Chavez Socialist State Utopia Is Shot Down

Venezuelan voters decided that they didn't want a socialist state. The amazing thing is that only 51% of the people voted no.

President Hugo Chavez suffered a stinging defeat Monday in a vote on constitutional changes that would have let him run for re-election indefinitely and solidify his bid to transform this major U.S. oil provider into a socialist state. Voters defeated the sweeping measures by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent, said Tibisay Lucena, chief of the National Electoral Council, with voter turnout just 56 percent. She said that with 88 percent of the votes counted, the trend was irreversible. "This was a photo finish," Chavez said immediately after the vote, adding that unlike past Venezuelan governments, his respects the people's will.

Good News From The War On Terror 12/1

An Nasiriyah SWAT captures high-level IED facilitator, four others

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Police from the An Nasiriyah Special Weapons and Tactics team detained a suspected high-level improvised explosive device facilitator during operations Nov. 30 to disrupt extremist networks operating in the area. The suspect is reported to be an extremist company commander and the primary facilitator for an IED network that is responsible for multiple IED attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the An Nasiriyah area. The suspect has a history of travel to Iran and, when captured, the suspect had Iranian weapons and munitions in his possession. This included an Iranian rocket propelled grenade launcher, three new Iranian-made RPG rockets and boosters, several AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition. Four other individuals were detained by SWAT for further questioning.  Operations occurred without any significant incidents. The operations were part of a continued Iraqi effort to rid Dhi Qar province of violent elements and improve security for Iraqi citizens.

 

Insurgent safe house, house-borne IED blown up

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – An insurgent safe house and an anti-aircraft weapon gun were destroyed by Coalition Forces near Arab Jabour Nov. 29. A Kiowa helicopter from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade took fire from an insurgent anti-aircraft weapon near a structure next to a palm grove. Three insurgents were seen leaving the weapon and entering the safe house. The building also had a machine gun nest on the roof. Two U.S. Air Force F-16s engaged the enemy machine gun and safe house, destroying both. The building was in the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division area of operations. Later in the afternoon on Nov. 29, another building was destroyed in the area of Maderiyah. The building was believed to be rigged as a house-borne improvised explosive device. It was destroyed by a U.S. Air Force F-16. Secondary explosions were seen when the bomb detonated indicating explosives in the building. The building belonged to al Qaeda in Iraq brothers who left the area earlier in the month after being wounded in attacks against Concerned Local Citizens and Coalition Forces. Through intelligence provided by local Iraqis and patrols conducted by Soldiers from Battery B, 1st Battalion 9th Field Artillery, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., it was confirmed the building was rigged as an HBIED. The patrol noticed wires leading out of the windows of the building. Inside the building, multiple jugs of unknown bulk explosive were observed. After it was confirmed the structure was rigged with explosives, the decision was made to destroy it.

 

Coalition forces capture two targeted suspects; disrupt criminal network

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured two suspected criminals Friday during operations in the Kadhimyah and Sha’ab areas, near Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the captured suspect in the Kadhmiyah area was a weapons facilitator for Special Group criminal elements. His logistics supply network includes Basrah, many locations in the Maysan province, and Baghdad.  The second suspect was reportedly a Special Groups weapons facilitator and distributor, who transported weapons from Baghdad to Diyala Province. The suspected criminal provided improvised explosive device and mortar instruction to subordinates, operational guidance, and various types of munitions to multiple criminal element cell leaders. The suspected criminals were also reportedly associates of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Both wanted suspects were captured without incident.

 

Concerned Local Citizens, Coalition Forces secure 3 weapons caches

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Ongoing cooperation between Concerned Local Citizens and Coalition Forces led to the identification and eventual destruction of three weapons caches in Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab Nov. 29. Soldiers from Company E, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., located two improvised explosive devices in Arab Jabour. Each IED was made of three 57 mm projectiles. An explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the six rounds. As the EOD team was conducting the detonation, a group of CLCs approached them and turned over a pressure switch initiator. The group led the EOD team to the location where the switch was found. A second investigation led to the discovery of a smoke bomb. In another location in Arab Jabour, CLCs brought Soldiers from Company B, 1-30th Inf. Regt. IED components. The components consisted of two 57 mm projectiles and a 4-pound bag of homemade explosives tied to the munitions.  An EOD team conducted a controlled detonation. CLCs also delivered a cache in Hawr Rajab. The cache consisted of 25 kg of HME, one 155 mm illumination round and one 155 mm high-explosive round. An EOD team safely destroyed the contents in a controlled detonation.

 

Coalition forces target car-bombers, assassins, kidnappers; one killed, 16 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations Friday and Saturday to disrupt al-Qaeda operations in the central and northern parts of the country. Coalition forces conducted operations southwest of Mahmudiyah, while targeting an individual believed to be responsible for facilitating funds for the southern belt terrorist network. The targeted individual is reportedly involved in the supply of vehicles and materials to car-bombing networks based in Baghdad. During the operation, the ground force called for the target building’s occupants to come out, but they did not comply. Then Coalition forces saw four individuals attempting to evade them escaping from the building. Tracking the four individuals, the ground force detained three suspects. The fourth individual, who was armed, was taking cover in a nearby field. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing the terrorist. In al-Hadid, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader believed to be involved in a suicide attack cell in the region. The targeted suspect reportedly recruits individuals to conduct the attacks and was involved in the attack that killed three Coalition forces members in Baqubah Nov. 18. After approaching the target, Coalition forces secured the target building and detained two suspects. Three suspected terrorists were detained while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq who are suspected of trying to neutralize the effects of local citizens aiding Iraqi and Coalition forces in the Tarmiyah. The suspects were detained without incident. Four suspects were detained during two coordinated operations near Mosul, where Coalition forces were targeting members of the city’s terrorist network. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in kidnappings and assassinations, and has ties to senior al-Qaeda members operating in the region. As the ground force entered the area during the first operation, they saw a man run from the target building, attempting to evade capture. As they continued to clear the area, they arrived at a location where they believed the suspect was hiding. He was subsequently detained. In an operation that followed, Coalition forces detained three suspects without incident. In other operations, Coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader of the northern belt.

 

4 suspects detained in Rashid

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops detained four suspicious men during three raids across the Rashid district of the Iraqi capital Nov. 29. “Tuskers” with Company B, 4-64th Combined Arms Battalion, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, detained two men who were trying to flee from a raid. One was found to have been previously arrested on a weapons charge. After questioning, the men were handed over to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. Later that day, scouts from 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment detained a man believed to be involved in terrorist activities. That night, “Warriors” of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, attached to the 4th IBCT, arrested a man suspected of murder, auto theft, car bomb construction and improvised explosive device placement. Both men were taken into custody and held for further questioning.

 

ANSF-led forces control Chenartu, Kandahar Province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Kandahar Auxiliary Units engaged in a day-long battle to seize control of Chenartu, Kandahar Province, Nov 27. While conducting reconnaissance patrols in the Zampto Valley to facilitate supply movements, the combined force was engaged by insurgents with small-arms fire from a village.  The combined force immediately returned accurate small-arm, machine gun and mortar fire, killing Taliban fighters and putting the remaining enemy forces on the defensive. Shortly after, ANSF-led forces secured the area and set up multiple checkpoints to enhance security and facilitate safe humanitarian supply movement into Kandahar Province.

 

 Nov. 30 airpower summary: B1-Bs provide overwatch

I'm An Ohio State Buckeyes Fan, UPDATE 1: OSU #2 UPDATE 2: OSU #1

...but I'm rooting for Oklahoma and Pitt tonight.

 

***UPDATE 1***

I have just witnessed one of the worst calls in NCAA football history. On a run by Pitt, which should've been a TD, there was a holding call against #88. All because his hand slid to the back of his guys shoulder while blocking him.

I think the ref's have a little bit of money on this. They are hating that Pitt is beating WV.

 

Oklahoma vs. Mizzou is tied up at halftime. I think Oklahoma is close to driving the stake through the heart. Mizzou is resorting to gimmick plays.

 

Honestly; I would rather the Buckeyes play Mizzou in the National Championship game than play WV.

 

***UPDATE 2***

I would now say that I have witnessed three of the worst calls in NCAA history. Another phantom holding call on the same guy and a unsportsmanlike conduct call for taunting. I didn't see any taunting. The refs for this game need to be checked out.

But Alas, Ohio State should be ranked #2 tomorrow after Pitt defeated West Virginia.

Now watching Oklahoma vs. Mizzou, it's now 35-17. Ohio State may end up #1 by the end of the night.

 

***UPDATE 3***

OHIO STATE SHOULD BE #1 TOMORROW!!!! Oklahoma beat Mizzou 38-17!!! THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!

Montel "Doobie" Williams Threatens To Blow Up 17yo Reporter

When Montel "Doobie" Williams isn't riding around in his PPA RV or ambushing military families on his stupid show, he is threatening to blow up the home of a 17 year old high school student.

"As we were preparing to film, Montel walked up with his bodyguard and got in Courtney Scott's face pointing his finger telling her, 'Don't look at me like that. Do you know who I am? I'm a big star, and I can look you up, find where you live and blow you up,' " Cosey said. "At this time he was pointing randomly at all of us." Moore and Scott corroborated the statement. "He was really mad. He was angry at me," Scott said. She is a 17-year-old senior at Jenkins High School working for the Morning News in an apprenticeship program through Savannah-Chatham public schools. "I wasn't expecting him to come at me and go off, I was expecting him to say, 'No hard feelings from before.' I'm not sure if he meant 'blow me up' and ruin my career or really blow us up, but it was threatening."

Happy Birthday To Me!

Today is my birthday and I know all 5 of my regular readers want to get me a present. Instead of having to ask me, I will tell you what I want.

Just click the little button, my wish list is filled out.

Good News From The War On Terror 11/30

An Nasiriyah SWAT operation targets extremist IED facilitators

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Police from the An Nasiriyah Special Weapons and Tactics unit targeted two known improvised explosive device facilitators during security operations Nov. 30 near An Nasiriyah. In a continuing Iraqi effort to rid Dhi Qar of violent elements and improve security, An Nasiriyah SWAT conducted operations to disrupt several extremist networks operating near An Nasiriyah. These networks are responsible for multiple IED and explosively formed projectile attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the region. One targeted individual is reported to be an extremist company commander and primary facilitator for an IED network in An Nasiriyah. The second targeted individual is reportedly a primary IED builder in the area. He is believed to be involved in at least eight IED and EFP attacks in the area stretching between April and November 2007.

 

7 suspects detained in Rashid

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops captured seven suspected terrorists during ongoing operations in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Nov. 27. On the morning of Nov. 27, two suspects were arrested by Iraqi Security Volunteers in the Doura region. The suspects were detained on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and theft. They were handed over to elements of the 4-64th Combined Arms Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. The suspects are being held for further questioning. A few hours later, “Black Lions” of Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, attached to Task Force Tuskers from 4-64th CAB, raided two houses in West Rashid and detained five other suspected terrorists. The five taken in the raid are also being held for questioning.

 

Black Lions arrest alleged extremist leaders

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad forces arrested two alleged criminal extremist leaders and another suspect during a cordon and search operation in West Rashid, Nov. 28. “Black Lions” from Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, captured the suspects during an early morning operation. One of the alleged extremist leaders suspected of ordering attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, assassinations and kidnappings, was detained after he tried to drive through a checkpoint. Another alleged extremist leader, believed to have ordered mortar and rocket attacks on Coalition bases, rocket-propelled grenade attacks and placing improvised explosive devices, was also arrested during the raid. The two alleged insurgents, along with a third suspect, are being held for further questioning.

 

Tip leads to cache in eastern Baghdad

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, recovered a weapons cache for the fourth time in a week in eastern Baghdad, Nov. 28. Acting on a tip from an area resident, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment found five 120mm mortar rounds, 34 82mm mortar rounds, eight 60mm mortar rounds, six rocket-propelled grenade rounds, one 60mm mortar base plate, 150 rounds of small arms ammunition and four improvised explosive device triggers. The discovery comes as U.S. and Iraqi forces continue to sweep out insurgent strongholds in eastern Baghdad. There has been a substantial reduction in violence in eastern Baghdad, and the recovered cache builds on that momentum.

 

VBIED discovered near office of COR member; more than 40 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition forces discovered a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, or VBIED, near the office compound of Council of Representatives member Adnan al-Dulaimi yesterday while pursuing suspected criminals. More than 40 suspected criminals have been detained as a result of this operation. Iraqi and Coalition forces responded to a report of the murder of a Concerned Local Citizen member approximately one block from al-Dulaimi's office compound. Witnesses observed the murder. Coalition forces found a car matching the description of one that left the murder scene parked in the street and two men apparently taking refuge in al-Dulaimi's office compound. Coalition and Iraqi forces questioned al-Dulaimi's security guards and detained eight of them.  Independent of the murder investigation, a separate vehicle was found on the street outside of al-Dulaimi's office compound, and it appeared to be wired as a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, or SVBIED. One of the eight detained security guards had in his possession the keys to the SVBIED. An additional five suspects were detained at a checkpoint near the office compound. During the transfer of detainees, one suspect escaped. Iraqi Security Forces fired at the fleeing man, wounding two civilians, who were transported to a local hospital. Coalition forces destroyed the VBIED with a controlled detonation, but a secondary explosion wounded five Coalition force soldiers and one Iraqi civilian, who was evacuated to a medical treatment facility. The Coalition force soldiers sustained only minor injuries and were returned to duty. Iraqi security forces went to the residence of al-Dulaimi, approximately a half kilometer from his office compound, where they found him at home, detained 30-40 additional security and staff, and asked al-Dulaimi to remain in his residence for his own personal safety. Iraqi Security Forces posted guards outside his home and placed a curfew in the area. The incidents are currently under investigation.

 

Coalition forces find weapons caches with help from local Iraqis; 18 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 18 suspects Monday through Thursday during operations north of Bayji. During a multi-day operation, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq networks operating north of Bayji. Reports indicate al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders routinely traveled through the targeted area, and used it as a logistical sanctuary and safe haven to plan and coordinate attacks. With the help of two local Iraqis the ground force located and detained 18 suspected terrorists and discovered two weapons caches, which were safely destroyed on site. During the same operation Thursday, Coalition forces returned to the community and offered their condolences to local leaders and the families of three civilians killed Monday when their vehicle sped through a road block, ignoring Coalition forces’ warnings.

 

Coalition forces target foreign terrorist facilitators, car-bombers, propaganda cells; one terrorist killed, 17 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 17 suspects late Thursday and today, during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During operations near Sharqat, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a key member in al-Qaeda in Iraq’s media and propaganda network. Reports indicate the wanted individual may have been using the target area as a safe haven to re-establish the network after significant degradation by Coalition forces’ recent operations. Upon entering the target area, Coalition forces saw a vehicle leaving the target building carrying six individuals traveling toward them at a high rate of speed. After firing warning shots, the vehicle continued to display hostile intent. Coalition forces engaged the vehicle, when it turned around and dropped two armed men off at the target building. The ground force entered and safely secured the building, and found that the two men had been wounded during the earlier engagement. One of the wounded received immediate medical care, but later succumbed to his wounds at a military medical facility. The other wounded suspect also received medical treatment by a Coalition forces medical expert, and was transferred to a military medical facility. He was detained along with four suspects, including the wanted individual. A female civilian, who had been in the vehicle, also received a minor laceration on her arm, but she was treated on site and left with Iraqi police. While searching the building, the ground force also discovered four AK-47 machine guns and one military style bullet-proof vest. Later, while targeting al-Qaeda’s car-bombing network in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a close associate of several senior car-bombing leaders in Karkh. The wanted individual, who reportedly is an al-Qaeda cell leader involved in attacks against Coalition forces in the Arab Jabour area, was subsequently detained along with two other suspected terrorists. Coalition forces targeted individuals reportedly involved in foreign terrorist facilitation during three more precision operations. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in the movement of weapons and to have ties to senior al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in the southern belt region. During an operation in the capital city, Coalition forces called for the occupants of several adjacent buildings to come out, but no one complied, so the ground force entered and detained six suspects. In Mosul, Coalition forces targeted another terrorist associated with foreign terrorist facilitation. During the operation, the ground force captured a wanted individual believed to have information on the terrorist facilitation network. The suspect is also reportedly a direct contact of several terrorist senior leaders who were recently detained by Coalition forces for their role in al-Qaeda operations. The wanted individual was identified by a family member and subsequently detained. Early today, southeast of Samarra, the ground force targeted an alleged leader in the al-Qaeda network operating in the city. The target area was believed to be an al-Qaeda safe house for the wanted individual and served as a headquarters for foreign terrorists. Upon arriving at the area, the ground force entered and secured two buildings and detained two suspects without incident.

 

 Nov. 29 airpower summary: Commando Solo

Hostage Situation At Hillary's Campaign Office

If this had happened to a Republican, the loony left would be screaming it was a conspiracy.

A man claiming to have a bomb walked into Hillary Rodham Clinton's storefront campaign office Friday and took at least two hostages, police and witnesses said. The man ordered the hostages onto the floor and then released a mother and her baby, said State Police Maj. Michael Hambrook. Two campaign volunteers were still being held, said Bill Shaheen, a top state campaign official.

 

***UPDATE 12/01/07 12:21AM***

All's well that ends well.

A distraught man wearing what appeared to be a bomb walked into a Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign office Friday and demanded to speak to the candidate about access to mental health care. The hostage drama dragged on for nearly six hours until he peacefully surrendered. Shortly after releasing the last of at least five hostages unharmed, a man who police identified as Leeland Eisenberg, 46, walked out of the storefront office, put down a homemade bomb-like package and was immediately surrounded by SWAT team with guns drawn. Clad in gray slacks, white dress shirt and a red tie, he was put on the ground and handcuffed.

Good News From The War On Terror 11/29

Coalition forces target foreign terrorist facilitators, assassins, senior al-Qaeda associates; 12 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 12 suspects during operations Thursday targeting al-Qaeda operations in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations in Tarmiyah while targeting a foreign terrorist facilitator and associate of senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. Coalition forces detained two other suspects during the operation without incident. North of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators and senior terrorist leader associates. The wanted individual is also believed to be an al-Qaeda leader in Samarra. During operations in Hawija, Coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq members responsible for assassination style murders. Coalition forces also targeted their associates in Mosul, detaining three suspects without incident. In Bayji, Coalition forces detained one suspect while further targeting al-Qaeda terrorists involved in kidnappings, money extortion and sectarian-related murders.

 

Coalition forces detain five suspects, two armed men killed

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two armed men and detained five other suspected criminals during operations early Thursday in the Khan Bani Said area, north of Baghdad. The targeted individual was reportedly a significant explosively formed penetrator facilitator and trainer within Special Group criminal elements in the Khan Bani Said area and Baghdad, who have not honored Muqtada al-Sadr's pledge for a ceasefire. The suspected criminal was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. During the assault on the targeted building, two armed men exited the building displaying hostile intent with assault rifles aimed toward Coalition forces. The ground force engaged the armed men, killing them in self-defense. During the operation, Coalition forces detained five additional suspected criminals without incident.

Anti-Hillary Shirt

Yesterday, I received my anti-Hillary Clinton shirt from NotIn08.com. You should buy one, or two, or more. All the cool kids are wearing them.

Here is a picture I took of it with my cellphone.

Tens Of Thousands Of Venezuelans Protest Chavez

I was beginning to think there was no such thing as a sane Venezuelan. It's great to finally see people

standing up to dictators.

Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of the capital Thursday to oppose a referendum that would eliminate term limits for President Hugo Chavez and help him establish a socialist state in Venezuela. Blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting "Not like this!" the marchers carried Venezuelan flags and dressed in blue—the chosen color of the opposition—as they streamed along Bolivar Avenue. "This is a movement by those of us who oppose a change to this country's way of life, because what (the referendum) aims to do is impose totalitarianism," said former lawmaker Elias Matta. "There can't be a communist Venezuela, and that's why our society is reacting this way."

Murtha Proclaims "The Surge Is Working" UPDATE: Backtracks

I think the devil just went out and bought a parka.

"I think the 'surge' is working," the Democrat said in a videoconference from his Johnstown office, describing the president's decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves."

 

Murtha screwed up big time, Mommy Pelosi had to spank him.

House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha (D-Pa.) has taken the unusual step of publicly clarifying his remark that the “surge is working” in Iraq. Murtha, a former Marine and top adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on military matters, had often said previously that the surge is not working. The clarification came after House Republicans circulated an article about Murtha’s comments written in Friday’s edition of his home-state Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after a teleconference from Murtha’s  Johnstown, Pa., office. In addition to saying that the surge is working, the Post-Gazette reported, Murtha called the Iraqi government “dysfunctional” and said, “The thing that has to happen is the Iraqis have to do this themselves. We can't win it for them.” That put him in line with the current position of the House Democratic leadership that the extra troops have done a good job of reducing violence, but the Iraqi government has been squandering the  opportunity.

Duncan Hunter Asks Bush For China Policy Meeting

It's about time someone pushed for this. The actions of the Chinese government and companies in the past several months is disturbing.

Presidential hopeful Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is pressing President Bush to call a meeting with several congressional committees to discuss policy towards China in the aftermath of Beijing’s refusal to allow a Navy aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships to dock in Hong Kong last week. Hunter, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, asked Bush to convene a meeting “as soon as possible” with the chairmen and ranking members of Armed Services and the House panels on Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Defense Appropriations. In a letter to Bush on Thursday, Hunter also asked the administration to invest as part of the upcoming fiscal 2009 budget “in technologies to ensure our military remains prepared to meet the challenges that we will face with a China that has become more aggressive militarily.” Hunter, who is not seeking reelection to Congress next year, called for an increased investment in submarine production, the development of modem deep strike platforms, including new bomber aircraft, and enhanced electronic warfare systems.

Had A Bad Day?

 

Stolen from Strawberry Alarm Clock

"We Are At War With All Of Islam" - Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Here are some excerpts from an interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

Last Tuesday at nightfall, as the servants of democracy fled SW1, a young Somali woman stood spotlit on a stage in Westminster. Behind her was the illuminated logo for the Centre for Social Cohesion: a white hand reaching down across England to help a brown one up; in front, an audience of some of Britain’s biggest brains — politicians, editors, academics. She drew her shawl a little closer round her shoulders, looked up and said: ‘We are not at war with “terror”, that would make no sense.’ ‘Hear, hear,’ said a voice at the back. ‘Terror is just a tactic used by Islam,’ she continued. ‘We are actually at war, not just with Islamism, but with Islam itself.’ Out in the dark began a great wobbling of heads. Neocons nodded, Muslims shook their heads; others, uncertain, waggled theirs anxiously from side to side: at war with all Islam, even here in the UK? What does that mean? [...] But there is such a thing as moderate Islam, I say. Muslims aren’t all terrorists. There are some like Ed Husain (author of The Islamist) who argue that there are many peaceful traditions of Koranic scholarship to choose from. Isn’t it a mistake to dismiss this gentler, acceptable branch of Islam? ‘I find the word “moderate” very misleading.’ There’s a touch of steel in Hirsi Ali’s voice. ‘I don’t believe there is such a thing as “moderate Islam”. I think it’s better to talk about degrees of belief and degrees of practice. The Koran is quite clear that it should control every area of life. If a Muslim chooses to obey only some of the Prophet’s commandments, he is only a partial Muslim. If he is a good Muslim, he will wish to establish Sharia law.’

 

Last year I read this article by author Dan Simmons. It's fictional in the sense of the whole "time-traveler" thing, but realistic in the message. I urge you to read the article in its entirety.

“I mean the Century War with Islam,” interrupted the Time Traveler. “Your future. Everyone’s.” He was no longer smiling. Without asking, or offering to pour me any, he stood, refilled his Scotch glass, and sat again. He said, “It was important to me to come back to this time early on in the struggle. Even if only to remind myself of how unspeakably blind you all were.” “You mean the War on Terrorism,” I said. “I mean the Long War with Islam,” he said. “The Century War. And it’s not over yet where I come from. Not close to being over.” “You can’t have a war with Islam,” I said. “You can’t go to war against a religion. Radical Islam, maybe. Jihadism. Some extremists. But not a . . . the . . . religion itself. The vast majority of Muslims in the world are peaceloving people who wish us no harm. I mean . . . I mean . . . the very word ‘Islam’ means ‘Peace.’” “So you kept telling yourselves,” said the Time Traveler. His voice was very low but there was a strange and almost frightening edge to it. “But the ‘peace’ in ‘Islam’ means ‘Submission.’ You’ll find that out soon enough” [...] I waited. Finally I said firmly, “You can’t go to war with a religion. Or, I mean . . . sure, you could . . . the Crusades and all that . . . but it would be wrong.” The Time Traveler sipped his Scotch and looked at me. He said, “Let me give you an analogy . . .” God, I hated and distrusted analogies. I said nothing. “Let’s imagine,” said the Time Traveler, “that on December eighth, Nineteen forty-one, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke before a joint session of Congress and asked them to declare war on aviation.” “That’s absurd,” I said. “Is it?” asked the Time Traveler. “The American battleships, cruisers, harbor installations, Army barracks, and airfields at Pearl Harbor and elsewhere in Hawaii were all struck by Japanese aircraft. Imagine if the next day Roosevelt had declared war on aviation . . . threatening to wipe it out wherever we found it. Committing all the resources of the United States of America to defeating aviation, so help us God.” “That’s just stupid,” I said. If I’d ever been afraid of this Time Traveler, I wasn’t now. He was obviously a mental defective.“The planes, the Japanese planes,” I said, “were just a method of attack . . . a means . . . it wasn’t aviation that attacked us at Pearl Harbor, but the Empire of Japan. We declared war on Japan and a few days later its ally, Germany, lived up to its treaty with the Japanese and declared war on us. If we’d declared war on aviation, on goddamned airplanes rather than the empire and ideology that launched them, we’d never have . . .” I stopped. What had he called it? Category Error. Making the problem unsolvable through your inability – or fear – of defining it correctly.

Rodney King Shot While Riding A Bike

I'm sure he wasn't doing anything wrong. After all, he was an innocent victim of police brutality. Just because you're cracked out of your mind and fighting with police, doesn't mean they can use any means necessary to protect themselves and restrain you. Oh, and all those other arrests...innocent also. The white man is just keeping him down.

Rodney King was apparently shot and wounded on a San Bernardino street corner late Wednesday night before biking home to Rialto to report the incident, police said. King, the 42-year-old man who gained national fame when his 1991 beating by Los Angeles police was caught on videotape, called Rialto police at 11:39 p.m. to report the shooting, said Sgt. Don Lewis. He had been struck in the face and arm with a shotgun, Lewis said. King reported that the shooting occurred at 5th Street and Meridian Avenue in San Bernardino, just east of the Rialto city line.