US Rep. Maxine Waters Has Activist Arrested Over Amnesty

It's only freedom of speech if you agree with them.

Homeless activist, Ted Hayes, was on Capitol Hill, like thousands of other citizens who make unscheduled visits to their congressional offices, and to other offices that don’t represent their congressional district. There is an open door policy on Capitol Hill and anyone who has been there or worked there knows it. Ted, who founded and ran the homeless shelter in South Central L.A. called Dome Village was in Washington on June 19 to visit Hon. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick on the issue of immigration. In the elevator going to her floor he and his colleagues, Mr. James Spencer and Mr. Terrance Lang, began a conversation with some folks from Chicago who were going to see Maxine Waters in an unscheduled, meeting. Ted told them that James was from her district in Los Angeles and they would tag along and see if they could see her as well. When they all arrived at the office, both groups were warmly welcomed by the staff. The Chicago group was ushered into Maxine’s personal office and Ted, James and Terrance waited patiently in the front room of the congressional office. They could hear laughter coming from her office and felt it was a sign that she was in a good mood and would receive their concerns about the amnesty bill. Ted’s concern with the bill was that, as a black man who has worked with the homeless and disadvantaged for years, he saw an amnesty bill as one more obstacle for poor blacks to overcome. He saw the illegal aliens in his home area of Los Angeles putting an insurmountable burden on the social welfare and education system and saw jobs that would ordinarily go to his people . . . going to the illegals. When he speaks out about it, he is castigated as a racist, called names, slandered and threatened. But this day, he was hopeful that since Maxine was seeing people half way across the nation, from a totally different district, that she would take the time to talk to one of her own constituents and their friends. After the meeting ended though and the Chicago group left, buoyed by the personal, engaging encounter, they waited hopefully for her to emerge from her private office and give them an audience. She did emerge, but not to talk to them. She walked right past them which is hard to do in a ten by ten foot reception area with two grown men standing and one sitting. But she did, leaving the congressional office and heading for the hall. Ted got up to follow her asking why she was doing this . . . why wasn’t she going to talk to them? To this query she spun around and responded, “You are full of sh-t”, “You are full of sh-t, Ted Hayes.” I forgot to mention that she knows Ted and has known him for 23 years. For those of you who don’t know Ted, he can be imposing in his appearance, standing 6’7”, dressed in long robs, dreadlocks, skullcap and sandals. It would be easy for the guards, who heard the ruckus, to assume that he was a foreign assailant and a threat to the congresswoman. (Ted) then suggested that if she turned her back on her black constituents . . .the way she just did to them and voted for the amnesty bill, that she would be through in congress. She would be finished. The female guard took this as a terrorist threat and handcuffed him. Congresswoman Maxine Waters did nothing to prevent this, show a semblance of leadership or come to the aid of a good man that she has known for 23 years. She could have said, “It’s ok officer, Ted is a constituent and from the LA area. He and I disagree on a lot of issues, but believe me, he is not a terrorist. He is just passionate, as I am, about certain issues.” Did she do this? Did she care about this man she has known, being handcuffed in the halls of congress, escorted out the front doors of the Rayburn House Office Building, jailed and charged with disorderly conduct? No, but what she did care about was whether or not he would talk to the press. Her office called and expressed her concern that this story of his arrest not be leaked to the press and not get back to her district. He said he would honor that request because he wanted to do the right thing and did not want to hurt her in any way. He was just trying to have a conversation about illegal immigration and how it was hurting blacks and was confused as to why she was turning her back on her people, and was more sympathetic with people not only not from her district . . . but also not from her country.

 

Technorati tags: Maxine Waters, Amnesty, Illegal Immigration, House of Representatives, Congress, Democrats

SUV Rams Scottish Airport Terminal, Explodes

Sky News has reported anywhere from two to four people being arrested. 

Four people have been arrested after a jeep was driven into the terminal building at Glasgow airport and caught fire, police have confirmed. Witnesses reported hearing a series of loud "bangs" and saw at least two men - one of whom was on fire - emerge from the vehicle. There are reports of several injuries. The Cherokee 4x4 smashed into a glass door at Terminal One of the airport, the busiest in Scotland, which has now been closed. Witnesses said some of the hundreds of people in the area removed gas cylinders from the jeep before it caught fire. But there are reports the men were trying to fling petrol onto the flames. Scott Gleeson said he saw the jeep speed up and swerve towards the terminal at an angle to hit the door. "They were obviously trying to get through to cause as much damage as possible," he said. Police say it is too early to say whether the incident - which comes after failed car bomb attacks in London - was related to terrorism. Holidaymaker Stephen Clarkson said he knocked one of the men to the floor before police intervened. He said: "There was an Asian male. He was lying on the floor and he was on fire, the Jeep was on fire as well. "The fellow got up and started fighting with police. I managed to knock the Asian fellow to the ground and four police officers got on top of him."

 

***UPDATE***

The suspect was then arrested by police and taken to Paisley's Alexandra hospital, which has since been evacuated. The second man was arrested and taken to Govan police station. Since the attack, Blackpool airport has been shut down and security tightened at Newcastle and Edinburgh airports. The US has also installed extra security at its airports.

UNCONFIRMED: Apparently the reason for the hospital evacuation is because the suspect was wearing a bomb vest/belt, which police later detonated.

 

***UPDATE***

Looks like they were moose-limbs.

Early Sunday, after a day of fast-moving developments, the London police announced that two people had been arrested in Cheshire, in northwest England, “in connection with the events in London and Scotland.” The arrests were in addition to those of the two occupants of the blazing car at Glasgow Airport. A witness to the attack said on BBC television that one of the car’s occupants had been ablaze from head to foot, and as he struggled with the police, “was throwing punches and shouting ‘Allah, Allah.’ ” Britain’s threat level is now at “critical,” meaning another attack is considered imminent. The threat has not been as high since last year, after authorities discovered what they called a plot to attack trans-atlantic airliners with liquid explosives. A British security official, who like many other officials who disclosed information insisted on anonymity, said Saturday that the heightened level reflected an assessment that the London and Glasgow cases were “linked in some ways and, therefore, there are clearly individuals who have the capability and intent to carry out further attacks.” The links relate to the way the London car bombs and Glasgow airport attack were planned, using vehicles and gasoline, the official said.

 

More airport news: An airport in Spain had a bomb threat, police detonate a suspicious package.

 

Technorati tags: U.K. Scotland, London, Glasgow, Airport, Terrorism

Good News From The War On Terror 6/29

3 terrorists killed, 26 suspects detained in Coalition raids

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 26 suspected terrorists during operations Friday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and bombing networks. East of Fallujah, Coalition Forces continued operations to disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader network during a raid on several buildings east of Fallujah.  As they approached the target, the ground forces saw a man holding a grenade.  In response to the hostile threat, Coalition Forces took appropriate self-defense measures and engaged the armed man, killing him.  As the ground forces moved to the next building, they encountered a man wearing a suicide vest.  Coalition Forces responded appropriately to the hostile threat and engaged the man in self-defense, killing him.  Another man associated with the terrorist in the suicide vest ran outside into a patch of reeds.  After the man repeatedly ignored a translator’s instructions to come out, ground forces took appropriate self-defense measures and engaged the man, killing him. The ground forces detained 16 suspected terrorists on the scene for their alleged ties to a top-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who operates in the area. Also in Anbar province, Coalition Forces raided two buildings northeast of Karmah where they suspected terrorists were staying.  The ground forces captured four individuals at the scene, including one man who allegedly has ties to a senior al-Qaeda leader who was killed during a May 1 Coalition operation. Just south of Baghdad, Coalition Forces raided a building in search of a suspected gatekeeper for a leader in the Baghdad vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network.  During a search of the building, the ground forces detained two suspected terrorists and moved to a second building where they found and captured the suspected gatekeeper. Coalition Forces captured a close associate of the suspected military commander for al-Qaeda forces in the Tarmiyah area during a raid west of the town. In Mosul, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting the alleged al-Qaeda emir in Kirkuk, responsible for issuing fatwas.

 

Clearing Continues:  Dragons interdict IEDs, capture Iranian rocket materials

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops, all members of the 4th “Dragons” Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, found a cache of Iranian-made rocket materials, stopped the emplacement of an improvised explosive device and detained numerous suspected terrorists during operations in the Rashid District June 27-28. On June 27, the “Black Lions” of Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, found a cache of Iranian-made rocket parts in Aamel. The cache consisted of several empty 107mm cases with the same lot numbers as those seized June 17, one rocket launcher, materials to build more than 50 launchers, 13 60mm mortar rounds, one 81mm mortar, rocket-propelled grenades, a large quantity of homemade and plastic explosives, a bag of shotgun shells, two bags of loose 7.62 rounds, one light anti-tank weapon, three assault rifles, one optical sight and an assortment of initiators and grenades. Also on June 27, troops from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade, currently operating in the Rashid District under the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, witnessed a suspicious person digging a hole in an area where IEDs have been previously placed.  The troops opened fire. The digger and two other individuals supervising nearby were injured. The individual digging the hole was a teenager.  He was taken to a Coalition medical facility for treatment. All three suspects were detained for further questioning.  Also that day, members of 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt., detained four more suspects.  In operations June 28, MND-B troops killed three insurgents, wounding two and detained 10 suspects. In Risalah, a patrol from 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment “Vanguards” began to take fire from two machine guns. The patrol returned fire, killing both insurgents and confiscating their PKC machine guns. During that same operation, the Vanguards captured an alleged IED cell member with known connections to Jaish Al-Mahdi leaders. A few hours later, an insurgent was killed and three Iraqis wounded when three teenagers tried to breach a checkpoint on a tractor. When the three were stopped and tried to flee one raised an AK-47 and MND-B troops opened fire killing the gunman. The two others were not targeted, but were hit by stray rounds. A girl was hit by a ricochet round, treated for her injuries at the scene and was released. Also on June 28, Soldiers of 1st Bn., 38th Infantry detained six suspected terrorists, one of them believed to be a financier of a local terrorist cell.

 

North Babil’s Police graduates, ready for ERU training

AL HILLA, Iraq — Eight hundred Iraqi Policemen graduated from basic training today. These 800 policemen were selected to attend the emergency response unit training and will add to the quality and adaptability of the north Babil police force. An ERU is a special Iraqi Police unit, working directly for the commander of the Babil province police, which is able to respond to any situation at a moment’s notice in the northern Babil province area. The graduates will attend a six-week training course which will cover a variety of skills including weapons training and emergency medical care. The units will be located in Haswah, Bahbahhani, Eskan, Iskandariyah, and Musayyib.  Covering a range of special skills from weapons training, to providing emergency medical care, the ERU will become a much needed and flexible force in North Babil capable of reacting to any situation that may arise.

 

Troops nab caches, insurgents in three separate east Baghdad operations

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers recovered three caches and seized five suspected insurgents in three separate incidents in eastern Baghdad June 26. Solders with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team found two rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade motors, one drum of ammunition and one spool of wire in New Baghdad thanks to tip from residents. Two suspects were also detained in the operation. A second raid in New Baghdad netted 2-16th Infantry Soldiers one pistol, one air rifle and three more insurgent suspects. A third operation, conducted by Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, uncovered a weapons cache in Baghdad’s Rusafa District.  The troops there recovered a cache containing two AK-47 assault rifles, two machine guns, one armor vest and four grenades.

 

Bomb-making materials, weapons seized from two Rashid District mosques

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers entered two mosques in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital June 27-28 and uncovered two weapons caches. Early in the morning June 27, Company A, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, and Iraqi Security Forces entered the Al Mahada Mosque in the Saydiyah portion of the city and found eight AK-47s with 40 magazines and body armor. On June 28, the same company entered Al-Sadiq Mosque in the same neighborhood and found six AK-47s and one bag of hand grenades buried in the courtyard. Inside the mosque, they found one PKM machine gun, one PKC machine gun, one drum of PKM ammunition, 22 assault rifle magazines, one expended rocket-propelled grenade booster, seven demolition boosters, 30 feet of detonation cord, one stick of dynamite, two RPG warheads, 10 blocks of TNT, one 122mm mortar round, one sniper scope, three RPG fins, 14 blasting caps, more than 500 loose 7.62mm rounds, six pressure switches, six timers, 12 9-volt batteries, one 6-volt battery and assorted communications devices. The cache, enough to build numerous roadside bombs, was destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal unit.  Under Iraqi law, citizens are allowed one assault rifle and one 30-round magazine for protection.

 

Suspected Secret Cell Terrorist Detained by Coalition Forces

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained one suspected Secret Cell terrorist before dawn on Friday in Sadr City.  It is believed that the suspected terrorist has close ties to Iranian terror networks. No shots were fired when Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid to capture or kill terrorists suspected of facilitating the flow of lethal aide into Iraq. Intelligence reports indicate that the suspected terrorist targeted during the raid is associated with key leaders in the secret cell terrorist network and has ties to Iran.  It is also believed that the suspected terrorist is responsible for numerous attacks on Iraqi civilians as well as Iraqi and Coalition Forces in Baghdad.  The individual is also suspected of recruiting Iraqis to fill the ranks of Iranian terror groups operating in Iraq.

 

Iraqi Forces detain suspected terrorists in Northwestern Iraq

BALAD – Iraqi Forces detained 16 suspected terrorists linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq during two vehicle checkpoint operations June 26 in northwestern Iraq. Iraqi Army Forces detained 12 of the suspected terrorists without incident while manning a vehicle checkpoint in western Ninewa.  Iraqi Forces also seized several automatic weapons, four AK-47 rifles, ammunition, two rocket propelled grenades and U.S. and Iraqi currency. During a second operation, Iraqi Security Forces attempted to stop one vehicle and its occupants who attempted to evade the vehicle interdiction.  One of the supporting air assault aircraft gave chase to the vehicle and stopped it.  The four suspected al-Qaeda terrorists inside the vehicle were then detained.  The ISF also confiscated four AK-47 assault rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and a variety of documentation.  Both operations were aimed at disrupting terrorists’ freedom of movement in northwestern Iraq.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Iran

Police Stop Major Terror Attack In London

A 'massive' car bomb was diffused by West London Police.

A "massive" explosive device found in a car in central London has been defused, Sky sources say. It is believed that a major terrorist attack in the heart of the capital has been thwarted. Police were called to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked in The Haymarket area shortly before 2am this morning. The area was cordoned off by police who examined the car. They discovered what appeared to be a potentially explosive device, which was then made safe by specialist teams. It is believed that the vehicle was a silver Mercedes which contained gas canisters.

 

***UPDATE***

I posted this moments after the story broke. It has been updated many times. The Sky News report is getting a little weird so this is from al-Reuters.

Police defused a car bomb packed with gasoline, propane and nails in London's busy theatre district on Friday, foiling an attack that could have killed many people and echoed a previous al Qaeda plot, police said. Police also sealed off two more central London streets -- Park Lane and Fleet Street -- as they investigated other suspicious vehicles. The bomb was found in a green Mercedes parked outside a night club shortly after 1 a.m. (midnight GMT), when hundreds of people were packed in the busy night-life district a half-a-mile from the prime minister's Downing Street residence. The police, alerted by ambulance workers who thought they saw smoke inside the car, defused the bomb, which Sky News said was rigged to detonate with a mobile-phone-triggered device. Authorities said they did not know who left the bomb but they had begun a counter-terrorism investigation. "It is obvious that if the device had detonated there could have been significant injury or loss of life," said Peter Clarke, the head of London's anti-terrorist police.

 

***UPDATE 6/29/07 2:15pm***

CBS reports that a posting was made to an Islamist website several hours before the vehicle was found stating, "Today I say: Rejoice, by Allah, London shall be bombed."

 

***UPDATE 6/29/07 3:15pm***

A second car with bomb components has been found in London.

A second car found on a London street on Friday contained possible bomb materials, sources told CNN, hours after police disarmed an explosives-filled car in the city's busy theater district. The second car was towed from Trafalgar Square to Park Lane overnight, because it was illegally parked, the sources said. At the Park Lane garage, workers called authorities when they became suspicious after news of the first incident, because the car smelled of gas. Police and security sources say the car was found to contain components very similar to the first car -- definitely fuel, and possibly much more. They said the car is of grave concern, and could potentially be a second car bomb. A senior U.S. official with knowledge of the London investigation told CNN the car was linked to the vehicle outside the club, and that some materials found inside the car were very similar to explosive materials found in the car near Piccadilly Circus.

 

 

Technorati tags: U.K. Britain, London, Terrorists, Terrorism, Car Bomb

Good News From The War On Terror 6/28

Coalition Forces detain six suspected al-Qaeda terrorists

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday and Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq in Mosul and Baghdad. Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists Thursday morning during a raid on a series of buildings in Baghdad.  The five were detained for their association with a senior terrorist leader who is believed to be a military advisor for an al-Qaeda emir in the area. Wednesday morning, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting an al-Qaeda senior leader in Mosul.  The targeted individual is believed to have replaced the al-Qaeda emir of east Mosul after his capture May 31.

 

Coalition Forces kill 2 gunmen near Muqdadiyah

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq – Coalition Forces engaged and killed two gunmen near Al Thurah, north of Muqdadiyah, Tuesday. The Soldiers from Troop A, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron were conducting security operations when they engaged three gunmen armed with AK-47s, killing one.  The CF were then attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. CF pursued the remaining gunmen into a building and discovered small arms and ammunition, a grenade and one improvised explosive devise. CF were engaged again while inside the building, resulting in a second gunman killed with the third gunman fleeing the area. There were no CF casualties.

 

CF find, redistribute al-Qaeda food store

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Task Force Lightning Soldiers discovered a warehouse in the Khatoon neighborhood of Baqouba, June 23, filled with food seized by al-Qaeda from Government of Iraq food shipments to the city. The stockpile of food was discovered as Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces cleared Baqouba during Operation Arrowhead Ripper. “The theft and hording of these essential supplies by al-Qaeda is just another example of how that organization seeks to control the population by depriving it of needed provisions,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “By these and other actions, al-Qaeda has made it clear that it does not act in the best interests of, or have any concern for, the people of Iraq.” The Soldiers at the site of the discovery redistributed the food to needy citizens in the area.

 

Yusufiyah-area men flock to IP recruitment drive

BAGHDAD — Over 1,200 Iraqi men came to Joint Security Station Yusufiyah during a three-day police recruitment drive which ended June 25. The drive, orchestrated by the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., the 23rd Military Police Company, 503rd MP Bn., 16th MP Bde., from Fort Bragg, N.C., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, began June 23 to increase Iraqi Police manning in the 4-31 “Polar Bears’” area of operations. The goal was to find 200 qualified Iraqi Police recruits. When the drive began at 8 a.m., there were almost 200 men waiting in line to apply. Gen. David Petraeus, the Commanding General of Multi-National Force – Iraq, visited the recruitment efforts the first day and spoke to several potential recruits and encouraged them to serve their country. Five hundred seventy-seven applicants were processed the first day. Another 150 were waiting in line the second day and by mid-afternoon 361 had filled out applications and spoken with the troops. Officials accepted 252 applications on June 25. The surplus applications – including one from a local woman - will be kept and as the JSS expands, those individuals will be the first called for new hires. Applicants represented all major Sunni and Shia tribes in the area with the majority coming from Yusufiyah and Mulla Fayad. Also represented was Carguoli Village, a longtime hotbed of terrorist activity, which has recently begun making strides toward peace. Each applicant completed a basic literacy test. Other requirements included being between the ages of 20 and 35, not being part of the Iraqi Army, having no ties to extremist groups, and a willingness to move at the government’s need. Applicants must be Iraqi citizens. The recruits’ records will be checked by the Ministry of the Interior to prevent terrorist groups from infiltrating into the IP forces.

 

OP Arrowhead Ripper Update: Troops continue to clear Baqouba, deliver food to locals

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Lightning Soldiers continued clearing and securing Baqouba, while providing humanitarian aid to citizens there June 27 as Operation Arrowhead Ripper entered its ninth day. Since the beginning of the operation, ISF and Coalition Forces have provided approximately 265,000 pounds of rice and flour to residents of Baqouba and handed out over 10,000 vegetarian humanitarian rations, and thousands of bottles of water.  Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 60 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 74 have been detained, 31 weapons caches have been discovered, 81 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and 18 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Arrowhead Ripper, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Troop Surge

14 Hours Before Police Found The Bodies, Chris Benoit's Wife Was Listed As Dead On Wikipedia

UPDATED

Previously: WCW/WWE Wrestler Chris Benoit And Family Found Dead

This story is becoming way too bizarre. Before I get into the whole thing, there's another update. Today, Police raided Benoit's doctors office.

Now for the Wikipedia entry. ***UPDATE 6/29/07 2:35PM*** They found the person who made the first edit. He said it was just coincidence and had no idea anything had happened.

 

Wikinews has learned through an investigation that anonymous edits on the Wikipedia article Chris Benoit were added about the death of his wife Nancy Benoit 14 hours before police entered the Benoit home to find the former professional World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Canadian wrestler and his family dead. An anonymous edit from IP address 69.120.111.23 using the Internet service provider Optimum Online was made at 04:01 UTC on Chris Benoit's Wikipedia article. On a paragraph about an earlier fight: "However, Chris Benoit was replaced ... due to personal issues,...", the anonymous editor added " stemming from the death of his wife Nancy." The edit was reversed just under one hour later with the comment: "Need a reliable source. Saying that his wife died is a pretty big statement, you need to back it up with something." Then just one hour later after the first edit reversion, another anonymous edit by 125.63.148.173 using unwiredAustralia.com.au, a wireless Internet service provider, was made adding about the aforementioned personal issues: "which according to several pro wrestling websites is attributed to the passing of Benoit's wife, Nancy." That edit was reverted just under 20 minutes later, with the comment: "Saying 'several pro wrestling websites' is still not reliable information." Further investigation shows that the IP address used to make the first edit is located in Connecticut, but the IP address is not linked to any computers or servers used by the WWE. The second edit was made by a computer in Australia from a wireless network. Fayette County Sheriff deputy Lt. Tommy Pope stated that police found the family at about 2:30 p.m. ET, which is 18:30 UTC, on Monday when the WWE called police and asked them to do a "welfare check" after employees of WWE received calls and text messages from Chris Benoit. Early Saturday, Benoit sent repeated text messages that read "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215." Another text message reportedly said "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open." The messages were sent around 4:00 a.m. ET. Later, on Saturday afternoon, Chris Benoit placed a series of calls that explained why he missed his flight to Houston. The stories he told were mostly about his wife and son being sick with food poisoning and vomiting. Although, in one call he said that he and Nancy were at the hospital to be with Daniel who was hospitalized. Throughout he insisted that he would attend that live event in Houston. When he missed the live event on Sunday, and the WWE couldn't get a hold of him, they contacted authorities. Police say that Benoit strangled his wife on Friday, smothered his son on late Friday or early Saturday, and then hanged himself inside his weight room on Sunday or Monday. The Wikinews investigation is unable to conclude whether the anonymous editors had inside information about the death of Nancy Benoit. This is not the first time Benoit's article has been edited to show false or unsourced information, as the article's edit history indicates a long history of promotional spam and vandalism. Around the time of the edits, the article contained a hidden warning to editors of the section mentioned, warning against adding rumours and speculations . For the time being, Benoit's article has been protected in an attempt to stop the addition of fraudulent information.

 

***UPDATE 6/29/07 3:30pm*** The archived Wikipedia page is now up. It shows the edit that was made 14 hours before Nancy Benoit's death.

On the June 11 edition of RAW, Benoit was drafted from SmackDown! to ECW as part of the 2007 WWE Draft, after losing a match to Bobby Lashley. Benoit won his ECW debut match teaming up with CM Punk and defeating Elijah Burke and Marcus Cor Von by disqualfication. With Lashley's draft to RAW, the ECW World Championship was vacated. Benoit then defeated Elijah Burke to be a contender for the vacated Championship and will face fellow contender CM Punk at Vengeance. However, Chris Benoit was replaced by Johnny Nitro for the ECW Championship match at Vengeance, as Benoit was not there due to personal issues, stemming from the death of his wife Nancy.

 

***UPDATE 6/29/07***

More interesting facts.

In related news, FOXNews.com also has learned, through widely posted Web reports, that former pro wrestler Sherri Martel, who was found dead on June 15, was linked to former wrestler Kevin Sullivan — ex-husband of Nancy Benoit. Martel, who had a reputation as one of the top managers in pro wrestling, was found dead at her mother’s home in near Birmingham, Ala., on June 15. She was 49. Investigators, who have not yet determined Martel's cause of death, say foul play is not suspected but that Martel did not die of natural causes.

 

A former wrestler turned evangelist, shares his thoughts about Kevin Sullivan's part. There's a lot more than what I am posting here. So go to his website to read the rest. I'm not making a judgement on this info one way or the other. As bizarre as this story has been, anything is possible now.

The tragic deaths of Chris Benoit and his wife Nancy and son Daniel have shocked the wrestling world. The police are calling it a double-murder-suicide, but is it really? Let’s look at some facts. It has been 10 years exactly since Nancy divorced Kevin Sullivan to marry Chris Benoit. In the 1980’s Sullivan, along with his then-wife Nancy, were running a gimmick in wrestling of how they were Satanists, and Nancy was known as “The Fallen Angel.” She later became known as “Woman.”  The trouble with the Satanists gimmick was it was for real, and was not a work, or fake. In the 1990’s Kevin Sullivan was the booker for WCW, and he scripted his wife Nancy into having an affair with Chris Benoit who was a member of the Four Horsemen. This made for a good angle, except, the acting became reality as Chris and Nancy actually fell in love and Nancy divorced Sullivan to marry Benoit. Benoit left the WCW to go to work for the WWE which was then known as the WWF. It is a fact that Sullivan threatened Benoit and told him he would kill him. Yes, that was 10 years ago, but Kevin Sullivan is no dummy. He is known for being a calculating, cold-hearted individual. Today, according to a source close to me, Kevin Sullivan is a high ranking member of the Satanic Church. The police need to consider the possibility that Sullivan carried out these gruesome murders in order to have his revenge, which is what Satanists live for. He could have entered the home, with an accomplice or accomplices and held the Benoit’s at gunpoint, Sullivan could have then bound up Nancy, and made Benoit and his son watch as he strangled the life out of her. Then the next day after making Benoit and his son spend the day in agony, murdered Benoit’s little boy because of his hatred for the offspring of Benoit and Nancy. Then he could have made Benoit wait an entire day before killing him to by hanging him in the basement.

 While we're doing conspiracies, I will note that the author of the above quote is based in Australia.

 

 

Technorati tags: Benoit, Murder, Wikipedia, Wikinews, Encyclopedia

Santa And The Elves Scramble To Defend North Pole From Russia

Not Really. But today, Russia lays claim to the North Pole. Putin is a moron for going along with this.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has made an astonishing bid to grab a vast chunk of the Arctic, giving himself claim to its vast potential oil, gas and mineral wealth. His audacious argument that an underwater Russian ridge is linked to the North Pole is likely to lead to an international outcry. Some commentators have already observed it is further evidence of growing Russian assertiveness under its authoritarian president. The Russian media trumpeted the findings of a Moscow scientific mission to the region which boasts "sensational" geological discoveries enabling the Kremlin to make the territorial claim. Populist newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda - a cheerleader for Putin - printed a map of the North Pole showing a "new addition" to Russia, a triangle five times the size of Britain with twice as much oil as Saudi Arabia. The six-week mission on a nuclear ice-breaker claimed that the underwater Lomonsov ridge is geologically linked to the Siberian continental platform - and similar in structure. The detailed findings are likely to be put to the United Nations in a bid to bring it under the Kremlin noose, and provide the bonanza of an estimated 10 billion tonnes of gas and oil deposits as well as significant sources of diamonds, gold, tin, manganese, nickel, lead and platinum. Under current international law, the countries ringing the Arctic - Russia, Canada, the US, Norway, Denmark (Greenland) - are limited to a 200 mile economic zone around their coastlines. Currently, a UN convention stipulates that none of these countries can claim jurisdiction of the Arctic seabed because the geological structure does not match that of the surrounding continental shelves.

Now for the geology geeky comeback:

Sergei Priamikov, of Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, said the notion was "strange" and warned other countries could make counter claims. Canada "could say that the Lomonosov ridge is part of the Canadian shelf, which means Russia should in fact belong to Canada, together with the whole of Eurasia", he observed drily.

 

Technorati tags: Russia, Putin, North Pole, Santa

Ding-Dong, The Sh-Amnesty Bill Is Dead.

In a striking reversal from the usual business of the Senate ignoring the public's wants and needs,  they killed the immigration bill. I believe sixteen Senators changed their vote to make this happen. Maybe they can start over and concentrate on fixing the border first.

On to the clippy's:

WASHINGTON - The Senate drove a stake Thursday through President Bush's plan to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, likely postponing major action on immigration until after the 2008 elections. The bill's supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate and clear the way for final passage of the legislation, which critics assailed as offering amnesty to illegal immigrants. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate. Senators in both parties said the issue is so volatile that Congress is highly unlikely to revisit it this fall or next year, when the presidential election will increasingly dominate American politics.

They are betting on more RINO's and/or Dems to be elected which will increase the majority vote. Then they think the bill can be passed.

But the bill's backers said border security and accommodations to illegal immigrants must go hand in hand.

These idiots will never see the light. We already live with 12 million or so illegals in this country. The #1 priority is to make sure it doesn't increase. Lock down the border, then they can argue, day and night, for months on end, about what to do with those illegals already here.

"Year after year, we've had the broken borders," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "Year after year, we've seen the exploitation of workers. Year after year, we've seen the people who live in fear within our own borders. This is the opportunity to change it. Now is the time." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told colleagues that if the bill faltered, the political climate almost surely would not allow a serious reconsideration until 2009 or later. It would be highly unlikely, she said, "in the next few years to fix the existing system... We are so close."

How can you not shed a tear over Sen. Kennedy's heartfelt appeal to the public? Why should I care if they live in fear here? They can always go back. Should we pardon citizen criminals because they "live in fear within our own borders" of being caught and going to jail? I think not, except if you're a Kennedy. They REALLY need wholesale pardons.

Sen. Feinstein is also banking on an increasing majority in the '08 elections so they can pass this shamnesty bill.

 

***UPDATE***

Pres. Bush just had a short press conference. He was almost to tears. He said Congress needs to prove to the American people that they come together on tough issues. What Congress did prove is, they sometimes listen to the American people. That's the great thing about this. The will of the people has been heard.

 

 

Technorati tags: Immigration Bill, Illegal Immigration, Amnesty, Bush, White House, Senate, Congress, Cloture

Good News From The War On Terror 6/27

Iraqi Army destroys weapons cache near Nasiriyah

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army forces destroyed a large weapons cache during an early morning operation June 26 southeast of Nasiriyah. The cache is linked to a rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi (JAM) militant group. During the operation, the Iraqi Forces discovered the substantial cache in a building believed to belong to rogue elements of the militant group.  Iraqi forces also detained a suspicious individual present during the operation. After determining that moving the ordnance posed an unacceptable risk, Iraqi Forces immediately evacuated all civilians from the surrounding area. After ensuring all civilians were moved to a safe distance, the Iraqi Forces used controlled charges to destroy the cache, minimizing damage to the surrounding areas.  The cache included 30 60-millimeter rounds, 2 120-millimeter rounds, 40 155-millimeter rounds, 30 240-millimeter rounds and an anti-aircraft weapon. There were no civilian injuries.

 

Five suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained in operation east of Baqubah

BALAD RUZ – Iraqi Army Forces detained five suspected Al Qaeda terrorists during an operation June 25 near Balad Ruz in southern Diyala Province. The operation is aimed at disrupting the terrorists’ freedom of movement in southern Diyala Province. Iraqi Forces successfully raided the target objectives and detained the five suspected terrorists without incident. Coalition Forces were present as advisors. In addition to the detainees, Iraqi Forces also seized an 82 mm mortar system, 4,300 rounds of belt-fed machine gun ammunition, 650 anti-aircraft gun rounds, four high explosive rocket propelled grenades, four armor piercing rocket propelled grenades, a blue Opal automobile, a large amount of Iraqi currency and assorted propaganda.

 

Taji’s “Neighborhood Watch” turns over another cache

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — For a second time this week, a large cache consisting of improvised explosive device-making material and mortar rounds was turned over to Coalition Forces by the “Neighborhood Watch” in Taji, Iraq. The Taji neighborhood watch contacted Coalition Forces June 25, after the driver of a truck fled the scene when the volunteers stopped a suspicious vehicle moving through the rural village of Abd Allah al Jasim. The vehicle contained 24 mortar rounds, two rockets, spare machine gun barrels, small arms ammunition and other IED-making material. “This grassroots movement of reconciliation by the volunteers is taking off all around us. The tribes that had once actively or passively supported al-Qaeda in Iraq now want them out,” said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, the deputy commander of the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. The neighborhood watch is made up of a group of 500 volunteers, from a number of tribes in the area, who want reconciliation with the Coalition Forces and the Iraqi government. The volunteers are currently being vetted for possible future selection for training as Iraqi Police or some other organization within the Iraqi Security Forces.

 

IA, CF apply ‘relentless’ pressure on insurgents, detain 25

MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces detained 25 suspected insurgents in a series of raids in Mosul and Tal Afar on June 26. Two detainees captured in one raid possessed electronic media of attacks on CF. Another raid, west of Mosul, uncovered the body of a murdered local civilian. A cache of weapons containing a PKC machine gun, several AK-47s and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition were found and 17 suspected AIF were detained. In a third raid, northeast of Mosul, six more arrests were made. One of the suspects is on the “most wanted list” for making improvised explosive devices and vehicle attacks.  Multiple fake IDs, switches, relays, spools of wire and disassembled cell phones were also seized from the residence.

 

High-level senior al-Qaeda leader killed during Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces positively identified two terrorists killed in an operation June 23 south of Hawija. Mehmet Yilmaz, also known as Khalid al-Turki, was a known terrorist and senior leader in al-Qaeda who operated a cell that facilitated the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq for al-Qaeda operations. Yilmaz was positively identified through photo comparison and a forged Iraqi personal identification card was also found on him. Yilmaz was an al-Qaeda leader who led a group of Turks to Afghanistan in 2001 to fight against Coalition Forces.  Intelligence reports indicate he was wounded in the fighting there and went to Pakistan for treatment, where he was captured by the government in 2004 and deported to Turkey.  He was released in late 2005 and returned to al-Qaeda operations in 2006, moving his operations to Iraq.  Turkish authorities are also investigating several terrorist operations that may have involved Yilmaz. Yilmaz was killed when Coalition Forces targeted him during an operation south of Hawija.  As Coalition Forces approached the targeted building, four men got into a vehicle and drove away from the area.  Coalition Forces followed the men, one of whom was believed to be Yilmaz.  When the vehicle stopped, the men got out of the vehicle with weapons in hand.  Coalition Forces, responding appropriately to the hostile threat, engaged the armed men, killing them.  Inside the vehicle, Coalition Forces found rocket-propelled grenades.  They safely destroyed the vehicle and weapons on site. Also killed in the operation was Mehmet Resit Isik, also known as Khalil al-Turki, a close associate of Yilmaz who was assessed to be a courier for the same al-Qaeda cell and a close associate of Yilmaz and senior leaders within al-Qaeda.

 

MND-B troops discover multiple roadside bombs, defeat insurgent attacks

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers discovered a total of 11 roadside bombs and defeated several insurgent attacks in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital June 25 and 26. Troops from the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment “Warriors” discovered six roadside bombs June 25 and 26 while conducting operations in East Rashid. The Soldiers received information from local residents which assisted them in identifying the explosives before they could be used against Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces or the local populace. A Coalition explosive ordnance disposal teams destroyed the devices in place. The 4th IBCT’s “Ironclaw” route clearance teams found two roadside bombs while conducting operations in East Rashid June 26. Additionally, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment “Tomahawks” discovered a pair of roadside bombs, while troopers from the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment “Raiders” also found one improvised explosive device. All bombs were disposed of by EOD teams without incident. MND-B forces inflicted casualties on enemy forces in two separate engagements occurring in East Rashid over a 24-hour period. Two extremists engaged Soldiers from the 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Regt., with a rocket-propelled grenade attack in the early morning hours June 25.  No one was injured in the attack in the Doura neighborhood of East Rashid, but the Soldiers were able to capture one of their attackers. On June 26, several extremists engaged a U.S. patrol with small arms fire. After an aerial weapons team was called in and attack helicopters positively identified the gunmen, two extremists were killed in the air-to-ground engagement. A third extremist was wounded and later detained. The wounded extremist received aid from a nearby house.  Troops detained four more suspects for further questioning.

 

Iraqi Security Forces detain members of Al Qaeda cell in Mosul

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces detained five suspected members of an Al Qaeda cell during an operation near Mosul June 25. Iraqi Forces successfully raided the target objectives and detained the five suspected terrorists without incident. Coalition Forces were present as advisors. This operation is aimed at disrupting a terrorist cell in the eastern Mosul district of Aden. Besides the detainees, ISF also confiscated AK-47 rifles, ammunition and cell phones.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida

Toodles; Tony Blair. It's Been A Great Run

Gordon Brown becomes new British prime minister.

LONDON - Former Treasury chief Gordon Brown became British prime minister Wednesday, promising "a new government with new priorities," after Tony Blair resigned to end a decade in power. Power changed hands traditionally and quietly behind closed doors in Buckingham Palace as Blair first called on Queen Elizabeth II to submit his resignation, and Brown arrived soon after to be confirmed as the new prime minister. "This will be a new government with new priorities," Brown told reporters outside his Downing Street office minutes later. "I've been privileged with the great opportunity to serve my country." Brown, a 56-year-old Scot known for his often stern demeanor, beamed as he was applauded by Treasury staff before heading with his wife, Sarah, to the palace, and he smiled broadly when he emerged. The incoming leader, who for many lacks Blair's charisma, must woo Britons by shaking off the taint of backing the hugely unpopular Iraq war. With promises of restoring trust in government, he is planning to sweep aside the Blair era after a decade waiting for the country's top job.

We can only hope Mr. Brown is, at least, a little like Tony.

 

 

Technorati tags: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, United Kingdom, Britain

Freedom Journal Iraq #678

This edition features stories on U.S. Marines protecting a new Iraqi police station, how the Convoy Support Center is keeping track of shipments from Iraq to Kuwait, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building a new facility for the Iraqi army and U.S. Soldiers helping rebuild the infrastructure in Ramadi. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Alana Ingram.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition

Good News From The War On Terror 6/26

Two terrorists killed, two suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained two suspected terrorists during operations Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and their bombing network. Coalition Forces raided a series of four buildings during an operation just southwest of Baghdad targeting a senior terrorist leader known to supply vehicles and other components for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. The ground force detained one suspected terrorist on scene for his alleged involvement with the terrorist leader. As Coalition Forces were leaving the site, they observed a group of five armed men taking up tactical positions against them.  Reacting appropriately to the perceived hostile threat, Coalition Forces engaged the armed men, killing one.  The rest of the enemy force retreated and Coalition Forces continued with their mission. In Mosul, Coalition Forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq military commander responsible for IED emplacement there.  As the ground force secured the target building, one man grabbed for a weapon carried by the assault force.  When he refused to let go of the weapon, Coalition Forces reacted to the perceived hostile threat and engaged the man, killing him. Coalition Forces raided two buildings east of Bayji searching for associates of a known al-Qaeda leader.  The ground force detained one suspected terrorist during the operation.

 

Six insurgents detained in East Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division detained six insurgents during Operation Council Grove II June 25 in an eastern section of the Iraqi capital. The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., was conducting targeted raids in the Kamaliyah neighborhood based on tips from residents in an attempt to root out insurgents and bring security to eastern Baghdad. While conducting combat operations, Soldiers witnessed two insurgents emplacing an improvised explosive device. Soldiers engaged both insurgents, wounding them. They were transported for medical treatment by Iraqi National Police. Later in the evening, 2-16 Soldiers captured four more insurgents in two separate raids. All six suspects are now being held for further questioning.

 

Coalition air strike destroys building, kills insurgents

BAGHDAD — A Coalition Forces aircraft bombed a building today killing six insurgents near Salman Pak, Iraq, southeast of Baghdad. A British Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado dropped the 2,000-pound bomb after insurgents attacked an Iraqi National Police station and checkpoint destroying a guard tower and four vehicles. After attacking the checkpoint, the insurgents entered a mosque and began firing on the checkpoint from the mosque’s rooftop. The insurgents fled the mosque and entered the building which was later bombed. Two OH-58D helicopters responded to the attack engaging about 30 anti-Iraqi forces with .50 caliber rounds and rockets.

 

Operation Bull Run disrupts insurgent operations

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — The 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team completed two simultaneous operations in a 48-hour period in Al Dura’iya June 24.  Two insurgents were killed and seven were detained during these operations. Operation Bull Run and Operation Blore Heath II were conducted with the Iraqi National Police and the Iraqi army. Both operations are a part of Multi-National Division-Center’s Operation Marne Torch, the latest Coalition Force initiative to eliminate insurgent sanctuaries southeast of Baghdad. Soldiers from 1-15 Inf. neutralized suspected enemy cache sites and denied insurgents safe haven in Al Dura’iaya.  The operation resulted in two insurgents being killed and four individuals being detained. Three caches were found. The caches consisted of artillery rounds, mortars, cell phones, weapons, propaganda, ammunition magazines, and other bomb-making materials. Operation Blore Heath II, spearheaded by Iraqi army soldiers in conjunction with Iraqi 1st National Police Brigade and indirect fire assets from the 3rd HBCT, cleared insurgent caches south of Salman Pak and southeast of Baghdad. Three individuals were detained, mortar rounds and command wire were found, two boats and one vehicle destroyed, and two vehicles were confiscated.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida

Fred's Ahead In 6/26 Rasmussen Poll

Fred! 27% Giuliani 23%

Thompson, preparing to formally announce his candidacy, leads the pack in the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey with 27% support. That gives him a four-point advantage over former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani who is currently preferred by 23% of Likely Primary Voters. A week ago, it was Thompson 28% and Giuliani 27%. Two weeks ago, they were tied at 24%. Prior to that time, Giuliani had been on top in every weekly Rasmussen Reports poll for five months Thompson leads Giuliani by 13 percentage points among conservative primary voters while Giuliani leads among moderates.

 

 

Technorati tags: Fred!, Giuliani, Presidential Candidates, Republicans, Conservative, Rasmussen, Poll

Bush Speaks The Truth, Calls Immigration Bill 'Amnesty'

His idea of amnesty is different. He says Amnesty is "something you've got to pay a price for being here illegally". The definition of Amnesty is: A general pardon granted by a government, especially for political offenses. So Bush must be planning to sell pardons. Sounds awfully Clinton-esque to me.

President Bush has spent a whole lot of time in recent months claiming that the immigration bill isn't "amnesty." But in describing the measure Tuesday morning, an apparent slip of the tongue suggested otherwise -- providing fodder for the talk-radio crowd that loathes the bill and wants it defeated in the Senate. "You know, I've heard all the rhetoric -- you've heard it, too -- about how this is amnesty. Amnesty means that you've got to pay a price for having been here illegally, and this bill does that," Bush said, according to the official White House transcript. This just might get the attention of Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh -- and it's terrible timing for the president, with a key vote in the Senate Tuesday afternoon.

As you can imagine, Tony Snow shouted OMG!! and quickly had to throw out a press statement. Tony Snow has to be the hardest-working man in Washington.

This has been construed as an assertion that comprehensive immigration reform legislation before the Senate offers amnesty to immigrants who came here illegally. That is the exact opposite of the president’s long-held and often-stated position. President Bush has noted repeatedly that the comprehensive reform he supports is not an amnesty bill. Amnesty means forgiving wrongdoing without imposing punishment. The immigration reforms passed in 1986 granted amnesty. The legislation under consideration this year does not. This measure imposes significant punishments on those who came to this country illegally between 1986 and the beginning of this year.

 

***UPDATE 6/26/07  1:40PM***

The Senate voted 64-35 to end cloture (debate). It now goes to the floor for a vote. The House of Reps are planning a resolution rejecting the Senate amnesty bill. The White House isn't pleased.

House Republicans are set to vote on a measure Tuesday afternoon rejecting the Senate immigration bill shortly after the upper chamber votes whether to proceed on that debate in yet another hurdle for backers of a comprehensive overhaul. [...] House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio notified an angry White House shortly before Hoekstra introduced the measure, the Republican leader said, adding, “I won’t say they were happy about it.”

I was hoping some sanity would come to this VIA the House of Representatives. But, it's not over 'til it's over.

 

h/t: Hot Air

 

Technorati tags: Bush, White House, Congress, Senate, Illegal Immigration, Amnesty, Pardons

Freedom Journal Iraq #677 Freedom Watch Afghanistan 06/26/07

Freedom Journal Iraq #677

This edition features stories on paratroopers transitioning to work as a maneuver unit, Soldiers helping calm Iraqi civilians after an attack, maintaining control of Diyala Province after defeating insurgents and combat Soldiers receiving mail. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Alana Ingram.

 

Freedom Watch Afghanistan 06/26

This edition features stories on U.S. Soldiers on patrol in the Paktika Province and a look at customs operations at Bagram Air Field. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Michael Noel.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition

Good News From The War On Terror 6/26

Al-Qaeda emir of West Mosul killed during Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed a known terrorist leader in Mosul during a raid Monday, further depleting  a terrorist network already strained by Coalition operations. Khalid Sultan Khulayf Shakir al-Badrani, also known as Abu Abdullah, was the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of western Mosul.  He had a direct hand in numerous terrorist activities in the area, including kidnappings, suicide bombings and attacks on Coalition Forces.  In 2005, he facilitated the movement of weapons and foreign fighters into Mosul for al-Qaeda in Iraq operations. Coalition Forces targeted Sultan during a raid on a house in Mosul.  As the ground force entered the building, two men attempted to flee the scene.  The ground force caught them on the roof of the building, where one man identifiedas al-Badrani drew a pistol.  Coalition Forces, reacting appropriately to the hostile threat, engaged al-Badrani, killing him.  The other suspect on the roof was detained.

 

U.S. Soldiers stop roadside bombers, kill three

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division killed three insurgents trying to emplace an improvised explosive device in the Mualameen neighborhood of eastern Baghdad June 23. Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment noticed an insurgent attempting to plant the IED near a curb at approximately 11:30 p.m.  The Soldiers fired on the insurgent, killing him. Two other insurgents, in a nearby vehicle, attempted to ram the Soldiers. Soldiers engaged the vehicle, killing both insurgents. Residents in the area have been noticing an increase in militia activity and have reported tips to Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Earlier in the week, the unit recovered a cache and detained three suspects during a security operation.

 

43 suspected terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 43 suspected terrorists during operations Monday targeting al-Qaeda leaders and operatives in central Iraq. Coalition Forces detained 15 suspected terrorists during two coordinated operations just north of Baghdad targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader.  The suspects are allegedly members of the Baghdad vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network, and two of the detainees are believed to be bodyguards for the senior leader. Northwest of the capital city, Coalition Forces raided three buildings associated with another al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader tied to the Baghdad VBIED network.  The ground force detained 13 suspected terrorists for their alleged association with the network. Based on information gained from successful operations June 13 and 16, Coalition Forces targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership east of Fallujah.  During raids on several buildings in the area, the ground force detained 13 suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the senior leaders.  Coalition Forces captured a suspected terrorist east of Fallujah who allegedly facilitates the movement of foreign fighters for al-Qaeda in Iraq.  One other suspected terrorist was detained in the operation.

 

Operation Crazyhorse Thunder detains 7 suspects

ABU SHIEKAN, Iraq — Seven suspects were detained for allegedly planting improvised explosive devices along Route Tampa, the highway leading into Baghdad, June 23. Troop C, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division targeted an IED cell, based in the Abu Shiekan and Abu Hillan villages, believed to be responsible for setting IEDs several times a week along the highway. The nighttime raid was based on information provided by area residents and from local tips. The cell was operating in an area 12 kilometers southwest of the Iraqi capital.

 

Iraqi Army detains two al-Qaeda cell leaders near Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces detained two suspected Al Qaeda cell leaders during an operation June 24 south of Baghdad. The two detainees are involved in improvised explosive device attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces, death squad activities against local civilians, housing foreign fighters, transporting weapons and running a medical clinic for wounded terrorists. Iraqi Forces detained six other individuals found at the targeted residence. They also confiscated weapons and a large amount of currency at the scene. With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi Forces detained their primary suspects without incident. This operation is aimed at disrupting terrorist networks in Jihad-Shurta areas and attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Troop Surge

Hillary Campaign Finance Felonies Caught On Video

***UPDATED***BUMPED***

BUSTED!

What happened :

Mr. Paul, founder of a $300 million Hollywood based Internet company with Spider Man creator Stan Lee, was induced by Bill Clinton to pay for and produce the Farewell Gala for then President Clinton, which became the largest event ever produced for a US President in Hollywood, as a down payment on Paul's one year post White House employment deal with Clinton to serve as a Rainmaker for Paul's companies. Paul agreed to promote the event and in exchange Clinton agreed to act as a rainmaker for Paul's company, compensated through stock, cash options and massive contributions to his wife's 2000 Senate campaign. Paul has contended in a landmark civil fraud suit, an FEC complaint and charges lodged with then Attorney General Ashcroft, that he was directed by the Clintons and Democratic Party leaders to foot the bill for the lavish Hollywood gala and fund-raiser for Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign prior to the 2000 election. He maintained, and the government investigations into his claims established, that he eventually paid “more than $1.2 million”. Mr. Paul has maintained that his “more than $1.2 million was closer to $2 million and that federal election law required it to be deemed an illegally excessive “hard money” contribution to Hillary’s campaign because Hillary and her agents solicited it from him and then coordinated it— one that far exceeded the legal $2,000 cap on such contributions.

What is illegal:

Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign misrepresented the amount and source of the monies used to pay for the event — its largest fundraising activity — to the Federal Election Commission as required by Federal law in four separate FEC reports beginning in October, 2000 extending through January, 2006. The smoking gun video tape was withheld by the courts and the FEC from 2001, until it was released to Paul's attorneys at the US Justice Foundation on April 11, 2007. The tape was made by Paul in his office on July 17, 2000, three days after Bill Clinton agreed to work for Paul as a rainmaker after he left the White House, if Paul would underwrite and produce the largest fundraising event for Hillary's Senate campaign.

What Hillary says:

"I have no recollection whatsoever of discussing any arrangement with him whereby he would support my campaign for the United States Senate in exchange for anything from me.” or then-President Clinton," Clinton said in the declaration. "I do not believe I would make such a statement because I believe I would remember such a discussion if it had occurred," she added. I also have no recollection whatsoever of talking with him about any future business arrangement of any kind between him and then President Clinton”.

The video:

After almost seven years of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s denial of receiving and failing to report $2 million in campaign contributions, a recently released “smoking gun” videotape reveals that Senator Clinton not only had direct knowledge of Mr. Peter Paul’s planning and funding of her 2000 Senate campaign, she and her White House staff liaison with her senate campaign acted as co-producers and talent coordinators of the largest fundraiser of her campaign. In the video, Hillary indicates that she played a personal role in “selling” Cher on the idea of performing at the gala. By so doing, she personally helped solicit a direct contribution to her campaign, which far exceeded in value the legal $2,000 cap. The clear audio of Hillary Clinton is heard telling Lee that Paul and her chief campaign aide "talk all the time, so she'll be the person to convey whatever I need." She is then heard adding, "I wanted to call and personally thank all of you ... [and] tell you how much this means to me. It's going to mean a lot to the president too."

What happens now:

Election law expert and US Supreme Court/Constitutional Lawyer John Armor determined on June 14, 2007, after analyzing the video of Hillary Clinton on a conference call with Peter Paul, Stan Lee, that the video captures Hillary engaged in at least four or five felony violations of the law. Colette Wilson of the U.S. Justice Foundation filed an appellate brief today, in the civil lawsuit alleging Clinton's violation of a federal code that carries a possible five-year prison sentence. Wilson argues in the brief filed with the California Court of Appeal that Sen. Clinton's actions violated not only the $2,000 limit but Title 2 section 437 of the U.S. federal code, which states: "Any person who knowingly and willfully commits a violation of any provision of this act which involves the making, receiving, or reporting of any contribution, donation, or expenditure aggregating $25,000 or more during a calendar year shall be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both."

Please go directly to jail

***UPDATE 6/26***

Thanks to DougFromUpland for this video that breaks down the Hillary video.

Technorati tags: Hillary, Clinton, Campaign, Finance, Felony, Democrat, Liberal, Election Law, FEC