Did MLB Umps Throw Game 6 Of The ALCS?

I usually don't get all salty because my team loses, but this is different. Just by seeing the differences in strike zones between the teams, you can tell something is not right.

Let's look at a comparison of the strike zones.

 

Figure A shows the strike zone when Boston pitches to Cleveland batters. Figure B shows the strike zone when Cleveland pitches to Boston batters. Figure A is a fairly normal strike zone. Figure B's strike zone is right in the middle of almost every batters' power spot. Cleveland pitchers could not get a called strike unless it was within figure B's border.

Cleveland pitchers could throw the ball in the same spot as a Boston pitcher and for some reason it wouldn't be called a strike, yet the Boston pitcher would get the strike.

 

So, did MLB umps throw the game? Yes. If anyone who watched the game doesn't agree, you're stupid.

The History Of The Holy Land Foundation Trial; Verdict Monday

The Investigative Project on Terrorism has the history the of the HLF trial, which includes CAIR as unindicted co-conspirators.

 

The HLF is accused of funneling money to terrorist organizations (HAMAS). The verdict will be read Monday 10/22/07

Good News From The War On Terror 10/18

Iraqi and Coalition Forces detain Provincial Official with terrorist ties

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces detained a Provincial Council member who is suspected of facilitating terrorist attacks during an intelligence-driven operation in Ad Diwaniyah Oct. 17.  The alleged terrorist, who has an active warrant for his arrest, is believed to routinely use his government position in order to support criminal terrorists in the local area.  The detainee is also believed to meet regularly with terrorist leaders and has been helping them obtain weapons and financial support to conduct vicious attacks against innocent civilians and Iraqi and Coalition Forces.  He has allegedly used his influence as a government official to release militants from jail and has additionally helped these terrorists obtain jobs in the Iraqi Police and Facilities Protection Service.  There was no damage to Iraqi government property and no Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during the operation.  Coalition Forces served as advisers during the operation.

 

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda network; 15 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured three wanted individuals and detained an additional 12 suspected terrorists Thursday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks throughout Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual southwest of Tarmiyah, who is believed to be a member of the terrorist network in the city responsible for the majority of car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks. Reports also indicate the network is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. In addition to the targeted individual, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists on site. Northwest of Tikrit, Coalition forces captured another wanted individual and detained three others for their alleged involvement in the movement of foreign terrorists. The targeted individual was also allegedly involved in facilitating false documentation and terrorist funds, and is believed to have ties to Syrian-based extremists attempting to communicate with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri.  During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition forces targeted and captured an individual reported to be involved in kidnapping operations and attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence reports indicate the individual has links to various Special Groups leaders operating throughout Baghdad. In addition to the targeted individual, Coalition forces detained two suspects.

 

72-year-old concerned citizen takes down suicide bomber

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A 72-year-old man stopped a suspected suicide bomber from detonating himself at a checkpoint in Arab Jabour Oct. 14. The man approached a checkpoint where Mudhehr Fayadh Baresh was standing guard, but did not make it very far. Baresh, a tribal commissioner and member of the Arab Jabour Concerned Citizens program, said he ordered the man to lift his shirt - using training received from Coalition Forces - when he did not recognize him as a local villager.  The suspect refused to lift his shirt.  Baresh repeated the command again, and the suspect exposed his suicide vest, running toward the checkpoint. Baresh opened fire which caused the vest to detonate, killing the suspect.

 

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces discover weapons cache during Operation ‘Bone Breaker’

BAQOUBA, Iraq - The 5th Iraqi Army Division and Coalition Forces conducted Operation Bone Breaker in southeast Baqouba, capturing one large weapons cache containing assorted weapons and ammunition, as well as two smaller caches containing home-made explosives Oct. 15. The larger weapons cache, found on a peninsula near the Diyala River known to local Iraqi citizens as “the Bone,” contained 20 propane tanks, 34 blasting caps, 500 feet of detonation cord, 21 assorted demolition charges, an 82mm mortar with equipment, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers with rockets and various small-arms ammunition. The mission was planned by 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th IA Division, and executed jointly with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment and 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.  Two smaller caches were also found which contained a total of 35 pounds of home-made explosives potentially used to build IEDs.    The operation involved more than 450 IA and CF soldiers, who conducted the operation with no casualties reported.

 

Spartans find EFP cache

KALSU, Iraq – Soldiers discovered a large explosively formed projectile cache in North Babil Oct. 17. Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, discovered more than 100 copper disks used to construct deadly EFPs east of Haswah during a follow-on mission to Operation Seven Mountains. During Operation Seven Mountains, the Soldiers captured a militant suspected of constructing and planting EFPs in North Babil Oct. 16. They also discovered EFPs, homemade explosives, and blocks of C4 hidden in a drainage ditch and canal. The two caches combined are one of the largest EFP caches discovered in North Babil in more than a year. EFPs are a particularly deadly type of roadside bomb used by Shia extremist groups.

 

Oct. 17 airpower summary: B-1B targets multiple enemies

Questionable Donations To Hillary Campaign; Just Add To The List

It appears that dishwashers and busboys can afford to fork over $1000's in campaign donations to Hillary. I make more than they do and can't afford to shell out $1000 or $2000 donations. I wonder if Norman Hsu is out on bail? There seems to be an awful lot of shady campaign donations happening to the Clinton campaign. Let's not forget the campaign finance felonies caught on tape.

Something remarkable happened at 44 Henry St., a grimy Chinatown tenement with peeling walls. It also happened nearby at a dimly lighted apartment building with trash bins clustered by the front door. And again not too far away, at 88 E. Broadway beneath the Manhattan bridge, where vendors chatter in Mandarin and Fujianese as they hawk rubber sandals and bargain-basement clothes. All three locations, along with scores of others scattered throughout some of the poorest Chinese neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, have been swept by an extraordinary impulse to shower money on one particular presidential candidate -- Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton. Dishwashers, waiters and others whose jobs and dilapidated home addresses seem to make them unpromising targets for political fundraisers are pouring $1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign treasury. In April, a single fundraiser in an area long known for its gritty urban poverty yielded a whopping $380,000. When Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) ran for president in 2004, he received $24,000 from Chinatown.

Good News From The War On Terror 10/16-17

Ten suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured four wanted individuals and detained six suspected terrorists Tuesday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and two suspects during an operation in southern Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the targeted individual was a key leader in the city’s car-bombing network and was attempting to re-establish its operations after significant degradation by Coalition forces. Coalition forces captured suspects Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 with ties to the Baghdad car-bombing network believed to be involved in the planning and execution of numerous attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces. In addition to the targeted individual, the ground force detained two suspects on site. South of Abu Ghurayb, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual reportedly tied to improvised explosive device attacks in the area. The targeted individual is believed to be an associate of a suspect captured yesterday who is allegedly responsible for distributing significant amounts of money to al-Qaeda in Iraq. During the course of operations, the suspect identified himself to the ground force and another three suspected terrorists were detained. In an operation southeast of Mahmudiyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an associate of the southern belt terrorist leader Abu Usama al-Tunisi, killed during a previous Coalition force operation Sept. 25 (SEE MNF-I RELEASE A070928c, "Coalition Forces kill likely successor to Abu Ayyub al-Masri," dated Sept. 28, 2007). Reports indicate the southern belt network is responsible for coordinating the movement of foreign terrorists and suicide bombers for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. Credible intelligence led the ground force to the targeted individual’s location and he was detained on site without incident. West of Baqubah, Coalition forces captured a wanted associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in the al-Hadid region, a known terrorist stronghold. In addition to the targeted individual, the ground force detained one suspected terrorist. Also, south of Samarra, supporting aircraft destroyed one building to prevent future use by terrorists. Intelligence reports indicate the area is a known safe haven for foreign terrorists and al-Qaeda in Iraq members. The building was empty when it was destroyed.

 

Paratroopers detain 12 insurgents

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Airborne Paratroopers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division detained 12 suspected insurgents during an air mobility raid east of Adwaniya Oct. 14. Six of the individuals are related to one of their top 10 most wanted. The Paratroopers, who are operationally attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted the mission as part of Operation Marne Torch II, a month-long mission designed to eliminate al-Qaeda leaders in the Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab areas.

 

Five wanted terrorists captured and 11 additional suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured four wanted individuals and detained an additional 11 suspected terrorists early Wednesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a foreign terrorist facilitator and two other suspected terrorists in Tikrit. The wanted suspect is reported to be linked to a primary agent involved in trafficking foreign terrorists and is believed to be an associate of many current and former leaders of the network. Intelligence also links this individual to the movement of weapons, originating from outside of the country, throughout the Tigris River Valley. After the ground force secured the objective, the three were detained without incident   In Ar Ramadi, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual along with four other suspected terrorists with connections to Syrian-based extremists. Intelligence indicates that the wanted suspect was connected to a senior terrorist named Muthanna, who was killed during operations Sept. 11 near Sinjar, in northwest Iraq. Muthanna was the Emir of the Iraq and Syrian border area and a key facilitator of the movement of foreign terrorists once they crossed into Iraq from Syria. Upon securing the target building, ground forces discovered possible improvised explosive device making material and several Iraqi police uniforms. In Baqubah, a wanted individual surrendered to Coalition forces without resistance as they quickly secured the target area. The suspect is reported to be a well known al-Qaeda weapons facilitator and terrorist cell leader. He has been linked to several previous Coalition objectives and has ties to several associates within the network. Two other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. Another wanted individual was captured during an operation in Mosul targeting associates of a senior terrorist network leader. Intelligence indicates that the targeted suspect is connected to the leader of the northern terrorist group and individuals with access to the senior leadership of al-Qaeda. In addition to the targeted suspect, three other suspected terrorists were detained in the operation without incident. In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be the newly appointed leader of a local al-Qaeda cell operating in the southern part of the city. The city’s car-bombing network has been attempting to re-establish operations after significant degradation by Coalition forces in recent weeks including the Oct. 16 capture of the wanted individual and two additional suspects during an operation in southern Baghdad.

 

Iraqi Special Operations Forces, USSF detain extremist brigade commander

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained an extremist brigade commander in an early morning raid Oct. 16 in the al Hurriyah area. The targeted commander is allegedly the main financier and weapons supplier in the al Shula area, near Baghdad. His 300-member cell is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition Forces and the Iraqi Army. Additionally, approximately 12-million Iraqi Dinar, close to $10,000, was confiscated at the target house during the raid. No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during the operation.

 

Coalition forces detain five suspected militants in Paktika Province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces detained several suspected militants in Paktika Province today in an operation to disrupt extremist activities in the region. Credible intelligence sources led Coalition forces to compounds in the Orgun District where suspected militants were indicated to be hiding. Upon reaching the compounds, Coalition forces conducted a search of the buildings in the area. After a thorough search of the compounds, Coalition forces also found several weapons, ammunition and explosive materials.  The explosives were destroyed to prevent them from being used by militant forces. The individuals will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.

 

Oct. 15 airpower summary: F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy positions

 

Oct. 16 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift support

Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto Receives Rude Welcome

In the form of two explosions occurring along a motorcade carrying former Pakistani PM Bhutto. Former PM Bhutto was not hurt, but several people along and in the motorcade were.

Two blasts wounded several supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto as she made a triumphant procession through Karachi hours after returning home from eight years in self-imposed exile, police said on Friday. Television channels said Bhutto was safe and had disembarked a truck that had been transporting her through roads thronged by hundreds of thousands of people on her way to a homecoming rally near the tomb of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Militants linked to al Qaeda, angered by Bhutto's support for the United States war on terrorism, had threatened to assassinate her.

 

Previous PM Bhutto news.

Benazir Bhutto made a dramatic return to Pakistan on Thursday, ending eight years of exile to reclaim a share of power with the country's U.S.-backed military leader. More than 150,000 jubilant supporters gathered to greet her amid massive security. Bhutto, who is expected to seek the premiership for an unprecedented third time and partner in ruling Pakistan with U.S.-backed President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, was in tears as she descended the steps of a commercial flight that brought her from Dubai to Karachi, where jubilant crowds of flag-waving, drum-thumping supporters waited to give her a rousing welcome. "I counted the hours, I counted the minutes and the seconds, just to see this land, to see the grass, to see the sky. I feel so emotionally overwhelmed," Bhutto, who wore a white headscarf and clutched prayer beads in her right hand, told The Associated Press. "And I hope that I can live up to the great expectations which people here have," she said. She said she was fighting for democracy and to help this nuclear-armed country of 160 million people defeat the extremism that gave it the reputation as a hotbed of international terrorism.

 

***UPDATE 10/19/07 1:05AM***

Reports are that about 126 people were killed in the blasts.

A suicide bombing in a crowd welcoming former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto killed up to 126 people Thursday night, shattering her celebratory procession through Pakistan's biggest city after eight years in exile. Two explosions—a grenade followed by a suicide blast—struck near a truck carrying Bhutto, but police and officials of her party said she was not injured and was hurried to her house. An Associated Press photo showed a dazed-looking Bhutto being helped away. Officials at six hospitals reported 126 dead and 248 wounded. Police chief Azhar Farooqi put the death toll at 113, including 20 police, with 300 people wounded. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the differences. But it was believed to be the deadliest bomb attack in Pakistan's history.

Only 1 Day Left To Bid On The Rush Limbaugh Smear Letter *CLOSED*

It's the original letter signed by Senate Democrats to Clear Channel's CEO. It even comes with a Halliburton briefcase!

 

 ***UPDATE 10/19/07 1:00AM***

I think it's become obvious that many, if not most of the bids are fake. Who is really going to spend $2+ million on a letter? Some of the bidders continued bidding even though their bid was the highest.

 

Check out the bid history.

 

***UPDATE 10/19/07 11:55PM***

According to the comments at ABC News' The Blotter, they originally had incorrect information about auction. They then changed the post and never stated that the story was updated.

"ABC please have the integrity to note that you have changed the post. The original post was incorrect giving the democrats credit for putting the letter on ebay. It is now correct. This has caused some confusion in the posts. I agree that there are still significant facts omitted. Without such notification, it is not much wonder that the media is not trusted."

If you don't think the MSM is a Democrat lapdog, check out this brilliant piece of reporting.

The bidding ends at 1:00p.m. No mater what, Democrats are going to make a ton of money for a charity off their political vitriol.

All the Democrats did was act like a bunch of jackasses. Their attempts at stifling free-speech is similar to an iron-fisted communist government, which is their dream.

 

Then you have Harry "The War Is Lost" Reid trying to claim responsibility for the auction.

"But without qualification Mark May, the owner of the network that has Rush Limbaugh, and Rush Limbaugh should know that this letter that they're auctioning is going to be something that raises money for a worthwhile cause. I don't know what we could do more important than helping to ensure that children of our fallen soldiers and police officers who have fallen in the line of duty have the opportunity for their children to have a good education,"

The Democrats have been embarrassed by Rush Limbaugh and are trying their hardest to lie and manipulate this to portray them in a positive light.

Good News From The War On Terror 10/15

Three terrorists killed, 20 detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 20 suspects during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq networks Saturday and Sunday in central and northern parts of the country. Coalition forces killed three terrorists Saturday while conducting an operation to deny sanctuary to al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign terrorists Southwest of Samarra.  During the course of operations, Coalition forces observed an individual, who emerged from the target area, get into a nearby boat and meet up with another boat carrying several individuals.  Coalition forces further observed the group beginning to transfer equipment and weapons.  Perceiving hostile intent, supporting aircraft engaged, killing three terrorists.  The ground force discovered a cache of weapons on site. South of Samarra Sunday, Coalition forces captured an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network believed to be responsible for trafficking funds to senior terrorist leaders.  Reports indicate the individual has made numerous recent attempts to communicate with the terrorist leaders.  In addition to the targeted individual, five suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.  Coalition forces also conducted an operation in Ramadi targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network reportedly involved in foreign terrorist facilitation. Three suspects were detained on site without incident.  In other operations, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and seven other suspected terrorists south of Tarmiyah.  The targeted individual is reportedly a close associate of the leader of a terrorist network operating in the region.  Intelligence reports led the ground force to the target area where the individual identified himself.  Farther north in Tikrit, Coalition forces detained three suspects while targeting an associate of a senior leader of an al-Qaeda network operating outside of Iraq who is attempting to reside in Mosul.

 

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda in Iraq; 10 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations throughout central and northern Iraq early Monday. During an operation south of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to have ties to foreign terrorist senior leaders.  Intelligence reports indicate the individual used his mosque to provide shelter for foreign terrorists and to operate an illegal court system. Coalition forces captured another wanted individual and detained three suspects during an operation south of Ad Dawr.  The wanted individual reportedly has a long history of involvement in the foreign terrorist network and was involved in their movements throughout northern Iraq.  Reports also indicate that he was responsible for facilitating the movement of money from the capital city through the Tigris River Valley.  During the course of operations, one Iraqi civilian was wounded, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility. South of Abu Ghurayb, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be responsible for distributing significant amounts of money to al-Qaeda in Iraq, as well as facilitating the movement of weapons.  Recent intelligence led Coalition forces to the target area, where the targeted individual and one additional suspect were detained without incident.  Also, Coalition forces conducted an operation south of Tarmiyah to isolate al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership.  The ground force detained three suspects while targeting an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader responsible for operations in the Tarmiyah portion of the northern belt.

 

Marne Torch II sweeps weapons caches

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Multiple caches containing weapons, intelligence materials, propaganda literature and improvised explosive device-making materials were discovered during Coalition Force operations in western Hawr Rajab Oct. 14. Paratroopers of Squadron C, 1st Battalion, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, discovered the materials in six separate structures cleared during the raid. Weapons confiscated included: one suicide vest comprised of steel pellets and homemade explosives, a helicopter missile tube, 12 AK-47 magazines (one of which was loaded), one grenade and grenade fuse assembly, one mortar cheese charge, 145 DSHK .50 caliber heavy machine gun rounds, four MP-5 magazines; approximately 150 9mm rounds; five 7.62 long magazines; 253 25mm rounds, a complete 25mm anti-aircraft gun and additional barrel pieces, 54 red-tipped .50 caliber tracer rounds, 11 23mm barrels and six 23mm receivers, four bags of powder that could be potential HME and a box containing miscellaneous explosives. Other contraband confiscated included: three walkie-talkies, miscellaneous anti-Coalition propaganda, a weapons rack, freezer, six propane tanks, maps, a disabled motorcycle, eight license plates, a machine gun stand, 100 feet of command wire, one spool of wire, one bag of 9V connectors and a Canadian AN/PVS-7 B night-vision goggle set. The contents of all the caches were safely eliminated in a controlled detonation by an explosive ordnance disposal team. The Paratroopers, who are operationally attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div., conducted the mission as part of Operation Marne Torch II, a month-long mission designed to eliminate al-Qaeda leaders within the Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab areas.

 

Morning Baghdad raid captures a top target

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, acting off intelligence reports, detained four suspected criminals in an early morning raid Oct. 15. Based off the intelligence, Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., positively identified and captured one of the top five extremists being pursued by Multi-National Division – Baghdad, allegedly responsible for a rocket attack on Victory Base Camp last week. Also detained were three known associates. In the course of this operation, these criminal elements sought to evade capture by hiding in the Ministry of Agriculture compound in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad, and as a result, CF were compelled to enter the Ministry to detain them.

 

Oct. 14 airpower summary: C-130s help sustain operations

Q&A With Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter

The toughest challenge Duncan Hunter has is name recognition. He's not a governor or senator, so he's not well-known nationally. He's the most Conservative guy running with a 92% rating from the American Conservative Union. I cannot figure out why Conservatives would vote for any other Republican candidate. For a little more info on Duncan Hunter, here's a recent Q&A.

Question: You have been doing well in several states' straw polls, but not registering highly in the national polls. What is the disconnect? Answer: In Texas, there were 1,300 delegates, who had either been to the national convention or the state convention, and I beat the nearest guy, Fred Thompson, by better than 2-to-1. Now the Iowa straw poll, where you had to pay $35 a vote, I announced early on I wasn't going to pay a dime for anybody's vote. If you wanted to vote for me, you'd have to pay it out of your own pocket. We weren't even contenders in that. Romney won that straw poll big. I did win the Arizona straw poll in Maricopa County. The difference is I've started from a congressional seat in California without huge national name ID. This contest in running for the presidency is largely a function of name identification, at least early on. In straw polls, where you can speak to the delegates, you can acquaint them with your positions. We get a great result when people know what we stand for. It's going to be a lot of hard work to get out there and let 200 million people know your positions and what you stand for. Q: Fellow Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo recently said if he doesn't finish in the top three in at least one of the early primaries, he will drop out of the race. Do you have any such benchmarks on your own candidacy? A: No. I haven't put any timetable in place. I'm going to go hard and give it 110 percent, and I don't contemplate losing. I think you have to do that. I'm not sticking around in my (congressional) seat. I'm not going to keep my foot on the lily pad. Some of the other guys are still going to run for their congressional offices, so at some point they need to get back into the swing of things. I thought that would make me look tentative, like I didn't really believe I had a chance of winning if I kept my hand in for the congressional seat as well. Q: Why do you think you will appeal to voters in Northern Nevada? A: I think we've got a lot of common ground with the folks in Nevada. I believe in a strong national defense. You've got a ton of veterans in Nevada. I served in the 173rd Airborne in 75th Army Rangers in Vietnam. My son is in the Marine Corps now and on his third tour. I've been chairman of the armed services committee, and I think I have lot of common ground with veterans, and you've got a lot of veterans here. People in Nevada are very concerned about illegal immigration, and I'm the only guy running, Democrat or Republican, who has actually built a border fence. I built that double fence in San Diego, and it reduced the smuggling of people and drugs in our sector more than 90 percent and I wrote the law that takes it 854 miles across Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. That's the law the president signed last October. They've only built a few miles of double border fence that's in my law. One of my pledges is that as president, I will complete the entire 854 miles of the border fence in six months. Q: What do you do with the illegal immigrants that are already here? A: I think you have to ask them to go home. I think if you don't enforce the law, you basically give them amnesty. You're going to end up with a third wave of 10 or 12 or 20 million people feeling that they will get amnesty if they come across. At some point you have to say you really mean it. We need to enforce the law. Once you have a border that is sealed, you can focus on internal enforcement. Right now, we're like a boat with a big hole in it, and we're bailing water furiously. You have to plug the hole in the boat. When you have a situation where people can be deported at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and be back by 6 o'clock, then you're using all your energy and all your personnel to simply operate what is effectively a revolving door. So, you have to close the border. Q: Do you support what the Bush administration is doing in Iraq and would you do anything diffidently? A: My recommendation as president is to ensure that of the 131 Iraqi battalions that are now trained and equipped, all 131 of them have at least two or three months operational experience in combat. When they're battle hardened, they can start to rotate into the battlefield and displace American heavy forces, Marines and Army, and our guys can come home or go to other places in central command. I think we'll leave Iraq in victory. I think that government will hold.

Good News From The War On Terror 10/14

UPDATE:  Coalition forces positively identify terrorist killed in recent operation

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The terrorist killed in Mosul yesterday has been positively identified as Abu Duha.  During operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq, Coalition forces targeted Duha as an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader responsible for terrorist security within Mosul. Intelligence reports also indicated he was involved in the facilitation of kidnapping operations, to include transporting victims to an illegal terrorist detention facility. During the raid, Duha fired a pistol at the ground force as they entered the target building. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing the armed terrorist. Along with kidnapping, Duha and his associates were reportedly involved in weapons facilitation and coordinating attacks against Iraqi security and Coalition forces. Duha is also known to have numerous terrorist associates, including a key leader with ties to Syrian-based terrorists and the inner circle of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leadership. This individual reportedly received orders directly from Abu Ayyub al Masri, the head of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

 

EFPs, weapons caches discovered in eastern Baghdad

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division discovered two explosively formed penetrators and recovered two weapons caches in the Karada District in eastern Baghdad Oct. 13. In addition to the EFPs, Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, based out of Fort Carson, Colo., found 17 mortars, four rockets, three rocket-propelled grenade warheads, one AK-47, one machine gun, and four Iraqi Army uniforms at the two sites. An explosive ordnance disposal detachment destroyed the EFPs in a controlled detonation.

 

Iraqi Army, USSOF detain five suspected AQI near Taji

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, detained five suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists directly involved in the Abu Ghazwan terrorist network Oct. 12 and 13 near Taji. Iraqi Army Scouts detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq Emir associated with several high-level AQI Emirs operating in the Karmah-Tarmiyah-Samarrah triangle Oct. 13. The targeted terrorist is considered a close associate in the Abu Ghazwan terrorist network and is suspected of being in charge of assassinations, kidnappings and torture activities for the network. In an earlier operation Oct. 12, Iraqi Army Reconnaissance Soldiers detained an AQI leader and one of his close associates suspected of vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and IED attacks against Coalition patrols in the Taji area. Two other alleged AQI members were also detained during these operations.

 

Oct. 13 airpower summary: What air force is averaging 180 OIF sorties per week?

Fred Thompson Called Me Yesterday

 

I missed the call, I wasn't home. They wouldn't want me to answer the phone anyway. I would have quite a bit to say about Spencer Abraham being on his campaign staff.

Putin Issues Warnings To U.S. Allies

It's possible that he still thinks Russia is a world power. Someone should inform him that very few countries are concerned about Russia's threats. The fact that they align themselves with state-sponsors of terrorism doesn't do much to help the cause. Issuing warnings to former soviet bloc countries doesn't help either.

Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday warned against military action against Iran and backed its right to nuclear energy, during the first visit to the country by a Kremlin chief since World War II. Putin, attending a summit meeting of Caspian Sea states, arrived in the Iranian capital amid heavy security and secrecy over his travel plans after reports a squad of suicide bombers planned to kill him. His visit is of major significance for the Islamic republic at a time of mounting tensions with the West over its atomic drive. Putin met President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and was also to see supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "It is important... that we not only do not use any kind of force but also do not even think about the possibility of using force," Putin told the four other Caspian Sea leaders gathered for the summit. "It is also important that we talk about the impossibility of using our territory for other countries to carry out aggression or military action against other Caspian littoral states."

Oh, And It Only Took The Indians 'Til The 11th Inning To Win It.

My bed was screaming my name and I was begging the Indians to please win it in the 10th. I ignored the bed and the Indians ignored me. It wasn't until the 11th inning that the Indians embarrassed the Red Sox.

In a game that featured one of the best postseason starters in history and a leading Cy Young candidate, it was two of the most accomplished bullpens in baseball that played the biggest role in Game Two of the American League Championship Series. And the Cleveland Indians came out the biggest winners. Facing the trio of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell, Tom Mastny came up big, retiring the side in order in the bottom of the 10th. Mastny's efforts were rewarded one inning later as Cleveland battered Eric Gagne, Javier Lopez and Jon Lester for seven runs, helping the Indians to a 13-6 win in 11 innings at Fenway Park and a tie in best-of-seven series.

Buckeyes #1 In National Polls

I love the Buckeye's, but I have to be honest though, I'm not sure they are the best team in the country. Until they start playing some tougher teams, my doubts will continue.

BCS STANDINGS Team BCS Avg. 1. Ohio State 0.9416 2. South Florida 0.9200 3. Boston College 0.8906 4. LSU 0.8400 5. Oklahoma 0.7623

Good News From The War On Terror 10/12-13

Concerned Citizens discover cache

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A group of Concerned Citizens discovered a weapons cache and reported the find to U.S. Soldiers in Arab Jabour Oct. 10. The cache consisted of six 60mm mortars, four mortar fuses, 100 feet of detonation cord, 20 Chinese-made charges and four unknown charge caps. Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting security operations when the Concerned Citizens approached them. The cache was transported back to Patrol Base Murray for further investigation and was safely disposed of in a controlled detonation.

 

Six IED emplacers killed, planned attack disrupted

MOSUL, Iraq – Coalition Force helicopters killed six enemy fighters attempting to plant an improvised explosive device Oct. 8 near a major road in east Mosul. Helicopters from the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment, stopped nine enemy fighters attempting to emplace a roadside bomb in the al-Sinaa neighborhood of east Mosul. Helicopters fired a Hellfire missile, killing two and forcing the others to flee. Three additional individuals were attempting to escape to the west when they were engaged with 21 rockets and 40 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, killing all of them. Two more enemy fighters from the original group were discovered hiding in a nearby creek bed.  The aircraft engaged them with an additional Hellfire missile, killing one. A ground force from E Co., 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment was called to conduct a sweep of the area and find the IED that was being emplaced.  They found a propane tank IED with an initiator in the middle of the road, as well as a 9mm pistol and a sledgehammer.  One enemy fighter was found wounded in critical condition and died en route to a combat support hospital, despite first aid administered at the scene by Coaltion Forces. Coalition explosive ordnance disposal specialists destroyed the IED where it was found.

 

Airborne Paratroopers capture #2 High Value Individual

KALSU, Iraq – Information provided by concerned citizens in Haswah led to the capture of 12 terrorists, including the second most wanted man in North Babil, Oct. 12. Acting on the tip, Iraqi policemen and Paratroopers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division cornered the suspected high -value individual inside a mosque. The 4th BCT’s second most wanted individual is responsible for attacks against Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces and local residents.  After receiving approval, the Iraqi policemen entered the mosque and detained the men. Two AK-47 machine guns, two grenades and two ammunition vests were also found inside the mosque. The suspected extremists are being held for further questioning. The weapons were confiscated for use in the investigation.

 

Surge brigades coordinate, net high-value individual

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Working together to deny sanctuary to insurgents, two surge brigades cooperated to catch the 3rd Infantry Division’s No. 4 most-wanted terrorist in Baghdad Oct. 11. The No. 4 high-value individual frequently operated near the village of Nahrwan, in the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div.’s area of operation. The individual fled Narhwan after the 3rd HBCT began operations to detain him. Company C, 2-325th Airborne Inf. Regt., 82nd Airborne Division, from Fort Bragg, N.C., part of Multi-National Division-Baghdad, apprehended the 3rd Inf. Div.’s No. 4 during a raid. Upon verifying the identity of the HVI, he was turned over to elements of the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div., for processing and detention.

 

Coalition forces disrupt terrorist operations; one killed, 17 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 17 suspects during operations early Saturday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq in the central and northern parts of the country. During an operation in Mosul, Coalition forces targeted an individual believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader responsible for terrorist security in the city. Intelligence reports also indicate the individual was allegedly involved in the facilitating of kidnapping operations, to include transporting the victims to an illegal terrorist detention facility. As Coalition forces entered the target building, the wanted individual fired a pistol at the ground force. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing the armed terrorist. East of Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and one suspect during an operation targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in the Ad Dora area. The wanted individual is believed to have information regarding the car-bombing network operating in and around the city. In an operation near Habbaniyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual alleged to have ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and information regarding their communications. Four additional suspects were detained on site without incident. Intelligence gained from previous operations led the ground force south of Baqubah to the location of a terrorist reportedly responsible for attacks against Coalition forces. Four suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. During an operation in Bayji, Coalition forces detained two suspects while targeting an alleged associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitation network. The targeted individual is also believed to have ties to Syrian based al-Qaeda members.  Four suspected terrorists were detained during an operation in Kirkuk targeting an associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq believed to be involved in weapons facilitation and a suicide-bombing network operating in the city. The targeted individual is also believed to have knowledge of foreign terrorist facilitators in the region.

 

Oct. 11 airpower summary: C-17s provide 'best option' for force resupply

 

Oct. 12 airpower summary: F-15Es target enemy positions