Relatives of Lodi Men Summoned - Federal Grand Jury

Arslan Hayat, 16, Sadiq Shoaib, Usama Ismail and Kaashif Altaf, all relatives of Hamid Hayat and Hamid Hayat have been summoned to appear before a Federal Grand Jury after refusing to talk to federal investigators. Usama Ismail said he spent most of his time in Pakistan with his cousin Hamid and related that Hamid was more interested in playing cricket than terrorism.

In further developments in the Muslim peace march or rally, Mayor Beckham and Mark Williams met with Basim Elkarra, the executive director of the Sacramento chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Williams said he hoped the meeting would encourage momentum for some type of rally by Muslims in denouncing terrorism.


Oh well, with CAIR now involved in a Muslim peace rally, I doubt if even Mohammed will show up now.

Congress Trying to Nullify Supreme Courts Property Rights Decision

House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.)along with Democratic Representative John Conyers Jr. (Mich.) will introduce a Private Property Rights Protection Act that will prohibit any state or municipality from using federal funds for any project in which economic development is used as a justification for exercising eminent domain.

A similar measure is being introduced in the Senate. Senator. John Cornyn (R-Tex.)and Senator. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) are cosponsors of the Protection of Homes, Small Businesses and Private Property Act which will rely on the authority of the legislature to regulate the use of federal funds, and declares the view of Congress that "the power of eminent domain should be exercised only 'for public use' " and not "to further private economic development."

It's good to see that most Congressmen are taking the concerns of their constituents seriously. However, one Democrat had to have her say about the proposed acts. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) had this to say, "When you withhold funds from enforcing a decision of the Supreme Court, you are in fact nullifying a decision of the Supreme Court," Pelosi said. "This is in violation of the respect of separation of powers in our Constitution -- church and state as well. Sometimes the Republicans have a problem with that, as well."

Well geesh Ms. Pelosi, the Supreme Court didn't seem to care too much that it nullified our rights to private property. I see both acts as a stop gap measure until legislation is passed to restore private property rights. I have no problem denying Federal funding to those municipalities that seek to profit by the Supreme Courts decision. It is no different then denying funding for roads to those states that have lowered the drinking age to under 21.

It is nice to see that the majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress are working together to rectify this wrong. I am not giving up my Adventuresin Citizenship. This is just too important. It doesn't take much to create a petition. It is something that anyone in the country can do and also has the benefit of channeling the anger you might be feeling to action. So come on, you can do the same.

And This Guy Met with President Bush?

Middle East Media Research Institute has another good one. Today's excerpt is from Dr. Ahmad Dewidar's interview by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. He is the imam of the Islamic Society of Mid-Manhattan and a lecturer on Islamic studies at Manhattanville College

Dr. Ahmad Dewidar has met with President Bush, Governor Pataki, Rudi Giulliani, and Kofi Annan. So what makes him so special? Is it the way his interview sounds like a story from A Thousand and One Arabian Nights?

Some of the gems from the interview include the statement that Muslims were not the perpetrators of 9-11. Though he does come out and say it, the implication is that is was the US government that staged the attacks in order to implement a "New World Order". That American society will forget(fat chance of that) and that by their Islamic conduct Muslims will be shown to be innocent of the crime.

When asked how da'wah (da'wah (Arabic): The peaceful invitation to Islam for infidels; missionary work. Often used in lands where jihad is impractible. Clarity and Resolve) was proceeding since 9-11, he stated that the extremism was toned down and balance has been restored.

Of course there was the good ole standby that the Zionists(read Jews) control the media so that we cannot spread our ideas and spotlight our leaders and our successful models Of course, blame the Jews for all your failures.

He also blames the Jews for the spread of democracy and that to counter it, Muslims must improve their governments and establish real national regimes.

And last but certainly not least:

Dewidar: "In 1995 I heard some sermons that said that Muslims should march on the White House from some of the mosques."

Host:"What do you mean by 'march on the White House'"?

Dewidar: "One cleric said in his sermon: 'We are going to the White House, so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into the Muslim house.'"

Host: "How? I don't understand."

Dewidar: "This is simply a slogan. I'm only saying this to..."

Host: "Are they going to occupy the White House or what?"

Dewidar: "No, they say that through the domination of Islam and its ideas, the White House will change."

Host: "This will happen one day, but not this way. Islam will be victorious, no doubt, but not this way."

Dewidar: "It will not happen unless the Muslims abandon their slogans and become a role model. If a Muslim doctor who invents a cure in the hospital or performs an important operation successfully – all the media will broadcast it live and announce it worldwide. The Muslim who makes do with breaking the wooden podium, with screaming, and with patronizing, condescending rhetoric that "Islam is coming, and it will change the face of the earth," while at the same time he cannot even change the face of the Islamic capitals, which overflow with garbage – this path will lead to no good."

So throwing tantrums, killing 3,000 innocent people, screaming for jihad is not going to allow Islam to dominate the world? No, the Muslims must be more deceptive in their goal to have Islam dominate the world. Taqiya anyone?

Condi Winning Friends in EU

Europeans are beginning to see what alot of Americans have learned. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice can be very diplomatic and she can also haul over the coals countries such as Iran, Egypt, and Russia. Syria was the subject of her wrath at a news conference in which she stated they are not doing enough to keep terrorists from slipping into Iraq and killing Iraqis and Americans. Her combination of toughness and diplomacy is garnering attention. At this past weeks gathering to discuss Iraq, many now simply call her Condi.Yahoo News


I like Condi. She is intelligent and not afraid to speak her mind. Like President Bush, you know where you stand when she speaks. Like Bush, she doesn't pay attention to the polls and goes with what she feels is right. It will be interesting to see if she does run in 2008. As Hillary Clinton is more than likely to be the Democratic nominee, the US could see it's first female president and hopefully it will be Condi. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Bush - US "will stay in the fight until the fight is won."

On the first anniversary of transferring power from the coalition forces to the Iraq interim government, President Bush gave the words most Americans have been waiting to hear. He stated that there will no timetable for withdrawal. He also stated that as the Iraqis stand up, we will stand done. He named the insurgents for what they are, ruthless killers committing savage acts of violence. But the main thrust of his words were that we would stay until the job is done. Yahoo News

President Bush's words are clear. That is what I have grown to like about him. I have to admit, I did not vote for him or Al Gore in 2000. In an insane moment, I voted for Ralph Nadar. I did not trust Bush and despised Gore. My change of heart over Bush came after 9-11. He did and is doing what is needed to fight the War on Terrorism. The US still faces the threat of another terrorist attack. His words tonight show that he is still committed to the WOT. He is committed to ensuring that we finish the job in Iraq. And by saying no to any timetable for leaving Iraq, he has reassured the US Armed Forces who are serving there that they will be allowed to finish their job. A job which they have been doing extraordinarily well. He has also reassured the Iraqi government that we are committed. This is good news, as the Iraqis will produce a draft of their constitution on August 15.

To all who serve, America is behind you and thank you.

2nd Day of Adventures in Citizenship Delayed

I had planned a couple of things today to give more people the opportunity of signing the petition to protect private property rights. Unfortunately, the server at work crashed. First thought, hardware problem, yes, one of the controller cards is flaky and will be replaced. Second problem, server operating system has also crashed. No time to call radio stations and gather more signatures.

But never fear, the drive for having more people sign the petition will continue. It will have to be put on hold for a couple of days.

Help Stop Anti-Israel Resolution

Hat tip: It's A Matter of Opinion

The Simon Wiesenthal Center needs our help. The United Church of Christ is proposing to divest it's investments in Israel. This is a growing trend and is unfair to Israel who is doing all it can to protect it's citizens from near daily terrorists attacks, be it attempted and sucessful suicide bombers, Kassam rocket attacks, or drive-by shootings of teenagers just waiting for a ride.

Below is an excerpt from the Stop The United Church of Christ's Anti-Israel Resolutions:

When another prominent Protestant denomination recently considered similar resolutions against Israel, Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, had this to say, "Israelis are already traumatised and feel that the world is against them. This proposal, if it is agreed, would be another knife in the back. Christians who owe so much to the Hebrew Scriptures and to Israel itself should not be among those who attack Israel in such a way."

Please sign the petition and help Israel.

Adventures in citizenship

Today I lobbed my first pitch into getting the Mississippi State Legislature to pass legislation that would protect the private property rights of its citizens. I requested that eminent domain proceedings be banned for purely economic reasons. I faxed a letter to Governor Barbour, Lt. Governor Amy Tuck, my state Representative Jessica Upshaw, and my state Senator Deborah Dawkins. It felt good to at least try something. After I had faxed the letters, I showed them to my boss and he suggested that I write up a petition, so after lunch I did. Two minutes later, I had my first two signatures. After an hour I had thirty. This was while I was still at work. I have some great bosses!!! Yes, they also signed.

Three people volunteered to take some of the petitions home and get their neighbors to sign. Tomorrow, I am going to contact one of the local radio stations that is very active in the community to see if they will sponsor an on-line petition.

Now is a good time to gather signatures. Governor Barbour has called a fourth special session this year and it will start tomorrow.

Wish me luck!!!

Shreds to Anti-War Protestors

Little Green Footballs has a great post about how citizens in Columbia, Missouri dealt with anti-war protestors, shred their handouts.

We Came, We Saw, We Shredded

Here’s a very creative and perfectly legal way to turn the tables on the anti-war protesters, from a group of LGF readers in Columbia, Missouri:

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and honor for the majority of people. For a select few, those committed to a “peace at any price” world-view, Memorial Day is a day to protest war, warriors and to hand out printed propaganda. This year in Columbia Missouri, at the Air Show and the Memorial Day Parade the “Peace at any price” propaganda ended up in shreds – literally.

By an earlier federal court ruling, the Veterans group that hosts Missouri’s Air Show was forced to allow the peace groups to hand out their literature and carry protest signs onto the tarmac of the event. The court ruled that protesters had the right to free speech. So, we provided some free speech of our own, by the name of Operation Simply Shred.

Read the rest of We Came We Saw We Shredded

Taking Away Enemy Sanctuaries in Afghanistan

After a week in which about 178 insurgents were killed, the US is now focusing on taking key areas in the Khakeran Valley in southern Afghanistan. It is suspected that there are about 300 insurgents holed up in the area. Mangal Khan, the main village in the valley was the first. A police station had been taken over by the insurgents in March. The following from the Jerusalem Post sums up the strategy:

American spokesman Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara said troops were operating across the whole region, "taking away enemy sanctuaries."

"The enemy forces are not dumb. So when they get a sense that we're doing an operation in area 'X,' they will move onto area 'Y,"' he said. "It is our goal to be in area 'Y' before they set anything up."

The Miana Shien district of Kandahar province, the site of last weeks action is said to still have about 80 insurgents and 2 Taliban leaders in the area. Dozens of others are suspected to have fled to the Khakeran Valley.

Good, deny them sanctuary, squeeze them out of all their little holes and get rid of the vermin for good.

Further details on Lodi imam

I had posted yesterday that Shabbir Ahmed arrested in Lodi on immigration violations was now being accused of trying to incite followers to kill Americans. The Lodi News has further details.

Paul Nishiie, assistant chief counsel with Immigration and Citizenship Enforcement asked Ahmed about Jamira Farooqia, the Pakistani school where he was a scholar and teacher. Ahmed responded that some of the students at the school had went to Afghanistan to fight. Ahmed also gave 5 speeches in Pakistan and that one of his speeches led to riots. A tape from his questioning was played during the hearing in which Ahmed admits making anti-American speeches.

Ahmed said his views of America changed when he came here 3 years ago and that he regrets making the speeches. He said that since his arrest he has been treated with respect and that everyone receives justice.

FBI investigators stated that they have been investigating possible terrorists ties in Lodi for several years. The case sped up when it was learned that Hamid Hayat(one of the two charged with links to Al-Qaeda) had boarded a plane to the US after spending two years in Pakistan.

It is good to see that the FBI is doing its job and investigating groups that are possibly linked to terrorists. We never hear of ongoing investigations so it may seem like potential terrorists cells/groups are not being investigated. It's good to know that in at least this case, our backs are being covered.

Clarity & Resolve has a good post about why we shouldn't take too seriously Ahmed's change of heart in California Jihadin'

Million Muslim March back on in Lodi

From Lodi News
Lodi mosque leaders have stated that the Million Muslim March is back on and will be heald sometime in July. Mayor Beckham said he would not be leading the march. Mohammad Shoaib, president of the mosque will be leading the march.

From a previous post

Mark Williams who is trying to organize the march is not daunted.
"If it's me, the mayor and some guy named Muhammad it's a start," he said. "Everything begins with one person."

Well it looks some guy named Mohaamed and the mayor are keen on the idea.

Show a soldier you care

The Anti-Idiotarian says Time to Say "Thank You".

He has a great post and an easy way to show thank you to a soldier serving in Iraq. He watches the news over there and was beginning to wonder if any one cared. Go to the site and send your e-mail.

Homespun Blogger Symposium XXVI

Homespun Blogger Symposium XXVI
Sorry I'm a little late this week...but I'm back in El Paso welcoming 16 friends back from faraway lands like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. They're now enjoying the finer things in life....like crisp clean sheets, floors with carpet, being able to walk to the shower with a towel around them and not body armor...just those little things that we all take for granted.


That having been said...it's time to take your pulse and see how you're feeling about the Global War on Terrorism or if you'd rather Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Are we making any progress? Is this part of the war winnable? Should we "stay and fight" or "cut and run?"


See y'all on the high ground!

MajorDad1984

I am glad that this weeks symposium deals with the War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have strong feelings about this topic. As to the first question: Are we making any progress? Hell yes!! The people in Afghanistan and Iraq are moving closer and closer to achieving government by self-determination. Two very oppressive regimes have been toppled. Progress is steadily being made. The Afghanistan and the Iraq forces are both shouldering more and more of the responsibility of dealing with the terrorists that still plague their lands. And they are doing a very good job. The Afghanistan people are set to vote in parliamentary elections on September 18. Steady progress is being made in Iraq on framing its constitution. Reports are that it is 80% complete and will include such things as guaranteeing the rights of the disabled.

In both countries, infrastructure is being replaced. Repairs on electric plants, water plants are on ongoing. Schools are being repaired and built in both countries. Iraq rebuilding seems to be going a little bit faster than Afghanistan's. This is due to fact that Iraq was more modern in the first place. But money is heading to both countries to continue to build up the infrastructure.

Operation Enduring Freedom for the must part has already been won. We are winning in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Both are being won.

As to the question should we go or should we stay, the answer is definitely yes to staying in both Afghanistan and Iraq. As the saying goes, let our armed forces stay and finish the job!! People may say that it is taking too long. I say there never was going to be quick end. It has been a little over two years since Operation Iraqi Freedom started and enormous gains have been made and will continue to be made. Now is not even the time to be thinking of pulling out. Support Our Troops, Let Them Finish the Job!!

Other Homeblogger posts:
MajorDad1984
crosSwords

Thanks to Bad Example

With the nifty little code from Bad Example, I was able to have my old comments appear on the main page.

Another Lodi imam accused of link with terrorists

According to the Jerusalem Post another imam is being accused of inciting followers to kill Americans.

Shabbir Ahmed an imam at the Lodi mosque, who was arrested in Lodi for immigration violations was accused Friday during an immigration hearing of trying to incite followers to kill Americans.

Justice Department attorney Paul Nishiie, arguing against bail, claimed Ahmed was linked to a terrorist group in Karachi, Pakistan, and had preached at an Islamabad mosque about attacking Americans a few months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He said Ahmed also urged followers to defend al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Shabbir Ahmed is one of five men arrested during a terrorism investigation in Lodi, a community of about 62,000 about 80 miles (129 kilometers) east of San Francisco. Muslim leaders, the American Civil Liberties Union and government leaders have criticized the tactics of federal investigators and for bringing a spotlight on the community. Authorities, meanwhile, have pressed forward with the cases.

Prosecutors maintain that Ahmed was a student and a teacher at Jamia Farooqia, which the State Department list as a terrorist group, but which describes itself on the Internet as a "renowned university of Islamic sciences."

Islamic sciences? What, how to train suicide bombers? And why should federal investigators be criticized for bringing attention to this. Anything that threatens the US and its citizens should be brought to our attention. We need to know the danger that exists. I wonder why the ACLU doesn't change it's name to DAMN, Don't Accuse or Arrest Muslims of Nothing.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Apparently not, at least the Lodi Muslim community cannot. Just a short week ago, plans were being made for a peace march based on the Million Men March. Seems like a good idea, Muslims marching for peace. Unfortunately a rift has developed at the Lodi mosque and the peace march has been canceled.

Mark Williams who is trying to organize the march is not daunted.

"If it's me, the mayor and some guy named Muhammad it's a start," he said. "Everything begins with one person."

He goes onto say any kind of peace march will be the beginnings of taking back the Muslim faith back from extremists.

Two of those arrested for only immigration violations, Mohammad Adil Khan and Shabbir Ahmed, served as imam at the mosque. Mohammad Shoaib, the mosques president, ousted Khan as an imam. This has led to a disagreement in the Muslim community and one of the reasons the march has been called off.

Other reasons include a lawsuit of members against a purposed Islamic Center and theological differences. Read the article atLodi News

Ah, the "religion of peace", seems like the Feds arrested Hamid Hayat, 22 and his father, Umer Hayat, 47 none to soon. Mark Williams and others like him have a long road ahead of them in taking back the Muslim religion from extremists.

Lawyers are intelligent?

Recieved via e-mail enjoy

As you read these, just keep in mind that lawyers are allowed to vote!
... and most members of congress are lawyers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: Disorder in the Court

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.

Q: Are you sexually active?
A: No, I just lie there.
_________________________________
Q: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
A: Yes.
Q: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
A: I forget.
Q: You forget? Can you give us an example of something that you've forgotten?
_________________________________________
Q: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo or the occult?
A: We both do.
Q: Voodoo?
A: We do.
Q: You do?
A: Yes, voodoo.
______________________________________
Q: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
A: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
________________________________
Q: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
A: Yes.
Q: And what were you doing at that time?
_____________________________________
Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.
______________________________________
Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?
A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy.
______________________________________
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.

Taliban leaders about to be nabbed?

Swissinfo is reporting that the leader of the Taliban, Muhammed Omar may soon be captured. US and Afghanistan forces are said to have surrounded top Taliban leaders in southwest Afghanistan. Mullah Dadullah, Mullah Brother, Mullah Abdul Hakim, Mullah Abdul Hanan and Mullah Abdul Basir are reportedly in the area along with 150 terrorists.

Mullah Dadullah and Mullah Brother are thought to be key links between the Taliban and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network as well as with Pakistani militant groups and may even have had direct contacts with bin Laden and his number two Ayman al-Zawahri.

Mullah Brother was also the one who ordered the deaths of four journalists in 2001. So, far more than 100 terrorists have been killed during fighting in the past three days.

Interior Ministry spokesman Lutfullah Mashal stated this operation will be a major blow to the Taliban who were planning to disrupt the September 18 parliamentary elections.


Keep up the good work guys. Run those murdering terrorists into the ground.

Update: June 24, 2005 8:00pm
Fighting has wound done. No Taliban leaders in the terrorists killed or the 20 or so captured. Yahoo News

FOR SHAME SUPREME COURT

Amendments to the Constitution
Article V.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger, nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb: nor shall any person be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law: nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

The Supreme Court has wiped away one of the most basic rights of property owners in the US in its decision today to grant New London CT the right to take over private property and place into the hands of other private owners.

The gradual process of eliminating private property ownership began in 1954 with the Supreme Court's decision to allow local governments to condemn slums or other blighted properties for the propose of redevelopment.

The homes in the New London case or neither slums nor blighted. They just happen to be in the way of a proposed development. Some happen to be on the waterfront and the owners have refused to be bought out.

These judges will live in shame for their decision: Justice John Stevens, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice David Souter, Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, and Justice Stephen Breyer. Below is the basis for their decision:

New London officials "were not confronted with the need to remove blight in the Fort Trumbull area, but their determination that the area was sufficiently distressed to justify a program of economic rejuvenation is entitled to our deference," Stevens wrote. "The City has carefully formulated an economic development plan that it believes will provide appreciable benefits to the community, including--but by no means limited to--new jobs and increased tax revenue."

Justice Sandra O'Connor gave the following dissenting opinion:

"Today the Court abandons this long-held, basic limitation on government power," she wrote. "Under the banner of economic development, all private property is now vulnerable to being taken and transferred to another private owner, so long as it might be upgraded -- i.e., given to an owner who will use it in a way that the legislature deems more beneficial to the public -- in the
process."
The effect of the decision, O'Connor said, "is to wash out any distinction between private and public use of property -- and thereby effectively to delete the words "for public use" from the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment."

There it is in a nut shell, the assenting judges have managed to change the wording of the constitution from "for public use" to "for public purpose".

This burns me up. It means that my home and property in the future can be taken away from me if some developer and the government get together and decide to build some new strip mall!!!!

For shame Supreme Court.

Quotes from the Washington Post

Update:
From American Thinker Outrage:

Justice Thomas wrote a brilliant dissent. His words are worth quoting:

Something has gone seriously awry with this Court’s interpretation of the Constitution. Though citizens are safe from the government in their homes, the homes themselves are not.

Update:
Foxnews

Home owners in eight states already have legisaltion barring eminent domain proceedings from occuruing for economic reasons.

Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, South Carolina and Washington — forbid the use of eminent domain for economic development unless it is to eliminate blight. Other states either expressly allow a taking for private economic purposes or have not spoken clearly to the question.

Time to get busy. I for one will be contacting my state representatives to ensure that legislation to bar eminent domain proceedings for economic reasons is initiated and passed. Time too fight for what is right.

Killen Sentenced to 60 Years

Edgar Killen has been sentenced to 60 years in prison, 20 years for each count of manslaughter. Killen had been charged and convicted in the killings of three civil rights activists, Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney on June 21, 2005, the exact 41st anniversary of their deaths. Reuters

Camel Spiders, Oh My

JP at the The National Guard Exprience has some interesting takes on being deployed in Afghanistan. One being the cheap beachfront view. Another being able to watch your buddy scream as a camel spider crawls on his chest. Go check it out.



Camel Spider

Polar bears check out a sub

Received this in an e-mail.

Photographed from the USS HONOLULU

(Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine) at the Arctic Circle, 280 miles from the North Pole.

Condi's words have an impact

For the first time in Egypt, anti-Mubarak protestors did not have to contend with police interference. The Popular Movement for Change walked up and down the streets in north Cairo chanting "Down, down, with Mubarak". They also shouted "America take him(Mubarak)give him a visa/ And take back with you, Condoleeza". People in support of Mubarak marched on the opposite side of the street. The police did not stop any one from joining either group.

After the protestors of both sides finished marching, another first occurred, the two sides held debates to argue their positions. Most of the onlookers were bemused, indifferent, or angry. SwissInfo

You go girl!!! Condi's words and President Bush's policies are having a definite impact. Not only is Mubarak permitting open opposition but the opposition is taking advantage of it. I have stated in other posts that the people in the Middle East and around the world hang onto to the words that President Bush and Secretary Condoleeza Rice speak. For too long other presidents have ignored the people living in those oppressive countries in exchange for stability. As Secretary Rice stated it has not created stability nor relieved the longings of people to self-determine their government.

Condi should run for president in the next elections. She has more guts then any other person seeking the nomination.

Mississippi No Longer Burns

By the Clarion Ledger political artist Marshall Ramsey

PA Whines Again

Get out the violins. Have some wine and cheese to go with the following whine by the PA. The PA leaders are upset because Israel will not broker with them until terrorist acts stop. I mean who can blame Israel. There has been a supposed truce since February. Since this "truce", there have been numerous Kassam attacks, multiple suicide bombers trying to get into Israel, and Israeli citizens being murdered on roads. Sharon does need to take a hard line.

If we make more gestures and he [Abbas] does nothing, that will portray weakness," Sharon spokesman Ra'anan Gissin said. "This is what we can do under the present conditions." He also pointed to Israel's willingness to allow 26,000 Gazan workers into the country, to examine relaxing border crossings and beginning work on the seaport in Gaza.

"The Israelis were not serious," PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei told a press conference. "It was a difficult meeting and it did not live up to our expectations. Overall, what was presented to us was not convincing or satisfying to us at all. In all the basic issues for which we were expecting positive responses, there were none."
Qurei, flanked by summit participants Civil Affairs Minister Muhammad Dahlan and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, told a news conference that no progress had been made on major issues such as the release of prisoners and settlement activity in the West Bank.

Israeli aides, however, described the meeting as "candid," but one said "this meeting was not intended to be a success, because terror does not permit there to be advancement right now."

Read more

The PA are the ones who are not being serious. They cannot expect concession after concession while acts of terror are planned and while terrorists remain free. The PA should be concerned with taming the chaos that exists in Gaza and disarming all of the unholy warriors.

Update from Ynet‘Next bomber will succeed’

Moonbats Do Not Change Spots No Matter Where They Are

The Australian blog, It's A Matter Of Opinion, has an interesting post on politics Down Under called Strange Game.

An excerpt:

I think it says more about the quality of the opposition parties than anything else. We the people do not want leaders who tell us how bad we are, how ashamed we should be just for being born here, how we should all bow down in reverence to the holy tree God, or how stupid and uninformed we are. The last election proved that beyond any doubt, but are the Democrats the Greens and Labor listening? It would appear not.

Moonbats, whether in the US, Australia or elsewhere, just cannot seem to grasp that we are proud of our country. We are proud to be born here. That there can be conservation without shutting down the country. That we are neither stupid nor uninformed.

The current stance of the Democrat party of defaming our country and the brave men and women who serve will be remembered in the next presidential election. The traces of anti-Semitism will not carry well. The demonization of Christians will not resound well in the heartland or the South. And you know what happens when someone cannot carry the South and the Mid-West, they LOSE.

Killen found guilty 3 counts of manslaughter

Edgar Killen has been found guilty of 3 counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney on the exact 41st anniversary of their murders. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Reuters News

In closing arguments, prosecutor Mark Duncan urged jurors to "remove the stain" on Mississippi's Neshoba County, where the killings occurred, and deliver justice by convicting Killen.

Mississippi has learned from it's past. While bigotry exists in small pockets as it does in other states and across the world, the vast majority of Mississippians are accepting and live, work, and hang out together without regard to skin color.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

When I switched to Haloscan all my previous comments were wiped out.

All comments before I switched to Haloscan can be accessed by clicking on the time stamp.

Sign the petition

Originally posted June 15, 2005


Stefania at Free Thoughts has a post urging all to sign the petition that will change the International Red Cross's charter to allow Israel's Magan David Adom to become a member.

Petition at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Durbin has new info on American injustice

Wuzzadem has posted more on Durbins efforts to make sure criminals and terrorists are treated humanely. Durbin Digs, Finds More Dirt


Spew alert

A little laughter never hurts

From the comments at The National Guard:

I GOT THIS FUNNY E-MAIL TODAY AND THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY IT. SO HERE IT IS:

Recently I received a warning about the use of this politically incorrect term, so please note: We all need to be more sensitive in our choice of words.
I have been informed the Islamic terrorists, who hate our guts and want to kill us, do not like to be called "Towel Heads" since the item they wear on their heads is not actually a towel, but in fact, a small folded sheet.

Therefore, from this point forward, please refer to them as "Little Sheet Heads."

Female suicide bomber believes in "death & Allah"

Wafa Samir Ibrahim Bas, an Al Quds Open University student, was stopped at the Erez check point when the ten kilograms of explosives she was wearing set off the biometric screener. Her mission, to set off the explosives at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. She had been treated at this hospital for burns suffered in a cooking accident and had a medical permit for further treatment. Her intent was to kill as many young people as possible. She is a member of the Al Aksa Brigades.

Breaking down and crying, she asked for her mother's forgiveness. "I am sorry mother, forgive me, I should have listened to you," she said.She also said she hoped Israeli judges would have pity and not sentence her too harshly.

When asked if she would launch attacks if allowed to return, she said she may consider it and that she believes "in death and Allah."

This is not the first time that suicide bombers have used medical permits to try to enter Israel and set-off their lethal cargo.
Read the full story at the Jerusalem Post.

The Palestinians are living in a death cult and they have no one to blame but themselves. The next time you hear of a complaint about Palestinians with medical permits being stopped for lengths of time at a check point, this is the reason. It is not because the Israelis want to stop people from receiving the health care that they need. It is because the jihadists and Islamics try to use those permits to smuggle in suicide bombers. These unholy "warriors" of Islam have violated basic human decency.

Clarity & Resolve has a take on this as well.

The Jerusalem Post in a update on June 21 deleted this section

When asked if she would launch attacks if allowed to return, she said she may consider it and that she believes "in death and Allah."

Osama's cook begs to be taken to Gitmo

Hat tip: Blackfive

The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that Osama Bin Laden's cook, Haji Mohamad Akram, was captured by the Afghanistani Hazara tribe last week. Akram said the majority of the Al-Qaeda men including Osama Bin Laden fled to Iran after the Tora Bora bombings last November/December. Akram stated he did not want to go and was abandoned while saying prayers.

He is begging for the US to take him away from the Hazara tribe who he claims beats him every night.

For the interviews, Hazara leader Ali Akbar Qasmi escorted Mr. Akram out of a back room of his house into his small, dark living room. Sitting in shackles near a pot-belly stove, his bloodied nostrils plugged with cotton, he begged to be handed over to US investigators - even sent "to Cuba" if necessary - and promised to disclose important information to US officials.

In fact, Mr. Qasmi had placed a call to the US Embassy in Kabul earlier this week. He says a US official there told him that they were terribly busy and it would help if he could hold them a "week or two."

A US intelligience base in Afghanistan expressed great interest in taking the Saudi chef, along with another Saudi financier and a Kurdish member of Al Qaeda into custody.

Akram's had this to say about Bin Laden:

He goes on to criticize bin Laden - although he mentions that bin Laden once sent him to Detroit, Mich., for medical treatment - and expresses hope that the US will do better by Afghanistan than bin Laden did. "One mistake that Osama made is that he only bought pickup trucks for the Taliban, and provided some rupees for their front lines. He was never seriously interested in the welfare of the Afghan people. Now that Al Qaeda is gone, the US should help the Afghans, the poor have suffered too much."

Check out Blackfive's interesting exit strategy.

Discussion in an Egyptian bookstore

The Big Pharaoh has an interesting post about a conversation he had with two employees at a book store. This is what struck him as remarkable:

We discussed a lot of topics. The coming elections, the Islamists, the internal and external pressure on the Egypt’s regime. I noticed something very interesting when our conversation ended after an hour and a half and I finally left the store. The almighty issue of Palestine and the perceived “horribleness” of the USA never got into our discussion. We didn’t discuss Palestine and Israel. We didn’t discuss the US. We talked about Egypt and only Egypt. This was so weird because any political discussion in Egypt will have to include Palestine and a number of cuss words directed towards the US.

Perhaps the people Egypt are becoming tired of their government officials and Islamics blaming Israel and America all of the time?

Odd little joke by Durbin

We all know the scurrilous words that Durbin(I refuse to put senator in front of his name) used to denigrate the US Armed Forces. I was curious as to what the Chicago newspapers were saying about his remarks. At the Chicago Tribune he was soundly criticized. However, at the bottom of the editorial there was this little gem:

Perhaps, though, citizens should be grateful. At least Durbin has stopped repeating that odd little joke about President Lincoln--that he must have been Jewish because his first name was Abraham and he was shot in the temple.

We know what Durbin thinks about the treatment of Guantanamo prisoners. So what's the proper treatment of our coverage-hungry senior senator when he displaces the ever-present microphone long enough to insert his foot in his mouth? Ignore him. That would be torture.

Durbin has a very warped mind. How he ever got elected is beyond me and to think he is considered to be very knowledgeable and articulate!!!

Weekend Wanderings

Gulfport Yacht Club

Gulfport Beach

My Dream

All That's Left

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

What My Father Taught Me

1. To respect Mom always
2. Respect yourself
3. Family comes before others
4. Love your country
5. Never stop learning
6. Be who you are
6. Do not be afraid to speak out
7. Hold to your convictions but listen to the other side and
do not be afraid to change
8. A sense of humor will get you through the day
9. There is alot of beauty in the world, learn to see it
10. There also alot of ugliness, learn to see it

Shades of Dan Rather

Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs

Much debate has raged about the implications of the Downing Street memos.
Below is an excerpt from a Yahoo News article.

The eight memos ? all labeled "secret" or "confidential" ? were first obtained by British reporter Michael Smith, who has written about them in The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times.

Smith told AP he protected the identity of the source he had obtained the documents from by typing copies of them on plain paper and destroying the originals.

The AP obtained copies of six of the memos (the other two have circulated widely). A senior British official who reviewed the copies said their content appeared authentic. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secret nature of the material.

Does this sound oddly familiar? It should. The circumstances are very similar to Dan Rather and Bush's National Guard Memos.

Procurement of The Documents The 60 MINUTES Wednesday broadcast reported that it obtained six documents from the personal files of Lt. Col. Killian, four of which were used in the broadcast. In accordance with longstanding journalistic ethics, CBS News is not prepared to reveal its confidential sources or the method by which 60 MINUTES Wednesday received the documents. CBS News? reporting determined that the source of the memos had access to the documents he provided and an
opportunity to obtain copies of them. Our sources included individuals who had first-hand knowledge of the events in question.

Again, the documents used for the 60 MINUTES Wednesday report were copies, and most of the analysis fueling the current controversy is based on scanned, downloaded, faxed or re-copied copies. For now, the disagreements among ?dueling experts? have not been resolved.

CBS News

Other anonymous sources, copies only, originals destroyed. Hmmmmm. The grand tradition of using anonymous sources goes on. Why would Smith destroy the originals?
Update:
The Captains Quarter has more.

Anarchy part 2

On Tuesday I had posted about the rampant lawlessness that is raging through Gaza and the West Bank. On Wednesday, scores of armed men went on a rampage at a medical center in Gaza. While some shot their guns in the air, others destroyed furniture, computers and other equipment. The medical center is run by Jalilah Dahlan, wife of Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Muhammad Dahlan.

One of the gunman had this to say: Jerusalem Post

"We're not thugs and we're not mercenaries," one of the gunmen told The Jerusalem Post. "We are freedom fighters and we have many rights. We are only asking that the Palestinian leadership give us all our rights because we are wanted by Israel and our lives are at stake."

Hey cretin, freedom fighters don't go rampaging through hospitals and tearing up the place. Let's face it, you are a bullying coward who has no concept of freedom. Violence is the only thing you have been taught and by violence you will probably die and not soon enough for me.

Chaos of UN affecting air traffic

All the hyperbole steaming from the UN seems to be affecting the air around the UN building. Two helicopters within four days of each other have crashed near the vicinity of the UN. Unlike the Sudan and the Oil for Food Program though, no one was killed or seriously injured in either crash.

For further details, Jerusalem Post .

Quit calling everybody Hitler or a Nazi

Jon Stewart of the Daily Show had this to say about the stupid comparisons of Gitmo, Bush, and everything else under the sun to Hitler and Nazism A Relatively Closer Look: Hitler References .

What would you do for freedom?

Look at this cartoon


Read from this post at Iraq the Model for an explaination.

A discourse on the three front war we are facing

Lance in Iraq has a good post on the battle our troops are facing not just in Iraq and Afghanistan but in the US as well.

"Winning even as we are told we are losing"

Below is a brief excerpt:

So unhinged have we become that if an American policymaker calls for democracy and reform in the Middle East, then he is likely to echo the aspirations of jailed and persecuted Arab reformers. But if he says Islamic fascism is either none of our business or that we lack the wisdom or morality to pass judgment on the pathologies of a traditional tribal society, then the jihadist and the police state — and our own Western Left — approve.

Our military should not have to face a third front at home. They are doing a tremendous job and should be appluaded for their actions. The vast majority are proud of their part in bringing democracy to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. Support them and let them finish the job.

More good news from the protectors of womens rights

A Indian Muslim woman who was raped by her father-in-law must now marry him. Imrana's 10 year marriage to Noor Mohammed will be anulled and after a period of 7 months to make her "pure again", will be forced to marry the man who raped her. This insanity was decided upon by community leaders of the village in which she lives and was backed up by Muslim clerics. Reuters

See how justly a woman's rights are upheld by Muslim clerics!!! Who in their right mind would force a woman to divorce her husband and then marry her rapist? Islam's Sharia law, which is based on the Quran and Hadith and is touted as being the protector of women's rights, that's who.

Below are some wonderful verses that show a woman's place under Islam:
From Islam Review Online

Men are superior to women (surah 2:228).

Women have half the rights of men: in court witness (surah 2:282) and in inheritance
(surah 4:11).

A man may punish his wife by beating her (surah 4:34).

A man may marry up to four wives at the same time (surah 4:3).

A wife is a sex object for her husband (surah 2:223).

One need go no further than surah 2:223 to see how women are regarded in Islam.

Muslims are deluded by Islamists

From: Middle East Media Research Institute

Reformist Egyptian Writer Critiques Islamist Education and Propaganda
Sayyid Al-Qimni published an essay in the weekly Roz Al-Yousuf

A Barrier Separates the Muslim's Mind from the Real World, Making Him Lose the Capacity to Distinguish Good from Evil

"This suicide bomber was not a lone drop-out from society. He was certainly part of a cell... Nonetheless, it is now possible that an isolated individual can carry out a bombing, as indeed occurred when an [Egyptian] citizen stabbed a tourist who was kissing his [own] wife one week prior to the recent explosion. It is taught in the schools, on television, in the mosques, and within the family that this secene [of a husband kissing his wife], which touches the hearts of people all over the world, and makes them overflow with feelings and humanity – is ugly, promiscuous, and immodest. Thus, the terrorist act of that citizen was merely a result of what we planted in him. He was unable to resist the generator of hate and repugnance within him, so he stabbed the couple with a switchblade...

"There is a barrier separating the [Muslim's] mind from the real world around him, so that he falls into a state of constant hallucination and, as a result, loses the capacity to distinguish between good and evil. He only recognizes the value of halal and haram [i.e., permissible vs. prohibited] according to the Islamic point of view. Muslims are burdened with many repressive restrictions… Freedom of thought and expression are fenced in by Islamic restrictions …"

"We let terrorism grow and flourish when we allowed Islamist thought to infilirate our media and schools…

"Now do you see the achievements of the Blessed Islamic Awakening?
Do you see that we have now reached a record level of backwardness among the nations, and we have earned the height of the world's contempt?

Sayyid Al-Qimni clearly sees the danger of Islamic teachings and propaganda. He sees that this type of "religion" dehumanizes a person to the point where he cannot think for himself and the only justification for existence is to kill and kill and kill.

Blonde day

I am having a very blonde day!!
To regroup, I needed to go outside my office and look at this for awhile:

Anarchy rampant under PA

Lawlessness reigns supreme under Palestinian Authority leadership. Rival gangs fire at will at each other not caring who is in the crossfire, robberies are occurring at an increasing rate, and almost everyday brings news of more murders. Many claim that it's the PA's own policemen that are committing many of the crimes. The situation is becoming so bad that Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has threatened to suspend the cabinet. Jerusalem Post

This is what happens to a society that idealizes terrorists. Lawlessness becomes the rule. You become a cult of death. When your mullahs are preaching hate and death, your religion becomes a death cult. When you are taught and believe that a book is more valuable than human life, you become a member of a death cult. When your mullahs preach that the only good unbeliever is a dead unbeliever, you become a member of a death cult. When your mullahs are teaching you how to beat your wife, you become a member of a death cult.

If you are a member of this death cult, your life has no meaning unless you go out and kill the unbelievers. Unbelievers are any non-Muslims or those of your "religion" who do not believe enough. So the vicious cycle goes on and on. "Honor" killings must take place. Blood feud debts must be paid. Innocent citizens of Israel must be killed. Then you must try to spread your sickness to other countries and kill the unbelievers.

Arrest the terrorists and name them for what they are, murdering cowards. These men are not freedom fighters, they deny freedom to others. When mullahs preach hate and death, they deny hope. The people of Gaza and the West Bank must stop idealizing murderers and quit listening to the messages of death and hate if they want any chance of peace and prosperity.

A hard fact to acknowledge

I have been debating with myself rather or not to post about the current trial invovling Edgar Killen. Killen is accused or murdering three civil rights activists in 1964. The names of Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney should never be forgotten. They were brave men who were brutally murdered during the "Freedom Summer" 1964 campaign in which civil rights activists were registering black voters. Reuters News

In 1994, another murderer was tried and convicted. Byrin De La Beckwith was convicted of murder in the death of Medgar Evers. Mr. Evers was a leader with the NACCP and to his credit, ten years after his death, Mississippi had a total of 145 elected black officials. When he was murdered in 1963, there were only 28,000 registered black voters. By 1971, there 250,000 and by 1982 over 500,000. Ole Miss

The legacies of men such as Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Medgar Evers, and the countless others who strived to ensure that all in America would have equal rights will live on. The names of those that killed them will forever be associated with shame, ignorance, hatred, and just down right stupidity.

Martin Luther King Jr's words resonate across my mind,

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

National Civil Rights Museum

I think Martin Luther King Jr., will be glad that Mississippi is no longer sweltering in the heat of injustice. It has taken 40 years to bring Killen to justice, but he is being tried. The attitudes of the 1960's are no longer true today. Members of that vile group the Ku Klux Klan are seen for what they really are, murdering thugs.

One by one, we in Mississippi are trying to right the wrongs of the past.

King Fahd's dirty laundry about to be aired

One of King Fahd's many ex-wives is suing for more alimony. Normally cases such as this are hush hush. However, Lord Justice Thorpe, of the Royal Courts of Justice Family Division ruled that this hearing will be made public.

So Janan Harb will have her day in court and the House of Saud will have its dirty laundry aired. In March 2001, Mrs. Harb had been awarded a substantial and had signed an agreement to not disclose any details. However, she seems to need more. Some feel she is doing it for revenge. She is a Palestinian and has stated that she had been shunned by the royal household.

No one is sure how many wives or ex-wives King Fahd has. Men in Saudi Arabia are allowed to marry up to four. There has been speculation that King Fahd has had a total of 145 wives during his lifetime.

Poor man. He better hope that more of those ex-wives don't take revenge. It might make Saudi Arabia go broke. Hmm, I wonder if this is behind the high oil prices. I mean this is only one man from the Saudi royal house who had 145 wives, who knows how many ex-wives of other royal house members lurk out there.

Read more at London Times

1st case of mad cow disease reported in New York

I received this via e-mail:

New Yorkers will try and go about their daily lives as the reports of Mad Cow start to snowball! The Mad Cow has reared its ugly head and may be here to stay.
Up to this point I did not fear Mad Cow disease.

This photo makes it abundantly clear that New Yorkers are all in immediate grave danger.

This is a very serious and dangerous disease! Please, pass this
along. Warn your Friends about this danger before its too late

Women in Iran are rebelling

Dr. Sanity has the following post about women in Iran protesting about wearing the hajib:

"Na Roosari, Na Toossari" (No Veil, No Submission)


Hundreds of maverick Iranian women and female students have gathered in front of Tehran University in order to protest against Islamic regime's backwarded policy of Gender Apartheid. Hundreds more men and male students have joined them in support despite heavy security measures and presence of regime's brutal plainclothes men.

Stefanie at Free Thoughts has incredible pictures of the protest. Women were beaten and ten journalists were arrested. Go to both sites to get all the information.

It has been suggested that the women who are suffering under Islam will have to lead the way. It looks like some are beginning. Please e-mail your Congressmen and President Bush and tell them to condemn the barbaric beatings that the Iranian government has done. ACT NOW, the people of Iran must know that we Americans care about them.

Update: Hat tip: The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler for the following news article regarding these protests.
Editor & Publisher

Nickie Goomba has a good post about this.

Update: Signs of further unrest, exlposions kill 8 in central Iran. This after a series of explosions in southwest Iran.
Read more at the Jerusalem Post
More details from Reuters

Aussie humor

Israellycool had a funny post about questions tourists asked at the Australian Tourism web-site. It made me remember the following e-mail I received from my ex-inlaws.


Aussie aviation humor

Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints/problems, generally known as squawks, recently submitted by Qantas Pilots to maintenance engineers. After attending to the squawks, maintenance crews are required to log the details of the action taken to solve the pilot's squawks.

(P=The problem logged by the pilot; S=the solution and action taken by the maintenance engineers)

P-Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S-Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P-Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
S-Autoland not installed on this aircraft.

P-#2 propeller seeping prop fluid.
S-#2 propeller seepage normal - #1, 3 and 4 propellers lack normal seepage.

P-Something loose in cockpit.
S-Something tightened in cockpit.

P-Dead bugs on windshield.
S-Live bugs on backorder.

P-Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produced a 200-fpm descent.
S-Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P-Evidence of a leak on right main landing gear.
S-Evidence removed.

P-DME volume unbelievably loud.
S-Volume set to more believable level.

P-Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S-That's what they're there for!

P-IFF inoperative.
S-IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P-Number 3 engine missing.
S-Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P-Aircraft handles funny.
S-Aircraft warned to "Straighten Up, Fly Right, and Be Serious."
P-Target radar hums.
S-Reprogrammed target radar with words

Journalists confused by the word duty

Scrappleface has a post on an imaginary press conference about recruiting goals for the US Army and how the journalists become confused by the word duty.


Army Offers New Recruiting Incentive: Duty
by Scott Ott

"Men volunteer to fight, bleed and die for the United States of America because she is the last, best hope for peace and freedom on earth," he said. "They consider the evidence that America has pushed back the veil of tyranny and saved countless millions of men, women and children from imprisonment, torture, starvation, humiliation and brutal death.

PA - will not disarm terrorists

From the Jerusalem Post today.

It looks like the Palestinian Authority has learned its lesson well. Say the right things to Washington and receive money in return, then go back to doing as usual.

The PA Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa stated that the terrorists groups will not disarm as long as the "occupation" continues. Nasser al-Kidwa is a nephew of Yassar Arafat. A PA spokesman said that al-Kidwa's comments were just internal politicking.

He said it's not what they say but what they do.

Okay, fair enough. Since the last "truce", there have been many attempts of suicide bombers trying to cross checkpoints, Kassam rockets fired into Israel, Israeli police officers being stoned, 50 people that are accused of collaborating with Israel about to be executed, two terrorists that were arrested in the Tel Aviv Stage nightclub bombing were let go, the refusal to arrest two terrorists that were fixing to set off Kassam rockets into Israel, etc, etc, etc.

Actions do speak louder than words. Until all the terrorists groups are disarmed, Israel's "peace partners" are just blowing words into the wind.

And it does not appear that Arafat II, Abbas has any intention of disarming terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Al Fatah, etc, etc. These people are committed to one thing only, the total destruction of Israel.

Pets II

This (Frisky)


is afraid of this (Sparky - Quaker parrot)

Don't let Sparky's sweet innocent face or size fool you. Frisky has learned her lesson well, the big bad bird will peck her on the nose if she gets too close.

A must read post by BLACKFIVE

BLACKFIVE post The Third Rule of War

It's an important story told from the perspective of the military doctors in Iraq.

First feeder band from TS Arlene

Experiencing the first feeder band from Tropical Storm Arlene is passing through here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. No wind, just a lot of rain, probably about 1 - 2 inched per hour.

Humor de jour

Dr. Sanity brings us West Bank Story
A Play Sung in One Act
(to the tune of "Gee, Officer Krupke")

Scrapple face has
Pre-9/11 FBI Missed Chances to Catch Gorelick
by Scott Ott

And The Nose on Your Face brings us Potatoes Fly, Hippies Die

Nickie Goomba has ACLU Condemns Cruel Unusual Plumbing

F***ing unbelievable

Middle East Media Research Institute has this at their web-site.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian historian Professor Zaynab Abd Al-Aziz, which aired on Saudi Iqra TV [1] on May 26, 2005.

Host: "They decided to Christianize the world?"

Abd Al-Aziz: "Yes. The decisions of the 1965 Vatican Council included, first of all, absolving the Jews of the blood of Christ. This decision is well known and was the basis for the recognition of the occupying Zionist entity - Israel. The second decision was to eradicate the left in the eighties. I believe we've all witnessed this. The third decision was to eradicate Islam, so that the world would be Christianized by the third millennium."

Further down:

Abd Al-Aziz: "Yes, Exactly like that. That is how the US won international legitimacy. You could sense the (9/11) operation was pre-planned because many things were revealed in the days that followed. For example 4,000 Jews caught influenza on that exact day. They set a timer, and all 4,000…"

Host: "By God, you crack me up! They all set a timer and got influenza on the same day. So the building was completely empty of Jews."

This is a historian? No wonder there is never any progress made in the Middle East. I guess he went to the same university as Edward Said, you know the one that says that Jews had never lived in Israel and that there is no evidence of the Temple or the Second Temple. I guess the jhinns inspired those two in much the same way they inspired Mohammed.

Charles Dickens nailed it on the head in A Christmas Carol, when the ghost of Christmas present said that ignorance and famine were the twin evils in the world and that ignorance was the deadliest.

Thanks America

Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs

Australian blogger Anti-Subjugator has written a
post to thank America. Below is an excerpt.

Where do I start? I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. It is unbelievable that America gets badmouthed all the time. America has helped the cause of freedom more than anyone else. First of all I’d like to thank America for saving Australia’s butt at the Battle of the Coral Sea in WWII. This prevented the Japanese from landing here, and bringing with them the concept of “comfort women”. I think Australia’s nature is such that we would have sacrificed 90% of our population rather than hand over any woman. America’s intervention meant that we were never required to make that terrible choice. Thanks America!

And further down.

And something that is far more important than foreign aid is the security umbrella you provide, that the entire free world lives under. If there was any justice in the world, the rest of the free world would provide money to fund the American military, and hand over a cheque with a BIG SMILE. Instead, what do we see? Protests in places like South Korea. Unbelievable. How you can put up with the South Koreans is beyond me. The fact that you do put up with them, with a smile, exemplifies the inner beauty of the American soul. Thanks America!

He did ask us to do one more thing, liberate the people of Iran. He suggests it could be done with a minimal amount of force like in Afghanistan. He may be right. Tha lotis alot of unrest in Iran now. The students brought the ayatollahs into power and maybe getting ready to kick their asses out. Perhaps, as he suggested, all it would take would be to wipe out Irans' airforce and provide minimal military forces on the ground. Who knows, maybe it would work.

Saudi Arabia asks to lessen nuclear oversight

The Jerusalem Post has news that is setting off alarm bells. Saudi Arabia is asking that international scrutiny of its lone nuclear reactor be lowered. International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to grant the request.

Islamic Jihad declares "calm" is over

In the Jerusalem Post Islamic Jihad leaders declare:

The period of calm is over and the Palestinians should be prepared to resume their attacks on Israel, a senior Islamic Jihad leader in the Gaza Strip declared on Tuesday.

Perhaps the leader of Islamic Jihad is trying to recruit more members since a lot them have been rounded up.

There was the relative large wave of arrests last week that nabbed six key Islamic Jihad terrorists and this is having impact on the organization, which has seen some 60 of its members detained in the past month.

Keep arresting them. That's the only way there will be "calm". And as far as the leaders claim that the period of "calm" is over, there has not been "calm". Those murdering terrorists continue to arm kids with suicide bombs and try to sneak them past checkpoints, there have been Kassam rocket attacks, and let's not forget the Tel Aviv Stage nightclub bombing which killed five.

"Calm", "Religion of Peace", talk about not knowing the meanings of words!!!

Suspicion about North Korea confirmed

I had long believed that North Korea's unwillingness to negoiate had more to do with them needing money than anything else. Kim Il Jong is waiting to be bribed like Clinton had done. New reports have come out that the people of North Korea face another food crisis.

Swiss Info is reporting that North Korea had made limited progress on implementing farm reform.

Aid agencies say 6.5 million people are most vulnerable out of a population of 23 million but that others face problems because food distribution has broken down.

I feel for the people of North Korea. This is another country whose dictator would prefer to spend money on developing nuclear weapons and other arms rather than aiding his people. I do not like the idea of people starving. However, I also do not like money being thrown at dictators such Kim Il Jong to aid people who are starving but then seeing the money used for other purposes. North Korea is another failed experiment in Communism and once again it is the people who are suffering.

UPDATE:
From AFP :

North Korea ruled out new talks on its nuclear ambitions unless Washington meets unspecified conditions, in a setback to efforts to resolve the standoff.

The Stalinist state's official Korean Central News Agency said a fourth round of the stalled six-nation talks would take place only when the United States agrees to its demands.

Unspecified demands="Give me money".

The people have spoken

Politicians across the state should take heed of the elections that were held in Gulfport today. The people of Gulfport got rid of its old mayor and elected newcomer Brent Warr(R). He garnered 78% of the vote. In fact, the people of Gulfport, voted out of office all members of the city council except Ella Hines-Holmes. Why did we feel this needed to done?

Because, quite frankly, the old mayor and the council were a bunch of boobs. Council meetings degenerated into shouting matches, no progress was made in developing Gulfport and one councilman, Billy Hewes made an outrageous statement that gays were not welcomed in the city of Gulfport. Gulfport has a population of slightly over 70,000. Only Jackson, the capital is larger.

And why should our state legislatures take heed? Because Governor Haley(R) has had to call a third special session this year. The legislatures cannot seem to get their act together. The biggest obstacle is Speaker Billy McCoy(D). He is sorta like the little kid in the school yard who has to throw tantrum after tantrum to get his way.

In the second special session, the legislatures voted on pork. One of the stupidest proposals was to build a steel mill in north Mississippi. If they really think a steel mill is the way to go, they should come down here and see all the ones that have closed since the 1970's. This is pretty much the same legislature that voted on funding to build a beef plant, again in north Mississippi. The only problem with that idea is that there wasn't enough cattle in the area to make it viable. So, the citizens of Mississippi are now stuck with white elephant that cost us $55 million.

Mississippi cannot afford another fiasco like that. So, fair warning to state legislatures in the next elections, people are watching and the majority of us do not like what we are seeing. Most of you may be looking for other work in 2008. I just hope the state does not sink further until then.

Another Buddhist killed in Thailand

Hat tip: Clarity and Resolve
Yahoo News is reporting that another Buddhist has been beheaded in southern Thailand.

However, neither the iron first or olive branch approach seems to have made any impact. Shootings, bombings and arson attacks mainly against official, Buddhist targets have become daily occurrences.

Islamic extremists at it again. Makes an oxymoron out of the "Religion of Peace" theory.

Spain to Israel - ignore Europe

Hat tip: Little Green Footballs
From the Jerusalem Post former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar's advice to Israel:

"Europe likes appeasement very much; this is one of the most important differences between us and the States," Aznar said in an interview on the Bar-Ilan University campus. "Europeans don't like any problems. They prefer appeasement."

"In Europe, Israel is not very popular, not only this government, all governments," he said. "Most Europeans support the Palestinian cause. Europeans sincerely wish for a peace agreement and support the peace process, but the reality is that the peace process is closed. At this moment I think that Europe should work closely with the States, because that is the only opportunity to change the region."

Asked if Israel should, as a result, pay attention to the US, but not necessarily to Europe, Aznar succinctly replied: "Certainly." He said that the French and Dutch rejection of the EU constitution last week provided the EU a good opportunity to reform its polices and move away from the isolationist, anti-Americanism that he said defined much of its foreign policy

He is in argreement with the UK on Hamas:

"For me Hamas has always been a terrorist group," he said, adding that it is the Palestinian Authority's responsibility to deal with the organization.

The arcticle fails to describe the virulent anti-Jewishness disguised as anti-Israeli sentiments.

Britain-Will not deal with Hamas

From the Jerusalem Post

"Our policy is clear," Straw said. "We will have no dealings with the leadership of Hamas or other such organizations unless and until they wholly renounce violence and they renounce their charter calling for the destruction of the state of Israel."

Too bad they still deal with the leadership of the PA who continues to allow clerics to broadcast calls for the destruction of Israel, who has yet to change text books that do not show Israel, and will not cooperate with the Israelis when given information about terrorists fixing to fire rockets at Israel. Oh, and let's not forget about the plans to execute 50 Palestinians who collabarated with Israel.

Italian Justice minister wants to fine women for wearing burkas

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's justice minister, a member of the right-wing Northern League party, was accused of fueling anti-Islamic sentiment in Italy Sunday after saying he would fine women wearing the all-covering burka.

Read the rest .

Maybe Italy is becoming tried of being part of Eurabia?

So proud of the citizens of Gulfport & Biloxi

Friday, June 3, 2005, Danny Varnado of the 155th National Guard was laid to rest after dying in Iraq. The following was in today's Sound Off column in the SunHerald.

A moving tribute

• The family and friends of Sgt. Danny Varnado just lost someone very dear to us but we gained a further appreciation for the people of the Gulf Coast. To the many policemen, firemen, and AMR employees who stood at attention as a fellow hero passed by, thank you for your respect. To the caring citizens who lined Old U.S. 49, Dedeaux, Cowan and Pass roads with your hands over your hearts, waving flags or pulling your vehicle to the side, you touched us so deeply and we truly thank you for your kind tribute to Danny.

Arlington Ladies

Read about the Arlington Ladies at Lance in Iraq . A very special group of ladies who insure that no serviceman or woman burial at Arlington National Cemetary is without a mourner. Tissue alert on this one.

Scrappleface has another goodie

Bush: Amnesty International Not Exactly Like Pravda
by Scott Ott

Outrage over Iranian Cleric

Faith Freedom has a post about a Iranian cleric who murders an unarmed 20 year old in front of horrified witnesses.

The latest of such blatant crimes happened last week in the Islamic Republic. The public witnessed a young 20 year old, Ali Ahmadipour, being murdered in the Karaj Metro station in front of the commuters. The killer Asgar Najafi, is a cleric and the director of the Law Enforcement Forces training, as well as the political deputy of the Moral Guidance department in the Law Enforcement Forces.

Read the rest of the article to see how the Iranian government tries to justify this murder and other murders and crimes.

Britain set to "place on hold" referendum vote on EU constitution

The London Times is reporting that Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will announce Monday that the referendum to vote on the EU constitution will be placed on hold.

It is important, nonetheless, that he makes it plain that the vote has not merely been suspended until the next meeting of EU leaders on June 16 and 17. It should be the unequivocal position of the Government that rigor mortis has set in and that the constitutional corpse cannot be revived by a French kiss of life. Mr Straw should concede that the EU will need to proceed in a very different manner from now on.

Kuwait makes another stride for women

Swiss Info is reporting that two women have been appointed to the municipal council. No women have ever been appointed to the council before and it follows on the foot steps of women being granted voting rights. The council's responsibilities include city planning, public health and property issues, and monitors restaurants and construction.

Meanwhile contrast the strides being made by the women in Kuwait to Saudi Arabia which will not even allow women to drive much less vote or even be allowed to leave home without a male relative. The Washington Post has more.

Sarcasm/twisted humor de jour

ScrappleFace has Gitmo Study Sparks Arab Probe of Bible Abuse

Beth at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy has OMGLOLMAOWTF

Wuzzadem has O'Reilly Factor: Yoda

Nickie Goomba has North Korea Praises Bush for Use of "Mister"

Cuba - the island gulag

Hat tip: Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler

From Babalu Blog:

Somewhere in Cuba, there are prisoners of conscience, political prisoners, sitting in their excrement infested 3 foot by 6 foot completely enclosed cells rotting away for maybe owning a typewriter or for writing a poem or, far worse, for expressing their opinions.

They eat maggot filled slop maybe twice a day. Dont see the light of day and are tortured both physically and mentally in so many different ways that I, so far removed yet so read up on the subject, even have trouble imagining.

Some have their arms wrapped in refrigerator coils which are powered 24/7, rendering such pain that the use of their limbs is forever atrophied. Others have cables clamped to their testicles and the other ends connected to car batteries, destroying not only their bodies, but their manhood, or, if they be lucky enough to ever be released from their hell, their ability to create a family.

Below quotes from the same post by Babalu blog. Updated by me on June 5 for clarification.

That's what happens in the REAL GULAGS in Cuba. Where desperation and real torture and humiliation reign supreme. Where thousands upon thousands of men have endured that torture and humiliation for decades upon decades. Where thousands of men have died and the rest have been marked for life.

So dont come to me and talk to me about the "Gulag" and Guantanamo Bay. Dont come to me to convince me there's a "gulag" being run by the evil Americans. Dont come to me and and tell me the use of the word "gulag" is appropriate in reference to Gitmo.

Read the rest at Babalu Blog Warning, graphic language is used.

Hypocrisy

Big Pharaoh has this to say about the silence from Islamic leaders and news outlets from Muslims in face of the recent terrorists attacks:

No outrage across the Arab/Muslim world? No
No condemnation from Al Azhar? No
Qaradawi didn't go on Al Jazeerah to denounce suicide bombings whether they targetted Shittes in Iraq, Jews in Tel Aviv, or members of the Kambalo tribe in Kenya? No.
Islamist parties across the world didn't organize demonstrations? No.
Why? because of the H factor.
What is the H factor? H.Y.P.O.C.R.I.S.Y
Why do I keep writing about this over and over again? because blogging helps me pass steam and not do something stupid like throwing bags of sh*t on demonstrators protesting against a Newsweek story that turned out to be untrue.

Discussing President Bush

Earlier this evening I had a discussion with an ardent hater of President Bush. She does not hate our servicemen but feels that they should not in Iraq. I tried discussing with her all the things that have been accomplished with Operation Iraqi Freedom. She would not listen. I am going to print out a copy of Democracy Spreads: It's Bush's Fault at American Thinker for her. It has the points that I tried to discuss with her: Iraq building a democracy, elections in Saudi Arabia, women getting the right to vote in Kuwait, the people rising up peacefully in former Soviet Union countries, and elsewhere.

One of the points she brought up is that we should have gone to war with Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. I agreed with her to some extent on that point. However, on further reflection, even though Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia appear to be the ones who are behind the majority of terrorists attacks, the strategy of Operation Iraqi Freedom seems self evident today. Not only has the world been rid of one of the most cruel and evil dictators, a democratic government has been planted in the heart of some of the most oppressive countries in the world and democracy will spread like an uncontrollable fire. The fire of true freedom burns in the hearts of the oppressed. America, Britain, Australia, and other coalition countries have carried the torch right into the center and heart by heart, freedom will ring.

2nd Lt Pantano resigns

Blackfive reports that 2nd Lt Pantano has resigned. He has given his sword to Congressman Walter Jones who had helped him so much. This comes not too long after all charges against him had been dropped. A previous post gives more detail into the charges that were brought against him.

I am saddened by this. I wish he and his family well.

Previous posts:
Help save Pantano- defend the defenders

Key witness at Pantano hearing needs lawyer

Pantano-Recommendations-charges should be dismissed

Dadmanly's post on how they have grown

At Mustang23's site Assumption of Command, there is a link to a good post at Dadmanly about how his National Guard unit has grown over the past year.

Another seeks asylum in Canada

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that another deserter,US Army Pvt. Brandon Hughey, is seeking asylum in Canada. This is the second deserter to try this. The first, Jeremy Hinzman, was denied. According to the Washington Post Hinzman tried to use the arguement that he would be unfairly prosecuted in the US for deserting. Hughey is using the same argument.

Canada had shown common sense in the first case and will more than likely deny asylum to the second coward as well.

War over beef jerky heating up

The battle over whether to send beef jerky to our military stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq is heating up. Blogs for Beef Jerky is calling into question the claims made by Jean Paul of The National Guard Experience that our soldiers do not want beef jerky, that they have a ton of the stuff and that there must be a shortage in the US from all the shipments sent. Mustang 23 has an incriminating photo which clearly shows Jean Paul enjoys beef jerky. Where will it all end?

PS: I forgot to mention earlier that mustang23 has called in the USO!

UPDATE
Jean Paul is calling out all forces. From an e-mail I received:

Rest assured each time they slam me, I will be back…Stronger, Fitter and Faster... in between missions of course. Today I showed Mustang23 how to win a debate. Mustang23 and I have had a full and frank exchange about Beef Jerky via email, and we're both good sports.

ANOTHER UPDATE
A new web-site has been created Beef Jerky for Dummies for those who may be undecided on this most pressing issue.