Theocracy Alert

In Indonesia a group of Islamic fundamentalists are attmpting to pass an indency bill-

SUNBATHING tourists in Bali and barely clad tribesmen in Papua are caught up in a cultural war between a minority of puritanical Indonesian Muslims and the country’s tolerant majority.

The battle appears to be frivolous, involving, as it does, learned arguments over whether a navel is indecent, or a penis gourd, which guards the modesty of the Papuan male, constitutes nudity.

The draft bill would extend a ban on indecency to prohibit kissing in public, which would be punishable by five years in prison. Public nudity or the “indecent” exposure of the stomach, thigh or hip — some religious jurists argue that shoulders could also be deemed inflammatory — could be punished by a 10-year sentence and a £30,000 fine.

Angling Too White

I had to check the date on this story to make sure that it wasn't an April Fool's Joke. It sure sounds like one.

The British government thinks that the sport of fishing is too white, too male and too middle aged, they are going to spend £19 million over the next ten years to try and attract more women and minorities to fishing.

The government is apparently issuing a leaftlet which offers these gems of wisdom-

"Angling does not discriminate against gender, race, age or athletic ability"

But not all genders, cultures, ages or people of different athletic ability may actually be interested in fishing. Nevermind, the government simply can't bear to think that white, middle-aged men have a monopoly over anything...good grief, the horror of angling's oppressive exclusion of minorities! Something must be done! What's next, a multi-million pound campaign to break the white stranglehold over downhill skiing? Formula One racing? I see that they aren't prepared to spend millions of pounds to promote the shooting sports.

"Government is interested in angling in the context of social inclusion in deprived urban areas."

Because there are so many opportunities to fish in deprived urban areas. Are these people really able to function in modern society let alone hold postions of power? Really?

One thing which bothers me about all of this is that Labour actually has a "parliamentary spokesman for angling". What a wonderful use of our nation's resources. It certainly must be a taxing position.

Iran's Underwater Missile

So Iran has test-fired a torpedo which moves pretty fast. It's being played up by the media as if this somehow gives them a massive advantage over US forces in the Gulf- but it leaves aside some crucial questions; namely, the Iranian's ability to identify and target a US submarine before they themselves are destroyed.

If it does come to a shooting war with Iran a fast torpedo will not give them much advantage; particularly with America's military superiority in just about every field. Pretty hard for an Iranian ship to hit a sub with this missile if they've just been targeted by an American fighter.

For a superb discussion on the matter the best place to head to is ACE. Here's a comment from one of his readers;

They blind *you* when you fire them (they are a hideously loud noise inbetween you and your target), so you're going to have to use radar if you want to track surface ships. Submarines: forget it. Not unless you're very close and are using it as a "dumbfire" missile.

Obviously, if you fire this from a submarine, you've just advertised your position to half the hemisphere.

More articles can be found on ACE here, here, here and here.

Hezbollah Across The Border

Given the complete lack of will in Washington to close down America's borders this should come as no surprise-

FBI Director Robert Mueller said this week that his agency busted a smuggling ring organized by the terrorist group Hezbollah that had operatives cross the Mexican border to carry out possible terrorist attacks inside the U.S.

What's worrying is that this may only be one group of many- others could have succeeded when this cell failed. Especially when we consider that the US and Iran may shortly come to blows.

The Iranian government views the Islamic Jihad, the name of Hezbollah's terrorist organization, "as an extension of their state. . . . operational teams could be deployed without a long period of preparation," said Ambassador Henry A. Crumpton, the State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism.

Are they pre-positioning forces for just this possibility?

VDH

Victor Davis Hanson skewers the position taken by the anti-war brigade-

First, notice how the old criticism that Saddam was not connected to al Qaeda has now morphed into a fallback position that “Saddam was not connected to September 11” — even though the latter argument was never officially advanced as a casus belli.

Opponents have retreated to this position because we know that al Qaeda cadres were in Kurdistan, and that al Zarqawi fled to Baghdad, as did a mastermind of the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, Abdul Rahman Yasin.

Worth reading it all.

There remains this last unknown — how well can a liberal democracy, in its greatest age of affluence, leisure, and self-critical reflection, still fight a distant war against emissaries of the Dark Ages who seek to behead apostates, blow up democrats, and silence with death writers, journalists, and cartoonists. It is not just our democratic values versus their IEDs, but whether our idealism still has the resilience to defeat their nihilism.

Copenhagen Syndrome

Cathy Siepp makes a point that I've long found incredibly puzzling-

Now let's just savor the absurd details of this for a minute. City Lights has a long and proud history of supporting banned authors — owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti was indicted (and acquitted) for obscenity in 1957 for selling Allen Ginsberg's "Howl," and a photo at the bookstore showed Ferlinghetti proudly posing next to a sign reading "banned books."

Yet his store won't carry, of all people, Fallaci, who is not only being sued in Italy for insulting religion because of her latest book but continues to fight the good fight against those who think that the appropriate response to offensive books and cartoons is violent riots. It's particularly repugnant that someone who fought against actual fascism in World War II should be deemed a fascist by a snotty San Francisco clerk.

Strangest of all is the scenario of such a person disliking an author for defending Western civilization against radical Islam — when one of the first things those poor, persecuted Islamists would do, if they ever (Allah forbid) came to power in the United States, is crush suspected homosexuals like him beneath walls.

Yet those most oppressed by political Islam continue to defend it, even (perhaps especially) in the wake of the Danish cartoon furor. I've heard that in Europe this phenomenon is now called the Copenhagen syndrome, and some of its arguments really are amazing.

Box O' Truth Again

ACE points to another fascinating Box o' Truth test- two types of speciality 9mm ammo, Extreme Shock "Explosive Entry Fang Face, Enhanced Penetration" and "Air Freedom Round". As always, the results are worth seeing for yourself.

However, it was after reading this that I found myself checking the previous installment, "Breadbox o' Truth"; this really is a must-read test. And I nearly fell off my seat laughing at the first couple of pictures; "The results were tragic".

Blackwater to The Rescue

It seems that Blackwater are looking to expand- the vice-chairman of the private security outfit has said that the group is now able to field an entire brigade of operatives. He's even suggested that the unit could be fielded in Darfur to aid with the crisis currently talking place.

One advantage of that is that the press wouldn't be able to play up to casualty figures to damage the Bush administration (though of course I'm sure they would try- "why are these brave contractors dying? Why won't Bush sned in the regular Army?"). And lives could be saved- in a situation that has been around since Bush defeated Kerry in the last election.

I can already hear the left-wing moonbats screaming about mercenary soldiers, etc, etc, etc.

Rice Visit

Condi Rice is over in the UK, visiting Jack Straw's constituency. During the visit she met with local Muslim leaders (although her planned trip to visit a mosque was cancelled).

She was heckled by protesters and faced criticism from Muslim leaders hand-selected to meet with her by the Foreign Office during a visit here, the hometown of Mr. Straw. He visited Ms. Rice's hometown in Alabama in October...

In a news conference, Ms. Rice said she was "enjoying this visit very much." She described the meeting with the Muslim leaders as "immensely stimulating and interesting."

Although the names of the 21 Muslim leaders had been made public, several of them requested that their names not be published or broadcast, for fear of repercussions. Five who agreed to be interviewed clearly feared they might be viewed as traitors.

Isn't this the religion of peace we're talking about? What are these guys, some sort of Islamophobes?

Stryker Vigilance

A report details the efforts of a Stryker unit along the US-Mexico border. In the space of only 30 days they helped to catch 2,000 illegal immigrants. Operation Western Vigilance also detected 3 tunnels, three on the Mexican border and one on the Canadian border.

Yet another example of how America's borders are porous- a security threat that has been ignored for far too long.

Worst Case Scenario

Just discovered the website for this upcoming movie- a European zombie flick. The film-makers are currently trying to raise money, awareness, etc and have a mailing list. Signing on to it also offers the possibility of being selected to play a zombie extra- they say they're looking for a cast of thousands.

The promo is incredibly impressive, you have to see it. Based just on this I'll be keeping a close eye on the development of Worst Case Scenario.

BTW, the equally impressive first promo is here. Watch them both.

28 Weeks Later

I was quite looking forward to seeing the sequel to 28 Days Later (despite that film's preposterous concept of the military), 28 Weeks Later. Then came the news that Danny Boyle wasn't going to direct and that Rowan Joffe was going to write- a man with absolutely zero horror genre experience. Now, horror site Bloody Disgusting is reporting that 28 Weeks Later is to be made by Fox's new teen division Atomic.

Expectations for this film need to be lowered even further.

Tattoos in the Army

I can't find myself agreeing with this policy- the US Army is to relax its rules on tattoos and permit new recruits to have them on their hands and the backs of their necks.

Perhaps if it was combined with a policy of having the tattoos removed during service I might change my mind.

And I speak as someone with a tattoo- one that was covered up when I was in uniform.

Offensive To Islam

As Charles at LGF says, perhaps it would be easier if a list of things not found offensive was published.

Albanian "liberal" Muslims are offended by the suggestion of a statue to Mother Theresa.

Muslims are offended by the word "Muslim". No really, I'm not making this one up!

Muslims are offended by the Koran being placed anywhere but the topshelf of a book store.

More Clarity

A surprisingly un-PC editorial from the Investor's Business Daily-

What better time for CAIR and other Muslim leaders to step up, cut through the politically correct fog and provide factual answers to the questions that give so many non-Muslims pause?

Generally speaking, those questions focus on whether the Quran does indeed promote violence against non-Muslims, and how many of the terrorists' ideas — about the violent jihad, the self-immolation, the kidnappings, even the beheadings — come right out of the text? But even more specifically:

Is Islam the only religion with a doctrine, theology and legal system that mandates warfare against unbelievers?

And then there's this-

Does Islam advocate expansion by force? And is the final command of jihad, as revealed to Muhammad in the Quran, to conquer the world in the name of Islam (9:29)?

Is Islam the only religion that does not teach the Golden Rule (48:29)? Does the Quran instead teach violence and hatred against non-Muslims, specifically Jews and Christians (5:50)?

There are other questions, but these should do for a start. If the answers are "yes," then at least Americans will know there's no such thing as moderate Islam, even as they trust that there are moderate Muslims who do not act out on its violent commands.

Time and the Jihadis

Seems like the CIA or SIS don't need to worry about infiltrating terrorist cells anymore, they need need to line up some people to join the press.

Michael Ware, bureau chief of Time magazine-

HH: So Michael Ware, what do you think...and you've spent time with insurgents, too. That's very controversial reporting that I've read. Explain to the audience how you connected up with them, and how much time you spent with them in Iraq.

MW: Well, in the course of the past three years, I've had ongoing contact with different elements of the insurgency. It all began immediately after the fall of Saddam's regime in the early months of the occupation. I was doing a story which was looking at the invasion. I was trying to find out from the Iraqi commanders themselves what had happened on their side, what was the chaos like, what was it like as a dictatorship deteriorated, and dissolved before their eyes in the midst of this American attack. Now at that time, I met these men. They were Republican Guard commanders, members of the secret police, the intelligence service, the secret service, all manner of agencies, asking them what had happened to them during the war. Then as time went by, these men started to feel more and more disenchanted, more and more dishonored. And one by one, they started picking up arms, and in a very ad hoc fashion, started attacking passing American vehicles and so on. Then over time, they started to evolve. And I got to watch that with my own eyes, as they did take shape as the insurgency we've ultimately come to see today.

HH: Have you spent time with the jihadis?

MW: I have. I have. It's certainly not something that's simple to do at any time, particularly now. However, in the past, though, I have actually been with Zarqawi's organization on different occasions. I once was taken to a Zarqawi training camp, although I was not told that that's where I was going, or for quite a while, that that's where I was. I've been to some of their safe houses. I've received some of their propaganda materials.

Michael Ware then goes on to say this-

HH: But I do think that that distinction between Islamists and insurgents has been well understood, and for a very long time. And I'd look for you to tell me when were you misled about that. But more importantly, going to the Islamists, about whom...you'll agree with me, they're evil. Won't you, Michael?

MW: Well, I certainly...I mean, one has to be careful that as the Islamic army of Iraq reminded just last week on Al Jazeera, the insurgent groups study very closely everything that we hear, say and write. And given that we're within their grasp, one always must be diplomatic. Suffice to say, it's very hard to relate to the goals or tactics that the hard-line Islamists employ.

It's worth reading the entire interview.

Training Log

I had an awful workout on Monday- felt totally listless, struggled to reach reps that I'd normally achieve with little effort, just not pleasant at all. I'm putting it down to a few poor nights sleep in a row. I hadn't realised it had taken quite so much out of me.

Today I decided to ease back a little and so I stuck to doing the basic and essential kettlebell swing. Not wanting to overwork myself I just did a 100 repetitions, taking as little time between sets to rest, and only ending a set when I felt that my form was beginning to slip. It didn't take long but it broke out a sweat and left me breathless. An hour later I felt like I hadn' t trained at all- my muscles got it easy but my heart and lungs had to put in the effort.

Tomorrow I'll go back to doing swings, snatches, clean and jerks and a set or two of squats. I'm not able to do long reps with the 2-pood (32kg) KB yet but that's easily overcome; with lots and lots of short sets.

My initial aim when I began training was to strengthen my injured back and also to lose some of the weight that I've put on since that injury worsened a few years back.

Kettlebells are renowned for their ability to fix "glass backs"- mine isn't fixed exactly (and probably never will be because of the arthritis) but it is more stable than it was. One of the advatages of the girya is that your back is supposed to be straight virtually all the time- I don't have to bend it or twist it. My joints still tend to stick, there are lumps of knotted muscle here and there and I get quite nasty spasms now and then (over the weekend I couldn't turn my head to the right) but my back does feel a little more sturdy than it was. The slightest thing can set me off (getting up from a chair, staying too long in one position, etc) but I feel like my back is better able to absorb some of the shocks it's exposed to. And I am certainly fitter than I have been in a long time; if nothing else, that's a big relief. My main worry now is that I'll lose some of the gains I've made recently next time my back decides it wants to go through a bad patch and they can last anywhere from a week to a couple of months.

As for my weight loss- it isn't happening. My wife tells me I'm definitely getting slimmer (and I feel thinner) but my weight is remaining pretty much constant, within a few pounds of 14 stone- I'm hoping that means more muscle and less fat and not just that she's telling me what I want to hear!

Getting The Message Out

Frau Budgie of the superb Red Hot Cuppa Politics has another post up on the effort by bloggers to trnaslate documents seized from Saddam Hussein's administration- documents that show that there were in fact links between Al Qaeda and Iraq before the war.

You'd think that with elections on the way Republican politicians would be shouting this from the rooftops, adding yet more justification to the war in Iraq. Hard for Democrats to hold their position that the war in Iraq was a distraction from the fight against terrorism in light of this new evidence.

You'd almost think they didn't want to get re-elected again and keep their majority. Instead it's the bloggers, yet again, who are doing the work, seeking out the truth.

Thank heavens for the internet.

NY Gun Carry

An anti-gun campaigner in New York has a concealed carry permit.

Anyone surprised by the double standard and hypocrisy?

Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro are also licenced to carry. A quick search for news on De Niro shows one result of interest-

De Niro In Gun Shocker
14 December 2000 (WENN)
Hollywood star Robert De Niro is determined not to bow to public pressure - he intends to hang onto his handgun. The actor who famously brandished a gun in Taxi Driver (1976), will not be joining the league of celebrities like Yoko Ono who support restrictive gun control measures in the U.S., but rather seems to be more in line with Charlton Heston, president of the National Rifle Association. Police records show the De Niro recently renewed his handgun license - though his spokesman refuses to explain why the star could possibly need a firearm.

Fantastic unbiased reporting isn't it?

Straight Talking

A rather startling piece of clarity in the Daily Telegraph-

What this means is that there can be no equality, or even safety, for other religions, let alone for atheists, in a sharia-based Muslim society. The best that can be hoped for is the second-class, protected status for Christians and Jews, rather like the rights of black tribes under apartheid in South Africa, which is called "dhimmi". Dhimmis have inferior rights, and have to pay a special tax. What is out of the question is conversion.

Worth reading it all.