If these statistics are correct (and it seems telling that the federal government doesn't even try to track illegal alien crime) then they are shocking- I guess all those Democrats and others who object to the loss of life in Iraq will now begin campaigning to have illegal immigrants expelled from America and the borders secured?
While the military "quagmire" in Iraq was said to tip the scales of power in the U.S. midterm elections, most Americans have no idea more of their fellow citizens – men, women and children – were murdered this year by illegal aliens than the combined death toll of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since those military campaigns began.
Twelve Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens, according to statistics released by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. If those numbers are correct, it translates to 4,380 Americans murdered annually by illegal aliens. That's 21,900 since Sept. 11, 2001.
Total U.S. troop deaths in Iraq as of last week were reported at 2,863. Total U.S. troop deaths in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan during the five years of the Afghan campaign are currently at 289, according to the Department of Defense.
But the carnage wrought by illegal alien murderers represents only a fraction of the pool of blood spilled by American citizens as a result of an open border and un-enforced immigration laws.
While King reports 12 Americans are murdered daily by illegal aliens, he says 13 are killed by drunk illegal alien drivers – for another annual death toll of 4,745. That's 23,725 since Sept. 11, 2001.
King also reports eight American children are victims of sexual abuse by illegal aliens every day – a total of 2,920 annually.
Based on a one-year in-depth study, Deborah Schurman-Kauflin of the Violent Crimes Institute of Atlanta estimates there are about 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in the United States who have had an average of four victims each. She analyzed 1,500 cases from January 1999 through April 2006 that included serial rapes, serial murders, sexual homicides and child molestation committed by illegal immigrants.
Yet again- when is Bush or Congress going to do something about securing their borders?
And think on about how these figures might suddenly spike upwards if terrorists are amongst the thousands sneaking illegally into the USA.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The Only Ones Get More Privileges
Just what on earth is going on?
SB 647, introduced by Sen. Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond Township, could prevent the public from ever finding out about acts of abuse by police officers.
The so-called Garrity legislation would restrict the use and disclosure of "involuntary statements" made by law enforcement officers in response to questions by their agencies if the officer were ordered to answer under threat of dismissal or other penalty.
The only way such statements could be disclosed by the agency for which the officer worked is if the officer gave permission in writing.
Even if an officer committed an illegal act or abuse of power and were terminated, the police department he or she worked for could never reveal to the public the cause for dismissal without the officer's written permission.
Big hat tip to War On Guns.
SB 647, introduced by Sen. Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond Township, could prevent the public from ever finding out about acts of abuse by police officers.
The bill would apply not only to officers for municipal police departments and county sheriff's departments, but also to law enforcers for airport authorities, and community colleges and public universities.
The so-called Garrity legislation would restrict the use and disclosure of "involuntary statements" made by law enforcement officers in response to questions by their agencies if the officer were ordered to answer under threat of dismissal or other penalty.
The only way such statements could be disclosed by the agency for which the officer worked is if the officer gave permission in writing.
The statement could be released to a prosecuting attorney or attorney general, but only in response to a search warrant, subpoena or court order.
However, those attorneys would be forbidden from disclosing the statement to the public.
Illegal acts by officers, under this legislation, might never be made public.
Even if an officer committed an illegal act or abuse of power and were terminated, the police department he or she worked for could never reveal to the public the cause for dismissal without the officer's written permission.
A victim of alleged police abuse would never be allowed to view the implicated officer's statement about the incident.
The bill would allow a "bad apple" to resign and be hired by another police agency without that agency ever knowing that the officer was implicated in abuse or an illegal act.
Essentially, the bill would allow an employee paid by the public to hide potential illegal acts from the public, and make his or her agency - including police departments - comply in such cover-ups.
The "Only Ones"- cementing their privileged status over the common folk of America.Big hat tip to War On Guns.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
A Moderate Speaks
It seems that a sighting has been made of that exceeding common, majority figure- the moderate Muslim. Just such a man wrote a letter for a local newspaper. What was the reaction do you suppose? A massive yawn maybe? Moderate Muslims are supposed to be the vast majority of a religion which again and again we are told is peaceful- despite all the evidence to the contrary (terrorist acts, terrorist explanations of their acts, and the very texts of the religion which exhort followers to war and violence against unbelievers).
Anyway, a moderate Muslim writes a letter- hardly newsworthy you might think. Well, it wouldn't have been only he has since been kicked out of his mosque and threatened by violence by other members of the Muslim community. I guess the religion of peace memo is being directed at the wrong people- all those Islamophobes need to stop being targeted and the memo sent to Muslims instead it would seem.
Unfortunately, the text of his article is no longer available at Tulsa World- the page has apparently expired, but he apparently condemned Al Qaeda and also called on Muslims to reject terrorism. If you watch the video link at LGF you'll hear the man in question say that he was told "You can't say bad things about Muslims in front of unbelievers". Is that why we're not seeing a mass movement of this majority of moderates to denounce terrorism- because they think it'll look bad to all us infidels? If so, it's a pretty lousy excuse- and it's very telling of their attitude to non-believers. Note too at the end of the report that he will be allowed to go back to the mosque if he apologises. For what? Denouncing Al Qaeda or asking Muslims not to commit terrorist acts?
If this is the way moderates are treated then it's little wonder that we don't hear them. Expect CAIR to launch into action any moment now to defend this man and to promote his message.
Any second now.
Anyway, a moderate Muslim writes a letter- hardly newsworthy you might think. Well, it wouldn't have been only he has since been kicked out of his mosque and threatened by violence by other members of the Muslim community. I guess the religion of peace memo is being directed at the wrong people- all those Islamophobes need to stop being targeted and the memo sent to Muslims instead it would seem.
Unfortunately, the text of his article is no longer available at Tulsa World- the page has apparently expired, but he apparently condemned Al Qaeda and also called on Muslims to reject terrorism. If you watch the video link at LGF you'll hear the man in question say that he was told "You can't say bad things about Muslims in front of unbelievers". Is that why we're not seeing a mass movement of this majority of moderates to denounce terrorism- because they think it'll look bad to all us infidels? If so, it's a pretty lousy excuse- and it's very telling of their attitude to non-believers. Note too at the end of the report that he will be allowed to go back to the mosque if he apologises. For what? Denouncing Al Qaeda or asking Muslims not to commit terrorist acts?
If this is the way moderates are treated then it's little wonder that we don't hear them. Expect CAIR to launch into action any moment now to defend this man and to promote his message.
Any second now.
Self-Destruction
Israel's leader Olmert seems to have completely lost the plot- from failing to recover the kidnapped soldiers, failing to respond to a broken ceasefire to this-
Israel is prepared to release many jailed Palestinians, including long-serving prisoners, in return for a soldier militants seized in June, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday.
I can't understand it- time and again it's been proven that succumbing to terrorist bullying and intimidation will do nothing more than cause even more bullying and intimidation. If these prisoners are released then the terrorists know that the next time they want to spring someone from prison all they need to do is snatch another hostage. LGF ponders whether or not Olmert has some sort of masterplan at work- if he does, he's taking his time revealing it. The Lebanon incursion failed to accomplish anything other than the installation of a UN bodyguard force for Hezbollah- is Olmert really the sort of man to deal with terrorists over a massive prisoner release? Does he understand that his willingness to negotiate is seen as nothing more than weakness by people intent on completely destroying Israel?
As Iran strengthens its hand in the region and the enemies of Israel are offered a respite to rearm and regroup by the UN force in Lebanon and the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel is seemingly becoming weaker and weaker. Perhaps it's the decades long grind of "world opinion" about their attempts to stop their hostile neighbours from annihilating them, perhaps it's ennui at the constant war for survival. Whatever the reason, the leaders of that nation need to keep in mind that their good will and desire for a peaceful life is not reciprocated.
Israel is prepared to release many jailed Palestinians, including long-serving prisoners, in return for a soldier militants seized in June, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday.
I can't understand it- time and again it's been proven that succumbing to terrorist bullying and intimidation will do nothing more than cause even more bullying and intimidation. If these prisoners are released then the terrorists know that the next time they want to spring someone from prison all they need to do is snatch another hostage. LGF ponders whether or not Olmert has some sort of masterplan at work- if he does, he's taking his time revealing it. The Lebanon incursion failed to accomplish anything other than the installation of a UN bodyguard force for Hezbollah- is Olmert really the sort of man to deal with terrorists over a massive prisoner release? Does he understand that his willingness to negotiate is seen as nothing more than weakness by people intent on completely destroying Israel?
As Iran strengthens its hand in the region and the enemies of Israel are offered a respite to rearm and regroup by the UN force in Lebanon and the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel is seemingly becoming weaker and weaker. Perhaps it's the decades long grind of "world opinion" about their attempts to stop their hostile neighbours from annihilating them, perhaps it's ennui at the constant war for survival. Whatever the reason, the leaders of that nation need to keep in mind that their good will and desire for a peaceful life is not reciprocated.
Police Shooting
Remember the police raid that ended with the shooting of an elderly women when she fired on what she presumably thought were intruders? After the incident the cops denied that they'd hit the wrong house and that instead insisted they had evidence of drug sales taking place there. Well, War on Guns is keeping abreast of the story. Here's the latest-
Now, Chief Pennington confirmed there are questions as to whether there was ever a drug buy at Kathryn Johnston’s home – the informant told the Internal Affairs Unit he was told to lie.
Stay tuned.
Now, Chief Pennington confirmed there are questions as to whether there was ever a drug buy at Kathryn Johnston’s home – the informant told the Internal Affairs Unit he was told to lie.
Stay tuned.
Sexual Discrimination
It seems that a certain police test- specifically the assault course part of it- has been deemed to be too difficult for female recruits to pass. The action taken? Well, you might think that they would overhaul the training program. Most of the women either couldn't get over the wall at all, or were so exhausted after scaling it that they couldn't complete the course. It sounds to me that fitter and stronger cadets were what was required. Police work after all can be physically demanding and surely requires some strength and stamina.
This being the PC 21st century it seems that such a change to training wasn't even considered- when female recruits complained about the wall a process was immediately set into action to change the test. It baffles me- it really does; can the decision makers not see that by lowering the requirements they might be putting women officers at risk when they are out on the street and faced by dangerous criminals?
The state review of the test led to a recent change in the wall. It now has two braces providing for foot leverage, making it easier to scale. A spokesman for the state administration said the wall is now a more realistic reflection of actual police work, because it is made more like a fence, something officers are more likely to encounter in their work settings.
Walls being so rare and all. I really am stumped- a wall is considered so difficult to climb by women only that it must be changed so that they can do it- instead of a real obstacle now, the women recruits are faced by the demanding challenge of traversing what's essentially a small ladder.
Boston police even endorsed the test after seeing 68 percent of their female recruits in a recent class pass.
I'm amazed- you make a test so easy that virtually anyone can pass and then pronounce it a success? Are these female police officers up to the same standard as the male ones- evidently not, if they don't possess the same strength that a fairly simple test required.
But, I hear you cry, scaling a wall in an obstacle course isn't easy- what was it, six, eight feet high? No, the wall that was exhausting women on the course so much that they couldn't continue was a mere five feet high; less I'm sure than the recruits themselves. If they aren't fit enough to run, jump, heave and roll over that, then I'm not really confident of their ability to perform their duties. But I guess something like that isn't as important as glossing over the inadequacies of a training program that doesn't prepare cadets to traverse an obstacle that's smaller than they are.
This being the PC 21st century it seems that such a change to training wasn't even considered- when female recruits complained about the wall a process was immediately set into action to change the test. It baffles me- it really does; can the decision makers not see that by lowering the requirements they might be putting women officers at risk when they are out on the street and faced by dangerous criminals?
The state review of the test led to a recent change in the wall. It now has two braces providing for foot leverage, making it easier to scale. A spokesman for the state administration said the wall is now a more realistic reflection of actual police work, because it is made more like a fence, something officers are more likely to encounter in their work settings.
Walls being so rare and all. I really am stumped- a wall is considered so difficult to climb by women only that it must be changed so that they can do it- instead of a real obstacle now, the women recruits are faced by the demanding challenge of traversing what's essentially a small ladder.
Boston police even endorsed the test after seeing 68 percent of their female recruits in a recent class pass.
I'm amazed- you make a test so easy that virtually anyone can pass and then pronounce it a success? Are these female police officers up to the same standard as the male ones- evidently not, if they don't possess the same strength that a fairly simple test required.
But, I hear you cry, scaling a wall in an obstacle course isn't easy- what was it, six, eight feet high? No, the wall that was exhausting women on the course so much that they couldn't continue was a mere five feet high; less I'm sure than the recruits themselves. If they aren't fit enough to run, jump, heave and roll over that, then I'm not really confident of their ability to perform their duties. But I guess something like that isn't as important as glossing over the inadequacies of a training program that doesn't prepare cadets to traverse an obstacle that's smaller than they are.
Best Song of the Past Two Decades
Another list. Well, this one is actually not too bad- my main complaint is the inclusion of songs from 2006. They might seem good and catchy now but is that going to hold in a year or even five? And to be perfectly honest, I've never even heard the Arctic Monkey's I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (update- I checked it out on YouTube and I'm completely underwhelmed- not a good selection). I can't even begin to think of individual tracks from the past two decades so there's not a whole lot to argue with right now. Good to see Unfinished Sympathy up there though. Of the whole lost there are only a few songs I don't like at all- Oasis and Eminem. And Bittersweet Symphony isn't even close to Verve's best work- they did that before being forced to add "The" to their name in my opinion. And Brimful of Asha is an odd one- catchy, yes, but only because of Norman Cook's remix- and it's not close to his best work either. I'd swap that one for Praise You, Weapon of Choice or I See You Baby.
And where's Radiohead? They routinely pop up on best album lists- and yet not a single track is listed here. Creep or No Surprises could easily slot into, say, the number six slot.
Here it is-
And where's Radiohead? They routinely pop up on best album lists- and yet not a single track is listed here. Creep or No Surprises could easily slot into, say, the number six slot.
Here it is-
1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Nirvana, 1991
2. "Hey Ya!" OutKast, 2003
3. "Sweet Child O' Mine" Guns N' Roses, 1987
4. "Unfinished Symphony" Massive Attack, 1991
5. "One" U2, 1991
6. "Live Forever" Oasis, 1994
7. "Bitter Sweet Symphony" The Verve, 1997
8. "Common People" Pulp, 1995
9. "There She Goes" The LA's, 1990
10. "7 Nation Army" The White Stripes, 2003
11. "Song 2" Blur, 1997
12. "Crazy" Gnarls Barkley, 2006
13. "Angels" Robbie Williams, 1997
14. " … Baby One More Time" Britney Spears, 1999
15. "Personal Jesus" Depeche Mode, 1990
16. "Like A Prayer" Madonna, 1989
17. "Firestarter" The Prodigy, 1997
18. "Brimful of Asha" Cornershop, 1997
19. "Stan" Eminem, 2000
20. "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" Arctic Monkeys, 2006
What's That Noise?
I always wondered as I got older what it would be like to lose touch with what's happening in the music scene. I was prepared to not be a John Peel, who promoted some cutting edge music until his untimely death; frankly, even when I listened to his show as a teenager I could tell that I was several steps back from truly cutting edge. To my young ears Napalm Death was just noise, although now and then I could see the appeal. Anyway, over the past couple of years, since I hit thirty I think, I've noticed myself going back to the music I liked in my early twenties and late teens- a lot of material from the Ninja Tune label for example or ambient music by the likes of Biosphere. I still get a big kick out of discovering a band or artist I've never heard before. I guess the most recent example of that would be Smog.
Anyway, I was browsing late last night and it hit me square in the face like a punch from Ivan Drago- I'm old and new music fads are beyond me. Way, far beyond me. So far gone that they've got red shift. And, surprisingly, it doesn't bother me. I'm quite happy to live in a world where 15-stone lesbian activists who shout punk rock are not considered to be "rock goddesses" or the "coolest person in rock".
Have times really changed so much?
Anyway, in honour of my getting to the "what's that terrible noise?" stage here's a soothing little tune by Smog, I Feel Like The Mother Of The World.
Anyway, I was browsing late last night and it hit me square in the face like a punch from Ivan Drago- I'm old and new music fads are beyond me. Way, far beyond me. So far gone that they've got red shift. And, surprisingly, it doesn't bother me. I'm quite happy to live in a world where 15-stone lesbian activists who shout punk rock are not considered to be "rock goddesses" or the "coolest person in rock".
Have times really changed so much?
Anyway, in honour of my getting to the "what's that terrible noise?" stage here's a soothing little tune by Smog, I Feel Like The Mother Of The World.
Female Death Squads
This is interesting- and somewhat disturbing- news sent out by a Jordanian counter-terror expert.
Recent chatter on jihadi forums points to a new organized death squad in Iraq. The new group is allegedly composed of Shiite female assassination units that will target Sunnis. Sunni jihadi websites have warned their followers about this new threat, saying that these female units, called al-Zahra groups after Fatima al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet and the wife of the Muslim caliph Ali, are trained to kill Sunnis with bayonets and handguns equipped with silencers.
The women are apparently on their way to Baghdad and the fear is that they will target women and children.
The purpose of the posting was to insinuate that Iranians had trained the al-Zahra units. In the same context, another Sunni user, Khaled al-Rawi, said that the Shiites' current attack potential is a repeat of the Shiite attacks that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s against Sunnis. At the time, Shiite party al-Dawa al-Safawia organized and trained prostitutes to blow up cars and to assassinate Sunni figures and civilians in Iraq (http://www.iraqirabita.org, November 2). The website also contained pictures of Shiite females covered completely in black similar to the Iranian female police training video.
I'd say that it will be worth paying attention to developments in Iraq in the coming weeks to see if there are any reports of these women-only death squads.
Recent chatter on jihadi forums points to a new organized death squad in Iraq. The new group is allegedly composed of Shiite female assassination units that will target Sunnis. Sunni jihadi websites have warned their followers about this new threat, saying that these female units, called al-Zahra groups after Fatima al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet and the wife of the Muslim caliph Ali, are trained to kill Sunnis with bayonets and handguns equipped with silencers.
The women are apparently on their way to Baghdad and the fear is that they will target women and children.
The purpose of the posting was to insinuate that Iranians had trained the al-Zahra units. In the same context, another Sunni user, Khaled al-Rawi, said that the Shiites' current attack potential is a repeat of the Shiite attacks that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s against Sunnis. At the time, Shiite party al-Dawa al-Safawia organized and trained prostitutes to blow up cars and to assassinate Sunni figures and civilians in Iraq (http://www.iraqirabita.org, November 2). The website also contained pictures of Shiite females covered completely in black similar to the Iranian female police training video.
I'd say that it will be worth paying attention to developments in Iraq in the coming weeks to see if there are any reports of these women-only death squads.
Monday, November 27, 2006
World's Smallest Machine Gun
This is quite cool- a miniature .17 Mach 2 Browning MG. Is it the world's smallest? Probably- regardless it sure looks like it would be a lot of fun to shoot.
Found this over at TechBlog- where the "world's smallest" claim was made. I had a quick glance at the comments- seems the weapon is a Tippmann- and found this statement:
"I hope this “gadget” doesn’t fall into the hands of terrorists."
Good grief- are hoplophobes so terrified that they just can't understand anything about firearms at all?
Found this over at TechBlog- where the "world's smallest" claim was made. I had a quick glance at the comments- seems the weapon is a Tippmann- and found this statement:
"I hope this “gadget” doesn’t fall into the hands of terrorists."
Good grief- are hoplophobes so terrified that they just can't understand anything about firearms at all?
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Anti-Semitism In Print
I'm a little confused. The story on CNN involves a rocket attack on Israel only moments after another ceasefire was announced. Can you guess what the headline is- "Ceasefire Broken" or some clever wordplay along those lines? Well, no, in fact it's almost the exact opposite-
13,000 Palestinian Security Forces Maintain Ceasefire
Come again? You see, the 11 rockets launched after the ceasefire was brokered were claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. You know, the kinder, gentler, more "moderate" Hamas everyone has come to know since they were elected into government. So, Hamas can fire rockets and still claim to be holding a ceasefire? Unbelievably Olmert has announced that Israel will take no action- hey, ceasefires need time to "take".
Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad insisted that all Palestinian factions are "100 percent" behind the cease-fire.
Hamas' militant wing and the Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for firing several rockets into Israel after the cease-fire took effect at 6 a.m.
So, which is it? CNN doesn't seem to care that either they got their facts wrong or Hamas are lying through their teeth- and the fact that the elected leaders of Hamas are involved in firing rockets randomly at towns in Israel is no big deal either. I guess, depending on how you want to view it, you could either define this as state-sponsored terrorism or an act of war.
And yet, the Western media doesn't seem to be too perturbed. I suppose they save that for when Israel retaliates to these acts of aggression aimed at civilian targets. Funny, isn't it, that the press which got so worked up about innocent civilians being targeted by Israeli forces during the Lebanon conflict, should be so unconcerned about other civilians being targeted now. As far as I can tell there are only two differences- Hamas and their ilk are using crude, unguided rockets aimed at towns instead of military targets (positioned in the middle of civilian areas on purpose), and the targets now are Jewish.
Could it possibly be that there's some anti-Semitism at work here? Because I can't think of any other explanation for why a story like this would be reported in this manner.
13,000 Palestinian Security Forces Maintain Ceasefire
Come again? You see, the 11 rockets launched after the ceasefire was brokered were claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. You know, the kinder, gentler, more "moderate" Hamas everyone has come to know since they were elected into government. So, Hamas can fire rockets and still claim to be holding a ceasefire? Unbelievably Olmert has announced that Israel will take no action- hey, ceasefires need time to "take".
Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad insisted that all Palestinian factions are "100 percent" behind the cease-fire.
"All of them now, without exception, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Fatah and other factions, they decided to respect the agreement and also to be committed 100 percent to this agreement," Hamad told CNN.
And those rockets, well, apparently they were fired just before the ceasefire took effect so, in the eyes of Hamas nothing untoward happened. Which is odd, and apparently fine with CNN, despite the fact that a few paragraphs before this we learned-Hamas' militant wing and the Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for firing several rockets into Israel after the cease-fire took effect at 6 a.m.
So, which is it? CNN doesn't seem to care that either they got their facts wrong or Hamas are lying through their teeth- and the fact that the elected leaders of Hamas are involved in firing rockets randomly at towns in Israel is no big deal either. I guess, depending on how you want to view it, you could either define this as state-sponsored terrorism or an act of war.
And yet, the Western media doesn't seem to be too perturbed. I suppose they save that for when Israel retaliates to these acts of aggression aimed at civilian targets. Funny, isn't it, that the press which got so worked up about innocent civilians being targeted by Israeli forces during the Lebanon conflict, should be so unconcerned about other civilians being targeted now. As far as I can tell there are only two differences- Hamas and their ilk are using crude, unguided rockets aimed at towns instead of military targets (positioned in the middle of civilian areas on purpose), and the targets now are Jewish.
Could it possibly be that there's some anti-Semitism at work here? Because I can't think of any other explanation for why a story like this would be reported in this manner.
Mini-14 Fix?
For years people have known of the Ruger Mini-14's main problem- a barrel that is too thin, one that overheats when more than a few shots are put through it thus ruining the weapon's accuracy. It's a shame because the Mini-14 has the potential to be one of the finest firearms around. Based on a scaled down version of the Garand's action it is tough and reliable.
Despite this, Ruger seems to have no interest in fixing the problem. If they had, then I suspect that an awful lot of people would be interested in the Mini-14. As this month's Guns and Ammo says, "If you want a gun that will never quit on you, go with the Ruger." And speaking of G&A this month they review Ruger's "fix" to this problem; rather than release a Mini-14 with a better barrel they've decided to add an Allen-screw adjustable barrel weight. It seems to me to be a stop gap measure, a glossing over of the problem rather than a real solution. The barrel weight comes with the latest incarnation of the Mini, a thumbhole stock "Target" model. Frankly I think the new stock design is repugnant. You can read G&A's review here. As the author says on more than one occasion, he had very little time with the rifle. It kind of dents my confidence when a reviewer says that- perhaps if he'd had another few days with it, he might have developed a different impression of the weapon.
Anyway, your choices with the Mini-14 seem to be this- take the weapon as is and hope that you never have to put one or two shots down the barrel at a time; buy a custom barrel that's probably worth more than the gun itself; go for the all-new revolting Ruger "cheapest way around the problem we can think of" gun; or you can buy or build an "Accu-strut".
The idea behind this latter solution is simple- the strut adds stiffness to the barrel and the clamps can help draw heat away from it. The advantage of this over the Ruger "solution" is that the latter seems to need to be adjusted depending on the ammo used in the rifle- it can be slid up and down the barrel to maximise accuracy of whichever load is used. The G&A article reveals that one of the screws was already stripped when he got the gun for testing- so I'm not particularly impressed by the design. If a bunch of gun testers can do that to it in presumably a short space of time, how is it going to last on a gun you buy?
Anyway, the Accu-strut concept fits in place under the barrel (and gives it something of a M14 look to boot) and that's it. I even heard of a guy on a gun forum who swapped out the strut itself for a flashlight.
What annoys me about this is that the Mini-14 could be a truly great gun. The action is one of the best around and with a little work it could be world-class; much tougher and more reliable than the AR, and with that work, it could rival or even best it for accuracy. It deserves more than the work Ruger is doing to it. Perhaps Springfield Armoury need to scale down their superlative M1 rifles to 5.56mm size and get into the market. Imagine a slender M14-style weapon (with all of the reliability and accuracy that entails) in a 5.56mm package? Personally, I like to pretend that they could go another step and offer it in 6.5mm Grendel. Mmmm, good. And if you like to attach gizmos and gadgets to it, I'm sure Troy Industries or the like could offer a stock option.
We can dream I suppose.
Despite this, Ruger seems to have no interest in fixing the problem. If they had, then I suspect that an awful lot of people would be interested in the Mini-14. As this month's Guns and Ammo says, "If you want a gun that will never quit on you, go with the Ruger." And speaking of G&A this month they review Ruger's "fix" to this problem; rather than release a Mini-14 with a better barrel they've decided to add an Allen-screw adjustable barrel weight. It seems to me to be a stop gap measure, a glossing over of the problem rather than a real solution. The barrel weight comes with the latest incarnation of the Mini, a thumbhole stock "Target" model. Frankly I think the new stock design is repugnant. You can read G&A's review here. As the author says on more than one occasion, he had very little time with the rifle. It kind of dents my confidence when a reviewer says that- perhaps if he'd had another few days with it, he might have developed a different impression of the weapon.
Anyway, your choices with the Mini-14 seem to be this- take the weapon as is and hope that you never have to put one or two shots down the barrel at a time; buy a custom barrel that's probably worth more than the gun itself; go for the all-new revolting Ruger "cheapest way around the problem we can think of" gun; or you can buy or build an "Accu-strut".
The idea behind this latter solution is simple- the strut adds stiffness to the barrel and the clamps can help draw heat away from it. The advantage of this over the Ruger "solution" is that the latter seems to need to be adjusted depending on the ammo used in the rifle- it can be slid up and down the barrel to maximise accuracy of whichever load is used. The G&A article reveals that one of the screws was already stripped when he got the gun for testing- so I'm not particularly impressed by the design. If a bunch of gun testers can do that to it in presumably a short space of time, how is it going to last on a gun you buy?
Anyway, the Accu-strut concept fits in place under the barrel (and gives it something of a M14 look to boot) and that's it. I even heard of a guy on a gun forum who swapped out the strut itself for a flashlight.
What annoys me about this is that the Mini-14 could be a truly great gun. The action is one of the best around and with a little work it could be world-class; much tougher and more reliable than the AR, and with that work, it could rival or even best it for accuracy. It deserves more than the work Ruger is doing to it. Perhaps Springfield Armoury need to scale down their superlative M1 rifles to 5.56mm size and get into the market. Imagine a slender M14-style weapon (with all of the reliability and accuracy that entails) in a 5.56mm package? Personally, I like to pretend that they could go another step and offer it in 6.5mm Grendel. Mmmm, good. And if you like to attach gizmos and gadgets to it, I'm sure Troy Industries or the like could offer a stock option.
We can dream I suppose.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Shoot Em Up
I just heard about this film today- Shoot 'Em Up. Here's what IMDB says about the plot-
A man named Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) delivers a woman's baby during a shootout, and is then called upon to protect the newborn from the army of gunmen.
Paul Giamatti plays the bad guy and the lovely Monica Bellucci also features. It looks like it will be a fun action movie.
A man named Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) delivers a woman's baby during a shootout, and is then called upon to protect the newborn from the army of gunmen.
Paul Giamatti plays the bad guy and the lovely Monica Bellucci also features. It looks like it will be a fun action movie.
Bigoted
I just caught a bit of the TV show Tonight With Jonathon Ross, a chat show. Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear was on to promote an upcoming DVD and spewed his usual "I hate America" line. I believe MadOgre has commented on this before. What real struck me about it though was one part where he was describing hiring some full auto weapons to shoot up an electric car. He said that when they hired them the proprietors told him they would rent them on condition that the film he was making was not anti-Bush or anti-war. "Land of the free," he snarled- obviously failing to recognise that businessmen are free to pick and choose who they want to do business with or that he was free to shoot those guns in America- a right denied here in the United Kingdom.
Land of the free?
Yes, which is precisely why Clarkson travelled there to film.
Land of the free?
Yes, which is precisely why Clarkson travelled there to film.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Banana Oil
I posted a link to Banana Oil, who originally posted the Le Tigre Decepticon video (I'm assuming it's an actual video and not fan's effort). For some reason I didn't stop by to have a look around as is my want when posting a link- but I've since rectified that. It's worth popping over there. I'm so glad that I found this post for example-
I was walking west on Nanjing Road, passing Plaza 66, when I chanced to look up. She was blond. Wore a hat and wore it well. Had glasses. With nice, thick, boxy frames — the kind I really, really like on women. She was giving a small, warm smile. To me. (?)
I was walking west on Nanjing Road, passing Plaza 66, when I chanced to look up. She was blond. Wore a hat and wore it well. Had glasses. With nice, thick, boxy frames — the kind I really, really like on women. She was giving a small, warm smile. To me. (?)
My contacts might have been a little fuzzy, so I checked. Nope, nobody immediately behind me. She was looking at me. (?)
When I turned back, she was still looking at me, (?) but the smile was no longer small. It was broad and bright as the sun. She was most amused.
She waved. At me. (?)
Now, at the best of times, I am a klutz around lovely women. Yesterday was not, alas, the best of times. I had been brooding, and now here was a blond throwing sunshine my way. It took me until the wave to remember how to work my face.
That knowledge recalled, I employed it to give her a small, questioning-but-receptive smile in return.
Or possibly I just looked confused.
It just gets better- and so well written too.WW2 Kit List
I asked recently for some information on the equipment carried by US troops in World War 2; the specifics of the kit, how much food, how much ammo, etc. Well, I was sent this link- and it provides information on the equipment carried by Airborne troops during the invasion of Europe.
Here's some info on the ammunition carried-
M1 Garand-
Rounds per weapon: 136, jumped on individual. (128 in Air Corps pockets, 4 clips per pocket), 1-8 rnd. clip in rifle, hand, or jumpsuit pocket (55% ball, 40% AP, 5% tracer. Rifle belt and one bandolier may be used in lieu of the above. 60 Riflemen per company will jump with 1 belt of LMG ammunition (250 rounds); this may be used in M-1 rifles if the situation warrants.
M1 Carbine-
Rounds per weapon: 175, jumped on individual. 160 in 2 Air Corps pockets (2 clips and one box per pocket), 15 in hand (1 clip) or jumpsuit pocket (100% ball)
Thompson SMG-
Rounds per weapon:300, Jumped on individual. 14 (20 rnd) clips in jump suit pockets or M6 carrying bag, 1 clip in gun, hand, or jumpsuit pocket.
Springfield '03-
Rounds per weapon: 145, jumped on individual. 140 in four Air Corps pockets (7 clips per pocket), 1 5 rnd. clip in rifle, hand, or jumpsuit pocket. The '03 rifle may not be used if launcher for M-1 rifle is issued. It is now a superimposed weapon and if jumped will have to supplant the primary weapon of the man jumping it.
There's also info on the exact kit they took.
Here's some info on the ammunition carried-
M1 Garand-
Rounds per weapon: 136, jumped on individual. (128 in Air Corps pockets, 4 clips per pocket), 1-8 rnd. clip in rifle, hand, or jumpsuit pocket (55% ball, 40% AP, 5% tracer. Rifle belt and one bandolier may be used in lieu of the above. 60 Riflemen per company will jump with 1 belt of LMG ammunition (250 rounds); this may be used in M-1 rifles if the situation warrants.
M1 Carbine-
Rounds per weapon: 175, jumped on individual. 160 in 2 Air Corps pockets (2 clips and one box per pocket), 15 in hand (1 clip) or jumpsuit pocket (100% ball)
Thompson SMG-
Rounds per weapon:300, Jumped on individual. 14 (20 rnd) clips in jump suit pockets or M6 carrying bag, 1 clip in gun, hand, or jumpsuit pocket.
Springfield '03-
Rounds per weapon: 145, jumped on individual. 140 in four Air Corps pockets (7 clips per pocket), 1 5 rnd. clip in rifle, hand, or jumpsuit pocket. The '03 rifle may not be used if launcher for M-1 rifle is issued. It is now a superimposed weapon and if jumped will have to supplant the primary weapon of the man jumping it.
There's also info on the exact kit they took.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
The Only Ones
The headline on FARK read "Only one cop had to die for a judge to suggest that maybe mental patients should be required to get treatment even if they don't want it."
That just about sums it up.
During the inquiry, Ayotte also heard what he called alarming statistics about drug use, suicide and the difficulty in treating people with the current number of psychiatrists who practise in Edmonton.
That just about sums it up.
During the inquiry, Ayotte also heard what he called alarming statistics about drug use, suicide and the difficulty in treating people with the current number of psychiatrists who practise in Edmonton.
The report recommends that the provincial government spend the necessary amount of money to recruit, train and keep psychiatrists in Alberta.
The judge also suggests the Mental Health Act be amended to allow patients to be kept in treatment, regardless of their personal wishes.
Ayotte said if such legislation had been in place in the years leading up to this incident, the tragedy might have been avoided.
I wonder how many who didn't belong to the exclusive "Only Ones" club have died without any such investigations and recommendations?Standards Are Changing
For the past few weeks my wife and I have noticed a distinct change in what's acceptable to show on British TV. We don't watch much TV so perhaps it's just a trend we're only beginning to become aware of- but it seems that standards are definitely changing.
A few weeks ago we had just finished watching a DVD and when the player switched off the TV channel which had been on earlier (channel Five) popped back onto the screen. We were confronted by the sight of a man and woman having full penetrative sex filmed from an internal camera. I was pretty shocked- I was under the impression that this was the sort of thing that TV couldn't show, regardless of the time (it was quite late). I guess that by masquerading as a "documentary" they were able to get around some of the restrictions. At the time I opined that TV makers would try to get more and more explicit material shown earlier and earlier. If this is being shown now at (around) midnight when only a few years ago you couldn't have got away with showing it at all, I will not be surprised to see the same thing shown earlier in the evening in years to come.
The following week my wife sat down to watch some daytime TV- an award-winning and long running show by the name of This Morning. She was somewhat taken aback to find a discussion about sex taking place. In fact, the show had dedicated a whole week's worth of programming to the topic. A day or so later I found an article online about people simulating sex on the show. Again I commented on the change in standards- just a couple of years ago I'm sure they would never even have considered showing such a segment.
Today I learn that Britain is about to broadcast its first advertisement for a sex toy on TV. Now I don't have a problem with that per se. The ad doesn't appear to be explicit in any way and the plans are to show it after the 11pm watershed. But Durex aren't pleased with that decision at all- they want to be able to show the ad after the 9pm watershed. Part of their reasoning for this is that scenes of a sexual nature can be seen regularly after that time already- so why can't they advertise their sex toy then too?
I don't want to seem to be a prude- I have no problem with TV showing late night films that are a bit racy, but I fail to see why we should have to have hard core images broadcast at any time. My concern is not that this material exists but that broadcasters seem to be intent on showing more and more explicit scenes and inappropriate language and behaviour earlier and earlier. Is there really a need for simulated sex on daytime TV? If they can show actual sex late at night now, what are they going to be trying to show a couple of hours earlier in the evening two or three years from now? And if that kind of material is being broadcast then, what's going to be shown earlier in the evening or during the daytime?
A few weeks ago we had just finished watching a DVD and when the player switched off the TV channel which had been on earlier (channel Five) popped back onto the screen. We were confronted by the sight of a man and woman having full penetrative sex filmed from an internal camera. I was pretty shocked- I was under the impression that this was the sort of thing that TV couldn't show, regardless of the time (it was quite late). I guess that by masquerading as a "documentary" they were able to get around some of the restrictions. At the time I opined that TV makers would try to get more and more explicit material shown earlier and earlier. If this is being shown now at (around) midnight when only a few years ago you couldn't have got away with showing it at all, I will not be surprised to see the same thing shown earlier in the evening in years to come.
The following week my wife sat down to watch some daytime TV- an award-winning and long running show by the name of This Morning. She was somewhat taken aback to find a discussion about sex taking place. In fact, the show had dedicated a whole week's worth of programming to the topic. A day or so later I found an article online about people simulating sex on the show. Again I commented on the change in standards- just a couple of years ago I'm sure they would never even have considered showing such a segment.
Today I learn that Britain is about to broadcast its first advertisement for a sex toy on TV. Now I don't have a problem with that per se. The ad doesn't appear to be explicit in any way and the plans are to show it after the 11pm watershed. But Durex aren't pleased with that decision at all- they want to be able to show the ad after the 9pm watershed. Part of their reasoning for this is that scenes of a sexual nature can be seen regularly after that time already- so why can't they advertise their sex toy then too?
I don't want to seem to be a prude- I have no problem with TV showing late night films that are a bit racy, but I fail to see why we should have to have hard core images broadcast at any time. My concern is not that this material exists but that broadcasters seem to be intent on showing more and more explicit scenes and inappropriate language and behaviour earlier and earlier. Is there really a need for simulated sex on daytime TV? If they can show actual sex late at night now, what are they going to be trying to show a couple of hours earlier in the evening two or three years from now? And if that kind of material is being broadcast then, what's going to be shown earlier in the evening or during the daytime?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Iran's Nukes
Thanks to IBA for the head's up on this one-
A document obtained by Iran on the nuclear black market serves no other purpose than to make an atomic bomb, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday.
So they've had this information for at least a year and still no action has been taken to prevent Iran from enriching uranium. We're only now talking about the possibility of sanctions?
Doesn't the UN do a wonderful job?
A document obtained by Iran on the nuclear black market serves no other purpose than to make an atomic bomb, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday.
The finding was made in a report prepared for presentation to the 35-nation IAEA board when it meets, starting Thursday, on whether to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, which has the power to impose economic and political sanctions on Iran.
The report was made available in full to The Associated Press.
First mention of the documents was made late last year in a longer IAEA report. At that time, the agency said only that the papers showed how to cast "enriched, natural and depleted uranium metal into hemispherical forms."
The agency refused to make a judgment on what possible uses such casts would have.
But diplomats familiar with the probe into Iran's nuclear program said then that the papers apparently were instructions on how to mold highly enriched grade uranium into the core of warheads.So they've had this information for at least a year and still no action has been taken to prevent Iran from enriching uranium. We're only now talking about the possibility of sanctions?
Doesn't the UN do a wonderful job?
Nanotech Weaponry
Now I know what I want for Christmas- super gloves to give me the strength of a bionic man!
Israel changes its R&D program to focus in on the difficulties posed by asymmetric warfare -
Israel is using nanotechnology to try to create a robot no bigger than a hornet that would be able to chase, photograph and kill its targets, an Israeli newspaper reported on Friday.
Israel changes its R&D program to focus in on the difficulties posed by asymmetric warfare -
Israel is using nanotechnology to try to create a robot no bigger than a hornet that would be able to chase, photograph and kill its targets, an Israeli newspaper reported on Friday.
The flying robot, nicknamed the "bionic hornet", would be able to navigate its way down narrow alleyways to target otherwise unreachable enemies such as rocket launchers, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth said.
It is one of several weapons being developed by scientists to combat militants, it said. Others include super gloves that would give the user the strength of a "bionic man" and miniature sensors to detect suicide bombers.
The research integrates nanotechnology into Israel's security department and will find creative solutions to problems the army has been unable to address, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres told Yedioth Ahronoth.
"The war in Lebanon proved that we need smaller weaponry. It's illogical to send a plane worth $100 million against a suicidal terrorist. So we are building futuristic weapons," Peres said.
When I hear of this science fiction-type stuff it always seems to be coming from the powerhouse that is America- reading this makes me wonder what other developments are being carried out by the military arms of other nations.
Hat tip to LGF.
Dance Moves
Looking for a quirky dance? A new aerobics workout? Then check this out- but the lyrics to the song (by a band called Le Tigre) are NSFW . Found here- goodness knows how I found it though, it's been sitting in my Bookmarks for a while now.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Killzone PS3
I've just finished playing Killzone for the PS2 and it's a superb game- and it's only partly due to the fact that it's an enjoyable first person shooter. What really grabbed me about it was the design- it's simply superb, one of the best realised imaginary worlds I've ever encountered. A prime example of that it the very good weapons design. Bullpups are the name of the day with the good guys armed with assault rifles, sniper rifles and a neat suppressed PDW-type weapon all along the same configuration. Apparently one of the game designers likes to hang out in Nevada and shoot full auto weapons. It shows.
Anyway, here's the trailer for the follow up Playstation 3 Killzone. The story is basically this- fight off the bad guy (think futuristic Nazis) Helghast army. From the looks of this trailer, this game will be just as much fun as the first.
Anyway, here's the trailer for the follow up Playstation 3 Killzone. The story is basically this- fight off the bad guy (think futuristic Nazis) Helghast army. From the looks of this trailer, this game will be just as much fun as the first.
Democrat Draft
I believe that the appropriate phrase here is, "Suck it, Dems."
I guess those on the Left didn't get the message when the only people talking about a draft before the Bush-Kerry election were the Democrats.
Now look what you've gone and done!
Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 under a bill the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee says he will introduce next year.
Got that? Rangel wants a draft because it might prevent politicians from launching wars. I hope all you lefties are eager to help out with this.
I guess those on the Left didn't get the message when the only people talking about a draft before the Bush-Kerry election were the Democrats.
Now look what you've gone and done!
Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 under a bill the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee says he will introduce next year.
Got that? Rangel wants a draft because it might prevent politicians from launching wars. I hope all you lefties are eager to help out with this.
Flight of Fantasy
Ugh, I'm getting lazy blogging again- too much time spent fighting Nazis (Medal of Honor and Call of Duty) and the Helghast (Killzone) on the Playstation. Note to self- kick gaming bug! Anyway, here for your perusal is another work by Adam Hughes - Mina from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Much more attractive than Kevin O'Neill's rendition (although his slightly bizarre art is so well suited to the books- speaking of which, there's another volume out shortly, The Black Dossier).
BTW, here's another picture of Mina I posted some time ago, this one by Frank Frazetta.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Chilling
If you're having a fun, happy day then this is probably not what you want to read- a fictional account of a devastating nuclear attack on America. It's absolutely chilling.
Back in early October, 2006, North Korean President (for life) Kim Jong Il had announced the detonation of a nuclear bomb deep in a tunnel in the stony mountains of North Korea. The seismic signature had been small, and American intelligence at first doubted whether it had been a nuclear explosion at all. Traces of radioactive emissions were detected a few days later, and the intelligence estimate revised to conclude that it had been a failed test that produced perhaps only 10% or less of the expected yield, only 0.5 to 1.5 kilotons, not the 20 kilotons, at least, that Western intelligence had anticipated.
Kim Jong Il gloated. The deception had worked. The Americans were thinking in terms of long range intercontinental ballistic missiles with huge warheads that they could shoot out of the sky with their sophisticated billion-dollar anti-missile defense systems. He was thinking in terms of small warheads carried by small, medium range cruise missiles that could be launched from many places, and infiltrated close enough to slip in under the radar and hit America's coastal cities.
Back in early October, 2006, North Korean President (for life) Kim Jong Il had announced the detonation of a nuclear bomb deep in a tunnel in the stony mountains of North Korea. The seismic signature had been small, and American intelligence at first doubted whether it had been a nuclear explosion at all. Traces of radioactive emissions were detected a few days later, and the intelligence estimate revised to conclude that it had been a failed test that produced perhaps only 10% or less of the expected yield, only 0.5 to 1.5 kilotons, not the 20 kilotons, at least, that Western intelligence had anticipated.
Kim Jong Il gloated. The deception had worked. The Americans were thinking in terms of long range intercontinental ballistic missiles with huge warheads that they could shoot out of the sky with their sophisticated billion-dollar anti-missile defense systems. He was thinking in terms of small warheads carried by small, medium range cruise missiles that could be launched from many places, and infiltrated close enough to slip in under the radar and hit America's coastal cities.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Democrat's New Direction
Head on over to Smallest Minority to check this out, a comment on the Democrat's promised "new direction" for America. Here's a little sample-
The stock market is at a new all-time high and America's 401K's are Back. A new direction from there means what?
Unemployment is at 25 year lows. A new direction from there means what?
Oil prices are down A new direction from there means what?
Taxes are at 20 year lows. A new direction from there means what?
Read it all, for it is good.
The stock market is at a new all-time high and America's 401K's are Back. A new direction from there means what?
Unemployment is at 25 year lows. A new direction from there means what?
Oil prices are down A new direction from there means what?
Taxes are at 20 year lows. A new direction from there means what?
Read it all, for it is good.
Supreme Moonbat?
There really aren't words to describe this sort of cluelessness - I believe a new term may have been invented for moonbat nuttiness; the "Sheehanism".
Kristinn yelled out to her as she was leaving the stage that the Iraqis have a memorial to the victims of terrorism saying “Freedom Isn’t Free.” Cindy got back on the stage to say of course freedom is free, if it wasn’t it would be called expensivedom.
Wow. And this is the woman considered for a Nobel peace prize?
Kristinn yelled out to her as she was leaving the stage that the Iraqis have a memorial to the victims of terrorism saying “Freedom Isn’t Free.” Cindy got back on the stage to say of course freedom is free, if it wasn’t it would be called expensivedom.
Wow. And this is the woman considered for a Nobel peace prize?
Monday, November 13, 2006
Democrat Round Up
The elections aren't even a week old and already the Democrat position on the war on terror is apparent.
Not only have they been praised by the "Death to America" chanters in Iran and the "Arab street", but now we learn that John Okinawa Murtha may be elected as House Majority leader, some Dems are talking about pulling out of Iraq in four to six months, they're proposing negotiations with Iran (whose stance is unabashedly "we'll talk to you but only if you recognise we'll keep doing exactly what we want regardless"), and are also calling for a return of habeas corpus rights to enemy combatants.
Unsurprisingly, this is bothering even some people who otherwise support the Democrats-
While a bare majority of 51 percent called the Democrats' victory "a good thing," even more said they were concerned about some of the actions a Democratic Congress might take, including 78 percent who were somewhat or very concerned that it would seek too hasty a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Another 69 percent said they were concerned that the new Congress would keep the administration "from doing what is necessary to combat terrorism," and two-thirds said they were concerned it would spend too much time investigating the administration and Republican scandals."
Given that, one has to wonder what the heck these people where thinking of on election day- when it was obvious what the Dems actually stood for. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it- and now they will have to live with a Democrat majority.
Not only have they been praised by the "Death to America" chanters in Iran and the "Arab street", but now we learn that John Okinawa Murtha may be elected as House Majority leader, some Dems are talking about pulling out of Iraq in four to six months, they're proposing negotiations with Iran (whose stance is unabashedly "we'll talk to you but only if you recognise we'll keep doing exactly what we want regardless"), and are also calling for a return of habeas corpus rights to enemy combatants.
Unsurprisingly, this is bothering even some people who otherwise support the Democrats-
While a bare majority of 51 percent called the Democrats' victory "a good thing," even more said they were concerned about some of the actions a Democratic Congress might take, including 78 percent who were somewhat or very concerned that it would seek too hasty a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Another 69 percent said they were concerned that the new Congress would keep the administration "from doing what is necessary to combat terrorism," and two-thirds said they were concerned it would spend too much time investigating the administration and Republican scandals."
Given that, one has to wonder what the heck these people where thinking of on election day- when it was obvious what the Dems actually stood for. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it- and now they will have to live with a Democrat majority.
Democrat Security
Democrats in power. What does that mean for US security? Well, perhaps this offers a clue?
Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wants to criminalize FBI and Customs Service profiling of Muslim terror suspects.
Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wants to criminalize FBI and Customs Service profiling of Muslim terror suspects.
"Since Sept. 11, many Muslim Americans have been subjected to searches at airports and other locations based upon their religion and national origin," she said. "We must make it illegal."
Pelosi has also promised Muslims she'll "correct the Patriot Act," one of the most valuable tools the FBI has in ferreting out jihadist cells lurking in Muslim communities.During the first Gulf War, for instance, Conyers fought FBI outreach efforts in the Arab and Muslim community in Detroit that were designed to gather intelligence on potential cells and protect the home front. Conyers and other Detroit-area Democrats at the time, David Bonior and John Dingell, threatened to hold hearings unless the FBI stopped counterterrorism interviews.
The FBI met with them privately to explain the national security benefits of outreach, but could not allay their concerns. In the end, the FBI backed off. Today, Hamas, Hezbollah and the al-Qaida-tied Muslim Brotherhood are all active in the area.
It doesn't bode well for the future.
Al Qaeda Speaks
Al Qaeda have restated their intentions. Problem is, is anyone listening?
Al-Qaeda's Iraq chief threatened in an audio message posted on the Internet that the terror network will "blow up the White House."
"We announce today the end of a phase of the jihad (holy war) and the start of a new one... to usher in the project of an Islamic caliphate and restore Islam's glory," Abu Hamza al-Muhajer said in the message.
"We swear we will not rest from our jihad... before blowing up the filthiest house, dubbed the White House," in the course of establishing the caliphate which began with the proclamation of an Islamic state in Iraq, he said.
So, can someone from the Democrats please tell me how retreating from Iraq, or stopping supporting Israel, or withdrawing troops from bases in Saudi Arabia, will stop Al Qaeda from, in their very own words, establishing a caliphate?
Anyone?
Al-Qaeda's Iraq chief threatened in an audio message posted on the Internet that the terror network will "blow up the White House."
"We announce today the end of a phase of the jihad (holy war) and the start of a new one... to usher in the project of an Islamic caliphate and restore Islam's glory," Abu Hamza al-Muhajer said in the message.
"We swear we will not rest from our jihad... before blowing up the filthiest house, dubbed the White House," in the course of establishing the caliphate which began with the proclamation of an Islamic state in Iraq, he said.
So, can someone from the Democrats please tell me how retreating from Iraq, or stopping supporting Israel, or withdrawing troops from bases in Saudi Arabia, will stop Al Qaeda from, in their very own words, establishing a caliphate?
Anyone?
Superb Good Luck
Talk about lucky- a Brazilian woman was shot in the head six times and survived- in fact, none of the .32 calibre bullets actually penetrated her skull, all lodging in her scalp.
A Brazilian woman who was shot six times in the head after an altercation with her ex-husband was out of the hospital and talking to the media on Saturday.
A Brazilian woman who was shot six times in the head after an altercation with her ex-husband was out of the hospital and talking to the media on Saturday.
"I know this was a miracle," 21-year-old housewife Patricia Goncalves Pereira told Globo TV. "Now I just want to extract the bullets and live my life."
Pereira was shot Friday in the small city of Monte Claros, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of Sao Paulo, after quarreling with her former husband, who was reportedly upset because she refused to get back together with him. She was also shot once in the hand.
Doctors could not explain why the .32-caliber bullets did not penetrate Pereira's skull and didn't even need to be extracted immediately.
"I can't explain how something like this happened," surgeon Adriano Teixeira said, adding that the bullets were lodged under the woman's scalp.
The ex-husband was still at large.
The moral of the story- well, it's probably a fluke that this happened but it seems to me that what people should take away from this is not to rely on a Mozambique to make up for a lack of stopping power in a carry or home defence gun.Saturday, November 11, 2006
Uncomfortable
If I were a Democrat or Democrat voter, news like this would seriously make me reconsider my position.
Iran’s most powerful leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday called U.S. President George W. Bush’s defeat in the congressional elections an “obvious victory” for the Iranian nation.
“This issue (the elections) is not a purely domestic issue for America, but it is the defeat of Bush’s hawkish policies in the world,” Khamenei said in remarks reported by Iran’s student news agency ISNA on Friday.
“Since Washington’s hostile and hawkish policies have always been against the Iranian nation, this defeat is actually an obvious victory for the Iranian nation.”
Somehow I don't think this will bother too many Democrats though.
Iran’s most powerful leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday called U.S. President George W. Bush’s defeat in the congressional elections an “obvious victory” for the Iranian nation.
“This issue (the elections) is not a purely domestic issue for America, but it is the defeat of Bush’s hawkish policies in the world,” Khamenei said in remarks reported by Iran’s student news agency ISNA on Friday.
“Since Washington’s hostile and hawkish policies have always been against the Iranian nation, this defeat is actually an obvious victory for the Iranian nation.”
Somehow I don't think this will bother too many Democrats though.
30 Years of Terror
According to the current head of MI5 Britain faces a huge problem-
Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller outlined the terrifying prospect as she told how her agents are tracking 1,600 fanatics from 200 al-Qaeda cells.
Dan Simmons' Century War is sounding more and more accurate in its description of the future.
“Your enemy is he who will give his life to kill you,” said the Time Traveler. “Your enemies are they that wish you and your children and your grandchildren dead and who are willing to sacrifice themselves, or support those fanatics who will sacrifice themselves, to see you and your institutions destroyed. You haven’t figured that out yet – the majority of you fat, sleeping, smug, infinitely stupid Americans and Europeans.”
Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller outlined the terrifying prospect as she told how her agents are tracking 1,600 fanatics from 200 al-Qaeda cells.
In a rare briefing, the spy chief warned of a sustained campaign of indiscriminate terrorism lasting 30 YEARS.
And she said: “It aims to wear down our will to resist. All of us, whatever our ethnicity and faith, are the targets of terrorists.”
In a nightmare vision, Dame Eliza also told of the “daunting” menace facing Britain, in which:
THIRTY active terrorist plots are under investigation by the security services.
MANY more have yet to be uncovered.
SIX major attacks have been foiled in the last six years.
FANATICS are poised to use biological, radioactive or even nuclear weapons.
RECRUITMENT to terror cells of young Muslims — some still schoolkids — is exploding, with many groomed to be suicide bombers, and
MI5 is struggling to cope with a staggering 80 per cent increase in casework since January, leaving its 2,800 spooks at full stretch and potentially unable to “stop the next attack”.
Dame Eliza said: “The threat is serious, growing and will, I believe, be with us for a generation.
“Today we see the use of home-made improvised explosive devices. Tomorrow’s threat may — and I suggest WILL — include the use of chemicals, bacteriological agents, radioactive materials and even nuclear technology.”
All of which means that my eldest daughter will be older than I am now when all this is over- if it ever does end. That's the world my children are growing up in.Dan Simmons' Century War is sounding more and more accurate in its description of the future.
“Your enemy is he who will give his life to kill you,” said the Time Traveler. “Your enemies are they that wish you and your children and your grandchildren dead and who are willing to sacrifice themselves, or support those fanatics who will sacrifice themselves, to see you and your institutions destroyed. You haven’t figured that out yet – the majority of you fat, sleeping, smug, infinitely stupid Americans and Europeans.”
He stood and set the Scotch glass back in its place on my sideboard. “How, we wonder in my time,” he said softly, “can you ignore the better part of a billion people who say aloud that they are willing to kill your children . . . or condone and celebrate the killing of them? And ignore them as they act on what they say? We do not understand you.”
Friday, November 10, 2006
Clueless on the News
This doesn't surprise me- Jon Snow of the incredibly biased and left-leaning Channel 4 news is giving off about "poppy fascism" following complaints by viewers over his refusal to wear one. He says, "I do not believe in wearing anything which represents any kind of statement."
Of course, why on earth should he wear a symbol of remembrance for the men and women of the armed forces who laid down their lives to fight for freedom? Including the freedoms he currently enjoys when they fought and died combating a real fascist state.
What a complete and utter [insert foul language here].
Of course, why on earth should he wear a symbol of remembrance for the men and women of the armed forces who laid down their lives to fight for freedom? Including the freedoms he currently enjoys when they fought and died combating a real fascist state.
What a complete and utter [insert foul language here].
Democrats Win, World Loses?
So the Republicans threw it all away. A President and a majority in the House and Senate and they still couldn't do any of the things that conservatives wanted them to do. What happened? As each day passes I'm agreeing more and more with MadOgre's idea that there should be term limits for Congress. These career politicians have totally lost touch with what their base wants.
And in the middle of a war they hand power over to a party which the enemy wants to see win.
The Arab Street is greatly pleased with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, and so are their despotic rulers and jihad-enabling media.
LGF has more details on that. Melanie Phillips suspects that there might be a dreadful price to pay-
"The most likely outcome of these mid-term elections is another major terror attack on America. Whatever the smart analysis of the likely shape of domestic American politics over the next two years, America has now signalled a faltering of resolve; and that’s the cue for a redoubled Islamist attack."
Obviously the jihadis could be emboldened to try and attack an America which is now crippled by Democrat appeasement. Can you imagine what exactly a Democrat controlled House and Senate do about another 9/11?
Could it be that the jihadis can already sense the smell of victory in the air- a victory that will come despite the crushing casualties inflicted on them by the American military at every turn? Let's turn to Democrat John Murtha for an answer on that-
Winning is not a strategy, victory is not a strategy.
We’re gonna say, here’s a plan that we have, and Speaker Pelosi has signed on to the plan I have, stability in the Middle East, stability in Iraq comes from redeployment of our troops, and that’s gonna be what we’ll work for.
Cut and run. And in the wake, a collapse of the fledgling Iraqi government and probably the creation of another Taliban-like dictatorship- where the jihadis will be able to plan and launch further attacks on Britain and America. While I have grave reservations about the success of the democracy project in Iraq, consider this consequence of leaving before the job is done and the government is able to stand alone- will we have to invade Iraq again a few years down the line to overthrow a Taliban-style regime, one possibly backed by Iranian nukes?
The Democrat win had already be likened to a national disaster for the USA- I'm afraid that I have to agree in part, this could very well be a disaster for all of the free world.
And in the middle of a war they hand power over to a party which the enemy wants to see win.
The Arab Street is greatly pleased with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, and so are their despotic rulers and jihad-enabling media.
LGF has more details on that. Melanie Phillips suspects that there might be a dreadful price to pay-
"The most likely outcome of these mid-term elections is another major terror attack on America. Whatever the smart analysis of the likely shape of domestic American politics over the next two years, America has now signalled a faltering of resolve; and that’s the cue for a redoubled Islamist attack."
Obviously the jihadis could be emboldened to try and attack an America which is now crippled by Democrat appeasement. Can you imagine what exactly a Democrat controlled House and Senate do about another 9/11?
Could it be that the jihadis can already sense the smell of victory in the air- a victory that will come despite the crushing casualties inflicted on them by the American military at every turn? Let's turn to Democrat John Murtha for an answer on that-
Winning is not a strategy, victory is not a strategy.
We’re gonna say, here’s a plan that we have, and Speaker Pelosi has signed on to the plan I have, stability in the Middle East, stability in Iraq comes from redeployment of our troops, and that’s gonna be what we’ll work for.
Cut and run. And in the wake, a collapse of the fledgling Iraqi government and probably the creation of another Taliban-like dictatorship- where the jihadis will be able to plan and launch further attacks on Britain and America. While I have grave reservations about the success of the democracy project in Iraq, consider this consequence of leaving before the job is done and the government is able to stand alone- will we have to invade Iraq again a few years down the line to overthrow a Taliban-style regime, one possibly backed by Iranian nukes?
The Democrat win had already be likened to a national disaster for the USA- I'm afraid that I have to agree in part, this could very well be a disaster for all of the free world.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
300
It looks as if 300 will be a repeat of Sin City, following Frank Miller's work very closely indeed. Can't wait to see this on the big screen.
Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris takes part in a USMC promotion ceremony during a USO tour of Iraq. He now has a column on World Net Daily. He mentions his Iraq visit in his most recent article-
"As in past years, I left the region more inspired by our troops than I believe they were by me. They make me proud to be American. Their sacrifice also reminds me that freedom is born in adversity and purchased at a price.
As I looked in the eyes of these freedom fighters, I began to wonder about the world we would leave to our children, and the nation I would leave to my own children and grandchildren."
Seems to me that it's a column worth paying attention to.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Quote of the Day
Via Smallest Minority-
There are two malign trends of the last four decades, and in the war on terror they've merged. For the far left, the issue is always America. So, if America's destabilizing some Marxist-Leninist socialist utopia the left takes the side of the Marxist-Leninist socialist utopia. Likewise, if America's at odds with misogynist racist homophobic theocrats, the left takes the side of the sodomite-beheaders and the freelance clitorectomy performers. That’s entirely consistent once you realize it’s simply a choice of United States vs [Your Name Here]. – Mark Steyn
There are two malign trends of the last four decades, and in the war on terror they've merged. For the far left, the issue is always America. So, if America's destabilizing some Marxist-Leninist socialist utopia the left takes the side of the Marxist-Leninist socialist utopia. Likewise, if America's at odds with misogynist racist homophobic theocrats, the left takes the side of the sodomite-beheaders and the freelance clitorectomy performers. That’s entirely consistent once you realize it’s simply a choice of United States vs [Your Name Here]. – Mark Steyn
Climate Change
Km du Toit writes about an interesting article on climate change and the manipulation not just of data but the techniques used to analyse the data.
The bigger the value of lambda, the bigger the temperature increase the UN could predict. Using poor Ludwig Boltzmann’s law, lambda’s true value is just 0.22-0.3C per watt. In 2001, the UN effectively repealed the law, doubling lambda to 0.5C per watt. A recent paper by James Hansen says lambda should be 0.67, 0.75 or 1C: take your pick. Sir John Houghton, who chaired the UN’s scientific assessment working group until recently, tells me it now puts lambda at 0.8C: that’s 3C for a 3.7-watt doubling of airborne CO2. Most of the UN’s computer models have used 1C. Stern implies 1.9C.
Watson cited recent U.N. figures showing that, by one measure, the United States is doing better on greenhouse gases than some countries. "The way the numbers are counted, we're doing very well," he said.
The bigger the value of lambda, the bigger the temperature increase the UN could predict. Using poor Ludwig Boltzmann’s law, lambda’s true value is just 0.22-0.3C per watt. In 2001, the UN effectively repealed the law, doubling lambda to 0.5C per watt. A recent paper by James Hansen says lambda should be 0.67, 0.75 or 1C: take your pick. Sir John Houghton, who chaired the UN’s scientific assessment working group until recently, tells me it now puts lambda at 0.8C: that’s 3C for a 3.7-watt doubling of airborne CO2. Most of the UN’s computer models have used 1C. Stern implies 1.9C.
On the UN’s figures, the entire greenhouse-gas forcing in the 20th century was 2 watts. Multiplying by the correct value of lambda gives a temperature increase of 0.44 to 0.6C, in line with observation. But using Stern’s 1.9C per watt gives 3.8C. Where did 85 per cent of his imagined 20th-century warming go? As Professor Dick Lindzen of MIT pointed out in The Sunday Telegraph last week, the UK’s Hadley Centre had the same problem, and solved it by dividing its modelled output by three to “predict” 20th-century temperature correctly.
And here's another interesting titbit that I'm sure won't get a whole lot of coverage- the US, which emphatically did not sign up to Kyoto, has actually managed to reduce its emissions by more than the nations that did sign the treaty.Watson cited recent U.N. figures showing that, by one measure, the United States is doing better on greenhouse gases than some countries. "The way the numbers are counted, we're doing very well," he said.
That report showed that growth in U.S. emissions in 2000-04 was 1.3 percent, compared with 2.4 percent overall for 41 industrialized nations.
The countries which currently aren't making their targets are still expected to meet them by 2012- by forcing their citizens to pay much higher taxes in the coming years. What a swell idea that is.Monday, November 06, 2006
Ok Go
I've got my nose stuck in a Terry Pratchett book at the moment (Thud!) so no blogging for now. Instead here's another ingenious little video called Here It Goes Again by OK Go, a band I've never heard of before- I just caught this in passing one day and thought it was very clever. Who needs a massive budget for a music video?
On the basis of this it looks like I'll have to check them out.
On the basis of this it looks like I'll have to check them out.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Punishing the Victim
What sort of twisted mind does it take to come to a decision like this?
In a virtual repeat of the Imrana case, a mother of four has been driven out of her village in Murshidabad district by a Muslim panchayat after being allegedly raped by a local man over three months ago.
The panchayat ruled her marriage stood annulled in the wake of the incident and neither could she live with her husband nor could she enter the predominantly Muslim village, about 200 km from Kolkata.
The attack took place in front of the woman's four children- and for her courage in reporting the crime, she has been driven from her village: her husband could not afford to pay the 50,000 Rupee "fine" that the village council imposed if she wished to stay.
Her attacker, on the other hand, faces an 18,000 Rupee fine. Which he hasn't bothered to pay. It's not clear if the village council will order a known rapist out of their village but it doesn't seem likely. I guess they seem to have the same type of thinking as the Aussie "uncovered meat" imam- the woman is to blame.
Disgusting.
In a virtual repeat of the Imrana case, a mother of four has been driven out of her village in Murshidabad district by a Muslim panchayat after being allegedly raped by a local man over three months ago.
The panchayat ruled her marriage stood annulled in the wake of the incident and neither could she live with her husband nor could she enter the predominantly Muslim village, about 200 km from Kolkata.
The attack took place in front of the woman's four children- and for her courage in reporting the crime, she has been driven from her village: her husband could not afford to pay the 50,000 Rupee "fine" that the village council imposed if she wished to stay.
Her attacker, on the other hand, faces an 18,000 Rupee fine. Which he hasn't bothered to pay. It's not clear if the village council will order a known rapist out of their village but it doesn't seem likely. I guess they seem to have the same type of thinking as the Aussie "uncovered meat" imam- the woman is to blame.
Disgusting.
Justice
For all the complaints about the Saddam Hussein trial in Iraq, it looks like justice will be served-
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein sentenced to death by hanging for crimes against humanity.
Let's hope they don't wait around too long before carrying out the sentence.
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein sentenced to death by hanging for crimes against humanity.
Let's hope they don't wait around too long before carrying out the sentence.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Please Help
Okay, I'm looking for a little information- hopefully someone out there can help me; I'm trying to discover what the average US soldier carried/wore during World War 2. Ideally I'd like a picture of a front and rear shot of a GI, and I'd really like to know what equipment and ammo was considered an average load.
How many rounds would have been carried for a Garand, for example? What amount of rations did they have? What about sleeping gear?
I'm looking for an Osprey book on the subject but I have a feeling that military historians won't be too bothered by whether GIs carried 200 rounds of ammo or not.
Can anyone help?
Be interesting to compare and contrast a WW2 GI with the gear that's the norm in Iraq right now. I wonder what the Greatest Generation would have made of a modern soldier and his equipment way back then?
UPDATE - Got some info on this here.
How many rounds would have been carried for a Garand, for example? What amount of rations did they have? What about sleeping gear?
I'm looking for an Osprey book on the subject but I have a feeling that military historians won't be too bothered by whether GIs carried 200 rounds of ammo or not.
Can anyone help?
Be interesting to compare and contrast a WW2 GI with the gear that's the norm in Iraq right now. I wonder what the Greatest Generation would have made of a modern soldier and his equipment way back then?
UPDATE - Got some info on this here.
Friday, November 03, 2006
NY Times Back War In Iraq
I'm a tad confused- weren't we all told endlessly that Bush lied about WMDs in Iraq? Well, it seems that the New York Times has come to the conclusion that Hussein was, in fact, a very real threat to the security of the USA and the rest of the the world- because he was a year away from making a fully functional nuclear weapon. And they've roundly criticised the Bush administration for putting documents which detail how to make such a device online- documents that detail how a terrorist group or a rogue nation, for example, could make one too. Good thing the US and allies deposed Saddam before he sold or gave that information to the likes of Al Qaeda.
Among the dozens of documents in English were Iraqi reports written in the 1990s and in 2002 for United Nations inspectors in charge of making sure Iraq had abandoned its unconventional arms programs after the Persian Gulf war. Experts say that at the time, Mr. Hussein’s scientists were on the verge of building an atom bomb, as little as a year away.
Here's some more from the Times-
The documents, roughly a dozen in number, contain charts, diagrams, equations and lengthy narratives about bomb building that nuclear experts who have viewed them say go beyond what is available elsewhere on the Internet and in other public forums. For instance, the papers give detailed information on how to build nuclear firing circuits and triggering explosives, as well as the radioactive cores of atom bombs.
Glad we've finally got that cleared up. Good of the Times to drop that bombshell just days before the election too.
Karl Rove is really going to earn his paycheck this month- first Kerry and now the NY Times. How does he do it?
Among the dozens of documents in English were Iraqi reports written in the 1990s and in 2002 for United Nations inspectors in charge of making sure Iraq had abandoned its unconventional arms programs after the Persian Gulf war. Experts say that at the time, Mr. Hussein’s scientists were on the verge of building an atom bomb, as little as a year away.
Here's some more from the Times-
The documents, roughly a dozen in number, contain charts, diagrams, equations and lengthy narratives about bomb building that nuclear experts who have viewed them say go beyond what is available elsewhere on the Internet and in other public forums. For instance, the papers give detailed information on how to build nuclear firing circuits and triggering explosives, as well as the radioactive cores of atom bombs.
Glad we've finally got that cleared up. Good of the Times to drop that bombshell just days before the election too.
Karl Rove is really going to earn his paycheck this month- first Kerry and now the NY Times. How does he do it?
QuickNote
I blogged the other day about trying to find a text editor to use in Firefox. I've been trying out FoxNotes and it's okay. Not exactly what I want but it will do.
Well, I also installed another extension called QuickNote. Now, it's less useful than FoxNotes for writing with- you can't save what you write- but it does have some useful functionality for blogging. With it you can highlight text on a website, right click and choose "Send to QuickNote"- it will copy the text to a note tab and even add the website address to the end of the note. Very handy indeed.
EDIT-Actually you can save what you write with QuickNote- I just missed that tick box on the options menu. Looks like FoxNotes is kaput on my system.
Well, I also installed another extension called QuickNote. Now, it's less useful than FoxNotes for writing with- you can't save what you write- but it does have some useful functionality for blogging. With it you can highlight text on a website, right click and choose "Send to QuickNote"- it will copy the text to a note tab and even add the website address to the end of the note. Very handy indeed.
EDIT-Actually you can save what you write with QuickNote- I just missed that tick box on the options menu. Looks like FoxNotes is kaput on my system.
UN At "Work"
Thanks heavens that the UN has stepped into the breach in Lebanon and is doing its level best to protect Hezbollah from Israel keep the peace there. Already we've heard how they faced off against Israeli troops, how they have threatened to fire on patrolling Israeli aircraft and how they absolutely, positively won't even try to disarm Hezbollah. Phew, thank goodness for their sterling efforts, eh? Well, just to show how dedicated UN forces are to putting in their best effort into protecting Hezbollah the peace here's another account of exactly what they do over there-
Despite the 20,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon, the United Nations admits that weapons smuggling from Syria continues unhindered. A German report finds UNIFIL does not patrol after dark.
Hizbullah terrorists are free to roam at night without fear of being identified by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to a report by the German paper Der Spiegel.
Spanish UNIFIL official Richard Ortax admitted to the paper that no patrols are carried out at night “because of the danger involved.” UNIFIL commanders said their function is to "observe changes in the behavior of the local population."
The United Nations itself has admitted that Syria was still successfully smuggling arms to the Hizbullah, which neither UNIFIL nor the Lebanese army plan to stop.
Makes you realise just what an essential role the UN has in the 21st century, doesn't it? The United Nations doing all it can to ensure that genocidal terrorists recently engaged in a war against Israel's civilian population continue to thrive.
Despite the 20,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon, the United Nations admits that weapons smuggling from Syria continues unhindered. A German report finds UNIFIL does not patrol after dark.
Hizbullah terrorists are free to roam at night without fear of being identified by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to a report by the German paper Der Spiegel.
Spanish UNIFIL official Richard Ortax admitted to the paper that no patrols are carried out at night “because of the danger involved.” UNIFIL commanders said their function is to "observe changes in the behavior of the local population."
The United Nations itself has admitted that Syria was still successfully smuggling arms to the Hizbullah, which neither UNIFIL nor the Lebanese army plan to stop.
Makes you realise just what an essential role the UN has in the 21st century, doesn't it? The United Nations doing all it can to ensure that genocidal terrorists recently engaged in a war against Israel's civilian population continue to thrive.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
My Neighbour Totoro
I finally managed to see the Japanese animated movie, My Neighbour Totoro. It's a magical piece of work and I found myself smiling almost all the way through it. Wonderful artwork and a touching story- with some very real human touches. My two year old watched it today too and while she wasn't too interested in parts, her face lit up every time Totoro or the Cat-bus turned up; just like me. There's just something wonderfully innocent about it. I love it. If you haven't seen it, you should now.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Lost
Lost, misplaced, stolen, handed over to jihadis? Seems that nobody has any idea what's happened to weapons that the US supplied to the Iraqi forces. In fact, no one even seems sure at what point they went missing.
Missing from the Defense Department’s inventory books were 13,180 semiautomatic pistols, 751 assault rifles and 99 machine guns, according to an audit requested by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Also included in the list are RPGs. Seems it adds up to one in every 25 weapons. Just gone.
Missing from the Defense Department’s inventory books were 13,180 semiautomatic pistols, 751 assault rifles and 99 machine guns, according to an audit requested by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Also included in the list are RPGs. Seems it adds up to one in every 25 weapons. Just gone.
Quote of the Day
From David Codrea's excellent War On Guns-
"...don't forget that every coin the UN gets is a piece of metal that can be used to forge chains."
"...don't forget that every coin the UN gets is a piece of metal that can be used to forge chains."
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