Michelle Malkin yet again this is good and may have already caused a change in the way air marshals to things. Michele Malkin is an American dedicated to protecting her homeland with the greatest tool ever...the written word. She is a fine example of an American who does what she can to protect the country. Keep up the good work Michelle and thanks.
Can you imagine if an al Qaeda bureaucrat had ordered the 19 Sept. 11 terrorists to wear "I heart Osama" T-shirts when they embarked on their murderous flights?
No idiot would send his men on a covert mission wearing clothes that would so blatantly give them away, right?
Wrong. Meet Federal Air Marshal Service Director Thomas Quinn. The man in charge of our in-flight cops, who are supposed to be spying secretly on would-be terrorist hijackers, refuses to allow his employees to dress undercover. Quinn insists that air marshals abide by military-style grooming standards and a rigid business dress policy regardless of weather, time of year or seating arrangement. He wants them to look PROFESSIONAL.
That means collared shirts and sports coats -- even if a pair of marshals is traveling in coach from Los Angeles to Orlando.
As The Washington Times recently reported, Quinn blew his top on Thanksgiving when he spotted nearly 30 marshals at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., in violation of his insipid dress code. Some were reportedly threatened with suspension.
This nonsense has been going on for two years. The result is that the federal government has not made air travel any safer, and is instead endangering the people who are supposed to be protecting us. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, which represents over 22,000 federal agents including air marshals, notes that civilian passengers have publicly outed marshals on countless flights since the Sept. 11 attacks. Air marshals have recounted receiving thumbs-ups and thanks from travelers nationwide. No doubt al Qaeda's operatives who are surveilling flights are mumbling thanks under their breath, too.
Indeed, on an infamous American Airlines Flight 1438 from Chicago to Miami, two air marshals, dressed conspicuously in their professionally mandated suits, received the following greeting from a passenger walking down the aisle: "Oh, I see we have air marshals on board!"
Another air marshal working out of the Las Vegas field office, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, told the government watchdog group Airline Passengers for Safer Skies (APSS): "Under the current policies of Director Quinn, airline passengers are actually safer flying on aircraft that do not have air marshals on them." Marshals refer darkly to Quinn's dress requirements as the "kill-me-first dress-code policy." The Las Vegas field officer remarked: "If all the passengers know we are carrying the guns on the plane, then so do the terrorists -- we just don't want to get our throats slit."
Quinn's response to critics? Kill the messengers! As online journalist Annie Jacobsen reported in September, the air marshals service threatened to take action against the passenger who pointed out the marshals made vulnerable by Quinn's own dress-code policy. The passenger, Quinn protested, had disclosed "sensitive security information." Meanwhile, according to APSS, Quinn himself participated in a NBC Nightly News segment that revealed classified and sensitive information on marshals' boarding procedures, credentials, equipment and look-out criteria.
Quinn spent two decades at the Secret Service before taking over the air marshals service, which may explain his dangerous fashion taste for the Men in Black uniforms. According to several sources inside the agency, Quinn has used his position to hire several former Secret Service cronies -- who have plenty of experience guarding high-profile politicians and celebrities, but no clue about what it takes to blend in and be effective watchdogs in the air.
There is reportedly a provision in the intelligence reform bill passed last week that will put Quinn's kill-me-first dress policy on ice. But it's not enough. If President Bush wants to rescue airline safety from the abysmal national joke that it has become, the first thing he should do is fire Thomas Quinn before the end of the year. How many more people will die before we learn that bureaucracy and security don't mix?
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Michelle Malkin does it again
Sometimes I wonder where I would be without the brilliant commentary of Mrs. Malkin, just a little bit younger then me, she has a way with words that is undeniable. Thanks again.
Don't forget to visit her blog site, she works hard and still keeps it updated with plenty of comments each day. Michelle Malkin is a syndicated columnist and maintains her weblog at michellemalkin.com
Yes, it's maddening when politically correct bureaucrats ban nativity scenes and Christmas carols in the name of "diversity" and "tolerance." We are under attack by Secularist Grinches Gone Wild. But the war on Christmas in America is a mere skirmish.
Around the world, a bloody, repressive war on Christians rages on.
In Iraq, Islamist rebel troops have declared open season on Christian churches, priests and missionaries. In February, four American pastors were traveling in a taxi near the capital when terrorists ambushed them. Rev. John Kelley, pastor of Curtis Corner Baptist Church in rural Rhode Island and a former Marine, was killed in the attack. The missionaries were starting up a new church south of Baghdad.
A friend of Rev. Kelley's noted upon word of his murder that "he wanted to be a witness for Christ in a part of the world where there aren't a lot of witnesses for Christ."
On March 15, Southern Baptist missionaries Larry and Jean Elliott of Cary, N.C., Karen Denise Watson of Bakersfield, Calif., and David McDonnall of Rowlett, Texas, were killed in a drive-by shooting in northern Iraq. McDonnall's wife, Carrie, survived the attack. The group, one of several Christian aid groups helping with reconstruction efforts, was scouting out locations for a water purification project.
The McDonnalls were young students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Watson served on the Baptist International Mission Board, as did the Elliotts. At the Elliotts' funeral, their oldest son, Scott, touched his chest and looked upward in tribute to his parents: "Thank you for living for the Lord. I am a life that was changed." Stephen Rummage, interim senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Cary, N.C., said the couple "loved the gospel and the souls of lost men and women more than themselves."
In Saudi Arabia, an Indian Christian man was abducted and held captive by the kingdom's religious police (the "Muttawa") for seven months earlier this year. Brian Savio O'Connor was singled out by the Wahhabist thug cops for "possession of Bibles and preaching Christianity." In addition, the Muttawa falsely charged that O'Connor had illegally sold alcohol. While in custody, O'Connor was allegedly beaten and "pressed to convert to Islam," according to the AsiaNews Web site. The Saudi government succumbed to international pressure and freed O'Connor last month.
But persecution by the Saudi government against Christian Saudis continues. A Saudi Christian convert, Emad Alaabadi, was taken into custody by the Muttawa in November. The father of four became a Christian two years ago. Family and friends at the human rights group International Christian Concern fear he has been tortured for his beliefs.
On Dec. 1, Christian pastor Zhang Rongliang disappeared from his village apartment in Zhengzhou, China. According to The Voice of the Martyrs, a non-profit charity that tracks religious persecution, state police confiscated all of Pastor Zhang's Christian DVDs, materials and photos. Three other Christian churches were reportedly raided after Pastor Zhang's arrest -- part of a nationwide crackdown on the Chinese "house church" movement. More than 100 other Christian pastors were arrested in Kaifeng city in September. Many have been beaten, sentenced to "re-education through labor," and accused of being "leaders of an evil cult."
In Vietnam and North Korea, followers of Christ have been arrested, beaten, tortured and forced to renounce their faith. In Nigeria, an Islamist terrorist group named after the Taliban conducted religious pogroms in the northern part of the country this fall -- kidnapping, raping and killing Christian villagers as part of a radicalization program that government officials suspect is being funded by Saudi Wahhabists. In Sudan, Muslim radicals have perpetrated mass slaughter and enslavement of Christian men, women and children, some of whom have been literally crucified.
If America's mainstream media would give the global War on Christianity just a fraction of the attention it pays to the War on Christmas, lives might be saved. And light would be shed on the true heroes of the original religion of peace.
Doing so, however, would require the nation's secularized pundits and pontificators to take religious persecution seriously. In that, alas, I have no faith
Don't forget to visit her blog site, she works hard and still keeps it updated with plenty of comments each day. Michelle Malkin is a syndicated columnist and maintains her weblog at michellemalkin.com
Yes, it's maddening when politically correct bureaucrats ban nativity scenes and Christmas carols in the name of "diversity" and "tolerance." We are under attack by Secularist Grinches Gone Wild. But the war on Christmas in America is a mere skirmish.
Around the world, a bloody, repressive war on Christians rages on.
In Iraq, Islamist rebel troops have declared open season on Christian churches, priests and missionaries. In February, four American pastors were traveling in a taxi near the capital when terrorists ambushed them. Rev. John Kelley, pastor of Curtis Corner Baptist Church in rural Rhode Island and a former Marine, was killed in the attack. The missionaries were starting up a new church south of Baghdad.
A friend of Rev. Kelley's noted upon word of his murder that "he wanted to be a witness for Christ in a part of the world where there aren't a lot of witnesses for Christ."
On March 15, Southern Baptist missionaries Larry and Jean Elliott of Cary, N.C., Karen Denise Watson of Bakersfield, Calif., and David McDonnall of Rowlett, Texas, were killed in a drive-by shooting in northern Iraq. McDonnall's wife, Carrie, survived the attack. The group, one of several Christian aid groups helping with reconstruction efforts, was scouting out locations for a water purification project.
The McDonnalls were young students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Watson served on the Baptist International Mission Board, as did the Elliotts. At the Elliotts' funeral, their oldest son, Scott, touched his chest and looked upward in tribute to his parents: "Thank you for living for the Lord. I am a life that was changed." Stephen Rummage, interim senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Cary, N.C., said the couple "loved the gospel and the souls of lost men and women more than themselves."
In Saudi Arabia, an Indian Christian man was abducted and held captive by the kingdom's religious police (the "Muttawa") for seven months earlier this year. Brian Savio O'Connor was singled out by the Wahhabist thug cops for "possession of Bibles and preaching Christianity." In addition, the Muttawa falsely charged that O'Connor had illegally sold alcohol. While in custody, O'Connor was allegedly beaten and "pressed to convert to Islam," according to the AsiaNews Web site. The Saudi government succumbed to international pressure and freed O'Connor last month.
But persecution by the Saudi government against Christian Saudis continues. A Saudi Christian convert, Emad Alaabadi, was taken into custody by the Muttawa in November. The father of four became a Christian two years ago. Family and friends at the human rights group International Christian Concern fear he has been tortured for his beliefs.
On Dec. 1, Christian pastor Zhang Rongliang disappeared from his village apartment in Zhengzhou, China. According to The Voice of the Martyrs, a non-profit charity that tracks religious persecution, state police confiscated all of Pastor Zhang's Christian DVDs, materials and photos. Three other Christian churches were reportedly raided after Pastor Zhang's arrest -- part of a nationwide crackdown on the Chinese "house church" movement. More than 100 other Christian pastors were arrested in Kaifeng city in September. Many have been beaten, sentenced to "re-education through labor," and accused of being "leaders of an evil cult."
In Vietnam and North Korea, followers of Christ have been arrested, beaten, tortured and forced to renounce their faith. In Nigeria, an Islamist terrorist group named after the Taliban conducted religious pogroms in the northern part of the country this fall -- kidnapping, raping and killing Christian villagers as part of a radicalization program that government officials suspect is being funded by Saudi Wahhabists. In Sudan, Muslim radicals have perpetrated mass slaughter and enslavement of Christian men, women and children, some of whom have been literally crucified.
If America's mainstream media would give the global War on Christianity just a fraction of the attention it pays to the War on Christmas, lives might be saved. And light would be shed on the true heroes of the original religion of peace.
Doing so, however, would require the nation's secularized pundits and pontificators to take religious persecution seriously. In that, alas, I have no faith
A comment before Christmas
I've been reading a bit more now that schools is out. Just have one class left to take and I'll have my degree in History, looking forward to putting those 20 years behind me and begin the next ten on my masters. If anyone says it can't be done or your to old ignore them for the lazy bugaboo that they just proved they were. I also just started a new job, had to give up the real estate gig, lots of work not very much money. This next one preserves some of the freedom of being your own boss and is a mixture of maintenance and sales type work so it should be an enjoyable way to make some decent money for a while.
Any who, I've got a column by Ann Coulter for you all to read so enjoy.
Since the attack of 9-11, we've won two wars, liberated millions of people from monstrous regimes, presided over one election in Afghanistan and are about to see elections in Iraq and among the Palestinian people. Focusing like a laser beam on the big picture, liberals are upset that, during this period, the secretary of defense used an autopen.
An autopen is a mechanical arm that actually holds a pen and is programmed to sign letters with a particular person's precise signature. Imagine a President Al Gore, with slightly more personality, signing all official government letters – that's an autopen. (You can relax now, there will be no more exercises imagining a President Al Gore.)There are 300 million Americans who have a constitutional right – an actual right, not a phony one invented by Harry Blackmun – to write to government officials. Every government office you've ever heard of in Washington, D.C., uses autopens with abandon.
As president, Clinton sold burial plots in Arlington Cemetery and liberals shrugged it off. What really gets their goat is the autopen. Evidently, the important thing was that every one of those pardons Clinton sold for cash on his last day in office was signed by Bill Clinton personally.
It occurred to someone (who obviously has the best interests of America at heart!) that among the letters Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld sends out there must be condolence letters to the families of servicemen who died for their country. So liberals are in a lather that those letters were signed by autopen.
On the bright side, this is the first war America has been in where the number of casualties is small enough that it would even be theoretically possible for a Defense secretary to sign each condolence letter personally. When Democrats were running the Vietnam War, letters of condolence often began, "To whom it may concern" and were addressed to "occupant."
Most politicians were mum about Autopen-gate, inasmuch as they respond to letters from constituents with dying children in letters signed by autopen. Not Sen. Chuck Hagel, D-Neb. He criticized Rumsfeld for the autopen, saying: "My goodness, that's the least that we could expect out of the secretary of defense, is having some personal attention paid by him."
It would save everyone a lot of trouble if the New York Times would just go ahead and put Hagel on the cover of the Sunday magazine with the headline: "COURAGE." Even now, Hagel can apparently count on no reporters dropping by his office to investigate whether he uses an autopen.
I've been so damn upset that Rumsfeld uses an autopen that I've barely had time to enjoy the "Giving Tree" season. Actually, I think it's time to come clean with my readers and admit that I belong to a small religious cult that celebrates the birth of Jesus this week. So things have been a little hectic.
And if the best liberals are going to give me to argue about this week is Autopen-gate, then: (1) I shall sleep well knowing that the secretary of defense has made so few mistakes for the past four years that liberals are reduced to carping about his autopen, and (2) I'm going to re-gift one of my interviews not published in the United States so I have time to buy more Ann Coulter action figures for Christmas, or as the Blue States call it, "December 25."
Interview by Carlos Baroni, Oriana d'America, Italy, October 2004
Q: Many liberals are rich, come from the East Coast, are white, studied at the Ivy university. You are rich (I hope), come from Connecticut, are white and studied at Cornell. Why do you hate the liberals?
A: Because I know so many of them. Liberals are clueless, amoral sexual degenerates, communists and pacifists – no offense to you or your readers intended, of course.
Q: You said the USA's worst enemy are the liberals.
A: So what's the question? The enemy within is often far more damaging than the enemy outside. Does the name "Mussolini" – great believer in extensive government direction of the economy, just like the Democrats – ring a bell?
Q: Why do Europeans prefer liberals than conservatives?
A: Because you're all a bunch of atheists, humanists and moral relativists. Love the food, though! And don't get me started on the shoes you wonderful people make! They're to surrender for!
Q: Do Europeans love Kerry more or hate Bush more?
A: Hate Bush. No one loves John Kerry, including John Kerry. Europeans are wrong on policy, not clinically insane.
Q: Who will win the elections 2004?
A: That's for the Supreme Court to sort out, you ignorant foreigner.
Q: If Kerry should win, what will the changes in the USA be?
A: He's got this exciting new plan for Iraq I think you Italians may have heard of. It's called "unconditional surrender." Today, Christianity is legal and gay marriage is illegal. If Kerry wins, these will be reversed.
Q: And the world?
A: That will be up to the United Nations.
Q: Is it right, the Iraqi conflict?
A: No, it's wrong. The rabid savages who are fighting American troops should give up immediately.
Q: What's your opinion about the U.S. media? Are they actually free?
A: Pravda had certain shortcomings in Soviet days, but at least it was honest enough to admit being a Communist Party newspaper.
Q: Our American image comes from movies. But Hollywood isn't the real America ...
A: The real America is Hollywood, Fla.
Q: Does tolerant Islam exist or not?
A: If it does exist, it's keeping an extremely low profile.
Q: Is it possible to export democracy?
A: Yes. Ever heard of "Italy"?
Q: Who are the three best U.S. presidents of the century? And the three best in any time?
A: Century: Reagan, Coolidge, Harding. Ever: Washington, Reagan, Lincoln.
Q: What is your opinion about the center-left leader in Europe? Zapatero, Blair, Schroeder?
A: Zapatero is Spanish for "Chamberlain." I would campaign for Blair for U.S. president. Schroeder – what is the Italian word for "scumbag"?
Q: And about center-right? Berlusconi, Chirac?
A: Chirac is center-right? Better lay off the grappa, Primo. Berlusconi: LOVE him!!
Q: Your last book is called "How to Talk to a Liberal." With which words?
A: A baseball bat is best. But if you absolutely must use words, something like: "Grow up."
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE VERNAL EQUINOX!
Love,
Ann Coulter(autopen)
Any who, I've got a column by Ann Coulter for you all to read so enjoy.
Since the attack of 9-11, we've won two wars, liberated millions of people from monstrous regimes, presided over one election in Afghanistan and are about to see elections in Iraq and among the Palestinian people. Focusing like a laser beam on the big picture, liberals are upset that, during this period, the secretary of defense used an autopen.
An autopen is a mechanical arm that actually holds a pen and is programmed to sign letters with a particular person's precise signature. Imagine a President Al Gore, with slightly more personality, signing all official government letters – that's an autopen. (You can relax now, there will be no more exercises imagining a President Al Gore.)There are 300 million Americans who have a constitutional right – an actual right, not a phony one invented by Harry Blackmun – to write to government officials. Every government office you've ever heard of in Washington, D.C., uses autopens with abandon.
As president, Clinton sold burial plots in Arlington Cemetery and liberals shrugged it off. What really gets their goat is the autopen. Evidently, the important thing was that every one of those pardons Clinton sold for cash on his last day in office was signed by Bill Clinton personally.
It occurred to someone (who obviously has the best interests of America at heart!) that among the letters Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld sends out there must be condolence letters to the families of servicemen who died for their country. So liberals are in a lather that those letters were signed by autopen.
On the bright side, this is the first war America has been in where the number of casualties is small enough that it would even be theoretically possible for a Defense secretary to sign each condolence letter personally. When Democrats were running the Vietnam War, letters of condolence often began, "To whom it may concern" and were addressed to "occupant."
Most politicians were mum about Autopen-gate, inasmuch as they respond to letters from constituents with dying children in letters signed by autopen. Not Sen. Chuck Hagel, D-Neb. He criticized Rumsfeld for the autopen, saying: "My goodness, that's the least that we could expect out of the secretary of defense, is having some personal attention paid by him."
It would save everyone a lot of trouble if the New York Times would just go ahead and put Hagel on the cover of the Sunday magazine with the headline: "COURAGE." Even now, Hagel can apparently count on no reporters dropping by his office to investigate whether he uses an autopen.
I've been so damn upset that Rumsfeld uses an autopen that I've barely had time to enjoy the "Giving Tree" season. Actually, I think it's time to come clean with my readers and admit that I belong to a small religious cult that celebrates the birth of Jesus this week. So things have been a little hectic.
And if the best liberals are going to give me to argue about this week is Autopen-gate, then: (1) I shall sleep well knowing that the secretary of defense has made so few mistakes for the past four years that liberals are reduced to carping about his autopen, and (2) I'm going to re-gift one of my interviews not published in the United States so I have time to buy more Ann Coulter action figures for Christmas, or as the Blue States call it, "December 25."
Interview by Carlos Baroni, Oriana d'America, Italy, October 2004
Q: Many liberals are rich, come from the East Coast, are white, studied at the Ivy university. You are rich (I hope), come from Connecticut, are white and studied at Cornell. Why do you hate the liberals?
A: Because I know so many of them. Liberals are clueless, amoral sexual degenerates, communists and pacifists – no offense to you or your readers intended, of course.
Q: You said the USA's worst enemy are the liberals.
A: So what's the question? The enemy within is often far more damaging than the enemy outside. Does the name "Mussolini" – great believer in extensive government direction of the economy, just like the Democrats – ring a bell?
Q: Why do Europeans prefer liberals than conservatives?
A: Because you're all a bunch of atheists, humanists and moral relativists. Love the food, though! And don't get me started on the shoes you wonderful people make! They're to surrender for!
Q: Do Europeans love Kerry more or hate Bush more?
A: Hate Bush. No one loves John Kerry, including John Kerry. Europeans are wrong on policy, not clinically insane.
Q: Who will win the elections 2004?
A: That's for the Supreme Court to sort out, you ignorant foreigner.
Q: If Kerry should win, what will the changes in the USA be?
A: He's got this exciting new plan for Iraq I think you Italians may have heard of. It's called "unconditional surrender." Today, Christianity is legal and gay marriage is illegal. If Kerry wins, these will be reversed.
Q: And the world?
A: That will be up to the United Nations.
Q: Is it right, the Iraqi conflict?
A: No, it's wrong. The rabid savages who are fighting American troops should give up immediately.
Q: What's your opinion about the U.S. media? Are they actually free?
A: Pravda had certain shortcomings in Soviet days, but at least it was honest enough to admit being a Communist Party newspaper.
Q: Our American image comes from movies. But Hollywood isn't the real America ...
A: The real America is Hollywood, Fla.
Q: Does tolerant Islam exist or not?
A: If it does exist, it's keeping an extremely low profile.
Q: Is it possible to export democracy?
A: Yes. Ever heard of "Italy"?
Q: Who are the three best U.S. presidents of the century? And the three best in any time?
A: Century: Reagan, Coolidge, Harding. Ever: Washington, Reagan, Lincoln.
Q: What is your opinion about the center-left leader in Europe? Zapatero, Blair, Schroeder?
A: Zapatero is Spanish for "Chamberlain." I would campaign for Blair for U.S. president. Schroeder – what is the Italian word for "scumbag"?
Q: And about center-right? Berlusconi, Chirac?
A: Chirac is center-right? Better lay off the grappa, Primo. Berlusconi: LOVE him!!
Q: Your last book is called "How to Talk to a Liberal." With which words?
A: A baseball bat is best. But if you absolutely must use words, something like: "Grow up."
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE VERNAL EQUINOX!
Love,
Ann Coulter(autopen)
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
The Price of Freedom by Ken Masugi
I read this and liked it so here it is
enjoy
And what is so wrong with that? As Ken Masugi of the Claremont Institute wrote:
Pearl Harbor, the history, teaches us not to fear the burdens of freedom. Pearl Harbor, the film, would teach us that our diversity is a strength. Not quite so. Diversity is a challenge. Our strength lies, rather, in our common love of freedom and the insistence that everybody have it. But freedom also imposes conditions, often harsh, on those who would cherish it. That duty is what civilized nations forget and their statesmen are continually obliged to etch into the national memory.
***
enjoy
And what is so wrong with that? As Ken Masugi of the Claremont Institute wrote:
Pearl Harbor, the history, teaches us not to fear the burdens of freedom. Pearl Harbor, the film, would teach us that our diversity is a strength. Not quite so. Diversity is a challenge. Our strength lies, rather, in our common love of freedom and the insistence that everybody have it. But freedom also imposes conditions, often harsh, on those who would cherish it. That duty is what civilized nations forget and their statesmen are continually obliged to etch into the national memory.
***
Jihad Watch Does it again
From Jihad watch, excellent article proving more then our immigration system is in need of reform. Read and comment.
Islamists and Incarceration: Prisons Prove to be Prime Recruiting Grounds
More on recruitment for jihad in prisons. From JINSA, with thanks to Nicolei:
In the restive Pakistani province of South Waziristan an Islamist by the name of Abdullah Mehsud commands an estimated 200 fighters. On October 14 Mehsud masterminded the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers working on a dam project for a state-run Chinese company and were taken to a mud hut in the Chagmalai area of the province. From the hut, the kidnappers negotiated with Pakistani forces while receiving telephone instructions from Mehsud. The negotiations ended with a Pakistani assault on the hut during which one of the Chinese hostages was killed. Pakistani forces immediately set out to capture Mehsud, previously unknown to the Pakistani government. The name Abdullah Mehsud, however, did ring a bell halfway around the world at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Mehsud had been an inmate until March 2004.
Elsewhere, halfway between Pakistan and Cuba, in Denmark, a man named Silmane Haj Abd al-Rahmane told Danish national television on September 26 that he considered Danish soldiers and government officials legitimate targets for terrorist attacks. Abd al-Rahmane also said he plans to travel to Chechnya and join the jihad there. Abd al-Rahmane had also been a detainee at Guantanamo and was released to Danish authorities in the beginning of 2004. When asked about the contract he had signed before being released from Guantanamo in which he had committed to refrain from terrorist activities, Abd al-Rahmane answered: “They can use that contract as toilet paper over in the United States”. This kind of rhetoric is not only heard from freed prisoners living in western democracies.
Shortly before a prisoner exchange between Afghanistan and Pakistan, on September 12, Umara Khan, a Pakistani national who had been jailed in Afghanistan after he had been captured while fighting for the Taliban told a reporter: “I am proud of my decision. I had come to Afghanistan for jihad and I succeeded. I will go to Iraq and continue my jihad against Americans until I defeat them”. In October, Israel Defense Force soldiers arrested Imad al-Kawasme, commander of Hamas in the city of Hebron. Kawasme orchestrated many terrorist attacks including the August 31 suicide attacks on two buses in Beer Sheba. Al-Kawasme had previously been in an Israeli prison between 1994 and 1999. Islamist militants, wholly committed to their ideology, are not reformed by imprisonment.
The fact that Islamist prisoners are repeat offenders is not that surprising when one understands that they are ideological criminals that base their actions on a utopian ideology. Jihad, in their eyes, will eventually lead to a perfect Islamic world, in which Muslims rule by Islamic law. They strongly believe that their actions in support of jihad are not only religiously justified but are in fact a religious duty.
Read it all.
Islamists and Incarceration: Prisons Prove to be Prime Recruiting Grounds
More on recruitment for jihad in prisons. From JINSA, with thanks to Nicolei:
In the restive Pakistani province of South Waziristan an Islamist by the name of Abdullah Mehsud commands an estimated 200 fighters. On October 14 Mehsud masterminded the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers working on a dam project for a state-run Chinese company and were taken to a mud hut in the Chagmalai area of the province. From the hut, the kidnappers negotiated with Pakistani forces while receiving telephone instructions from Mehsud. The negotiations ended with a Pakistani assault on the hut during which one of the Chinese hostages was killed. Pakistani forces immediately set out to capture Mehsud, previously unknown to the Pakistani government. The name Abdullah Mehsud, however, did ring a bell halfway around the world at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Mehsud had been an inmate until March 2004.
Elsewhere, halfway between Pakistan and Cuba, in Denmark, a man named Silmane Haj Abd al-Rahmane told Danish national television on September 26 that he considered Danish soldiers and government officials legitimate targets for terrorist attacks. Abd al-Rahmane also said he plans to travel to Chechnya and join the jihad there. Abd al-Rahmane had also been a detainee at Guantanamo and was released to Danish authorities in the beginning of 2004. When asked about the contract he had signed before being released from Guantanamo in which he had committed to refrain from terrorist activities, Abd al-Rahmane answered: “They can use that contract as toilet paper over in the United States”. This kind of rhetoric is not only heard from freed prisoners living in western democracies.
Shortly before a prisoner exchange between Afghanistan and Pakistan, on September 12, Umara Khan, a Pakistani national who had been jailed in Afghanistan after he had been captured while fighting for the Taliban told a reporter: “I am proud of my decision. I had come to Afghanistan for jihad and I succeeded. I will go to Iraq and continue my jihad against Americans until I defeat them”. In October, Israel Defense Force soldiers arrested Imad al-Kawasme, commander of Hamas in the city of Hebron. Kawasme orchestrated many terrorist attacks including the August 31 suicide attacks on two buses in Beer Sheba. Al-Kawasme had previously been in an Israeli prison between 1994 and 1999. Islamist militants, wholly committed to their ideology, are not reformed by imprisonment.
The fact that Islamist prisoners are repeat offenders is not that surprising when one understands that they are ideological criminals that base their actions on a utopian ideology. Jihad, in their eyes, will eventually lead to a perfect Islamic world, in which Muslims rule by Islamic law. They strongly believe that their actions in support of jihad are not only religiously justified but are in fact a religious duty.
Read it all.
EcoTerrorism and a Note from Mike
Long time no post, I've been extremely busy; also needed a break from politics. Got something from Michele Malkin I just read, interesting so here it is. also I've been working on a paper for an historical research project involving both gulf wars, I ll be posting it soon. My Roman research project was shit canned so until I have reason to return to it I won't be posting it.
ECOTERRORISM UNVEILED
By Michelle Malkin · December 08, 2004 12:00 PM
Despite vehement environmentalist protests against the housing development where 26 suburan Maryland homes were torched earlier this week, authorities are telling the press that arson-happy Earth Liberation Front members are "not something we are focusing on."
Let's hope that's just spin. ELF's past record of destruction makes it an obvious investigative target. From my old friends at the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise, here is just a partial list through 2001:
1996
Oct. 28; Detroit, Oregon.A U.S. Forest Service pickup is torched on the parking lot of the Detroit Ranger District headquarters. The saboteurs tag the building with "Earth Liberation Front" and other graffiti. A plastic jug rigged as an incendiary device is later found on the roof. It did not go off. Damages: $15,000. Joint ALF / ELF claim.
October 30, 1996. Near Eugene, Oregon. Arson destroyed U.S. Forest Service Oakridge Ranger Station south of Eugene. Cost estimate, $5.3 million. Not officially recognized as an ELF arson; disgruntled law enforcement officers assert that a joint ALF / ELF claim was received but not published.
1997
July 21, 1997. Redmond, Oregon. Arson of Cavel West meat packing plant in Redmond. Estimated cost over $1 million. Joint ALF / ELF claim.
Nov. 29; 1997. Hines, Oregon. Arsonists destroy a U.S. Bureau of Land Management horse barn, chutes, pens and equipment. Four hundred horses are released, but they are later recaptured. The Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front take joint responsibility. Damages: $474,000.
1998
June 2; Olympia, Washington. Two U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife stations, miles apart, go up in flames on the same morning. The Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front take joint responsibility for both of the attacks. Damages: $1.9 million.
Oct. 10, 1998. Rock Springs, Wyoming. Would-be saboteurs cut the locks off horse pens at a BLM corral, freeing about 40 wild horses. Failed incendiaries are found next to a pickup truck and a building. The Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front take joint responsibility. Damages: negligible.
Oct. 19, 1998. Vail, Colorado. Fires ravage a portion of the Vail ski resort, seven structures destroyed: 4 ski lifts, a restaurant, a picnic facility, and a utility building. The Earth Liberation Front later claims it torched the resort because of proposed expansion into the declining habitat of lynx. Damages: $12 million.
December 26, 1998: Oregon. Arson of U.S. Forest Industries' corporate headquarters in Medford, Oregon. The three alarm blaze resulted in over $500,000 in damages. ELF claimed responsibility in a communique.
Dec. 27, 1998. Medford, Oregon. Fire ravages the headquarters of U.S. Forest Industries. An Earth Liberation Front communiqué issued weeks later by the Liberation Collective in Portland, Oregon says the strike was payback to a company it accused of razing forests and killing wild animals for profit. Damages: $700,000.
1999
Aug. 7, 1999. Escanaba, Michigan. A fishing boat is set ablaze in the driveway of a veterinarian who once worked as a mink rancher. A garage door is tagged with graffiti 18 inches high: "FUR IS MURDER. E.L.F." The Earth Liberation Front later claims in an Internet posting it targeted the veterinarian after finding a "Fur is Enough" sign outside his home. Damages: $15,000.
Dec. 25, 1999. Monmouth, Oregon. Fire burns down a Boise Cascade timber management office. "Let this be a lesson to all greedy multinational corporations who don't respect their ecosystems," the Earth Liberation Front writes in a claim of responsibility to The Oregonian. "The elves are watching." Damages: $1 million.
Dec. 31; Lansing, Mich. Arson breaks out in the offices of Catherine Ives, Room 324, Michigan State University's Agriculture Hall, a campus landmark. The Earth Liberation Front later issues a communiqué saying it doused an office with gasoline and set it ablaze because the university financed development of genetically modified crops to force developing nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa to switch from natural crop plants to gentically engineered sweet potatoes, corn, bananas and pineapples. Monsanto and USAID are major funders of the research and promotional work being done through Michigan State University. According to local newspapers, the fire caused some $400,000 in damage. "Cremate Monsanto, Long live the E.L.F. On to the next GE target!"
2000
Jan. 23; Bloomington, Ind. Fire destroys a luxury home under construction at the Sterling Woods Development. Investigators find a cryptic message spray-painted in black on a sign near the house: "No Sprawl - ELF." Damages $200,000. An ELF statement obtained by the Environment News Service says, "The house was targeted because the sprawling development it is located in is in the Lake Monroe Watershed. This is the drinking water supply for the town of Bloomington, Indiana and the surrounding area. It is already being jeopardized by existing development and roads."
April 30; Bloomington, Ind. At least six pieces of logging and heavy construction equipment are sabotaged and a trailer full of wood chips is set ablaze at a road construction site just outside the city. A communiqué from the Earth Liberation Front states its plan was to punish those developing wooded areas around Bloomington, which "have turned what was once forested land into parking lots, luxury houses for rich scum and expanded roads." Damages: $75,000.
July 20; Rhinelander, Wis. Vandals hack down thousands of experimental trees, mostly poplars, and spray-paint vehicles at a U.S. Forest Service research station. The Earth Liberation Front claims the attack was against bioengineering, although researchers say the trees were bred naturally to grow faster and resist diseases. Damages: $1 million.
Sept. 9; Bloomington, Ind. Fire erupts at the headquarters of the Monroe County Republican Party Committee headquarters. Investigators say a flammable liquid was poured on the building and ignited. The arson was a reminder, according to the Earth Liberation Front communiqué, that it would not sit quietly as politicians pushed for plans to extend an interstate highway. Damages: $1,500.
Oct. 18; Shoals, Ind. Vandals find four pieces of heavy logging equipment in the Martin State Forest and cut hoses, slash seats, destroy gauges and pour sand in the engines, fuel tanks and radiators. They leave spray-painted graffiti including, "Earth Raper," "Go Cut in Hell," and "ELF." Damages: $55,000.
Nov. 27; Niwot, Colo. Arson hits one of the first luxury homes going up in a new subdivision. The Earth Liberation Front later sends a note, made of letters clipped from magazines, to the Boulder Weekly newspaper: "Viva la revolution! The Boulder ELF burned the Legend Ridge mansion on Nov. 27th." The underground group explains in a follow-up communiqué that the arson was driven by defeat of a statewide ballot measure to control growth. Damages: $500,000.
Dec. 9; Middle Island, N.Y. Fire erupts in a condominium under construction. The Earth Liberation Front claims responsibility, saying the homes were "future dens of the wealthy elite." The group, announcing "an unbounded war on urban sprawl," claims it checked for occupants - human and animal - in 16 condos before setting incendiaries in them. Damages: $200,000.
Dec. 19; Miller Place, N.Y. A house under construction goes up in flames. "Building homes for the wealthy should not even be a priority," the Earth Liberation Front writes in its communiqué. "Forests, farms and wetlands are being replaced with a sea of houses, green chemical lawns, blacktop and roadkill." Damages: $50,000.
Dec. 30; Mount Sinai, N.Y. Three luxury homes under construction are set ablaze, and a fourth is spray-painted with graffiti: "If you build it we will burn it." The ELF issues a communiqué saying, "This hopefully provided a firm message that we will not tolerate the destruction of our island." Damages: $160,000.
2001
Jan. 2; Glendale, Oregon. Fire ravages the offices of Superior Lumber Co., the town of 770's leading employer. The arson is the third holiday conflagration of an Oregon timber firm in as many years. It summons investigators from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Damages: $400,000.
Feb. 15; Suffolk County, New York. Charged with arson and arson conspiracy in connection with the Long Island, New York arsons, were Connor Cash, 19. Cash entered a not guilty plea. Charged with arson conspiracy were Jared McIntyre, 17, Matthew Rammelkamp, 16, and George Mashkow Jr., 17. Cash, of Sound Beach, was charged with conspiring with the others to burn the Mount Sinai homes Dec. 30. Prosecutors said he procured the gasoline for the incendiary devices and instructed the others to carry out the torching because as an adult, he feared he would face greater penalties if caught. McIntyre, of Coram, and the other two were accused of carrying out the Dec. 9 arson of four new homes in Middle Island and plotting to torch a Center Moriches duck farm and a McDonald's in Miller Place. Mashkow, of Coram, and McIntyre were charged in the Dec. 19 torching of a home under construction in Miller Place. Rammelkamp, of Miller Place, and McIntyre were charged with carrying out the torching of the Mount Sinai homes. As part of plea bargains with federal prosecutors, George Mashkow and Matthew Rammelkamp pleaded guilty as adults and agreed to cooperate with investigations into ELF and a related group, the Animal Liberation Front. Jared McIntyre also pleaded guilty to arson conspiracy.
Since my days at the Seattle Times, where I covered both ELF and its animal-rights arm, ALF, I've continued to track the ecoterrorist movement and its anti-capitalist, anti-military saboteurs. These incendiary menaces declared war against us a long time ago. Maybe now that it's hitting closer to home around the Beltway, Washington will finally answer back.
ECOTERRORISM UNVEILED
By Michelle Malkin · December 08, 2004 12:00 PM
Despite vehement environmentalist protests against the housing development where 26 suburan Maryland homes were torched earlier this week, authorities are telling the press that arson-happy Earth Liberation Front members are "not something we are focusing on."
Let's hope that's just spin. ELF's past record of destruction makes it an obvious investigative target. From my old friends at the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise, here is just a partial list through 2001:
1996
Oct. 28; Detroit, Oregon.A U.S. Forest Service pickup is torched on the parking lot of the Detroit Ranger District headquarters. The saboteurs tag the building with "Earth Liberation Front" and other graffiti. A plastic jug rigged as an incendiary device is later found on the roof. It did not go off. Damages: $15,000. Joint ALF / ELF claim.
October 30, 1996. Near Eugene, Oregon. Arson destroyed U.S. Forest Service Oakridge Ranger Station south of Eugene. Cost estimate, $5.3 million. Not officially recognized as an ELF arson; disgruntled law enforcement officers assert that a joint ALF / ELF claim was received but not published.
1997
July 21, 1997. Redmond, Oregon. Arson of Cavel West meat packing plant in Redmond. Estimated cost over $1 million. Joint ALF / ELF claim.
Nov. 29; 1997. Hines, Oregon. Arsonists destroy a U.S. Bureau of Land Management horse barn, chutes, pens and equipment. Four hundred horses are released, but they are later recaptured. The Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front take joint responsibility. Damages: $474,000.
1998
June 2; Olympia, Washington. Two U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife stations, miles apart, go up in flames on the same morning. The Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front take joint responsibility for both of the attacks. Damages: $1.9 million.
Oct. 10, 1998. Rock Springs, Wyoming. Would-be saboteurs cut the locks off horse pens at a BLM corral, freeing about 40 wild horses. Failed incendiaries are found next to a pickup truck and a building. The Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front take joint responsibility. Damages: negligible.
Oct. 19, 1998. Vail, Colorado. Fires ravage a portion of the Vail ski resort, seven structures destroyed: 4 ski lifts, a restaurant, a picnic facility, and a utility building. The Earth Liberation Front later claims it torched the resort because of proposed expansion into the declining habitat of lynx. Damages: $12 million.
December 26, 1998: Oregon. Arson of U.S. Forest Industries' corporate headquarters in Medford, Oregon. The three alarm blaze resulted in over $500,000 in damages. ELF claimed responsibility in a communique.
Dec. 27, 1998. Medford, Oregon. Fire ravages the headquarters of U.S. Forest Industries. An Earth Liberation Front communiqué issued weeks later by the Liberation Collective in Portland, Oregon says the strike was payback to a company it accused of razing forests and killing wild animals for profit. Damages: $700,000.
1999
Aug. 7, 1999. Escanaba, Michigan. A fishing boat is set ablaze in the driveway of a veterinarian who once worked as a mink rancher. A garage door is tagged with graffiti 18 inches high: "FUR IS MURDER. E.L.F." The Earth Liberation Front later claims in an Internet posting it targeted the veterinarian after finding a "Fur is Enough" sign outside his home. Damages: $15,000.
Dec. 25, 1999. Monmouth, Oregon. Fire burns down a Boise Cascade timber management office. "Let this be a lesson to all greedy multinational corporations who don't respect their ecosystems," the Earth Liberation Front writes in a claim of responsibility to The Oregonian. "The elves are watching." Damages: $1 million.
Dec. 31; Lansing, Mich. Arson breaks out in the offices of Catherine Ives, Room 324, Michigan State University's Agriculture Hall, a campus landmark. The Earth Liberation Front later issues a communiqué saying it doused an office with gasoline and set it ablaze because the university financed development of genetically modified crops to force developing nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa to switch from natural crop plants to gentically engineered sweet potatoes, corn, bananas and pineapples. Monsanto and USAID are major funders of the research and promotional work being done through Michigan State University. According to local newspapers, the fire caused some $400,000 in damage. "Cremate Monsanto, Long live the E.L.F. On to the next GE target!"
2000
Jan. 23; Bloomington, Ind. Fire destroys a luxury home under construction at the Sterling Woods Development. Investigators find a cryptic message spray-painted in black on a sign near the house: "No Sprawl - ELF." Damages $200,000. An ELF statement obtained by the Environment News Service says, "The house was targeted because the sprawling development it is located in is in the Lake Monroe Watershed. This is the drinking water supply for the town of Bloomington, Indiana and the surrounding area. It is already being jeopardized by existing development and roads."
April 30; Bloomington, Ind. At least six pieces of logging and heavy construction equipment are sabotaged and a trailer full of wood chips is set ablaze at a road construction site just outside the city. A communiqué from the Earth Liberation Front states its plan was to punish those developing wooded areas around Bloomington, which "have turned what was once forested land into parking lots, luxury houses for rich scum and expanded roads." Damages: $75,000.
July 20; Rhinelander, Wis. Vandals hack down thousands of experimental trees, mostly poplars, and spray-paint vehicles at a U.S. Forest Service research station. The Earth Liberation Front claims the attack was against bioengineering, although researchers say the trees were bred naturally to grow faster and resist diseases. Damages: $1 million.
Sept. 9; Bloomington, Ind. Fire erupts at the headquarters of the Monroe County Republican Party Committee headquarters. Investigators say a flammable liquid was poured on the building and ignited. The arson was a reminder, according to the Earth Liberation Front communiqué, that it would not sit quietly as politicians pushed for plans to extend an interstate highway. Damages: $1,500.
Oct. 18; Shoals, Ind. Vandals find four pieces of heavy logging equipment in the Martin State Forest and cut hoses, slash seats, destroy gauges and pour sand in the engines, fuel tanks and radiators. They leave spray-painted graffiti including, "Earth Raper," "Go Cut in Hell," and "ELF." Damages: $55,000.
Nov. 27; Niwot, Colo. Arson hits one of the first luxury homes going up in a new subdivision. The Earth Liberation Front later sends a note, made of letters clipped from magazines, to the Boulder Weekly newspaper: "Viva la revolution! The Boulder ELF burned the Legend Ridge mansion on Nov. 27th." The underground group explains in a follow-up communiqué that the arson was driven by defeat of a statewide ballot measure to control growth. Damages: $500,000.
Dec. 9; Middle Island, N.Y. Fire erupts in a condominium under construction. The Earth Liberation Front claims responsibility, saying the homes were "future dens of the wealthy elite." The group, announcing "an unbounded war on urban sprawl," claims it checked for occupants - human and animal - in 16 condos before setting incendiaries in them. Damages: $200,000.
Dec. 19; Miller Place, N.Y. A house under construction goes up in flames. "Building homes for the wealthy should not even be a priority," the Earth Liberation Front writes in its communiqué. "Forests, farms and wetlands are being replaced with a sea of houses, green chemical lawns, blacktop and roadkill." Damages: $50,000.
Dec. 30; Mount Sinai, N.Y. Three luxury homes under construction are set ablaze, and a fourth is spray-painted with graffiti: "If you build it we will burn it." The ELF issues a communiqué saying, "This hopefully provided a firm message that we will not tolerate the destruction of our island." Damages: $160,000.
2001
Jan. 2; Glendale, Oregon. Fire ravages the offices of Superior Lumber Co., the town of 770's leading employer. The arson is the third holiday conflagration of an Oregon timber firm in as many years. It summons investigators from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Damages: $400,000.
Feb. 15; Suffolk County, New York. Charged with arson and arson conspiracy in connection with the Long Island, New York arsons, were Connor Cash, 19. Cash entered a not guilty plea. Charged with arson conspiracy were Jared McIntyre, 17, Matthew Rammelkamp, 16, and George Mashkow Jr., 17. Cash, of Sound Beach, was charged with conspiring with the others to burn the Mount Sinai homes Dec. 30. Prosecutors said he procured the gasoline for the incendiary devices and instructed the others to carry out the torching because as an adult, he feared he would face greater penalties if caught. McIntyre, of Coram, and the other two were accused of carrying out the Dec. 9 arson of four new homes in Middle Island and plotting to torch a Center Moriches duck farm and a McDonald's in Miller Place. Mashkow, of Coram, and McIntyre were charged in the Dec. 19 torching of a home under construction in Miller Place. Rammelkamp, of Miller Place, and McIntyre were charged with carrying out the torching of the Mount Sinai homes. As part of plea bargains with federal prosecutors, George Mashkow and Matthew Rammelkamp pleaded guilty as adults and agreed to cooperate with investigations into ELF and a related group, the Animal Liberation Front. Jared McIntyre also pleaded guilty to arson conspiracy.
Since my days at the Seattle Times, where I covered both ELF and its animal-rights arm, ALF, I've continued to track the ecoterrorist movement and its anti-capitalist, anti-military saboteurs. These incendiary menaces declared war against us a long time ago. Maybe now that it's hitting closer to home around the Beltway, Washington will finally answer back.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Remember our warriors on this day
It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC (often incorrectly attributed to Charles M. Province) -- Author: - Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC
- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC (often incorrectly attributed to Charles M. Province) -- Author: - Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC
Jeff Jacoby comments on the passing of a villain
JEFF JACOBY
Arafat the monster
By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist November 11, 2004
YASSER ARAFAT died at age 75, lying in bed surrounded by familiar faces. He left this world peacefully, unlike the thousands of victims he sent to early graves.
In a better world, the PLO chief would have met his end on a gallows, hanged for mass murder much as the Nazi chiefs were hanged at Nuremberg. In a better world, the French president would not have paid a visit to the bedside of such a monster. In a better world, George Bush would not have said, on hearing the first reports that Arafat had died, "God bless his soul."
God bless his soul? What a grotesque idea! Bless the soul of the man who brought modern terrorism to the world? Who sent his agents to slaughter athletes at the Olympics, blow airliners out of the sky, bomb schools and pizzerias, machine-gun passengers in airline terminals? Who lied, cheated, and stole without compunction? Who inculcated the vilest culture of Jew-hatred since the Third Reich? Human beings might stoop to bless a creature so evil -- as indeed Arafat was blessed, with money, deference, even a Nobel Prize -- but God, I am quite sure, will damn him for eternity.
Arafat always inspired flights of nonsense from Western journalists, and his last two weeks were no exception.
Derek Brown wrote in The Guardian that Arafat's "undisputed courage as a guerrilla leader" was exceeded only "by his extraordinary courage" as a peace negotiator. But it is an odd kind of courage that expresses itself in shooting unarmed victims -- or in signing peace accords and then flagrantly violating their terms.
Another commentator, columnist Gwynne Dyer, asked, "So what did Arafat do right?" The answer: He drew worldwide attention to the Palestinian cause, "for the most part by successful acts of terror." In other words, butchering innocent human beings was "right," since it served an ulterior political motive. No doubt that thought brings daily comfort to all those who were forced to bury a child, parent, or spouse because of Arafat's "successful" terrorism.
Some journalists couldn't wait for Arafat's actual death to begin weeping for him. Take the BBC's Barbara Plett, who burst into tears on the day he was airlifted out of the West Bank. "When the helicopter carrying the frail old man rose above his ruined compound," Plett reported from Ramallah, "I started to cry." Normal people don't weep for brutal murderers, but Plett made it clear that her empathy for Arafat -- whom she praised as "a symbol of Palestinian unity, steadfastness, and resistance" -- was heartfelt:
"I remember well when the Israelis re-conquered the West Bank more than two years ago, how they drove their tanks and bulldozers into Mr. Arafat's headquarters, trapping him in a few rooms, and throwing a military curtain around Ramallah. I remember how Palestinians admired his refusal to flee under fire. They told me: `Our leader is sharing our pain, we are all under the same siege.' And so was I." Such is the state of journalism at the BBC, whose reporters do not seem to have any trouble reporting, dry-eyed, on the plight of Arafat's victims. (That is, when they mention them -- which Plett's teary bon voyage to Arafat did not.)
And what about those victims? Why were they scarcely remembered in this Arafat death watch?
How is it possible to reflect on Arafat's most enduring legacy -- the rise of modern terrorism -- without recalling the legions of men, women, and children whose lives he and his followers destroyed? If Osama bin Laden were on his deathbed, would we neglect to mention all those he murdered on 9/11?
It would take an encyclopedia to catalog all of the evil Arafat committed. But that is no excuse for not trying to recall at least some of it.
Perhaps his signal contribution to the practice of political terror was the introduction of warfare against children. On one black date in May 1974, three PLO terrorists slipped from Lebanon into the northern Israeli town of Ma'alot. They murdered two parents and a child whom they found at home, then seized a local school, taking more than 100 boys and girls hostage and threatening to kill them unless a number of imprisoned terrorists were released. When Israeli troops attempted a rescue, the terrorists exploded hand grenades and opened fire on the students. By the time the horror ended, 25 people were dead; 21 of them were children.
Thirty years later, no one speaks of Ma'alot anymore. The dead children have been forgotten. Everyone knows Arafat's name, but who ever recalls the names of his victims?
So let us recall them: Ilana Turgeman. Rachel Aputa. Yocheved Mazoz. Sarah Ben-Shim'on. Yona Sabag. Yafa Cohen. Shoshana Cohen. Michal Sitrok. Malka Amrosy. Aviva Saada. Yocheved Diyi. Yaakov Levi. Yaakov Kabla. Rina Cohen. Ilana Ne'eman. Sarah Madar. Tamar Dahan. Sarah Soper. Lili Morad. David Madar. Yehudit Madar. The 21 dead children of Ma'alot -- 21 of the thousands of who died at Arafat's command
Arafat the monster
By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist November 11, 2004
YASSER ARAFAT died at age 75, lying in bed surrounded by familiar faces. He left this world peacefully, unlike the thousands of victims he sent to early graves.
In a better world, the PLO chief would have met his end on a gallows, hanged for mass murder much as the Nazi chiefs were hanged at Nuremberg. In a better world, the French president would not have paid a visit to the bedside of such a monster. In a better world, George Bush would not have said, on hearing the first reports that Arafat had died, "God bless his soul."
God bless his soul? What a grotesque idea! Bless the soul of the man who brought modern terrorism to the world? Who sent his agents to slaughter athletes at the Olympics, blow airliners out of the sky, bomb schools and pizzerias, machine-gun passengers in airline terminals? Who lied, cheated, and stole without compunction? Who inculcated the vilest culture of Jew-hatred since the Third Reich? Human beings might stoop to bless a creature so evil -- as indeed Arafat was blessed, with money, deference, even a Nobel Prize -- but God, I am quite sure, will damn him for eternity.
Arafat always inspired flights of nonsense from Western journalists, and his last two weeks were no exception.
Derek Brown wrote in The Guardian that Arafat's "undisputed courage as a guerrilla leader" was exceeded only "by his extraordinary courage" as a peace negotiator. But it is an odd kind of courage that expresses itself in shooting unarmed victims -- or in signing peace accords and then flagrantly violating their terms.
Another commentator, columnist Gwynne Dyer, asked, "So what did Arafat do right?" The answer: He drew worldwide attention to the Palestinian cause, "for the most part by successful acts of terror." In other words, butchering innocent human beings was "right," since it served an ulterior political motive. No doubt that thought brings daily comfort to all those who were forced to bury a child, parent, or spouse because of Arafat's "successful" terrorism.
Some journalists couldn't wait for Arafat's actual death to begin weeping for him. Take the BBC's Barbara Plett, who burst into tears on the day he was airlifted out of the West Bank. "When the helicopter carrying the frail old man rose above his ruined compound," Plett reported from Ramallah, "I started to cry." Normal people don't weep for brutal murderers, but Plett made it clear that her empathy for Arafat -- whom she praised as "a symbol of Palestinian unity, steadfastness, and resistance" -- was heartfelt:
"I remember well when the Israelis re-conquered the West Bank more than two years ago, how they drove their tanks and bulldozers into Mr. Arafat's headquarters, trapping him in a few rooms, and throwing a military curtain around Ramallah. I remember how Palestinians admired his refusal to flee under fire. They told me: `Our leader is sharing our pain, we are all under the same siege.' And so was I." Such is the state of journalism at the BBC, whose reporters do not seem to have any trouble reporting, dry-eyed, on the plight of Arafat's victims. (That is, when they mention them -- which Plett's teary bon voyage to Arafat did not.)
And what about those victims? Why were they scarcely remembered in this Arafat death watch?
How is it possible to reflect on Arafat's most enduring legacy -- the rise of modern terrorism -- without recalling the legions of men, women, and children whose lives he and his followers destroyed? If Osama bin Laden were on his deathbed, would we neglect to mention all those he murdered on 9/11?
It would take an encyclopedia to catalog all of the evil Arafat committed. But that is no excuse for not trying to recall at least some of it.
Perhaps his signal contribution to the practice of political terror was the introduction of warfare against children. On one black date in May 1974, three PLO terrorists slipped from Lebanon into the northern Israeli town of Ma'alot. They murdered two parents and a child whom they found at home, then seized a local school, taking more than 100 boys and girls hostage and threatening to kill them unless a number of imprisoned terrorists were released. When Israeli troops attempted a rescue, the terrorists exploded hand grenades and opened fire on the students. By the time the horror ended, 25 people were dead; 21 of them were children.
Thirty years later, no one speaks of Ma'alot anymore. The dead children have been forgotten. Everyone knows Arafat's name, but who ever recalls the names of his victims?
So let us recall them: Ilana Turgeman. Rachel Aputa. Yocheved Mazoz. Sarah Ben-Shim'on. Yona Sabag. Yafa Cohen. Shoshana Cohen. Michal Sitrok. Malka Amrosy. Aviva Saada. Yocheved Diyi. Yaakov Levi. Yaakov Kabla. Rina Cohen. Ilana Ne'eman. Sarah Madar. Tamar Dahan. Sarah Soper. Lili Morad. David Madar. Yehudit Madar. The 21 dead children of Ma'alot -- 21 of the thousands of who died at Arafat's command
Saturday, November 06, 2004
I Can't Believe I am Loosing to this Idiot
NEW YORK, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- When President Bush's poll numbers surged in April after a press conference where his performance was derided by the press and the chattering classes, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry was baffled, writes Newsweek Assistant Managing Editor Evan Thomas in an exclusive report in Newsweek's special election issue. "He said with a sigh to one top staffer, 'I can't believe I'm losing to this idiot.'"
Entire article here: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041104/nyth186_1.html
Entire article here: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041104/nyth186_1.html
Will Arlen Specter sieze the Judiciary
By Charles HurtTHE WASHINGTON TIMES
From the Nation/Politics section
Senate Republicans are speculating behind the scenes on ways to prevent one of their own -- Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania -- from becoming the next chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Long a thorn in the side of conservatives, Mr. Specter further outraged many Republicans this week when he told reporters that President Bush should be "mindful" not to send pro-life judicial nominees to the Judiciary Committee for confirmation when he takes control of the committee in January. "We are looking at a variety of ways to keep the gavel from going to Arlen Specter," said one Republican Judiciary Committee staffer. Though they disagreed widely on the likelihood of success, numerous Republican Senate aides contacted by The Washington Times yesterday concurred that efforts are under way to bar Mr. Specter from becoming chairman when term limits force Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah Republican, to surrender the gavel at the end of the current Congress. One scenario that seems to be gaining momentum among Senate Republicans would be to give the chairmanship to Sen. Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, who has seniority over Mr. Specter on the Judiciary Committee. But doing that would require Mr. Grassley to give up control of the Finance Committee, where he wields a great deal of power. "There is an enormous amount of pressure on Senator Grassley to do this for the base," said one Republican. "The idea would be for Senator Grassley to take one for the team for at least two years to send Specter a message that this is not what Americans voted for on Tuesday." Several Republicans said it was highly unlikely that Mr. Grassley would give up his committee for Judiciary. But others said the stakes are so high after Tuesday's election when conservatives -- who care passionately about judiciary matters -- voted in unexpected droves. Grassley spokeswoman Jill Kozeny said simply: "Senator Grassley will be serving four more years as chairman of Finance." In another scenario, committee Republicans would defy tradition and skip Mr. Specter in seniority.
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You can save articles using our Insider’s Newsclips service "Under the rules, the committee members could simply vote for someone else," said a third Republican aide familiar with the efforts. If that happened, the chairmanship likely would go to Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, who is next in line in seniority. Mr. Kyl could not be reached for comment yesterday. While senators and staffers refused to discuss the efforts publicly, Mr. Specter is aware of the speculation and has issued two statements denying press accounts that he had warned Mr. Bush not to send pro-life nominees. "Contrary to press accounts, I did not warn the president about anything and was very respectful of his constitutional authority on the appointment of federal judges," Mr. Specter said. "As the record shows, I have supported every one of President Bush's nominees in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor. I have never and would never apply any litmus test on the abortion issue." The latest imbroglio began during a press conference Wednesday when Mr. Specter said the pro-choice rights guaranteed with the Roe v. Wade decision are "inviolate." He also compared the judicial supremacy of Roe v. Wade to that of Brown v. Board of Education, a decision that rendered racial segregation illegal. Noting the Democratic-led filibusters against some of Mr. Bush's judicial nominees, some who were opposed to abortion rights, Mr. Specter said, "The president is well aware of what happened when a number of his nominees were sent up.... I would expect the president to be mindful of the considerations that I mentioned." Conservatives in the Senate resumed discussions about ways to block Mr. Specter from controlling the committee, according to aides. It didn't help Mr. Specter's case that incoming Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, said yesterday that he agreed with his Republican colleague's comments. "I think Senator Specter is right and the fact that there was a negative reaction to his remarks is not a good omen," he told reporters yesterday. Several Republican Senate offices reported being inundated by phone calls and e-mail from outside groups enraged over Mr. Specter's comments. "We just got handed the opportunity of a lifetime and they don't want us to screw it up," said one Republican staffer. "Arlen Specter must be removed from the Senate Judiciary Committee," said Mathew D. Staver, president of the conservative group Liberty Counsel. "We need an advocate who can weather the battle over the next appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. We certainly don't want a muted neutral party, and we won't accept an adversary." The controversy spawned an anti-Specter Web site, NotSpecter.com, which includes articles and Web postings criticizing Mr. Specter and arguing for his removal. Republicans are particularly upset that Mr. Specter's comments came the day after he was re-elected in a close race and on the very day Mr. Bush declared victory in his own re-election campaign. Republicans considered the remarks disloyal because Mr. Bush had worked to help Mr. Specter overcome a tough primary challenge. Also, they said, Mr. Specter did little to return the favor as Mr. Bush struggled -- and eventually lost -- the fight to win Pennsylvania. Several other comments Mr. Specter made during his press conference also rubbed some conservatives the wrong way, such as when he suggested that Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, the conservative icon being treated for thyroid cancer, lied about his medical prognosis last week. "The chief justice is gravely ill," Mr. Specter told reporters. "I had known more about that than had appeared in the media. When he said he was going to be back on Monday, it was known inside that he was not going to be back on Monday." Mr. Specter also was accused of insulting the entire high court by saying there are no legal giants on the bench. "With all due respect to the U.S. Supreme Court, we don't have one," he said. "Yeah, there's nobody of the caliber of, say, Robert Bork," scoffed one Republican Judiciary staffer in reference to the revered Reagan nominee who was rejected in the Senate with crucial help from Mr. Specter. "I mean, all we've got on there are people like [Bork replacement] Anthony Kennedy. Gee, I wonder how that happened." • Stephen Dinan and Cheryl Wetzstein contributed to this report.
From the Nation/Politics section
Senate Republicans are speculating behind the scenes on ways to prevent one of their own -- Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania -- from becoming the next chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Long a thorn in the side of conservatives, Mr. Specter further outraged many Republicans this week when he told reporters that President Bush should be "mindful" not to send pro-life judicial nominees to the Judiciary Committee for confirmation when he takes control of the committee in January. "We are looking at a variety of ways to keep the gavel from going to Arlen Specter," said one Republican Judiciary Committee staffer. Though they disagreed widely on the likelihood of success, numerous Republican Senate aides contacted by The Washington Times yesterday concurred that efforts are under way to bar Mr. Specter from becoming chairman when term limits force Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah Republican, to surrender the gavel at the end of the current Congress. One scenario that seems to be gaining momentum among Senate Republicans would be to give the chairmanship to Sen. Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, who has seniority over Mr. Specter on the Judiciary Committee. But doing that would require Mr. Grassley to give up control of the Finance Committee, where he wields a great deal of power. "There is an enormous amount of pressure on Senator Grassley to do this for the base," said one Republican. "The idea would be for Senator Grassley to take one for the team for at least two years to send Specter a message that this is not what Americans voted for on Tuesday." Several Republicans said it was highly unlikely that Mr. Grassley would give up his committee for Judiciary. But others said the stakes are so high after Tuesday's election when conservatives -- who care passionately about judiciary matters -- voted in unexpected droves. Grassley spokeswoman Jill Kozeny said simply: "Senator Grassley will be serving four more years as chairman of Finance." In another scenario, committee Republicans would defy tradition and skip Mr. Specter in seniority.
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You can save articles using our Insider’s Newsclips service "Under the rules, the committee members could simply vote for someone else," said a third Republican aide familiar with the efforts. If that happened, the chairmanship likely would go to Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, who is next in line in seniority. Mr. Kyl could not be reached for comment yesterday. While senators and staffers refused to discuss the efforts publicly, Mr. Specter is aware of the speculation and has issued two statements denying press accounts that he had warned Mr. Bush not to send pro-life nominees. "Contrary to press accounts, I did not warn the president about anything and was very respectful of his constitutional authority on the appointment of federal judges," Mr. Specter said. "As the record shows, I have supported every one of President Bush's nominees in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor. I have never and would never apply any litmus test on the abortion issue." The latest imbroglio began during a press conference Wednesday when Mr. Specter said the pro-choice rights guaranteed with the Roe v. Wade decision are "inviolate." He also compared the judicial supremacy of Roe v. Wade to that of Brown v. Board of Education, a decision that rendered racial segregation illegal. Noting the Democratic-led filibusters against some of Mr. Bush's judicial nominees, some who were opposed to abortion rights, Mr. Specter said, "The president is well aware of what happened when a number of his nominees were sent up.... I would expect the president to be mindful of the considerations that I mentioned." Conservatives in the Senate resumed discussions about ways to block Mr. Specter from controlling the committee, according to aides. It didn't help Mr. Specter's case that incoming Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, said yesterday that he agreed with his Republican colleague's comments. "I think Senator Specter is right and the fact that there was a negative reaction to his remarks is not a good omen," he told reporters yesterday. Several Republican Senate offices reported being inundated by phone calls and e-mail from outside groups enraged over Mr. Specter's comments. "We just got handed the opportunity of a lifetime and they don't want us to screw it up," said one Republican staffer. "Arlen Specter must be removed from the Senate Judiciary Committee," said Mathew D. Staver, president of the conservative group Liberty Counsel. "We need an advocate who can weather the battle over the next appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. We certainly don't want a muted neutral party, and we won't accept an adversary." The controversy spawned an anti-Specter Web site, NotSpecter.com, which includes articles and Web postings criticizing Mr. Specter and arguing for his removal. Republicans are particularly upset that Mr. Specter's comments came the day after he was re-elected in a close race and on the very day Mr. Bush declared victory in his own re-election campaign. Republicans considered the remarks disloyal because Mr. Bush had worked to help Mr. Specter overcome a tough primary challenge. Also, they said, Mr. Specter did little to return the favor as Mr. Bush struggled -- and eventually lost -- the fight to win Pennsylvania. Several other comments Mr. Specter made during his press conference also rubbed some conservatives the wrong way, such as when he suggested that Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, the conservative icon being treated for thyroid cancer, lied about his medical prognosis last week. "The chief justice is gravely ill," Mr. Specter told reporters. "I had known more about that than had appeared in the media. When he said he was going to be back on Monday, it was known inside that he was not going to be back on Monday." Mr. Specter also was accused of insulting the entire high court by saying there are no legal giants on the bench. "With all due respect to the U.S. Supreme Court, we don't have one," he said. "Yeah, there's nobody of the caliber of, say, Robert Bork," scoffed one Republican Judiciary staffer in reference to the revered Reagan nominee who was rejected in the Senate with crucial help from Mr. Specter. "I mean, all we've got on there are people like [Bork replacement] Anthony Kennedy. Gee, I wonder how that happened." • Stephen Dinan and Cheryl Wetzstein contributed to this report.
Friday, November 05, 2004
So Much to Savor
So Much to Savor (Peggy Noonan-Wall Street Journal)
A big win for America, and a loss for the mainstream media.
Thursday, November 4, 2004 12:01 a.m. EST
God bless our country.
Hello, old friends. Let us savor.
Let us get our heads around the size and scope of what happened Tuesday. George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, became the first incumbent president to increase his majority in both the Senate and the House and to increase his own vote (by over 3.5 million) since Franklin D. Roosevelt, political genius of the 20th century, in 1936. This is huge.
George W. Bush is the first president to win more than 50% of the popular vote since 1988. (Bill Clinton failed to twice; Mr. Bush failed to last time and fell short of a plurality by half a million.) The president received more than 59 million votes, breaking Ronald Reagan's old record of 54.5 million. Mr. Bush increased his personal percentages in almost every state in the union. He carried the Catholic vote and won 42% of the Hispanic vote and 24% of the Jewish vote (up from 19% in 2000.)
It will be hard for the mainstream media to continue, in the face of these facts, the mantra that we are a deeply and completely divided country. But they'll try!
The Democrats have lost their leader in the Senate, Tom Daschle. I do not know what the Democratic Party spent, in toto, on the 2004 election, but what they seem to have gotten for it is Barack Obama. Let us savor.
The elites of Old Europe are depressed. Savor. The nonelites of Old Europe, and the normal folk of New Europe, especially our beloved friend Poland, will not be depressed, and many will be happy. Let's savor that too.
George Soros cannot buy a presidential election. Savor. "Volunteers" who are bought and paid for cannot beat volunteers who come from the neighborhood, church, workplace and reading group. Savor.
The leaders of the Bush effort see it this way: A ragtag band of more than a million Republican volunteers who fought like Washington's troops at Valley Forge beat the paid Hessians of King George III's army. Savor.
As I write, John Kerry is giving his speech. He looks hurt. Who wouldn't? He fought to the end, for every vote, untiring and ceaseless. I told some young people recently who were walking into a battle, "Here's how to fight: You fight until they kill you, until they kill you and stop your heart, and then you let them carry you out of the room. But you fight until they carry." I think that's how the Democrats fought. Good for them.
To admit defeat with attempted grace is a moving sight. Kerry did well. His talking about his "good conversation" with the president was gracious and helpful. He was honest about the facts of the vote in Ohio. When he thanked his people from the bottom of his heart it was a real thanks. "Thanks to Democrats and Republicans and Independents. . . . Thanks to everyone who voted." "Don't lose faith, what you did made a difference . . . and building on itself . . . the time will come when your votes, your ballots, will change the world. And it's worth fighting for." A lot of pundits and editorialists are going to say, "His best speech of the campaign was his last." But that's not the point.
Mr. Kerry graced democracy today. He showed his love for it. Savor.
And now the president is speaking. He looks tired and happy. He looks as if the lines on his forehead are deeper. Maybe it's the lighting. "We had a really good phone call," he said of Mr. Kerry. "He was very gracious . . . and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts." Good for them both. He announced his agenda: reform the tax code, privatize Social Security, help the emerging democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan. "And then our servicemen and -women will come home with the honor they have earned."
"Today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent. . . . I need your support. . . . I will do all that I can do to earn your trust. . . . We have one country, one Constitution, and one future that binds us." All good. Savor.
Who was the biggest loser of the 2004 election? It is easy to say Mr. Kerry: he was a poor candidate with a poor campaign. But I do think the biggest loser was the mainstream media, the famous MSM, the initials that became popular in this election cycle. Every time the big networks and big broadsheet national newspapers tried to pull off a bit of pro-liberal mischief--CBS and the fabricated Bush National Guard documents, the New York Times and bombgate, CBS's "60 Minutes" attempting to coordinate the breaking of bombgate on the Sunday before the election--the yeomen of the blogosphere and AM radio and the Internet took them down. It was to me a great historical development in the history of politics in America. It was Agincourt. It was the yeomen of King Harry taking down the French aristocracy with new technology and rough guts. God bless the pajama-clad yeomen of America. Some day, when America is hit again, and lines go down, and media are hard to get, these bloggers and site runners and independent Internetters of all sorts will find a way to file, and get their word out, and it will be part of the saving of our country.
Last note. As much as anyone, the POW wives of Vietnam, who stood against the Democratic nominee for president and for the Republican, can claim credit for the Bush victory. Everyone with a computer in America, and a lot of people with TVs, saw their testimony about the 1970s, and their husbands, and John Kerry. You could not come away from their white-haired, soft-faced, big-eyeglasses visages without thinking: He should not be commander in chief.
Oh, another last note. Tuesday I heard three radio talkers who refused to believe it was over when the ludicrous, and who knows but possibly quite mischievous, exit polls virtually declared a Kerry landslide yesterday afternoon. They are Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham. The last sent me an e-mail that dismissed the numbers as elitist nonsense and propaganda. She is one tough girl and they are two tough men. Savor them too.
Ms. Noonan is a contributing editor of The Wall Street Journal and author of "A Heart, a Cross, and a Flag" (Wall Street Journal Books/Simon & Schuster), a collection of post-Sept. 11 columns, which you can buy from the OpinionJournal bookstore.
A big win for America, and a loss for the mainstream media.
Thursday, November 4, 2004 12:01 a.m. EST
God bless our country.
Hello, old friends. Let us savor.
Let us get our heads around the size and scope of what happened Tuesday. George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, became the first incumbent president to increase his majority in both the Senate and the House and to increase his own vote (by over 3.5 million) since Franklin D. Roosevelt, political genius of the 20th century, in 1936. This is huge.
George W. Bush is the first president to win more than 50% of the popular vote since 1988. (Bill Clinton failed to twice; Mr. Bush failed to last time and fell short of a plurality by half a million.) The president received more than 59 million votes, breaking Ronald Reagan's old record of 54.5 million. Mr. Bush increased his personal percentages in almost every state in the union. He carried the Catholic vote and won 42% of the Hispanic vote and 24% of the Jewish vote (up from 19% in 2000.)
It will be hard for the mainstream media to continue, in the face of these facts, the mantra that we are a deeply and completely divided country. But they'll try!
The Democrats have lost their leader in the Senate, Tom Daschle. I do not know what the Democratic Party spent, in toto, on the 2004 election, but what they seem to have gotten for it is Barack Obama. Let us savor.
The elites of Old Europe are depressed. Savor. The nonelites of Old Europe, and the normal folk of New Europe, especially our beloved friend Poland, will not be depressed, and many will be happy. Let's savor that too.
George Soros cannot buy a presidential election. Savor. "Volunteers" who are bought and paid for cannot beat volunteers who come from the neighborhood, church, workplace and reading group. Savor.
The leaders of the Bush effort see it this way: A ragtag band of more than a million Republican volunteers who fought like Washington's troops at Valley Forge beat the paid Hessians of King George III's army. Savor.
As I write, John Kerry is giving his speech. He looks hurt. Who wouldn't? He fought to the end, for every vote, untiring and ceaseless. I told some young people recently who were walking into a battle, "Here's how to fight: You fight until they kill you, until they kill you and stop your heart, and then you let them carry you out of the room. But you fight until they carry." I think that's how the Democrats fought. Good for them.
To admit defeat with attempted grace is a moving sight. Kerry did well. His talking about his "good conversation" with the president was gracious and helpful. He was honest about the facts of the vote in Ohio. When he thanked his people from the bottom of his heart it was a real thanks. "Thanks to Democrats and Republicans and Independents. . . . Thanks to everyone who voted." "Don't lose faith, what you did made a difference . . . and building on itself . . . the time will come when your votes, your ballots, will change the world. And it's worth fighting for." A lot of pundits and editorialists are going to say, "His best speech of the campaign was his last." But that's not the point.
Mr. Kerry graced democracy today. He showed his love for it. Savor.
And now the president is speaking. He looks tired and happy. He looks as if the lines on his forehead are deeper. Maybe it's the lighting. "We had a really good phone call," he said of Mr. Kerry. "He was very gracious . . . and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts." Good for them both. He announced his agenda: reform the tax code, privatize Social Security, help the emerging democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan. "And then our servicemen and -women will come home with the honor they have earned."
"Today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent. . . . I need your support. . . . I will do all that I can do to earn your trust. . . . We have one country, one Constitution, and one future that binds us." All good. Savor.
Who was the biggest loser of the 2004 election? It is easy to say Mr. Kerry: he was a poor candidate with a poor campaign. But I do think the biggest loser was the mainstream media, the famous MSM, the initials that became popular in this election cycle. Every time the big networks and big broadsheet national newspapers tried to pull off a bit of pro-liberal mischief--CBS and the fabricated Bush National Guard documents, the New York Times and bombgate, CBS's "60 Minutes" attempting to coordinate the breaking of bombgate on the Sunday before the election--the yeomen of the blogosphere and AM radio and the Internet took them down. It was to me a great historical development in the history of politics in America. It was Agincourt. It was the yeomen of King Harry taking down the French aristocracy with new technology and rough guts. God bless the pajama-clad yeomen of America. Some day, when America is hit again, and lines go down, and media are hard to get, these bloggers and site runners and independent Internetters of all sorts will find a way to file, and get their word out, and it will be part of the saving of our country.
Last note. As much as anyone, the POW wives of Vietnam, who stood against the Democratic nominee for president and for the Republican, can claim credit for the Bush victory. Everyone with a computer in America, and a lot of people with TVs, saw their testimony about the 1970s, and their husbands, and John Kerry. You could not come away from their white-haired, soft-faced, big-eyeglasses visages without thinking: He should not be commander in chief.
Oh, another last note. Tuesday I heard three radio talkers who refused to believe it was over when the ludicrous, and who knows but possibly quite mischievous, exit polls virtually declared a Kerry landslide yesterday afternoon. They are Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham. The last sent me an e-mail that dismissed the numbers as elitist nonsense and propaganda. She is one tough girl and they are two tough men. Savor them too.
Ms. Noonan is a contributing editor of The Wall Street Journal and author of "A Heart, a Cross, and a Flag" (Wall Street Journal Books/Simon & Schuster), a collection of post-Sept. 11 columns, which you can buy from the OpinionJournal bookstore.
Democratic blame loss on any one but themselves
This quote is from a Washington Times write up
"I'm convinced that our side is right on the issues," he said. "But maybe we're selling it the wrong way." Many other Democrats agreed that Democrats didn't flub the issues; they flubbed the marketing. "This election was not about issues," Democratic strategist Chris Cooper said. "If it were, clearly we would have won." Matt Farrauto of the New Mexico Democratic Party blamed the loss on deceptive Republicans.
Isn’t this just like the democrats. In 2000 they said the same thing. Our issues are ok; we didn’t get them across to the American people. The result was in 2004 the democrats ran one of the most expensive negative ad campaigns ever run. They pulled out all the strings; the stars and starlets said electing Bush was tantamount to supporting rape, CBS aired forged documents and the New York Times rehashed a dead story from 19 months ago all in an attempt to help Kerry win the election. They yelled and screamed thinking this is how to debate and get our message out. People like Move on dot org, and Michael Moore spewed hatred for nearly four years, because this was the way to convince Americans George W Bush was wrong for the country. Millions have been spent on marketing their ideas, George Sorus alone spent 23 million.
Now the 2004 election is over, the Democrats have lost yet another election and after less then two days of contemplation, they come to the conclusion they’re right on the issues and need to market more.
If we examine their issues we might see if this is true.
The democrats made an issue of late term abortion, they support this horrendous procedure, and Americans by a large majority do not. Americans by an almost as large majority do not support abortion rights, these have been forced upon us by a renegade supreme court in 1973. To quote Justice Harry Blackmun “in the penumbras of the Bill of Rights; in the Ninth Amendment; or in the concept of liberty guaranteed by the first section of the Fourteenth Amendment.” Just what does penumbras mean and I ask you to find it anywhere in the constitution. What they really mean is Abortion rights are a kin to privacy rights, which are not mentioned in the constitution either. The right of the Government to regulate behavior has long been a power of the government especially when it comes to protecting the lives of Americans from foes inside and out. In fact safeguarding our lives is the primary responsibility of a government. Who needs more protection then the unborn.
The democrat party has been governed by the kook fringe for at least a decade now, and they have increasing lost control of the all branches of government. I suggest the longer they “market” their issues the further away from mainstream Americans they get, the longer they will be out of power. So by all means continue to market democratic ideas, continue to spew hatred and anger, continue the negativity that has served so well to inform the American populace of the true character of the Democratic Party. The money at least keeps Americans working.
"I'm convinced that our side is right on the issues," he said. "But maybe we're selling it the wrong way." Many other Democrats agreed that Democrats didn't flub the issues; they flubbed the marketing. "This election was not about issues," Democratic strategist Chris Cooper said. "If it were, clearly we would have won." Matt Farrauto of the New Mexico Democratic Party blamed the loss on deceptive Republicans.
Isn’t this just like the democrats. In 2000 they said the same thing. Our issues are ok; we didn’t get them across to the American people. The result was in 2004 the democrats ran one of the most expensive negative ad campaigns ever run. They pulled out all the strings; the stars and starlets said electing Bush was tantamount to supporting rape, CBS aired forged documents and the New York Times rehashed a dead story from 19 months ago all in an attempt to help Kerry win the election. They yelled and screamed thinking this is how to debate and get our message out. People like Move on dot org, and Michael Moore spewed hatred for nearly four years, because this was the way to convince Americans George W Bush was wrong for the country. Millions have been spent on marketing their ideas, George Sorus alone spent 23 million.
Now the 2004 election is over, the Democrats have lost yet another election and after less then two days of contemplation, they come to the conclusion they’re right on the issues and need to market more.
If we examine their issues we might see if this is true.
The democrats made an issue of late term abortion, they support this horrendous procedure, and Americans by a large majority do not. Americans by an almost as large majority do not support abortion rights, these have been forced upon us by a renegade supreme court in 1973. To quote Justice Harry Blackmun “in the penumbras of the Bill of Rights; in the Ninth Amendment; or in the concept of liberty guaranteed by the first section of the Fourteenth Amendment.” Just what does penumbras mean and I ask you to find it anywhere in the constitution. What they really mean is Abortion rights are a kin to privacy rights, which are not mentioned in the constitution either. The right of the Government to regulate behavior has long been a power of the government especially when it comes to protecting the lives of Americans from foes inside and out. In fact safeguarding our lives is the primary responsibility of a government. Who needs more protection then the unborn.
The democrat party has been governed by the kook fringe for at least a decade now, and they have increasing lost control of the all branches of government. I suggest the longer they “market” their issues the further away from mainstream Americans they get, the longer they will be out of power. So by all means continue to market democratic ideas, continue to spew hatred and anger, continue the negativity that has served so well to inform the American populace of the true character of the Democratic Party. The money at least keeps Americans working.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Who says the war on terror is failing
From Jihad Watch
Leading al-Qaida operative seized in Yemen
From UPI, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:
Sanaa, Yemen, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Yemeni intelligence captured a leading member of the al-Qaida network in Yemen after a manhunt and searches that lasted several months, reports indicate.
An intelligence source quoted in daily al-Ayam said the al-Qaida operative was identified as Y. Harazi and captured last September in a suburb of Sanaa following months of searches and monitoring.
Piece by piece al-Qaida is being dismantled. Charges that the Bush administration have forgotten the organization are patently false, with 3/4 of the organization gone I doubt they will ever threaten us again. The best they could do on our election day is send us a tape, that's got me quaking in my socks. Thank You President Bush for your steadfast resolve to end this threat.
Leading al-Qaida operative seized in Yemen
From UPI, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:
Sanaa, Yemen, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Yemeni intelligence captured a leading member of the al-Qaida network in Yemen after a manhunt and searches that lasted several months, reports indicate.
An intelligence source quoted in daily al-Ayam said the al-Qaida operative was identified as Y. Harazi and captured last September in a suburb of Sanaa following months of searches and monitoring.
Piece by piece al-Qaida is being dismantled. Charges that the Bush administration have forgotten the organization are patently false, with 3/4 of the organization gone I doubt they will ever threaten us again. The best they could do on our election day is send us a tape, that's got me quaking in my socks. Thank You President Bush for your steadfast resolve to end this threat.
Terrorist with some Humor
This is kind of funny since its coming from a terrorist in jail and on trial for the Bali bombing. I got this from Jihad Watch.
Indonesian cleric says Bush victory spells “disaster” for US
Abu Bakar Bashir is upset that the US did not play the dhimmi on Tuesday. From AFP, with thanks to Kemaste:
JAKARTA - An Islamic cleric on trial in Indonesia on terrorist charges including over the Bali bombings on Thursday warned President George W. Bush’s reelection victory spelled “disaster” for the United States.
Abu Bakar Bashir, who is accused of being a figurehead for the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah regional group accused Bush of meddling in Indonesian affairs and warned of retribution unless he stopped.
“Bush’s victory will bring another disaster for America unless he changes his actions,” Bashir told reporters as he arrived for a second day of his trial in which he faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
“America is intervening on many issues in Indonesia, they are the master in this country,” he said.
Bashir denies charges of inciting militants to carry out the October 2002 Bali attacks in which 202 people killed and of involvement in the bombing of the US-franchised Marriott hotel in Jakarta last year in which 12 died....
He said Bush feared the introduction of hardline Islamic sharia law in the world’s largest Muslim-populated country, which currently practises a moderate strain of the faith.
Although he made no specific threats, Bashir said he anticipated major problems for the United States during Bush’s next term.
“God willing, there will be a lot of disasters,” he said.
Indonesian cleric says Bush victory spells “disaster” for US
Abu Bakar Bashir is upset that the US did not play the dhimmi on Tuesday. From AFP, with thanks to Kemaste:
JAKARTA - An Islamic cleric on trial in Indonesia on terrorist charges including over the Bali bombings on Thursday warned President George W. Bush’s reelection victory spelled “disaster” for the United States.
Abu Bakar Bashir, who is accused of being a figurehead for the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah regional group accused Bush of meddling in Indonesian affairs and warned of retribution unless he stopped.
“Bush’s victory will bring another disaster for America unless he changes his actions,” Bashir told reporters as he arrived for a second day of his trial in which he faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
“America is intervening on many issues in Indonesia, they are the master in this country,” he said.
Bashir denies charges of inciting militants to carry out the October 2002 Bali attacks in which 202 people killed and of involvement in the bombing of the US-franchised Marriott hotel in Jakarta last year in which 12 died....
He said Bush feared the introduction of hardline Islamic sharia law in the world’s largest Muslim-populated country, which currently practises a moderate strain of the faith.
Although he made no specific threats, Bashir said he anticipated major problems for the United States during Bush’s next term.
“God willing, there will be a lot of disasters,” he said.
An Open Letter From The Maha Rushy
Dear John (and the rest)
November 4, 2004
Today, my friends, I’d like to read an open letter addressed to John Kerry and John Edwards, and in the spirit of unity, reconciliation, and inclusion, I want to expand the base, so to speak. So here goes: Dear Johns, Kerry and Edwards. There’s something many of us have been waiting to say to you. And also to you, Tom Daschle, the former minority leader of the U.S. Senate. And to distinguished members of the Hollywood elite, most notably Michael Moore, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Michael J. Fox, Julia Roberts — hope you’re feeling well, by the way — Sean Penn, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeanne Garofalo, Meryl Streep, and assorted others. And to the elder stateswomen of the entertainment industry, Barbra Streisand and Madonna, and the youth, Sean Puff Daddy P. Diddy Combs. To our musical guests, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and, of course, the Dixie Chickettes. And to our civil rights delegation — the Revvvvvrend Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, NAALCP leaders Julian Bond and Kwesi Mfume. To our beloved media giants, Dan Rather, 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the AP, and to our media midgets, MTV’s Rock the Vote, Dead Air America, and Bill Maher. And let’s not forget our 527s funded by George Soros: MoveOn.org and America Coming Apart. And finally, to our esteemed foreign dignitaries, particularly Jacques Chirac and Herr Schroeder, Kofi Annan and Muhammad El Baradi. To all of you, from us: YOU LOSE. WE WIN. NOW EXCUSE US WHILE WE GO KICK SOME TERRORIST BUTT!!!
From Rush Limbaugh
November 4, 2004
Today, my friends, I’d like to read an open letter addressed to John Kerry and John Edwards, and in the spirit of unity, reconciliation, and inclusion, I want to expand the base, so to speak. So here goes: Dear Johns, Kerry and Edwards. There’s something many of us have been waiting to say to you. And also to you, Tom Daschle, the former minority leader of the U.S. Senate. And to distinguished members of the Hollywood elite, most notably Michael Moore, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Michael J. Fox, Julia Roberts — hope you’re feeling well, by the way — Sean Penn, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeanne Garofalo, Meryl Streep, and assorted others. And to the elder stateswomen of the entertainment industry, Barbra Streisand and Madonna, and the youth, Sean Puff Daddy P. Diddy Combs. To our musical guests, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and, of course, the Dixie Chickettes. And to our civil rights delegation — the Revvvvvrend Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, NAALCP leaders Julian Bond and Kwesi Mfume. To our beloved media giants, Dan Rather, 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the AP, and to our media midgets, MTV’s Rock the Vote, Dead Air America, and Bill Maher. And let’s not forget our 527s funded by George Soros: MoveOn.org and America Coming Apart. And finally, to our esteemed foreign dignitaries, particularly Jacques Chirac and Herr Schroeder, Kofi Annan and Muhammad El Baradi. To all of you, from us: YOU LOSE. WE WIN. NOW EXCUSE US WHILE WE GO KICK SOME TERRORIST BUTT!!!
From Rush Limbaugh
Arafat's Dead, now it's Castro's Turn.
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Political leaders in Israel and the West Bank steeled themselves for the end of the Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) era as the vanguard of the Palestinian nationalist struggle for the past four decades lay brain dead in a Paris hospital.
AFP Photo
AP Photo
Slideshow: Yasser Arafat
Palestinian officials fiercely denied that Arafat had passed away after Israeli media reported that the 75-year-old had died.
But while French medical sources said Arafat was technically still alive, they added that he was "brain dead" and only breathing with the help of life support machines while in an irreversible coma.
Technically, Arafat is "not dead," one source told AFP on condition of confidentiality. But there was no hope of him leaving his vegetative state and recovering basic bodily functions such as breathing without assistance.
Such artificial care can be "extended for several days or several weeks thanks to the machines," the source said.
Israel's private Channel 2 network and army radio had reported that Arafat had been declared dead at a military hospital in Clamart, southwest of Paris.
But Azzam al-Ahmed, communications minister in the Palestinian cabinet and one of Arafat's closest allies, insisted news of his death was premature.
"It is wrong. If the president was dead, the whole world would know," he told AFP. "But it is true that he is a very critical condition."
Arafat was flown to Paris last Friday for treatment of a blood disorder after being airlifted from the compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah where he had been under effective Israeli house arrest for nearly three years.
Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei had earlier tried to play down the seriousness of Arafat's condition, denying he was in a coma and insisting new test results had been positive.
Qorei had been attending emergency leadership meetings of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the dominant Fatah (news - web sites) party. Both have been led by Arafat for some four decades, but were chaired Thursday by former premier Mahmud Abbas.
Hundreds of Fatah supporters brandished portraits of Arafat as they took to the streets of Gaza City late Thursday while prayers were said for his welfare.
"We pray to Almighty God for the swift recovery of our president Yasser Arafat so that he can return to his people in good health," said the imam at Gaza's Sheikh Zayid mosque.
Residents in Ramallah were glued to their television sets for updates on the town's famous resident.
"I can't bear the thought he will die for good. He's our national leader, the one and only," said 33-year-old Mohammed Ribhi as his eyes filled with tears.
Amid widespread fears that Arafat's death could trigger chaos on the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (news - web sites), all members of the Palestinian security services were placed on a state of alert Thursday.
"The security forces have been put on a state of alert and all members ordered to be on standby," one senior officer said.
"We have been told to prepare for any activity which is beyond the law and to protect the legitimacy of all the Palestinian institutions."
Signs of nerves on the Israeli side were also evident as troops in the occupied territories were placed on alert after Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz called a meeting in Tel Aviv attended by the heads of the country's security services.
Israeli public television, meanwhile, reported that army commanders were to urge the government to capitalise on Arafat's demise by working more closely with the Palestinians.
The army has drawn up plans, codenamed "New Page", to deal with all possible eventualities should Arafat die. But officers would also urge the government to coordinate its withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), due to take place by the end of 2005, with Arafat's successors, the television said.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) has refused all dealings with Arafat since coming to power in 2001, instead confining him to his West Bank headquarters until his dramatic airlift to Paris last Friday.
Arafat's death or permanent incapacitation has the potential to galvanise the Middle East peace process.
Sharon met Abbas on a number of occasions last year before a massive suicide bomb prompted Israel to freeze top-level contacts with the Palestinians.
Arafat has also been snubbed by US President George W. Bush (news - web sites). Asked for his reaction to the reports of Arafat's death, Bush said "God bless his soul".
AFP Photo
AP Photo
Slideshow: Yasser Arafat
Palestinian officials fiercely denied that Arafat had passed away after Israeli media reported that the 75-year-old had died.
But while French medical sources said Arafat was technically still alive, they added that he was "brain dead" and only breathing with the help of life support machines while in an irreversible coma.
Technically, Arafat is "not dead," one source told AFP on condition of confidentiality. But there was no hope of him leaving his vegetative state and recovering basic bodily functions such as breathing without assistance.
Such artificial care can be "extended for several days or several weeks thanks to the machines," the source said.
Israel's private Channel 2 network and army radio had reported that Arafat had been declared dead at a military hospital in Clamart, southwest of Paris.
But Azzam al-Ahmed, communications minister in the Palestinian cabinet and one of Arafat's closest allies, insisted news of his death was premature.
"It is wrong. If the president was dead, the whole world would know," he told AFP. "But it is true that he is a very critical condition."
Arafat was flown to Paris last Friday for treatment of a blood disorder after being airlifted from the compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah where he had been under effective Israeli house arrest for nearly three years.
Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei had earlier tried to play down the seriousness of Arafat's condition, denying he was in a coma and insisting new test results had been positive.
Qorei had been attending emergency leadership meetings of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the dominant Fatah (news - web sites) party. Both have been led by Arafat for some four decades, but were chaired Thursday by former premier Mahmud Abbas.
Hundreds of Fatah supporters brandished portraits of Arafat as they took to the streets of Gaza City late Thursday while prayers were said for his welfare.
"We pray to Almighty God for the swift recovery of our president Yasser Arafat so that he can return to his people in good health," said the imam at Gaza's Sheikh Zayid mosque.
Residents in Ramallah were glued to their television sets for updates on the town's famous resident.
"I can't bear the thought he will die for good. He's our national leader, the one and only," said 33-year-old Mohammed Ribhi as his eyes filled with tears.
Amid widespread fears that Arafat's death could trigger chaos on the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (news - web sites), all members of the Palestinian security services were placed on a state of alert Thursday.
"The security forces have been put on a state of alert and all members ordered to be on standby," one senior officer said.
"We have been told to prepare for any activity which is beyond the law and to protect the legitimacy of all the Palestinian institutions."
Signs of nerves on the Israeli side were also evident as troops in the occupied territories were placed on alert after Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz called a meeting in Tel Aviv attended by the heads of the country's security services.
Israeli public television, meanwhile, reported that army commanders were to urge the government to capitalise on Arafat's demise by working more closely with the Palestinians.
The army has drawn up plans, codenamed "New Page", to deal with all possible eventualities should Arafat die. But officers would also urge the government to coordinate its withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), due to take place by the end of 2005, with Arafat's successors, the television said.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) has refused all dealings with Arafat since coming to power in 2001, instead confining him to his West Bank headquarters until his dramatic airlift to Paris last Friday.
Arafat's death or permanent incapacitation has the potential to galvanise the Middle East peace process.
Sharon met Abbas on a number of occasions last year before a massive suicide bomb prompted Israel to freeze top-level contacts with the Palestinians.
Arafat has also been snubbed by US President George W. Bush (news - web sites). Asked for his reaction to the reports of Arafat's death, Bush said "God bless his soul".
Arafat Dead
Why should it matter if this cockroach is dead. Arafat is responsible directly or indirectly for the murder of thousands, he has refused to make peace and has pilfered billions from the United States. If the world is lucky any money he might have is lost and the Palestinian Authority will fall apart, then with a little luck we can install a Prime Minister who will be able to actual help the Palestinians back into Jordan, their actual homeland and peace will finally descend upon the Israel. One can dream.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Kerry calls it Quits
Michelle Malkin said it really well, Check it out on her blog.
http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi?__mode=view&entry_id=788
http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi?__mode=view&entry_id=788
A note to Pagans who tend to vote left
From Jihad Watch
In Dubai, two prominent converts to Islam exhort Muslims: Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam says Muslims should follow the example of Muhammad as detailed in the Hadith, and Hamza Yousef praises jihad. From the Khaleej Times, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
DUBAI — The Muslim society has lost the ability of strategic thinking, which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified by compromising on several points with the enemy when he signed the Treaty of Hudaibia, said leading American Muslim, Shaikh Hamza Yousuf, at a lecture on Monday.
Interesting. This is a treaty that Muhammad broke nearly two years after he had signed it. In those two years the strength of the Muslims had grown rapidly, so he seized upon the pretext of a minor skirmish between Muslims and some allies of the pagan Quraysh, with whom he had concluded the treaty, to launch a full-scale attack on the Quraysh stronghold in Mecca. His victory sealed the success of his movement. So is Hamza Yousef recommending that Muslims conclude treaties in order to gather strength, and to fight again more effectively when it is opportune to do so? It would seem so:
Elaborating his point, Shaikh Hamza Yousuf said, “There are times when you have to live like a sheep in order to live in the future like a lion.”
I wonder if he was referring in any way to the statements and positions of American Muslim advocacy groups.
Earlier in the event, Yousuf Islam exalted the virtues that identify the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), and described him as the very personification of compassion and generosity....
Yousuf Islam pointed out that if more people were introduced to the true Islam, there would be peace, and this does not happen because the propaganda is strong.
That sounds like the Islamic peace of Sayyid Qutb: the peace that will result from the hegemony of the Sharia. Can the Cat envision any peace without people being introduced to Islam -- in other words, a peace that comes from mutual respect without agreement? A secularist, pluralist peace? Or can peace only come from the introduction of Islam?
Yousuf Islam pointed out that despite its spiritual waywardness, the one good thing the West really teaches its people is to keep an open mind....
The Traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), or Hadith, is a unique account of the lifestyle and behaviour of a messenger of God ever, and offers the Muslims a ready and detailed reference to living their lives as its reflection.
“So many have come and gone, and their teachings have changed..., sometimes people wonder if they really ever existed. The hadith, with its minute detail, makes sure that there are no queries left unanswered,” he said.
Indeed. For one thing, it contains specific instructions from Muhammad on the offer Muslims are to give to non-Muslims: conversion, submission, or death.
Replying to a question on Jihad, Shaikh Yousuf Hamza said that irrespective of what many say, Jihad is the duty and responsibility of all Muslims.
“Jihad is actually considered a Rahma (mercy) in Islam. If there is an oppressor and there is Jihad to stop his oppression, it is a mercy on him (the oppressor),” he said, adding that Islam, however, does not allow Muslims to terrorise prisoners and innocent people.
Once again this statement contains less than meets the eye. If only the definitions of "terrorize" and "innocent" weren't so elastic. Islamic law allows for prisoners to be either killed, enslaved, ransomed, or freed outright, depending on what is deemed best for the Muslims. So doing any of these is not, from the standpoint of Islamic law, to "terrorize" prisoners.
Read the article here: http://jihadwatch.org//
In Dubai, two prominent converts to Islam exhort Muslims: Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam says Muslims should follow the example of Muhammad as detailed in the Hadith, and Hamza Yousef praises jihad. From the Khaleej Times, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
DUBAI — The Muslim society has lost the ability of strategic thinking, which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified by compromising on several points with the enemy when he signed the Treaty of Hudaibia, said leading American Muslim, Shaikh Hamza Yousuf, at a lecture on Monday.
Interesting. This is a treaty that Muhammad broke nearly two years after he had signed it. In those two years the strength of the Muslims had grown rapidly, so he seized upon the pretext of a minor skirmish between Muslims and some allies of the pagan Quraysh, with whom he had concluded the treaty, to launch a full-scale attack on the Quraysh stronghold in Mecca. His victory sealed the success of his movement. So is Hamza Yousef recommending that Muslims conclude treaties in order to gather strength, and to fight again more effectively when it is opportune to do so? It would seem so:
Elaborating his point, Shaikh Hamza Yousuf said, “There are times when you have to live like a sheep in order to live in the future like a lion.”
I wonder if he was referring in any way to the statements and positions of American Muslim advocacy groups.
Earlier in the event, Yousuf Islam exalted the virtues that identify the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), and described him as the very personification of compassion and generosity....
Yousuf Islam pointed out that if more people were introduced to the true Islam, there would be peace, and this does not happen because the propaganda is strong.
That sounds like the Islamic peace of Sayyid Qutb: the peace that will result from the hegemony of the Sharia. Can the Cat envision any peace without people being introduced to Islam -- in other words, a peace that comes from mutual respect without agreement? A secularist, pluralist peace? Or can peace only come from the introduction of Islam?
Yousuf Islam pointed out that despite its spiritual waywardness, the one good thing the West really teaches its people is to keep an open mind....
The Traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), or Hadith, is a unique account of the lifestyle and behaviour of a messenger of God ever, and offers the Muslims a ready and detailed reference to living their lives as its reflection.
“So many have come and gone, and their teachings have changed..., sometimes people wonder if they really ever existed. The hadith, with its minute detail, makes sure that there are no queries left unanswered,” he said.
Indeed. For one thing, it contains specific instructions from Muhammad on the offer Muslims are to give to non-Muslims: conversion, submission, or death.
Replying to a question on Jihad, Shaikh Yousuf Hamza said that irrespective of what many say, Jihad is the duty and responsibility of all Muslims.
“Jihad is actually considered a Rahma (mercy) in Islam. If there is an oppressor and there is Jihad to stop his oppression, it is a mercy on him (the oppressor),” he said, adding that Islam, however, does not allow Muslims to terrorise prisoners and innocent people.
Once again this statement contains less than meets the eye. If only the definitions of "terrorize" and "innocent" weren't so elastic. Islamic law allows for prisoners to be either killed, enslaved, ransomed, or freed outright, depending on what is deemed best for the Muslims. So doing any of these is not, from the standpoint of Islamic law, to "terrorize" prisoners.
Read the article here: http://jihadwatch.org//
Looks like President Bush pulled off a victory
Four more years of the same, good for us, bad for them, the terrorists that is. The single most important issue is the war and now we can continue it, hopefully to victory within the next four years. I was hoping for a larger margin, but considering the vote in 2000, 3-4 percent margin in the popular vote is not bad. Moreover we had an extremely large turnout, good for democracy in America no matter who wins.
I must also mention John Thune won in South Dakota; I can't tell you how much this means to me. I don't think I have ever seen a more duplicitous politician in Tom Daschle in my lifetime. On the one hand he obstructed Bush’s energy and homeland security bills; on the other hand he campaigns with the President’s effigy next to him. His campaign ads might give the impression he was a closet conservative, at least in his home state.
Lets not forget Zell Miller; a Democrat who loves is country. If the democrat party is to become effective again they will need more people like him. Patriotism doesn’t mean you can’t support social programs and Zell Miller is proof of this. I hope Senator Miller doesn’t fade from the scene, I hope the Bush administration will put this intelligent and skillful man to good use, people like Zell are needed in our country. I’ve said it before, if Zell was running against Bush the democrats would have won last night, and it wouldn’t have mattered, at least on the foreign front because our nation would have still been in good hands. I look forward to the day when both parties put forth candidates who love their country, and a victory for the other side only means domestic policy may shift.
The single biggest blow has to be to the internationalists. The election victory for Bush tells the world community we do have the will to fight, and we will not outsource our defense the UN. It’s time Kofi begins looking for a new job, preferably one making license plates in some dark dank cell somewhere.
I am thankful to Libertas for Bush’s victory.
I must also mention John Thune won in South Dakota; I can't tell you how much this means to me. I don't think I have ever seen a more duplicitous politician in Tom Daschle in my lifetime. On the one hand he obstructed Bush’s energy and homeland security bills; on the other hand he campaigns with the President’s effigy next to him. His campaign ads might give the impression he was a closet conservative, at least in his home state.
Lets not forget Zell Miller; a Democrat who loves is country. If the democrat party is to become effective again they will need more people like him. Patriotism doesn’t mean you can’t support social programs and Zell Miller is proof of this. I hope Senator Miller doesn’t fade from the scene, I hope the Bush administration will put this intelligent and skillful man to good use, people like Zell are needed in our country. I’ve said it before, if Zell was running against Bush the democrats would have won last night, and it wouldn’t have mattered, at least on the foreign front because our nation would have still been in good hands. I look forward to the day when both parties put forth candidates who love their country, and a victory for the other side only means domestic policy may shift.
The single biggest blow has to be to the internationalists. The election victory for Bush tells the world community we do have the will to fight, and we will not outsource our defense the UN. It’s time Kofi begins looking for a new job, preferably one making license plates in some dark dank cell somewhere.
I am thankful to Libertas for Bush’s victory.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
I was attacked
I was attacked this afternoon by a tall black democrat who didn’t think I should vote for Bush.
While I was waiting for my media writing class to begin a black man, who I thought was rational and friendly up until this point, asked me who I was going to vote for. I deferred saying I didn’t want to debate. After repetitive requests I told him I was going to vote for President Bush.
He asked me how I could vote for a liar and a thief. He asked me how I could vote for a man who didn’t support affirmative action. I told him I didn’t support affirmative action either. Then he really got agitated, he said affirmative action was the only way black man could get ahead. (He really said this; I am not making this up) I pointed out that Condoleezza Rice was black and one of the most successful blacks I knew and she doesn’t support affirmative action, I pointed Clarence Thomas and he called them traitors. I wonder who they betrayed. I also mentioned that Colin Powell was successful and very powerful. He said he wasn’t a black man. Imagine that, I bet Colin Powell would be surprised to find out he wasn’t black.
The “debate” continued into the class. He said republicans weren’t ignorant but people voting for Bush are. So he called me ignorant. He claimed bush was a liar and a thief, and I told him he was wrong, Bush was neither of these things. He called me ignorant again and at least two other times. I suggested that he was the ignorant one; I then told he needed to stop using Michael Moore for his source material. He then yelled at me for calling him ignorant “you’re calling me ignorant,” apparently calling me ignorant four or five times is ok, but calling him ignorant once was a fighting word. He pressed me and then yelled at me that I didn’t know how much he had suffered and bled. I told him he didn’t suffer or bleed but 500,000 whites had bled and died to free his ancestors from slavery.
He then pushed me while I was seated; I had remained seated in hopes that he wouldn’t go ballistic, false hope. I rose to defend myself and he popped me one or twice in the face, I then took a him down with a single leg take down. (I need to thank my dad for teaching me how to wrestle.), and pinned his head to floor with my arm. Someone in the class then attempted to break us up, I let the man stand, big mistake, he then popped me twice more. It never fails I break one of my rules for fighting and I pay. In any case I backed away, by this time security came and took him away, screaming and yelling that I didn’t know him, that I was ignorant and a racist. Apparently, after eight weeks in class with him sitting across from me, I didn’t know him.
Now, as a result of his stupidity, I am in fear of being expelled from a class I need to graduate in December. I’ve worked for over ten years to get this degree and this putz has threatened it for a man (John Kerry) who wouldn’t even look twice at him without a bodyguard present.
Let’s sum up our debate, (the one I wished to avoid.)A democrat can be for affirmative action, a republican can’t be against it, a person can vote for Democrat, but I can’t vote for a Republican. Black men and women who don’t support affirmative action are either traitors, or not black. He then resorted to violence to push his issue.
While I was waiting for my media writing class to begin a black man, who I thought was rational and friendly up until this point, asked me who I was going to vote for. I deferred saying I didn’t want to debate. After repetitive requests I told him I was going to vote for President Bush.
He asked me how I could vote for a liar and a thief. He asked me how I could vote for a man who didn’t support affirmative action. I told him I didn’t support affirmative action either. Then he really got agitated, he said affirmative action was the only way black man could get ahead. (He really said this; I am not making this up) I pointed out that Condoleezza Rice was black and one of the most successful blacks I knew and she doesn’t support affirmative action, I pointed Clarence Thomas and he called them traitors. I wonder who they betrayed. I also mentioned that Colin Powell was successful and very powerful. He said he wasn’t a black man. Imagine that, I bet Colin Powell would be surprised to find out he wasn’t black.
The “debate” continued into the class. He said republicans weren’t ignorant but people voting for Bush are. So he called me ignorant. He claimed bush was a liar and a thief, and I told him he was wrong, Bush was neither of these things. He called me ignorant again and at least two other times. I suggested that he was the ignorant one; I then told he needed to stop using Michael Moore for his source material. He then yelled at me for calling him ignorant “you’re calling me ignorant,” apparently calling me ignorant four or five times is ok, but calling him ignorant once was a fighting word. He pressed me and then yelled at me that I didn’t know how much he had suffered and bled. I told him he didn’t suffer or bleed but 500,000 whites had bled and died to free his ancestors from slavery.
He then pushed me while I was seated; I had remained seated in hopes that he wouldn’t go ballistic, false hope. I rose to defend myself and he popped me one or twice in the face, I then took a him down with a single leg take down. (I need to thank my dad for teaching me how to wrestle.), and pinned his head to floor with my arm. Someone in the class then attempted to break us up, I let the man stand, big mistake, he then popped me twice more. It never fails I break one of my rules for fighting and I pay. In any case I backed away, by this time security came and took him away, screaming and yelling that I didn’t know him, that I was ignorant and a racist. Apparently, after eight weeks in class with him sitting across from me, I didn’t know him.
Now, as a result of his stupidity, I am in fear of being expelled from a class I need to graduate in December. I’ve worked for over ten years to get this degree and this putz has threatened it for a man (John Kerry) who wouldn’t even look twice at him without a bodyguard present.
Let’s sum up our debate, (the one I wished to avoid.)A democrat can be for affirmative action, a republican can’t be against it, a person can vote for Democrat, but I can’t vote for a Republican. Black men and women who don’t support affirmative action are either traitors, or not black. He then resorted to violence to push his issue.
Election Day Across the United States
OBL has again threatened the United States, this time with a tape. He apparently could not reach us by any other means. I am sure, as are my one or two readers, that if OBL could have reached out with something a little more forcefull he would have. Not to be repetitive, he didn't, nor do I think he can. The successful preemptive policy of President Bush has kept the barbarians at the gate, now we need to push them off our soil and into whatever hell such creatures go to upon death.
President Bush has fufilled his primary duty as leader of the United States, he has protected us, and continues to do so. This alone has earned him the right to be re-elected. Moreover; he pushed for policies that ended the 9-11 created recession and pushed for economic policies that benefit all citizens who pay taxes. He has shown more genuine compassion for his fellow Americans then any President since Ronald Reagan. If you doubt what I write simply look at the pictures of him holding a child after the Hurricanes that came through Florida, or when he was meeting children whose parents were lost on 9-11. Unlike his predecessor, President Bush doesn't shed a tear just when the cameras are looking, he has real emotions and readily shares them, as well as his strength with his fellow citizens. This is a man blessed by the Gods and he seeks to share those blessings with all those who would partake.
The Omaha Conservatives stand by President Bush and endorse him for President, he has much work yet to accomplish.
President Bush has fufilled his primary duty as leader of the United States, he has protected us, and continues to do so. This alone has earned him the right to be re-elected. Moreover; he pushed for policies that ended the 9-11 created recession and pushed for economic policies that benefit all citizens who pay taxes. He has shown more genuine compassion for his fellow Americans then any President since Ronald Reagan. If you doubt what I write simply look at the pictures of him holding a child after the Hurricanes that came through Florida, or when he was meeting children whose parents were lost on 9-11. Unlike his predecessor, President Bush doesn't shed a tear just when the cameras are looking, he has real emotions and readily shares them, as well as his strength with his fellow citizens. This is a man blessed by the Gods and he seeks to share those blessings with all those who would partake.
The Omaha Conservatives stand by President Bush and endorse him for President, he has much work yet to accomplish.
A brief history on Arafat
Strike four, you're out!-Arafat's departure for Paris fits the repeating pattern of his lifeJerusalem Post ^ 11-2-04 BARRY RUBIN
Posted on 11/02/2004 5:02:30 AM PST by SJackson
An Arab journalist asked a leading Arab liberal about Yasser Arafat's physical breakdown, adding, "I am sure you pray for Arafat to return to Ramallah in good health."
Replied the liberal: "I have a better idea. Why should we not all pray that God does in this respect what is good for the future of the Palestinian people?"
It was the perfect answer. Officially, publicly, and ideologically, all Arabs are supposed to love Arafat. But it's all nonsense, of course. When Arabs – including Palestinians – talk about Arafat in private, they do not seek to hide their contempt.
Truly fascinating, though, is the perfect symmetry of his career. For while Arafat's life is not yet over, the fourth and final cycle in his disastrous career has ended, identically to the earlier stages.
At each stage he arrived to a warm reception and was given a big chance to build his movement and help his people. Yet every time, he wore out his welcome by insulting his hosts, breaking his commitments, fomenting violence, and letting his own forces run wild. Eventually he got thrown out on his ear.
First, there was Jordan. King Hussein let Arafat build his own state-within-a-state, attack Israel, and have his own army. The king knew powerful Arab states, and his own considerable Palestinian population supported Arafat and he didn't want any trouble.
But Arafat forced the king to fight him. He and his men called for Hussein's overthrow, flouted his authority, threatened to drag him into war with Israel, and insulted his soldiers.
Having no choice, the king struck back, in September 1970. Arafat proclaimed he would fight to the end and be a martyr. Instead, the PLO was kicked out of the country.
Next came Lebanon. Some Lebanese welcomed Arafat; others bowed to Egyptian pressure. There were some clashes at first, but the Lebanese didn't want any trouble with Arafat, either.
You can attack Israel across the border, they said, but follow a few simple rules to ensure that Israel does not retaliate against Lebanon. Above all, don't interfere in Lebanese politics.
Once again, Arafat alienated his hosts. His men bullied the Lebanese and treated them like subjects, turning the south into a PLO fiefdom. Swaggering through the streets, the PLO forces acted as if they owned Beirut, too.
Arafat's maneuvers helped destabilize Lebanese politics and contributed to the civil war. In part, the Lebanese called in the Syrian army to save them from Arafat.
Then some of them made a deal with Israel in 1982. The PLO forces ran from the IDF. And Lebanon's leaders demanded that he leave the country.
Arafat proclaimed he would fight to the end and be a martyr. Instead, he sailed off to Tunisia.
True, he did not get into a direct confrontation with his Tunisian hosts. But he and his entourage became very unpopular there, too.
He violated a pledge that he would not run terrorist operations directly from Tunisian soil. The Tunisians were angry but too weak to do anything.
But this time the ones Arafat antagonized were the Saudis and the Kuwaitis. By supporting Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in his 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Arafat directly threatened the sovereignty and survival of two countries that had bankrolled him over the years.
They cut off the money, driving the PLO toward bankruptcy. Because of Arafat, tens of thousands of Palestinians were expelled as traitors from Kuwait and other Persian Gulf monarchies.
THE PLO was at its lowest point. If Israel or the US had wanted – had they been evil, as Arafat and his supporters claimed – they would have destroyed him and his movement. But, seeking real peace, they thought Arafat's weakness would make him more moderate.
They took him at his word. OK, they said, you want a state; let's make a deal that can satisfy everyone's needs and aspirations.
Ironically, Arafat treated Israel much the same as he treated the Arabs. In 2000 he rejected a compromise peace and launched a war of terrorism. Once again, he fomented anarchy, violence, and extremism.
This time, though, he was confined rather than expelled. Israel said he could come and go from his besieged Ramallah headquarters if he stopped the terrorism he was inciting and financing.
Once again Arafat evaded his responsibilities.
His illness bought him a ticket to Paris, funded by French taxpayers, with an unconditional promise that he could return.
Now he is in Europe. No one in the Middle East will take him. He is welcome only where people don't understand his lifetime behavior pattern.
While ill-informed politicians, would-be humanitarians, and romantic voyeurs of revolution are always willing to give him another chance, Arafat has run out of places to befoul.
Strike four, you're out!
If the deity is cognizant of what is good for the future of the Palestinian people – and the Israelis and just about everyone else – he will never come back.
The writer is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center; editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal; and editor of Turkish Studies.
Posted on 11/02/2004 5:02:30 AM PST by SJackson
An Arab journalist asked a leading Arab liberal about Yasser Arafat's physical breakdown, adding, "I am sure you pray for Arafat to return to Ramallah in good health."
Replied the liberal: "I have a better idea. Why should we not all pray that God does in this respect what is good for the future of the Palestinian people?"
It was the perfect answer. Officially, publicly, and ideologically, all Arabs are supposed to love Arafat. But it's all nonsense, of course. When Arabs – including Palestinians – talk about Arafat in private, they do not seek to hide their contempt.
Truly fascinating, though, is the perfect symmetry of his career. For while Arafat's life is not yet over, the fourth and final cycle in his disastrous career has ended, identically to the earlier stages.
At each stage he arrived to a warm reception and was given a big chance to build his movement and help his people. Yet every time, he wore out his welcome by insulting his hosts, breaking his commitments, fomenting violence, and letting his own forces run wild. Eventually he got thrown out on his ear.
First, there was Jordan. King Hussein let Arafat build his own state-within-a-state, attack Israel, and have his own army. The king knew powerful Arab states, and his own considerable Palestinian population supported Arafat and he didn't want any trouble.
But Arafat forced the king to fight him. He and his men called for Hussein's overthrow, flouted his authority, threatened to drag him into war with Israel, and insulted his soldiers.
Having no choice, the king struck back, in September 1970. Arafat proclaimed he would fight to the end and be a martyr. Instead, the PLO was kicked out of the country.
Next came Lebanon. Some Lebanese welcomed Arafat; others bowed to Egyptian pressure. There were some clashes at first, but the Lebanese didn't want any trouble with Arafat, either.
You can attack Israel across the border, they said, but follow a few simple rules to ensure that Israel does not retaliate against Lebanon. Above all, don't interfere in Lebanese politics.
Once again, Arafat alienated his hosts. His men bullied the Lebanese and treated them like subjects, turning the south into a PLO fiefdom. Swaggering through the streets, the PLO forces acted as if they owned Beirut, too.
Arafat's maneuvers helped destabilize Lebanese politics and contributed to the civil war. In part, the Lebanese called in the Syrian army to save them from Arafat.
Then some of them made a deal with Israel in 1982. The PLO forces ran from the IDF. And Lebanon's leaders demanded that he leave the country.
Arafat proclaimed he would fight to the end and be a martyr. Instead, he sailed off to Tunisia.
True, he did not get into a direct confrontation with his Tunisian hosts. But he and his entourage became very unpopular there, too.
He violated a pledge that he would not run terrorist operations directly from Tunisian soil. The Tunisians were angry but too weak to do anything.
But this time the ones Arafat antagonized were the Saudis and the Kuwaitis. By supporting Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in his 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Arafat directly threatened the sovereignty and survival of two countries that had bankrolled him over the years.
They cut off the money, driving the PLO toward bankruptcy. Because of Arafat, tens of thousands of Palestinians were expelled as traitors from Kuwait and other Persian Gulf monarchies.
THE PLO was at its lowest point. If Israel or the US had wanted – had they been evil, as Arafat and his supporters claimed – they would have destroyed him and his movement. But, seeking real peace, they thought Arafat's weakness would make him more moderate.
They took him at his word. OK, they said, you want a state; let's make a deal that can satisfy everyone's needs and aspirations.
Ironically, Arafat treated Israel much the same as he treated the Arabs. In 2000 he rejected a compromise peace and launched a war of terrorism. Once again, he fomented anarchy, violence, and extremism.
This time, though, he was confined rather than expelled. Israel said he could come and go from his besieged Ramallah headquarters if he stopped the terrorism he was inciting and financing.
Once again Arafat evaded his responsibilities.
His illness bought him a ticket to Paris, funded by French taxpayers, with an unconditional promise that he could return.
Now he is in Europe. No one in the Middle East will take him. He is welcome only where people don't understand his lifetime behavior pattern.
While ill-informed politicians, would-be humanitarians, and romantic voyeurs of revolution are always willing to give him another chance, Arafat has run out of places to befoul.
Strike four, you're out!
If the deity is cognizant of what is good for the future of the Palestinian people – and the Israelis and just about everyone else – he will never come back.
The writer is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center; editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal; and editor of Turkish Studies.
Friday, October 29, 2004
American al Qaeda threatens us
How much longer can we wait before we drive the islamofaciests from our country, they can't be trusted to be loyal to a country that has bent over backward to make them welcome.
Alleged American Al Qaeda Warns of U.S. AttacksABC ^ Brian Ross
Posted on 10/28/2004 3:18:23 PM PDT by tdewey10
NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2004 — A man describing himself as an American member of al Qaeda says a new wave of terror attacks against the United States could come "at any moment," according to a videotape obtained by ABC News.The tape was acquired by ABC News last Friday from a source known to have Taliban and al Qaeda contacts in the tribal region of Pakistan. ABC paid the source $500 in transportation fees.
While CIA officials say they have not been able to authenticate the 75-minute tape, an agency spokesman says it "appears to have been produced by al Qaeda's media organization, al Sahab productions." The tape is marked with the same logo and graphics seen on previous videos released by al Qaeda.
The man on the tape is identified only as "Azzam the American." U.S. officials say they had not previously known of the nom de guerre. His face is never fully visible and he makes no reference to where in the United States he might have lived.
"No, my fellow countrymen you are guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. You are as guilty as Bush and Cheney. You're as guilty as Rumsfeld and Ashcroft and Powell," he says in what he calls his message to America. "After decades of American tyranny and oppression, now it's your turn to die. Allah willing, the streets of America will run red with blood matching drop for drop the blood of America's victims."
Senior administration officials told ABC News tonight that copies of the tape are being provided to all 13 current and former administration figures mentioned by name in the tape, and that the tape is being shown to captured al Qaeda leaders in U.S. custody to see if they can identify the man on the tape.
"A member of al Qaeda who professes to be a U.S. citizen was always coveted and looked for by the al Qaeda," said Jack Cloonan, a former FBI agent who interviewed a number of captured al Qaeda members and is now an ABC News consultant. Cloonan said he believed the tape to be authentic.
Law enforcement officials and linguistic expert Gerald Lampe, deputy director of the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland, believe English was not Azzam's first language. They speculate he may have learned English as a child in a household of non-native speakers.
U.S. officials believe there are several Americans working with al Qaeda, including Adam Gadahn, a former Southern California student who is wanted for questioning by the FBI. U.S. intelligence officials say the voice on the tape does not match Gadahn's or that of any Americans suspected of being part of al Qaeda.
Azzam makes references to several American officials, including 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean, and even refers to the controversial remarks made by comedian Bill Maher about the cowardice of the U.S. launching cruise missiles compared with terrorist suicide attacks.
And he warned that Sept. 11 was only the beginning.
"People of America, I remind you of the weighty words of our leaders, Osama bin Laden and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri, that what took place on Sept. 11 was but the opening salvo of the global war on America," said Azzam. "And that Allah willing, the magnitude and ferocity of what is coming your way will make you forget all about Sept. 11."
Alleged American Al Qaeda Warns of U.S. AttacksABC ^ Brian Ross
Posted on 10/28/2004 3:18:23 PM PDT by tdewey10
NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2004 — A man describing himself as an American member of al Qaeda says a new wave of terror attacks against the United States could come "at any moment," according to a videotape obtained by ABC News.The tape was acquired by ABC News last Friday from a source known to have Taliban and al Qaeda contacts in the tribal region of Pakistan. ABC paid the source $500 in transportation fees.
While CIA officials say they have not been able to authenticate the 75-minute tape, an agency spokesman says it "appears to have been produced by al Qaeda's media organization, al Sahab productions." The tape is marked with the same logo and graphics seen on previous videos released by al Qaeda.
The man on the tape is identified only as "Azzam the American." U.S. officials say they had not previously known of the nom de guerre. His face is never fully visible and he makes no reference to where in the United States he might have lived.
"No, my fellow countrymen you are guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. You are as guilty as Bush and Cheney. You're as guilty as Rumsfeld and Ashcroft and Powell," he says in what he calls his message to America. "After decades of American tyranny and oppression, now it's your turn to die. Allah willing, the streets of America will run red with blood matching drop for drop the blood of America's victims."
Senior administration officials told ABC News tonight that copies of the tape are being provided to all 13 current and former administration figures mentioned by name in the tape, and that the tape is being shown to captured al Qaeda leaders in U.S. custody to see if they can identify the man on the tape.
"A member of al Qaeda who professes to be a U.S. citizen was always coveted and looked for by the al Qaeda," said Jack Cloonan, a former FBI agent who interviewed a number of captured al Qaeda members and is now an ABC News consultant. Cloonan said he believed the tape to be authentic.
Law enforcement officials and linguistic expert Gerald Lampe, deputy director of the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland, believe English was not Azzam's first language. They speculate he may have learned English as a child in a household of non-native speakers.
U.S. officials believe there are several Americans working with al Qaeda, including Adam Gadahn, a former Southern California student who is wanted for questioning by the FBI. U.S. intelligence officials say the voice on the tape does not match Gadahn's or that of any Americans suspected of being part of al Qaeda.
Azzam makes references to several American officials, including 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean, and even refers to the controversial remarks made by comedian Bill Maher about the cowardice of the U.S. launching cruise missiles compared with terrorist suicide attacks.
And he warned that Sept. 11 was only the beginning.
"People of America, I remind you of the weighty words of our leaders, Osama bin Laden and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri, that what took place on Sept. 11 was but the opening salvo of the global war on America," said Azzam. "And that Allah willing, the magnitude and ferocity of what is coming your way will make you forget all about Sept. 11."
More from Jihad Watch
US expert believes Osama network active in Bosnia
Bosnia, of course, is held up by some "experts" as a bastion of Islamic moderation. And in many ways it is just that; but the moderates' lack of a theological foundation within Islam makes them always vulnerable to radical encroachment. From AFP, with thanks to Ali Dashti:
BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Hercegovina : Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is actively directing terrorist cells in the former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia, a top US terrorism analyst told a local daily.
Yossef Bodansky, director of the Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare of the US Congress, told the Glas Srpske daily that terrorists responsible for the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad last year were trained near the central Bosnian town of Zenica.
"There is a terrorist network in Bosnia, composed of several well-trained and connected groups, which are directly or indirectly responsible to ... Osama Bin Laden," he was quoted as saying in the Serbian-language paper.
He said the cells were using Bosnia as a training ground and a gateway to send terrorists to western Europe or to hide them on their way to the east if they were on the run.
"The network in Bosnia ... is training and controlling terrorists who later travel to Western European countries," Bodansky said in comments translated from Serbian.
"On the other hand, terrorists for whom arrest warrants have been issued in the west are coming back to Bosnia where 'liaison officers' welcome them and provide accommodation and hiding places, and they are later transferred to the east." ...
Foreign Muslim fighters were ordered to leave Bosnia under the 1995 peace accords, but some of them stayed and obtained citizenship either on the basis of their army service or by marrying local women.
actual link to Jihad Watch http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/003702.php
Bosnia, of course, is held up by some "experts" as a bastion of Islamic moderation. And in many ways it is just that; but the moderates' lack of a theological foundation within Islam makes them always vulnerable to radical encroachment. From AFP, with thanks to Ali Dashti:
BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Hercegovina : Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is actively directing terrorist cells in the former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia, a top US terrorism analyst told a local daily.
Yossef Bodansky, director of the Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare of the US Congress, told the Glas Srpske daily that terrorists responsible for the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad last year were trained near the central Bosnian town of Zenica.
"There is a terrorist network in Bosnia, composed of several well-trained and connected groups, which are directly or indirectly responsible to ... Osama Bin Laden," he was quoted as saying in the Serbian-language paper.
He said the cells were using Bosnia as a training ground and a gateway to send terrorists to western Europe or to hide them on their way to the east if they were on the run.
"The network in Bosnia ... is training and controlling terrorists who later travel to Western European countries," Bodansky said in comments translated from Serbian.
"On the other hand, terrorists for whom arrest warrants have been issued in the west are coming back to Bosnia where 'liaison officers' welcome them and provide accommodation and hiding places, and they are later transferred to the east." ...
Foreign Muslim fighters were ordered to leave Bosnia under the 1995 peace accords, but some of them stayed and obtained citizenship either on the basis of their army service or by marrying local women.
actual link to Jihad Watch http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/003702.php
Spain: 13 Islamic radicals arrested for new bomb plot
From the Jihad Watch Blog, by the way this blog is great for keeping up with what are fascist friends are doing I highly recommend putting it in your favorites. The link is at the end of the news.
Evidently dhimmi Spain still can't jump high enough for its jihadist masters. From Expatica, with thanks to Ali Dashti:
MADRID - Spanish police have arrested 13 more suspected Islamic extremists in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the country's national court.
Eight of the new arrests were made late Thursday in Madrid, Cadiz and Valencia while five suspects were already in custody.
They bring to 30 the number of arrests in connection with the alleged plot.
National Court Judge Baltasar Garzon imprisoned 17 suspects - ten of them already in prison for other crimes - last week on suspicion of being members of a group called Martyrs for Morocco.
"These [new] arrests are the result of all the documentation seized from the detainees last week and all the information gathered by the judge during their interrogations," a police source said.
The terrorists are said to have planned to detonate a lorry loaded with 500 kg of explosives near the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's national criminal court where all terrorist cases are heard.
heres a link to the blog: http://jihadwatch.org//
Evidently dhimmi Spain still can't jump high enough for its jihadist masters. From Expatica, with thanks to Ali Dashti:
MADRID - Spanish police have arrested 13 more suspected Islamic extremists in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the country's national court.
Eight of the new arrests were made late Thursday in Madrid, Cadiz and Valencia while five suspects were already in custody.
They bring to 30 the number of arrests in connection with the alleged plot.
National Court Judge Baltasar Garzon imprisoned 17 suspects - ten of them already in prison for other crimes - last week on suspicion of being members of a group called Martyrs for Morocco.
"These [new] arrests are the result of all the documentation seized from the detainees last week and all the information gathered by the judge during their interrogations," a police source said.
The terrorists are said to have planned to detonate a lorry loaded with 500 kg of explosives near the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's national criminal court where all terrorist cases are heard.
heres a link to the blog: http://jihadwatch.org//
The Dump
I don't think that anyone knows just what was in the dump. Its clear to me the UN has lied about marking anything in that place. Everyone involved doesn't seem to remember seeing what the UN claims. Moreover the press is trying to be very specific as to what was in weapons dump, citing the UN as their source for the type of munitions in question. They are trying to make a distinction that has none. The press wants to say the military removed some munitions but ignored the stuff the UN says was there. If the our military's to be believed ( and I do ) the UN claim must be false, as nothing in the place appears to have been marked by the UN inspectors. The press is trying to make the case that the UN is correct and Bush blundered. Doesn't it make you wonder which side the mainstream media is on, they constantly argue as if the US is in the wrong and they call themselves non-partisan.
The Choice
Try this link out, gives an Idea of who your voting for on Tuesday.
http://www.dailyrecycler.com/blog/2004/10/choice.html
Enjoy
http://www.dailyrecycler.com/blog/2004/10/choice.html
Enjoy
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Senator Hagel endorses Lee Terry
In a blow that probably ends for Nancy Thompson quest for the 2nd district congressional seat, Senator Hagel endorses Lee Terry, while not unexpected it looks to be the final nail in Thompson's coffin. RIP Nancy.
Foot in Mouth Syndrome
Michelle Malkin continues her coverage of the New York Times and CBS news scandal. Looks like they were caught with their foots in their mouths again.
http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi?__mode=view&entry_id=735
http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi?__mode=view&entry_id=735
The whole world wants in
LONDON (AP) - President Bush's campaign Web site was inaccessible to surfers outside the United States and Canada after a series of outages last week that may have been electronic attacks.
The site, www.georgewbush.com, "appears to be rejecting visitors from most points outside the United States, while allowing access from U.S. locations," said Netcraft, a British Internet monitoring company.
Attempts to access the site by Associated Press reporters in Europe, Mexico and the Middle East were unsuccessful on Wednesday.
Both the Bush site and the site of the Republican National Committee, www.rnc.org,We can't say precisely, except that it seems to be a decision by the maintainers of the Web site," Rich Miller, an analyst at Netcraft, said in a telephone interview.
Netcraft said it monitors Web site response times from four locations within the United States and three in other countries.
"Since Monday morning, requests to georgewbush.com from stations in London, Amsterdam and Sydney, Australia have failed, while the four U.S. monitoring stations show no performance problems. Web users in Canada report they are able to visit the site," Netcraft said.
-RT>
The site, www.georgewbush.com, "appears to be rejecting visitors from most points outside the United States, while allowing access from U.S. locations," said Netcraft, a British Internet monitoring company.
Attempts to access the site by Associated Press reporters in Europe, Mexico and the Middle East were unsuccessful on Wednesday.
Both the Bush site and the site of the Republican National Committee, www.rnc.org,We can't say precisely, except that it seems to be a decision by the maintainers of the Web site," Rich Miller, an analyst at Netcraft, said in a telephone interview.
Netcraft said it monitors Web site response times from four locations within the United States and three in other countries.
"Since Monday morning, requests to georgewbush.com from stations in London, Amsterdam and Sydney, Australia have failed, while the four U.S. monitoring stations show no performance problems. Web users in Canada report they are able to visit the site," Netcraft said.
-RT>
Residents no-shows at Fahey town hall meeting
Maybe this has something to do wth the youth between 18-26 not wanting to vote?
BY C. DAVID KOTOK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Mayor Mike Fahey and a baker's dozen of the city's top officials prepared Tuesday to take every complaint from Cathedral-area residents at a town hall meeting.
Then they waited . . . and waited . . . and waited.
"Let's give 'em a couple more minutes," Fahey said in the entrance of the Cathedral Cultural Center.
Nothing.
In an area of the city known for its activist neighborhood groups, not one soul showed up for the mayor's 7 p.m. meeting.
Maybe they were all Boston Red Sox or St. Louis Cardinals fans glued to the World Series. More likely, speculated Fahey, they were simply worn out by all the Destination Midtown and Omaha By Design meetings geared to transforming the neighborhood.
It was at least the second time that no one has shown up for a Fahey town hall meeting. The turnout at the neighborhood meetings has been spotty.
Some aides offered the spin that it meant everyone is happy with City Hall. Fahey said the program has not outlived its usefulness.
"It's a lot better than sitting back until the hot line rings," he said.
BY C. DAVID KOTOK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Mayor Mike Fahey and a baker's dozen of the city's top officials prepared Tuesday to take every complaint from Cathedral-area residents at a town hall meeting.
Then they waited . . . and waited . . . and waited.
"Let's give 'em a couple more minutes," Fahey said in the entrance of the Cathedral Cultural Center.
Nothing.
In an area of the city known for its activist neighborhood groups, not one soul showed up for the mayor's 7 p.m. meeting.
Maybe they were all Boston Red Sox or St. Louis Cardinals fans glued to the World Series. More likely, speculated Fahey, they were simply worn out by all the Destination Midtown and Omaha By Design meetings geared to transforming the neighborhood.
It was at least the second time that no one has shown up for a Fahey town hall meeting. The turnout at the neighborhood meetings has been spotty.
Some aides offered the spin that it meant everyone is happy with City Hall. Fahey said the program has not outlived its usefulness.
"It's a lot better than sitting back until the hot line rings," he said.
THE DEATH OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
THE DEATH OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTYCHRONWATCH.COM ^ OCTOBER 28, 2004 BARBARA STOCK
Posted on 10/27/2004 10:07:22 PM PDT by CHARLITE
The Death of the Democratic Party Written by Barbara Stock Thursday, October 28, 2004
The Democrat Party of my father is dead. It started to die with Lyndon Johnson and the ''Great Society.'' Jimmy Carter crippled it, but it could have been saved. Bill Clinton put a stake in its heart and John Kerry has let his party bleed to death. There is no hope now. The Democrat Party is almost devoid of morals, honesty, or integrity. Its members have thrown it all away in their rush for power and in their headlong plunge towards socialism. The liberals don’t even try to keep it secret anymore. They don’t care who knows. They just keep lying.
To win the election in 1991, the Clinton camp put out their ''October Surprise.'' Lawrence Walsh handed down a last-minute indictment of Casper Weinberger and that tipped the scale in Clinton’s favor. Interestingly, if one checks, he will find that the Senate Committee Report on Drugs, Law Enforcement and Foreign Policy was chaired by none other than Senator John F. Kerry. Perhaps Bill Clinton climbed out of his sick bed to repay a favor.
In 2000, a Democrat operative leaked the news of a George Bush drunk driving arrest that was 25 years old. It nearly cost Bush the election.
This year the Democrat lie-machine has been moving at warp speed. The truly horrifying thing is that Democrats have openly been joined by their ultra-liberal friends in the media. The New York Times has totally sold its soul to the Kerry campaign. CBS has sacrificed 50 years of credibility to assist John Kerry. Can anyone now believe anything either of these once irrefutable sources of news puts forth? Not only has the Democrat Party committed suicide, it has taken many great American icons with it. It was all done in the name of power and the need to regain it.
The Democrat Party never recovered from loosing the Congress in 1994. Democrats have been bitter and angry ever since. When Al Gore lost in 2000, the rage turned into blind hatred. Democrats perpetuate the lie that the Supreme Court ''gave'' the election to Bush. They did not. Democrats continue to insist that a million African Americans were ''disenfranchised'' in the last election in Florida. They were not. Now they circulate a disgusting pamphlet that tells minorities if they try to vote, evil Republicans will hit them with fire hoses ''like they did in the 1960’s.'' Pay no mind to the fact that most of those using fire hoses were following the orders of southern Democratic governors.
For the 2000 election, Democrats put out ads that showed a man being dragged to death behind a truck while saying Bush was against severe penalties for ''hate crimes.'' This ad ran while the men responsible for that very crime were on death row. Is there a more severe penalty than death for such a crime? Are not most murders ''hate crimes?'' Then the liberals have the gall to accuse Bush of executing more people than any other governor--which was another false statement.
Can today’s Democrats say anything that is not a lie? Is it possible anymore? Do they care? If they can’t win an election honestly, then they will just lie and cheat.
Ohio's Republican Governor Bob Taft has reported that four counties have now been found to have more people registered than actually live in the counties and are eligible to vote according to the last census. The old Democrat saying ''vote early and often'' is alive and well. Be sure to drag dead or senile grandma with you so you can vote for her as well.
Now we have this year's ''October Surprise.'' The Democrats, in concert with the New York Times and CBS, are trying to convince Americans that Bush allowed 350 tons of high explosives to fall into the hands of the enemy. The way the story was written, it sounded as though the explosives were stolen last week or yesterday. As it turned out, they probably were not stolen at all.
The plan of the editors was a good one, but they forgot about those pesky reporters who were embedded with the troops. The reporter embedded for NBC, Dana Lewis, now with Fox News, states that he saw no weapons with the IAEA’s seal on them as he walked the complex when the troops arrived on April 10, 2003. Mohamed El Baradei, head of the United Nations nuclear watch-dog group, had reported in February 2003, that some of the high explosives had already been moved. The IAEA also reported huge explosions at that site during the opening days of the war. One has to ask, since these weapons were illegal under the United Nations agreement with Saddam, why were they not removed and destroyed when they were found by the IAEA?
The last visit from the United Nations organization was in January of that year. Sometime between January and April, Saddam probably moved many of those explosives. A complete inspection of the site was done on May 27, 2003, and nothing with an IAEA seal was present. There were several deep craters. How does one get 40 semi-truck loads of high explosives out past roads teaming with American soldiers and the sky full of spy planes without being seen? Who would have organized such an operation? The Saddam government was in chaos and there was no insurgency at that early date.
Why then did the Mohamed El Baradei, chastised by Bush for not know about Libya’s weapons of mass destruction program and being weak in its dealings with Iran, leak this story to the media? Remember, El Baradei knew these explosives were missing in May 2003, when it was reported to him that our inspectors had found no such weapons at that complex. Why did he wait until one week before the American election to reveal this ''news?'' Could it be that the mighty and corrupt United Nations feels its world supremacy is threatened by President Bush? Is it possible that it would feel much more comfortable with John Kerry who has already pledged his allegiance to the United Nations and stated that dying under the U.N. flag is honorable, but dying under the American flag is not? John Kerry voted against the Gulf War because he felt the war should have been carried out by United Nations commanders, not American generals. Kerry wanted to do the unthinkable--put American troops under foreign command.
This election year has been like no other. Outside interference from Europe in the form of mass e-mail messages pleading with Ohioans to vote for Kerry and British newspapers printing columns with statements like ''Where is a Lee Harvey Oswald when you need him?'' Terrorists like Yassar Arafat endorse John Kerry. Forged documents and blatant lies abound. Democrats have sold their souls to the devil in an attempt to regain their power, and the devil wants his due.
Hopefully, Americans will bury this rotting and decaying Democratic Party on November 2, 2004 without allowing it to totally corrupt our democratic system beyond repair. If we are lucky, Bush will win in such a decisive manner that Kerry’s army of 10,000 lawyers, poised to make the election a living hell, will be sent home. A new Democratic Party may rise from ashes and if it does, I hope that there will be at least a few honest people among them. But at this point, I’m not going to place any bets on it.
About the Writer: Barbara is a registered nurse who enjoys writing about politics and current events. She has a website at http://www.republicanandproud.com/. Barbara receives e-mail at dickens502003@yahoo.com.
Posted on 10/27/2004 10:07:22 PM PDT by CHARLITE
The Death of the Democratic Party Written by Barbara Stock Thursday, October 28, 2004
The Democrat Party of my father is dead. It started to die with Lyndon Johnson and the ''Great Society.'' Jimmy Carter crippled it, but it could have been saved. Bill Clinton put a stake in its heart and John Kerry has let his party bleed to death. There is no hope now. The Democrat Party is almost devoid of morals, honesty, or integrity. Its members have thrown it all away in their rush for power and in their headlong plunge towards socialism. The liberals don’t even try to keep it secret anymore. They don’t care who knows. They just keep lying.
To win the election in 1991, the Clinton camp put out their ''October Surprise.'' Lawrence Walsh handed down a last-minute indictment of Casper Weinberger and that tipped the scale in Clinton’s favor. Interestingly, if one checks, he will find that the Senate Committee Report on Drugs, Law Enforcement and Foreign Policy was chaired by none other than Senator John F. Kerry. Perhaps Bill Clinton climbed out of his sick bed to repay a favor.
In 2000, a Democrat operative leaked the news of a George Bush drunk driving arrest that was 25 years old. It nearly cost Bush the election.
This year the Democrat lie-machine has been moving at warp speed. The truly horrifying thing is that Democrats have openly been joined by their ultra-liberal friends in the media. The New York Times has totally sold its soul to the Kerry campaign. CBS has sacrificed 50 years of credibility to assist John Kerry. Can anyone now believe anything either of these once irrefutable sources of news puts forth? Not only has the Democrat Party committed suicide, it has taken many great American icons with it. It was all done in the name of power and the need to regain it.
The Democrat Party never recovered from loosing the Congress in 1994. Democrats have been bitter and angry ever since. When Al Gore lost in 2000, the rage turned into blind hatred. Democrats perpetuate the lie that the Supreme Court ''gave'' the election to Bush. They did not. Democrats continue to insist that a million African Americans were ''disenfranchised'' in the last election in Florida. They were not. Now they circulate a disgusting pamphlet that tells minorities if they try to vote, evil Republicans will hit them with fire hoses ''like they did in the 1960’s.'' Pay no mind to the fact that most of those using fire hoses were following the orders of southern Democratic governors.
For the 2000 election, Democrats put out ads that showed a man being dragged to death behind a truck while saying Bush was against severe penalties for ''hate crimes.'' This ad ran while the men responsible for that very crime were on death row. Is there a more severe penalty than death for such a crime? Are not most murders ''hate crimes?'' Then the liberals have the gall to accuse Bush of executing more people than any other governor--which was another false statement.
Can today’s Democrats say anything that is not a lie? Is it possible anymore? Do they care? If they can’t win an election honestly, then they will just lie and cheat.
Ohio's Republican Governor Bob Taft has reported that four counties have now been found to have more people registered than actually live in the counties and are eligible to vote according to the last census. The old Democrat saying ''vote early and often'' is alive and well. Be sure to drag dead or senile grandma with you so you can vote for her as well.
Now we have this year's ''October Surprise.'' The Democrats, in concert with the New York Times and CBS, are trying to convince Americans that Bush allowed 350 tons of high explosives to fall into the hands of the enemy. The way the story was written, it sounded as though the explosives were stolen last week or yesterday. As it turned out, they probably were not stolen at all.
The plan of the editors was a good one, but they forgot about those pesky reporters who were embedded with the troops. The reporter embedded for NBC, Dana Lewis, now with Fox News, states that he saw no weapons with the IAEA’s seal on them as he walked the complex when the troops arrived on April 10, 2003. Mohamed El Baradei, head of the United Nations nuclear watch-dog group, had reported in February 2003, that some of the high explosives had already been moved. The IAEA also reported huge explosions at that site during the opening days of the war. One has to ask, since these weapons were illegal under the United Nations agreement with Saddam, why were they not removed and destroyed when they were found by the IAEA?
The last visit from the United Nations organization was in January of that year. Sometime between January and April, Saddam probably moved many of those explosives. A complete inspection of the site was done on May 27, 2003, and nothing with an IAEA seal was present. There were several deep craters. How does one get 40 semi-truck loads of high explosives out past roads teaming with American soldiers and the sky full of spy planes without being seen? Who would have organized such an operation? The Saddam government was in chaos and there was no insurgency at that early date.
Why then did the Mohamed El Baradei, chastised by Bush for not know about Libya’s weapons of mass destruction program and being weak in its dealings with Iran, leak this story to the media? Remember, El Baradei knew these explosives were missing in May 2003, when it was reported to him that our inspectors had found no such weapons at that complex. Why did he wait until one week before the American election to reveal this ''news?'' Could it be that the mighty and corrupt United Nations feels its world supremacy is threatened by President Bush? Is it possible that it would feel much more comfortable with John Kerry who has already pledged his allegiance to the United Nations and stated that dying under the U.N. flag is honorable, but dying under the American flag is not? John Kerry voted against the Gulf War because he felt the war should have been carried out by United Nations commanders, not American generals. Kerry wanted to do the unthinkable--put American troops under foreign command.
This election year has been like no other. Outside interference from Europe in the form of mass e-mail messages pleading with Ohioans to vote for Kerry and British newspapers printing columns with statements like ''Where is a Lee Harvey Oswald when you need him?'' Terrorists like Yassar Arafat endorse John Kerry. Forged documents and blatant lies abound. Democrats have sold their souls to the devil in an attempt to regain their power, and the devil wants his due.
Hopefully, Americans will bury this rotting and decaying Democratic Party on November 2, 2004 without allowing it to totally corrupt our democratic system beyond repair. If we are lucky, Bush will win in such a decisive manner that Kerry’s army of 10,000 lawyers, poised to make the election a living hell, will be sent home. A new Democratic Party may rise from ashes and if it does, I hope that there will be at least a few honest people among them. But at this point, I’m not going to place any bets on it.
About the Writer: Barbara is a registered nurse who enjoys writing about politics and current events. She has a website at http://www.republicanandproud.com/. Barbara receives e-mail at dickens502003@yahoo.com.
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