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Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Monday, August 04, 2008
Carla Bruni video
A friend sent me this video link about the very pretty Carla Bruni, the First Lady of France. Ohh, la la!! I just wanted to share the fun!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
World War II Deception Story
Just too funny not to share. Have a great day!
Schneier on Security: World War II Deception Story: "Great security story from an obituary of former OSS agent Roger Hall:
One of his favorite OSS stories involved a colleague sent to occupied France to destroy a seemingly impenetrable German tank at a key crossroads. The French resistance found that grenades were no use.
The OSS man, fluent in German and dressed like a French peasant, walked up to the tank and yelled, 'Mail!'
The lid opened, and in went two grenades.
Hall's book about his OSS days, You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger, is a must read."
Schneier on Security: World War II Deception Story: "Great security story from an obituary of former OSS agent Roger Hall:
One of his favorite OSS stories involved a colleague sent to occupied France to destroy a seemingly impenetrable German tank at a key crossroads. The French resistance found that grenades were no use.
The OSS man, fluent in German and dressed like a French peasant, walked up to the tank and yelled, 'Mail!'
The lid opened, and in went two grenades.
Hall's book about his OSS days, You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger, is a must read."
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
France’s Terrorism Strategy Faulted
Naturally the Left is upset about the way that France catches so many terrorists. How horrible! If the family members and friends want to avoid being picked up for questioning, why don't they stop their friends from joining in terrorist activities?
Friends don't let friends be terrorists! If they do, then they are supporting them and need to be scared straight.
Once again, Human Rights Watch notices the minor issues in the Western legal system and ignores the human rights of the victims who die or are mangled by the terrorists. I wonder if there is a connection? Either way, they can piss off and go examine real criminal regimes. Not that have the balls, or guts either, to handle real violations of Human Rights.
France’s Terrorism Strategy Faulted - NYTimes.com: "France prides itself on having the most efficient counterterrorism strategy in Europe. French counterterrorism officials insist that the flexibility of French law and the French judicial system has been crucial in their ability to respond to the threat of international terrorism and has helped prevent attacks on French soil.
But an 84-page report issued by New-York-based Human Rights Watch, entitled “Preempting Justice,” argues that that French practices result in too many arrests and convictions based on scanty evidence, putting the country “on the wrong side of the law.”
Specifically, the reports states that the broad and much-used charge of “criminal association in relation to a terrorist undertaking” is so sweeping that it is in essence “guilt by association” that allows authorities to arrest and interrogate large numbers of people even when they have nothing to do with suspected terrorist activity.
The charge is used in a number of other countries in continental Europe. Spain, for example, uses the charge much more aggressively than France, particularly against the Basque separatist group ETA.
“No specific terrorist act need be planned, much less executed, to give rise to the offense,” the report says, adding that even family members, friends, neighbors and casual acquaintances can be detained. "
Friends don't let friends be terrorists! If they do, then they are supporting them and need to be scared straight.
Once again, Human Rights Watch notices the minor issues in the Western legal system and ignores the human rights of the victims who die or are mangled by the terrorists. I wonder if there is a connection? Either way, they can piss off and go examine real criminal regimes. Not that have the balls, or guts either, to handle real violations of Human Rights.
France’s Terrorism Strategy Faulted - NYTimes.com: "France prides itself on having the most efficient counterterrorism strategy in Europe. French counterterrorism officials insist that the flexibility of French law and the French judicial system has been crucial in their ability to respond to the threat of international terrorism and has helped prevent attacks on French soil.
But an 84-page report issued by New-York-based Human Rights Watch, entitled “Preempting Justice,” argues that that French practices result in too many arrests and convictions based on scanty evidence, putting the country “on the wrong side of the law.”
Specifically, the reports states that the broad and much-used charge of “criminal association in relation to a terrorist undertaking” is so sweeping that it is in essence “guilt by association” that allows authorities to arrest and interrogate large numbers of people even when they have nothing to do with suspected terrorist activity.
The charge is used in a number of other countries in continental Europe. Spain, for example, uses the charge much more aggressively than France, particularly against the Basque separatist group ETA.
“No specific terrorist act need be planned, much less executed, to give rise to the offense,” the report says, adding that even family members, friends, neighbors and casual acquaintances can be detained. "
Monday, June 30, 2008
Jihad Watch: "Someone like Charles simply doesn't make a story up"
Jihad Watch: "Someone like Charles simply doesn't make a story up": ""Someone like Charles simply doesn't make a story up"
Charles Enderlin is the French journalist responsible for the notorious Muhammad Al-Dura footage that ignited an orgy of mass murder by Palestinian Arab jihadists. The footage has been proven to be a hoax. But journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet finds that her journalistic colleagues are somewhat less enthusiastic about admitting a hoax when it exonerates the Israelis and the "extreme right."
"L'Affaire Enderlin: Being a French journalist means never having to say you're sorry," by Anne-Elisabeth Moutet in the Weekly Standard, July 7:
[...] Having dug in his heels in time-honored fashion, Enderlin, a seasoned journalist and a French-Israeli dual national who'd spent most of his adult life at the same job, never imagined the al-Dura story would dog him. He was covered by his superiors in the hierarchy, affording him the Zen-like serenity achievable in large French organizations, which are profoundly top-down and basically unchanged in spirit since the court of the Sun King. His coverage of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, while regularly criticized by pro-Israeli groups, was highly esteemed by his peers. He had produced a well-informed documentary series on the Oslo Accords, the peace process, and the 2000 Camp David talks, tied to a book that has been published in English; and, while it could be argued that he was perhaps too close to some of his sources (several of the parties to the peace talks actually held discussions at the France 2 bureau, loaned by a helpful Enderlin as discreet neutral ground), this was a notable achievement. Such a person could not, in the order of things, be seriously threatened by a bunch of activists or scruffy bloggers behind their computer screens questioning his professional judgment. When he dismissed accusations of a cover-up by explaining that he had chosen "not to show the full footage of the child's agony," which would have been "unbearable," he fully expected to be taken on trust."
Charles Enderlin is the French journalist responsible for the notorious Muhammad Al-Dura footage that ignited an orgy of mass murder by Palestinian Arab jihadists. The footage has been proven to be a hoax. But journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet finds that her journalistic colleagues are somewhat less enthusiastic about admitting a hoax when it exonerates the Israelis and the "extreme right."
"L'Affaire Enderlin: Being a French journalist means never having to say you're sorry," by Anne-Elisabeth Moutet in the Weekly Standard, July 7:
[...] Having dug in his heels in time-honored fashion, Enderlin, a seasoned journalist and a French-Israeli dual national who'd spent most of his adult life at the same job, never imagined the al-Dura story would dog him. He was covered by his superiors in the hierarchy, affording him the Zen-like serenity achievable in large French organizations, which are profoundly top-down and basically unchanged in spirit since the court of the Sun King. His coverage of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, while regularly criticized by pro-Israeli groups, was highly esteemed by his peers. He had produced a well-informed documentary series on the Oslo Accords, the peace process, and the 2000 Camp David talks, tied to a book that has been published in English; and, while it could be argued that he was perhaps too close to some of his sources (several of the parties to the peace talks actually held discussions at the France 2 bureau, loaned by a helpful Enderlin as discreet neutral ground), this was a notable achievement. Such a person could not, in the order of things, be seriously threatened by a bunch of activists or scruffy bloggers behind their computer screens questioning his professional judgment. When he dismissed accusations of a cover-up by explaining that he had chosen "not to show the full footage of the child's agony," which would have been "unbearable," he fully expected to be taken on trust."
Friday, June 13, 2008
French First Lady Carla Bruni's Song Lyrics Have Colombian Leaders Fuming
Columbia has a good point! You would think that even the French might make a little effort, politically, to ensure that nothing bad happens by accident. Ooops!
Of course, this sounds like a stupid song anyway. This post is mainly to get a chance to post a picture of a hot Lady!
FOXNews.com - French First Lady Carla Bruni's Song Lyrics Have Colombian Leaders Fuming - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "French first lady Carla Bruni's new song has left Colombia's leaders furious.
In one of the songs on her new album to be released in July, the ex-model and wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, mentions 'Colombian white.'
'You are my drug. More deadly than Afghan heroin. More dangerous than Colombian white,' Bruni reportedly sings.
'From the mouth of the wife of the French president, this statement is very painful for Colombia,' Bogota's top diplomat Fernando Araujo said.
'Such things come out when we mix politics with theater,' he added.
Araujo said that for Colombia, the world's leading source of cocaine, consumption of the drug 'translates into deaths and violence in Colombia.'
'And instead of making an apology for consumption, we hope that the entire world will join us in the war against drugs,' he said."
Officials fell trees inscribed by US soldiers who fought for France
I thought the French had forgotten about WWII? It is nice to see that some have not and are fighting to preserve some of the monuments left by the GIs. Viv la France!
Officials fell trees inscribed by US soldiers who fought for France - Times Online: "The names “Thomas and Dorothy” were carved in the bark of one trunk. Another said “Bob and Carma”. Other trees were marked with soldiers’ home states - Iowa, Maine or Alabama - and several bore hearts and the names or initials of a wife or girlfriend.
The beech trees of Saint Pierre de Varengeville-Duclair forest bore a poignant testimony to the D-Day landings for more than six decades. Thousands of American soldiers stationed there after the liberation of Normandy spent their spare hours with a knife or bayonet creating a lasting reminder of their presence.
Although the trees grew and the graffiti swelled and twisted, this most peculiar memory of one of the 20th century’s defining moments remained visible - until now. Amid bureaucratic indifference and a dispute between officials and the forest owner, most of the trees have been felled, chopped up and turned into paper.
Claude Quétel, a French historian and Second World War specialist, was horrified when he discovered what he called a catastrophe and a shameless act. “It is a typically French failing to wipe out the traces of the past,” he told The Times. “I am indignant.”"
Officials fell trees inscribed by US soldiers who fought for France - Times Online: "The names “Thomas and Dorothy” were carved in the bark of one trunk. Another said “Bob and Carma”. Other trees were marked with soldiers’ home states - Iowa, Maine or Alabama - and several bore hearts and the names or initials of a wife or girlfriend.
The beech trees of Saint Pierre de Varengeville-Duclair forest bore a poignant testimony to the D-Day landings for more than six decades. Thousands of American soldiers stationed there after the liberation of Normandy spent their spare hours with a knife or bayonet creating a lasting reminder of their presence.
Although the trees grew and the graffiti swelled and twisted, this most peculiar memory of one of the 20th century’s defining moments remained visible - until now. Amid bureaucratic indifference and a dispute between officials and the forest owner, most of the trees have been felled, chopped up and turned into paper.
Claude Quétel, a French historian and Second World War specialist, was horrified when he discovered what he called a catastrophe and a shameless act. “It is a typically French failing to wipe out the traces of the past,” he told The Times. “I am indignant.”"
Monday, June 09, 2008
Peace Destroys the French Army
There is a joke here about the French military....
I think I will just wish their few soldiers a better life.
Murphy's Law: Peace Destroys the French Army: "French Defense Ministry readiness documents were leaked to the media, revealing what a lot of people in the military already knew. That is, the French armed forces are largely a hollow shell. Most of the money goes to the payroll and procurement, and not enough to maintenance. As a result, half the armored vehicles, and over half the aircraft, are not fit for service. Spare parts, and maintenance personnel are in short supply. This can be most easily seen by comparing how much is spent each year per person in the military. In the United States, it's $350,000. In Britain (which also has maintenance problems), it's $194,000, while in France it is $84,000. The money goes mainly for show. Lots of troops, with modern weapons that look good, but break down if you try and use them. The leaked report listed numerous breakdowns during a recent operation against Somali pirates. It was only the skill of the troops, and luck, that prevented this from turning into a disaster.
The French problem is a common one throughout Europe, where the post Cold War military is as seen more of a jobs program, to keep unemployment down, than as a serious attempt to maintain military power. To solve that problem, newly elected French president Sarkozy is proposing a unified European military, or at least a common foreign intervention force. This would be funded more generously than the regular armed forces, so that equipment would be ready for action. If that proposal fails, France wants to shrink its armed forces, so as to provide more money for maintenance and logistics, and a force that will not always be operating on a shoestring."
I think I will just wish their few soldiers a better life.
Murphy's Law: Peace Destroys the French Army: "French Defense Ministry readiness documents were leaked to the media, revealing what a lot of people in the military already knew. That is, the French armed forces are largely a hollow shell. Most of the money goes to the payroll and procurement, and not enough to maintenance. As a result, half the armored vehicles, and over half the aircraft, are not fit for service. Spare parts, and maintenance personnel are in short supply. This can be most easily seen by comparing how much is spent each year per person in the military. In the United States, it's $350,000. In Britain (which also has maintenance problems), it's $194,000, while in France it is $84,000. The money goes mainly for show. Lots of troops, with modern weapons that look good, but break down if you try and use them. The leaked report listed numerous breakdowns during a recent operation against Somali pirates. It was only the skill of the troops, and luck, that prevented this from turning into a disaster.
The French problem is a common one throughout Europe, where the post Cold War military is as seen more of a jobs program, to keep unemployment down, than as a serious attempt to maintain military power. To solve that problem, newly elected French president Sarkozy is proposing a unified European military, or at least a common foreign intervention force. This would be funded more generously than the regular armed forces, so that equipment would be ready for action. If that proposal fails, France wants to shrink its armed forces, so as to provide more money for maintenance and logistics, and a force that will not always be operating on a shoestring."
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Tracking the Coalition’s Afghan spring offensive
The Journal follows the state of all of the separate operations currently on going to slaughter the Taliban. I am sure that everyone would be happy to take prisoners, or just have those zealots stay home, but if they insist on coming out to kill, then they will die. Good riddance to bad trash.
Tracking the Coalition’s Afghan spring offensive - The Long War Journal: "Following the break in weather and an alarming increase in anti-government activity, Afghan and Coalition forces launched a blazing series of offensives throughout most of the insurgency-plagued areas of Afghanistan. Around May 15, nearly a month after the Taliban announced the formal launch of their spring offensive dubbed Operation Hibrat (lesson), Coalition forces struck out in major operations of their own. The multitude of operations include remote fronts in the war such as northwestern Badghis province near the Afghan border with Turkmenistan, and southwestern Farah province and central Uruzgan province, both of which endured heavy fighting since October. Further operations have been carried out in southeastern Zabul province; Kapisa province, which is a mere 50-kilometers northeast of Kabul; and in the insurgent saturated provinces of Kandahar and Helmand.
Afghan violence soared in 2007, with well over 7,000 people being killed across the country, more than half of whom were insurgents. The toll includes more than 900 Afghan police killed in the line of duty. Coalition forces suffered as well, with 110 US troops killed, the highest level ever in Afghanistan. Britain lost 41 soldiers, Canada lost 30, and other nations lost a total of 40, according to an Associated Press count."
Tracking the Coalition’s Afghan spring offensive - The Long War Journal: "Following the break in weather and an alarming increase in anti-government activity, Afghan and Coalition forces launched a blazing series of offensives throughout most of the insurgency-plagued areas of Afghanistan. Around May 15, nearly a month after the Taliban announced the formal launch of their spring offensive dubbed Operation Hibrat (lesson), Coalition forces struck out in major operations of their own. The multitude of operations include remote fronts in the war such as northwestern Badghis province near the Afghan border with Turkmenistan, and southwestern Farah province and central Uruzgan province, both of which endured heavy fighting since October. Further operations have been carried out in southeastern Zabul province; Kapisa province, which is a mere 50-kilometers northeast of Kabul; and in the insurgent saturated provinces of Kandahar and Helmand.
Afghan violence soared in 2007, with well over 7,000 people being killed across the country, more than half of whom were insurgents. The toll includes more than 900 Afghan police killed in the line of duty. Coalition forces suffered as well, with 110 US troops killed, the highest level ever in Afghanistan. Britain lost 41 soldiers, Canada lost 30, and other nations lost a total of 40, according to an Associated Press count."
Friday, June 06, 2008
The List: The Worst Places to Be a Terrorist
Interesting! Thought provoking. I like this!
Foreign Policy: The List: The Worst Places to Be a Terrorist: "The List: The Worst Places to Be a Terrorist
Page 1 of 1
Posted May 2008
Fighting transnational terrorism often involves making unsavory choices between protecting civil rights and providing security. The following regimes have opted for the latter and are definitely not the kind of places you want to get caught if you’re plotting some terrorist mayhem.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
France
Key tactics: Though many Americans view them as softies when it comes to the war on terror, the French actually have some of the world’s toughest and arguably most effective antiterrorism laws. In France, terrorist investigations are overseen by a special unit of magistrates with unprecedented powers to monitor suspects, enlist the help of other branches of law enforcement, and detain suspects for days without charges. Additionally, prosecutors have a mandate to pursue terrorists abroad if the suspect or victim is French. France is also not shy about deporting Muslim clerics it views as threatening. It shouldn’t be surprising that French law enforcement is well set up for counterterrorism: France was the first European country to fall victim to Middle Eastern terrorism during the Algerian war in the 1950s.
In action: France has not had a terrorist attack on its soil since 9/11, but it claims to have foiled several, including a chemical attack planned by Chechen operatives against Russian targets in Paris, a planned bombing of one of Paris’s airports, and a 9/11-like airline plot against the Eiffel Tower.
Concerns: French civil libertarians have raised concerns about detentions that, in some cases, can last for years without trials. Allegations of police brutality are also common in France’s predominantly Muslim suburbs.
Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images
Jordan
Key tactics: Since the November 2005 hotel bombings carried out by al Qaeda in Amman, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has made it a priority to stop the infiltration of terrorists from neighboring Iraq and Syria. Jordan’s intelligence service, the General Intelligence Department, has exploited close ties with Sunni tribes in Iraq’s Anbar province to provide its U.S. and Israeli counterparts with valuable intelligence about the structure and financing on terrorist organizations. Jordan also takes pride in the prowess of its Special Forces units and has opened a special operations training center to teach counterterrorism tactics to elite military units from around the world.
In action: It’s widely suspected that Jordanian spies tipped off the U.S. military to the location of al Qaeda in Iraq’s Jordanian-born leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leading to the U.S.-Iraqi military raid that killed him.
Concerns: Jordan has been criticized by human rights groups for its alleged participation in the “rendition” of U.S. terrorist suspects for torture.
PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images
Egypt
Key tactics: No less an authority than al Qaeda’s No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri recently said of Egypt’s State Security, “They know more about the Islamic movements than many of those movements’ members know about them.” Zawahiri’s followers have good reason to worry. After a wave of terrorist attacks and political victories for the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1990s, Hosni Mubarak’s government opted for a strategy of ruthless repression in combating the threat from terrorism and political Islam. The state’s strategy is to inhibit the Brotherhood from participating in the political process while carrying out wide-ranging arrests of militants and routinely using torture on prisoners.
In action: During the 1990s, the Egyptian regime essentially eliminated the domestic threat of groups such as the Islamic Group and Zawahiri’s Egyptian Islamic Jihad, largely by attacking their bases of operations and blocking their ability to transform into legitimate political movements. Overreaches by the groups themselves contributed greatly to their downfall.
Concerns: Human Rights Watch has complained that the Egyptian regime’s liberal use of torture simply leads prisoners to “confess to crimes real or imagined.” Analysts also question the strategy of repressing the Brotherhood, which they say only strengthens the group’s appeal.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Singapore
Key tactics: Singapore, which is 15 percent Muslim, has had enormous success in combating regional terrorist groups such as the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah through a combination of tough Special Forces tactics and savvy rehabilitation programs. After 9/11, the island country strengthened its crackdown on terrorist funding, and it recently passed legislation giving the Army wide-ranging powers to pursue terrorists domestically. But Singapore’s approach goes beyond enforcement. Since 2003, a landmark government program has aimed to rehabilitate arrested militants. The state employs volunteer clerics who counsel detainees and rebut extremist arguments. The United States has studied the approach as a possible alternative to indefinite detention.
In action: A major operation in 2001 resulted in the arrest of 15 Jemaah Islamiyah operatives who were planning terrorist attacks within Singapore. Around 70 people have been detained since then, and about one third have been released after rehabilitation. Police continue monitoring those who are released.
Concerns: Democracy activists argue that the Singaporean government plays up the terrorist threat to justify its authoritarianism. The police also suffered a major embarrassment in February when a Jemaah Islamiyah militant escaped through the bathroom window of a detention center.
KAZBEK BASAYEV/AFP/Getty Images
Russia
Key tactics: In 1999, Boris Yeltsin elevated an obscure midlevel politician named Vladimir Putin to the rank of prime minister and entrusted him with putting down a raging insurgency in the breakaway region of Chechnya. Ever since, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism have been the hallmarks of Putin’s tenure, and he has largely built his popularity around his success in these areas. Russia has carried out a ruthless campaign of military suppression in Chechnya, and when it hasn’t been attacking militants, it has joined with them by elevating former rebel Ramzan Kadyrov to the presidency of the now largely peaceful region. Russian security forces were also willing to put down terrorist sieges by force even at the expense of high civilian casualties.
In action: After Chechen rebels took a Moscow theater hostage in 2002, Russian Special Forces pumped an unknown gas into the theater’s ventilation system and then stormed the building, killing nearly all the hostage-takers along with hundreds of hostages.
Concerns: Though Russia has largely succeeded in pacifying Chechnya, the neighboring regions of Dagestan and North Ossetia remain havens for militant groups. The government was widely criticized for the secrecy surrounding the Nord-Ost and Beslan school operations and the high number of hostages killed during the rescues. "
Foreign Policy: The List: The Worst Places to Be a Terrorist: "The List: The Worst Places to Be a Terrorist
Page 1 of 1
Posted May 2008
Fighting transnational terrorism often involves making unsavory choices between protecting civil rights and providing security. The following regimes have opted for the latter and are definitely not the kind of places you want to get caught if you’re plotting some terrorist mayhem.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
France
Key tactics: Though many Americans view them as softies when it comes to the war on terror, the French actually have some of the world’s toughest and arguably most effective antiterrorism laws. In France, terrorist investigations are overseen by a special unit of magistrates with unprecedented powers to monitor suspects, enlist the help of other branches of law enforcement, and detain suspects for days without charges. Additionally, prosecutors have a mandate to pursue terrorists abroad if the suspect or victim is French. France is also not shy about deporting Muslim clerics it views as threatening. It shouldn’t be surprising that French law enforcement is well set up for counterterrorism: France was the first European country to fall victim to Middle Eastern terrorism during the Algerian war in the 1950s.
In action: France has not had a terrorist attack on its soil since 9/11, but it claims to have foiled several, including a chemical attack planned by Chechen operatives against Russian targets in Paris, a planned bombing of one of Paris’s airports, and a 9/11-like airline plot against the Eiffel Tower.
Concerns: French civil libertarians have raised concerns about detentions that, in some cases, can last for years without trials. Allegations of police brutality are also common in France’s predominantly Muslim suburbs.
Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images
Jordan
Key tactics: Since the November 2005 hotel bombings carried out by al Qaeda in Amman, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has made it a priority to stop the infiltration of terrorists from neighboring Iraq and Syria. Jordan’s intelligence service, the General Intelligence Department, has exploited close ties with Sunni tribes in Iraq’s Anbar province to provide its U.S. and Israeli counterparts with valuable intelligence about the structure and financing on terrorist organizations. Jordan also takes pride in the prowess of its Special Forces units and has opened a special operations training center to teach counterterrorism tactics to elite military units from around the world.
In action: It’s widely suspected that Jordanian spies tipped off the U.S. military to the location of al Qaeda in Iraq’s Jordanian-born leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leading to the U.S.-Iraqi military raid that killed him.
Concerns: Jordan has been criticized by human rights groups for its alleged participation in the “rendition” of U.S. terrorist suspects for torture.
PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images
Egypt
Key tactics: No less an authority than al Qaeda’s No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri recently said of Egypt’s State Security, “They know more about the Islamic movements than many of those movements’ members know about them.” Zawahiri’s followers have good reason to worry. After a wave of terrorist attacks and political victories for the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1990s, Hosni Mubarak’s government opted for a strategy of ruthless repression in combating the threat from terrorism and political Islam. The state’s strategy is to inhibit the Brotherhood from participating in the political process while carrying out wide-ranging arrests of militants and routinely using torture on prisoners.
In action: During the 1990s, the Egyptian regime essentially eliminated the domestic threat of groups such as the Islamic Group and Zawahiri’s Egyptian Islamic Jihad, largely by attacking their bases of operations and blocking their ability to transform into legitimate political movements. Overreaches by the groups themselves contributed greatly to their downfall.
Concerns: Human Rights Watch has complained that the Egyptian regime’s liberal use of torture simply leads prisoners to “confess to crimes real or imagined.” Analysts also question the strategy of repressing the Brotherhood, which they say only strengthens the group’s appeal.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Singapore
Key tactics: Singapore, which is 15 percent Muslim, has had enormous success in combating regional terrorist groups such as the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah through a combination of tough Special Forces tactics and savvy rehabilitation programs. After 9/11, the island country strengthened its crackdown on terrorist funding, and it recently passed legislation giving the Army wide-ranging powers to pursue terrorists domestically. But Singapore’s approach goes beyond enforcement. Since 2003, a landmark government program has aimed to rehabilitate arrested militants. The state employs volunteer clerics who counsel detainees and rebut extremist arguments. The United States has studied the approach as a possible alternative to indefinite detention.
In action: A major operation in 2001 resulted in the arrest of 15 Jemaah Islamiyah operatives who were planning terrorist attacks within Singapore. Around 70 people have been detained since then, and about one third have been released after rehabilitation. Police continue monitoring those who are released.
Concerns: Democracy activists argue that the Singaporean government plays up the terrorist threat to justify its authoritarianism. The police also suffered a major embarrassment in February when a Jemaah Islamiyah militant escaped through the bathroom window of a detention center.
KAZBEK BASAYEV/AFP/Getty Images
Russia
Key tactics: In 1999, Boris Yeltsin elevated an obscure midlevel politician named Vladimir Putin to the rank of prime minister and entrusted him with putting down a raging insurgency in the breakaway region of Chechnya. Ever since, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism have been the hallmarks of Putin’s tenure, and he has largely built his popularity around his success in these areas. Russia has carried out a ruthless campaign of military suppression in Chechnya, and when it hasn’t been attacking militants, it has joined with them by elevating former rebel Ramzan Kadyrov to the presidency of the now largely peaceful region. Russian security forces were also willing to put down terrorist sieges by force even at the expense of high civilian casualties.
In action: After Chechen rebels took a Moscow theater hostage in 2002, Russian Special Forces pumped an unknown gas into the theater’s ventilation system and then stormed the building, killing nearly all the hostage-takers along with hundreds of hostages.
Concerns: Though Russia has largely succeeded in pacifying Chechnya, the neighboring regions of Dagestan and North Ossetia remain havens for militant groups. The government was widely criticized for the secrecy surrounding the Nord-Ost and Beslan school operations and the high number of hostages killed during the rescues. "
Monday, February 11, 2008
Nicolas Sarkozy offers French troops to join Canadians in fighting the Taleban in Kandahar
Wow. I AM in shock! I might have to stop the French jokes for real! Darn.
Nicolas Sarkozy offers French troops to join Canadians in fighting the Taleban in Kandahar - Times Online: "French and Canadian officials are discussing the logistics of operating a combined force. A delegation was sent to Paris from Ottawa yesterday.
The move by the French was being seen as further evidence of President Sarkozy’s willingness to draw closer to the alliance, with the possibility of France rejoining Nato’s integrated military stucture, from which President de Gaulle withdrew in 1967.
Canada wants 1,000 extra soldiers to fight in Kandahar, but the indications so far are that Paris has a smaller-sized force in mind. A French diplomatic source said that decisions would not be made public until the Nato summit in Bucharest in April."
===================================================
Well, one last hurrah: (click the link for more)
The Canonical List of French Jokes
Q. How many Frenchmen does it take to screw in a lightbulb? A. One, because he holds the bulb and all of Europe revolves around him
Q: How do you confuse a French Soldier?
A: Give him a rifle and ask him to shoot it.
Q: What's the motto of the US Marine Corps?
A: Semper Fi (Always Faithful)
Q: What's the motto of the French Army?
A: Stop, drop, and run!
Q. Why don't Master Card and Visa work well in France? A. They do not know how to say "CHARGE!"
Q: What do women who are snipers in the French military use as camouflage?
A: Their armpits.
Q: What’s the difference between a Frenchman and a bucket of crap?
A: The bucket
The recent tremors felt throughout France have been attributed to the fifty six thousand+ WWI & WWII U.S. soldiers spinning in their graves.
Q: Why do the French people seem so hell bent on kissing Jacques Chirac's ass?
A: Because the French, in general are less sensitive to bad smells and certainly more tolerant of bitter flavors!!
Q: What do you call a French man killed defending his country?
A: I don't know either, its never happened!
Q: What Does "Maginot Line" mean in French?
A: "Speed bump ahead"
Q: What’s the new French flag look like?
A: A white cross emblazoned on a white background!
Q: Why did the Post Office have to recall its series of stamps depicting famous Frenchmen?
A: People were confused about which side to spit on.
Q: How many Frenchmen does it take to shingle a roof?
A: 3 if you slice them thin enough.
Famous quotes about the French: "I just love the French. They taste like chicken!" ---- Hannibal Lecter "France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes." ---Mark Twain "I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." --- General George S. Patton "The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know." --- P.J O'Rourke (1989)
Q: What is the difference between American fries and French fries?
A: Courage!!
Member nations of the UN gathered for an annual Meeting of technological advancement reports. The United States ambassador stood and proudly announced, "We have developed a space craft that can fly directly into the sun!" The crowd was shocked murmurs and exclamations of "How could this be!" were heard. His assistant quickly handed him a sheet of paper, he coughed and then addressed the audience, "I'm sorry, actually, our new space craft can only fly 3 centimeters below the sun." The Japanese ambassador stood next and told the gathering, "Our Japanese scientists have invented a midget submarine that can touch the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean." Again, shock and disbelief rang through the great meeting hall. An assistant jumped up and whispered in the Japanese Ambassador's ear. He bowed deeply and said, "My deepest apologies, forgive my mistake. Our new submarine can only reach 3 centimeters above the deepest part of the ocean." It was now the French ambassador's turn to make announcement of France's contribution. He stood and looked around, "We in France have been able to develop people that can eat with their noses!" Now the UN meeting as in shock and visible horror that France would play with genetic engineering. "Actually, they eat only 3 centimeters below their noses."
Q: You are approached by three men while walking down a dark city street. One British, one American, one French. They all seem intent on mugging you. However, you have a gun, but alas, only two bullets. What do you do?
A: Shoot the Frenchman twice. Good day!
Why don't the French really want the US to attack Iraq? Don't want their record for surrender broken.
Why did the French send Lady Liberty to America? A. They had no use for her anyway B. They didn't want the tired, poor, huddled masses to come to France for God's sake. C. She wouldn't put out D. To be a constant reminder of the help they gave to defeat the British. As if WE'RE the ones with the short memory. E. They wanted to remind future generations that they once had the balls to do what is right. F. All of the above
Q: Why do French people always wear yellow?
A: To match the color of their blood!
Q: What's the easiest way to get lung cancer?
A: Breath the air in Paris!
Q: Why does every army (except the U.S., England and Israel) have to have a French flag?
A: In case they want to surrender!
Q: Why did the Statue of Liberty take karate?
A: She wanted to be the first French person to be able to defend herself!
Also some sickening but true information came my way about the French. In French text books the U.S. in WWII is only 1 paragraph of information and worst of all D-day isn't mentioned at all!!!
This is a true story: I was up at a collage campus and this girl from France is working at the desk of the bookstore and I asked her if she lived in the French domitories she said "no I came to the U.S. to get away from them". Then I said "well then I guess your not going back after your done". Then she said "do you think I'm stupid, I'd never go back there it smells."
During one of the many wars that the French and the British fought and the French usually lost, the French just happened to capture a British Major. An officer brought the Major to the French general for interrogation. The French general began ridiculing the Major for wearing "that stupid red tunic." The French general said, "Why to you wear that red uniform, it makes it easy for us to shoot you." The British major replied, "If I do get wounded, the blood will not show, and my soldiers will not get scared." The French general said, "That is a very good idea," The Frenchy turned to his orderly and said, "From now on all French officers will wear brown pants."
Nicolas Sarkozy offers French troops to join Canadians in fighting the Taleban in Kandahar - Times Online: "French and Canadian officials are discussing the logistics of operating a combined force. A delegation was sent to Paris from Ottawa yesterday.
The move by the French was being seen as further evidence of President Sarkozy’s willingness to draw closer to the alliance, with the possibility of France rejoining Nato’s integrated military stucture, from which President de Gaulle withdrew in 1967.
Canada wants 1,000 extra soldiers to fight in Kandahar, but the indications so far are that Paris has a smaller-sized force in mind. A French diplomatic source said that decisions would not be made public until the Nato summit in Bucharest in April."
===================================================
Well, one last hurrah: (click the link for more)
The Canonical List of French Jokes
Q. How many Frenchmen does it take to screw in a lightbulb? A. One, because he holds the bulb and all of Europe revolves around him
Q: How do you confuse a French Soldier?
A: Give him a rifle and ask him to shoot it.
Q: What's the motto of the US Marine Corps?
A: Semper Fi (Always Faithful)
Q: What's the motto of the French Army?
A: Stop, drop, and run!
Q. Why don't Master Card and Visa work well in France? A. They do not know how to say "CHARGE!"
Q: What do women who are snipers in the French military use as camouflage?
A: Their armpits.
Q: What’s the difference between a Frenchman and a bucket of crap?
A: The bucket
The recent tremors felt throughout France have been attributed to the fifty six thousand+ WWI & WWII U.S. soldiers spinning in their graves.
Q: Why do the French people seem so hell bent on kissing Jacques Chirac's ass?
A: Because the French, in general are less sensitive to bad smells and certainly more tolerant of bitter flavors!!
Q: What do you call a French man killed defending his country?
A: I don't know either, its never happened!
Q: What Does "Maginot Line" mean in French?
A: "Speed bump ahead"
Q: What’s the new French flag look like?
A: A white cross emblazoned on a white background!
Q: Why did the Post Office have to recall its series of stamps depicting famous Frenchmen?
A: People were confused about which side to spit on.
Q: How many Frenchmen does it take to shingle a roof?
A: 3 if you slice them thin enough.
Famous quotes about the French: "I just love the French. They taste like chicken!" ---- Hannibal Lecter "France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes." ---Mark Twain "I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." --- General George S. Patton "The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know." --- P.J O'Rourke (1989)
Q: What is the difference between American fries and French fries?
A: Courage!!
Member nations of the UN gathered for an annual Meeting of technological advancement reports. The United States ambassador stood and proudly announced, "We have developed a space craft that can fly directly into the sun!" The crowd was shocked murmurs and exclamations of "How could this be!" were heard. His assistant quickly handed him a sheet of paper, he coughed and then addressed the audience, "I'm sorry, actually, our new space craft can only fly 3 centimeters below the sun." The Japanese ambassador stood next and told the gathering, "Our Japanese scientists have invented a midget submarine that can touch the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean." Again, shock and disbelief rang through the great meeting hall. An assistant jumped up and whispered in the Japanese Ambassador's ear. He bowed deeply and said, "My deepest apologies, forgive my mistake. Our new submarine can only reach 3 centimeters above the deepest part of the ocean." It was now the French ambassador's turn to make announcement of France's contribution. He stood and looked around, "We in France have been able to develop people that can eat with their noses!" Now the UN meeting as in shock and visible horror that France would play with genetic engineering. "Actually, they eat only 3 centimeters below their noses."
Q: You are approached by three men while walking down a dark city street. One British, one American, one French. They all seem intent on mugging you. However, you have a gun, but alas, only two bullets. What do you do?
A: Shoot the Frenchman twice. Good day!
Why don't the French really want the US to attack Iraq? Don't want their record for surrender broken.
Why did the French send Lady Liberty to America? A. They had no use for her anyway B. They didn't want the tired, poor, huddled masses to come to France for God's sake. C. She wouldn't put out D. To be a constant reminder of the help they gave to defeat the British. As if WE'RE the ones with the short memory. E. They wanted to remind future generations that they once had the balls to do what is right. F. All of the above
Q: Why do French people always wear yellow?
A: To match the color of their blood!
Q: What's the easiest way to get lung cancer?
A: Breath the air in Paris!
Q: Why does every army (except the U.S., England and Israel) have to have a French flag?
A: In case they want to surrender!
Q: Why did the Statue of Liberty take karate?
A: She wanted to be the first French person to be able to defend herself!
Also some sickening but true information came my way about the French. In French text books the U.S. in WWII is only 1 paragraph of information and worst of all D-day isn't mentioned at all!!!
This is a true story: I was up at a collage campus and this girl from France is working at the desk of the bookstore and I asked her if she lived in the French domitories she said "no I came to the U.S. to get away from them". Then I said "well then I guess your not going back after your done". Then she said "do you think I'm stupid, I'd never go back there it smells."
During one of the many wars that the French and the British fought and the French usually lost, the French just happened to capture a British Major. An officer brought the Major to the French general for interrogation. The French general began ridiculing the Major for wearing "that stupid red tunic." The French general said, "Why to you wear that red uniform, it makes it easy for us to shoot you." The British major replied, "If I do get wounded, the blood will not show, and my soldiers will not get scared." The French general said, "That is a very good idea," The Frenchy turned to his orderly and said, "From now on all French officers will wear brown pants."
Sunday, December 30, 2007
France cuts ties with Syria
Sarkozy orders suspension of France’s diplomatic ties with Syria
December 30, 2007, 4:07 PM (GMT+02:00)
Aftr talks with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, French president Nicolas Sarkozy said: “I have ordered by team to suspend diplomatic relations with Syria until we see Syria cooperating in the presidential election in Lebanon.”
Parliament postponed the vote Saturday for the 11th time over the intransigence of the pro-Syrian bloc.
The French president stopped short of severing relations with Damascus, saying:
“I will no longer maintain ties with Syria and order all my colleagues to follow suit.” We can wait no longer. Syria must stop talking and act.
December 30, 2007, 4:07 PM (GMT+02:00)
Aftr talks with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, French president Nicolas Sarkozy said: “I have ordered by team to suspend diplomatic relations with Syria until we see Syria cooperating in the presidential election in Lebanon.”
Parliament postponed the vote Saturday for the 11th time over the intransigence of the pro-Syrian bloc.
The French president stopped short of severing relations with Damascus, saying:
“I will no longer maintain ties with Syria and order all my colleagues to follow suit.” We can wait no longer. Syria must stop talking and act.
Friday, May 25, 2007
A New Broom in Paris: France to Pay Immigrants to Return Home
Finally a French policy that the US Leftists do not want to emulate. Must mean it is a good idea! Generally, I find that if the Communists and Leftists hate an idea, it must be good. If these families try to return, tattoo them and then paradrop them over their country of origin.
A New Broom in Paris: France to Pay Immigrants to Return Home - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News: "New immigration minister, Brice Hortefeux, confirmed on Wednesday that the government is planning to offer incentives to more immigrants to return home voluntarily. 'We must increase this measure to help voluntary return. I am very clearly committed to doing that,' Hortefeux said in an interview with RFI radio.
Under the scheme, Paris will provide each family with a nest egg of €6,000 ($8,000) for when they go back to their country of origin. A similar scheme, which was introduced in 2005 and 2006, was taken up by around 3,000 families.
Hortefeux, who heads up the new 'super-ministery' of immigration, integration, national identity and co-development, said he wants to pursue a 'firm but humane' immigration policy."
A New Broom in Paris: France to Pay Immigrants to Return Home - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News: "New immigration minister, Brice Hortefeux, confirmed on Wednesday that the government is planning to offer incentives to more immigrants to return home voluntarily. 'We must increase this measure to help voluntary return. I am very clearly committed to doing that,' Hortefeux said in an interview with RFI radio.
Under the scheme, Paris will provide each family with a nest egg of €6,000 ($8,000) for when they go back to their country of origin. A similar scheme, which was introduced in 2005 and 2006, was taken up by around 3,000 families.
Hortefeux, who heads up the new 'super-ministery' of immigration, integration, national identity and co-development, said he wants to pursue a 'firm but humane' immigration policy."
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
lgf: Update: How Many Cars Torched? (Media Lies)
It is interesting to see the AP and other media outlets are trying to cover up more deceit on their part. The Youths of Islam in Europe are just having a little fun. Finish reading the comments made on LGF. They are worth it!
lgf: Update: How Many Cars Torched? (Media Lies): "Not only did the Associated Press bury their report that 367 cars had been torched in France, now it turns out that the media have been lying about the violence.
Because the actual number of cars destroyed by “youths” last night was 730—about twice the number reported by the AP.
This Reuters article also says 78 policemen were injured by the “youths,” and the violence was much more widespread than we’ve been told: Police hurt in French election violence."
lgf: Update: How Many Cars Torched? (Media Lies): "Not only did the Associated Press bury their report that 367 cars had been torched in France, now it turns out that the media have been lying about the violence.
Because the actual number of cars destroyed by “youths” last night was 730—about twice the number reported by the AP.
This Reuters article also says 78 policemen were injured by the “youths,” and the violence was much more widespread than we’ve been told: Police hurt in French election violence."
Monday, May 07, 2007
Nicolas Sarkozy Elected France President
Reading the coverage of the election 'disturbances' in France, I see that the "youths" have been causing trouble yet again. I am tired of these European "youths" who riot and cause trouble all over. So few of them are even of European decent that I am shocked that the European press continues to claim them as Europeans! If these immigrents don't like the country they have moved to, then send them back to where they were happy! Why coddle immigrants who hate the country they have moved to? I do not understand this kind of reasoning.
FOXNews.com - Nicolas Sarkozy Elected France President - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "Nicolas Sarkozy, a blunt and uncompromising pro-American conservative, was elected president of France Sunday with a mandate to chart a new course for an economically sluggish nation struggling to incorporate immigrants and their children.
Sarkozy defeated Socialist Segolene Royal by by 53.06 percent to 46.94 percent with 84 percent turnout, according to final results released early Monday. It was a decisive victory for Sarkozy's vision of freer markets and toughness on crime and immigration, over Royal's gentler plan for preserving cherished welfare protections, including a 35-hour work week that Sarkozy called 'absurd.'
'The people of France have chosen change,' Sarkozy told cheering supporters in a victory speech that sketched out a stronger global role for France and renewed partnership with the United States.
There were few reports of unrest, despite fears that the impoverished suburban housing projects, home to Arab and African immigrants and their French-born children, would erupt again at the victory of a man who labeled those responsible for rioting in 2005 as 'scum.' That abrasive style raised doubts over whether Sarkozy, himself the son of a Hungarian refugee, could truly unite the increasingly diverse and polarized nation."
FOXNews.com - Nicolas Sarkozy Elected France President - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News: "Nicolas Sarkozy, a blunt and uncompromising pro-American conservative, was elected president of France Sunday with a mandate to chart a new course for an economically sluggish nation struggling to incorporate immigrants and their children.
Sarkozy defeated Socialist Segolene Royal by by 53.06 percent to 46.94 percent with 84 percent turnout, according to final results released early Monday. It was a decisive victory for Sarkozy's vision of freer markets and toughness on crime and immigration, over Royal's gentler plan for preserving cherished welfare protections, including a 35-hour work week that Sarkozy called 'absurd.'
'The people of France have chosen change,' Sarkozy told cheering supporters in a victory speech that sketched out a stronger global role for France and renewed partnership with the United States.
There were few reports of unrest, despite fears that the impoverished suburban housing projects, home to Arab and African immigrants and their French-born children, would erupt again at the victory of a man who labeled those responsible for rioting in 2005 as 'scum.' That abrasive style raised doubts over whether Sarkozy, himself the son of a Hungarian refugee, could truly unite the increasingly diverse and polarized nation."
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