since they consider democracy un-Islamic and sinful), and make more of the media and political ruckus these attacks generate, than is justified by the actual results. But the Taliban have found that their followers get a boost out of the foreign angst over the casualties.

The Taliban are depending more and more on terrorizing the population into compliance and cooperation. Battles between Taliban and villagers are more common, as are Taliban executions of those considered un-Islamic. This can include foreign aid workers, Afghans who work for the foreigners, teachers in girls schools plus religious and tribal leaders who don't agree with the Taliban. But the new suicide tactics also incorporates the increasing use of human shields. Taliban are now stopping civilians from leaving combat zones, and forcing civilians to remain in villages and compounds the Taliban are using. The Taliban know that this discourages the use of smart bombs or artillery against them. And if these weapons are used, the Taliban denounce the deliberate slaughter of civilians by the foreign troops. No death goes unexploited. But the widespread use of suicide bombers is very alien to Afghan culture (which very much believes in "he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.") It's telling that the Taliban have become the bogeyman that mothers now use to frighten small children. Scary monsters, indeed.

What the Taliban are overlooking is that they grabbed power fifteen years ago because five years of civil war had made the people eager for anyone who could stop the fighting and general lawlessness. But this time, the Taliban are the main source of unrest and destruction. The Taliban demand "taxes" to fight their holy war and freely kill civilians. The main pro-Taliban tribal chief in Pakistan boasts of collecting over $6 million a month in such taxes.

The cell phone has become the most powerful weapon used against the Taliban. The government has a nationwide media program promoting the quick use of the phone to report suicide bomber attacks. Tips are provided on how to spot a suicide bomber, and the number to call. So far this year, the Taliban and al Qaeda have set off nearly a thousand bombs, killing mostly civilians. This, despite the fact that the target for most of the bombs are foreign troops. The Taliban make a big deal about infidel (non-Moslem) soldiers defiling a Moslem country, ignoring the fact that the Taliban are more feared and hated than the foreign troops. But the Taliban cannot cope with the foreign troops in head-to-head combat. Some 80 percent of foreign troops casualties are caused by suicide and roadside bombs.

The main problems in Afghanistan; corruption and the drug trade, are taking a back seat to counter-terrorism work. But the drug gangs are running their own terror ops. In particular, the drug lords are getting their leased politicians to go after crusading journalists. Media stories about corrupt politicians are popular, but they bring unwelcome heat on the drug kingpins, who like to fancy themselves latter day Robin Hoods, not warlords with a good cash flow. So more and more investigative reporters are being harassed by the police.

August 19, 2008: An ambush near the capital killed ten French peacekeepers, an event that prompted the president of France to announce a trip to Afghanistan to boost troop morale. What the troops want now are more special operations units, so they can extract some payback. The Taliban unit that pulled off the attack will probably be shot to piece in another operation before the end of the year. That's the usual fate of Taliban units that are that active. Meanwhile, another Taliban attempt to attack a U.S. base failed. The attack used suicide bombers and over a hundred gunmen, but failed, with great loss of life to the attackers. These attacks are high risk, even if they succeed. But the foreign troops know the Taliban attack tactics now, and have adjusted their base defenses to deal with it. "

Grandson Of Huey Joins The Marines

I love these old birds! They are smaller than the new toys the army likes, but they can get into areas that those larger choppers just can't fit. Like troop transports.

Air Transportation: Grandson Of Huey Joins The Marines: "August 20, 2008: The U.S. Marine Corps has accepted the UH-1Y transport helicopter for mass production, and will put the first UH-1Ys in service by early 2009. The manufacturer, Bell Helicopters, has a contract to remanufactured AH-1W Super Cobra attack and UH-1N utility helicopters to the AH-1Z and UH-1Y standard. Overall, the remanufactured models will share about 80 percent common parts, including a glass cockpit. The UH-1Y can carry three tons, has a cruise speed of 159 kilometers an hour and the average sortie lasts about 50 minutes.

Although the UH/AH-1 airframe design is half a century old, this is another example of how, via rebuilding, a basically sound design can continue to serve for decades. Or, in this case, half a century. The army went on to replace its UH-1s with the UH-60, and the AH-1 (which is a modified UH-1 airframe) with the AH-64.These new designs were superior in many ways, but as dozens of nations have discovered, rebuilt AH-1s and UH-1s can still do the job. Moreover, the marine refurbs contain many of the improvements built into the UH-60s and AH-64s."

ISNA Convention: wife-beating breakout session (11 days until ISNA convention in Columbus)

Ah, the joys of Islam. It is good to see them try to explain the proper way to beat your wife while the National Organization for Women supports them. Now, if a Christian or Jew tried to talk like this, NOW and all the Left would demand reparations and the banning of both of the religions. Islam gets a pass. Why? Any takers?

Central Ohioans Against Terrorism: 2006 ISNA Convention: wife-beating breakout session (11 days until ISNA convention in Columbus): "At their 2006 convention, ISNA hosted a curious breakout session: “And Beat them Lightly. . .” An Analysis and In-Depth Discussion of Verse 4:34.

For the uninitiated, here’s verse 4:34 in the Quran:

Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme."

India's Cabinet looks at 1.7 billion arms deal with Israel

Everyone who is fighting against Islamic domination is now turning to the Israelis for help. The Israeli weapons are even better than the US ones and do not come with the political price tag.

I like Israeli weapons. Since they are making such good money right now, can I get a free sample?

AKI - Adnkronos international India: Cabinet looks at 1.7 billion arms deal with Israel: "An Indian cabinet committee has approved two arms deals worth 1.7 billion dollars with Israeli companies to upgrade their missile defence systems, according to an Israeli media report.

The security committee approved a 1.5 billion dollar deal with Israel Aerospace Industries to develop and upgrade the Barak surface-to-air missile, said the Israeli daily Haaretz citing anonymous sources on Wednesday.

Haaretz also said that another 270 million dollars were approved for the purchase of a Rafael SpyDer missile defence system."

Moscow accuses Israel of arming Georgia - day before Assad arrives for big arms purchases

Now the Soviets want to put their nukes everywhere they can to intimidate others. The US pulls their nuclear arsenal back to US soil, so the Soviets do the opposite. They are TRYING to instigate another Cold War. They know from press reports that the US elections are coming and neither candidate looks that strong so the Kremlin can get away with murder and no one will tell them they did wrong.

Nukes in Syria? That sounds like a prelude to a war with Israel. They will not tolerate that kind of direct threat and will destroy the missiles on enemy soil. Let the Syrians and their masters in Iran and Moscow figure out how to clean up the mess.

DEBKAfile - Moscow accuses Israel of arming Georgia - day before Assad arrives for big arms purchases: "The timing was precise. Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Russian Deputy Chief of General Staff Col.-Gen. Anatoly Nagovitsyn accused Israel at a Moscow news conference of arming and training the Georgian military.

Wednesday, Syrian president Bashar Assad arrives in the Russian capital for a two-day visit during which the Kremlin fully expects him to exploit the storm clouds blowing in from Georgia over Russian relations with the West to press for sophisticated weapons systems not so far released by Moscow.

On Aug. 17, DEBKAfile military sources reported Moscow's planned retaliation for America's missile interceptors in Poland and US-Israeli military aid to Georgia may come in the form of Iskandar surface missiles installed in Syria and its Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.

Russian Baltic and Middle East warships, submarines and long-range bombers may be armed with nuclear warheads.

One plan on the table in Moscow to punish Israel, DEBKAfile's sources report, is the establishment of big Russian military, naval and air bases in Syria and the release of advanced weapons systems withheld until now from Iran (the S-300 air-missile defense system) and Syria (the nuclear-capable 200 km-range Iskandar surface missile).

T prepare the ground, Gen. Nagovitsyn charged Israel with arming the Georgian military with mines, explo"

European Pussies

The Russians know that NATO will do nothing to stop them. They are laughing at the weakness of the Europeans. I wonder how the Euros are feeling about being a laughing stock?

The Jawa Report: European Pussies: "European Pussies

Or so the Russians think. And for once, the Russians are right:

The Russian Ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, dismissed the impact of the emergency meeting in Brussels, Belgium: 'The mountain gave birth to a mouse.'

Yes, they actually are laughing at NATO. Pretty lengthy post below.

You really should go read Allah Pundit's commentary on Pat Buchanan's latest piece calling for American isolationism. It's dead on in its criticism of Buchanan who with each passing day begins to sound more and more like a paranoid Illuminati conspiracy theorist. Also dead on in taking the middle ground between complete failure to support Georgia and declaring war on Russia.

One thing I would note is that I think Buchanan is right in that admitting the Ukraine into NATO with its present borders would be problematic, to say the least."

John Bolton Strikes Again

Mr Bolton gives us a warning about the Soviets returning to Russia. What is interesting is that a writer at USNews is agreeing with him. Naturally, the comments are all against the US and demanding that the Russians be allowed to kill/conquer whom ever they wish.

Even mine is slanted, but is a stupid and vapid attempt at sarcasm. Go read the rest.

John Bolton Strikes Again - Sam Dealey (usnews.com): "In a no-nonsense op-ed in Saturday's London Telegraph, John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, nails on the head the West's failure to respond to Moscow's aggression in Georgia.

He writes:

The West, collectively, failed in this crisis. Georgia wasted its dime making that famous 3am telephone call to the White House, the one Hillary Clinton referred to in a campaign ad questioning Barack Obama's fitness for the Presidency.

The faults aren't all America's, of course. Old Europe's response has been at least as flaccid, which is at least consistent with how it has behaved when faced with previous Kremlin bellicosity. In the last few years, whenever a western-leaning bloc country did something to upset Moscow, the latter would cut back on Europe's oil and gas supplies that flow through pipelines in bloc countries. And who would Europe then blame? Not Moscow, but the former bBloc countries—for having the temerity to want to determine their own future."

Russian soldiers commandeer U.S. Humvees

The Russians are destroying everything they can so that they can do as they wish. They also want to scare the other former Soviet states into submission of some sort. It is going to take billions of dollars to replace all the damage that the Soviets are inflicting and no one will help them. NATO is a paper tiger. The US has the power, but is not willing to use it. The UN is a joke.

Who will prevent Russia from attacking others? Anyone willing to volunteer? Even the Peaceniks are silent when it comes to Soviet aggression. It never pays to denounce the one who pays you.


Russian soldiers commandeer U.S. Humvees - Marine Corps News, news from Iraq - Marine Corps Times: "... Also in Poti, Russian soldiers commandeered four Humvees that had been used in U.S.-Georgian military exercises and were destined to be shipped back to the United States.

The Pentagon said it was looking into the theft. Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia said Russian forces seized the vehicles.

Russian forces in Poti also blocked access to the city’s naval and commercial ports on Tuesday morning and towed the missile boat Dioskuria, one of the Georgian navy’s most sophisticated vessels, out of sight of observers. A loud explosion was heard minutes later, and a Georgian interior spokesman said the Russians had blown up the boat.

The acts of force demonstrated anew that Russia, days after agreeing to a cease-fire with Georgia, remained in control in much of the country, and that the state of the Georgian military was far from stable.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Russia was not only flouting its withdrawal commitment but that its forces were “not losing time” in damaging Georgia by destroying infrastructure.

“Right now there are Russian soldiers and tanks at Poti,” Georgian Finance Minister Nika Gilavri said. “They want to open every single container” and inspect them.

Georgian television showed footage of a tense standoff at a military training base in northwestern Georgia, where Russian troops tried to enter but were turned away by Georgian police. There was no violence, but the report said the Russians threatened to return and destroy the base if they were not allowed in."