Good News From The War On Terror 7/27

U.S. Special Forces, Iraqi Security Forces battle insurgents in Karbala

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a high-level rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi commander in western Karbala, July 27. Iraqi and U.S. forces detained their primary target without incident during a raid in a neighborhood in Karbala.  Two other suspicious individuals present during the raid were also detained. While preparing to leave the target location, Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Special Forces began receiving fire from three separate locations.  The team determined the attackers were using small arms weapons, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades.  As the team defended itself with well-aimed fire, killing five insurgents, rogue JAM militants fired on a helicopter assisting the team in the operation.  U.S. Special Forces called in precision aerial fires that resulted in approximately a dozen insurgents killed. No Iraqi civilians were present in the area while the strike was performed. The primary suspect commands a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi assassination cell of over 100 armed members.  He has allegedly commanded attacks against Coalition Forces using improvised explosive devices, explosively formed penetrators and mortars.  He has also carried out assassinations of Iraqi civilians.  His cell is also credited with the assassinations of two Iraqi government officials.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain al-Qaeda in Iraq members

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained two primary targets of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell near southwest neighborhood of Jihad in Baghdad, July 26. The Iraqi Forces detained their primary targets at several different residences during the early morning operation in Baghdad.  One other suspicious individual present during the operation was also detained. The al-Qaeda in Iraq cell is alleged to be responsible for conducting extra judicial killings of Iraqi citizens and emplaces improvised explosive devices. They are also believed to have conducted attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces as well as local Iraqi citizens.

 

MND-B attack aircraft kill 7 insurgents

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Attack aviation crews from Multi-National Division-Baghdad killed seven insurgents at approximately 12 p.m. July 25 in western Baghdad. The Apache crews from the 4th “Guns” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, responded to a call from ground forces in contact with the enemy. The forces, from the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, were receiving small arms fire from about 15 insurgents.  The insurgents attempted to flee the area in a van when attack aviation arrived. The Apache crews maintained identification of the vehicle and got clearance to fire from the ground forces. The crews engaged the vehicle, destroying it and killing seven insurgents.

 

Coalition Forces Detain Four Suspected Special Groups Terrorists

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured four suspected Special Groups terrorists affiliated with the Iranian lethal aide network in a pre-dawn raid Friday in the village of Qasarin, Diyala Province. Coalition Forces conducted a raid to capture or kill a highly-sought operative believed to be a senior leader of a weapons smuggling network.  The captured terrorists are suspected of facilitating the transport of weapons and personnel from Iran into Iraq.  The captured terrorists are also believed to have facilitated the flow of deadly Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs) into Iraq from Iran to be used against Coalition Forces.

 

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi cell leader

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Soldiers, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a cell leader of the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia near the southwest neighborhood of Bayaa in Baghdad, July 26. The Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident during the early morning operation in Baghdad. The primary suspect is believed to command a rogue JAM improvised explosive device cell that is allegedly responsible for attacks on Coalition Forces.  He is also alleged to have received financial support and explosively formed penetrators from Iran, which were distributed to other JAM cell members in the Bayaa and Aamel areas of Baghdad.

 

MND-B attack aircraft kills two armed insurgents

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division-Baghdad Apache crews killed two armed insurgents at approximately July 26 west of Baghdad. An air weapons team of two Apaches from the 4th “Guns” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, observed two insurgents with weapons enter a sedan and drive away from a suspected car bomb factory. A unit operating in the vicinity, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, requested that the Apache crews follow the vehicle. With its mission shift complete, the Apache team was relieved by a second Apache team from “Guns.” The second Apache team continued with the mission of following the vehicle and spotted five to six people enter the vehicle, which moved about 15 feet and stopped. The Apache crews were cleared by the ground unit to fire on the vehicle. The crews engaged the vehicle, destroying it and killing two insurgents.

 

Iraqi National Police rescue infant after terrorists murder mother, uncle

BAGHDAD — Iraqi National Police rescued an infant girl from a garbage receptacle in the southwestern portion of the nation’s capital July 25 after terrorists shot and killed the child’s mother and uncle. The child was discovered in the trash by troops from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division after residents reported that a woman and man were shot and killed by masked gunmen in the Saydiyah neighborhood of West Rashid. The child was immediately taken by police to the nearest joint security station where medics treated her wounds. “You can see bruises on her back from the hand that squeezed her ribs as he carried her,” said Lt. Col. M. Troy Bentley, 2-1 National Police transition team chief. The girl was evacuated to the combat support hospital for further treatment. “That these terrorists would show such blatant disregard for an innocent child is sickening,” said Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “The people of Iraq need to know what these criminals are doing to their children.” Two of the child’s siblings were found and placed with another uncle for care.  The Iraqi National Police are investigating the shooting.

 

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

Bob "Midget" Costas vs Barry "Roid" Bonds

Costas wins.

A day after Barry Bonds called him a "little midget man who knows (nothing) about baseball," broadcaster Bob Costas said he wasn't upset with the San Francisco Giants slugger and responded with a jab of his own. "As anyone can plainly see, I'm 5-6 1/2 and a strapping 150, and unlike some people, I came by all of it naturally," Costas said Thursday in a telephone interview. On this week's edition of HBO's "Costas Now," commissioner Bud Selig, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and chemist Patrick Arnold discussed Bonds, his pursuit of Hank Aaron's home run record and suspicions that Bonds has used steroids. Schilling and Arnold said they believed Bonds had taken performance-enhancing drugs. Bonds viewed at least part of the show before Wednesday's game against Atlanta. "I've actually always had a pretty cordial relationship with Barry," Costas said. "I have no ill feelings toward him personally. I regard him as one of the greatest players of all time who got an inauthentic boost and then became a superhuman player. I wish him no ill whatsoever."

It's sickening, that with all probability, Barry Bonds will break Hank Aaron's career home run record. I pray everyday that Bonds somehow screws up and gets nailed for 'roids. Unfortunately, he "uses" a type of steroid that cannot be detected.

He's so egotistical that he doesn't care how he breaks the record, as long as he does.

Don't even get me started on Michael Vick.

 

Technorati tags: Bob Costas, Barry Bonds, Steroid, Midget, Baseball, Hank Aaron, Home Run

Good News From The War On Terror 7/26

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi leader

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a cell leader of a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia July 25 in southwestern Baghdad. The Iraqi Forces detained their primary suspect without incident and captured four other suspicious individuals who were present during the operation. The primary suspect is believed to command a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi cell that is allegedly responsible for the death squad killings of more than 150 Sunni Arab Iraqis.

 

Iraqi, U.S. Special Operations Forces detain al-Qaeda leader

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained an al-Qaeda-in-Iraq cell leader July 25 in southern Baghdad. ISOF entered and secured the building where the targeted individual was located without incident.  As the occupants were being questioned, one identified himself as the primary suspect.  One other suspicious individual who was present during the operation was also detained. The primary suspect is believed to command an al-Qaeda-in-Iraq cell which operates out of the Jamia area. The primary suspect’s cell is allegedly responsible for conducting attacks against Iraqi citizens using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices intended to stimulate sectarian violence.

 

36 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 36 suspected terrorists during operations Thursday targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in central and northern Iraq. During two synchronized raids near Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader allegedly responsible for coordinating vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks.  The ground forces also destroyed a vehicle used to transport terrorist weapons and personnel, and detained 18 other individuals allegedly linked to the VBIED cell. Coalition Forces detained 11 suspected terrorists west of Taji during a raid targeting a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq figure there.  The targeted individual is suspected of coordinating VBIED and suicide bombing operations, as well as attacks on Coalition Forces. In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists.  One individual is allegedly the primary weapons facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Mosul area and has experienced a steady rise in power because of the degradation of the terrorist leadership network in the city.  The other targeted individual was captured with four other suspected terrorists, and was found with fake documents and materials for counterfeiting identification.

 

Scout weapon teams kill 14 insurgents in Diyala

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Scout weapons helicopters from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, killed 14 insurgents in two engagements supporting coalition ground forces in the Diyala province, July 24. Scout weapons aircraft responded to a call from ground force receiving small-arms fire from insurgents. The teams arrived on the scene and engaged the insurgents killing five. Surveillance aircraft responded to a radio call from ground forces observing a group of insurgents moving tactically along a canal in central Diyala.  The air teams moved into position and fired on the insurgents killing nine.

 

IED emplacers captured

KIRKUK, Iraq – Two men linked to the emplacement of an improvised explosive device in the western Kirkuk province were captured July 23 by Coalition ground forces with support from a team of helicopters patrolling overhead.  Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division observed one of the men emplacing what was later confirmed as an improvised explosive device and attempting to escape in a sedan driven by the other.  A scout weapons team of Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade prevented their escape as the ground forces moved in to detain the two men. Coalition Soldiers also confiscated two AK-47 rifles and two magazine laden vests from inside the vehicle.  Components of the IED were recovered for further analysis and the explosive ordnance was destroyed on site. The 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment is part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  The 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment is also based out Schofield Barracks and habitually works with 3IBCT.

 

Iraqi Army conducts independent operation, tips lead to weapons cache

KIRKUK, Iraq – An independent operation conducted by the Iraqi Army brigade responsible for Kirkuk province resulted in the discovery of a makeshift bunker housing a significant weapons cache near the village of Riyadh, 52 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, July 22. Near the village of Riyadh, Iraqi Army scouts discovered a small bunker underneath a home and seized at least two rockets, 35 mortar rounds, 3 weapons, miscellaneous explosive ordnance and key components used to make improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.  Also recovered from the site were anti-Iraqi forces training materials, documents and records of insurgent activity. Operation Iraqi Home Protector is significant as it marks the first mission planned and conducted entirely by the 2/4 IA brigade.  The operation spanned more than 48 hours and involved four battalions working under their parent brigade, and two additional battalions from a sister brigade based in Sulaimaniya.  A quick reaction force from the 4th Iraqi Army Division augmented the brigade’s operations during the first day’s mission through villages south of Kirkuk along the roads from Tuz to Tikrit and Tuz to Bayji, just inside the northern Salah Ad Din province.      Operations conducted the second day by the Iraqi Army brigade focused on villages along the Kirkuk to Bayji road west through the province near the village of Riyahd.    The find is expected to impact insurgent operations in the area and their ability to conduct attacks on Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces.  Throughout Operation Home Protector, Iraqi commanders conducted meetings with village leadership to discuss security concerns in their neighborhoods.  Iraqi Soldiers also took the opportunity to interact with children in the villages to deliver school supplies and build an increasing trust and respect for the security forces.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Middle East

Serious Allegations About Fred's New Campaign Manager

I am currently researching the following allegations about Fred Thompson's new campaign manager, Spencer Abraham. If I find these to be true, I will have to withdraw my support for Fred Thompson. I first read about these allegations about Abraham last night at debbieschlussel.com. She "details" Abraham's ties to terrorist sympathizers.

As a Senator, he took marching orders from James Zogby of the pan-Islamist Arab American Institute, opposing profiling of Arabs, the use of secret evidence against Muslims (at the behest of Muslim groups), attempting to repeal the Clinton counterterrorism package, refusing to fund computer tracking of student and other foreign aliens, giving millions in our tax money right to Hezbollah, and putting CAIR on the map on Capitol Hill (taking the group's officials around to meet other Senators and Members of Congress). He took campaign contributions from the relatives of Hezbollah-backed top Lebanese officials after he got the group millions in our tax money. Spence was one of only two Senators in the entire U.S. Senate who refused to sign a letter calling on President Clinton to condemn Palestinian terrorism and Yasser Arafat. This was at the height of a series of homicide bombings in Israel in 1999 and 2000. As Energy Secretary, he gave top secret tours of nuclear facilities, as well as detailed information on how we secure them to Muslim nations who are our enemies. And he gave out undue post-9/11 awards to Al-Qaeda money-launderers . . . at the White House. The money launderers were raided by U.S. Customs Service agents. After he left the Bush cabinet, Spence became a lobbyist for Mid-Eastern Muslim countries that practice the Arab boycott of Israel and don't really like us too much either. He took their money and until the Thompson race, did their bidding.

The problem with the above article is, it lacks citation. She offers no links to where she found this information. What I have read about Debbie Schlussel has led me to believe that she isn't as honest as she should be, and if she is wrong, she doesn't acknowledge it.

However; Michelle Malkin is a much more reliable source. She points out Abraham's faults about border security.

In my 2002 book Invasion (p. 71, 76), I noted the open-borders obstructionism of former Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Michigan), who fought to block the implementation of two different tracking databases–one for foreign student visa holders and the other for all temporary visitors (which was mandated by Section 110 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act). Abraham led efforts to starve the first database of funding and crusaded several times to kill Section 110 altogether. On September 11, 2001, neither of those databases was in place. To this day, they remain incomplete.

Well, I did some research and here is some of the info I was able to dig up.

NRO online notes that In 1997, Abraham was given an award by La Raza ("The Race"). It was the "Defender of the Melting Pot" award.

This pattern is true even for self-styled defenders of immigrants' rights. It would seem obvious that the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Council of La Raza speak for the interests of immigrants in the United States, or at least those who belong to The Race. Instead, they too have jettisoned the interests of their supposed constituents when they conflict with continued mass immigration. A milestone came in 1996, when La Raza rejected the suggestion that it trade support for the modest immigration cuts proposed by Barbara Jordan's bipartisan Commission on Immigration Reform in exchange for restrictionist groups' commitment to fight the sweeping welfare bans against legal immigrants and new retroactive deportation rules then before Congress. Instead of working for such a pro-immigrant policy of lower immigration, these "pro-immigrant" groups dumped the interests of the people they claimed to speak for in order to maintain high levels of immigration in the future. La Raza in 1997 even gave then-Senator Spencer Abraham, architect of congressional libertarians' anti-immigrant policy of mass immigration, its "Defender of the Melting Pot" award.

WND has the scoop on Abraham's ties to Hezbollah.

That man in the middle is Issam Fares, deputy prime minister of Lebanon, a self-made billionaire and a close associate of Maj. General Ghazi Kanaan, head of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon and the man known as the "kingmaker" in a small country dominated by Syria's occupying military forces. "It is a mistake to make a comparison between the al-Qaida network ... and Hezbollah," Fares told Agence France-Presse last year. "Hezbollah did not carry out any resistance operation against American interests in Lebanon or abroad and did not target civilians in its resistance activities as happened on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center." Fares, through his son, Nijad, a permanent resident alien of the U.S., and his U.S.-based businesses, has contributed heavily to the senatorial campaigns of now Department of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

The Washington Report on Abraham pushing for aid to Lebanon in 1999.  It's important to note that Hezbollah and Syria were in control of Lebanon at this time.

In last year’s appropriations battles, Sen. Spencer Abraham was instrumental in getting earmarked aid for Lebanon increased from $12 million to $15 million, and getting $860,000 specified for the “Seeds of Peace” program. This year he has again asked Appropriations foreign aid subcommittee chairman Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to increase the amount for Lebanon to $15 million (the administration again requested $12 million) and to increase the amount designated for Seeds of Peace to $1 million.

 

Fred needed to choose better people to be associated with. I can't tell you how disappointed I am to find this information. I was really hoping that Debbie Schlussel's post would be some kind of rant and after further research, would find that she was incorrect. Unfortunately, that's not what happened. I'm sure everyone has heard of the saying, "guilty by association", that describes Fred now.

On the same day I receive my "I blog for Fred" mug and bumper sticker...It is with much regret that I now withdraw my support for Fred.

 

Who will I support for President? The man I had hoped would be doing better in the polls:

 

 

Technorati tags: Fred Thompson, Spencer Abraham, Duncan Hunter, Presidential Candidate, Republican, Conservative

Good News From The War On Terror 7/25

IA, ISF, U.S. Special Forces detain key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi suspect in Southern Iraq

BAGHDAD – Elements of the 3rd Division of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a key member of a rogue element of the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia July 23 during an intelligence driven raid in al-Imam near al-Hillah. The targeted individual is reportedly in charge of a JAM political wing in Al Imam responsible for emplacing improvised explosive devices and explosively formed penetrators along supply routes targeting Iraqi and Coalition Forces, causing the deaths of several Coalition Forces. The assault team located, identified and detained the primary target without incident or resistance. Iraqi Forces also seized JAM propaganda, cellular telephones, one AK-47 rifle and numerous documents.

 

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during raids Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key leadership and operatives throughout Iraq. During early morning raids in the northern city of Mosul targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key leadership, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists.  One of the three individuals detained during the operation is assessed to be the al-Qaeda in Iraq administrative emir for Mosul. Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations in Tarmiyah.  The 10 individuals were detained for their association with a known al-Qaeda in Iraq key leader who coordinates vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations and attacks throughout Baghdad. In a series of coordinated raids in Samarra, Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists.  During one operation, five individuals were detained for their association with key al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership in central Iraq known to be involved in the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq.  During a separate operation in Samarra, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist who is assessed to be a close associate of the Baghdad al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership. In the capital city, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq’s network in Baghdad.

 

Mortar tube, cache seized in south Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops seized a large cache consisting of mortar tubes, munitions and significant amounts of homemade explosives in the southern portion of the Iraqi capital July 23. Troops from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, discovered an 82mm mortar tube, along with 260 82mm mortar rounds, 11 120mm mortar rounds, 120 blocks of homemade explosives amounting to more than 31 lbs., and numerous components for explosively-formed penetrators and other improvised explosive devices in the eastern portion of the Rashid District, near the Tigris River.

 

Cache found, three detained in Adhamiyah

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops uncovered a weapons cache and detained three suspected insurgents July 23 in the eastern Baghdad Adhamiyah District. Elements from the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment uncovered the cache and detained the suspects during a search of Adhamiyah neighborhoods.   The unit found a cache consisting of eight mortar rounds, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three RPG rounds, seven grenades and 1,800 rounds of small arms ammunition.

 

INSURGENTS SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES IN HELMAND PROVINCE

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, successfully defeated a Taliban ambush in Helmand province today. An unknown number of Taliban insurgents engaged an ANA led patrol four kilometers northeast of Gorazon, a village in Helmand province.  The insurgents attacked from three separate compounds near Gorazon with 107 mm rockets, heavy machine guns, mortars, RPGs and small-arms weapons. The ANSF and Coalition forces immediately returned fire and called in c lose air support to destroy the positively-identified enemy fighters within the compounds.  Coalition aircraft dropped a total of three bombs, each on a separate compound, during this encounter.  The ANA-led patrol killed more than three dozen insurgent fighters with accurate small-arms and mortar fire and precision air strikes.

 

INSURGENTS FAIL AGAIN IN AMBUSH OF ANA, COALITION FORCES

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Elements of the 2nd Battalion, 1st   Brigade, 209th Afghan National Army Corps, advised by Coalition forces, along with a squad of Afghan National Police were ambushed by an unknown number of insurgents while conducting a combat patrol near the village of Sarizkay, Kandahr province this morning. The ANA-led patrol was about to pass through the village when the Taliban attempted the ambush .  ANA and Coalition forces repelled the attack with small-arms fire and requested Coalition close air support to destroy the enemy positions.  Coalition aircraft dropped a total of four bombs and made several strafing runs on positively-identified insurgent positions.  Several insurgents were believed killed during the skirmish. One ANP officer was wounded and one ANP ambulance was destroyed in the engagement.  No civilian casualties or collateral damage was observed by the combined force.    Intelligence suggests that Taliban forces are likely attempting to reassert their presence in northern Kandahar after their recent defeats from ANA and Coalition operations in the area during the past several weeks.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Taliban, Islam, Middle East

Fred! Deals With 9/11 Truther

Now don't fuss at me!

 

 

Technorati tags: Fred!, Fred Thompson, Presidential Candidate, Republican, Conservative, 9/11 Truther

Dog Who Searched For WTC Survivors Dies

He can now run freely in the great grassy field in the sky. Not only did he search for survivors after the World Trade Center attacks, but he also searched for survivors following Hurricane Katrina.

A black Labrador who became a national canine hero after burrowing through white-hot, smoking debris in search of survivors at the World Trade Center site died Wednesday after a battle with cancer. Owner Mary Flood had Jake put to sleep Wednesday after a last stroll through the fields and a dip in the creek near their home in Oakley, Utah. He was in too much pain at the end, shaking with a 105-degree fever as he lay on the lawn. No one can say whether the dog would have gotten sick if he hadn't been exposed to the smoky air at ground zero, but cancer in dogs Jake's age — he was 12 — is quite common. Some rescue dog owners who worked at the World Trade Center site claim their animals have died because of their work at ground zero. But scientists who have spent years studying the health of Sept. 11 search-and-rescue have found no sign of major illness in the animals. The results of an autopsy on Jake's cancer-riddled body will be part of a University of Pennsylvania medical study of Sept. 11 search-and-rescue dogs. Flood had adopted Jake as a 10-month-old disabled puppy — abandoned on a street with a broken leg and a dislocated hip. "But against all odds he became a world-class rescue dog," said Flood, a member of Utah Task Force 1, one of eight federal search-and-rescue teams that desperately looked for human remains at ground zero.

 

Technorati tags: September 11, World Trade Center, Search Dog, Jake, Sept. 11, 9/11

War In Washington

This is gonna get ugly, but the Dem's are probably going to lose this battle. It's all about political theater anyway.

U.S. lawmakers escalated their battle with the White House on Wednesday by recommending contempt citations against an aide and a former aide of President George W. Bush who refused to cooperate in a probe of the firing of federal prosecutors. On a 22-17 party-line vote, the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee urged the full House to seek contempt charges against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers for refusing to comply with subpoenas that demanded information about the dismissals. If the full House approves contempt citations, the matter would be sent to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia to pursue grand jury indictments. Contempt of Congress carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine and one year in prison. Unless a compromise is reached, a court fight seems certain over Bush's claim that his right of executive privilege permits him to reject congressional requests for documents or testimony from current or former aides -- and even shields them from contempt charges.

 

Technorati tags: Congress, White House, Legislative, Executive, Separation of Powers, Constitution, Executive Privilege, Contempt of Congress

Good News From The War On Terror 7/24

Troops capture seven suspected insurgents

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi troops captured seven suspected insurgents during a combined raid July 21 in the Zafaraniya section of eastern Baghdad. The Soldiers, with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, launched the raid in hopes of shutting down a cell believed responsible for making improvised explosive devices and indirect fire attacks. The seven suspects are being held for further questioning. The captures came as insurgents have stepped up their activity against Iraqi civilians and police officers. Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have responded by driving into insurgent strongholds and setting up combat outposts and joint security stations as part of Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon, better known as the Baghdad Security Plan. Coalition and Iraqi Forces continue to reach out to Baghdad residents, encouraging them to turn in insurgents.  These tips, together with other intelligence-driven efforts, have led to an increase in captures.

 

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during raids Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations north of Baghdad. Three synchronized raids west of Taji targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives associated with senior terrorist leaders and criminal activity.  Coalition Forces captured one individual suspected of attacking Coalition Forces and detained 15 others for their alleged links to hijackings and weapons facilitation. Coalition Forces captured a foreign terrorist suspected of involvement in the May 2007 Samarra suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack.  Also during the raid northwest of Balad, Coalition Forces detained three other suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the foreign terrorist.

 

Khalis tribal leaders sign peace agreement

KHALIS, Iraq – Approximately 75 tribal sheiks and local leaders gathered at the Iraqi Army Headquarters in Khalis, Iraq, to discuss grievances between tribes, determine solutions for security and services, and unite to defeat al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in the Khalis area. “Our goal is to be united and cooperate between us to stand between any force that wishes to challenge our unity,” said one tribal sheik. “We have to show the people that we are honest and serious about fighting against al-Qaeda.” The meeting, led by Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala; Staff Maj. Gen. Ghanem Abass Ibraham al-Qureshy, the Provincial Director of Police; and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala, resulted in the signing of a peace agreement between 18 of the tribal leaders in attendance. “The sheiks are the backbone of Diyala,” said Sutherland. “We are not 25 major tribes with 100 sub-tribes; we are one tribe – the tribe of Diyala.” As stated in the Quran, “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves,” the sheiks agreed to eight conditions. “Here, right now, I am denouncing the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Qaeda,” said another sheik who later swore on the Quran to uphold the conditions of the peace agreement. Some conditions of the agreement include cooperating with the ISF; stopping tribal conflicts such as kidnappings and murders; reporting and removing improvised explosive devices; assisting in recruiting for ISF; dissolving illegal militias; and solving disputes between tribes through local meetings with the government and other tribal sheiks. After the meeting, the sheiks enjoyed a feast and agreed to meet in the near future to continue their efforts at uniting and solving the issues of their people.

 

Three insurgents killed emplacing roadside bomb

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops opened fire on insurgents emplacing a roadside bomb, killing three and wounding at least one more July 21 during continuing clearing operations in the Rashid District. Troops from Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, witnessed five men out after curfew excavating a hole by the side of the road in a Doura neighborhood of southern Baghdad. The location was an area historically used by insurgents to employ deep-buried improvised explosive devices against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. When one of the men was positively identified with an AK-47 assault rifle and appeared to be pulling security for the other diggers, the troops requested permission to engage.   After investigating the area where the insurgents were digging, the troopers found three bodies, the assault rifle, a pistol, two shovels and an axe. They also identified blood trails leading south. Under Iraqi law, citizens are permitted to keep one AK-47 and a full 30-round magazine in their homes for protection. Handguns or weapons heavier than an assault rifle are not allowed.

 

Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces killed a senior member of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell and seven suspected insurgents were detained following a series of early-morning raids at a terrorist training camp July 23.  With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces cleared a series of buildings located on an abandoned Iraqi Army base in the Hamrah Region northeast of Karmah.  Iraqi Security Forces were engaged by an enemy shooter at one of their objectives.  An assault team moved to positively identify the shooter, a senior al Qaeda cell member, and lethal force was used to eliminate the threat.  Various rifles, pictures and identification cards were also seized during the operation.  The abandoned base is purportedly being used as a training facility and safe house for active insurgents, foreign fighters, and weapons. Several insurgent groups from Fallujah and other Western Iraq cities are suspected to use the facility for small arms training and other activities.  The death of the senior member and detainment of the other insurgents will greatly inhibit al Qaeda in Iraq activities.

 

 

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

Airports Warned About Terror Dry Runs

This means every old lady in a wheelchair needs to be searched. Muslim men between the ages of 18-35 shouldn't be searched. Just because they perpetrate 99% of terrorist attacks, doesn't mean they will do it every time.

Airport security officers around the nation have been alerted by federal officials to look out for terrorists practicing to carry explosive components onto aircraft, based on four curious seizures at airports since last September. The unclassified alert was distributed on July 20 by the Transportation Security Administration to federal air marshals, its own transportation security officers and other law enforcement agencies. The seizures at airports in San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston and Baltimore included "wires, switches, pipes or tubes, cell phone components and dense clay-like substances," including block cheese, the bulletin said. "The unusual nature and increase in number of these improvised items raise concern." Security officers were urged to keep an eye out for "ordinary items that look like improvised explosive device components." ... The bulletin said the passengers carrying the suspicious items seized since September included men and women and that initial investigation had not linked them with criminal or terrorist organizations. But it added that most of their explanations for carrying the items were suspicious and some were still under investigation. The four seizures were described this way: • San Diego, July 7. A U.S. person — either a citizen or a foreigner legally here — checked baggage containing two ice packs covered in duct tape. The ice packs had clay inside them rather than the normal blue gel. • Milwaukee, June 4. A U.S. person's carryon baggage contained wire coil wrapped around a possible initiator, an electrical switch, batteries, three tubes and two blocks of cheese. The bulletin said block cheese has a consistency similar to some explosives. • Houston, Nov. 8, 2006. A U.S. person's checked baggage contained a plastic bag with a 9-volt battery, wires, a block of brown clay-like minerals and pipes. • Baltimore, Sept. 16, 2006. A couple's checked baggage contained a plastic bag with a block of processed cheese taped to another plastic bag holding a cellular phone charger.

Here's the PDF of the TSA bulletin.

 

 

Technorati tags: Airport, Terrorism, Bomb Materials, Islam, TSA

Ward "Little Eichmann's" Churchill Finally Canned

Churchill was fired by the University of Colorado board of regents in a 8-1 vote. He was fired for plagiarism, falsification, and other stuff. He wasn't fired for calling 9/11 victims "little Eichmann's"; but he should have been. The man is obviously an idiot and has no business teaching kindergarten, much less at a university. He thinks the statement is why he was fired and is claiming it violates his first amendment rights. The 1st amendment doesn't apply to employers. If his rights were violated, he would be in jail instead of fired. His planned lawsuit should fail miserably. In the "real" world, you can't tell your boss to F*** Off, or something of the like. If you do, you're out the door. It's called personal responsibility.

The University of Colorado's governing board on Tuesday fired a professor whose essay likening some Sept. 11 victims to a Nazi leader provoked national outrage and led to an investigation of research misconduct. Ward Churchill vowed to sue, saying "New game, new game," after the Board of Regents' 8-1 vote was announced. Three faculty committees had accused Churchill of plagiarism, falsification and other misconduct. The research allegations stem from some of Churchill's other writings, although the investigation began after the controversy over his Sept. 11 essay. "The decision was really pretty basic," said university President Hank Brown, adding that the school had little choice but to fire Churchill to protect the integrity of the university's research. "The individual did not express regret, did not apologize, did not indicate a willingness to refrain from this type of falsification in the future," Brown said. Churchill's essay mentioning Sept. 11 victims and Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann prompted a chorus of demands for his firing, but university officials concluded it was protected speech under the First Amendment. But Brown recommended in May that the regents fire Churchill after faculty committees accused him of misconduct in some of his academic writing. The allegations included misrepresenting the effects of federal laws on American Indians, fabricating evidence that the Army deliberately spread smallpox to Mandan Indians in 1837, and claiming the work of a Canadian environmental group as his own.

 ***UPDATE***

Now with video.

 

Technorati tags: Ward Churchill, Little Eichmann's, University of Colorado, Plagiarism, 9/11

Good News From The War On Terror 7/23

ISF, U.S. Special Forces detain five suspected extremists

TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Special Forces detained five individuals believed to be conducting terrorist activities in Mosul during an early-morning operation July 21 in the village of Bazran, located in northern Iraq. With U.S. Special Forces present for support, Iraqi Forces detained the individuals without incident.  One other suspicious individual was also detained during the operation. Iraqi Forces also seized five AK-47 assault rifles, 14 AK-47 magazines, one chest rig, a bayonet, three automobiles, four cell phones, two soldering irons, numerous electronic components and tools, and a variety of compact discs, DVDs, cassettes and video tapes.

 

IA, U.S. Special Forces detain alleged terrorist finance chief in Ninewa Province

TAJI, Iraq – Elements of the 2nd Iraqi Army Division, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a high level financier of an Al Qaeda affiliated group in the Nimrud District of east Ninewa Province during an intelligence driven operation July 22. The targeted individual is alleged to be responsible for financing numerous attacks against innocent Iraqis and Coalition Forces.  Those attacks include the May 2006 kidnapping of a Mosul food supply director, a March 2007 IED attack in Kanash Village, and the October 2006 and December 2006 IED and small arms attacks against two Coalition bases. Iraqi Forces seized $20,000 worth of Iraqi currency and assorted documents and computer equipment during the operation.

 

Search nets seven terrorist suspects in Bulayj

TAJI, Iraq – Members of the 3/3 Iraqi Army Brigade, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained seven al Qaeda in Iraq suspected terrorists in Bulayj July 22. One of the alleged operatives is suspected of being a key weapons supplier; arming foreign fighters and other operatives who conduct terrorist attacks for al Qaeda in Iraq.  In addition to the captured terrorists, 77 AK-47 assault rifles were confiscated during the operation.

 

IA Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain al-Qaida Terrorists linked to U.S. casualties

BAGHDAD – Elements of the 11th Division of the Iraqi Army, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained two terrorists linked to the July 18 improvised explosive device attack that killed four Coalition Force Soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter in eastern Baghdad. Iraqi Forces detained the two suspected terrorists July 18 during a cordon and search in the vicinity of Antar Square in Baghdad following the IED attack. The two alleged terrorists are also believed responsible for the kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi judge who worked in the International Zone. They are believed to be part of an Al Qaeda affiliated Islamic State in Iraqi cell that operates the Adhamiyah-Baghdad area.

 

Soldiers search for missing comrades leads to discovery of weapons caches

QUARGHULLI VILLAGE, Iraq — Coalition Forces discovered three weapons caches in the Quarghulli Village, Iraq, area July 19 as they continued to search for two missing comrades who were abducted by terrorists May 12. Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., discovered the caches after questioning Iraqis about the whereabouts of the missing Soldiers. The contents of the caches included a prepared directional blast charge, a rice bag filled with mortar fuses, 10 rocket propelled grenade heads, an 82mm mortar system, a bag of improvised explosive device making materials, four 155mm rounds, an RPG warhead and a bag of pressure plates.

 

Combined operation nets cache find in Jamia

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers uncovered a cache of improvised explosive device-making material during a combined patrol with Iraqi Security Forces in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Jamia July 21. Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division have conducted joint operations throughout Jamia during the past week to reduce the amount of IEDs and homemade explosives in the area.  An IED-making cache was uncovered by the clearing team led by 2nd Lt. Mustafa from the 1st Company, 3-5-6th Iraqi Army. Mustafa’s team located five complete roadside bombs, approximately 200 lbs. of loose homemade explosives and a 155mm artillery shell casing. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the materials to prevent prior to leaving the scene.

 

Warlords find EFP cache

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops found a suspected explosively formed penetrator factory in West Rashid District, during an early morning raid July 22. The “Warlords” of Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armored Regiment, part of Task Force 1-18, found a complete EFP, several EFP parts and roughly 300 lbs. of homemade explosives while searching a home.  The Soldiers also found a disassembled anti-tank mine, two rocket-propelled grenade sights, 14 copper plates and two video cameras.

 

Coalition Forces kill 9 terrorists, detain 8 and destroy weapons caches

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed nine terrorists, detained eight suspected terrorists and uncovered weapons caches during an operation near Muqudadiyah July 20-21. As Coalition Forces arrived in the area, they received small arms fire from near the Tigris River.  The ground forces, acting in self-defense, called in close air support to engage the armed terrorists attacking Coalition Forces.  One terrorist was killed in the air strike. Hours later, four armed terrorists engaged Coalition Forces with small arms fire.  Coalition Forces, responding in self-defense against the hostile force, returned fire, killing one terrorist and wounding two suspected terrorists.  Enemy forces in the area continued to periodically engage Coalition Forces with small arms fire from nearby palm groves.  Coalition Forces, taking fire from the armed terrorists, called in another air strike, killing one armed terrorist and wounding two more suspected terrorists.  Terrorists continued to engage the ground forces and Coalition Forces returned fire in self-defense, killing five more terrorists and wounding one suspected terrorist.  Coalition Forces medics treated the wounded on scene throughout the morning and transported them to a military medical facility for further treatment. While on patrol, Coalition Forces discovered a group of terrorists emplacing an improvised explosive device.  To disrupt the threat of the terrorists’ explosive weapon, ground forces engaged the group and killed one terrorist. Throughout the operation, terrorists periodically attacked Coalition Forces using small arms and indirect fire.  One mortar attack injured seven Iraqi civilians.  Coalition Forces medics treated the injured civilians on scene and one was transported to a military medical facility for further treatment. The ground forces discovered a terrorist safe house hiding a weapons cache.  The safe house contained rifles, ammunition, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and rounds, mortars, military-style assault vests, fuses and camouflage uniforms.  An explosives team destroyed the cache on site. Eight suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.  One detainee led the ground forces to a cache of RPGs, a sniper rifle, ammunition, mortars and improvised explosive devices ready for use against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.  A search of another detainee’s home uncovered two homemade hand grenades, ammunition, a homemade rocket launcher, IED crush wire, intelligence paperwork about the area and al-Qaeda in Iraq media propaganda.

 

12 al-Qaeda terrorist facilitators captured

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured 12 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorists and their logistics networks around Iraq Monday. In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an alleged terrorist safe house owner and operator.  He and two other individuals were detained for their suspected involvement facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists into and around Iraq for al-Qaeda operations. Coalition Forces captured another suspected safe house operator south of Baghdad, who is also believed to be a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq adviser.  He and two others were detained for their alleged foreign terrorist facilitation and involvement with al-Qaeda in Iraq. A raid in Yusifiyah netted another suspected foreign terrorist facilitator and two of his associates.  Coalition Forces detained them for allegedly supplying foreign terrorist operatives to an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell. During a raid in Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces captured an individual they targeted for his association to an al-Qaeda in Iraq meeting July 11.  Three suspected terrorists, including the targeted individual, were detained for their alleged efforts to arrange meetings between al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Middle East

Fred's Still Ahead In Rasmussen Poll 7/23

Fred! 26% - Giuliani 21%

On the surface, the race for the Republican nomination appears to have stabilized in recent weeks. Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson has enjoyed a consistent but very slight advantage over former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in Rasmussen Reports polling. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain have roughly half the support of the frontrunners as they battle for third place and nobody else has gained any traction. But the stability is misleading and the race for the Republican Presidential nomination is wide open. Currently, nearly half of Likely Republican Primary Voters either express a preference for an unannounced candidate (Thompson) or say that they are not sure how they will vote. All of those votes could be in play when Thompson formally enters the race and is forced to submit to the grind of debates, questions, and events being endured by the other candidates. If the man who walked away from the Senate is deemed to be acceptable, many of those undecided voters will probably push Thompson to an even bigger lead.

 

Technorati tags: Fred!, Fred Thompson, Presidential Candidate, Republican, Conservative

A Glimpse Of Life Without The John Doe Amendment

 

 

h/t: Jawa

Good News From The War On Terror 7/22

Coalition Forces kill one terrorist, detain 14 suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed one armed terrorist and detained 14 suspected terrorists during operations around the country Sunday targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network. Coalition Forces conducted a raid north of Baghdad targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq emir and his associates.  As ground forces began their operation, they received small arms fire from the building they were entering and another building nearby.  Coalition Forces, acting in self-defense, returned fire.  As the ground forces secured the area, they found one armed man who was killed in the engagement. Coalition Forces detained one suspected associate of the targeted individual.  Both are allegedly involved with the Baghdad vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network. In Mosul, the al-Qaeda in Iraq religious adviser for the city surrendered himself to Coalition Forces during an operation.  The suspected terrorist is believed to issue fatwas regarding anti-Coalition activity as part of his involvement with al-Qaeda in Iraq.  One other suspected terrorist was also detained. During another raid in Mosul, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists with alleged ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of northern Iraq. A raid northeast of Fallujah netted five suspected terrorists for their alleged association with the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of eastern Anbar province.  During the operation, Coalition Forces also discovered a weapons cache containing rocket-propelled grenades. Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists during a raid near Yusifiyah targeting a member of a local al-Qaeda in Iraq cell.

 

Coalition Forces Detain Two Suspected Weapons Smugglers

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists that may be affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) from Iran in a raid Sunday near the Iranian border East of Baghdad. No shots were fired as Coalition Forces conducted a dynamic raid to capture or kill suspected terrorists with connections to senior leaders of the IRGC-QF.  The two detained suspects were secured from a rural farm compound before dawn.  A number of weapons were confiscated during the raid. The suspects may be associated with a network of terrorists that have been smuggling Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs), other weapons, personnel and money from Iran into Iraq.

 

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain suspected Al Qaeda cell leader near Taji

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces, with Coalition Forces as advisors, conducted a helicopter assault raid July 20 detaining a suspected Al Qaeda in Iraq leader suspected of numerous crimes including a recent attack that destroyed a bridge on a primary Iraqi transportation route. Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident in a remote area northwest of Taji.  The detained individual is the suspected leader of an Al Qaeda cell in the Qaryat al Majarrah region and recently claimed responsibility for a May 27 suicide truck-borne improvised explosive device attack that destroyed the a key bridge over the Danat Nazim al Majarrah Canal, a main Iraqi supply route in the Habbaniyah area.  He is also allegedly responsible for facilitating foreign fighters and the planning and execution of multiple improvised explosive device attacks in Ramadi and other areas.  The insurgent leader and his cell are also suspected of murdering and intimidating Iraqi citizens, conducting oil smuggling operations, and committing a string of highway robberies in an effort to fund al Qaeda activities. The capture and detainment of this alleged cell leader will greatly inhibit Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist activities in Western Iraq and reduce attacks in Ramadi and surrounding areas. In a separate operation, two other individuals with suspected links to terrorist groups were detained during an operation outside Karmah. Iraqi and Coalition Forces also seized a large quantity of materials for making IEDs. The materials were destroyed with a controlled detonation in a safe area after ensuring all civilians were moved a safe distance away during the detonation.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Quds

Rep. Ellison Aligning Himself With Extremist Groups And Propaganda

A great write-up by M. Zuhdi Jasser.

Most American Muslim activists this past month were trying to grapple with the reality of the “Doctor Plot” out of the United Kingdom. While most Americans are finally waking up to the fact that radical Islamism and its fascism knows no boundaries to economic or educational status, Congressman Keith Ellison has not found the time to seriously address radical Islamism and the ideology with which we are in conflict. Now with just over six months in office, the good Congressman has yet to find time to discuss counterterrorism substantively from his congressional office. But, interestingly, he has been able to find time recently to speak to Atheists for Human Rights at a library in Edina, Minnesota. During his speech, when commenting about 9-11 and the Bush Administration, he stated according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “It's almost like the Reichstag fire, kind of reminds me of that… after the Reichstag was burned, they blamed the Communists for it, and it put the leader [Hitler] of that country in a position where he could basically have authority to do whatever he wanted…."I'm not saying [Sept. 11] was a [U.S.] plan, or anything like that, because, you know, that's how they put you in the nut-ball box — dismiss you." Ellison is the first Muslim in the U.S. Congress. With the help of a less than investigative mainstream media he was able to sidestep his more than troublesome past with the Nation of Islam (NOI). He has since denied being a part of NOI other than assisting for 18 months with the million man march. He now describes himself as a sunni Muslim. Regardless, the facts are out there and since occupying his U.S. Congressional office, he certainly has not been one to hide his Muslim faith. In fact he wears it on his sleeve, whenever it suits him and other Islamist causes around the United States. Within days of his victory in Minnesota’s 5th District, he gave a speech at the North American Imams Federation in November 2006 as Congressman-elect Ellison. This is the same federation behind the ridiculous Islamist lawsuit against U.S. Airways and the reporting John Doe passengers. During his campaign he welcomed a fundraiser from Islamists on his behalf on August 25th, 2006 featuring James Yee and Nihad Awad of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Ellison then traveled to Florida for a fundraiser sponsored also by known CAIR leadership including Parvez Ahmed (CAIR Board Chairman) and Ahmed Bedier (CAIR-FLA executive director). Then on December 24, 2006, he spoke at the convention of two leading Islamist organizations in Dearborn, Michigan- the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Circle of North America. He told these Islamist groups, “Muslims you’re up to bat right now...” he said. “How do you know that you were not brought right here to this place to learn how to make this world better? How do you know that Allah, sallalahu aleyhi wasallam,” (meaning peace be upon him) “did not bring you here so that you could understand how to teach people what tolerance was, what justice was? How do you know that you’re not here to teach this country?”

 

 Read the rest here.

 

Technorati tags: Keith Ellison, Islam, Congress, Democrat, Minnesota

Good News From The War On Terror 7/21

Coalition Forces, Iraqi Emergency Response Unit detain three rogue JAM

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi Emergency Response Unit with Coalition Forces present as advisers, detained three suspected members of a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia group, during an early morning operation in Sadr City, July 20 Two of the detainees are brothers who have allegedly conducted attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces, while the third, a woman, is suspected of holding JAM splinter group meetings at her house. Members of the Iraqi ERU Coalition Forces raided two residences in the northwestern neighborhood of Baghdad. At one location, Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained the female suspect, while another team detained the two brothers at the second house. The primary targets of this operation are allegedly responsible for conducting kidnappings and extrajudicial killings against Iraqi citizens.  They have also allegedly been involved in attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

 

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces detain former official allegedly linked to Al Qaeda

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 5th Division of the Iraqi Army, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisors, detained a former mayor and current city council member in As-Sadiyah, July 20. Iraqi and Coalition Forces raided a residence in as-Sadiyah near Diyala Province and detained their primary target without incident. Intelligence reports indicate the detainee is linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq and the New Baath Party and is linked to kidnappings, murders and extortion in Diyala Province in order to exert pressure and influence on local sheiks. The suspect was reportedly involved in a vehicle borne improvised explosive device attack in the Zargoush village in As Sadiyah that killed 19 civilians. Reports indicate that he openly discredits the Government of Iraq and its efforts to bring stability in the region.

 

18 suspected terrorists detained near Baghdad mosque

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained 18 suspected terrorists during an operation Saturday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives near the Um al-Qura mosque in the Kadhimiyah neighborhood in Baghdad. In a pre-dawn operation based on credible intelligence, Iraqi and Coalition Forces arrived at the Um al-Qura mosque complex to capture a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be operating a terrorist media cell.  The Iraqi and Coalition Forces negotiated with gate guards, who allowed the ground forces access to the compound.  Some guards told Iraqi and Coalition Forces they thought the ground forces had arrived because of all the al-Qaeda members in the compound. Neither Iraqi nor Coalition Forces entered the mosque itself. The ground forces surrounded several outer buildings in the compound and secured them, capturing the targeted individual and 17 other suspected terrorists.  During the operation, Iraqi and Coalition Forces found extremist propaganda and media materials.

 

Coalition Forces detain 14

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 14 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in central and western Iraq Saturday. North of Taji, Coalition Forces captured a suspected terrorist and three of his associates believed to facilitate the movement of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. During coordinated raids north of Fallujah, Coalition Forces detained five individuals allegedly tied to a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq figure in the Ramadi area who has orchestrated suicide and conventional attacks. Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists northeast of Balad during a raid targeting operatives in a Samarra-area network facilitating the movement of foreigners who participate in terrorist attacks.

 

IA, CF Soldiers discover “several tons” of explosives outside Mosul

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Army soldiers from the 2nd Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division discovered several tons of explosives and propellant during a morning raid in an isolated area located on the western outskirts of Mosul July 19. The cache was found in three large containers and an abandoned bus hulk in a quarry that also contained improvised explosive device-making material. Iraqi and Coalition explosive ordnance disposal experts were called to the site but determined that it would be best reduced by using a Coalition air strike. Coalition aircraft destroyed all three containers, the bus, and their contents with no injury or damage to civilian structures.

 

 

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