Brits To CA$H In On Hostage Story
I couldn't even imagine what the thinking was behind this. Maybe the MoD will get a cut from the profits. Hopefully they will use that money to better equip their Navy.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Good News From The War On Terror 4/7
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES ENFORCE "RULE OF LAW"
MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces conducted security sweeps throughout Ninewa Province Tuesday and Wednesday, seizing black market fuel, illegal munitions, and bomb-making equipment and detaining suspected anti-Iraqi forces.
"The terrorist actions aim at creating disorder and destabilizing the situation in the city. God willing, we are going to uproot the terrorists from this city," concluded Duraid Kashmoula, Ninewa's provincial governor.
Kashmoula explained the senior leadership's role and the need for the crackdown."Today we have a Mosul-wide security operation that parallels the Baghdad Law Enforcement Plan and aims at preventing any saboteur or terrorist from gaining a foothold in Mosul. We realized that we have to participate [ISF] in the operation.
We have noticed that the IA soldiers and IP officers are well deployed and are cooperative with each other; each based on its area of operation," said Kashmoula.
IA soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Iraqi Army Divisions supported IP officers in raiding suspected improvised explosive device factories, suspected illegal munitions caches and known insurgent hideouts both inside and outside the various city limits."Our roles - myself and the IP commander, along with the 2IA Division commander, are making tours to all the troops to look closely into their performance and style of dealing with the people," Kashmoula added.
A total of 179 individuals were detained during the two-day sweep, eight terrorists were killed, and the ISF seized numerous small arms, ammunition, projectiles and IED-making material.
IP also seized hundreds of liters of black market fuel that will be utilized by the ISF in their generators and to fuel vehicles, allowing for increased patrols to provide security for the province's cities, according to IP officials.
Coalition troops from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division aided the Iraqi patrols with vehicle and logistical support, to include air support.
NATIONAL POLICE DELIVER SUPPLIES, HOPE TO IRAQI SCHOOLCHILDREN
BAGHDAD - Lt. Col. Ahmed, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division handed out supplies to a pair of elementary schools in Southwest Rashid during a joint operation with Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, April 4.
The mission was the first of its kind in the area by the NP battalion and its U.S counterpart. 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany. The police commander not only took the opportunity to deliver supplies to the Arbid and Ibn Yakhdan schools, but made an assessment of the facilities and the surrounding communities as well.
"This is a good beginning, but I want you to know that we will make the area safe for the children. We want to help you to clean up the trash in this neighborhood and make the people proud to live here," he told Ms. Noor, the headmistress of the Arbid school in Southwest Rashid.
As he spoke, members of his battalion, wearing crisp new uniforms, and displaying a professional demeanor, carried boxes of supplies into the building. A new television set, water dispenser, computer and monitor, power supply and office furniture were brought in, all of which represented progress and hope for the children who will be able to make use of these implements to enhance their education.
OPERATION NETS 27 INSURGENTS IN AD DIWANIYAH
AD DIWANIYAH, Iraq- Bomb-making materials and 27 insurgent suspects were seized during Operation Black Eagle, a combined operation headed by Iraqi Army troops supported by Soldiers and paratroopers from Multi-National Division-Baghdad and Multi-National Division-Center South.
"Fighting was steady throughout the first day," said Maj. Eric Verzola, spokesman for MND-B's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. "Iraqi soldiers fought bravely alongside coalition forces throughout the day against the anti-Iraqi forces."
Verzola said three anti-Iraqi forces were killed and six others wounded during the operation. He said two Iraqi Army troops and one coalition Soldier were wounded.
Troops swept into the city to disrupt militia activity and return security and stability of the volatile city back to the government of Iraq, Verzola said. Soldiers of the 8th Iraqi Army Division began Operation Black Eagle in response to the recent violence threatening to destabilize the region.
A facility was found where several explosively-formed projectiles were in several stages of production. Four EFPs were assembled in the facility and secured. EFP-making materials were also found and secured.
Two other locations were found containing homemade explosives. Additionally, six AK-47s, two RPK machine guns and two pistols were found and secured during the operation.
MILITARY DOCTORS TREAT AFGHAN WAR’S SMALLEST CASUALTIES
[There is a lot more information than I am able to post here. Please click the link above for all the information]
VBIED CELL LEADER KILLED, EIGHT OTHERS CAPTURED IN RAIDS
Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and captured eight suspected terrorists Saturday morning during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cells.
In southwest Baghdad, a terrorist was killed and three suspected terrorists were detained during an assault by Coalition Forces. The detainees indicated that the man killed was a local VBIED cell leader in charge of approximately 40-50 men. Coalition Forces also found several AK-47s in the targeted building.
South of Ramadi, Coalition Forces captured four suspected terrorists with ties to an al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign fighter facilitation network.
"These terrorists are indiscriminately killing innocent Iraqis," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "Coalition Forces continue methodical and deliberate efforts to eliminate VBIED cells in Iraq."
Afghan National Police Graduate New Leaders
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan national police took strides toward taking more control of their own security after a joint team of Soldiers with the 235th Military Police Company and Airmen with the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team led them through a leadership seminar April 2-4.
Police chiefs from seven districts across Kapisa Province received classroom instruction on ethics, values, leadership, community policing, map reading, running a tactical operations center, basic communication, hygiene and logistics. Completion of this course made them the first Afghan police leaders to complete this type of training.
“This training was virgin territory for them and for us,” said Army Lt. Col. James Slagowski, 201st Regional Security Assistance Command Central senior mentor for Kapisa ANP.
“The classes went very well. We had excellent instruction and great participation. I know they will take the lessons they learned here and pass it on to their subordinates.”
Not only did the training serve to teach leadership skills to local ANP, but it also helped with increasing interoperability between the ANP, Afghan national army and coalition forces.
“Teaching them some of the ways we operate and ways they can communicate with their troops will only help improve our working relationship because we will all be on the same page when it comes to how we lead our people,” said Army 2nd Lt. Thadius Schmit, 235th MP Company platoon leader. “Training like this makes them more self-reliant so that one day they can run their security operations by themselves.”
The 16 ANP leaders agreed that this training opportunity is one that taught them a lot and is one that they will never forget.
“First, I would like to thank the Soldiers for sharing their wealth of knowledge with us,” said Afghan Col. Ahnadullah Oria, Tagab District police chief and one of the class’ distinguished graduates. “I especially enjoyed the leadership and communications classes. It taught us ways to manage our troops and improve security for the community.”
Fellow honor grad and police chief of Nejrabdis District, Afghan Col. Padshahgul Bakhtegar agreed.“The training I will take back to my troops is the communication portion,” he said. “Communication is the mind of the army. Without communication, there is no combat. If we can communicate, we can provide better security for our people.”
While this three-day training event was aimed at the leaders, the joint team of trainers plan on conducting these classes in Parwan Province as well as going to the leaders’ individual districts to pass on the these unique leadership skills.
“We know that by giving them the confidence they need to lead, that it will go a long way toward helping them secure there own cities and villages against insurgents,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Francis Warren, Bagram PRT NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge) of Afghan police training assistance. “If they can handle community problems at the police level, then things would be more secure for the whole country.”
This training was the first step in a three-prong process of training for the ANP. In the near future classes like these are planned to tackle logistical needs and operate a provincial coordination center.
“We want to make a lasting impact with our training,” said Slagowski. “We want the Afghan people to be able take over for the long term. I have been truly impressed by the professionalism of our joint Air Force and Army team. They are up to the challenge of seeing this training through to the end and ensure freedom’s future for the Afghan people.”
The President-Elect Prepares For His Candidacy
Fred Thompson, the “Law & Order” actor and former senator from Tennessee, has moved beyond pondering a bid for the White House and begun assembling the nucleus of a campaign should he decide to run, according to people involved in the effort.
Thompson has not yet decided to seek the Republican presidential nomination. But “he is getting more serious every day,” said an adviser familiar with Thompson's plans.
Thompson’s coming-out as a candidate-in-waiting will be a May 4 appearance at the 45th annual dinner of the Lincoln Club of Orange County in the heart of Ronald Reagan country in Southern California. The invitation was widely sought by aspiring Republicans, and his advisers expect considerable media attention around the visit. But there are no plans now for an announcement then.
This is the man that almost every Republican wants to run for President. A lot of those people are searching for the "Conservative Candidate". There is already 3 Conservative candidates in the race. Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, and Sam Brownback. These men are also at the bottom of the polls. Too many people cannot see past the top 3, albeit useless, candidates of Giuliani, McCain, and Romney.
Algore Gets Blasted By Dr. William Gray
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A top hurricane forecaster called Al Gore "a gross alarmist" Friday for making an Oscar-winning documentary about global warming.
"He's one of these guys that preaches the end of the world type of things. I think he's doing a great disservice and he doesn't know what he's talking about," Dr. William Gray said in an interview with The Associated Press at the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans, where he delivered the closing speech.
A spokeswoman said Gore was on a flight from Washington, D.C., to Nashville Friday; he did not immediately respond to Gray's comments.
Gray, an emeritus professor at the atmospheric science department at Colorado State University, has long railed against the theory that heat-trapping gases generated by human activity are causing the world to warm.
Over the past 24 years, Gray, 77, has become known as America's most reliable hurricane forecaster; recently, his mentee, Philip Klotzbach, has begun doing the bulk of the forecasting work.
Algore, or The Gore-acle as he is being referred to now, loses another "Global Warming" bout. Stories like this are being buried and the ones that support the global warming theory are given all the attention.
Iranian "Diplomat" Thinks He Was Tortured By CIA
TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian diplomat freed two months after being abducted in Iraq accused the CIA of torturing him during his detention, state television reported Saturday. The United States immediately denied any involvement in the Iranian’s disappearance or release.
Jalal Sharafi, who was freed on Tuesday, said the CIA questioned him about Iran’s relations with Iraq and assistance to various Iraqi groups, according to state television.
“Once they heard my response that Iran merely has official relations with the Iraqi government and officials, they intensified tortures and tortured me through different methods days and nights,” he said.
Wow. Should have saw this coming. The Iranians are looking pretty bad right now after those British Sailors detailed their captivity. What could Iran do to deflect some of that ill will? Have the "diplomat" tell the world he was tortured by the CIA. Of course, their definition of torture is different from others outside the middle east. It was probably something like they didn't get a prayer rug or a quran. Maybe scantily clad women were walking in front of him. You know, really bad things.
Russians Still Crying Over Anti-Missile Shield
A senior Russian lawmaker called Saturday for Russia to be included in US plans to build a missile defence system in Europe, warning Moscow will otherwise view the antimissile shield as a threat.
"Russia has every reason to be interested in close cooperation in creating Eurasian missile-defense systems," Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the State Duma, wrote in an opinion piece in the International Herald Tribune.
"And any attempt to build them without Russia (which is not only an interested party but also geographically and technically the most suitable place for an effective antimissile defense) automatically means they are being built against Russia," wrote the lawmaker.
Russia has repeatedly criticised the United States' plans to place missile defence equipment in countries that were once part of Moscow's orbit.
The United States has asked the Czech Republic to host a radar system and Poland to host interceptor rockets as part of its missile defence plans.
Washington insists the anti-missile shield is intended as protection against attacks from "rogue states" such as Iran and points out that the proposed system would be useless against Russia's vast weapons arsenal.
Kosachev argued building an antimissile shield without Russia wouldn't be effective and counterproductive as Moscow would view it as a threat.
These people are crying like an ugly teenage girl who didn't get invited to a party. I don't see the need for Russia to be included in the plans. If they don't have an anti-missile shield, that's their problem. Maybe they should spend less time selling weapons to our enemies and more time developing systems of their own. I think this is a ploy to gain intelligence on the shield and learn ways to counter it. Poland and The Czech Republic are being rewarded for aiding us in the War on Terror.
U.S. Offered U.K. A Little Intimidation In Iranian Airspace
The US offered to take military action on behalf of the 15 British sailors and marines held by Iran, including buzzing Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions with warplanes, the Guardian has learned.
In the first few days after the captives were seized and British diplomats were getting no news from Tehran on their whereabouts, Pentagon officials asked their British counterparts: what do you want us to do? They offered a series of military options, a list which remains top secret given the mounting risk of war between the US and Iran. But one of the options was for US combat aircraft to mount aggressive patrols over Iranian Revolutionary Guard bases in Iran, to underline the seriousness of the situation.
If this would've happened, the EU and UN would have backed Iran, the Iranians would be crying their little eyes out, and the Dems would be screaming "Impeachment!". So many things could have gone wrong.
It really should be an "all or nothing" type of engagement. This act of intimidation would eventually lead to all out war because the Iranians would step up their interference in Iraq. If war is inevitable, it should be on our terms and when we are ready. However; I support any action against Iran.
History Damns Pelosi And Crew
While looking through one of my favorite art history books, I was shocked to discover proof that the Democrats have been trying to undermine our way of life for quite some time:
Look closely, you may recognize some of the people.
Pelosi Commits Another Felony?!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may well have committed a felony in traveling to Damascus this week, against the wishes of the president, to communicate on foreign-policy issues with Syrian President Bashar Assad. The administration isn't going to want to touch this political hot potato, nor should it become a partisan issue. Maybe special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, whose aggressive prosecution of Lewis Libby establishes his independence from White House influence, should be called back.
The Logan Act makes it a felony and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years for any American, "without authority of the United States," to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government's behavior on any "disputes or controversies with the United States." Some background on this statute helps to understand why Ms. Pelosi may be in serious trouble.
I think it's time for an independent prosecutor. This is a lot more serious than firing federal prosecutors for not doing their job or "outing" a non-covert CIA agent.
I demand an investigation and hearings on capital hill!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Iraq Police: Iranian-Made Bombs Used In Attack That Killed 4 Britons
BAGHDAD — The Basra police commander on Friday said the roadside bomb used in an attack that killed four British soldiers had not been used in southern Iraq before, and his description of the deadly weapon indicated it was a feared Iranian-designed explosively formed projectile.
Anbar province has been a stronghold of the Sunni insurgency but many tribes in the region recently switched allegiance, with large numbers of military-age men joining the police force and Iraqi army in a bid to expel Al Qaeda in Iraq fighters.
The U.S. military has claimed Iran is supplying Shiite militia fighters in Iraq with explosively formed projectiles, known as an EFP. They hurl a molten, fist-sized copper slug capable of piercing armored vehicles.
The four British soldiers — including two women — were killed Thursday as the American military announced the deaths of eight more U.S. soldiers since Tuesday.
The Basra region police commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Moussawi, said two similar bombs had been discovered Friday morning; one was discovered on the road leading to Basra Palace, the compound that houses a British base and the British and U.S. consulates. A second was uncovered in the western Hayaniyah district where Thursday's attack occurred. The area is known as a stronghold of the Mahdi Army, a militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Let's not escalate a situation. It's perfectly fine for Iran to supply weapons and training to terrorists in Iraq. Our soldiers, as well as Coalition soldiers are dying because of these weapons and Democrats want to tie our hands so nothing can be done about it.
British Sailors & Marines Talk About Their Ordeal
ROYAL MARINE BASE CHIVENOR, England - British sailors and marines held for nearly two weeks in Iran were blindfolded, bound and threatened with prison if they did not say they had strayed into Iranian waters, a Royal Navy lieutenant who was among the captives said Friday.
Lt. Felix Carman, safely home with his 14 colleagues, said the crew faced harsh interrogation by their Iranian captors and slept in stone cells on piles of blankets. Unable to see and kept isolated, they heard weapons cocking.
"We were blindfolded, our hands were bound and we were forced up against a wall. Throughout our ordeal we faced constant psychological pressure," Carman said. "All of us were kept in isolation. We were interrogated most nights and presented with two options. If we admitted that we'd strayed, we'd be on a plane to (Britain) pretty soon. If we didn't, we faced up to seven years in prison."
Royal Marine Capt. Chris Air said the crew of 15, which was out on a routine operation on March 23, was confronted by members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
"They rammed our boats, and trained their heavy machine guns, RPGs, and weapons on us. Another six boats were closing in on us," Air said. "We realized that had we resisted there would have been a major fight, one we could not have won, with consequences that would have major strategic impacts. We made a conscious decision not to engage the Iranians."
Well, there you have it. I'm not going to comment on this. If you want to read the Sailors/Marines full statement, you can do so here
It's Friday! Time To Shock & Awe Iran
On April 1st, I posted about an article that reported the United States was supposed to attack Iran on Good Friday, between the hours of 4am and 4pm.
Here's a brief clip on the article:
The United States will be ready to launch a missile attack on Iran's nuclear facilities as soon as early this month, perhaps "from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. on April 6," according to reports in the Russian media on Saturday.
I wish I knew what time zone they were using. I would like to start a countdown.
Terrorists Endorse Pelosi
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Syria Wednesday – in which she called for dialogue with Damascus – was "brave" and "very appreciated" and could bring about "important changes" to America's foreign policy, including talks with "Middle East resistance groups," according to members of Palestinian terror organizations whose top leaders live in Syria.
One terror leader, Khaled Al-Batch, a militant and spokesman for Islamic Jihad, expressed hope Pelosi would continue winning elections, explaining the House speaker's Damascus visit demonstrated she understands the Middle East.
Pelosi's visit was opposed by President Bush, who called Syria a "state sponsor of terror."
"Nancy Pelosi understands the area (Middle East) well, more than Bush and Dr. (Condoleezza) Rice," said Al-Batch, speaking to WND from Gaza. "If the Democrats want to make negotiations with Syria, Hamas, and Hizbullah, this means the Democratic Party understands well what happens in this area and I think Pelosi will succeed. ... I hope she wins the next elections."
There you have it. 10 out of 10 terrorists agree, Democrats will help them spread Islamo-fascism.
No War For Oil! Oh Wait, We Didn't Get a Contract.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite claims by some critics that the Bush administration invaded Iraq to take control of its oil, the first contracts with major oil firms from Iraq's new government are likely to go not to U.S. companies, but rather to companies from China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
While Iraqi lawmakers struggle to pass an agreement on exactly who will award the contracts and how the revenue will be shared, experts say a draft version that passed the cabinet earlier this year will likely uphold agreements previously signed by those countries under Saddam Hussein's government.
[...]
The Asian firms are at an advantage for several reasons.
First, less constrained by Western sanctions during the Hussein regime, they've been operating in Iraq and know the country's oilfields, said Falah Aljibury, an energy analyst who has advised several Iraqi oil ministers as well as other OPEC nations.
Aljibury said the first contracts likely awarded will be to the Chinese in the south central part of Iraq, the Vietnamese in the south, the Indians along the Kuwaiti border, and the Indonesians in the western desert.
Wha-wha-what! Where's the evil big oil companies?! I thought we went to war for oil? That's what all the dirty little hippies keep telling us. Here we have not a single U.S. oil company getting an oil contract. I guess they will have to come up with a better conspiracy.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
SHE-HAGS!!!!!
This is like the American version of Godzilla and Mothra. Except they don't destroy Tokyo, they destroy the morale of our troops. I need to hear someone say "Gojira" today.
P.S. This picture looks a little funny, so it will be no surprise to hear in the next few days it's been
Photoshopped or whatever. I personally like Paint Shop Pro and GIMP. The main reason of course it price, but those products work well and GIMP has the same functions as Photoshop and it's free.
Good News From The War On Terror 4/6
SOLDIERS PROVIDE MEDICAL ATTENTION TO RESIDENTS IN RADWINIYAH
BAGHDAD - Scenes of anticipation could be observed early March 29 outside the Al-Swaib school in the farmland in the Iraqi capital's Radwiniyah district, near the Baghdad International Airport. Iraqi residents gathered in lines along the wall near the gate while coalition trucks and Soldiers were on the ground searching the area and welcoming the local residents.
At least 100 residents had arrived at a makeshift medical clinic by the time the Iraqi Soldiers inside the school opened the gates.
Countless more would arrive during the course of the afternoon.
This is the second operation of its kind that 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment has completed with the Iraqi Army in the past two months.
"The first one was so successful, we knew we had created a valuable event for the local people, which could be duplicated . . . with a little effort," said Sgt. David Flores, a medic with 1-7 FA.
Many different organizations worked together, and it took a lot of coordination to complete. More than 90 years of medical experience combined from all of the physician's assistants, medics and dentists in the treatment rooms. Outside, there were multiple Iraqi and U.S. units securing the area from rooftops and check points ensuring the safety of the people.
Iraqi troops made efforts to evenly distribute food, toys and soccer balls to everyone there, at some points even holding the smallest children up to the back of the trucks so they wouldn't be left out.
"We love days like this. It's so important for the people here because they don't have easy access to doctors and dentists," said Lt. Abas, from 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, while his soldiers were coordinating hand-outs, grouping people at the entrance to the school and looking out for suspicious activity on the perimeter.
HUMANITARIAN AIR BRINGS SMILES TO BAGHDAD NEIGHBORHOOD
BAGHDAD-Humanitarian assistance packages were delivered to displaced families at the Al Salaam Neighborhood Advisory Council by Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers March 29.
Through coordination with the Neighborhood Advisory Council, Capt. Benjamin Morales, commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and his paratroopers delivered boxes including foods, oils and sanitation supplies. The NAC senior leadership insisted that the exchange be made after the meeting, so residents of Al Salaam could see the progress made through cooperation with the Iraqi and Coalition Security Forces.
"It will be good for the community to see how much we trust each other," said Abu Hussein, the Al Salaam NAC leader.
"They will realize that working with Iraqi and American forces can bring peace and happiness."
At noon on a sunny, warm March day, Morales' company arrived with a cargo truck full of humanitarian aid boxes and backed up to the gates of the council building. At first, hesitant bystanders looked puzzled as the council members and MND-B Soldiers gathered near the rear of the truck. The more people realized what was happening, the more they gathered and gave a helping hand.
The MND-B troops who were offloading the boxes were soon pushed aside by smiling, giddy children. The children ran as fast as they could, with as many boxes as they could hold and carried them into the NAC building.
Children, council members and Soldiers, alike, found it hard not to smile.
17 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED IN RAIDS BAGHDAD
Coalition Forces captured 17 suspected terrorists Thursday morning during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices cells.
During an operation in Southwest Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected VBIED cell leader and supplier of IED components. The individual is reportedly involved in recent attacks against Coalition Forces. Coalition Forces discovered a weapons cache while searching the suspect's vehicle. The vehicle and weapons cached were destroyed on site to prevent further use by terrorists. Three other suspects were also detained during the operation.
In Karmah, 13 suspects were detained during two separate operations.
Six suspects were captured with alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and the facilitation of foreign fighters. Another seven were captured including a suspected weapons dealer reportedly involved in the sale and purchase of sniper rifles, automatic weapons, ammunition and bomb casings.
"Coalition Forces continue to tear apart the al-Qaida in Iraq network and VBIED cells," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
A Worthless Former President Backs A Worthless Speaker.
Former President Jimmy Carter expressed his support for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Syria, rejecting White House criticism of the visit.
"I was glad that she went," Carter said Wednesday. "When there is a crisis, the best way to help resolve the crisis is to deal with the people who are instrumental in the problem."
[...]
Carter, however, said there was "no threat" that the Democratic speaker's visit would dilute the United States' ability to speak to Syria with one voice.
Pelosi defended her visit, saying her talks with Al-Assad focused only on topics on which she and Bush agree.
Giving validation to a state sponsor of terrorism is not the best way to resolve a "crisis". They need to be isolated from the international community and economic sanctions. If they still fail to change their ways, they get a government change.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Dems Ban "Global War On Terror"
The House Armed Services Committee is banishing the global war on terror from the 2008 defense budget.
This is not because the war has been won, lost or even called off, but because the committee’s Democratic leadership doesn’t like the phrase.
A memo for the committee staff, circulated March 27, says the 2008 bill and its accompanying explanatory report that will set defense policy should be specific about military operations and “avoid using colloquialisms.”
[...]
Committee staff members are told in the memo to use specific references to specific operations instead of the Bush administration’s catch phrases. The memo, written by Staff Director Erin Conaton, provides examples of acceptable phrases, such as “the war in Iraq,” the “war in Afghanistan, “operations in the Horn of Africa” or “ongoing military operations throughout the world.”
“There was no political intent in doing this,” said a Democratic aide who asked not to be identified. “We were just trying to avoid catch phrases.”
Josh Holly, a spokesman for Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, the committee’s former chairman and now its senior Republican, said Republicans “were not consulted” about the change.
My guess this has lot more to do with avoiding the war in Iraq being lumped into the War on Terror. The useless little knaves have been crying for years about how Iraq isn't part of the War on Terror because they never attacked us. Afghanistan never attacked us either, but the terrorists they were harboring, did. This is about terrorism and the countries that harbor them.
The Dems are also terrorist sympathizers so they also want to avoid using the term 'terror' and 'terrorism'.
Iranian Madman Says British Troops Will Be Freed
TEHRAN, Iran — Fifteen British sailors and marines seized by Iranian naval personnel have been pardoned and will be freed, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a press conference Wednesday, but he vowed his country would not tolerate invasions of its borders by any country.
"I announce that the great people of Iran and the Islamic Republic, even having legal rights to try these military people, in honor of the prophet's birthday, will be freed as a gift to the people of the United Kingdom," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to reporters, clerics and civil servants at a small hall in Tehran.
This is finally some good news. They finally get to go home. Of course, it's not over til it's over. Once they're home, they're free. The bad news is, What concessions were given for their release? I find it hard to believe that the Iranian madman would just let them go. The Iranians are still not going to get nukes.
The Iranian madman also had this to say:
"How can you justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children? Why don't they respect family values in the West?" he asked of the British government.
This is coming from a religion that regularly beat their women and treat them as property.
The Secret War Against Iran
A Pakistani tribal militant group responsible for a series of deadly guerrilla raids inside Iran has been secretly encouraged and advised by American officials since 2005, U.S. and Pakistani intelligence sources tell ABC News.
The group, called Jundullah, is made up of members of the Baluchi tribe and operates out of the Baluchistan province in Pakistan, just across the border from Iran.
It has taken responsibility for the deaths and kidnappings of more than a dozen Iranian soldiers and officials.
U.S. officials say the U.S. relationship with Jundullah is arranged so that the U.S. provides no funding to the group, which would require an official presidential order or "finding" as well as congressional oversight.
Tribal sources tell ABC News that money for Jundullah is funneled to its youthful leader, Abd el Malik Regi, through Iranian exiles who have connections with European and Gulf states.
Whoa! There's some breaking news. Like we've never done this before. There is also more than this one group. There are revolutionaries in Iran that want to overthrow the gov't and the Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq have also launched attacks against Iran.
This is war by proxy. It's the same thing Iran is doing to us. We're just not doing to the extent Iran is.
I have my doubts about there needing to be an official presidential order or congressional oversight. I'm sure there is not direct funding. This is why the various agencies have $200 "hammers" and $1000 "toilet seats".
US Navy Steps Up Vigilance After Britain-Iran Standoff
The US Navy said Tuesday it had stepped up vigilance following Iran's recent seizure of 15 British marines and sailors for allegedly entering Iranian waters.
"We need to be mindful of not just protecting our units but ensure that our people are protected when they are off their ship and then, we have procedures in place to ensure that something like that doesn't occur to American sailors," said the chief of naval operations, Admiral Michael Mullen.
"I am confident that we got those in place but I am mindful, watching what occurred (to the British sailors), that we need to be very vigilant with respect to that," he said, when answering a question at a Washington forum.
[...]
Mullen said the "main message" in the United States having two aircraft carrier battle groups at present in the Persian Gulf "is to reassure our friends" from a "position of great strength."
US President George W. Bush ordered a second US aircraft carrier battle group to the Gulf in January and announced the deployment of a Patriot missile defense battalion to the region to protect allies against potential missile strikes.
If any Iranian tried to kidnap any American sailors, it would be my hope and desire that not a single one of those Iranians live to make back to shore.
How Phony Letter Drove Iraq War
It was 3 a.m. in Italy on Jan. 29, 2003, when President Bush in Washington began reading his State of the Union address that included the now famous -- later retracted -- 16 words: "The British Government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."
Like most Europeans, Elisabetta Burba, an investigative reporter for the Italian newsweekly Panorama, waited until the next day to read the newspaper accounts of Bush's remarks. But when she came to the 16 words, she recalled, she got a sudden sinking feeling in her stomach. She wondered: How could the American president have mentioned a uranium sale from Africa?
Burba felt uneasy because more than three months earlier, she had turned over to the U.S. Embassy in Rome documents about an alleged uranium sale by the central African nation of Niger. And she knew now that the documents were fraudulent and the 16 words wrong.
This is awfully egotistical of her to think she is what caused the Iraq phase of the War on Terror. Several countries had various investigations about Saddam trying to acquire uranium, including the United States. I'm sure we are going to take the word of some hack writer for a rag-mag as part of our national security.
British Navy Accused Of Failures And Complacency
Royal Navy intelligence gathering has been criticised as being "poor" for allowing 15 personnel to fall into the hands of the Iranians, serving officers told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
The training of boarding parties has also been labelled "inadequate", with insufficient funding or time for proper instruction. Others accused the Cornwall's crew of "complacency" for not picking up the Iranian fast boats on radar and not heightening its "threat posture" after the detention of five Iranians by US forces in January.
One officer, recently returned from the Gulf, said: "The Government has to realise if they want to carry out gunboat diplomacy then they really need to start spending money on warships that they are willing to use."
The current boarding party course offered by the Navy covered only basic elements that were described by one officer as "elementary and slightly laughable".
The two-day training package was not long enough because the Navy was operating under strict budgets, he added.
We certainly do not want any of our allies to be kidnapped by a terrorist state, but there's only so much the United States can do. Britain is in the middle of a war and they're cutting funding for the military.
This is kind of like a premonition for the United States. This is what can happen when you are not properly funding a WAR. Everyone seems to forget that. This is not a card game, or playing tag out in the yard. Real people live and die depending on the quality and quantity of their equipment and ammunition. The Democrats need to remember that. Of course, we can't question their patriotism.
More Evidence Iran Is Causing Problems In Iraq
The United States has growing evidence of Tehran's involvement in destabilizing Iraq, with more sophisticated Iranian weapons being found, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday.
Jim Jeffrey, principal deputy assistant secretary of State for Near East Affairs, said Iranian interference in Iraq had intensified in recent months. Tehran denies this.
"It's growing, it's quite frightening. We are getting much more accurate indirect fire and we see this as both Iranian munitions and possibly Iranian training," Jeffrey said in an interview with Reuters.
He said over the last couple of months many more recently manufactured Iranian rockets and other "modern munitions" had found their way into Iraq. He did not provide figures.
"It is various caliber mortars and rockets and better, what we call, fire control," said Jeffrey, whose main dossier is Iran at the State Department.
No, let's continue to negotiate this people. After all, they keep saying they want to "help" in Iraq. Apparently, in Persian, there is a different meaning to the word "help". To those sane Americans, this is called "war by proxy".
Technorati tags: United States, Iran, Iraq, War on Terror, Proxy War, Iranian Weapons, Insurgents, Terrorists
UGH!
Pelosi, D-Calif., is scheduled to meet Assad and other Syrian officials on Wednesday. She made no comment on arrival and headed for the Old City of Damascus where she toured the 8th-century Omayyad Mosque.
Pelosi draped a scarf over her head as she entered the historic mosque
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Cheney Speaks The Truth, Again
Vice President Dick Cheney said in Birmingham on Monday that the Democratic-controlled Congress must learn there is only one commander in chief, and he lives in the White House.
Criticizing congressional resolutions supporting the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, Cheney said, "The fact is that the United States military answers to one commander in chief in the White House, not 535 commanders in chief on Capitol Hill.
"We expect the House and Senate to meet the needs of our military on time, in full and with no strings attached," Cheney told an audience of about 500 at The Club
[...]
"This action by the House of Representatives is irresponsible and sends exactly the wrong message to our enemy," Cheney said. "When members of the Congress speak not of victory but of time limits, deadlines or other arbitrary measures, they're telling the enemy to simply watch the clock and wait us out. It's time the self-appointed strategists on Capitol Hill understood a very simple concept: You cannot win a war if you tell the enemy when you're going to quit," Cheney said as the audience jumped to its feet applauding.
Cheney vowed Bush would veto any funding bill for the war containing a date for U.S. troop withdrawals. He also said it's clear that the votes are not there to override a presidential veto, and he called on Democrats to stop what he called "political theater" and send Bush a bill he can sign.
Cheney said that if Democrats believe they can delay funding for the war and force Bush to accept restrictions, they are wrong.
"It's nothing less than an attempt to force the president's hand," said Cheney. "They're going to find out they've misread George W. Bush."
While I appreciate the Vice-President stating these facts, The President also needs to start talking like this. He's got nothing to lose and everything to gain. His approval rating is down and he can't seek re-election. If he spends the rest of his term doing the things that need to be done to protect this country, and causing the Democrats to have fits, my view of him will be greatly improved.
Good News From The War On Terror
IMPROMPTU CLINIC HELPS SICK IRAQIS
AL NUR, Iraq - Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers took another stride toward earning the trust of the Iraqi people through humanitarian service March 29 here.
After Soldiers from B Battery, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment arrived to secure the schoolhouse designated as the clinic's site, medics from 1-37 FA.; 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division; and 82nd Airborne Division assisted Iraq Army medics in providing more than 100 citizens care for basic medical problems.
Iraq Army Soldiers screened scores of patients, completing a worksheet that delineated patient's problems and blood pressure, before American medics and doctors provided a thorough diagnosis and care plan.
Medics said this clinic is just another way the U.S. Army is empowering Iraq's security forces and civilians to take responsibility for the care of the Iraqi people.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE CITIZENS OF TAL'AFAR CONTINUES
TAL'AFAR, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces and Tal Afar civic leaders continue to lead from the front in providing aid and humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Tal'Afar displaced by the terrorist bombing on March 27.
The Iraqi military coordinated and flew a critical airlift resupply mission, bringing supplies for distribution by Iraqi ground forces to the civilian population. The mission was unique in nature as it was executed by Iraqi military pilots and crew members.
Coalition civil affairs teams continued to provide assessments, making sure the aid provided was funneled through the Iraqi leaders to population most in need.
IRAQI FORCES CONDUCT RAID IN BAGHDAD
BAGHDAD - Iraqi police forces conducted an early-morning operation on April 1, in Al-Kut, capturing a suspect believed to be involved in insurgent activities.
With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi forces raided a residence in the al-Shuada District of Al-Kut southeast of Baghdad and captured their primary target without incident.
Iraqi forces also detained one other suspicious individual who was present during the operation.
The primary target of this operation is alleged to be responsible for weapon smuggling and improvised explosive devices activities intended to kill Iraqi citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.
No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES, CAVALRY DISCOVER EXTREMIST TRAINING CAMP
ZAGANIYAH, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces from the 5th Iraqi Army Division, working with Coalition Forces, discovered a terrorist training camp in Zaganiyah, Iraq, while conducting clearing operations in the Diyala River Valley palm groves Thursday.
Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 5th IA and Company B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered a fortified underground bunker with three exit points, four prepared fighting positions and a training camp building.
While clearing the area, the Soldiers unearthed five weapons caches consisting of more than 100 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, more than five RPG launchers, approximately 70 mortar rounds, bomb-making materials, home made explosives and terrorist planning and training materials.
IRAQI POLICE GRADUATES KEY TO THE FUTURE
BAGHDAD - Recruits of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division Iraqi National Police graduated from training at Forward Operating Base Falcon March 28, the first group of "shurta," Arabic for police, to come onto a U.S. forward operating base and receive complete, 24-hour-a-day training by a National Police Training Team.
PHONE TIP LEADS COALITION FORCES TO RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS
BAGHDAD - Coalition forces rescued two male Iraqi citizens who were kidnapped at a checkpoint March 31. The two men were traveling on a motor scooter when they were stopped by two men dressed as Iraqi Army soldiers, who detained them and made a cell phone call.
A short time later, eight men, suspected of being militia members, showed up at the checkpoint. They beat the two men while the alleged Iraqi Army troops watched. The two victims where then shoved into vehicles and taken to a house where the beatings continued.
A phone tip to a hotline run by 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne infantry Regiment, spurred a series of events that eventually led to the rescue of the two men. The tip led coalition troops to the vicinity of the house where an immediate house-to-house search began.
The two kidnapped men were found in what appeared to be a torture house, still bound and badly beaten. The victims were taken by coalition forces to a nearby base and given immediate medical treatment.
Democrats To Cut Troop Funding
WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday he wants to cut off money for the Iraq war next year, making clear for the first time that Democrats are willing to pull out all the stops to end U.S. involvement.
Reid's new strategy faces an uphill battle because many of his colleagues see yanking funds as a dangerous last resort. The proposal increases the stakes on the debate and marks a new era for the Democratic leadership once reluctant to talk about Congress' power of the purse.
"In the face of the administration's stubborn unwillingness to change course, the Senate has no choice but to force a change of course," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who signed on Monday as a co-sponsor of Reid's proposal with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.
The move is likely to intensify the Democrats' rift with the administration, which already contends Democrats are putting troops at risk by setting deadlines.
"It's time the self-appointed strategists on Capitol Hill understood a very simple concept: You cannot win a war if you tell the enemy you're going to quit," Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday at a fundraising luncheon for Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
Can we question their patriotism yet? Doesn't this go along with that legal thing about giving aid and comfort to the enemy. It's obvious that do not care about winning the war, but rather, how fast can we retreat.
Even though only half of the troop "surge" is deployed, it's already showing results. This must have the idiot left in fits because it shows we are winning.
Words cannot describe the ignorance and worthlessness of these Democrats.
Monday, April 02, 2007
The British Blame Game
A failed American attempt to abduct two senior Iranian security officers on an official visit to northern Iraq was the starting pistol for a crisis that 10 weeks later led to Iranians seizing 15 British sailors and Marines.
Early on the morning of 11 January, helicopter-born US forces launched a surprise raid on a long-established Iranian liaison office in the city of Arbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. They captured five relatively junior Iranian officials whom the US accuses of being intelligence agents and still holds.
In reality the US attack had a far more ambitious objective, The Independent has learned. The aim of the raid, launched without informing the Kurdish authorities, was to seize two men at the very heart of the Iranian security establishment.
First off, I think it's ridiculous that we are being blamed because the British Navy was unprepared. If they would have fired on the Revolutionary Guard, we probably would not be in this mess. I know many Americans support Britain and any actions they need to take to get those sailors back. This is just a slap in the face to those who support them.
Second, those Iranian "security" agents were members of Iranian intelligence and were linked to providing training and weapons to terrorists. We are responsible for security in Iraq and we certainly do not Iran's interference. Iran has already declared war on the United States and we surely would not allow intelligence agents from Iran relay info back or any other type of action that would aggravate the situation.
*** UPDATE ***
Someone who knows a lot more about this kind of stuff has just posted about his. Check out In From The Cold for a better understanding of this situation.
These Are The Animals We Are Dealing With
The Catholic Herald VIA Jihad Watch
“When they cook a dish in the Middle East, it is traditional to put the meat on top of the rice when they serve it. They kidnapped a woman’s baby in Baghdad, a toddler, and because the mother was unable to pay the ransom, they returned her child – beheaded, roasted and served on a mound of rice.” The infant’s crime was to be an Assyrian, but this story, reported by the Barnabus Fund, went unnoticed in the West, like so many other horrific accounts of Christian persecution in Iraq.
Since the invasion of Iraq, Muslim militants have bombed 28 churches and murdered hundreds of Christians. Last October, Islamists beheaded a priest in Mosul in revenge for the Pope’s remarks about Islam at Regensburg. But never let it be said that jihadis do not have a sense of ironic humour: that same month they crucified a 14-year-old Christian boy in Basra.
These people have no right to live. The international community mourns deeply and condemns every Muslim death, but how can anyone in their right mind sympathize with these animals. If they want to act like animals, they should be treated like such.
Iran Accuses US Jet Fighters Of Violating Airspace
TEHRAN (AFP) - US warplanes have violated Iranian airspace in the southwestern oil province of Khuzestan, the Arabic language channel of Iranian state television quoted a local military chief as saying on Sunday.
However, a US military spokesman said he had checked into reports of an airspace violation and denied that any took place.
"Two US aircraft trespassed into Iranian airspace northwest of (the port city of) Abadan before flying southwest into Iraq," a Revolutionary Guards commander in Abadan identified only as Colonel Aqili was quoted as saying by the Al-Alam channel's website.
"The planes left white vapour trails, attracting the local people's attention," he said, without elaborating on when the alleged incursion took place.
The incident happened close to Iran's border with Iraq, where the US and British military are deployed in force, he said.
A US military spokesman told AFP that he had investigated the Iranian military's claim and found no evidence to support it.
"There is nothing that we saw that would indicate that that happened," he told AFP.
I think we can assume that Iran believes Iraq is now their territory. Either that, or they don't know where their territory begins or ends. Oh well, that's primates for you.
'US Ready To Strike Iran On Good Friday'
The United States will be ready to launch a missile attack on Iran's nuclear facilities as soon as early this month, perhaps "from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. on April 6," according to reports in the Russian media on Saturday.
According to Russian intelligence sources, the reports said, the US has devised a plan to attack several targets in Iran, and an assault could be carried out by launching missiles from fighter jets and warships stationed in the Persian Gulf.
[...]
The reports come as the Iranian chief of staff, Hassan Fayrouz Abadi, was quoted on Saturday by Iran's Fars news agency warning leaders of Arab countries that Israel plans to open a "suicidal attack" on its neighbors this summer, to "prevent the withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq and the area."
There you have it. I'm not sure where they are getting this info. It could just be intimidation. I doubt our military is ready for such a feat at this moment. There would be retaliation into Iraq, and we need many more troops to combat the new threat. I would guess at least twice as many as we have there now.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
IDF Intel: Iran, Hizbullah Preparing For Possible US Strike
Iran, Syria and Hizbullah are preparing for a possible military confrontation with the United States in the summer, the head of the IDF's Military Intelligence said Sunday.
"Their preparation is defensive ahead of war … They fear a war initiated by the Americans because they understand that there might be an attack against Iran over the summer, but not by Israel," Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin told the Cabinet.
"We are closely following these preparations, for fear that one of the sides misinterprets certain moves in the region. I bring up the Six Day War in this context – when you reach a war no one is interested in as a result of the involvement of many players.
It just kind of makes you wonder what goes through their little minds. What makes them think it won't be until summer? Now looks like a pretty good time. Hopefully while they are preparing their arms build-up they go bankrupt and the people overthrow the gov't.
Movie Review: Blades Of Glory
Saturday, I ventured out to the movie theater for the first time in many years. I had intended to see the movie "300". But, as fate would have it, I went outside to discover a flat tire on my truck. By the time I finished changing the tire, the movie had already started.
After those two events, my day was pretty much ruined. I promised I would go to the theater, so I had to find another movie. That's when I picked "Blades of Glory".
After the first 10 minutes, I was regretting my decision. I was bored and wanted to leave. I'm glad I stayed because it ended up being one of the funniest movies I've seen. Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) was the "masculine" skater and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) as the "effeminate" skater, it was the perfect combination. Just about any time the two get together is hilarious.
In the movie, they showed a film from North Korea with two skaters attempting the "Iron Lotus". Everyone in the theater was roaring, including myself, after the result.
As a side note, Jenna Fisher (from the tv show "The Office") plays the part of Katie Van Waldenberg. There is a particular part in the movie where she displays a level of hotness that I had not realized prior. In short, She looked awesome.
If you like the type of movies Will Ferrell and Jon Heder star in, you will love Blades of Glory.
This movie is #3 on my funniest movies list. #1 is Dodgeball and #2 is Benchwarmers
Technorati tags: Blades of Glory
No. 1 Buckeyes Advance To NCAA Title Game With 67-60 Win Over Georgetown
ATLANTA (AP) - Not even three minutes into the game, and the whistle blew. Greg Oden dropped his head and started a slow walk to the bench.
Two quick fouls, and he was done for the half.
The turning point in the game, for sure. But not in the way anyone expected.
Take Oden away from Ohio State and the Buckeyes still play for the national championship. Take Roy Hibbert away from Georgetown and ... the Buckeyes still play for the national championship.
That much-anticipated matchup between Oden and Hibbert fizzled because of foul trouble. Instead, it was Mike Conley and the rest of the Buckeyes who carried top-seeded Ohio State to its first national title game since 1962 with a 67-60 victory over Georgetown on Saturday night.
"I just sat back and watched my teammates take over," Oden said.
The Buckeyes will face defending champion Florida for the championship Monday night in a title rematch - of sorts. This one comes on the hardwood, not the grass. The Gators upset the Buckeyes at the BCS title game in January.
Conley finished with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds for Ohio State (35-3). Oden added 13 points - all in the second half - and eight rebounds in 20 minutes.
"When he goes down with two fouls, our guys did a tremendous job stepping up," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "Michael was tremendous."
Hibbert was tremendous, too. He scored 19 points, had six rebounds and one blocked shot in 24 minutes for the Hoyas, and he more than held his own against the younger, more celebrated Oden.
Problem was, he spent too much time as a spectator.
So did the rest of the Hoyas.
I am ecstatic that my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes get to play for a National Championship for the second time this year. As fate would have it, Florida also won their semi-final game. So the two teams that played for the National Championship in football, will also play in the basketball championship.
I only hope that the Buckeyes put up a more respectable game than the football team did. I don't think I could go on after another loss to Florida.
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