Ann Coulter Calls Edwards A 'Faggot', Dems Lose It

FOXNews.com

Democratic Party boss Howard Dean demanded that Republican presidential candidates denounce conservative columnist Ann Coulter after she referred to Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards as a ‘faggot’ during a speech Friday at a national conservative gathering.

Coulter, who was addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., said:

"I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I - so kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards."

Members of the audience seemed startled, then many clapped, and she proceeded to open the floor to questions, reported EditorandPublisher.com

After her comments, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued a press release expressing his outrage. Dean called Coulter’s remarks ‘hate-filled and bigoted.’

If this was Cindy Sheehan, Al Franken, or any other left wing nutjob, they would be applauded for speaking out against the oppressors. Many Democrats have said equally offensive things.

The Next Steps Toward A New Soviet Union?

FOXNews.com

GROZNY, Russia — Chechnya's parliament approved a widely feared former security chief as president of the war-battered Russian republic in a nearly unanimous vote Friday, a day after President Vladimir Putin nominated him.

The confirmation of Ramzan Kadyrov, which had been seen as a foregone conclusion, cements his rise to power. His nomination won 56 votes in the 58-member, two-chamber legislature, with two ballots ruled invalid.

Human rights groups allege that security forces under Kadyrov's control abduct and torture civilians suspected of ties to Chechnya's separatist rebels. Some observers suggest he was tied to last year's murder of Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who had reported extensively on Chechnya's wars and sufferings. Kadyrov has denied any involvement.

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Kadyrov has been at the heart of a Kremlin strategy to crush continued rebel resistance and establish order in the mostly Muslim region. He turned 30 in October, the minimum age for president, and had been expected to seek the job.

He became acting president after last week's dismissal of Alu Alkhanov, who had increasingly criticized Kadyrov.

Kadyrov is the son of Chechnya's first pro-Moscow president, Akhmad Kadyrov, who was assassinated in 2004. The elder Kadyrov became president in 2003 in a Kremlin-conducted aimed at undermining rebels by creating the image of Chechens being allowed a high degree of self-determination.

So...do we call the "Chechen Revolutionaries" terrorists, or freedom fighters now.

The Travesty At Walter Reed Medical Center

The Washington Post reports about the lack of personnel to adequately deal with in the increase in soldiers with injuries, psychological issues, and some with substance abuse problems. Injured soldiers were required to assist in some of the day-to-day operations at Walter Reed and those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)were caring for soldiers on suicide watch. Building 18 of Walter Reed was fraught with mice and roach infestations along with deteriorating conditions including black mold, in the building. The excuse for this was mostly bureaucratic red-tape, but mostly due to inept career bureaucrats in the chain of command wanting only promotions.

The Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates became extremely agitated when news of the Walter Reed Medical Center conditions were brought to everyone's attention. It took less than a week for heads to roll.

The first was Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, a two-star general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was relieved from duty because "senior officials said they lost trust and confidence in his leadership abilities to address injured soldier care at military medical facilities".

The second was Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey. It should be noted that Mr. Harvey is a civilian, not military. He commands no troops and is responsible for budgeting, recruiting and other personnel and resource policies. While he resigned and was not "relieved of duty", I'm sure his only choices were one or the other.

Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, commanding General of U.S. Army Medical Command, will be acting as Weightman's temporary replacement, Peter Geren, the undersecretary of the Army, will serve as Harvey's temporary replacement until Bush nominates a new secretary and Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, 58, will be the new commander of Walter Reed

Hopefully there will be more fallout from this horrible travesty. I highly doubt two people were responsible for this. Of course I'm not sure there is a need for the circus congressional hearings that Ms. Pelosi has scheduled. It looks that things are being taken care of correctly and promptly.

Germany To "Talk" about NATO Missile Shield

France surrenders

Yahoo! News

WIESBADEN, Germany (Reuters) - Germany called on Friday for talks on creating a
NATO missile defense shield for Europe, a day after the United States vowed to press ahead with its system without alliance approval.

The head of the
Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said on Thursday Washington wanted to secure the understanding of its 25 NATO members for its plans to build a missile shield in eastern Europe, but was not seeking their green light.

The United States' European allies are concerned the move will damage their ties with Moscow, and Germany has led calls for wider consultations on the project. Ukraine has also complained Washington had not consulted with it.

"We should discuss developing such a defense measure within a NATO framework," German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung told reporters on the margins of a meeting of EU defense chiefs in the German city of Wiesbaden.

Jung said Russian concerns over the shield could be allayed by talks within NATO's existing NATO-Russia Council, a forum for discussing defense issues between the former Cold War foes.

"I think that is the right way forward," he said.

The United States wants to set up a radar system in the Czech Republic and a missile battery in Poland as part of a shield that would counter missiles fired by what Washington calls "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.

I fail to see why these countries are wavering on the issue of a missile defense shield. Why should they be concerned that a country who is slowly reverting back to a communist state see it as an act of aggression? Russia becomes giddy when they get a chance to form alliances with anyone the U.S. deems to be a state sponsor of terror or part of the 'axis of evil'. The time to be concerned with Russia's opinion passed long ago.

Swiss Invade Liechtenstein; Quagmire Ensues

Yahoo! News

ZURICH, Switzerland - What began as a routine training exercise almost ended in an embarrassing diplomatic incident after a company of Swiss soldiers got lost at night and marched into neighboring Liechtenstein.

According to Swiss daily Blick, the 170 infantry soldiers wandered just over a mile across an unmarked border into the tiny principality early Thursday before realizing their mistake and turning back.

A spokesman for the Swiss army confirmed the story but said that there were unlikely to be any serious repercussions for the mistaken invasion.

"We've spoken to the authorities in Liechtenstein and it's not a problem," Daniel Reist told The Associated Press.

Officials in Liechtenstein also played down the incident.

Interior ministry spokesman Markus Amman said nobody in Liechtenstein had even noticed the soldiers, who were carrying assault rifles but no ammunition. "It's not like they stormed over here with attack helicopters or something," he said.

Liechtenstein, which has about 34,000 inhabitants and is slightly smaller than Washington DC, doesn't have an army.

With the exception of the U.K., I didn't know European countries had a military. I'm sure the negotiators/appeasers outnumber the military though.

Good News From Iraq 2/27-3/1

SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA EMIR, ELEVEN OTHERS DETAINED IN RAIDS THROUGHOUT IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces detained 12 suspected terrorists including a suspected Al-Qaeda in Iraq emir during raids Tuesday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq emir and three of his associates. Based on intelligence reports, these suspects are allegedly involved in the production of improvised explosive devices.

Also in Baghdad, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists who have alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and anti-Coalition Forces activities.

Two suspected terrorists were detained during a raid in Mosul.
Intelligence reports indicate the suspected terrorists have ties with an al-Qaeda terrorist who has coordinated attacks against Iraqi security and U.S. military personnel.

Another suspected terrorist was detained in Fallujah during a raid targeting foreign fighter facilitators.

Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists in Tikrit who are believed to have links with terrorists involved in explosives shipments from other countries and facilitating the production of vehicle-borne IEDs.

In Ramadi, Coalition Forces netted a suspected terrorist who is allegedly involved in courier activities for al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq.

"These raids, taking place all across Iraq this morning show that Coalition Forces continue to make progress dismantling the terrorist networks," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

"The capture of these detainees reduces the ability of the terrorist networks to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces, and Iraq's Multi-National partners," he said.

EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED, SIX SUSPECTS DETAINED IN RAIDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq -Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained six suspects during operations Wednesday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

Intelligence reports indicated terrorists associated with small arms and rocket attacks against Coalition Forces were operating northeast of Taji.

As Coalition Forces approached the targeted area, they noticed several armed men maneuvering toward them in a nearby palm grove. Coalition Forces called in close air support to eliminate the threat. Rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft used precision fires killing eight armed terrorists. Two suspected terrorists were detained.

Coalition Forces also captured two suspected terrorists in Amiriyah and two more in Baghdad with alleged ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

"Coalition Forces continue methodical, deliberate efforts to eliminate terrorism in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

IRAQI SWAT CAPTURES 8 MAHDAWIYAH INSURGENT GROUP MEMBERS

BAGHDAD - Al Hillah Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics personnel captured eight suspected members of the Mahdawiyah insurgent group during operations with Coalition advisors Feb. 26 in the Wardiyah district of Al Hillah. The suspects are believed to be involved in attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces in the area.

The suspects are allegedly part of the insurgent group that fought against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces Jan. 28 in Najaf. The suspects are believed to threatening the lives of persons within the leadership of Iraqi Security Forces in Babil Province.

There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

IRAQI POLICE DETAINS FOUR SUSPECTS DURING OPERATIONS AGAINST IED CELL NEAR SAMARRA

BAGHDAD - Samarra Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces captured a suspected insurgent bomber during operations Feb. 27 southwest of Samarra.

The suspect was captured during operations targeting an insurgent improvised explosive device cell conducting attacks against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces. The cell is responsible for emplacing IEDs targeting Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces along Main Supply Route TAMPA and other locations in Samarra.

Three additional suspects were detained by Iraqi Police for further questioning.
Iraqi and Coalition Forces caused only minimal damage during operations.

There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

HOSTAGES FREED BY PARATROOPERS, WEAPONS CACHE SECURED

KALSU, Iraq - Dismounted paratroopers located an insurgent safe house uncovering a weapons cache and freeing two hostages south of Baghdad Feb. 26.

Paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division located the safe house, where they found the two hostages and a weapons cache near Mahmudiyah.

The cache contained three AK-47s, 14 30-round magazines, one 100-round magazine drum, two fragmentary grenades, one cell phone and one hand held radio.

The freed hostages were given immediate medical treatment.

GOLDEN DRAGONS DISCOVER MASSIVE CACHE SOUTHWEST OF BAGHDAD

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops found and seized a massive weapons cache along one of Baghdad’s main highways Feb. 28.

Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) discovered the cache while conducting a combat patrol along Mulla Fayad Highway, west of Yusufiyah.

The cache consisted of

2 Sanger missiles with launch tubes,
200 meters of fuse,
1000 12.7mm Dishka rounds,
2 122mm rockets,
18 60mm mortar rounds,
80 hand grenades,
6 rocket stabilizers,
10 120mm mortar tail fins,
100 60mm mortar fuses,
5 106mm artillery rounds,
1 57mm rocket,
1 rocket-propelled grenade,
1 57mm anti-aircraft round,
2 RPG-9s, 60 120mm mortars,
2 unknown mortar rounds,
1 RPG launcher,
1 60mm mortar illumination round,
1 Dishka heavy machinegun receiver,
20 canisters,
10 cylinders of homemade explosives,
2000 7.62mm rounds,
14 57mm rockets,
40 pounds of homemade explosives
200 ZPU-1 anti-aircraft rounds.

“The (find) will put a dent in the terrorists’ ability to make improvised explosive devices,” said Maj. Brock Jones, the executive officer with the Golden Dragons and a native of Lakewood, Ohio. “The Soldiers did well today – their familiarity with the area of operations allowed them to locate the cache”

The battalion continues to search the area for more caches. The cache was destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.

Thirty 120mm mortar rounds are laid out for inventory following a massive weapons cache discovered by Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) along Mullah Fayad Highway, just west of Yusufiyah, Iraq Feb. 28.

THREE TERRORISTS KILLED, 16 OTHERS DETAINED IN OPERATIONS

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations Thursday morning targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq.

During an operation west of Ramadi, Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained six suspected terrorists with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation.

South of Baghdad, Coalition Forces killed one armed terrorist who charged at them as they entered a targeted building.

Six suspected terrorists allegedly associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq were detained in operations in Bayji, and four others with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation were detained in Ramadi.

“Coalition Forces will continue to successfully kill or capture al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists regardless of where they may hide or operate,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “No place is safe for a terrorist in Iraq.”

OPERATION SABER BOSS: 4 WEAPONS CACHES, 10 KILLED, 5 DETAINED

DIYALA - The 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, in partnership with Coalition Forces from 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, seized four weapons caches, killed approximately 10 insurgents and detained five suspected terrorists during a combined operation, Operation Saber Boss, in Muqdadiya, Iraq, Monday.

While conducting combat patrols, the Soldiers located caches consisting of more than 50 rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive device making material, several small-arms munitions, more than 15 various rockets and seven sticks of explosives.

The forces also discovered three IEDs and recovered a stolen fire truck that was being prepared as a vehicle-borne IED.

The cache items were secured for disposal and the suspects were taken in for further questioning.

* In other operations throughout Diyala, a joint patrol secured a
cache site in Baqubah, Tuesday consisting of a VBIED, TNT, propane tanks and other IED making material. Coalition EOD destroyed the VBIED.

* On Monday a coalition patrol discovered another cache in Baqubah
consisting of a complete mortar system including three rounds, as well as a recoilless rifle and 150 rounds. Iraqi EOD responded and destroyed the mortar rounds while coalition forces secured the rest of the cache.

"As we continue to discover these caches, the terrorists' abilities are diminished, and their ability to harm the security forces and the innocent people of Diyala is denied," said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala province. "We will continue to aggressively target these individuals who are using acts of fear and intimidation against the innocent people of this province."

Military Responds to Cut Backs

Natural Family Blog via Jawa Report

The military really knows how to make the left wing lunatics feel stupid.

Check out the rest of the pics here

US ‘will not hand over CIA agents to Italy’

FT.com

Washington would refuse any demand by Rome to give up alleged Central Intelligence Agency operatives to face criminal trial on charges that the agency abducted terror suspects, a leading US official said.

John Bellinger, legal adviser to the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, said in Brussels: “We have not gotten that extradition request from Italy. If we got an extradition request from Italy, we would not extradite US officials to Italy.”

An Italian judge last month ordered 25 alleged CIA operatives and the former head of Italy’s military intelligence service to go on trial on charges of kidnapping an Egyptian iman in Milan in 2003 and taking him to Egypt for interrogation.

Mr Bellinger, who was in Brussels to meet European legal advisers, is the first senior US official to say publicly that CIA agents would not be sent for trial abroad.

The US faces continued criticism from many Europeans over its contentious practice of kidnapping terrorist suspects on foreign soil after the September 11 attacks on America. In January, prosecutors in Germany issued arrest warrants for 13 alleged CIA operatives in connection with allegations that a German citizen was abducted and then detained in a secret Afghan prison.

I'm glad the U.S. is refusing to extradite the agents. This has nothing to do with with legality, it is only to appease the left wing factions of Italy and Europe.

Israel To Supply Armored Vehicles For WOT

The MEMRI Blog via LGF

The London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reports that Israel will supply the U.S. Marines in Iraq with specially equipped armored “Golan” vehicles which are specifically suited for urban warfare and can sustain attacks by RPGs and road mines.

I'm happy to hear that Israel is aiding the United States in the War On Terror. They have the experience with Urban Warfare and I think we should do some negotiating to have our military trained by members of the IDF.

HRW Wants To Aid The Enemy

MSNBC.com

WASHINGTON - A human rights group is asking President Bush to disclose the fates of all terror suspects held since 2001, including at least 16 it believes have been locked up in secret CIA facilities.

Human Rights Watch said it compiled a report about the 16, whose whereabouts are unknown, along with 22 others possibly held by the CIA, based on interviews with former detainees, press reports and other sources.



Human Rights Watch interviewed Jabour in December and is telling his story as part of a push for more information from the Bush administration. Jabour says he was beaten, burned with an iron, held naked and chained to the wall of his cell so tightly that he could not stand up.

I'll go back to my earlier statements about this, WHO CARES! These people were acting like filthy little animals and were treated as such. Maybe Human Rights Watch should spend more time aiming their rhetoric at, say....every muslim country.

Big Surprise From Pakistan

The Blotter

In the most definitive statement in years, America's top intelligence official said Tuesday Osama bin laden is in Pakistan actively re-establishing al Qaeda training camps.

The newly appointed Director of National Intelligence Jack McConnell made the assertion about bin Laden and his No. 2 man, Ayman al Zawahri, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Referring to Pakistan's rugged tribal area, McConnell said "to the best of our knowledge that the senior leadership, No. 1 and No. 2, are there, and they are attempting to re-establish and rebuild and to establish training camps."

I'm pretty sure everyone in the world knew he was there. The Pakistani military cannot go after him and/or doesn't have the will to capture Bin Laden. Since Pakistani President Pervez Musharaff decided on appeasement with the Pakistani warlords, there is nothing to keep Bin Laden on the run. Of course if Musharaff wanted to indirectly deal with this, he could give the U.S. authorization to perform engagements within a certain number of miles of the border. Musharaff's life is constantly in danger from radical elements in Pakistan. The authorization might be his best option to save his life and aid in the war on terror.

Democrats Good For The Economy? Not Today

As I am writing this, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was around -540 points. In 5 minutes, the market dropped 250 points. This is one of the largest sell-offs in history and the largest since the market reopened after 9/11.

This will hurt my IRA and I will probably end up eating cat food when I retire. All this time I thought it was the Republicans that were going to make old people eat cat food.

Time to wander off topic:
Has anyone seen the price of cat food? There is plenty of different types of human food you can buy that cost the same as soft cat food. A can of cat food costs about $1.69. What can you buy with a $1.69? A couple cans of tuna, a pound of hamburger, some macaroni and cheese, and various other foods, especially on sale. Don't even send me emails or comments telling me I'm wrong. I manage a grocery store.

'Miracle' baby comes back from the dead

Telegraph.co.uk

A family has described how their baby son "came back to life" when he was revived by doctors half an hour after he stopped breathing following a heart attack.

Two-week-old Woody Lander was pronounced dead at Leeds General Infirmary after frantic attempts to save him by medical staff apparently failed.

But his body began "twitching" and the team tried again to resuscitate him, this time successfully starting his heart.

There were worries Woody may have suffered brain damage because he stopped breathing for so long, but scans have shown no problems.

"They reached the cut-off point for resuscitation and said 'that's it' and handed Woody to us to say goodbye," father Jon Lander told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"They started taking tubes out and that's when he started twitching.

"They managed to get his heart going again and he came back to life in front of us."

The couple had rushed the baby to hospital after he stopped breathing and he suffered a heart attack in the accident and emergency department.

Surgeons found a blockage in his aorta and the youngster underwent a major operation.

Now Mr Lander, 34, and his wife Karen, 32, say Woody - now 14-months-old - is their "little miracle".

And civil servant Mr Lander is hoping to thank the hospital by running in the Leeds 10k Run for All later this year.

He is raising cash for the Children's Heart Surgery Fund at the hospital.

Iran Wants To Talk, Until Nukes Are Ready

FOXNews.com

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's foreign minister reiterated Tuesday that his country will never again suspend uranium enrichment, dismissing the threat of further United Nations sanctions.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was speaking a day after the U.S., the four other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany considered measures to punish Iran for refusing to suspend enrichment, including the possibility of more sanctions.

"Demands that Iran halt enrichment are illegal and illegitimate and based on an incorrect political strategy. This (suspension) will never materialize," the official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Mottaki as saying.

Mottaki added, however, that Iran is prepared to negotiate about its nuclear program "without any preconditions."

This is right out of the terrorist handbook. How many times have we seen this. It usually happens monthly with the Palestinian Terror-tory and with Hizbollah last year. They get beat down and need time to re-supply and for re-enforcements. This is to only delay the inevitable.

Algore Responds To His $30,000 Utility Bill