Good News From The War On Terror 12/14

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; three terrorists killed, 12 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 12 suspects during operations Friday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq. Coalition forces conducted coordinated operations east of Samarra targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the Salah ad Din province. During the operation, one terrorist was killed and three suspects were wounded. The wounded men were detained, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility. Nearby, the ground force engaged and killed two individuals who were armed with machine guns and wearing suicide vests. In addition to the three wounded individuals, the ground force detained five suspected terrorists in the target areas. Coalition forces found an anti-aircraft weapon, ammunition, grenades, and multiple improvised explosive devices surrounding the target buildings. Supporting aircraft were called to safely destroy the threats, including the two suicide vests, demolishing two buildings and a vehicle that was allegedly used for transporting weapons. North of Jalula, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in facilitating materials for use in al-Qaeda in Iraq attacks against Coalition forces. Reports also indicate the wanted individual is closely associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader detained by Coalition forces during an operation Nov. 21, who was also wanted for his involvement in terrorist attacks.  During the operation, the ground force observed two armed men in a ditch, and repeatedly directed the individuals to come out. One of the men started to maneuver and was instructed to stop, but instead started moving toward the ground forces’ position. Coalition forces again directed the individual to stop, but he did not comply. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged the man, wounding him. The individual then surrendered, was subsequently detained and transported to a medical facility. The second man surrendered to the ground force and identified himself as the wanted individual. Both men were armed with machine guns and grenades. In addition to the wanted and wounded individuals, the ground force detained two other suspected terrorists armed with machine guns, military-style vests and grenades.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces detain 27 suspected al-Qaeda in North Babil

NORTH BABIL, Iraq – A joint raid Dec. 7 resulted in the detention of 27 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists in a building in north Babil that was suspected to be an al-Qaeda safehouse where members planned attacks against local citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces. The raid was conducted by the Iraqi Army and Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Intelligence indicated that the al-Qaeda members operating out of the building included high-value individuals. The raid was conducted by an air assault. As the Soldiers moved from the helicopter, they received direct small-arms fire from the direction of the building. Coalition Forces returned fire and eventually captured the suspects, including one suspect who attempted to flee and hide in a ditch before being captured. That individual turned out to be one of the high-value targets.

 

 Dec. 13 airpower summary:

Al-Qaeda #2 gAyman Al-Zawahiri Whines About Annapolis Meeting

We get to hear more al-Qaeda propaganda begging followers to rise up. I'm guessing the rash of al-Qaeda video/audio is a response to their feeling of inadequacy. They do not control the governments of any Arab country or most of Arab people. The Arab people have seen and heard what al-Qaeda in Iraq has done to Iraqi people and are turning away.

Al-Qaida's deputy leader denounced last month's Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Md., as a "betrayal" of Palestinians in a new audio message posted Friday on an Islamic militant Web site, It was the first reaction by the terrorist network to the Mideast conference, sponsored by President Bush and attended by key Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Syria and Egypt, as well as Palestinian and Israeli leaders. The conference relaunched Palestinian-Israeli peace talks after a seven year hiatus — a key breakthrough in the region's core conflict. "The Annapolis meeting was held to turn Palestine into a Jewish state," the voice, purported to be that of Ayman al-Zawahri, said the 20-minute posting that carried a still photo of the white-turbaned militant against a backdrop of a photograph from the conference. "The czar of Washington invited 16 Arab countries ... to sit in one room, at one table with the Israelis," al-Zawahri said, adding that the conference "witnessed the betrayal deals to sell Palestine." [...] Al-Zawahri mainly addressed Arabs, urging them to condemn the Annapolis conference and label Mahmoud Abbas as "the traitor," adding that the Palestinian "brother-president sold you out in Annapolis and in its aftermath." It's time now, he said, for the Muslims to "extent hands to other jihad brothers"_ a likely reference to militants beyond the Middle East. "My brothers in Palestine, we, all Muslims, the Mujahedeen are by your side, in your confrontation with the Zionist enemy," al-Zawahri said. "We will not let you down even if your politicians do." [...] "I am addressing the Muslim nation in Egypt in particular: where is your role in confronting aggression on Islam and Muslims?" al-Zawahri said. "Stand up and ... be aware of the poisons of weakness and submission which the traitor regime is trying to inject into you through the tongues of the revisionists." He called on Egyptian soldiers and also Bedouin tribes in Egypt's Sinai peninsula to rise against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

Good News From The War On Terror 12/13

17 suspected extremists captured in eastern Baghdad

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division captured 17 suspected extremists during operations Dec. 11 in the New Baghdad district of the Iraqi capital. All 17 suspects are being held for further questioning. The operation, carried out by Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, was part of the continuous effort by Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces to sweep out extremist strongholds.

 

CLCs provide vital information on insurgents, weapons

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Using information provided by Concerned Local Citizens, Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment, killed two insurgents, seized a weapons cache and destroyed an enemy stronghold during a nighttime air assault in Al Bawi, a small village outside of Salman Pak, Dec. 11. The cache contained mortars, grenades, improvised weapon making materials and an unknown explosive compound. Insurgents had been using the farmhouse of a displaced family to stage attacks on Coalition Forces and rival insurgent factions. At the direction of the Company B commander, Capt. Rich Thompson, from West Palm Beach, Fla., Soldiers from Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, fired three 210mm rockets from an M270 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System to destroy the building with the cache inside. The 2-4th FA is out of Fort Sill, Okla.

 

Iranian rockets found, turned over to Coalition Forces

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – A cache of Iranian-manufactured rockets was turned over to Coalition Forces based at FOB Delta Dec. 4. Iraqi Civil Defense Corps personnel delivered 14 107 mm Iranian rockets and fuses to Kazakhstani Soldiers, said 1st Lt. Almaz Mukashev, the Kazakhstani liaison officer. The rockets were manufactured in 2006. ICDC personnel have turned over munitions to Coalition Forces before, but this was the first time Iranian weapons were turned over from the force to Coalition Forces, said Col. Peter Baker, the 214th Fires Brigade commander. The Kazakhstani unit gave the munitions to Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three Battalion for analysis.

1 Acquitted, 6 To Be Re-tried In Sears Tower Terror Plot

I would like to know why the Justice Dept cannot adequately prosecute terrorism cases. This isn't the first time, and unfortunately, it probably won't be the last time.

One of seven men accused of conspiring to blow up Chicago's Sears Tower was acquitted Thursday, and a federal jury in Miami failed to reach a verdict on six others arrested in the alleged terror plot. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that the six whose cases ended in mistrials would be retried starting on January 7. Lyglenson Lemorin, who also goes by the name Brother Levi, was acquitted in the "Liberty City 7" trial, U.S. District Judge Joan Leonard's office told CNN. The men were arrested in June 2006 and charged with a homegrown terror plot that officials said may have targeted not only the 110-story Chicago tower -- the tallest building in North America -- but also the FBI's Miami offices and other sites. At the time, sources told CNN that the suspects were dealing with a man they believed was an al Qaeda operative but who was actually a government informant. Senior federal sources told CNN that the men were "not related to al Qaeda" but "possibly" were al Qaeda wannabes. Five of the seven men were Americans, one was an illegal alien from Haiti whose visa had expired, and the seventh was a resident alien, federal sources said. The group's supporters and the news media adopted the "Liberty City 7" name because authorities said the men operated out of a warehouse in Miami's Liberty City area.

Marines Allow Adoption Of Dog To Fallen Handlers' Family

It's only the right thing to do.

Marine Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee and his German shepherd, Lex, scoured Iraq for roadside bombs together, slept next to each other and even posed in Santa hats for a holiday photo. When a mortar attack killed the 20-year-old Marine in Falluja a few months later, Lex, whimpering from his own injuries, had to be pulled away, Lee's father was told. That strong bond compelled the slain Marine's family to adopt 8-year-old Lex even though the military said he still had two years of service.

Roger Clemens, Andy Petite, Named In MLB Steroid Probe

Baseball, as we know it, is about to change at 2pm today. The Mitchell report is being released. The Mitchell report is the 20 month investigation by former senator George Mitchell attempting to uncover steroid abuse by Major League Baseball players. Sources are saying that NY Yankees pitchers Andy Petite and future hall of famer Roger Clemens* is included in this report. I really hope no Cleveland Indians players are included. I will be extremely disappointed.

Judgment day arrived for baseball's steroids era, with the Mitchell report set to be released and posted on the Internet for all to see. The first name to emerge Thursday was seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. ESPN.com reported that Brian McNamee, a former trainer for the Yankees and Clemens, said information he gave Mitchell on supplying the pitcher with steroids is in the report. The Web site, citing an unidentified source close to the trainer, said McNamee told investigators he supplied Clemens with steroids. Randy Hendricks, Clemens' agent, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Mitchell's report exposes a "serious drug culture within baseball, from top to bottom," fingers MVPs and All-Stars and calls for beefed-up testing by an outside agency to clean up the game, The Associated Press learned. The report by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell will include names of 60 to 80 players linked to performance-enhancing substances and plenty more information that exposes "deep problems" afflicting the sport, one of two sources with knowledge of the findings told the AP. Both sources said the report would not address amphetamines. The two sources were familiar with discussions that led to the final draft but did not want to be identified because it was confidential until its scheduled release. They said the full report, which they had not read, totaled 304 pages plus exhibits.

 

***UPDATE 12/13/07 2:05PM***

The Mitchell Report has been released. (.PDF file) It's 300+ pages and I don't have time to read all of it now, but I will list the few that I come across while skimming the report.

The bigger names included in the report:

Roger Clemens	Andy Petite	Barry Bonds	Mark McGwire
Miguel Tejada	Gary Sheffield	Paul LoDuca	Kevin Young
Mike Lansing	Jason Christiansen	Mike Stanton	Fernando Vina
Kevin Brown	Eric Gagne	Lenny Dykstra	David Segui
Brian Roberts	Todd Hundley	Mark Carreon	Rondell White
Chuck Knoblauch	Jason Grimsley	Greg Zaun	David Justice
Mo Vaughn	Denny Neagle	Ron Villone

 

Others mentioned:

Hal Morris	Matt Franco	Todd Williams	Phil Hiatt
Todd Pratt	Cody McKay	Kent Mercker	Adam Piatt
Stephen Randolph	Jerry Hairston	Adam Riggs	Bart Miadich
Mike Bell	Matt Herges	Gary Bennett	Jim Parque
Brenden Donnelly	Chad Allen	Jeff Allen	Howie Clark
Exavier Logan	Larry Bigbie	Jack Cust	Tim Laker
Josias Manzanillo	F.P. Santangelo	Glenallen Hill	Ryan Franklin

Chris Donnels

 

A complete list can be found here.

 

***UPDATE 12/14/07 1:30AM***

The new logo for Major League Baseball

Good News From The War On Terror 12/12

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; 14 terrorists killed, 12 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 14 terrorists and detained 12 suspects during operations Tuesday and Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq. During an operation northwest of Muqdadiyah, Coalition forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader allegedly responsible for a large terrorist group operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. Intelligence reports indicate the individuals executed a man earlier in the day and were later observed in the target area. Upon arrival, Coalition forces received enemy fire from the target building. Responding in self-defense, the ground force returned fire, killing two terrorists. Coalition forces then observed several men maneuver away from the target area into nearby palm groves and underneath a foot bridge. The ground force called supporting aircraft to engage the enemy threat, killing another 12 terrorists. The ground force also encountered multiple explosions as they attempted to clear the target buildings. The buildings were assessed to be rigged with explosives and a supporting aircraft was called to destroy them. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual in Baghdad believed to be involved in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the city. The wanted individual is allegedly involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda operations, and is a close associate of suspects recently detained by Coalition forces Dec. 9 and 10. During the operation, another individual was wounded as the ground force entered a building. The man was subsequently detained, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility. Two additional suspects were detained and the ground force discovered various media equipment and a small weapons cache during the course of operations. In Tikrit, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists to include a wanted individual believed to be involved in facilitating funds for al-Qaeda operations. Reports indicate the wanted individual not only operates in Tikrit, but also in western Baghdad, and in and around Fallujah. The suspect is also allegedly associated with foreign terrorist facilitation networks and al-Qaeda leaders operating in the Tigris River Valley. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and three additional suspected terrorists during two operations south of Yusufiyah Tuesday and Wednesday targeting associates of the terrorist network operating in southern Baghdad. The wanted individual is reportedly a leader involved in the Karkh terrorist network, which is operating in a degraded state. Over the last month, Coalition forces have captured five other wanted individuals tied to the network, who were reportedly involved in attacks against Coalition forces and trying to re-establish the car-bombing operations in the city. During the operation, the ground force also discovered a cache of weapons, which was safely destroyed on site.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leader

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell leader who is believed to command more than 300 terrorists during a raid near Karmah Dec. 11. The suspected terrorist leader is reported to be responsible for numerous IED and mortar attacks that have killed and wounded several Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The suspect is also believed to be responsible for the kidnapping and killing of three Iraqi National Guard Soldiers.

 

Coalition Forces kill AQI operative

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A member of al-Qaeda in Iraq was killed by Coalition Forces Dec. 10 during a firefight near Adwaniyah, Iraq. Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, currently attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div. from Fort Stewart, Ga., were conducting a foot patrol when an attack occurred. A Soldier was wounded when he stepped on a command wire improvised explosive device consisting of two 60 mm mortars. The Soldiers were then engaged with small arms fire. While engaged in the firefight a Soldier spotted the IED emplacer leaving the scene in a white pickup truck. Kiowa helicopters from the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Inf. Div. were called in and engaged the truck with one Hellfire missile. After engaging the enemy truck, the Kiowa helicopter team confirmed the truck was destroyed and the driver was killed.

 

Iraqi Army Soldiers clear caches, detain extremists

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, detained 15 suspected extremists in two separate incidents in Hawr Rajab, Iraq, Dec. 9. During the first incident, Soldiers investigating an improvised explosive device were attacked by small-arms fire. The extremists broke contact and were pursued by the Soldiers. While in pursuit, the IA discovered a second IED consisting of a 122 mm mortar with a cell phone initiator. The IA detained four local residents they believed were involved in the shooting. Both IEDs were cleared by the IA and the suspects were taken in for questioning at Forward Operating Base Falcon. Eleven other suspects were detained by another group of Soldiers with the 5/4/6 IA. The Soldiers, who were conducting a patrol with U.S. Soldiers of the 645th Military Transition Team, detained the residents after discovering a cache consisting of two sniper rifles and a scope. The detainees were taken in for questioning at FOB Kalsu.

 

Dec. 9 airpower summary:

 

Dec. 10 airpower summary:

 

Dec. 11 airpower summary:

North Korea Arming Hezbollah?

The findings are the result of the Congressional Research Service and the Paris Intelligence Online. This is definitely a curveball to speculators. I can imagine almost everyone assumed that Iran and possibly other Middle-Eastern countries were supplying Hezbollah. North Korea probably didn't enter into the equation.

North Korea may have given arms to Lebanon's Hezbollah and Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, according to a report compiled for Congress that could complicate U.S. plans to drop Pyongyang from its terrorism blacklist. The report obtained on Wednesday by Reuters was written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), which provides independent analysis to Congress, and cited "reputable sources" as saying Pyongyang had given arms and possibly training to the militant groups, which Washington regards as "terrorist" organizations. [...] It said that in September 2006, Paris Intelligence Online, a French Internet publication that specializes in political and economic intelligence, had published details of an extensive North Korean program to give arms and training to Hezbollah. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party, captured two Israeli soldiers in cross-border raid in July 2006, setting off 34-day war with Israel in which about 1,200 Lebanese were killed. The French publication said the program began in the 1980s with visits by Hezbollah members to North Korea for training and expanded after 2000 with the dispatch of North Koreans to Lebanon to train Hezbollah members how to build underground bunkers to store arms, food and medical facilities. It said this training "significantly improved Hezbollah's ability to fight the Israelis" during the 2006 war. The CRS document also cited a report by a prominent South Korean academic, Moon Chung-in, that the Mossad Israeli intelligence agency believed that "vital missile components" used by Hezbollah against Israel came from North Korea.

Good News From The War On Terror 12/10-11

Troops stop alleged al-Qaeda operatives returning to Rashid

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrested two men who were suspected terrorists attempting to infiltrate back into the Rashid District Dec. 6. “Warriors” of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and “Tuskers” from Company B, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, both attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., made the arrest of the alleged al-Qaeda operatives after receiving a tip from an informant. In the Doura region, the “Warriors” raided a home and detained an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member suspected of multiple murders. Iraqi Security Volunteers believe the suspect was in the neighborhood trying to re-organize a new terrorist group in the area. After a fire fight in Saydiyah, the Tuskers detained a man who the Iraqi Army believes may be a member of a radical AQI splinter group. During a patrol, the Soldiers and members of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division were shot at from a home, and returned fire. Upon clearing the house, Soldiers found a blood trail that led them to the suspect armed with a pistol and a hand grenade.

 

Coalition force operations disrupt al-Qaeda networks; 27 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured four wanted individuals and 23 additional suspects during operations Sunday and Monday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During continued efforts to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in the capital city, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and one additional suspect during an operation in Baghdad. The wanted individual is allegedly involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda and media operations and is a close associate of a suspect detained on Dec. 9.   In Taji, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader also involved in the terrorist networks in Baghdad.  Reports indicate he is a close associate of senior terrorists in a network operating in northern Baghdad.  This network is responsible for the majority of car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.  One additional suspect was detained during the operation. Northwest of Mansuriyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual allegedly associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in Muqdadiyah and involved in foreign terrorist facilitation. The wanted individual is reportedly an associate of several al-Qaeda members previously detained by Coalition forces for their role in networks operating in the Diyala River Valley.  During operations in Samarra, Bayji and Hawija, Coalition forces detained 14 suspected terrorists and wounded one while targeting associates of propaganda and media operations, car-bombing cells, and foreign terrorist and weapons facilitation networks.  During the operation in Bayji, the ground force received hostile fire from a building in the target area and returned fire in self-defense, wounding one. The suspect was detained, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility. On Sunday, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual in Mosul believed to be a foreign terrorist facilitator associated with senior facilitators operating in and outside of Iraq. The wanted individual is reportedly involved in the facilitation of supplies and finances for use in attacks against Coalition forces.  As the ground force entered the target building, the wanted individual attempted to leave through the back door. Coalition forces engaged to stop his movement, wounding and subsequently detaining him. The individual was treated and transported to a nearby military medical facility.  In addition to the wanted individual, six suspects were detained.

 

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; one terrorist killed, 19 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 19 suspects during operations Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During two coordinated operations west of al Khalis, Coalition forces killed a wanted individual believed to be a key associate of an al-Qaeda leader involved in the network in northern Baghdad. The network is responsible for the majority of car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. In addition, nine suspected terrorists were detained during the operations. During an operation south of Bayji, Coalition forces captured an alleged member of a foreign terrorist facilitation network operating in the region. Reports indicate the wanted individual is tied to al-Qaeda members operating near the border, who assist in the movement of weapons and funds for senior facilitators and al-Qaeda members operating in and outside of Iraq. In addition to the wanted individual, three other suspects were detained. West of Mosul and west of Maymudiyah, Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists during operations targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader and terrorists reportedly involved in attacks against Coalition forces.

 

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader, 11 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups criminal element leader and detained ten other suspects during operations early Tuesday in the Baghdad area. The targeted individual reportedly supervised criminal splinter group trainers throughout Iraq. He allegedly coordinated the explosively formed penetrator, improvised explosive device, operational security and computer security training of numerous criminals, and was personally responsible for paying each trainer every month. He also reportedly directed his cell to attack Coalition forces and assassinate Iraqis who worked with Coalition forces.   Intelligence led ground forces to the target area, where the wanted individual was captured and the ten other suspects were detained without incident. Additionally, ground forces discovered body armor, two assault rifles, a bayonet, two pistols, multiple ammunition magazines and a large amount of Iraqi currency.

Scientists To U.N. & Goreacle, "Do Nothing" About "Global Warming"

I'm shocked this hasn't been broadcast on every television and printed in every newspaper and magazine. Ok, not really, but who needs them? I was going to edit this press release, but there's too much good stuff in it to do that. Plus, It's a government release, so it's not subject the "fair-use" rule.

An international team of scientists skeptical of man-made climate fears promoted by the UN and former Vice President Al Gore, descended on Bali this week to urge the world to "have the courage to do nothing" in response to UN demands.   Lord Christopher Monckton, a UK climate researcher, had a blunt message for UN climate conference participants on Monday. "Climate change is a non-problem. The right answer to a non problem is to have the courage to do nothing," Monckton told participants.  "The UN conference is a complete waste of our time and your money and we should no longer pay the slightest attention to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,)" Monckton added. (LINK) Monckton also noted that the UN has not been overly welcoming to the group of skeptical scientists.    "UN organizers refused my credentials and appeared desperate that I should not come to this conference. They have also made several attempts to interfere with our public meetings," Monckton explained. "It is a circus here," agreed Australian scientist Dr. David Evans. Evans is making scientific presentations to delegates and journalists at the conference revealing the latest peer-reviewed studies that refute the UN's climate claims. "This is the most lavish conference I have ever been to, but I am only a scientist and I actually only go to the science conferences," Evans said, noting the luxury of the tropical resort. (Note: An analysis by  Bloomberg News on December 6 found:  "Government officials and activists flying to Bali, Indonesia, for the United Nations meeting on climate change will cause as much pollution as 20,000 cars in a year." - LINK) Evans, a mathematician who did carbon accounting for the Australian government, recently converted to a skeptical scientist about man-made global warming after reviewing the new scientific studies. (LINK) "We now have quite a lot of evidence that carbon emissions definitely don't cause global warming.  We have the missing [human] signature [in the atmosphere], we have the IPCC models being wrong and we have the lack of a temperature going up the last 5 years," Evans said in an interview with the Inhofe EPW Press Blog.  Evans authored a November 28 2007 paper "Carbon Emissions Don't Cause Global Warming." (LINK) Evans touted a new peer-reviewed study by a team of scientists appearing in the December 2007 issue of the International Journal of Climatology of the Royal Meteorological Society which found "Warming is naturally caused and shows no human influence." (LINK) "Most of the people here have jobs that are very well paid and they depend on the idea that carbon emissions cause global warming. They are not going to be very receptive to the idea that well actually the science has gone off in a different direction," Evans explained.   [Inhofe EPW Press Blog Note: Several other recent peer-reviewed studies have cast considerable doubt about man-made global warming fears. For most recent sampling see: New Peer-Reviewed Study finds 'Solar changes significantly alter climate' (11-3-07) (LINK) & "New Peer-Reviewed Study Halves the Global Average Surface Temperature Trend 1980 - 2002" (LINK)  & New Study finds Medieval Warm Period '0.3C Warmer than 20th Century' (LINK) For a more comprehensive sampling of peer-reviewed studies earlier in 2007 see "New Peer-Reviewed Scientific Studies Chill Global Warming Fears" LINK ] ‘IPCC is unsound' UN IPCC reviewer and climate researcher Dr. Vincent Gray of New Zealand, an expert reviewer on every single draft of the IPCC reports since its inception going back to 1990, had a clear message to UN participants. "There is no evidence that carbon dioxide increases are having any effect whatsoever on the climate," Gray, who shares in the Nobel Prize awarded to the UN IPCC, explained. (LINK) "All the science of the IPCC is unsound. I have come to this conclusion after a very long time.  If you examine every single proposition of the IPCC thoroughly, you find that the science somewhere fails," Gray, who wrote the book "The Greenhouse Delusion: A Critique of "Climate Change 2001," said. "It fails not only from the data, but it fails in the statistics, and the mathematics," he added. ‘Dangerous time for science' Evans, who believes the UN has heavily politicized science, warned there is going to be a "dangerous time for science" ahead. "We have a split here. Official science driven by politics, money and power, goes in one direction. Unofficial science, which is more determined by what is actually happening with the [climate] data, has now started to move off in a different direction" away from fears of a man-made climate crisis, Evans explained. "The two are splitting. This is always a dangerous time for science and a dangerous time for politics. Historically science always wins these battles but there can be a lot of causalities and a lot of time in between," he concluded. Carbon trading ‘fraud?' New Zealander Bryan Leland of the International Climate Science Coalition warned participants that all the UN promoted discussions of "carbon trading" should be viewed with suspicion. "I am an energy engineer and I know something about electricity trading and I know enough about carbon trading and the inaccuracies of carbon trading to know that carbon trading is more about fraud than it is about anything else," Leland said.  "We should probably ask why we have 10,000 people here [in Bali] in a futile attempt to ‘solve' a [climate] problem that probably does not exist," Leland added. ‘Simply not work' Owen McShane, the head of the International Climate Science Coalition, also worried that a UN promoted global approach to economics would mean financial ruin for many nations. "I don't think this conference can actually achieve anything because it seems to be saying that we are going to draw up one protocol for every country in the world to follow," McShane said. (LINK) "Now these countries and these economies are so diverse that trying to presume you can put all of these feet into one shoe will simply not work," McShane explained.   "Having the same set of rules apply to everybody will blow some economies apart totally while others will be unscathed and I wouldn't be surprised if the ones who remain unscathed are the ones who write the rules," he added. ‘Nothing happening at this conference' Professor Dr. William Alexander, emeritus of the University of Pretoria in South Africa and a former member of the United Nations Scientific and Technical Committee on Natural Disasters, warned poor nations and their residents that the UN policies could mean more poverty and thus more death. "My message is specifically for the poor people of Africa. And there is nothing happening at this conference that can help them one little bit but there is the potential that they could be damaged," Alexander said. (LINK) "The government and people of Africa will have their attention drawn to reducing climate change instead of reducing poverty," Alexander added. Related Links: New UN Children's Book Promotes Global Warming Fears to Kids (11-13-2006) Scientists Counter AP Article Promoting Computer Model Climate Fears New Peer-Reviewed Scientific Studies Chill Global Warming Fears Newsweek Editor Calls Mag's Global Warming 'Deniers' Article 'Highly Contrived' Newsweek's Climate Editorial Screed Violates Basic Standards of Journalism Latest Scientific Studies Refute Fears of Greenland Melt EPA to Probe E-mail Threatening to ‘Destroy' Career of Climate Skeptic Prominent Scientists Reverse Belief in Man-made Global Warming - Now Skeptics Senator Inhofe declares climate momentum shifting away from Gore (The Politico op ed) Scientific Smackdown: Skeptics Voted The Clear Winners Against Global Warming Believers in Heated NYC Debate Global Warming on Mars & Cosmic Ray Research Are Shattering Media Driven "Consensus' Global Warming: The Momentum has Shifted to Climate Skeptics Prominent French Scientist Reverses Belief in Global Warming - Now a Skeptic Top Israeli Astrophysicist Recants His Belief in Manmade Global Warming - Now Says Sun Biggest Factor in Warming Warming On Jupiter, Mars, Pluto, Neptune's Moon & Earth Linked to Increased Solar Activity, Scientists Say Panel of Broadcast Meteorologists Reject Man-Made Global Warming Fears- Claim 95% of Weathermen Skeptical MIT Climate Scientist Calls Fears of Global Warming 'Silly' - Equates Concerns to ‘Little Kids' Attempting to "Scare Each Other" Weather Channel TV Host Goes 'Political'- Stars in Global Warming Film Accusing U.S. Government of ‘Criminal Neglect' Weather Channel Climate Expert Calls for Decertifying Global Warming Skeptics ABC-TV Meteorologist: I Don't Know A Single Weatherman Who Believes 'Man-Made Global Warming Hype' The Weather Channel Climate Expert Refuses to Retract Call for Decertification for Global Warming Skeptics Senator Inhofe Announces Public Release Of "Skeptic's Guide To Debunking Global Warming"

I Have The Flu UPDATE: I Feel Much Better

No postings until I feel better. In the meantime, you can read these blogs:

Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Blue Crab Boulevard
Flopping Aces
In From the Cold
Invincible Armor
No Looking Backwards
This ain't Hell

 

***UPDATE 12/12/07 1:05AM***

I feel much better now.

Michael Vick Sentenced To 23 Months

Is 23 months enough? No, but it's better than the 12-18 months that have been suggested. His cellmate will change his name from "ookie" to "pookie".

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson could have sentenced the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback to up to five years. Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting he bankrolled the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs.

Good News From The War On Terror 12/8-9

Coalition forces disrupts al-Qaeda networks; 12 killed, 13 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 12 terrorists and detained 13 suspects during operations Saturday to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During an operation south of Yusufiyah, Coalition forces targeted a suspected associate of an al-Qaeda leader involved in the network operating south of Bagdad. The network is believed to be involved in planning an attack against Coalition forces operating in the region. As Coalition forces approached the area, they observed several armed men emerge from the target building, maneuvering into military style positions into a nearby palm grove. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged.  As the ground force began to clear the area, they saw additional movement from the armed men, to include one that attempted to maneuver away and evade capture. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage the perceived hostile threat.  During the engagements, a total of ten terrorists were killed. Once the area was secure, the ground force discovered numerous machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, and several sandbags full of homemade explosive material, which were safely destroyed on site. Additionally, two suspected terrorists were detained during the course of operations. North of Jalula, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be involved in the terrorist network operating in the Diyala River Valley. The targeted individual is reportedly associated with senior terrorist members and involved in attacks against Coalition and Iraqi security forces. During the operation, as Coalition forces approached the target, several men emerged and ran into a nearby palm grove. The ground force located one of the individuals and called for him to stop his movement, but he did not comply. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing him.  Upon clearing the target area, the ground forces discovered a small cache of ammunition. Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader tied to a network of senior leaders in the region. Reports indicate the targeted individual has a history of involvement in terrorist activities and has held positions in numerous al-Qaeda networks operating in the city. As the ground force entered one of the buildings in the target area, an individual was injured as he attempted to flee the building. He was treated on site, but died before being transported to a medical facility.  Additionally, three suspected terrorists were detained on site without incident. During another operation, Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists in Samarra while targeting a senior foreign terrorist facilitator with ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

 

Tip leads MND-B Soldiers to large cache in Ameriyah

BAGHDAD – Acting on a tip from area volunteers, Coalition Forces uncovered the second largest weapons cache ever discovered by Task Force 1-5 Cavalry in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriyah late on Dec. 3. The tip came from members of the Forsan Al Rafidain (Arabic for “knights of the two rivers’), an Iraqi volunteer security force in the area. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), uncovered a cache consisting of several different types of anti-tank mines, grenades and a large quantity of improvised explosive device-making material. The cache included 95 landmines as well as an assortment of different rocket-propelled grenades and hand grenades. The last time a cache of this size was found in Ameriyah was in late summer, during the most intense fighting between Al Qaeda and Coalition Forces. After the cache was uncovered, a Forsan Al Rafidain member received a phone call stating there was an IED in the area. After a brief search, one pressure-plate IED was found on the front porch of the house where the weapons cache was discovered.

 

Al-Qaeda networks disrupted; Coalition forces detain 10 suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured three wanted individuals and seven additional suspects during operations Sunday to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During two coordinated operations in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and three suspected terrorists. The wanted individual is an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader associated with media operations and propaganda.  Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces captured another wanted individual believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader. He was allegedly involved in the terrorist network operating in the city and is thought to have ties to other terrorist leaders operating throughout northern Iraq. One of his associates reportedly provides weapons and improvised explosive device materials to the cell leaders for use in attacks in the area. In addition to the wanted individual, two other suspected terrorists were detained without incident. During continued operations to disrupt terrorist networks in the Diyala River Valley, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader for the network in Khan Bani Sad. Two of the wanted individuals’ close associates were recently detained by Coalition forces during operations Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 for their involvement in the network. Two suspected terrorists were detained during an operation south of Salman Pak targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader involved in facilitation of weapons and attacks on Coalition and Iraqi security forces.