The DUP, elected in a landslide win, refuse to cooperate with Sinn Fein/IRA in Northern Ireland's local government; they do not want to share government with a still armed and active terrorist organisation, whose spying activities led to the end of the last government we had. Rather than praise them and put pressure on Sinn Fein/IRA to really disarm and disband, Tony Blair thinks it's a better idea to threaten the DUP.
In a work plan statement viewed as chiefly directed at the DUP, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern warned that if the parties failed to agree a devolution deal by November, Assembly salaries would cease and the new arrangements would be introduced.
The reference to "partnership arrangements" was generally interpreted as the British and Irish governments working more closely together to strengthen the North-South element of the Belfast Agreement.
So, here's Blair's tough on terrorism stance; submit to the threat of a return to a bombing and murder campaign in order to make it seem as if he's actually accomplished anything here. Other than appeasement, that is. And to top it all off, he ignores the sovereignty of Northern Ireland in favour of permitting the Republic of Ireland (a completely different country with its own political system) to have a greater say in what we do. Here it is in plain language; the unelected (by the citizens of N. Ireland) leaders of a foreign nation will have a say in how we conduct our business. I guess you could say it's like Mexico being given a say in how California is run.
And all of it against the wishes of the vast majority of the people of my country. I'll let DUP leader Ian Paisley have the last word-
"The situation remains that IRA/Sinn Féin are a terrorist organisation. They have not conformed to the principles of democracy."
Friday, June 30, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Postcards
I read on comic artist blog Sun of Gelatometti that Warner Brothers has devised a way for its employees to thank the men and women of America's armed forces on July 4th- they've handed out postcards for them to write messages on, and the cards are then being sent on to Iraq.
The guys at Gelatometti, including Jim Lee, have drawn on their cards- and they've posted the images they've created. Rich Friend, who wrote the original post on the subject, has created more than one card- and he's posted those images at his own blog here. I think it's a great gesture- both from Warner Brothers and the artists who have chosen this unique way to express their thanks.
The guys at Gelatometti, including Jim Lee, have drawn on their cards- and they've posted the images they've created. Rich Friend, who wrote the original post on the subject, has created more than one card- and he's posted those images at his own blog here. I think it's a great gesture- both from Warner Brothers and the artists who have chosen this unique way to express their thanks.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Fallen Marines
I've had zero time today to see what's happening online but I did notice that the seven Marines charged with murder in Iraq story is getting a fair bit of attention. Google News and the like however are giving absolutely no coverage to this announcement from the DoD-
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Christopher D. Leon, 20, of Lancaster, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Webb, 20, of Swartz Creek, Mich.
Pfc. Christopher N. White, 23, of Southport, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin D. Williams, 30, of Orange, Texas
Leon died June 20 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
Webb, White, and Williams all died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. They were all assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
While the media focuses their attention on the alleged misdeeds of a few, it's worth taking the time to remember the sacrifices being made by many more brave Marines- sacrifices that the media doesn't seem to find newsworthy, unless their covering the latest "casualty milestone". So spare a thought for these fallen warriors and the pain that their families must be feeling right now.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Christopher D. Leon, 20, of Lancaster, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Webb, 20, of Swartz Creek, Mich.
Pfc. Christopher N. White, 23, of Southport, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin D. Williams, 30, of Orange, Texas
Leon died June 20 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
Webb, White, and Williams all died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. They were all assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
While the media focuses their attention on the alleged misdeeds of a few, it's worth taking the time to remember the sacrifices being made by many more brave Marines- sacrifices that the media doesn't seem to find newsworthy, unless their covering the latest "casualty milestone". So spare a thought for these fallen warriors and the pain that their families must be feeling right now.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Grandpa Murtha
I'm a big fan of Michelle Malkin's Vent on HotAir. Todays installment about Murtha and his delusional plan to fight terrorists in Iraq from Okinawa. I guess it didn't occur to him to consider the Stryker and foot patrols that US forces carry out there.
Anyway, Malkin compares Murtha to Grandpa Simpson, complete with a little clip of the grumpy old man- and I'll never, ever be able to see Murtha again without thinking about the elder Simpson.
Anyway, Malkin compares Murtha to Grandpa Simpson, complete with a little clip of the grumpy old man- and I'll never, ever be able to see Murtha again without thinking about the elder Simpson.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Complaining Cop
A senior police officer is attacking changes to the law by government ministers-
A CHIEF constable launched a stunning assault last night on the government's criminal justice policy, accusing ministers of making it up to please the News of the World [ed- tabloid newspaper].
Reeling from a string of crises, the Home Office disclosed at the weekend that ministers are now studying a law that could allow English parents to know when a convicted sex offender was living nearby.
Of course it doesn't even occur to the cop that the fact that the papers are crying out about this sort of thing is because parents don't want paedophiles living near to them. I guess he'd rather the government ignored public opinion? The News of the World has actually been campaigning for a change to the law for six years, proposing that parents should be allowed to know the location of child abusers. Given that many of these scum are likely to offend again and shouldn't be out on the streets anyway, I can't see any reason to oppose such a law. So it makes life tough for them to find housing? Maybe they should have thought about that before they began abusing children.
And it was the News of the World that revealed that sixty sex offenders were placed in government-approved hostels overlooking schools. And then there's this-
The latest controversy comes on the back of a new Ofsted report which accuses many schools of ignoring checks designed to protect children from paedophiles.
The cop is complaining that his job is tough because of constant changes to policy coming from the Home Office. My advice to him is to suck it up- hopefully many more changes will be coming soon.
The Home Office has insisted that Mr Reid was "rebalancing the criminal justice system in favour of the victim" and had already announced several reviews to improve public protection.
About time too.
A CHIEF constable launched a stunning assault last night on the government's criminal justice policy, accusing ministers of making it up to please the News of the World [ed- tabloid newspaper].
Reeling from a string of crises, the Home Office disclosed at the weekend that ministers are now studying a law that could allow English parents to know when a convicted sex offender was living nearby.
Of course it doesn't even occur to the cop that the fact that the papers are crying out about this sort of thing is because parents don't want paedophiles living near to them. I guess he'd rather the government ignored public opinion? The News of the World has actually been campaigning for a change to the law for six years, proposing that parents should be allowed to know the location of child abusers. Given that many of these scum are likely to offend again and shouldn't be out on the streets anyway, I can't see any reason to oppose such a law. So it makes life tough for them to find housing? Maybe they should have thought about that before they began abusing children.
And it was the News of the World that revealed that sixty sex offenders were placed in government-approved hostels overlooking schools. And then there's this-
The latest controversy comes on the back of a new Ofsted report which accuses many schools of ignoring checks designed to protect children from paedophiles.
The cop is complaining that his job is tough because of constant changes to policy coming from the Home Office. My advice to him is to suck it up- hopefully many more changes will be coming soon.
The Home Office has insisted that Mr Reid was "rebalancing the criminal justice system in favour of the victim" and had already announced several reviews to improve public protection.
About time too.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sinking Fast
I had to ask, didn't I?
The chairman of the British Commission for Racial Equality is in favor of “positive discrimination” to increase the number of Muslims in the police force
And,
EVER WONDERED what our schools are teaching children about terrorism? To judge by some of the material in an education pack being used in my London borough, the questions might include: could al-Qaeda poison your burger? Did the American Government stage the September 11 attacks? And what lessons for the Middle East can you learn from arguing with your mum?
When the Walthamstow Guardian asked if the 9/11 attacks should be used as a teaching tool, one educationist said the pack was not about “preaching” to children, but about providing “impartial and unbiased information” and “letting them make sense of it”.
And,
Bereaved families could have the homes of dead relatives seized under new laws that allow the state to commandeer empty properties.
Local councils will be able to take control of inherited homes if they are left vacant for more than six months.
UPDATE- And how could I miss this one too, the feather in the cap of all of the above.
A MAN accused of holding racist banners that called for a terrorist attack has had charges against him dropped.
The chairman of the British Commission for Racial Equality is in favor of “positive discrimination” to increase the number of Muslims in the police force
And,
EVER WONDERED what our schools are teaching children about terrorism? To judge by some of the material in an education pack being used in my London borough, the questions might include: could al-Qaeda poison your burger? Did the American Government stage the September 11 attacks? And what lessons for the Middle East can you learn from arguing with your mum?
When the Walthamstow Guardian asked if the 9/11 attacks should be used as a teaching tool, one educationist said the pack was not about “preaching” to children, but about providing “impartial and unbiased information” and “letting them make sense of it”.
That would be information such as: “The terrorists had shown that, despite America’s size and military power, careful planning and complete faith could defeat them.”
And a brace of posts from Smallest Minority-
Pupils have been banned from throwing paper planes to one another - in case they get injured.And,
Bereaved families could have the homes of dead relatives seized under new laws that allow the state to commandeer empty properties.
Local councils will be able to take control of inherited homes if they are left vacant for more than six months.
UPDATE- And how could I miss this one too, the feather in the cap of all of the above.
A MAN accused of holding racist banners that called for a terrorist attack has had charges against him dropped.
Omar Zaheer was arrested over a protest in February in London against newspaper cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, but the Crown Prosecution Service said yesterday that there was insufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
Kos Misleads
LGF has a post about Kos' defence of his "screw them" comments. Here's the part that caught my eye-
What I can do is I can say the fact is the reason, the context for that quote was solidarity with my brothers and sisters in arms, Marines and soldiers. I wore combat boots. I served during the first Gulf war and people are making a choice between private armies and mercenaries.
Actually, Kos didn't serve in the Gulf War, he was just in the Army at the time the war was raging; he sat that confict out safely in Germany. But you wouldn't know that from reading this interview.
What I can do is I can say the fact is the reason, the context for that quote was solidarity with my brothers and sisters in arms, Marines and soldiers. I wore combat boots. I served during the first Gulf war and people are making a choice between private armies and mercenaries.
Actually, Kos didn't serve in the Gulf War, he was just in the Army at the time the war was raging; he sat that confict out safely in Germany. But you wouldn't know that from reading this interview.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Charity
It's not often that you can find a celebrity who puts their money where their mouth is but Angelina Jolie seems to be one of them.
The actress also acknowledges to Cooper that she gives a third of her income to charity and jokes, "Yeah, well, I had a stupid income for what I do."
Good for her.
The actress also acknowledges to Cooper that she gives a third of her income to charity and jokes, "Yeah, well, I had a stupid income for what I do."
Good for her.
Anti-Terror Consultation
I hesitate to ask, because the British government will no doubt be quick to furnish an answer, but can once-Great Britain sink any lower than this?
The police are considering a proposal to let selected British Muslims examine the intelligence used to mount anti-terrorism raids before they take place.
So what makes Muslims a special case? I don't recall any efforts to tell the Irish community in London before any action was taken against IRA terrorists.
The review of the raid includes members of the Muslim Safety Forum-
Azad Ali, its chairman, said fresh measures, such as British Muslims being able to advise the police on their intelligence and how to act on it before any raid, must be found.
The MSF is the same group that walked out of talks with police when the revealed that they were going to arrest British Gitmo prisoners upon their return to the UK-
MSF chairman Azad Ali, who is also a member of the Islamic Forum Europe, told Blink the group were "seriously considering" their relationship with the police.
He's also the chap who made this response to Home Office Minister Hazel Blears comments, "The threat is most likely to come from those people associated with an extreme form of Islam or who are falsely hiding behind Islam"-
Azad Ali, Chair of the MSF said, "The MSF has always maintained that the Police are targeting the Muslim community - we now have the green light for the Police to carry this out even further with the blessing of Hazel Blears, the Police Minister."
"Not one terror related charge has been brought as a result of discriminatory stop and searches. To date, this practice has motivated and provided justification for a right wing onslaught of violence and stigmatisation against innocent members of the Muslim community - recent evidence links the increase in hate crimes against Muslims with the Governments 'War on Terror'." By endorsing discrimination and Islamophobia, Minister Blears words can only further alienate and marginalise the UK's most victimised community.
And note this too-
Although there are 2 million Muslims in the UK, it is clear that Hazel Blears and the Home Office did not consult with any Muslim group, specifically the MSF who are specialists in Muslim safety and security, prior to making their offensive statement. The MSF will be in contact with Hazel Blears office and will be initially demanding a meeting for her to explain her actions, and to establish proper bilateral relations so these unproductive incidents can be avoided in the future.
As the MSF already meets regularly with police, chances are Azad Ali or one of his compatriots will be one of the "chosen few" informed prior to any police anti-terrorist action.
So British national security depends on anti-Islamic terrorist information being shown to members of the Muslim community before they can do anything. Certainly sounds like it will help with speedy decision making and an ability for the security services to do their job rapidly and efficiently.
The police are considering a proposal to let selected British Muslims examine the intelligence used to mount anti-terrorism raids before they take place.
So what makes Muslims a special case? I don't recall any efforts to tell the Irish community in London before any action was taken against IRA terrorists.
The review of the raid includes members of the Muslim Safety Forum-
Azad Ali, its chairman, said fresh measures, such as British Muslims being able to advise the police on their intelligence and how to act on it before any raid, must be found.
The MSF is the same group that walked out of talks with police when the revealed that they were going to arrest British Gitmo prisoners upon their return to the UK-
MSF chairman Azad Ali, who is also a member of the Islamic Forum Europe, told Blink the group were "seriously considering" their relationship with the police.
He's also the chap who made this response to Home Office Minister Hazel Blears comments, "The threat is most likely to come from those people associated with an extreme form of Islam or who are falsely hiding behind Islam"-
Azad Ali, Chair of the MSF said, "The MSF has always maintained that the Police are targeting the Muslim community - we now have the green light for the Police to carry this out even further with the blessing of Hazel Blears, the Police Minister."
"Not one terror related charge has been brought as a result of discriminatory stop and searches. To date, this practice has motivated and provided justification for a right wing onslaught of violence and stigmatisation against innocent members of the Muslim community - recent evidence links the increase in hate crimes against Muslims with the Governments 'War on Terror'." By endorsing discrimination and Islamophobia, Minister Blears words can only further alienate and marginalise the UK's most victimised community.
And note this too-
Although there are 2 million Muslims in the UK, it is clear that Hazel Blears and the Home Office did not consult with any Muslim group, specifically the MSF who are specialists in Muslim safety and security, prior to making their offensive statement. The MSF will be in contact with Hazel Blears office and will be initially demanding a meeting for her to explain her actions, and to establish proper bilateral relations so these unproductive incidents can be avoided in the future.
As the MSF already meets regularly with police, chances are Azad Ali or one of his compatriots will be one of the "chosen few" informed prior to any police anti-terrorist action.
So British national security depends on anti-Islamic terrorist information being shown to members of the Muslim community before they can do anything. Certainly sounds like it will help with speedy decision making and an ability for the security services to do their job rapidly and efficiently.
Subway Attack
I wonder what the ACLU will have say about this- afterall, they were the ones who were opposed to the NY police searching bags on the subway.
Al-Qaeda terrorists came within 45 days of attacking the New York subway system with a lethal gas similar to that used in Nazi death camps.
Of course the first thing that sprang to mind when I read this was the chemical weapon that police were searching for in the Forest Gate raid in London. We haven't heard any more from the press about the informant who passed the tip to the intelligence service, but what if he was telling the truth about the weapon, and just got the location wrong?
U.S. intelligence got its first inkling of the plot from the contents of a laptop computer belonging to a Bahraini jihadist captured in Saudi Arabia early in 2003. It contained plans for a gas-dispersal system dubbed "the mubtakkar" (Arabic for inventive). Fearing that al-Qaeda's engineers had achieved the holy grail of terror R&D — a device to effectively distribute hydrogen-cyanide gas, which is deadly when inhaled — the CIA immediately set about building a prototype based on the captured design, which comprised two separate chambers for sodium cyanide and a stable source of hydrogen, such as hydrochloric acid. A seal between the two could be broken by a remote trigger, producing the gas for dispersal. The prototype confirmed their worst fears: "In the world of terrorist weaponry," writes Suskind, "this was the equivalent of splitting the atom. Obtain a few widely available chemicals, and you could construct it with a trip to Home Depot – and then kill everyone in the store."
Al-Qaeda terrorists came within 45 days of attacking the New York subway system with a lethal gas similar to that used in Nazi death camps.
Of course the first thing that sprang to mind when I read this was the chemical weapon that police were searching for in the Forest Gate raid in London. We haven't heard any more from the press about the informant who passed the tip to the intelligence service, but what if he was telling the truth about the weapon, and just got the location wrong?
U.S. intelligence got its first inkling of the plot from the contents of a laptop computer belonging to a Bahraini jihadist captured in Saudi Arabia early in 2003. It contained plans for a gas-dispersal system dubbed "the mubtakkar" (Arabic for inventive). Fearing that al-Qaeda's engineers had achieved the holy grail of terror R&D — a device to effectively distribute hydrogen-cyanide gas, which is deadly when inhaled — the CIA immediately set about building a prototype based on the captured design, which comprised two separate chambers for sodium cyanide and a stable source of hydrogen, such as hydrochloric acid. A seal between the two could be broken by a remote trigger, producing the gas for dispersal. The prototype confirmed their worst fears: "In the world of terrorist weaponry," writes Suskind, "this was the equivalent of splitting the atom. Obtain a few widely available chemicals, and you could construct it with a trip to Home Depot – and then kill everyone in the store."
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Clench Your Fists
CNN is reporting that a grand jury has decided not to indict Cynthia McKinney; so go ahead, punch a cop- it must be entirely legal in the United States now. It's not like she comes from some sort of protected class that can do what they want regardless of what the law says, just because they work in Congress. Right?
One set of rules for everyone.
Of course.
One set of rules for everyone.
Of course.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Racism
Okay, here's the story. Frederic Rouzaud, managing director of Cristal champagne, was doing an interview with The Economist. He was asked about the affection that certain rappers have for his brand of tipple. He replied that he viewed it with "curiosity and serenity". The interviewer continued, asking if the association for his refined and expensive item and the "bling lifestyle" could be detrimental to the brand. This was his reply-
"That's a good question, but what can we do? We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business."
Immedaitely rapper and Jay Z sprang into action, pulling Cristal champagne from his clubs and his own private stock. Overly sensitive, you might say? Well, wait until you hear exactly why he pulled the brand-
"I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including The 40/40 Club nor in my personal life."
Racist? Come on, the only racism being displayed here is surely by Jay Z: he's implicitly stating that to be a rapper you have to be black. I'm immediately going to boycott his products and, if I had any, I'd take them out my own personal CD collection!
I guess it must be a slow news day at CNN- this took up a whole page in their entertainment section. What, they couldn't have donated that space to the important news that Billie Piper is leaving Doctor Who at the end of the season?
"That's a good question, but what can we do? We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business."
Immedaitely rapper and Jay Z sprang into action, pulling Cristal champagne from his clubs and his own private stock. Overly sensitive, you might say? Well, wait until you hear exactly why he pulled the brand-
"I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including The 40/40 Club nor in my personal life."
Racist? Come on, the only racism being displayed here is surely by Jay Z: he's implicitly stating that to be a rapper you have to be black. I'm immediately going to boycott his products and, if I had any, I'd take them out my own personal CD collection!
I guess it must be a slow news day at CNN- this took up a whole page in their entertainment section. What, they couldn't have donated that space to the important news that Billie Piper is leaving Doctor Who at the end of the season?
Thursday, June 15, 2006
F-22
This fantastic image of an F-22 is currently serving as my desktop wallpaper. Many other superb images just as stunning as this one are available at the Air Force Link website. I guess the AF guys managed to pull themselves away from sipping pink gins by the pool long enough to take some awesome photos.
EU Overlords
There are many, many reasons which can be found for getting rid of the bureaucratic monstrosity that is the EU- but this one will do for now. Due to a European directive, a substantial amount of Dutch farmland, claimed from the sea over 230 years ago, is to be deliberatley flooded; to reverse the disappearance of mudflats and salt marshes. What's particularly galling is that the land is being flooded to offset damage to the mudflats which will be caused by the widening of a shipping channel. So if one bit of land is needed and it causes environmental damage, the EU will seize someone else's land to return it to a "natural" state. So, let's say someone wants to build a factory on a forest- are the homes nearby to be demolished to grow more trees to replace them? That appears to be the EU logic for this act.
The families who live on this land are understandably upset and they are appealing the decision with the Dutch parliament; their chances of success are slim- the MPs apparently agree that mudflats are more important that the established ecosystems and working farms which have existed for more that two centuries.
Here's the rub though- even if the Dutch do decide that this farmland is more important than mudlfats, they have very "little say in the matter". The reflooding has been imposed by the EU Habitats directive and the EU Birds directive.
In other words, the unelected bureaucrats of the EU have more power over what happens to farmland in Holland than the Dutch themselves. All those old jokes about the EU being a fourth Reich suddenly don't seem so funny anymore.
As Kim du Toit points out, the EU is not the only nightmare organistion with such powers-
So if a developer has built some houses on reclaimed land next door to the Everglades, and UNESCO were to decide that the land really belongs to the Everglades, the homeowners would probably get the same shaft as the De Feijter family [Dutch farmers] in Holland.
The families who live on this land are understandably upset and they are appealing the decision with the Dutch parliament; their chances of success are slim- the MPs apparently agree that mudflats are more important that the established ecosystems and working farms which have existed for more that two centuries.
Here's the rub though- even if the Dutch do decide that this farmland is more important than mudlfats, they have very "little say in the matter". The reflooding has been imposed by the EU Habitats directive and the EU Birds directive.
In other words, the unelected bureaucrats of the EU have more power over what happens to farmland in Holland than the Dutch themselves. All those old jokes about the EU being a fourth Reich suddenly don't seem so funny anymore.
As Kim du Toit points out, the EU is not the only nightmare organistion with such powers-
So if a developer has built some houses on reclaimed land next door to the Everglades, and UNESCO were to decide that the land really belongs to the Everglades, the homeowners would probably get the same shaft as the De Feijter family [Dutch farmers] in Holland.
Wonderful Barsoom
Wow. In honour of my new monitor which makes everything seem so crisp and fresh and bright, here's a link to an amazing big picture of Mars. To give you an idea of how dark my monitor was, I'm surprised to see that the War on Guns blog has a background pattern to the page; I thought it was just black. There has been a lot of oohing and aahing today as we discover how things are supposed to look on my PC.
By the way, did I mention that it was a big picture?
By the way, did I mention that it was a big picture?
Aria
The monitor I've been using has been around since I first got my PC, back in '98. It was a 17" Belinea. Over the past months I've noticed that it seemed a tad dark and after a lot of "putting it off", I finally decided to get a replacement; well, in the end my wonderful wife bought me said item.
Great googally moogally! I had no idea my old monitor was so worn out; credit to Belinea though, it sure lasted a lot longer than I thought it would. The internet suddenly seems such a bright and cheery place; at last I'll be able to look at pictures and movies on my PC and see such trifling things such as details, colours, and what's actually happening in those scenes not set in perfect brilliant daylight!
The reason I'm writing this is to heartily recommend the website Aria, a UK supplier of computer components. My wife bought the monitor yesterday at lunchtime; and it arrived this morning. From the mainland. And it was an incredible bargain to boot.
So if you live in the UK- anywhere in the UK- and you need anything computer related, do be sure to check out Aria.
Great googally moogally! I had no idea my old monitor was so worn out; credit to Belinea though, it sure lasted a lot longer than I thought it would. The internet suddenly seems such a bright and cheery place; at last I'll be able to look at pictures and movies on my PC and see such trifling things such as details, colours, and what's actually happening in those scenes not set in perfect brilliant daylight!
The reason I'm writing this is to heartily recommend the website Aria, a UK supplier of computer components. My wife bought the monitor yesterday at lunchtime; and it arrived this morning. From the mainland. And it was an incredible bargain to boot.
So if you live in the UK- anywhere in the UK- and you need anything computer related, do be sure to check out Aria.
Warning To Australia
Recently released cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (aka Ba'asyir) has given a press conference. When asked if he had a message for John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, he said,
"I think John Howard should convert to Islam. If he wants to be saved from hell, he needs to convert to Islam and God willing, he will be forgiven by Allah."
He also gave a warning to all Australians to never try fighting Muslims-
"Maybe with God's permission, they can kill us, but they certainly can't beat Islam." He then warned the journalists present not to twist his words.
There's no link to a text story but ABC also has an audio file of Bashir calling Noordin Mohammad Top, one of the Bali bomb attack planners, a "defender of Islam". The same thing he calls Osama Bin Laden.
The JI, the terrorist group responsible for the Bali bomb, and the group to which Bashir was convicted of conspiring with, are still recruiting and training members. Top has apparently threatened more terrorist attacks in video tapes siezed by the authorities in Indonesia.
"I think John Howard should convert to Islam. If he wants to be saved from hell, he needs to convert to Islam and God willing, he will be forgiven by Allah."
He also gave a warning to all Australians to never try fighting Muslims-
"Maybe with God's permission, they can kill us, but they certainly can't beat Islam." He then warned the journalists present not to twist his words.
There's no link to a text story but ABC also has an audio file of Bashir calling Noordin Mohammad Top, one of the Bali bomb attack planners, a "defender of Islam". The same thing he calls Osama Bin Laden.
The JI, the terrorist group responsible for the Bali bomb, and the group to which Bashir was convicted of conspiring with, are still recruiting and training members. Top has apparently threatened more terrorist attacks in video tapes siezed by the authorities in Indonesia.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Ministry of Bad Ideas
It appears that this ministry may have actually taken over control of the entire British government. Here's the latest-
The U.K., faced with a 6.3 billion pound ($11.7 billion) bill to deport illegal immigrants as it prepares to roll out mandatory identification cards in four years, is considering an amnesty to legalize some workers.
The reason? Why, it simply can't be done! There are apparently a whopping 570,000 illegals in the country. An "expert" on immigration claimed, "Our economy would shrink. We would notice it in un- cleaned offices, dirty streets and un-staffed pubs.''
Frankly, that's a price I'm willing to pay. The streets are already dirty, there are plenty of students looking for work in the pubs and, please, untidy offices? Sure sounds like a national disaster. Perhaps some of Britain's 1.61 million unemployed just might be able to plug the gap left by the half a million illegals.
Now, some could argue that the illegals do the work that Britons don't want to do because of low wages- but the fact is, with an amnesty, the illegals won't be illegal anymore; and if they are legally recognised then you can bet that they'll be first in line demanding that their jobs pay the legally required mimimum wage.
And the fact is that our economy needn't be harmed at all; there are plenty of Polish workers, amongst others from the EU, who can now legally work in the UK. They are ready, willing and able- and from what I've seen of them more than capable- to do just those sorts of jobs.
Perhaps all that's needed is a change in the law to get rid of illegal aliens for less than the stated £11,000; if you're in the country illegally and you get caught, we immediately return you to country of origin. Now, why does the price of a plane ticket have to cost over ten grand?
The U.K., faced with a 6.3 billion pound ($11.7 billion) bill to deport illegal immigrants as it prepares to roll out mandatory identification cards in four years, is considering an amnesty to legalize some workers.
The reason? Why, it simply can't be done! There are apparently a whopping 570,000 illegals in the country. An "expert" on immigration claimed, "Our economy would shrink. We would notice it in un- cleaned offices, dirty streets and un-staffed pubs.''
Frankly, that's a price I'm willing to pay. The streets are already dirty, there are plenty of students looking for work in the pubs and, please, untidy offices? Sure sounds like a national disaster. Perhaps some of Britain's 1.61 million unemployed just might be able to plug the gap left by the half a million illegals.
Now, some could argue that the illegals do the work that Britons don't want to do because of low wages- but the fact is, with an amnesty, the illegals won't be illegal anymore; and if they are legally recognised then you can bet that they'll be first in line demanding that their jobs pay the legally required mimimum wage.
And the fact is that our economy needn't be harmed at all; there are plenty of Polish workers, amongst others from the EU, who can now legally work in the UK. They are ready, willing and able- and from what I've seen of them more than capable- to do just those sorts of jobs.
Perhaps all that's needed is a change in the law to get rid of illegal aliens for less than the stated £11,000; if you're in the country illegally and you get caught, we immediately return you to country of origin. Now, why does the price of a plane ticket have to cost over ten grand?
Somalia In For Trouble?
Remember that era of golden peace that Monster and Critics, courtesy of UPI, said was going to emerge? Well, not so fast kiddo.
Somalia's parliament on Wednesday approved deployment of foreign peacekeepers to the anarchic nation, a move opposed by newly powerful Islamist militias controlling Mogadishu, the parliament speaker said.
"Opposed" is one way of putting it. Their actual stance on the matter is more like this-
"We will fight fiercely to the death any intervention force that arrives in Somalia."
That comes from Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, a senior member of the Islamic Courts, who said that "it would be the religious duty of all Somalis to fight any peacekeeping force."
Remember too that the leader of the Courts also has this to say, "Until we get the Islamic state, we will continue with the Islamic struggle in Somalia."
Somalia's parliament on Wednesday approved deployment of foreign peacekeepers to the anarchic nation, a move opposed by newly powerful Islamist militias controlling Mogadishu, the parliament speaker said.
"Opposed" is one way of putting it. Their actual stance on the matter is more like this-
"We will fight fiercely to the death any intervention force that arrives in Somalia."
That comes from Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, a senior member of the Islamic Courts, who said that "it would be the religious duty of all Somalis to fight any peacekeeping force."
Remember too that the leader of the Courts also has this to say, "Until we get the Islamic state, we will continue with the Islamic struggle in Somalia."
Somalia Update
So much for the Islamic Courts giving power back to the people- they've now launched an attack on a town 55 miles away.
Islamic fighters drove secular militiamen out of a strategic town in southern Somalia following a brief firefight early Wednesday, witnesses reached by two-way radio said, just hours after the militia's leaders fled the town.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, but residents were fleeing for fear of additional unrest in Jowhar, 55 miles from the capital, Mogadishu.
How soon before they extend their presence to the rest of Somalia, and then perhaps beyond?
Islamic fighters drove secular militiamen out of a strategic town in southern Somalia following a brief firefight early Wednesday, witnesses reached by two-way radio said, just hours after the militia's leaders fled the town.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, but residents were fleeing for fear of additional unrest in Jowhar, 55 miles from the capital, Mogadishu.
How soon before they extend their presence to the rest of Somalia, and then perhaps beyond?
BBC Propaganda Continues
As soon as I finish one piece on the obvious bias at the BBC, I find another- this time about the CAIR-manufactured controversy over the YouTube video of a possible Marine singing about killing Iraqis. The BBC is fast onto this story- odd considering the time they take to cover other stories if at all. They tell us this, stating that this is what the Marine was singing about-
The lyrics caught on video refer to the shooting of Iraqi civilians, especially children.
Luckily we have blogs like Little Green Footballs to keep us right-
"the song is about a young woman luring a Marine into an ambush where she and her sister are killed by her jihadi father and brother, who in turn are killed with great justification by the Marine."
UPDATE- LGF is on the case of the BBC's bias here too, complete with the video in question lest there be any doubt. Thank heaven for the blogosphere; if my only news source was the MSM here in Britain, goodness knows what sort of warped view of the world I'd have.
The lyrics caught on video refer to the shooting of Iraqi civilians, especially children.
Luckily we have blogs like Little Green Footballs to keep us right-
"the song is about a young woman luring a Marine into an ambush where she and her sister are killed by her jihadi father and brother, who in turn are killed with great justification by the Marine."
UPDATE- LGF is on the case of the BBC's bias here too, complete with the video in question lest there be any doubt. Thank heaven for the blogosphere; if my only news source was the MSM here in Britain, goodness knows what sort of warped view of the world I'd have.
BBC Profile
I'm sorry, maybe I missed a memo or something, but when did the BBC cease being an impartial news organisation and become a mouthpiece for Islamists? I wrote only yesterday about the positive article they ran on the leader of the Islamic Courts in Mogadishu, and now I fnd that they have a similar piece up about Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah, the terrorist group responsible for the Bali bombing which murdered more than 200 people.
While the BBC's news article on him does mention that he was convicted of conspiracy, and that he does admire Bin Laden, the "frail, 68-year-old man with a wispy beard, embroidered white skull cap and heavy glasses perched on his aquiline nose" denies any link with JI and has even condemned the bomb attack in Bali; they even go on to say that he denies any link with terrorism at all. Heck, they want us to know too that he denies JI even exists and that it's all part of "an American-inspired plot to undermine Islam." He is, afterall, "just a simple preacher".
Unlike his Wikipedia page, the BBC makes little mention of the Christian church attacks, being charged with treason, immigration violations, and providing false documents and statements to the Indonesian police; they merely state that "prosecutors have struggled to make any of the charges stick."
The BBC also informs us that he intends to go back to teach at his school. They make no mention of the fact that graduates of the school are in prison on terrorism charges. Could that perhaps have something to do with his own teachings? You'd think not based on the BBC profile, mainly due to the fact that they make little mention of his own words, save for a little piece saying "I support Osama Bin Laden's struggle because his is the true struggle to uphold Islam, not terror - the terrorists are America and Israel." Which, it seems, may be a popular opinion to have at the BBC.
You might like to know that Ba'asyir also says this-
The infidel country must be visited and spied upon. If we don't come to them, they will persecute Islam. They will prevent non-Muslims converting.
They [the West] have to stop fighting Islam. That's impossible because it is sunnatullah [destiny, a law of nature] as Allah has said in the Koran. If they want to have peace, they have to accept to be governed by Islam.
We'll keep fighting them and they'll lose. The batil [falsehood] will lose sooner or later. I sent a letter to Bush. I said that you'll lose and there is no point for you [to fight us]. This [concept] is found in the Koran.
After my release, I hope I can meet him [Osama Bin Laden]...When I heard his story, I came to the conclusion that he's mujahid, a soldier of Allah.
As long as there is no intention to fight us and Islam continues to grow there can be peace. This is the doctrine of Islam. Islam can't be ruled by others. Allah's law must stand above human law. There is no [example] of Islam and infidels, the right and the wrong, living together in peace.
Why, he must be one of those moderate clerics we're always hearing about? At least, that's what the BBC would like you to think.
While the BBC's news article on him does mention that he was convicted of conspiracy, and that he does admire Bin Laden, the "frail, 68-year-old man with a wispy beard, embroidered white skull cap and heavy glasses perched on his aquiline nose" denies any link with JI and has even condemned the bomb attack in Bali; they even go on to say that he denies any link with terrorism at all. Heck, they want us to know too that he denies JI even exists and that it's all part of "an American-inspired plot to undermine Islam." He is, afterall, "just a simple preacher".
Unlike his Wikipedia page, the BBC makes little mention of the Christian church attacks, being charged with treason, immigration violations, and providing false documents and statements to the Indonesian police; they merely state that "prosecutors have struggled to make any of the charges stick."
The BBC also informs us that he intends to go back to teach at his school. They make no mention of the fact that graduates of the school are in prison on terrorism charges. Could that perhaps have something to do with his own teachings? You'd think not based on the BBC profile, mainly due to the fact that they make little mention of his own words, save for a little piece saying "I support Osama Bin Laden's struggle because his is the true struggle to uphold Islam, not terror - the terrorists are America and Israel." Which, it seems, may be a popular opinion to have at the BBC.
You might like to know that Ba'asyir also says this-
The infidel country must be visited and spied upon. If we don't come to them, they will persecute Islam. They will prevent non-Muslims converting.
They [the West] have to stop fighting Islam. That's impossible because it is sunnatullah [destiny, a law of nature] as Allah has said in the Koran. If they want to have peace, they have to accept to be governed by Islam.
We'll keep fighting them and they'll lose. The batil [falsehood] will lose sooner or later. I sent a letter to Bush. I said that you'll lose and there is no point for you [to fight us]. This [concept] is found in the Koran.
After my release, I hope I can meet him [Osama Bin Laden]...When I heard his story, I came to the conclusion that he's mujahid, a soldier of Allah.
As long as there is no intention to fight us and Islam continues to grow there can be peace. This is the doctrine of Islam. Islam can't be ruled by others. Allah's law must stand above human law. There is no [example] of Islam and infidels, the right and the wrong, living together in peace.
Why, he must be one of those moderate clerics we're always hearing about? At least, that's what the BBC would like you to think.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Impartial BBC
Hamas broke the ceasefire that they had been "honouring" on and off for months in the wake of the Israeli shelling of a beach in Gaza which left eight dead. They fired rockets and mortars and threatened to begin an "earthquake in Zionist towns".
Only problem is that it appears that the beach blast wasn't caused by Israel at all. Not only did the shelling by Israel into Gaza cease eight minutes before the beach blast but forensic analysis of shrapnel taken from some of the victims shows that it did not come from Israeli munitions. This might explain why the Palestinain Authority didn't want to co-operate with any Israeli investigation into the incident.
Luckily for us, the BBC is quick off the mark to discredit the Israeli findings- after putting the phrase "not Israel's fault" in the headline of the story into quotation marks. While the Israeli findings get a whopping total of three sentences at the start of their report to deny Israel was involved, the BBC quickly moves on to give Human Rights Watch more space to declare that the Israelis must have done it. Because we all know how expert a group like HRW are at forensic analysis and the different effects of various explosives.
"My assessment [is] that it's likely that this was incoming artillery fire that landed on the beach and was fired by the Israelis from the north of Gaza."
Why, of course! You must be right, why on earth did I let myself get swayed by silly little things like the timing of the incident and the study of the actual shrapnel which injured people on the beach? Phew, that was close- for a moment I almost let myself be convinced by actual evidence rather than the opinions of a human rights campaigner. We're not informed what sort of expert opinion made this assessment but by golly, I'm sure they know what they're talking about. Otherwise the BBC wouldn't quote them, right?
The BBC goes on to give the final word to Hamas-
Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the Hamas government, accused Israel of "shying away from its responsibilities over this atrocious crime, without offering the slightest proof".
"These Israeli allegations are false and lack any credibility. While the resistance wants to ambush the occupation, it does not place bombs on beaches or in the middle of crowds," he said.
Well, of course. Who ever heard of Hamas putting a bomb in the middle of a crowd? The very suggestion!
Only problem is that it appears that the beach blast wasn't caused by Israel at all. Not only did the shelling by Israel into Gaza cease eight minutes before the beach blast but forensic analysis of shrapnel taken from some of the victims shows that it did not come from Israeli munitions. This might explain why the Palestinain Authority didn't want to co-operate with any Israeli investigation into the incident.
Luckily for us, the BBC is quick off the mark to discredit the Israeli findings- after putting the phrase "not Israel's fault" in the headline of the story into quotation marks. While the Israeli findings get a whopping total of three sentences at the start of their report to deny Israel was involved, the BBC quickly moves on to give Human Rights Watch more space to declare that the Israelis must have done it. Because we all know how expert a group like HRW are at forensic analysis and the different effects of various explosives.
"My assessment [is] that it's likely that this was incoming artillery fire that landed on the beach and was fired by the Israelis from the north of Gaza."
Why, of course! You must be right, why on earth did I let myself get swayed by silly little things like the timing of the incident and the study of the actual shrapnel which injured people on the beach? Phew, that was close- for a moment I almost let myself be convinced by actual evidence rather than the opinions of a human rights campaigner. We're not informed what sort of expert opinion made this assessment but by golly, I'm sure they know what they're talking about. Otherwise the BBC wouldn't quote them, right?
The BBC goes on to give the final word to Hamas-
Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the Hamas government, accused Israel of "shying away from its responsibilities over this atrocious crime, without offering the slightest proof".
"These Israeli allegations are false and lack any credibility. While the resistance wants to ambush the occupation, it does not place bombs on beaches or in the middle of crowds," he said.
Well, of course. Who ever heard of Hamas putting a bomb in the middle of a crowd? The very suggestion!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Thinking Forward
Rear Admiral Chris Parry seems to understand the threat faced by the UK. Good thing that he is "head of the development, concepts and doctrine centre at the Ministry of Defence". Basically the government's go-to guy to examine future threats to the country.
Europe, including Britain, could be undermined by large immigrant groups with little allegiance to their host countries — a "reverse colonisation" as Parry described it. These groups would stay connected to their homelands by the internet and cheap flights. The idea of assimilation was becoming redundant, he said.
If a security breakdown occurred, he said, it was likely to be brought on by environmental destruction and a population boom, coupled with technology and radical Islam. The result for Britain and Europe, Parry warned, could be "like the 5th century Roman empire facing the Goths and the Vandals".
He foresees a future in which pirates make make the waters of the Meditteranean unsafe for holiday-makers and where the current power structure may crumble by 2012. It's a very interesting read, be sure to check it all out.
Europe, including Britain, could be undermined by large immigrant groups with little allegiance to their host countries — a "reverse colonisation" as Parry described it. These groups would stay connected to their homelands by the internet and cheap flights. The idea of assimilation was becoming redundant, he said.
If a security breakdown occurred, he said, it was likely to be brought on by environmental destruction and a population boom, coupled with technology and radical Islam. The result for Britain and Europe, Parry warned, could be "like the 5th century Roman empire facing the Goths and the Vandals".
He foresees a future in which pirates make make the waters of the Meditteranean unsafe for holiday-makers and where the current power structure may crumble by 2012. It's a very interesting read, be sure to check it all out.
Iraq Invite Still Open
Iraq wants the US to remain in the country.
Iraq will allow the current United Nations mandate to remain in effect beyond a deadline next Thursday for a review of Security Council Resolution 1637, which provides legal authority for the American-led military coalition to continue its combat operations.
A number of resolutions and other agreements provide legal authority for coalition forces to operate in Iraq. Under the most recent one, 1637, Iraq acknowledged that multinational forces were in the country at its request.
Gee, you mean it's not an "illegal occupation" at all? What a shocking surprise. That the New York Times saw fit to mention it, that is.
Hat tip Frau Budgie.
Iraq will allow the current United Nations mandate to remain in effect beyond a deadline next Thursday for a review of Security Council Resolution 1637, which provides legal authority for the American-led military coalition to continue its combat operations.
A number of resolutions and other agreements provide legal authority for coalition forces to operate in Iraq. Under the most recent one, 1637, Iraq acknowledged that multinational forces were in the country at its request.
Gee, you mean it's not an "illegal occupation" at all? What a shocking surprise. That the New York Times saw fit to mention it, that is.
Hat tip Frau Budgie.
Maths Problem
Charles Johnson does his sums.
One of the people killed in the Zarqawi raid was his wife. His sixteen year old wife.
Also included among the casualties was his eighteen month old son.
One of the people killed in the Zarqawi raid was his wife. His sixteen year old wife.
Also included among the casualties was his eighteen month old son.
Pro-Islamic BBC
The BBC needs to change its name, perhaps to the British Islamic Propaganda Corporation. I've already noted that there's some unusually biased and misleading reporting on the Islamic Courts in Mogadishu. Despite the murder of one of their own the BBC has already written approvingly of the "stability" that the Courts have brought to the streets of the city. Stability obviously trumps freedom, something than many on the Left have made clear in the past few years with their opposition to the overthrow of the dictatorships of Saddam Hussein and the Taliban.
Now, the BBC goes further and publishes a puff piece on the leader of the Courts, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. He only got involved in the Courts to rescue a kidnapped child, don't you know. He's also "confident that Islam will always have the upper hand." But don't worry, this "modest leader" who dresses "simply in a long-sleeved Pakistani-style shirt and a pair of simple trousers which do not reach his ankles and cheap sandals" comes across as a pretty decent guy. Remember, he's doing it for the kids.
I did a search for some of the Sheikh's sayings and an awful of of news agencies are giving the Islamic Courts positive press, including his statement that he doesn't want to establish a Taliban-like Islamic state in Mogadishu. In fact he is quoted by the ever unquestioning BBC as saying, "This body is not a political one. Rather we want to give power back to the Somali people so it can make its own decisions and decide its own destiny."
Which is strange because Sky news quotes him as saying, "Until we get the Islamic state, we will continue with the Islamic struggle in Somalia."
Now, the BBC goes further and publishes a puff piece on the leader of the Courts, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. He only got involved in the Courts to rescue a kidnapped child, don't you know. He's also "confident that Islam will always have the upper hand." But don't worry, this "modest leader" who dresses "simply in a long-sleeved Pakistani-style shirt and a pair of simple trousers which do not reach his ankles and cheap sandals" comes across as a pretty decent guy. Remember, he's doing it for the kids.
I did a search for some of the Sheikh's sayings and an awful of of news agencies are giving the Islamic Courts positive press, including his statement that he doesn't want to establish a Taliban-like Islamic state in Mogadishu. In fact he is quoted by the ever unquestioning BBC as saying, "This body is not a political one. Rather we want to give power back to the Somali people so it can make its own decisions and decide its own destiny."
Which is strange because Sky news quotes him as saying, "Until we get the Islamic state, we will continue with the Islamic struggle in Somalia."
Flight of Fantasy
Time for another image by master-comic artist Adam Hughes. Here's a pistol-packin' Lara Croft in his inimitable style.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Crime Fighting Saudi-style
Note to moonbats: what George Bush has or seeks to have is not a religious theocracy. This is a religious theocracy.
A 70-year-old Saudi woman was briefly jailed after being detained by the religious police who suspected her motives for entering a shop owned by a man in a busy Riyadh market.
Yep, an old woman who can barely walk entered a shop where there was only a man present and the religious police swooped in to arrest her immediately.
A 70-year-old Saudi woman was briefly jailed after being detained by the religious police who suspected her motives for entering a shop owned by a man in a busy Riyadh market.
Yep, an old woman who can barely walk entered a shop where there was only a man present and the religious police swooped in to arrest her immediately.
Peaceful Somalia
According to this "analysis" at Monsters and Critics with a United Press International byline, and I use the term analysis loosely, Somalia could be due for a new golden era of peace and unity following the victory of the Islamists in Mogadishu.
Thanks to the victory of Islamic fighters, Somalia is back in the international spotlight and perhaps on its way to peace.
The theory is that with the US-backed warlords out of the way, peace will return to the war-stricken country now that the Islamists have "reunited" Mog. And don't worry, these are moderate Islamic courts, no need to bother yourself with trifling little details like them banning Western and Indian films, videos or even the World Cup. Their opposition to listening to music or dancing because it's "un-Islamic" is just a trivial concern. No, these are moderate clan-based African Islamists. No need to pay any attention to that man (Mogadishu's senior cleric- what does he know, right?) saying that "All Somalis must defend the Islamic courts because this is not inter-clan fighting, but war with the infidels." That fighting which left 300 dead as they fought to take control of the city was nothing to worry about- possibly it's some sort of cultural thing. And that talk by one of the leaders of the Islamic Courts about starting a jihad on any foreign troops sent to the country? Probably just tough guy talk?
The courts union, which includes 11 Islamic religious tribunals, are credited for having reinstated some peace and order in the capital and for providing services the powerless central government has failed to do.
Now that they've unified Mogadishu, the Courts hope to go on to "unify" the rest of Somalia, with the help of foreign fighters in their ranks. Goodness, soon the whole country can benefit from their benevolent leadership! But that's not all, after that they may go on to "unify" parts of Ethiopia too.
The "analysts" go on to say that the US shouldn't worry about Al Qaeda in Somalia because the Islamic courts won't have anything to do with them. Please do try to forget that the US has already identified Al Qaeda operatives being harboured by the Islamic Courts and that they have also had contact with Osama Bin Laden.
Experts warn that an American intervention in the name of the war on terror would be tantamount to an open invitation to Somali cooperation with al-Qaida, threatening to turn the courts union from a clan-based system into a fundamentalist militant one.
Unless of course the US tries to stop them having contact with Al Qaeda, in which case they will adopt close ties with the terrorists. Makes sense doesn't it? Thank you Monsters and Critics (and let's not forget UPI) for such a well researched and in-depth analysis. What on earth would we do without such insightful reporting as this?
Thanks to the victory of Islamic fighters, Somalia is back in the international spotlight and perhaps on its way to peace.
The theory is that with the US-backed warlords out of the way, peace will return to the war-stricken country now that the Islamists have "reunited" Mog. And don't worry, these are moderate Islamic courts, no need to bother yourself with trifling little details like them banning Western and Indian films, videos or even the World Cup. Their opposition to listening to music or dancing because it's "un-Islamic" is just a trivial concern. No, these are moderate clan-based African Islamists. No need to pay any attention to that man (Mogadishu's senior cleric- what does he know, right?) saying that "All Somalis must defend the Islamic courts because this is not inter-clan fighting, but war with the infidels." That fighting which left 300 dead as they fought to take control of the city was nothing to worry about- possibly it's some sort of cultural thing. And that talk by one of the leaders of the Islamic Courts about starting a jihad on any foreign troops sent to the country? Probably just tough guy talk?
The courts union, which includes 11 Islamic religious tribunals, are credited for having reinstated some peace and order in the capital and for providing services the powerless central government has failed to do.
Its victory in Mogadishu apparently restored hope for stability among this east African country`s almost 9 million population, mostly Muslims exhausted by civil war.
Hope and stability if you're a Muslim willing to go along with their particular brand of "justice" that is. Like the kid who stabbed his father's killer to death after a ruling by one of the courts. All that business of thieves getting limbs amputated and women wearing either the headscarf or veil is welcomed by the people of Somalia; stability like this is much preferred over the results of speaking out against the courts. The BBC also approves of the new stability that the Courts have brought to the city, even though one of their own producers was murdered there, most likely as a result of a fatwa issued against Westerners entering Mogadishu.Now that they've unified Mogadishu, the Courts hope to go on to "unify" the rest of Somalia, with the help of foreign fighters in their ranks. Goodness, soon the whole country can benefit from their benevolent leadership! But that's not all, after that they may go on to "unify" parts of Ethiopia too.
The "analysts" go on to say that the US shouldn't worry about Al Qaeda in Somalia because the Islamic courts won't have anything to do with them. Please do try to forget that the US has already identified Al Qaeda operatives being harboured by the Islamic Courts and that they have also had contact with Osama Bin Laden.
Experts warn that an American intervention in the name of the war on terror would be tantamount to an open invitation to Somali cooperation with al-Qaida, threatening to turn the courts union from a clan-based system into a fundamentalist militant one.
Unless of course the US tries to stop them having contact with Al Qaeda, in which case they will adopt close ties with the terrorists. Makes sense doesn't it? Thank you Monsters and Critics (and let's not forget UPI) for such a well researched and in-depth analysis. What on earth would we do without such insightful reporting as this?
Zarqawi's Family
It seems that the very public and loudly proclaimed disowning of Zarqawi by his family some months ago, wasn't quite what it appears.
Jordanian parliamentarians criticized a number of deputies from the Islamic Action Front (IAF) for paying their respects to the family of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi during a visit to a tent erected in Zarqa to "celebrate his martyrdom".
Four deputies from the IAF, the largest opposition party in Jordan, visited the tent on Friday, and said it was their "duty and obligation towards a Jordanian family who had lost one of its members."
The family of Zarqawi had asked three Islamist lawmakers in Jordan to intervene with the government to bring his body back home for burial.
Perhaps the disowning had more to do with the "influential family" ensuring that it's influential position wasn't affected by Zarqawi's murder of 54 people in the Jordan hotel bombings than with any real disapproval of what he was doing?
Jordanian parliamentarians criticized a number of deputies from the Islamic Action Front (IAF) for paying their respects to the family of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi during a visit to a tent erected in Zarqa to "celebrate his martyrdom".
Four deputies from the IAF, the largest opposition party in Jordan, visited the tent on Friday, and said it was their "duty and obligation towards a Jordanian family who had lost one of its members."
The family of Zarqawi had asked three Islamist lawmakers in Jordan to intervene with the government to bring his body back home for burial.
Perhaps the disowning had more to do with the "influential family" ensuring that it's influential position wasn't affected by Zarqawi's murder of 54 people in the Jordan hotel bombings than with any real disapproval of what he was doing?
More Beheadings
The misunderstanders of Islam in Iraq are continuing their bloody business.
INSURGENTS have signalled that the fight is still on after Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, posting an internet video showing the beheading of three alleged Shiite death squad members in revenge for killing Sunnis.
Hacking off the heads of prisoners and posting the video online doesn't warrant a terrorist label these days either I see.
"Iraq is the front defence line for Islam and Muslims, so don't fail to follow the path of the mujahidin (holy warriors), the caravan of martyrs and the faithful," said Abdullah bin Rashid al-Baghdadi, the head of the Mujahidin Shura Council.
INSURGENTS have signalled that the fight is still on after Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, posting an internet video showing the beheading of three alleged Shiite death squad members in revenge for killing Sunnis.
Hacking off the heads of prisoners and posting the video online doesn't warrant a terrorist label these days either I see.
"Iraq is the front defence line for Islam and Muslims, so don't fail to follow the path of the mujahidin (holy warriors), the caravan of martyrs and the faithful," said Abdullah bin Rashid al-Baghdadi, the head of the Mujahidin Shura Council.
He vowed: "As for you the slaves of the Cross (coalition forces), the grandsons of Ibn al-Alqami (Shiites) and every infidel of the Sunnis, we can't wait to sever your necks with our swords."
This misunderstanding couldn't have anything to do with verse 47:04 of the Koran, "Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks" could it?Conspiracy Theory
The moonbats are coming out to play, with this article by a Canadian Professor of Economics (obviously the sort of expert you want to speak to regarding the effects of US Air Force munitions) which hints that all is not as it seems.
Abu Musab Al Zarqawi's "safe house" was attacked by two Falcon F16 fighters. Two 500 lb laser-guided bombs were dropped on the site. The safe house was transformed into rubble. According to press reports, charred bodies had been removed from the rubble. Zarqawi's body, however, was virtually intact.
Perhaps it was an operation headed by the Illuminati?
Time to check their tin foil hats are working correctly.
Abu Musab Al Zarqawi's "safe house" was attacked by two Falcon F16 fighters. Two 500 lb laser-guided bombs were dropped on the site. The safe house was transformed into rubble. According to press reports, charred bodies had been removed from the rubble. Zarqawi's body, however, was virtually intact.
Perhaps it was an operation headed by the Illuminati?
Time to check their tin foil hats are working correctly.
Jihad Goes On
We keep being told that the trouble in Iraq is because of American foreign policy (although it has to be said that this is largely the belief of a certain segment of American society). Somehow, it seems that the memo explaining this has gotten lost in the post somewhere between New York and Baghdad.
Following the precision assassination of Zarqawi, the remaining leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq apparently got together and have released the following statement-
"The leaders agreed unanimously to continue the Jihad (Holy War) and plan large-scale operations that will shake the enemy in coordination with the other factions of the Mujahideen Council," said the statement posted on an Islamic Web site.
Following the precision assassination of Zarqawi, the remaining leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq apparently got together and have released the following statement-
"The leaders agreed unanimously to continue the Jihad (Holy War) and plan large-scale operations that will shake the enemy in coordination with the other factions of the Mujahideen Council," said the statement posted on an Islamic Web site.
It also said that the leaders of the Council's factions agreed to renew allegiance to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden "who will be pleased by his soldiers in Iraq."
Jihad? Don't these guys know that Islam is a religion of peace and that jihad is an internal spiritual struggle?"Implicit" Recognition
Ireland On-Line reports on the continued trouble between Israel and Hamas. As with many other news outlets they repeat the following line-
The violence complicated Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to persuade the Hamas-led government to endorse a document that would implicitly recognise Israel.
As Charles Johnson has pointed out, the document does no such thing-
Notice the weasel words “implicit” and “implying.” [speaking about another report] The media use these words because the fact is that this document, written by terrorists and mass murderers serving jail sentences for their crimes, contains no recognition of Israel. It’s another phony ploy by the Palestinians, in a long line of phony “peace initiatives” staged for the benefit of the West and our endlessly gullible/dishonest media.
Honest Reporting has more, including a link to the actual document itself.
Ireland Online also conveniently adds that Hamas has "largely honoured" the ceasefire. So many news organisations seem so unwilling to want to state outright that Hamas has broken the ceasefire on more than one occasion, instead they all seem to make claims like this. And Hamas members are always militants, never terrorists. What does it take these days to have a terrorist called a terrorist- firing rockets at schools certainly isn't enough. Whatever happened to unbiased reporting?
The violence complicated Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to persuade the Hamas-led government to endorse a document that would implicitly recognise Israel.
As Charles Johnson has pointed out, the document does no such thing-
Notice the weasel words “implicit” and “implying.” [speaking about another report] The media use these words because the fact is that this document, written by terrorists and mass murderers serving jail sentences for their crimes, contains no recognition of Israel. It’s another phony ploy by the Palestinians, in a long line of phony “peace initiatives” staged for the benefit of the West and our endlessly gullible/dishonest media.
Honest Reporting has more, including a link to the actual document itself.
Ireland Online also conveniently adds that Hamas has "largely honoured" the ceasefire. So many news organisations seem so unwilling to want to state outright that Hamas has broken the ceasefire on more than one occasion, instead they all seem to make claims like this. And Hamas members are always militants, never terrorists. What does it take these days to have a terrorist called a terrorist- firing rockets at schools certainly isn't enough. Whatever happened to unbiased reporting?
The Zarqawi Effect Part 2
The targeted assassination of Zarqawi has had another effect-
Members of an armed Fatah militia which claimed to have kidnapped an Israeli Saturday transferred the individual in question, a U.S. citizen, to the custody of the Palestinian Authority before dawn Sunday.
The PA security forces subsequently handed the American over to the Israel Defense Forces. Defense officials believe once the militants discovered the person was indeed an American citizen, they took steps to end the matter quickly.
"Apparently, the kidnappers did not want to end up like Zarqawi," a defense official said.
Proof positive that a pair of 500lb bombs are more effective in combating terrorism than treating it as a law enforcement issue.
Members of an armed Fatah militia which claimed to have kidnapped an Israeli Saturday transferred the individual in question, a U.S. citizen, to the custody of the Palestinian Authority before dawn Sunday.
The PA security forces subsequently handed the American over to the Israel Defense Forces. Defense officials believe once the militants discovered the person was indeed an American citizen, they took steps to end the matter quickly.
"Apparently, the kidnappers did not want to end up like Zarqawi," a defense official said.
Proof positive that a pair of 500lb bombs are more effective in combating terrorism than treating it as a law enforcement issue.
Zarqawi Effect
The death of Zarqawi has had one unusual effect- it's made the Left/Liberal wing of the political sphere admit that we are facing a huge threat, one not embodied in any one individual, but rather an ideology. Of course their protestations are partly inspired by a desire not to let anyone believe that Bush has scored any points or "won" anything, but I think it's telling that the same people who were only recently calling for America to pull out of Iraq are now stating that Zarqawi was nothing more than a figurehead to a vast and dangerous group of terrorists.
I'm sure that in a week or two though, they'll be back to blaming Bush for not catching Bin Laden. If we do get that rat though- expect them to have a brief glimpse of reality again, just enough to try and counter any positive influence such a success would have on the American people; to rapidly attack Bush's "smirk" and to loudly proclaim that getting rid of Bin Laden will not stop the threat we're up against.
You wouldn't think that it would be so hard for the left and right to unite against an enemy that thinks nothing of blowing innocent people to smithereens or hacking civilians heads off in snuff videos.
I'm sure that in a week or two though, they'll be back to blaming Bush for not catching Bin Laden. If we do get that rat though- expect them to have a brief glimpse of reality again, just enough to try and counter any positive influence such a success would have on the American people; to rapidly attack Bush's "smirk" and to loudly proclaim that getting rid of Bin Laden will not stop the threat we're up against.
You wouldn't think that it would be so hard for the left and right to unite against an enemy that thinks nothing of blowing innocent people to smithereens or hacking civilians heads off in snuff videos.
Evolution
The Times has an article on how global warming is already beginning to affect the evolution of some animal species. The changes seem to extend beyond the normal variation in behaviour that animals can display as they adapt to an altered environment. Here's an example-
Among European great tits, rising temperatures have created selective pressure because the caterpillars on which their chicks feed are maturing earlier in the spring. Tits that can lay their eggs earlier — a trait that is determined genetically — have an advantage, as their chicks can still eat these caterpillars.
They end their article with something of a footnote-
Global warming could be returning the world to the way it was four million years ago, when sea levels were 80ft (25m) higher than they are today, scientists led by Dr Alexey Fedorov, of Yale University, report in Science.
Who the heck was driving an SUV and burning fossil fuels four million years ago?
Among European great tits, rising temperatures have created selective pressure because the caterpillars on which their chicks feed are maturing earlier in the spring. Tits that can lay their eggs earlier — a trait that is determined genetically — have an advantage, as their chicks can still eat these caterpillars.
They end their article with something of a footnote-
Global warming could be returning the world to the way it was four million years ago, when sea levels were 80ft (25m) higher than they are today, scientists led by Dr Alexey Fedorov, of Yale University, report in Science.
Who the heck was driving an SUV and burning fossil fuels four million years ago?
Gitmo "Heroes"
Does this man have even the slightest clue about what's actually going on in the world today?
William Goodman from the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights told AFP news agency the men were "heroes for those of us who believe in basic American values of justice, fairness and democracy".
So men committed to fighting, killing and dying for one of the most oppressive rights-denying regimes the world has seen are heroes of freedom in Goodman's eyes.
I'm just stunned by his gargantuan stupidity and wilful ignorance of the simplest of facts.
UPDATE- The British Foreign Office is also in mourning.
In a brief statement, the Foreign Office described the suicide of the three detainees - two from Saudi Arabia and one from Yemen - as "very sad news".
Which is odd because they never seem to issue statements announcing their sadness at the deaths of Coalition forces in Iraq or elsewhere in the war on terrorism.
William Goodman from the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights told AFP news agency the men were "heroes for those of us who believe in basic American values of justice, fairness and democracy".
So men committed to fighting, killing and dying for one of the most oppressive rights-denying regimes the world has seen are heroes of freedom in Goodman's eyes.
I'm just stunned by his gargantuan stupidity and wilful ignorance of the simplest of facts.
UPDATE- The British Foreign Office is also in mourning.
In a brief statement, the Foreign Office described the suicide of the three detainees - two from Saudi Arabia and one from Yemen - as "very sad news".
Which is odd because they never seem to issue statements announcing their sadness at the deaths of Coalition forces in Iraq or elsewhere in the war on terrorism.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
AA-12
The AA-12 auto-shotgun gets a neat looking digital urban "paint" job. Photo from the superb Defense Review.
IAR
ACE has previously posted on the US Marines' search for an IAR, an Infantry Automatic Rifle, to replace the M249 SAW. The major difference between the light machine gun in service and the IAR is that the latter will be magazine rather than belt fed.
Defense Review has details of a Colt weapon which may fit the bill- and they also have exclusive pictures to go along with it. So far we don't even know the name of this new weapon but it seems to be a heavy barrelled M16 with a gas piston system, monolithic upper and 100-round Beta Mag.
Hopefully more details will be forthcoming shortly.
Defense Review has details of a Colt weapon which may fit the bill- and they also have exclusive pictures to go along with it. So far we don't even know the name of this new weapon but it seems to be a heavy barrelled M16 with a gas piston system, monolithic upper and 100-round Beta Mag.
Hopefully more details will be forthcoming shortly.
Act of War?
So Hamas has called off the truce which is was "largely abiding by". Since then they have launched rocket and mortar attacks on Israel.
The Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for at least 15 of the rockets fired after midnight, as well as a barrage of mortar bombs. The attacks caused no casualties, and the Israeli army said nearly all of them appeared to land inside Gaza.
They have also threatened further violence-
"The earthquake in the Zionist towns will start again and the aggressors will have no choice but to prepare their coffins or their luggage," the Hamasmilitants terrorists said in a leaflet. "The resistance groups ... will choose the proper place and time for the tough, strong and unique response."
Maybe it's just me but when the elected government says and does things like this, isn't that like starting a war?
UPDATE - It seems that the beach explosion which was blamed on the Iaraelis may not actually have been committed by them afterall-
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Sunday that the deaths of seven Palestinian civilians on a Gaza beach Friday could have been down to "internal Palestinian causes," rather than by Israel Defense Forces artillery fire.
IDF figures show that six shells were fired in the direction of open fields in the northern Gaza Strip near the time of the explosions. The six shells, however, landed hundreds of meters from the site of the blast.
An investigation is being conducted- and the PA is refusing to cooperate.
UPDATE 2 - Looks like it wasn't an Israeli shell afterall. Forensic tests of shrapnel removed from the victims reveals that it didn't come from Israeli munitions. More here.
The Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for at least 15 of the rockets fired after midnight, as well as a barrage of mortar bombs. The attacks caused no casualties, and the Israeli army said nearly all of them appeared to land inside Gaza.
They have also threatened further violence-
"The earthquake in the Zionist towns will start again and the aggressors will have no choice but to prepare their coffins or their luggage," the Hamas
Maybe it's just me but when the elected government says and does things like this, isn't that like starting a war?
UPDATE - It seems that the beach explosion which was blamed on the Iaraelis may not actually have been committed by them afterall-
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Sunday that the deaths of seven Palestinian civilians on a Gaza beach Friday could have been down to "internal Palestinian causes," rather than by Israel Defense Forces artillery fire.
IDF figures show that six shells were fired in the direction of open fields in the northern Gaza Strip near the time of the explosions. The six shells, however, landed hundreds of meters from the site of the blast.
An investigation is being conducted- and the PA is refusing to cooperate.
UPDATE 2 - Looks like it wasn't an Israeli shell afterall. Forensic tests of shrapnel removed from the victims reveals that it didn't come from Israeli munitions. More here.
Forced Marriage
A law banning forced marriages in Britain has been dropped "in the face of a backlash from Britain's Muslim community."
It seems that Labour's current policy stance is taken from the Neville Chamberlain School of Appeasement.
Ministers have admitted they feared a new law would be 'resented as an intrusion into minority cultures and religions.'
It is thought that thousands of women are subjected to forced marriage every year.
Head of Policy and Public Affairs (for the NSPCC) Diana Sutton said: 'The coercion involved in forced marriage is abusive and a violation of children’s human rights.
It seems that Labour's current policy stance is taken from the Neville Chamberlain School of Appeasement.
Ministers have admitted they feared a new law would be 'resented as an intrusion into minority cultures and religions.'
It is thought that thousands of women are subjected to forced marriage every year.
Head of Policy and Public Affairs (for the NSPCC) Diana Sutton said: 'The coercion involved in forced marriage is abusive and a violation of children’s human rights.
'We know that forced marriage can have serious harmful consequences for children including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, kidnap, rape and self harm.
'In the most tragic cases it can result in murder and suicide. In the longer term, many women forced in to marriage suffer domestic violence, whose impact on children is now widely documented.'
Gosh, that's awful but not quite so terrible in the eyes of our Labour government as stigmatizing a minority community- can't have them feeling bad about something like that can we?Sign of the times
A film about a school whose football team turns around a losing streak aftere finding God has been given a PG rating because it is too religious.
But after the Motion Picture Association of America rated the film, Kendrick says he was told that it got the 'Parental Guidance' rating for being so openly religious.
What's next? 12A ratings for Disney because their films are too moral?
But after the Motion Picture Association of America rated the film, Kendrick says he was told that it got the 'Parental Guidance' rating for being so openly religious.
What's next? 12A ratings for Disney because their films are too moral?
No Football
I'm not much of a football fan at all but even I can't see why the Sharia courts of Mogadishu should want to ban residents from watching the World Cup.
Residents say Islamist militiamen have shot in the air to disperse hundreds of Somalis protesting against moves by sharia courts to stop them watching the soccer World Cup in the capital, Mogadishu.
Residents say Islamist militiamen have shot in the air to disperse hundreds of Somalis protesting against moves by sharia courts to stop them watching the soccer World Cup in the capital, Mogadishu.
The soccer tournament had drawn huge crowds to TV screens set up under trees and iron-sheeted shacks.
The militia have also banned films and they have previously tried to close cinemas and video shops. Those attempts resulted in fighting that left twelve people dead.
Leaders of the capital's influential Islamic courts oppose western and Indian films, which they say promote immorality in the mainly Muslim nation of 10 million people.
I can see- though obviously not agree- why they would want to ban movies, but football? Perhaps they're worried that the people of Mogadishu will become corrupted by all those men running around in shorts? Or perhaps they're opposed to them seeing that the result of a free, open and stable society is the opportunity for thousands of people to relax in luxury while watching a very silly game being played by overpaid men. Makes a bit of a change from the grinding poverty that their regime will no doubt continue to foster.
Another London Protest
I keep hearing about moderate Muslims but the only time they've ever come together to protest Islamic terrorism only about a dozen managed to show up. Here in Britain, Muslims came out to protest, not against the threat of terrorism and the so-called "hijacking" of their religion by "extremists" but about police action to try and prevent a terrorist attack. Funny, but I don't remember any big protests against the murderers who carried out the 7/7 attack in London. The local Muslim population obviously feels more strongly about police anti-terror tactics than they do about actual terrorist attacks. More about one Muslim man being slightly wounded by police than fifty two people murdered by Islamic terrorists.
In a sometimes tense stand-off, about 100 protestors were heavily outnumbered by police as fundamentalists waved placards and called for the implementation of Sharia Law in Britain.
Only a hundred but still many more than appeared at the Free Muslims Against Terror protest in the US.
The sister of one of the men arrested in the anti-terror raid called on people not to join in the protest, but not because she was opposed to it per se-
"This will only provide another opportunity for our community to be portrayed in a negative light.
"Consequently, this will allow the police to inflict the same trauma that we have been through on another family. More brothers and sisters as a result, could be arrested, this will have an adverse affect in proving both of my brothers’ innocence."
Not a word about the police doing what they can to foil terrorist attacks on innocent people? No condemnation of the terrorists who are threatening to murder people in Britain and the effect that is having? Of course not. It's all the government and the police's fault.
Anjem Choudary, former UK head of the Islamic group al-Muhajiroun, and right-hand man to Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, the so-called Cleric of Hate, told demonstrators: "We have a right to defend ourselves. We will defend ourselves as a community, our lives, our honour. Cowardice and Islam cannot be in the heart of a Muslim at the same time."
He appears to misunderstand that Islam is a religion of peace too. As does this chap-
A bearded Irishman from Dublin, a convert of five years who gave his name as Khaled, said: "The Prophet Mohammed said ‘you should carry weapons’ and he is right."
Perhaps it's not surprising that there's so much confusion- one young boy was holding a sign that read, "Police target Muslims; will you be next?" He told reporters that he had been given the sign by his mosque. Aren't they supposed to be teaching this child that Islam is peaceful, not that the police are the problem? Shouldn't he maybe be holding a sign that reads "Terrorism; not in Islam's name" or something like that?
In a sometimes tense stand-off, about 100 protestors were heavily outnumbered by police as fundamentalists waved placards and called for the implementation of Sharia Law in Britain.
Only a hundred but still many more than appeared at the Free Muslims Against Terror protest in the US.
The sister of one of the men arrested in the anti-terror raid called on people not to join in the protest, but not because she was opposed to it per se-
"This will only provide another opportunity for our community to be portrayed in a negative light.
"Consequently, this will allow the police to inflict the same trauma that we have been through on another family. More brothers and sisters as a result, could be arrested, this will have an adverse affect in proving both of my brothers’ innocence."
Not a word about the police doing what they can to foil terrorist attacks on innocent people? No condemnation of the terrorists who are threatening to murder people in Britain and the effect that is having? Of course not. It's all the government and the police's fault.
Anjem Choudary, former UK head of the Islamic group al-Muhajiroun, and right-hand man to Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, the so-called Cleric of Hate, told demonstrators: "We have a right to defend ourselves. We will defend ourselves as a community, our lives, our honour. Cowardice and Islam cannot be in the heart of a Muslim at the same time."
He appears to misunderstand that Islam is a religion of peace too. As does this chap-
A bearded Irishman from Dublin, a convert of five years who gave his name as Khaled, said: "The Prophet Mohammed said ‘you should carry weapons’ and he is right."
Perhaps it's not surprising that there's so much confusion- one young boy was holding a sign that read, "Police target Muslims; will you be next?" He told reporters that he had been given the sign by his mosque. Aren't they supposed to be teaching this child that Islam is peaceful, not that the police are the problem? Shouldn't he maybe be holding a sign that reads "Terrorism; not in Islam's name" or something like that?
The 5.56mm
The Army has apparently completed a study into the ineffectiveness of the 5.56mm cartridge, following complaints from troops that enemy fighters had been shot more than once and kept coming. The Army's response is that troops need more training in shooting the enemy more times to "have a better chance of dropping people right away".
I guess when the Air Force finds pilots complaining that their fighters or bombers aren't up to scratch they'll be told to fire more missiles to make up for it?
Given the US military's technological might and it's utter technological dominance over the battlefield, it's criminal that the men right on the front line, toe to toe with the enemy, are being put in danger fielding a weapon system some four decades old- if the round is not up to scratch and there are better alternatives available (and there are) I can see no reason why they are having to "make do" with a round that is clearly not up to the job. Are any other part of the military machine, apart from the infantryman, being asked to do their job with less than optimum equipement?
Of course one of the advatages of the M16 weapon family is that it is highly flexible. With a few simple changes, the base weapon can be adapted to fire a variety of ammunition from pistol calibre up to big bore rounds more at home hunting in Africa than on the battlefield. If a more powerful round is needed by troops the current weapon system could be adapted very easily to fire it- with no further weapon training needed by troops; making it ideal for an army at war. If there was ever a more easily surmountable problem to upgrading a weapon I can't recall it.
That it hasn't yet been done is shocking. Seems to me that people need to stop complaining about body armour, and start clamouring for a more effective cartridge so that the American soldier is better able to kill the enemy without getting himself killed first. Soemhow I can't see liberals making a fuss about this.
I guess when the Air Force finds pilots complaining that their fighters or bombers aren't up to scratch they'll be told to fire more missiles to make up for it?
Given the US military's technological might and it's utter technological dominance over the battlefield, it's criminal that the men right on the front line, toe to toe with the enemy, are being put in danger fielding a weapon system some four decades old- if the round is not up to scratch and there are better alternatives available (and there are) I can see no reason why they are having to "make do" with a round that is clearly not up to the job. Are any other part of the military machine, apart from the infantryman, being asked to do their job with less than optimum equipement?
Of course one of the advatages of the M16 weapon family is that it is highly flexible. With a few simple changes, the base weapon can be adapted to fire a variety of ammunition from pistol calibre up to big bore rounds more at home hunting in Africa than on the battlefield. If a more powerful round is needed by troops the current weapon system could be adapted very easily to fire it- with no further weapon training needed by troops; making it ideal for an army at war. If there was ever a more easily surmountable problem to upgrading a weapon I can't recall it.
That it hasn't yet been done is shocking. Seems to me that people need to stop complaining about body armour, and start clamouring for a more effective cartridge so that the American soldier is better able to kill the enemy without getting himself killed first. Soemhow I can't see liberals making a fuss about this.
Zarqawi's End
I'm a huge fan of Michelle Malkin's Vent and the Hot Air blog which hosts it. Many thanks for them for this celebration of Zarqawi's demise.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Stunt
California Democrat Rep. Pete Stark thinks that the killing of Zarqawi is nothing more than a stunt to deflect attention away from the bad news coming out of Iraq.
I guess he also thinks that cops arresting murderers and the like is nothing more than a stunt to deflect citizens attention away from those depressing crime stats.
Does this man really hold elected office in the United States of America?
I guess he also thinks that cops arresting murderers and the like is nothing more than a stunt to deflect citizens attention away from those depressing crime stats.
Does this man really hold elected office in the United States of America?
The Threat
It seems odd than in the aftermath of Zarqawi's death pundits are quick to point out that he's only a figurehead, that there are plenty of other terrorists to take his place. Check out Frau Budgie's coverage for more details.
Aren't these the same people who have been saying for years now that we had to get Bin Laden, as if that would magically end the jihadi threat? I guess they can be honest enough to admit that we're facing a huge terrorist threat that extends beyond a few leaders when it might dampen the boost Zarqawi's death will give President Bush.
Aren't these the same people who have been saying for years now that we had to get Bin Laden, as if that would magically end the jihadi threat? I guess they can be honest enough to admit that we're facing a huge terrorist threat that extends beyond a few leaders when it might dampen the boost Zarqawi's death will give President Bush.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Hamas' Chemical Bombs
It seems that Hamas, the group which was supposed to become moderate after winning elections remember, is experimenting with adding toxic chemicals to its bombs.
The sources said the experiments have involved relatively simple chemicals, and as far as is known, the organization is not yet able to integrate such agents into its bombs effectively. However, they said, Hamas' West Bank cells include several skilled bombmakers who are investing great effort in trying to upgrade their weapons.
The organization also is amassing large stocks of explosives so operatives will be ready to launch attacks immediately should its leadership decide to end the security "lull," the sources added.
Their terrorist cells have apparently been given orders to prepare attacks that can be executed as soon as the order is given. Their new tactic is alleged to be "mega-attacks".
Currently, Hamas' West Bank cells are focusing mainly on buying arms, training operatives, setting up explosives factories and conducting experiments. However, a few cells - mainly in the southern West Bank, around Hebron and Bethlehem - are continuing to carry out small-scale attacks. These cells are only loosely connected to the organization's leadership in Damascus and Gaza, and as long as they keep a relatively low profile and do not claim responsibility for their attacks in Hamas' name, the leadership does not interfere. One such cell was arrested early this year after murdering six Israeli civilians near Gush Etzion and Hebron.
I guess that those whose support resuming the flow of aid money to the PA must be trying hard to ignore information like this.
The sources said the experiments have involved relatively simple chemicals, and as far as is known, the organization is not yet able to integrate such agents into its bombs effectively. However, they said, Hamas' West Bank cells include several skilled bombmakers who are investing great effort in trying to upgrade their weapons.
The organization also is amassing large stocks of explosives so operatives will be ready to launch attacks immediately should its leadership decide to end the security "lull," the sources added.
Their terrorist cells have apparently been given orders to prepare attacks that can be executed as soon as the order is given. Their new tactic is alleged to be "mega-attacks".
Currently, Hamas' West Bank cells are focusing mainly on buying arms, training operatives, setting up explosives factories and conducting experiments. However, a few cells - mainly in the southern West Bank, around Hebron and Bethlehem - are continuing to carry out small-scale attacks. These cells are only loosely connected to the organization's leadership in Damascus and Gaza, and as long as they keep a relatively low profile and do not claim responsibility for their attacks in Hamas' name, the leadership does not interfere. One such cell was arrested early this year after murdering six Israeli civilians near Gush Etzion and Hebron.
I guess that those whose support resuming the flow of aid money to the PA must be trying hard to ignore information like this.
F-16
Word is now coming out that Zarqawi was killed by a pair of F-16s and some 500lb bombs. Here's an example of the venerable F-16 from the fantastic Air Force Link photo gallery.
Al-Zarqawi
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, has been killed; and this time it seems that they really did get their man.
It seems an appropriate time to re-use The Sun's old Falklands War headline: Gotcha.
I think it's important to note this quote from the story-
"Today Zarqawi has been terminated," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced at a televised news conference with the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General George Casey, prompting applause and cheering from Iraqi journalists.
I wonder if any US journalists will be similarly pleased?
It seems an appropriate time to re-use The Sun's old Falklands War headline: Gotcha.
I think it's important to note this quote from the story-
"Today Zarqawi has been terminated," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced at a televised news conference with the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General George Casey, prompting applause and cheering from Iraqi journalists.
I wonder if any US journalists will be similarly pleased?
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Mogadishu
It looks like Clinton's decision to cut and run from Somalia is coming back to haunt us all. The Islamists who have seized control of Mogadishu are frank about their intent-
Mogadishu's most senior Muslim cleric, Sheikh Nur Barud, called on Somalis to crush secular resistance to the imposition of Sharia law and to reject warlord efforts to garner support by appealing to clan and tribal loyalties.
Mogadishu's most senior Muslim cleric, Sheikh Nur Barud, called on Somalis to crush secular resistance to the imposition of Sharia law and to reject warlord efforts to garner support by appealing to clan and tribal loyalties.
"All Somalis must defend the Islamic courts because this is not inter-clan fighting, but war with the infidels," he said in an address aired by local radio stations.
"We are against those who want to make this war appear like inter-clan fighting," Barud said. "This fighting is between those who support Islam, and godless invaders and those who support them."
I guess this senior cleric didn't get the memo that Islam is a religion of peace.
Shortly after the overthrow of Afghanistan I can recall hearing rumours of special forces activity in Somalia and for a time it seemed that attention in the war on terror would be focused there. A few years on and the situation has dramatically worsened- and soon Islamist terrorists might have a new safe haven from which to plan and train for their attacks. Pundits proclaimed massive coalition casualties just before troops went into Baghdad; those fears were never realised. If action has to be taken against Mogadishu, I don't think we'll be so lucky again.
Schism
The British press and media pundits are talking at great length about the schism between police and the Muslim community in the aftermath of the raid which left one man shot and wounded- and which appears to have found no evidence of terrorist activity. And George Galloway's Respect party is also getting in on the act-
MUSLIMS in east London should end co-operation with the police in the wake of last week’s terror raid, a Respect party activist has said.
The rally is being supported by the anti-war Respect Party, the Muslim Association of Britain and the Muslim Council of Britain which earlier this week voiced fears that trust between the Asian community and police could break down.
None of these groups seem to be too concerned about the actual chemical terror attack which police were desperate to foil. Tony Blair, however, is backing the police-
"I think that we should be very, very wary of drawing conclusions, but my view is absolutely clear," he said.
"I support the police 101 per cent, and the security services. I think that if they had a reasonable piece of intelligence that they think they have got to investigate and take action on, they should."
Of course, if such an attack had taken place, the police and intelligence service would be raked over hot coals for not doing enough to prevent it. As it is, the police claim to have had specific information of an imminent attack. They had no choice but to act.
I find it disconcerting that an anti-terror raid, aimed at protecting the lives of British citizens, should result in calls for the entire Muslim community to cease co-operating with police and also induce some to organise a protest against the raid itself. They apparently feel "unjustly targeted in the domestic fight against terrorism". I wonder who they would like the police and intelligence service to focus their attention on in this battle against Islamist terrorism? Presbyterians?
MUSLIMS in east London should end co-operation with the police in the wake of last week’s terror raid, a Respect party activist has said.
Yvonne Ridley told listeners to a radio talk show that the community was being “terrorised” by the Metropolitan Police and should end all contact with the force.
A group called Stop Political Terror are also planning on holding a protest in London as a result of the raid-The rally is being supported by the anti-war Respect Party, the Muslim Association of Britain and the Muslim Council of Britain which earlier this week voiced fears that trust between the Asian community and police could break down.
None of these groups seem to be too concerned about the actual chemical terror attack which police were desperate to foil. Tony Blair, however, is backing the police-
"I think that we should be very, very wary of drawing conclusions, but my view is absolutely clear," he said.
"I support the police 101 per cent, and the security services. I think that if they had a reasonable piece of intelligence that they think they have got to investigate and take action on, they should."
Of course, if such an attack had taken place, the police and intelligence service would be raked over hot coals for not doing enough to prevent it. As it is, the police claim to have had specific information of an imminent attack. They had no choice but to act.
I find it disconcerting that an anti-terror raid, aimed at protecting the lives of British citizens, should result in calls for the entire Muslim community to cease co-operating with police and also induce some to organise a protest against the raid itself. They apparently feel "unjustly targeted in the domestic fight against terrorism". I wonder who they would like the police and intelligence service to focus their attention on in this battle against Islamist terrorism? Presbyterians?
Yon on Haditha
As the media feeding frenzy around Haditha and the allegations of a massacre, Michael Yon takes the time to focus on the matter. As always with Yon's work, it's worth reading in its entirety.
What word, then, properly characterizes the recent media coverage of Haditha, when analysis stretches beyond shotgun conclusions to actually attributing motive and assigning blame? No rational process supports a statement like: “We don’t know what happened, but we know why it happened and whose fault it is.”
That seems to sum up the matter. Yon goes on to make a point that hadn't really occurred to me-
To get the true context of how fairly any newspaper or media outlet is treating the military in general, and this war in particular, news consumers should consider how long it had been since that same source focused the same energy on the war. For some outlets, the last time the war really splashed was with Abu Ghraib.
Yon goes on to highlight some of the horrendous acts committed by the terrorists in Iraq, acts that the press in the US and elsewhere barely mention, if at all. I think that it's important to remember that while the media goes on at great length about Abu Ghraib and now Haditha, they have next to nothing to say about what the enemy is up to, day in and day out.
Whose side are they on?
What word, then, properly characterizes the recent media coverage of Haditha, when analysis stretches beyond shotgun conclusions to actually attributing motive and assigning blame? No rational process supports a statement like: “We don’t know what happened, but we know why it happened and whose fault it is.”
That seems to sum up the matter. Yon goes on to make a point that hadn't really occurred to me-
To get the true context of how fairly any newspaper or media outlet is treating the military in general, and this war in particular, news consumers should consider how long it had been since that same source focused the same energy on the war. For some outlets, the last time the war really splashed was with Abu Ghraib.
Yon goes on to highlight some of the horrendous acts committed by the terrorists in Iraq, acts that the press in the US and elsewhere barely mention, if at all. I think that it's important to remember that while the media goes on at great length about Abu Ghraib and now Haditha, they have next to nothing to say about what the enemy is up to, day in and day out.
Whose side are they on?
Saturday, June 03, 2006
MPACUK
A few blogs have already commented on the reaction of the "moderate" Muslim group MPACUK ("the UK's Leading Muslim civil liberties group, empowering Muslims to focus on non-violent Jihad and political activism") to the shooting of a man by police conducting an anti-terrorism raid. First of all, here's what the raid was all about-
A DESPERATE search is under way for a “chemical vest” that a British suicide bomber was ready to deploy in a terror attack on London.
Police fear that the strike, using a home-made chemical device, was imminent after an informant told MI5 that he had seen the lethal garment at the home of two young men.
Armed officers who led the assault on the terraced house in Forest Gate, East London, wore oxygen masks and protective chemical gear after a tip-off from MI5 that the device had already been assembled. And the reaction of MPACUK-
If British intelligence is anything to go by, we can only hope the sleeping Muslims of East London will wake up and rise against the tyrrany being perpetrated against our youth in the name of combating terrorism.
And then there's this comment-
The message for Muslims in all this is clear - the Police should be given no support and should not be helped in their victimisation of our community. If they want to repeat their experiences of the Irish and black communities, if they want riots and if they want tension then by all means they should go ahead and carry on their policies. But from now on and as far as I am concerned, they're the enemy.
Now obviously the comment has nothing to do with the site itself but it would be interesting to know just how widely accepted such views were in Britain.
A DESPERATE search is under way for a “chemical vest” that a British suicide bomber was ready to deploy in a terror attack on London.
Police fear that the strike, using a home-made chemical device, was imminent after an informant told MI5 that he had seen the lethal garment at the home of two young men.
Last night detectives were at the hospital bedside of a 23-year-old postal worker shot during a pre-dawn raid on his parents’ home, while his younger brother, aged 20, was being questioned at Paddington Green high security police station.
If British intelligence is anything to go by, we can only hope the sleeping Muslims of East London will wake up and rise against the tyrrany being perpetrated against our youth in the name of combating terrorism.
And then there's this comment-
The message for Muslims in all this is clear - the Police should be given no support and should not be helped in their victimisation of our community. If they want to repeat their experiences of the Irish and black communities, if they want riots and if they want tension then by all means they should go ahead and carry on their policies. But from now on and as far as I am concerned, they're the enemy.
Now obviously the comment has nothing to do with the site itself but it would be interesting to know just how widely accepted such views were in Britain.
Declining Britain
The flag of England, banned from being flown in England because "the council has to be sensitive to how residents of other nationalities would react to England flags being displayed."
In the run-up to the football World Cup, spoilsport New Prospect bosses have banned workers from flying England flags.
In the run-up to the football World Cup, spoilsport New Prospect bosses have banned workers from flying England flags.
A letter has been sent from assistant director of property services John Rule, telling managers to instruct staff that maintenance workers using New Prospect’s fleet must not fly any "unauthorised accessories, namely the flag of St George".
The flying of the flag may apparently "seriously compromise the health and safety of our own employees and members of the public."Proof of Alien Life?
When I read this I kept thinking about the opening scenes of the '70s remake of Invasion of the Bodysnatchers when we see the alien lifeforms falling in drops of rain.
In April, Louis, a solid-state physicist at Mahatma Gandhi University, published a paper in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Astrophysics and Space Science in which he hypothesizes that the samples -- water taken from the mysterious blood-colored showers that fell sporadically across Louis's home state of Kerala in the summer of 2001 -- contain microbes from outer space.
Specifically, Louis has isolated strange, thick-walled, red-tinted cell-like structures about 10 microns in size. Stranger still, dozens of his experiments suggest that the particles may lack DNA yet still reproduce plentifully, even in water superheated to nearly 600 degrees Fahrenheit .
I've only got one thing to say-
Look, you fools. You're in danger. Can't you see? They're after you. They're after all of us. Our wives, our children, everyone. They're here already. YOU'RE NEXT!
In April, Louis, a solid-state physicist at Mahatma Gandhi University, published a paper in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Astrophysics and Space Science in which he hypothesizes that the samples -- water taken from the mysterious blood-colored showers that fell sporadically across Louis's home state of Kerala in the summer of 2001 -- contain microbes from outer space.
Specifically, Louis has isolated strange, thick-walled, red-tinted cell-like structures about 10 microns in size. Stranger still, dozens of his experiments suggest that the particles may lack DNA yet still reproduce plentifully, even in water superheated to nearly 600 degrees Fahrenheit .
I've only got one thing to say-
Look, you fools. You're in danger. Can't you see? They're after you. They're after all of us. Our wives, our children, everyone. They're here already. YOU'RE NEXT!
Haditha
The Haditha investigation carries on- and yet the press seems to have decided that the Marines are definitely guilty; and it seems to me that if they are innocent, no one will believe the final conclusion of the investigation because of all the negative reporting so far. The damage is already done. Just like the fake Koran flushing story.
Over at Michael Yon's website there's an article about the situation that the Marines face. It's worth reading the entire thing to get a glimpse of the threat that the troops in Iraq have to deal with day in and day out.
"you can’t dig a hole in front of someone’s house and plant an IED without them noticing at some point during their daily routine. The people around know something, and it’s evidenced by the fact they were conveniently inside to avoid the explosion. However, they didn’t outwardly aggress on you, and you don’t have a clear target, so you can’t retaliate. Repeat this sequence of events a few times over the course of 6-7 months of combat. Perhaps you bury a few friends as a result. The same scene manifests itself in a myriad of locations and situations. Your friends keep dying, and you have never so much as seen the face of your enemy."
Over at Michael Yon's website there's an article about the situation that the Marines face. It's worth reading the entire thing to get a glimpse of the threat that the troops in Iraq have to deal with day in and day out.
"you can’t dig a hole in front of someone’s house and plant an IED without them noticing at some point during their daily routine. The people around know something, and it’s evidenced by the fact they were conveniently inside to avoid the explosion. However, they didn’t outwardly aggress on you, and you don’t have a clear target, so you can’t retaliate. Repeat this sequence of events a few times over the course of 6-7 months of combat. Perhaps you bury a few friends as a result. The same scene manifests itself in a myriad of locations and situations. Your friends keep dying, and you have never so much as seen the face of your enemy."
The American Soldier
It's a shame that the press don't show the same regard for the military-
Kimberly Dozier, the CBS reporter wounded by a car bomb in Iraq, now has a Purple Heart at her bedside in a U.S. military hospital in Germany after a young American soldier gave her his medal, the network said.
"A young American soldier came up to Kimberly's brother Michael and told him that he had met Kimberly in Iraq two years ago after he had been wounded with shrapnel in his arm," CBS said without identifying the soldier. "The soldier had his Purple Heart with him, and he told Michael that he'd like Kimberly to have it because, he said, she's suffered as much as any soldier. That Purple Heart is now beside Kimberly's bed."
Kimberly Dozier, the CBS reporter wounded by a car bomb in Iraq, now has a Purple Heart at her bedside in a U.S. military hospital in Germany after a young American soldier gave her his medal, the network said.
"A young American soldier came up to Kimberly's brother Michael and told him that he had met Kimberly in Iraq two years ago after he had been wounded with shrapnel in his arm," CBS said without identifying the soldier. "The soldier had his Purple Heart with him, and he told Michael that he'd like Kimberly to have it because, he said, she's suffered as much as any soldier. That Purple Heart is now beside Kimberly's bed."
Barking A Crime
The headline on FARK sums this up pretty well - "Apparently, allowing a dog to bark close to a prisoner is now torture. The west surrenders to the live TV head-hackers."
Army sergeant Santos Cardona, the prison guard at Abu Ghraib who allowed "his Belgian shepherd to bark within inches of an Iraqi detainee's face" has been sentenced to a reduction in rank and 90 days hard labour. His "crime" of permitting his dog to bark closely to the prisoner was aggravated assault.
His lawyer had this to say-
"What we have here is a soldier who let his dog get too close to a detainee, and the dog barked."
Barking is now classified as assault?
Army sergeant Santos Cardona, the prison guard at Abu Ghraib who allowed "his Belgian shepherd to bark within inches of an Iraqi detainee's face" has been sentenced to a reduction in rank and 90 days hard labour. His "crime" of permitting his dog to bark closely to the prisoner was aggravated assault.
His lawyer had this to say-
"What we have here is a soldier who let his dog get too close to a detainee, and the dog barked."
Barking is now classified as assault?
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