Brits To CA$H In On Hostage Story
I couldn't even imagine what the thinking was behind this. Maybe the MoD will get a cut from the profits. Hopefully they will use that money to better equip their Navy.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Good News From The War On Terror 4/7
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES ENFORCE "RULE OF LAW"
MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces conducted security sweeps throughout Ninewa Province Tuesday and Wednesday, seizing black market fuel, illegal munitions, and bomb-making equipment and detaining suspected anti-Iraqi forces.
"The terrorist actions aim at creating disorder and destabilizing the situation in the city. God willing, we are going to uproot the terrorists from this city," concluded Duraid Kashmoula, Ninewa's provincial governor.
Kashmoula explained the senior leadership's role and the need for the crackdown."Today we have a Mosul-wide security operation that parallels the Baghdad Law Enforcement Plan and aims at preventing any saboteur or terrorist from gaining a foothold in Mosul. We realized that we have to participate [ISF] in the operation.
We have noticed that the IA soldiers and IP officers are well deployed and are cooperative with each other; each based on its area of operation," said Kashmoula.
IA soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Iraqi Army Divisions supported IP officers in raiding suspected improvised explosive device factories, suspected illegal munitions caches and known insurgent hideouts both inside and outside the various city limits."Our roles - myself and the IP commander, along with the 2IA Division commander, are making tours to all the troops to look closely into their performance and style of dealing with the people," Kashmoula added.
A total of 179 individuals were detained during the two-day sweep, eight terrorists were killed, and the ISF seized numerous small arms, ammunition, projectiles and IED-making material.
IP also seized hundreds of liters of black market fuel that will be utilized by the ISF in their generators and to fuel vehicles, allowing for increased patrols to provide security for the province's cities, according to IP officials.
Coalition troops from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division aided the Iraqi patrols with vehicle and logistical support, to include air support.
NATIONAL POLICE DELIVER SUPPLIES, HOPE TO IRAQI SCHOOLCHILDREN
BAGHDAD - Lt. Col. Ahmed, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division handed out supplies to a pair of elementary schools in Southwest Rashid during a joint operation with Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, April 4.
The mission was the first of its kind in the area by the NP battalion and its U.S counterpart. 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany. The police commander not only took the opportunity to deliver supplies to the Arbid and Ibn Yakhdan schools, but made an assessment of the facilities and the surrounding communities as well.
"This is a good beginning, but I want you to know that we will make the area safe for the children. We want to help you to clean up the trash in this neighborhood and make the people proud to live here," he told Ms. Noor, the headmistress of the Arbid school in Southwest Rashid.
As he spoke, members of his battalion, wearing crisp new uniforms, and displaying a professional demeanor, carried boxes of supplies into the building. A new television set, water dispenser, computer and monitor, power supply and office furniture were brought in, all of which represented progress and hope for the children who will be able to make use of these implements to enhance their education.
OPERATION NETS 27 INSURGENTS IN AD DIWANIYAH
AD DIWANIYAH, Iraq- Bomb-making materials and 27 insurgent suspects were seized during Operation Black Eagle, a combined operation headed by Iraqi Army troops supported by Soldiers and paratroopers from Multi-National Division-Baghdad and Multi-National Division-Center South.
"Fighting was steady throughout the first day," said Maj. Eric Verzola, spokesman for MND-B's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. "Iraqi soldiers fought bravely alongside coalition forces throughout the day against the anti-Iraqi forces."
Verzola said three anti-Iraqi forces were killed and six others wounded during the operation. He said two Iraqi Army troops and one coalition Soldier were wounded.
Troops swept into the city to disrupt militia activity and return security and stability of the volatile city back to the government of Iraq, Verzola said. Soldiers of the 8th Iraqi Army Division began Operation Black Eagle in response to the recent violence threatening to destabilize the region.
A facility was found where several explosively-formed projectiles were in several stages of production. Four EFPs were assembled in the facility and secured. EFP-making materials were also found and secured.
Two other locations were found containing homemade explosives. Additionally, six AK-47s, two RPK machine guns and two pistols were found and secured during the operation.
MILITARY DOCTORS TREAT AFGHAN WAR’S SMALLEST CASUALTIES
[There is a lot more information than I am able to post here. Please click the link above for all the information]
VBIED CELL LEADER KILLED, EIGHT OTHERS CAPTURED IN RAIDS
Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and captured eight suspected terrorists Saturday morning during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cells.
In southwest Baghdad, a terrorist was killed and three suspected terrorists were detained during an assault by Coalition Forces. The detainees indicated that the man killed was a local VBIED cell leader in charge of approximately 40-50 men. Coalition Forces also found several AK-47s in the targeted building.
South of Ramadi, Coalition Forces captured four suspected terrorists with ties to an al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign fighter facilitation network.
"These terrorists are indiscriminately killing innocent Iraqis," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "Coalition Forces continue methodical and deliberate efforts to eliminate VBIED cells in Iraq."
Afghan National Police Graduate New Leaders
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan national police took strides toward taking more control of their own security after a joint team of Soldiers with the 235th Military Police Company and Airmen with the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team led them through a leadership seminar April 2-4.
Police chiefs from seven districts across Kapisa Province received classroom instruction on ethics, values, leadership, community policing, map reading, running a tactical operations center, basic communication, hygiene and logistics. Completion of this course made them the first Afghan police leaders to complete this type of training.
“This training was virgin territory for them and for us,” said Army Lt. Col. James Slagowski, 201st Regional Security Assistance Command Central senior mentor for Kapisa ANP.
“The classes went very well. We had excellent instruction and great participation. I know they will take the lessons they learned here and pass it on to their subordinates.”
Not only did the training serve to teach leadership skills to local ANP, but it also helped with increasing interoperability between the ANP, Afghan national army and coalition forces.
“Teaching them some of the ways we operate and ways they can communicate with their troops will only help improve our working relationship because we will all be on the same page when it comes to how we lead our people,” said Army 2nd Lt. Thadius Schmit, 235th MP Company platoon leader. “Training like this makes them more self-reliant so that one day they can run their security operations by themselves.”
The 16 ANP leaders agreed that this training opportunity is one that taught them a lot and is one that they will never forget.
“First, I would like to thank the Soldiers for sharing their wealth of knowledge with us,” said Afghan Col. Ahnadullah Oria, Tagab District police chief and one of the class’ distinguished graduates. “I especially enjoyed the leadership and communications classes. It taught us ways to manage our troops and improve security for the community.”
Fellow honor grad and police chief of Nejrabdis District, Afghan Col. Padshahgul Bakhtegar agreed.“The training I will take back to my troops is the communication portion,” he said. “Communication is the mind of the army. Without communication, there is no combat. If we can communicate, we can provide better security for our people.”
While this three-day training event was aimed at the leaders, the joint team of trainers plan on conducting these classes in Parwan Province as well as going to the leaders’ individual districts to pass on the these unique leadership skills.
“We know that by giving them the confidence they need to lead, that it will go a long way toward helping them secure there own cities and villages against insurgents,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Francis Warren, Bagram PRT NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge) of Afghan police training assistance. “If they can handle community problems at the police level, then things would be more secure for the whole country.”
This training was the first step in a three-prong process of training for the ANP. In the near future classes like these are planned to tackle logistical needs and operate a provincial coordination center.
“We want to make a lasting impact with our training,” said Slagowski. “We want the Afghan people to be able take over for the long term. I have been truly impressed by the professionalism of our joint Air Force and Army team. They are up to the challenge of seeing this training through to the end and ensure freedom’s future for the Afghan people.”
The President-Elect Prepares For His Candidacy
Fred Thompson, the “Law & Order” actor and former senator from Tennessee, has moved beyond pondering a bid for the White House and begun assembling the nucleus of a campaign should he decide to run, according to people involved in the effort.
Thompson has not yet decided to seek the Republican presidential nomination. But “he is getting more serious every day,” said an adviser familiar with Thompson's plans.
Thompson’s coming-out as a candidate-in-waiting will be a May 4 appearance at the 45th annual dinner of the Lincoln Club of Orange County in the heart of Ronald Reagan country in Southern California. The invitation was widely sought by aspiring Republicans, and his advisers expect considerable media attention around the visit. But there are no plans now for an announcement then.
This is the man that almost every Republican wants to run for President. A lot of those people are searching for the "Conservative Candidate". There is already 3 Conservative candidates in the race. Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, and Sam Brownback. These men are also at the bottom of the polls. Too many people cannot see past the top 3, albeit useless, candidates of Giuliani, McCain, and Romney.
Algore Gets Blasted By Dr. William Gray
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A top hurricane forecaster called Al Gore "a gross alarmist" Friday for making an Oscar-winning documentary about global warming.
"He's one of these guys that preaches the end of the world type of things. I think he's doing a great disservice and he doesn't know what he's talking about," Dr. William Gray said in an interview with The Associated Press at the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans, where he delivered the closing speech.
A spokeswoman said Gore was on a flight from Washington, D.C., to Nashville Friday; he did not immediately respond to Gray's comments.
Gray, an emeritus professor at the atmospheric science department at Colorado State University, has long railed against the theory that heat-trapping gases generated by human activity are causing the world to warm.
Over the past 24 years, Gray, 77, has become known as America's most reliable hurricane forecaster; recently, his mentee, Philip Klotzbach, has begun doing the bulk of the forecasting work.
Algore, or The Gore-acle as he is being referred to now, loses another "Global Warming" bout. Stories like this are being buried and the ones that support the global warming theory are given all the attention.
Iranian "Diplomat" Thinks He Was Tortured By CIA
TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian diplomat freed two months after being abducted in Iraq accused the CIA of torturing him during his detention, state television reported Saturday. The United States immediately denied any involvement in the Iranian’s disappearance or release.
Jalal Sharafi, who was freed on Tuesday, said the CIA questioned him about Iran’s relations with Iraq and assistance to various Iraqi groups, according to state television.
“Once they heard my response that Iran merely has official relations with the Iraqi government and officials, they intensified tortures and tortured me through different methods days and nights,” he said.
Wow. Should have saw this coming. The Iranians are looking pretty bad right now after those British Sailors detailed their captivity. What could Iran do to deflect some of that ill will? Have the "diplomat" tell the world he was tortured by the CIA. Of course, their definition of torture is different from others outside the middle east. It was probably something like they didn't get a prayer rug or a quran. Maybe scantily clad women were walking in front of him. You know, really bad things.
Russians Still Crying Over Anti-Missile Shield
A senior Russian lawmaker called Saturday for Russia to be included in US plans to build a missile defence system in Europe, warning Moscow will otherwise view the antimissile shield as a threat.
"Russia has every reason to be interested in close cooperation in creating Eurasian missile-defense systems," Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the State Duma, wrote in an opinion piece in the International Herald Tribune.
"And any attempt to build them without Russia (which is not only an interested party but also geographically and technically the most suitable place for an effective antimissile defense) automatically means they are being built against Russia," wrote the lawmaker.
Russia has repeatedly criticised the United States' plans to place missile defence equipment in countries that were once part of Moscow's orbit.
The United States has asked the Czech Republic to host a radar system and Poland to host interceptor rockets as part of its missile defence plans.
Washington insists the anti-missile shield is intended as protection against attacks from "rogue states" such as Iran and points out that the proposed system would be useless against Russia's vast weapons arsenal.
Kosachev argued building an antimissile shield without Russia wouldn't be effective and counterproductive as Moscow would view it as a threat.
These people are crying like an ugly teenage girl who didn't get invited to a party. I don't see the need for Russia to be included in the plans. If they don't have an anti-missile shield, that's their problem. Maybe they should spend less time selling weapons to our enemies and more time developing systems of their own. I think this is a ploy to gain intelligence on the shield and learn ways to counter it. Poland and The Czech Republic are being rewarded for aiding us in the War on Terror.
U.S. Offered U.K. A Little Intimidation In Iranian Airspace
The US offered to take military action on behalf of the 15 British sailors and marines held by Iran, including buzzing Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions with warplanes, the Guardian has learned.
In the first few days after the captives were seized and British diplomats were getting no news from Tehran on their whereabouts, Pentagon officials asked their British counterparts: what do you want us to do? They offered a series of military options, a list which remains top secret given the mounting risk of war between the US and Iran. But one of the options was for US combat aircraft to mount aggressive patrols over Iranian Revolutionary Guard bases in Iran, to underline the seriousness of the situation.
If this would've happened, the EU and UN would have backed Iran, the Iranians would be crying their little eyes out, and the Dems would be screaming "Impeachment!". So many things could have gone wrong.
It really should be an "all or nothing" type of engagement. This act of intimidation would eventually lead to all out war because the Iranians would step up their interference in Iraq. If war is inevitable, it should be on our terms and when we are ready. However; I support any action against Iran.
History Damns Pelosi And Crew
While looking through one of my favorite art history books, I was shocked to discover proof that the Democrats have been trying to undermine our way of life for quite some time:
Look closely, you may recognize some of the people.
Pelosi Commits Another Felony?!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may well have committed a felony in traveling to Damascus this week, against the wishes of the president, to communicate on foreign-policy issues with Syrian President Bashar Assad. The administration isn't going to want to touch this political hot potato, nor should it become a partisan issue. Maybe special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, whose aggressive prosecution of Lewis Libby establishes his independence from White House influence, should be called back.
The Logan Act makes it a felony and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years for any American, "without authority of the United States," to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government's behavior on any "disputes or controversies with the United States." Some background on this statute helps to understand why Ms. Pelosi may be in serious trouble.
I think it's time for an independent prosecutor. This is a lot more serious than firing federal prosecutors for not doing their job or "outing" a non-covert CIA agent.
I demand an investigation and hearings on capital hill!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Iraq Police: Iranian-Made Bombs Used In Attack That Killed 4 Britons
BAGHDAD — The Basra police commander on Friday said the roadside bomb used in an attack that killed four British soldiers had not been used in southern Iraq before, and his description of the deadly weapon indicated it was a feared Iranian-designed explosively formed projectile.
Anbar province has been a stronghold of the Sunni insurgency but many tribes in the region recently switched allegiance, with large numbers of military-age men joining the police force and Iraqi army in a bid to expel Al Qaeda in Iraq fighters.
The U.S. military has claimed Iran is supplying Shiite militia fighters in Iraq with explosively formed projectiles, known as an EFP. They hurl a molten, fist-sized copper slug capable of piercing armored vehicles.
The four British soldiers — including two women — were killed Thursday as the American military announced the deaths of eight more U.S. soldiers since Tuesday.
The Basra region police commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Moussawi, said two similar bombs had been discovered Friday morning; one was discovered on the road leading to Basra Palace, the compound that houses a British base and the British and U.S. consulates. A second was uncovered in the western Hayaniyah district where Thursday's attack occurred. The area is known as a stronghold of the Mahdi Army, a militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Let's not escalate a situation. It's perfectly fine for Iran to supply weapons and training to terrorists in Iraq. Our soldiers, as well as Coalition soldiers are dying because of these weapons and Democrats want to tie our hands so nothing can be done about it.
British Sailors & Marines Talk About Their Ordeal
ROYAL MARINE BASE CHIVENOR, England - British sailors and marines held for nearly two weeks in Iran were blindfolded, bound and threatened with prison if they did not say they had strayed into Iranian waters, a Royal Navy lieutenant who was among the captives said Friday.
Lt. Felix Carman, safely home with his 14 colleagues, said the crew faced harsh interrogation by their Iranian captors and slept in stone cells on piles of blankets. Unable to see and kept isolated, they heard weapons cocking.
"We were blindfolded, our hands were bound and we were forced up against a wall. Throughout our ordeal we faced constant psychological pressure," Carman said. "All of us were kept in isolation. We were interrogated most nights and presented with two options. If we admitted that we'd strayed, we'd be on a plane to (Britain) pretty soon. If we didn't, we faced up to seven years in prison."
Royal Marine Capt. Chris Air said the crew of 15, which was out on a routine operation on March 23, was confronted by members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
"They rammed our boats, and trained their heavy machine guns, RPGs, and weapons on us. Another six boats were closing in on us," Air said. "We realized that had we resisted there would have been a major fight, one we could not have won, with consequences that would have major strategic impacts. We made a conscious decision not to engage the Iranians."
Well, there you have it. I'm not going to comment on this. If you want to read the Sailors/Marines full statement, you can do so here
It's Friday! Time To Shock & Awe Iran
On April 1st, I posted about an article that reported the United States was supposed to attack Iran on Good Friday, between the hours of 4am and 4pm.
Here's a brief clip on the article:
The United States will be ready to launch a missile attack on Iran's nuclear facilities as soon as early this month, perhaps "from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. on April 6," according to reports in the Russian media on Saturday.
I wish I knew what time zone they were using. I would like to start a countdown.
Terrorists Endorse Pelosi
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Syria Wednesday – in which she called for dialogue with Damascus – was "brave" and "very appreciated" and could bring about "important changes" to America's foreign policy, including talks with "Middle East resistance groups," according to members of Palestinian terror organizations whose top leaders live in Syria.
One terror leader, Khaled Al-Batch, a militant and spokesman for Islamic Jihad, expressed hope Pelosi would continue winning elections, explaining the House speaker's Damascus visit demonstrated she understands the Middle East.
Pelosi's visit was opposed by President Bush, who called Syria a "state sponsor of terror."
"Nancy Pelosi understands the area (Middle East) well, more than Bush and Dr. (Condoleezza) Rice," said Al-Batch, speaking to WND from Gaza. "If the Democrats want to make negotiations with Syria, Hamas, and Hizbullah, this means the Democratic Party understands well what happens in this area and I think Pelosi will succeed. ... I hope she wins the next elections."
There you have it. 10 out of 10 terrorists agree, Democrats will help them spread Islamo-fascism.
No War For Oil! Oh Wait, We Didn't Get a Contract.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite claims by some critics that the Bush administration invaded Iraq to take control of its oil, the first contracts with major oil firms from Iraq's new government are likely to go not to U.S. companies, but rather to companies from China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
While Iraqi lawmakers struggle to pass an agreement on exactly who will award the contracts and how the revenue will be shared, experts say a draft version that passed the cabinet earlier this year will likely uphold agreements previously signed by those countries under Saddam Hussein's government.
[...]
The Asian firms are at an advantage for several reasons.
First, less constrained by Western sanctions during the Hussein regime, they've been operating in Iraq and know the country's oilfields, said Falah Aljibury, an energy analyst who has advised several Iraqi oil ministers as well as other OPEC nations.
Aljibury said the first contracts likely awarded will be to the Chinese in the south central part of Iraq, the Vietnamese in the south, the Indians along the Kuwaiti border, and the Indonesians in the western desert.
Wha-wha-what! Where's the evil big oil companies?! I thought we went to war for oil? That's what all the dirty little hippies keep telling us. Here we have not a single U.S. oil company getting an oil contract. I guess they will have to come up with a better conspiracy.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
SHE-HAGS!!!!!
This is like the American version of Godzilla and Mothra. Except they don't destroy Tokyo, they destroy the morale of our troops. I need to hear someone say "Gojira" today.
P.S. This picture looks a little funny, so it will be no surprise to hear in the next few days it's been
Photoshopped or whatever. I personally like Paint Shop Pro and GIMP. The main reason of course it price, but those products work well and GIMP has the same functions as Photoshop and it's free.
Subscribe to:
