The BBC is picking up on Turkey's position
Turkey's precarious diplomatic balancing act on the Iraq issue is being highlighted on Monday with separate visits from senior American officials and the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz.
We thought it was an important news item Sunday , good to see the mainstream media picking up on Turkey's duplictious stance. We bet however, the weight is not balanced and leans more towards Iraq.
Loud Mouths
Political commentary to soothe the savage soul.
Monday, September 30, 2002
How much you want to bet that there was uranium in the lead container.
It is something you see every day: two men driving a car with a lead container hidden in a car that contains zinc, iron, zirconium and manganese.
Now how much of an embarrassment to the Turkish government would it be if the local police stumbled on about 15kg of U238 and 150 grams of U235?
Given these statements Turkey's prime minister has issued an ominous warning to Iraqi Kurdish groups who this week approved a draft constitution that envisions replacing the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein with a "federal Iraq."
[...]
"...The prospect alarms Turkish leaders who fear a U.S. military campaign in Iraq will unleash Kurdish ambitions to create an independent state.
[...]
Turkish-Iraqi Business Council issued a report on Monday stating that the Gulf crisis cost Turkey 100 billion USD in 12 years including alternative costs and a possible U.S. operation against Iraq would have a cost of 150 million USD to Turkey.
Then on top of this you have Iraqi Diplomacy Traffic Accelerating
When have you seen a potential political issue such as local police finding uranium that could be linked to Iraq remain in the open when you have the Turks trying to establishes ties with Iraq.
This latest story sounds fishy and stinks.
Saddam’s ‘Ukraine connection:’ how he may have beat the arms embargo
Shady Israelis suspected in clandestine operations
Michael Rogers raises a good question: IS GOOGLE NEWS THE END OF EDITORS?
Or will the news agencies ban Google news?
Ok it is Monday and what do we see on the blogging circuit? Damian Penny pushing the same skewed polls that are being conducted in the Gaza and West Bank.
That poll and its reliability is about the same as if a poll were conducted in the Watts and asked the residents if they supported Jesse Jackson. But then again Penny would have to deal with Ezola Foster's brand of conservatism if she were polled.
Interestingly, bloggers like Penny had pushed the theory that when the polls showed a decline in support for Arafat, it was because of Israel's tough stance, but in this case the polls show the opposite.
Will someone call Zogby to do a poll. That will piss guys like Penny off.
US Official’s Claim of Russia Plutonium Theft has Authorities Scratching Their Heads
Things that make you go hmmmm.
Is Noriega in Iraq?
Rather than a massive build-up of half a million troops in the desert that would take away the element of surprise, the United States is assembling an agile, rapid-reaction strike force of 75,000 soldiers.
Doubt it will be that large and will be conducted like the Panama operation with loud speakers and all.
U.S officials believe Saddam Hussein has already given his field commanders authorization to use such weapons, the paper said. Saddam gave similar orders during the Gulf War.
No shit.
Andrew McCaskey, Sr is AVAILABLE : Experienced Igloo builder. Cool service guaranteed.
The last igloo I remember building with the real stuff was constructed during the winter of ‘28, I think, and it was a doozie with lots of perfect snow available over an extended period.
Interesting read.
Have to agree with this one, the guy is an idiot.
Sunday, September 29, 2002
An Anti-war Demonstration?
Simply fucking amazing.
(Photo via Drudge)
Something to think about when you think of Rumsfeld.
How many wars can the U.S fight at one time?
The special forces guys got it right keep the 82nd out of sweeps like the ones that are going on.
Ferchrissake. Who in the hell is letting the 82nd loose in these searches?
Newsmax is sometimes good and is sometimes really really bad like the New York Times, New York Post and others. But this one takes the cake. What is this difference between this incidence of smuggling and past smugglings of uranium?
One has to question why the enthusiasm on calling it weapons grade uranium when according to latest acounts, it is still unkown on the type of uranium. And the boys at Newsmax even ackowledge it.
Added to this is the hysterical remarks made by McCain.
So you think the Republicans are ahead in the polls? Think again.
There has been much speculation that the Iraqi rhetoric is political. If it is, then someone needs to let Bush know. On the other side of the aisle, we are sure the Democrats are fully aware of the sentiment among voters on going it alone in an invasion in Iraq.
The Independents have always been the ones to look at, and if you do, Democrats would come out ahead in an election.
Alexander from Future Paradigm, has an excellent link on the future of chemical and bio warfare.
As it stands, the equipment used by the troops do not even come close to what is required to protect one in a bio and chem war. If you saw the Cezch Army chem teams you would know.
That is one reason it has been stated on this site our troops would be in a world of hurt if Hussein decide to let loose with chemical agents or bio agents.
Col Hackworth's latest is a good read on Oops, More Unexpected Casualties
It wasn't bullets that took them down, but a casualty-producer the experts didn't count on called Gulf War Illness. So far, according to an April 2002 Veterans Affairs report, an additional 7,758 Desert Storm vets have died, while 198,716 vets have filed claims for medical and compensation benefits. Of the claims filed, 156,031 have been granted as service-connected, with more vets being designated casualties as each day passes. The 198,716 figure represents a staggering 28 percent of the 696,579 vets who fought in the Gulf War conflict!
Now the data the Czech chem team has on the Gulf War would leave one to believe that some type of biological agents as well as chemical agents were released by bombings or by the Iraqis. Some theorize that some of the "daisy cutters" dropped in Desert Storm were used to kill off biological agents.
This leads into what dumbass comments some bloggers make about the West Nile virus or bio/chemical weapons.
I do think that Easterbrook's piece is in good faith, and I do think that, on the whole, chem/bio weapons are overrated in the popular mind. That's not the same as saying that they're not dangerous, or shouldn't be taken seriously.
Ok which is it. They are overrated or dangerous in the "popular mind". Reynolds, what more can be said about his "unpopular" mind.
Bush And McBride In A Dead Heat
(Via Taegan Goddard's Political Wire )
Amazing, some bloggers headline with an innuendo against Iraq and end it with a faint of heart.
All of that on about 140 grams (Five ounces) of uranium?
So what do the Turks do, they let the suspects go. It must be the upcoming visit by Iraqi officials having the powwow on the Kurds in Iraq.
Strange that someone would mistake 15kg for 140 grams. Sounds like a fish story or a fishy story.
But what is really strange is someone thinking Turkey would support an invasion into Iraq when Iraq is helping Turkey by Iraq fighting the Kurds. But then the U.S. has protected the Kurds but has bases in Turkey. So go figure that one.
Strange bedfellows indeed.
Saturday, September 28, 2002
Iraqi Diplomacy Traffic Accelerating
As diplomacy traffic related with Iraq is getting busier in Ankara with the visit of Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq started a close follow-up to Aziz's visit.
Playing the Kurds against the Turks.
Related Headlines
Turks warn Kurds on a 'federal Iraq'
CIA Snubbed Saddam's Nuke Chief
The one-time chief of Iraq's nuclear program, who's now a key U.S. source for intelligence on Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, was initially dismissed as a joke by Clinton-era intelligence agents who rejected his initial plea for asylum in 1994.
Dr. Khidir Hamza has changed his story two times on what Hussein had. First he stated the Iraqis had the weapons grade uranium, then he later changed his story to Iraq was looking to buy enriched uranium. Not very reliable.
U.S. warns Americans in Lebanon to be vigilant
The U.S. embassy in Beirut has warned Americans to exercise ''utmost caution'' in Lebanon because of heightened tension as a bloody Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation passes the two-year mark.
Related Headlines
More than 100,000 people attend Hezbollah rally in Lebanon
Hizbullah Pledges 'Unto Death' Support for Arafat
Allies face 'uphill trek' at Security Council
But Russia, which holds the key to UN agreement, seemed to harden its position when it said it would be an "unforgivable error" to delay the inspectors.
Igor Ivanov, foreign minister, said the British dossier on Baghdad's weapons programme offered "no clear proof" that Iraq was continuing to develop weapons of mass destruction.
Kuwait prepared for Iraqi chemical attack: Minister
Kuwait is a US ally but says it will not allow Washington to use its territory to launch an attack on Iraq without the sanction of the United Nations. “I do not exclude anything at all from Iraq,” Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al Salem Al Sabah told reporters before flying to Egypt for three-days of talks. “Do we trust Saddam Hussein? No. Do we know that he has weapons of mass destruction?
Yes... This is enough for us to be concerned over Iraq’s ability to harm Kuwait”, he said. Iraq denies it is developing weapons of mass destruction, but concerns over a chemical attack have hit Kuwait’s stock market, which declined 2.4 percent on Saturday at the start of the trading week. But Sheikh Mohammad said the emirate was well protected by a large U.S. military presence as well as by German and Czech anti-chemical warfare units. Kuwait is “probably the safest place in the world as there are many systems to combat any aggression,” he said.
The Czech chem team may have been in Northern Iraq
Made in West Germany?
The Smoking Gun? No, considering that stories like this one indicate that uranium was already smuggled into Iraq.
Dr Hamza claims that material is already inside Iraq and is currently being processed to weapons grade. He added: “Unless he’s stopped soon, Saddam will have set up a whole nuclear bomb industry, not just have made a couple of bombs.”
Strange that Blair's dossier discounts Dr. Hamza's claim that Iraq can process weapons grade uranium. Or did it.
The dossier leads one to believe that Iraq could have a nuke within 90 days. A theory that could only be supported by Dr. Hamza's statements.
This contradiction could leave some to think it was the uranium that Ted Turner paid for.
Last month, Ted Turner's Nuclear Threat Initiative had to pony up $5 million to get poorly secured, weapons-grade uranium out of Belgrade.
The timing of this article is perfect for all kinds of kooky conspiracy theories like this one; Hussein was smuggling it out of Iraq to avoid detection by U.N. inspectors.
Update
CNN is indicating that the uranium could be weapons grade uranium, but at this time it is not known, they also stated that it orginated from Russia.
Update
There are suggestions that there was 15kg of U238 and and about 140 grams of U235. Thus it would not be considered weapons grade uranium. Weapons grade uranium is considered to be at least 90% U235.
FALSE WITNESSES?
Roe v. Wade revisted with a lie.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review the most sweeping legal judgment against pro-life activists in history. But painstakingly compiled new evidence shows that pro-abortion witnesses in the case may have lied.
To use those great words of the philospher Glenn Reynolds, "it's just another big government program that doesn't work."
If you take Kevin Michael Grace's comments along with Buchanan's comments, then compare them to liberals and bloggers who think of themselves as enlightened, you find they are saying the same thing as if Clinton was at their side. War is good Saddam is bad.
As for war, hell we have always felt the one bullet, one shot theory was the best scenario. It's the safest and quickest. But when it comes to listening to either side on Iraq, screw that noise, we'll take the words of someone who really knows what the hell is going on.
"The nightmare scenario," said General Hoar, "is that six Iraqi republican guard divisions and six heavy divisions, reinforced with several thousand anti-aircraft artillery pieces, defends the city of Baghdad. The result would be high casualties on both sides, as well as in the civilian community."
That doesn't even account for the possible use of bio and chemical weapons. For those who advocate war, grab some make-up, some fancy camoflauge BDUs and have at it, because you will be grabbing your ass as you wonder how in the hell did you get in this cluster fuck.
The U.S. hasn't been in the type of combat that would be needed to overthrow Saddam in years. You have to go back to World War II to see how it plays out in urban warfare.
And as for a conservative vs. liberal argument, bullshit, neither side has a patent on being for a war or against a war. It comes down to sensibilities. And in this case, the sensible approach is no invasion.
Israeli forces operating inside Iraq, hunting missiles: newsletter
Very doubtfull that they are there at this point in time.
France resists US pressure on Iraq
Poor Andrew Sullivan.
We are a little behind on this one but the duck of the draw was a scary duck?
Damn it next time were going to have to learn to use learnt in its proper form and spell certain words with a u or z or is that an s so that our behaviour is not easily recognised as being American.
Oh Hell, on second thought, we will settle for where we are at.
Blair to face the music at party meet
And as the band plays who let the dogs out, look who shows up:
Former US President Bill Clinton, who remains close to Blair, will be in the windswept northern resort town of Blackpool to sprinkle some of his stardust.
George Michael we know where you were with Bush, where are you on this one?
(Cartoon image: BBC)
Ground Troops participating in Operation Enduring Freedom prepare to dig into fighting positions after a day of reacting to enemy fire. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Marck Jr., 314th Press Camp Headquarters)
Do blondes have more fun?
Or are they an endangered species.
We were curious on why all of a sudden the interest and the visits to this weblog in regard to the handshake between Rumsfeld and Hussein
Now we know.
Friday, September 27, 2002
Reynolds takes a cheap shot at the anti-death crowd.
But what is hysterical, is he becomes part of the anti-death crowd when he makes this statement.
The problem with the death penalty is that it's just another big government program that doesn't work. If death penalty opponents had been clearer on that point all along, they would have done better. I think they're finally catching on.
Houston we have had a major brain dump. A big government program that doesn't work? How sensitive of him. Nevermind the evidence on how the judicial system is flawed in it's quest to find the truth. But come to think of it, one does not expect the truth from many lawyers.
One standard for Israel, another for Iraq and the Palestinians while US criticizes Israel for attempt to kill Deif
Boucher also reiterated the US's call for Israel to fulfil the UN Security Council resolution that calls on Israel to withdraw immediately from Arafat's Ramallah compound.
Problems problems problems. And what does one do if Israel does not comply?
Are the Christians in Lebanon ignoring Aoun?
James Taranto says Bomb Iran
If this report pans out, President Bush already has the authority he needs to strike and destroy the camp. The Sept. 14, 2001, resolution authorizing war stipulates that "the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons."
Who else should be on the list?
Baghdad arrival of three democratic elected officials of the American Congress
(Bablefish translation)
It's ShowTime
Prime Minister Tony Blair has enlisted an old friend to help sell his tough policy on Iraq to critics within his governing Labor Party when they convene for their annual conference this weekend — former President Bill Clinton.
Thursday, September 26, 2002
Cruise and Spielberg back war
Mission Impossible ??????
One of the interesting things about weblogs are some of the comments. Maxspeak has one post that brought an intelligent comment on the Iraqi situation.
Absent a comprehensive nuclear non-proliferation strategy (this administration does not have one, aside from opposing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty), why should the US go to war to prevent a single nation from acquiring nuclear arms? Isn't such a policy simply dooming us to an unending series of wars as more and more countries gain nuclear capabilities? If we are not contemplating such a series of future invasions, then why is Iraq unique?
I agree that is in our national interest to prevent Iraq from acquiring nuclear arms. It is also in our national interest to prevent many other nations from doing the same. I'm just not willing to sign off on a policy that uses war as our one and only means of achieving nuclear non-proliferation. We are at a juncture as a nation. Are we going attempt to control the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons by pursuing diplomatic initiatives and verifiable arms control treaties through strengthened international coalitions? Or do we instead chart a unilateralist course in which the application of pre-emptive military force is used as our primary means of containing weapons of mass destruction?
I'm afraid I already know the answer to my question. Posted by Kelly DeRango @ 09/26/2002 05:03 PM EST
Now granted it would be foolish to argue diplomatic efforts would work with Iraq. The U.S. has not been innocent or honest in its past relationships with Iraq and Iraq has not been honest with the U.S.
One does have to question if Iraq is such a threat, what makes them different from Iran and North Korea? None of the other countries have been cooperative with the U.S. and the U.N.
Added to the list of rogue nations, Libya is going to beat out Iraq on the arms race. This according to Sharon. So why the rush on Iraq?
Now on the eleventh hour, Saddam is linked to the Al Qaeda.
This being done after the many denials by U.S. officials. Is there cause for the change of heart? Yes, it brings the threat to a national interest. An interest that was raised by the Czech intelligence but denied by the U.S..
The Iraq/Al Qaeda link that the Bush administration is trying to establish would also be linked to the 9-11 attack. The evidence is there.
Arguably, Iraq is unique, but it goes back to Atta and the Iraqi agent in Prague.
The U.N. Resolution Blues
Blair dismisses Iraq split
Tony Blair today shrugged off a revolt by more than 50 Labour MPs over his hard line stance on Iraq and moved rapidly on to prepare for his next battle at the party's conference next week.
West split over final warning to Saddam
Tension between US departments, British unease and outright opposition from France and Russia were delaying the drafting of a UN resolution compelling Iraq to allow proper inspection of its weapons sites or suffer the consequences.
Putin opposes UN resolution on Iraq
British and US hopes of gaining a new UN resolution on Iraq have been dealt a fresh blow after Russian President Vladimir Putin deemed it unnecessary.
Iraq Resolution Near, Bush Says; Daschle Disagrees
Jewish leaders react to Armey
"I always see two Jewish communities in America," Armey replied. "One of deep intellect and one of shallow, superficial intellect."
(Via Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)
Within one sentence one can become judgmental
I am all for limiting abortions under most circumstances to the pre-24 week timeframe. Late term abortions seem wrong and from the documentation I have seen are ghastly. Unless there is some medical reason that is endangering the mother or the risk of a horribly deformed fetus this type of abortion should be severely regulated.
It's called your comfort zone.
Wednesday, September 25, 2002
Damian Penny fixates on Fisk
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz..........
Reynolds continues to push the bullshit about the LAX shooter being a terrorist.
The FBI stated the guy wasn't, so why does he push the bullshit in his own stories? Hmmm.
The L A Times spins Iraqi Bomb Is Years Away, British Say
They did?
Fisk enters Water World
Hatfill On U.N. List as Arms Inspector
Dr. Steven Hatfill, the FBI's "person if interest" in the anthrax investigation may have been fired from his job at Louisiana State University but he could end up working for the United Nations, poking around in Iraq as a weapons inspector.
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
US president George W. Bush tries to take Spot influence on the lawn of the white house on his dog: But calculated the most faithful companion of the most powerful man of the world refuses the Gefolgschaft, marched not also, to it not into the Near East, the wild west, the high north - all the same where. Bush may think airs like those of the German chancellor and the French presidents. But Spot could be captivated with sausage, which becomes for Schroeder and Chirac however is not enough.
Babelfish translation.
(Source: Spiegel)
When United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was asked about the double standard in U.N. resolutions, Annan replied "I don't think I have given a single press conference in the Middle East or an interview with a Middle East journalist where the question of double standards has not come up." This is a "tough issue", which the United Nations and the Security Council has to deal with, he added. "This question comes up often and I hope the Security Council will be able to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue once and for all and put this behind. But it is tough."
Dienstraum.com wants to know: Are Weblogs Changing Our Culture
Bombs Away
Compensation Culture is keeping tabs on the bombing campaign over Iraq
Blair´s Dossier: Main Conclusions
The remains of ballistic missiles destroyed by Iraq in 1992
(Photo Source: Radio Netherlands)
U.N. Security Council condemns Israeli siege
Isn't this the U.N. resolution that the U.S. wanted?
The phrase "be carefull on what you ask for, you may get it" comes to mind. The Bush administration gets trumped again by the U.N. security council.
But then again, if Bush gets a U.N. resolution out of the U.N. towards Iraq, he has out manuevered his critics, including the opinions on this site.
The Smoking Gun?
Iraq dossier
It's more like a damp squib
Not looking good for the Bush administration considering that you have past headlines that read:
White House: Bush misstated report on Iraq
No evidence of weapons of mass destruction: UN
And Senators stating We want to be with you," Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles, the Senate's second-ranking Republican, finally told him. "But you're not giving us enough."
The report is said to endorse reports suggesting that Saddam could build a bomb within 90 days if he acquired the right fissile material. The Outside evidence suggesting that Iraq has the ability may have already been called into question by Powell's statements.
If it is the same "nukes by Christmas" story pushed by an Iraqi dissident, the same dissident who stated Iraq had nuclear weapons, it's not very reliable.
What the hell, the dossier doesn't change the fact that U.N. inspectors should find the materials.
US wants armed men to protect UN inspectors
Britain and America are racing to secure a tough new United Nations resolution on Iraq this week but France last night was resisting all moves to insert an explicit mandate for military force if Iraq fails to comply.
The Bush administration is looking petty and authoritarian when considering that France argues that decisions on methods of inspections should be left to Mr Blix.
As it should be.
On one hand, Bush opened the door for the U.N.to authorise the inspections and then on the other hand Bush wants to dictate the U.N.'s handling of the inspections.
When you go to a world organization, don't expect to be the leader of the world organization.
Middle East unrest fuels search for information on the Web
"...Bitterlemons.org, a website devoted to keeping the channels of communication open between Israelis and Palestinians even as bloodshed escalates, has seen its popularity soar, the worse the fighting gets."
The Washignton Post is running an article that leads one to believe that Qatar is on board with the U.S.
The post cites Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani, recently signaling his country's priorities: "We always consider requests from our friends. We consider the United States our ally."
Not the entire picture.
Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani has appealed to the world leaders to do everything possible to avoid a military action against Iraq.
Qatar is not in favor of military action against Iraq other than what is taking place right now. The patroling of the no-fly zones over Iraq.
The article from the Post is a piece of hack journalism.
Monday, September 23, 2002
420 Al Qaeda, Taliban terrorists handed over to US, says spokesperson
Bush has some splain'n to do.
"...There are hardly any al-Qaeda cells in Pakistan. Most of these elements entered the tribal belt following the dismantling of Tora Bora camps by the allied forces in Afghanistan. This happened due to faulty US army strategy to counter terrorism as they have left seven areas under the control of warlords who threaten the Karzai government's writ. They remain outside the purview of ISAF, he said and added the al-Qaeda may be regrouping in these regions."
So it was possible that Osama bin Laden made it to Bajaur back in November or December. The U.S. Army trusted the warlords?
US asks UN council to pressure Israel on Ramallah
The United States introduced a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council on Monday calling on Israel to stop destroying Palestinian installations in Ramallah.
Meanwhile Lebanon rejects U.S. request to halt Wazzani water project
Lebanese workers laying pipes near the Israeli border yesterday.
(Photo: AP)
Bush's attempt at looking legitimate. He will have to do more than just offer up another U.N. resolution that would be piling on top of many U.N. resolutions that have been ignored.
I am amazed sometimes at what the Vatican and some Cardinals say. “We must assign criminals to international courts without subjecting entire populations to bombardments,” said Cardinal Etsou-Nvabi-Bamungwabi of Kinshasa in the Congo.
Evidently, this Cardinal who is from the Congo felt the two Rwandan nuns convicted in the Belgium tribunal got a fair trial? God help us Catholics.
Mel Gibson is right.
Eight soldiers from the German Nuclear Biological Chemical Defense unit decided to pick up the oars of tradition and represent Camp Doha at the annual Messilah raft race this year.
Word has it that this is just a front and tactics used in the race are being used to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Unfortunately, Germany's new policy of "no sex" in the military had not been implemented. The Germans came in fourth.
When asked about the annual raft race, Schroeder commented, "if my policies of "no sex" in the military had been place, we would have won."
Sharon to Christians: This land was promised only to the Jews, pope told me
??????? He did. ????????
Does Andrew Sullivan really believe what he is saying about steadfast Germans?
Man he is clueless.
(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
After Schroeder's win, some expected Schroeder to adopt softer tones after the election.
He still insists he will not commit troops to a war in Iraq by saying "I have formulated a German position, and I have nothing to retract on that count."
When prodded further on his policies toward the military, he replied, "it worked for Brazil in the World Cup."
Meanwhile, CSU supporters in Bavaria didn't seem to mind the loss.
(AP Photo)
Jeff Cooper likes Zinfandel , we say give us a bottle of Strawberry Boone's Farm
XXXXXXXX Exclusive XXXXXXXXX
TAMPA BAY CHEERLEADERS SECRETLY TRAIN FOR WAR AGAINST IRAQ
As Arab and European support for a U.S. attack against Iraq fades, Rumsfeld has leaked military plans to use Tampa Bay Bucanneer cheerleaders in the war against Iraq.
According to unknown sources, Rumsfeld said "Aren't they part of CENTCOM?" he then said "they are from Tampa."
When one reporter questioned Rumsfeld about the effectivenss of they being used, Rumsfeld replied,"Hussein is a wimp." 
Capt. Shawn Campbell briefs the Tampa Bay cheerleaders on the fundamentals of flight 101.
Tampa Bay cheerleader Catherine Croake gets her wings as she learns the layout of the cockpit.
(Photos by Tech Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald)
However, we have it from a good source that CENTCOM Commander General Tommy Franks and Rumsfeld have an ulterior motive.
U.S. and Coalition service members from The United States Central Command meet up with the Jacksonville Jaguars Football teams’ mascot during the Jaguars season opener on Sunday, September 8th, 2002. For some Coalition members this was the first exposure to American football.
(Photo U.S.Department of Defense)
Related Stories
War-hardened Iraqis ready to fight
A frenzied crowd of 40,000 at Iraq's biggest weekend football match launched into a chant at the start of the game vowing to resist a US invasion. "Saddam, Saddam, we will spill our blood for you," they shouted as they danced and jumped, waving flags in their team's colours and placards proclaiming loyalty to the Iraqi leader.
[...]
If US military and political leaders planning for war could have heard them, it might have given them cause to pause. The crowd echoed sentiments that can be heard all over Baghdad: they will fight any US invasion street by street, using any weapons they have at their disposal.
Sunday, September 22, 2002
Edmund Stoiber (C), Bavarian Prime Minister and conservative candidate for chancellor enjoys a typical Bavarian beer with his wife Karin (L) and his son Dominik during a private visit to the World's biggest beer celebration, the Oktoberfest in Munich, late September 21, 2002. Stoiber faces Germany's social democratic Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in general elections today. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
America vows to prosecute Saddam for war crimes and 100,000 deaths
Let me off this train, the Bush administration has just derailed. Who supported the regime at the time of the 100,000 deaths?
ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (September 19, 2002) -- Electronics Technician First Class Johnny Lane, assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Eleven, Mobile Detachment 19, participates in target practice on the flight deck aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) are in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Tyler Clements.)
Saturday, September 21, 2002
Russia opposes new resolution
Well, this is interesting. It was reported that Bush and Putin came to an agreement but Radio Netherlands said no agreement had been reached and now the Washington Times is reporting the same.
US wants to destroy weapons it gave Iraq: Khamenei
In an interview with CNN yesterday, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he met with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 1983 in a bid to illicit support for US attempts to rein in regional terrorist threats.
“In that visit, I cautioned him (Saddam) about the use of chemical weapons (against Iran),” Rumsfeld told CNN.
A handshake and a deal was made. And Rumsfeld is lying.
Israel Tells the U.S. It Will Retaliate if Attacked by Iraq
"Houston we have a problem"
Orphaned children in Afghanistan meet a U.S. Army soldier.
(U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Photograper's Mate [AW] Johhny Bivera)
Back to sqaure one.
SECRET IRAQ-ISRAEL TALKS HIGHLIGHTED
HAMMADI CONTINUES LOBBY EFFORTS IN FRANCE
FRANCE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR QATARI INITIATIVE.
US Muslims struggling to come to terms with hate campaign
Remember the one finger salute at the courthouse? Well there were Muslims there who showed their support for the FBI.
FM for avoiding military action against Iraq
Qatar’s Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani has appealed to the world leaders to do everything possible to avoid a military action against Iraq.
That was then this is now.
While Israeli troops shout abuses at construction workers; Council speeds up Hasbani pipe installation
On Wednesday, a rise in tensions surfaced when Israeli troops pointed their weapons at an engineer while he was working on the project.
Arnold Schwarzenegger explores a write-in campaign against Gray davis and that other guy
Why oh why does the press come out with such foolishness. First it was Riordan and now its Arnold.
"I'll be back."
Davis a no show in the debates
He fears losing votes to the Green candidate.
Rumsfeld is asking alot of Israel.
If we attack Iraq and Iraq attacks Israel, guess what, it is Israel's interest. What an idiotic statement to make.
FBI Offers New Chechen Terror Link
New evidence of links between Chechen rebels and the al-Qaida terrorist network emerged this week as the FBI warned that al-Qaida had planned to use Muslims of "non-Arabic appearance," including extremists from Chechnya, to hijack a commercial airliner in the United States.
Radio Netherlands is reporting the opposite of what was reported earlier on Russia. Bush Fails to Rally Russian Support
Hmm. They also are reporting that the UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting behind closed doors to discuss the siege on Arafat's compound.
Putin bows to Blair and Bush over Iraq resolution
Amazing what a few billion dollars can make someone do.
U.S. Proposes a Halt on Wazzani Water Project
The U.S. is taking the wrong position.
A U.S. Gift to Iraq: Deadly Viruses
As the West Nile Virus spreads nationwide, some congressional leaders are asking whether the mosquito-borne illness could be linked to terrorism or to Iraq's bioweapons program. If so, a more troubling question may be whether Iraq's weapons efforts were unwittingly helped by U.S. scientists.
West Nile virus could hit Alaska by spring, experts say
The fast-moving West Nile virus that's now sweeping into the West and Canada is spread by two things plentiful in Alaska: mosquitoes and birds.
Kenai crow tested for West Nile virus
Friday, September 20, 2002
Brendan O'Neill says there is no link between Saddam and the Al Qaeda?
What is his basis and also, the term strange bedfellows has never been applied in cases of espionage?
One would have to discount the Czech intelligence. An agency that puts the U.S. intelligence to shame.
It is getting to the point that you must feel sorry for Sullivan.
He has been making some outrageous suggestions on Iraq. First, he suggested that Bush should get the support of the U.N. or go to the U.N. for support. Look what happened there. He has stated the French are supporting us. That was not entirely true and look what they have been saying since Iraq agreed to U.N. inspections.
He made the assinine comment that "Saudi Arabia hasn't, isn't and won't" seek WMD. Then what the hell is this and this about?
Then he just came out with this statement.
MAKING THE CASE: The latest CNN/USA Today poll makes for fascinating reading. The usual gender gap in war-support has evaporated, with women just as likely to back a war against Iraq as men. More interesting, on the question of who's exploiting this for domestic reasons, the Democrats come off worse than Bush. 59 percent say the Dems are delaying a war-vote for political reasons. Only 26 percent believe Bush's war-timing is politically motivated. As so often, the voters have sized it up pretty accurately.
It is clear that Sullivan does not read the fine print. Instead he looks at the pictures and the Headlines and makes things up as he goes along his merry way. The Gallup said the poll was taken before Iraq's agreement. Citing polls at this point in time, is nonsense and Sullivan certainly has adopted the nonsense in his comments.
The dynamics have changed.
Focus on Iraq Could Help Republicans in November Elections
The Gallup did say that "the latest poll was conducted Sept. 13-16, before Saddam announced his readiness to allow U.N. weapons inspectors back into his country without conditions, an offer the Bush administration dismisses as a ploy to delay military action."
This was noted on this site earlier.
The Gallup also added, "still, the poll provides insights into the political dynamics of the Iraqi war issue, suggesting that the more attention paid to this issue, the more Republicans may benefit in the November elections."
The fact that the polls were taken before the Iraq move, any benefit found in the polls are going to change.
If Bush decides to not allow U.N. inspectors in, then the polls are completely useless.
Our bet is, the focus will be on issues such as education and the economy.
The only way that Iraq would come to the forefront is if Bush unilaterally, attacked Iraq. That would spell trouble for the Republicans and for Bush.
The majority of Americans would view Bush's actions in a negative manner. And the Republicans may not be in a favorable position come time for the elections.
Thursday, September 19, 2002
Iran is jumping on the bandwagon. Subject Israel to inspections too, says Iran
Iran yesterday called on Iraq to abide by all UN resolutions, but demanded Israel also be subjected to scrutiny and sanctions over its weapons programmes.
The Canal Hotel, the old headquarters of UN arms monitors in Baghdad and scene of many a crisis, is gearing up for busy days again after Iraq’s surprise move to allow arms inspections.
But some may not be too happy about the decision to go.
In January 1998, at the height of the controversy over intrusive inspections of “presidential sites” which Iraq resisted, a rocket propelled grenade was fired at the hotel.
The Bush administration has gone off the deep end.
Bush first went to the U.N. on getting investigators and now he wants to stop it.
Lebanon MPs boycott parliament over media freedom
Ten anti-Syrian Christian deputies said on Thursday they would boycott Lebanon's parliament for a month to protest against the closure of an opposition television station.
The water rights of the Hasbani?
There was a six week lull in Palestinian suicide attacks. This latest attack comes on the heels of the bombing of the Palestinian school.
Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Sept. 15, 2002 -- An Afghan child paints a military vehicle at the "Children Growing Up Part 2" bazaar Sept. 15th at Camp Azzurro, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. His painting was sold at the event. The orphans raised $1,200 for their orphanage in Kabul. (Photo by Sgt. Reeba Critser, 28th Public Affairs Detachment.)
West Nile virus case turns up in Alaska
Alaska has confirmed its first reported case of West Nile virus, in a 77-year-old man from the Chicago suburbs who lies seriously ill in an Anchorage hospital, state health authorities said Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday, September 18, 2002
U.S. expert hears Lebanon's case in water dispute
Israel has put the U.S. in a tough position. Lebanon has a right to the amount of water it seeks.
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri urged the United States to respect international law
The Arab nations are now calling out the double standard of the U.S.
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri urged the United States to respect posted by Loud @ 3:59 PM
Gallup's latest poll is good news for Bush
However, it was taken before Iraq's latest move. The complexity of the questions could be affected by the latest news and the move of the U.N. and other nations. Bush was definately headed in the right direction according to the latest poll.
It will be interesting to see polls that come out after Iraq's decision.
Pretty in Pink: "Gay Davis" is launched into the webosphere.
Yikes, won't touch this one. The politics are getting down and dirty in California.
Hmmm. Poetic Justice?
Of what?
Not very Christian like of these dumb fucks
The United Nation Water Works.
How US administration was caught flat-footed
Be careful what you ask for because you may get it, the old adage goes. This was the reason why some Washington hawks argued that there should never be a demand that Saddam should re-admit weapons inspectors.
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Steven Chapman linked this blogger because of his thoughts on the U.N.
For the most part the guy is right. But what would be the reason for an invasion? The guy never states clearly why.
If it is to stop Hussein on developing WMD, that has been contradicted by the Bush administration. Not a good reason. If it was for a link between 9-11 and Iraq, good enough, but the Bush adminstration has denied that link.
So what would be the reason?
Simon donors return after verdict reversal
Major donors — mostly liberal Republicans who had backed former Los Angles Mayor Richard Riordan in the primary — once gave money to Mr. Simon only because President Bush was on hand to ask for it. These same donors are now taking a second look at Mr. Simon.
"When I got word the judgment was overturned, I went into the chief financial officer of my firm and said, 'I want to draw another $5,000 check for the Simon campaign,'" said Dale Dykema, an Orange County business owner and board member of the liberal New Republican Majority.
"The reversal of the verdict swung it for me — I wouldn't have given Simon any more otherwise," Mr. Dykema said.
Davis is history. Simon wins.
One has to ask, when was the last suicide bombing before this latest bombing?
Qatar’s Foreign Minister, H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani is raising the issue of the double standard in U.N. security resolutions.
The Foreign Minister criticised the inaction of the Security Council and other UN organs towards putting an end to the brutal Israeli aggressions in the Golan heights and in south Lebanon.
[...]
The statement described the two massacres at Jenin and Gaza as a blatant violation of international laws.
The lack of action on the part of the Bush administration in forcing a U.N. investigation into Jenin is coming back to haunt the Bush administration. Just like we said.
Next time, the Bush administration should think about Israel when considering U.N. resolutions.
If the Bush administration thinks that Qatar will be used in any invasion, they can kiss that one Good-Bye. One would have to qusetion, how much will this friendship cost the U.S. to keep.
Army Spc. Steven Danato, rifleman, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C., loads the 50 caliber machine gun mounted on a High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle. The vehicle will be used on a recon mission the company is preparing for along the inner perimeter fence surrounding Kandahar airbase, Afghanistan. (Photo by Army Pfc. Matthew Acosta, 49th Public Affairs Detachment.)
Andrew may think the shoe has dropped, but he definately dropped the ball on his analysis of the depth of support given by the French.
France questioned the need for a new UN resolution setting a deadline for Iraq to comply with existing rules.
Did anyone doubt there would be strings attached?
The problem for the U.S. is France and the coalition that was forming. It was very weak to begin with.
Lebanese judiciary moves to oust anti-Syrian MP
Lebanon's top judicial body has moved to strip an anti-Syrian politician of his seat in parliament because he failed to make mandatory financial disclosures, court sources said on Tuesday.
More love coming: Paris Hails Iraq Offer; Top General Against Attack
Start preparing that French cheese to go along with Andrew Sullivan's whine.
Oil Majors Set to Renew Direct Iraq Deals
International oil majors are set to buy crude direct from Iraq for the first time in two years after Baghdad dropped its surcharge on U.N. supervised oil sales, an Iraqi oil official and Western company sources said on Tuesday.
A blast from the not too past
Iraq is preparing to back down on its refusal to allow United Nations weapons inspectors to return to the country in the hope that this will avert a US attack.
April 30th 2002.
And who says money doesn't buy you love. It was all planned back then.
While checking out comments from bloggers like Pejmanpundit one is reminded of the comments of Sharon on U.N. inspections in Jenin.
The difference now is the U.N. is going to do the inspections. If the report comes away with nothing, what will these bloggers have to say?
The undeniable biased attitude displayed by bloggers like this one is worth a look.
Water World
Dan Zazlavsky, the former head of Israel's Water Commission, said Israel could solve the problem with "a few tank shells" at the pipes being built on the Lebanese side of the border, just as it did in 1964 when Syria tried to divert water from the Bannias River.
Watch this issue take off as the Israelis keep mouthing off like this.
Iraq may have recieved mixed messages but look who's doing the talking.
Russia:
"Thanks to our joint efforts, we managed to avert the threat of a war scenario and go back to political means of solving the Iraqi problem," Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said.
China:
"The Iraqi decision is what the international community, including China, has always hoped to see," Mr Tang said in an interview at the United Nations in New York with Xinhua news agency.
How Saddam Happened
America helped make a monster. What to do with him—and what happens after he’s gone—has haunted us for a quarter century
Sullivan with egg on his face says:
PEACE IN OUR TIME? Not likely. Saddam's latest gamble is less an indication of his intent to disarm than a sign of how desperate his plight is. He wants to use the inspection issue - its vagaries, details and endless process - both to split the Security Council (i.e. France) and to buy time. This was, of course, always a risk and one of the strongest arguments for by-passing the U.N. altogether. But Bush's speech was smarter than Saddam may recognize. The resolutions Bush invoked mean that Iraq must do far far more than simply play the inspector cat-and-mouse game again. It must actively disarm, destroy its weaponry, allow U.N. monitors a long-running role in the country, and give up its active sponsorship of terrorism. The White House is therefore absolutely right to throw the issue back to the Security Council with the assertion that "this is a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong U.N. Security Council action. As such, it is a tactic that will fail." We're now headed, I think, for a fight over what genuinely unfettered inspections require and which resolutions Iraq is supposed to adhere to. I say: unconditional, unfettered, military-backed inspectors with no time limit on their withdrawal; and every single U.N. resolution. Apart from the obvious need to have real access anywhere any time, it also seems to me that inspectors should have the right to interrogate Iraqi scientists and be in a postion to offer them political asylum if needs be. The regime's very existence impedes genuine inspection, which is why some political space must be created for inspections to work adequately. My best guess is that there will be several rounds of shenanigans and a great deal of brinkmanship in the weeks ahead. But whatever happens, the U.S. cannot let the inspections regime return to the farce of the 1990s. Meanwhile, war preparations need to continue apace. They're the reason we have this concession. They'll be the reason we get any more.
First the U.N. must find the WMD. And hope the hell they don't find out that the U.S. had been the one to give them to Iraq. Next, that 40 billion Russia offered paid off.
The gamble was made by Bush and Sullivan has no clue.
Monday, September 16, 2002
Liveshow from Nekropolis
What is behind the mysterioesen steinplatte in the south pit of the Cheops pyramid? Before the eyes of a million-public an American-Egyptian researcher team wants one of the last secrets of the Pharaonen grave air - the German researchers must zugucken.
Just How Democratic Is the Jewish Population in America Today?
It is difficult to obtain a comprehensive portrait of the political characteristics and attitudes of the Jewish population in America. Only about 2% of the adult population identifies itself as Jewish, which yields only 20 to 30 Jewish respondents in the typical sample of 1,000 or 1,500 randomly selected respondents that makes up the usual national Gallup Poll -- too few to break out for analysis purposes.
With Iraq agreeing on U.N. inspections, if Bush continues an offensive attack in the no-fly zone, he puts the U.S. in a poor position militarily and politically.
He is definately coming across as bitter and on a vendetta against Iraq. The American public will not support him, he will lose the support of nations who are lending support if he continues.
It doesn't take a rocket scientists to figure out that if Iraq was offered 40 billion from Russia for allowing U.N. inspectors in, Iraq would comply.
The Bush adminstration has put the U.S. in a no win situation. Hussein called Bush's hand and now it looks as if Bush does not like the hand dealt him.
Bush's handling of Iraq is nothing but a goddamn joke. He has cut off any link with 9-11 and Iraq, the only reason for an attack. We would have been justified for a unilateral attack on Iraq for the link.
And while on the topic of Iraq, you now have the Democrats questioning the timing of the Bush administration. Great, just great considering you have this out on the net.
Water Tiff Sparks New Lahoud-Hariri Spat
Leaks to the press by rival sides of the domestic divide said Lahoud was irked by Hariri's unilateral request to the United States for intervention, and wanted the United Nations, not the United States, as an arbiter, should one be needed at all.
Moscow would sign an agreement with Baghdad after the return of the inspectors onusiens
Russia proposes in Iraq a honourable exit in the iron arm with the international community and in particular the United States, in the sense that it promises in Baghdad to sign a bearing economic agreement on several tens of billion dollars only after the return in Baghdad the inspectors in disarmament UNO, according to a Russian person in charge under cover for anonymity at the Interfax agency. According to Baghdad, this agreement is of a value of 40 billion dollars, an amount which was not confirmed Moscow.
So if this is true, Baghdad gets 40 billion when it okays the U.N. inspectors. Let's see, Russia gets money from the U.S. and Iraq gets money from Russia.
Sullivan on Board
FIRST THE FRENCH ... Amazing what moral clarity can do for world affairs. Now that president Bush has essentially called the U.N.'s bluff, various countries and allies seem to be singing a different tune. Here's the Saudi story. This is particularly true of the Arab world where strength leads to respect and respect leads to acquiescence. Even Egypt now seems on board. The question now is whether inspectors, backed by military force, can really determine whether Iraq's potential nuclear capacity is operational. According to one Iraqi defector, the four years since the Clinton administration gave up on policing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction have led to elaborate schemes to conceal them at all costs. We'll see. But at least the burden of proof is now where it should be: on Iraq, not on the U.S. And almost all of that is president Bush's doing.
Does Sullivan read the fine print and what the press has been stating about the nuclear capabilities of Iraq? The only reason the countries are on board is beacuse of the U.N. clause.
Here is what the French are really saying:
President Chirac and Premier Hariri have agreed that the United States would not invade Iraq in the next four weeks and consequently confirmed that the summit of French-speaking nations would be held on schedule from Oct. 18 through Oct. 20 in Beirut.
An Elysee Palace communiqué said Chirac would arrive a day earlier on a state visit to the Lebanese capital on Oct. 17. Hariri publicly ruled out a U.S. offensive against Iraq in the next four weeks following 2 hours and 15 minutes of talks with the French President Sunday.
Hariri told reporters France was adamant that any U.S. military action to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should be cleared by the United Nations. This is an effective rejection of President Bush's threat to attack Iraq even without U.N. approval.
Sullivan should give up on the political commentary and analysis and try the bed and breakfast business. He has a talent for serving up eggs.
Sunday, September 15, 2002
Defector Tells Newspaper of Two Iraqi Nukes
Libya leads Arab race for nuclear bomb - Sharon
Iraq could be nine years from nuclear capability: Powell
Iraq 'will have nuclear bomb in months'
Iraqi Nuke Chief: Saddam Has Enough Uranium for 3 Bombs
The handling of the WMD issue by the U.S. is becoming a friggin joke. And no one has any credibility at this point..
One "unnamed" defector says Iraq has nukes, in the U.K. Times on-line, "another" defector says they will have them by Christmas, but he tells Fox News it will be in two years. Hell he can't even get the story straight and you have got to wonder if he is the same "unnamed" defector who orginally said Iraq had nukes.
Then you have Sharon saying Libya is beating Iraq in the race and Powell says Iraq will have them in nine years?
What the hell, put Ritter in there saying they don't have them period and you have a smorgasbord of conspiracies and denials. What a goddamn joke this has become.
So much for Sullivan's assesment on the French. He really, really needs to read the fine print.
Related Headlines
French President to visit Lebanon in October
And it aint' for the water.
A bulldozer works 11 September 2002 on the bank of the Wazzani river near the Lebanese-Israeli border as part of a project of building a 16-kilometer network to divert water from the river to about 20 southern Lebanese villages.(AFP Photo)
Water World
The amount of water taken from the Hasbani will fall well short of the 35 million cubic meters a year allocated to Lebanon by the 1955 Johnston Agreement. Even though it was never ratified, it remains the only official regional arrangement on sharing the waters of the Jordan River and its tributaries.
What is ironic is Isarel has, for over two decades, been pumping water from the Wazzani Springs, to supply the Syrian residents of the Israeli-occupied village of Ghajar.
Palestinians Fed Up With Arafat
Where are all of the naysayers like Andrew Sullivan, Glenn Reynolds, Damain Penny and the many other bloggers who pushed the polls on how Arafat was popular among Palestinians. It was never there to begin with. The polls themselves were skewed. And among those polls, thirty percent didn't like Arafat or the Hamas.
But at that time, there was an agenda, the "Palestinians" supported suicide bombers. We said these guys would be eating crow. Reynolds was the first, now Sullivan is next, but he thinks it is because of Bush's hard stance.
Trying to save face.
Even though the U.S. is justified in flying the no-fly zone, it will need to tread carefully, if not the speech Bush gave will not come across as in Good Faith.
This means no offensive attacks.
The U.N. in Lebanon is cutting back services to the Palestinians.
Palestinians from Lebanon's refugee camps are staging a sit-in at the offices of a UN agency in Beirut to protest its recent decision to impose school fees and reduce medical services, aggravating their already dire living conditions.
For the past two weeks, Palestinians have camped in front of the central offices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which runs their camps, to express frustration at a reduction in the services UNRWA has provided them for years.
Straw gives Saddam weapons ultimatum
But he admitted if the Iraqi leader does comply and admit inspectors then the case for military action "recedes almost to the point of invisibility".
Containers being prepared for a humanitarian drop over Eastern Afghanistan.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lock)
IRAQ READY TO EXAMINE The PROPOSAL OF JACQUES CHIRAC
Whereas the United States is increasingly pressing, Iraq seeks to temporize and said itself ready to examine the proposal of the French president, Jacques Chirac, concerning a return in Iraq of the inspectors of UNO if this last goes parking to prevent an American attack. It is the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tarek Aziz which stated Saturday that its country would be ready to choose in favour of the French solution at the time of a press conference in Baghdad. "If it is ready to assume its responsibility until the end, we will be able to examine his proposal", it added.
The text in the first resolution drafted by the French has no threat of military intervention. This being done to try to establish a maximum coalition among countries. Three weeks is the proposed time.
Minister applauds US assurances on Iraq
Belgium has applauded US assurances it will first try and obtain United Nations approval before launching military strikes against Iraq.
Foreign Affairs Minister Louis Michel also said there were other positive elements in the speech of US President George W Bush, namely his call for UN action.
Andrew Sullivan comes up with another dooozy:
THE PRICE OF TOUGH TALK: Funny, isn't it, that the French are now becoming a little more friendly, and that the Palestinians are thinking about dumping Arafat. That clumsy oaf Bush actually speaking his mind, destroying our foreign alliances, upsetting the world. And it works!
Yes Andrew it most certainly does work with the price of tough talk.
Andrew does have a short term memory when it comes to the Palestinians.
Air space offer to US withdrawn
The Philippines' concern at the moment was the safety of the 1.2 million Filipinos in the Middle East.
Saturday, September 14, 2002
Graffiti mars new Muslim center
A Muslim group whose mosque was vandalized after the September 11 terrorist attacks found hate-based graffiti yesterday on its newly built community center in Sterling, Va.
An Army Special Operations Force (SOF) soldier hands a bottle of water to little boy as he blocks the entrance to an undergound weapons cache left by the Taliban in the Jousf Khil village in Zobol, Afghanistan. (Photo by Sgt. Eric C. Barker 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
For the record.
Governors
Gov. Gray Davis (D) favored over Bill Simon (R), 4 to 3 (57.1% chance; upgraded from 54.5% chance on Sept. 6; upgraded from 52.6% chance on Aug. 21)
Most voters in America’s largest state would like to replace Gov. Gray Davis (D). They believe he’s a rank political opportunist who has failed in his handling of important energy, budget and economic issues. On the basis of such a high level of public unrest, you’d think Davis’ Republican challenger, conservative businessman Bill Simon, would have a great chance. But think again. Simon, the wealthy son of the former GOP Treasury secretary of the same name, has his own share of problems – and a rising negative rating largely tied to legal problems involving family businesses. The hard-bitten, take-no-prisoners Davis campaign has used these messy issues to put their novice rival on the defensive, ensnarling him in one controversy after another. As a result, Davis’ re-election prospects have gained new life, despite deep voter disaffection with him and his job performance. If voters had a chance, they'd elect None of the Above.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR: Bill Simon, 19 to 20 (51.2% chance); Richard Riordan, 3 to 2 (40% chance); Bill Jones, 11 to 1 (8.3% chance)
Lebanon: Decision to divert water from river shared with Israel final
Despite Israeli military threats, Lebanon will start pumping water from a shared border river for its southern villages, President Emile Lahoud said Saturday.
Lebanon official: Iraq may readmit UN
Iraq is ready to allow international arms inspectors back into the country, Lebanon's foreign minister, Mahmoud Hammoud, told reporters at the United Nations Saturday. But he said there was no timetable yet for doing so.
Remember the war in Bosnia and Kosovo?
Saddam Hussein Trained Al Qaeda Fighters - Report
And what did our CIA have to say about an Iraq/9-11 link? Now you have the CIA at odds with the British Intelligence and the Czech BIS.
Related Headlines
US says Iraq linked to al-Qaeda
US changes tack, stops linking Iraq to Al-Qaeda
CIA fails to find Iraqi link to terror
John LeBoutillier raises some good questions.
He nails it on using the U.N. as a reason for attacking and questioning the Bush administration denying any link between Iraq and 9-11.
Does the Bush administration have second thoughts? Or is it a vote of no confidence in the U.N.
Glenn Reynolds said this with a straight sentence?
And it's why (as I've said since Day One) it's important to treat the American Muslim population in general as allies, not suspects.
Well let's fact check his ass and see what we come up with.
Instapundit
DANIEL PIPES says that FBI Director Robert Mueller shouldn't be breaking bread with the American Muslim Council, since it's likely that the FBI will soon be investigating its ties to terrorist organizations.
I don't know much about this, but I wonder if the Democrats will be able to make some hay out of the connection (which I assume is there) between this sort of thing and Grover Norquist's efforts to bring American muslims into the GOP fold.
UPDATE: Frank Gaffney and Steven Emerson are criticizing Mueller's move too.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at June 18, 2002 11:30 AM
Google
I don't condone the notion of putting all Arab-Americans in internment camps. But too many unchallenged comments like this from Arab-Americans and I'm going to understand it.
When will the Arab-American community start demonstrating patriotism, instead of mouthing Islamist catchphrases and offering Zogby-like excuses?
Since day one, sure he did. Who needs Jim Carey in the movie Liar Liar when you have Reynolds. Life imitating art we suppose. Let's make a movie.
Israeli sources: Washington may dispatch envoy to mediate between Lebanon and Israel regarding water crisis
The United States may dispatch an envoy to the Middle East to mediate between Lebanon and Israel on the pumping of water from the Wazzani River - a tributary of the Hasbani River, which flows into Israel, Israel Radio reported Saturday.
Friday, September 13, 2002
Jeff Cooper writes about Bush at the U.N.
We agree and disagree.
First his opening comments: The administration bumbled through August with a series of weakly-supported rationales for action against Iraq—Hussein offered support to Al Qaeda (oops, we don't have all that much evidence, if any, of a link); he's about to acquire nuclear weapons (oops, those satellite photos might not show what we said they show); more inspections would be worthless (or maybe they wouldn't). But now, for the moment at least, the focus has shifted to Hussein's undeniable violation of the obligations he assumed at the end of the Gulf War, to his rejection, not of the United States' demands, but of the U.N. Security Council's demands.
He is correct on pointing to the errors.
However, the focus of Hussein violating U.N. resolutions as a reason for attacking? How many countries have broken and continue to violate U.N. resolutions? If violating U.N. resolutions is cause for attacking a country then who will be the first to attack Israel.
The U.S. should never be in the business of using the U.N. and its resolutions as a means to an end in implementing foreign policy. The interest is not the United States'. It is the U.N.'s.
On the issue of weapons of mass destruction? Why not attack North Korea? Or better yet, Libya, according to Sharon, Libya may be beating Iraq in the race on building nukes.
Cooper does correctly note the administration's stance on the link between Iraq and terrorism. We feel it was carefully and in a calculated manner denied.
One blogger who we agree with on many statements, raises one good point:
There is evidence linking Saddam Hussein to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing -- which President Clinton did little about.
Again, the threshold of an attack is that our interest is directly related, not the U.N.'s or the interest of other countries.
Powell: U.N. Council Agrees on Iraq
Ok..But..............what about this...............And Powell did not seek the support of the 14 other Security Council members for the use of force.
And this?
As a permanent Security Council member, China could kill any resolution with a veto.
Those of you who supported the PNTR, raise your hands again. And they haven't even got to the Arab and European countries yet.
This is too funny. We stated that Andrew Sullivan was looney. Well here is the best of the best.
BUSH CALLS HIS OPPONENTS' BLUFF: Will Saletan at Slate is honest enough to realize that president Bush has essentially outmaneuvered his opponents. Ignore Will's silly credentializing with the left. Like many others, Will's short memory simply ignores Bush's campaign pledge to take Saddam out if he didn't renounce weapons of mass destruction. But the good news is that Will recognizes that Bush has spectacularly called the U.N.'s bluff. As he puts it, "If you think that an American invasion of Iraq is unwise and that the world would be better off with unfettered U.N. weapons inspections backed by the serious threat of force, you're probably right. But if you get what you want, thank Bush." Even Howell Raines had to concede that the president is right today. The Times will now, of course, try to wriggle out of this. They call for a "thoughtful and resourceful plan" for weapons inspections, whatever that means. But they're flailing. They can hardly back Saddam, but very shortly, when Saddam refuses to allow real and meaningful inspections, they will have to choose between supporting Saddam and supporting Bush. Even the Bush-haters on 43d Street may have to back the president, a delicious irony not lost on the White House. (Liberal journalist Patrick Tyler tries yet another anti-Bush spin-job today, but it's looking desperate).
What a friggin idiot.
Why not ask Cheney to come up with a rigorous weapons inspection regime that could actually do the job - dozens of inspectors, random visits, no limits on what they can investigate and look at, and so on? Then ask Powell to endorse it and demand instant compliance from Baghdad.
This was said in support of Bush going along with a U.N. inspection. He felt Hussein would be called to the carpet and would be forced to comply with the U.N. inspections. He was a betting man that Hussein would not comply thus giving a reason for attacking Iraq.
Now he comes up with this bullshit statement: But the good news is that Will recognizes that Bush has spectacularly called the U.N.'s bluff.
If Bush has called the U.N.s bluff, they must have been on the side of Hussein. And that still leaves the issue of the inspections unresolved. Does he really think that the European and Arab Nations within the U.N. will kowtow to the U.S. on how the inspections are carried out?
It was the U.S. who supported Sharon's denial of U.N. inspectors, Sharon's requirement and protest on how the inspection of Jenin should have been carried out?
Sullivan clearly has his head in the sand when it comes to U.N. inspectors. Unfettered? Look who will do the inspections. Who needs unfettered inspections when the inspectors are idiots.
Look at what happened in Jenin, but to him, we are sure the U.N. report has merit. To the Europeans and Arab nations, it may be payback time and the U.S. will be doing the payout.
Thursday, September 12, 2002
British troops head for Iraq war
Special ops and an escalation of airstrikes.
The New York Times is running an Op-ed from Madeleine Albright.
The theme of the article is terrorism. In the editorial, she states:
Although the president's speech yesterday was persuasive in many respects, he was neither specific nor compelling in his effort to link Saddam Hussein to other, more urgent threats.
In listening to Bush's speech, her comments are correct in regard to the focus at hand should be seeking out terrorists that attacked the U.S. and punishing those states that supported or support the terrorist groups who attacked the U.S.
The attack that occured on 9-11 is the crime and punishing only those who are directly related is the threshold of actions that should be taken. After all, how can we criticise Israel for evicting families who are not directly involved with acts of terrorism other than being related to the terrorist.
In Albright's closing, she does make a statement that is foolish.
If United Nations inspectors are again rebuffed by Iraq, we should also give notice that we will destroy without warning any facilities in that country that we suspect are being used to develop prohibited arms. Even if those suspicions are later proved wrong, the blame should fall on Iraq for denying access, not on the United States for trying to enforce the Security Council's will. In the same vein, we should make it clear that anyone who assists Iraq's nuclear program will be considered an enemy of the United States.
And if the U.S. does as she says, expect innocent Iraqis to be in facilities that would be targeted, with reporters showing the world the aftermath of the bombing with no clear evidence of any weapons of mass destruction being at the bombed site.
She should have learned from the experience of Sudan and Kosovo. But then again, she was the one who made the comment about the cost of childrens' lives were not as important as a bombing campaign.
As for Bush; as stated before on this site, the Bush administration has followed the CIA's lead in denying any link between Iraq and 9-11.
If there is no compelling evidence on WMD and the threat of Saddam using them against the U.S., there is no reason to seek a regime change. Remember, according to the U.S., Saddam has used WMD against the Kurds and it was done at a time of conflict.
Can someone name other wars or times when chemical or biological weapons have been used against an enemy? Bush has his work cut out for himself.
Mel Gibson and the Vatican
This could be good news in a political sense for Simon
Wednesday, September 11, 2002
The Washington Times has a better story on Qatar and CENTCOM
Yesterday, Fox News stated that the CENTCOM headquarters was moving to Qatar. We disputed that saying that it was support personnel for airstrike and airlift operations.
In the Washington Times article, it is clarified, as we stated, the base personnel are on a TDY. Their TDY is in conjunction with excercises being conducted there.
In the article it is stated that:
Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Klee, a Central Command spokesman, said the shift of up to 600 personnel to Qatar will take place in November in a biannual exercise, "Internal Look 03." It tests the ability of Central Command to communicate with commanders around the globe.
N.Y. Lottery Draws 9-1-1 on 9/11
What are the odds on that happening and how many played those numbers? Would think that there were many who did?
Dutch armour tightens cockpit safety
The Dutch have developed a cockpit that is 15 times stronger than steel. Engineers who have designed the cockpit doors have stated that the molecules in the material that is used to make the doors, are elongated and look a little bit like spaghetti.
In testing the door, both a 9mm and .44 bullet were not able to penatrate through the door.
Bush to Challenge UN with High - Stakes Iraq Choice
Bush has talked himself into a corner and has no clear solution at this point. He has also inherited our past sins and evil deeds when it comes to our past ties with Iraq.
The fact that the U.S. continues to allow this type of story to continue means the U.S. will have to build a case that Iraq is making weapons of mass destruction. We know the Iraqis have made weapons of mass destruction in the past, but the problem is that it may be a past action and not a present.
If it is in the present, then the evidence has to be compelling enough in order for the U.S. to show cause to seek a change in the regime in Iraq. Unfortunately, the Bush adminstration has limited itself by taking the line of the CIA when it allows statements to be made like this:
The United States has not uncovered any direct link between Iraq and the Sept. 11 attacks in which 3,025 people died one year ago, but U.S. officials have said they fear Baghdad might give weapons of mass destruction to extremists.
If that is true, then who will do the inspections to see if Iraq indeed has weapons of mass destruction? The U.N. and who has in the past voiced an opinion on the matter besides Ritter? How about Hans von Sponeck
Many bloggers like Andrew Sullivan feel that the U.S. is calling Saddam's bluff by agreeing to an U.N inspection. Who is kidding who here.
Hussein has beat the U.S. at this one. The more he stalls and brings reporters to sites that show "nothing," the more the U.S. looks like a dim wit. And as the U.N. comes out stating they have no evidence of the Iraqis obtaining weapons of mass destruction who again looks like the dim wit.
The world community knows that the majority of Americans want the U.N and coalition support before we seek to change the regime in Iraq. Americans don't want to go it alone. Again who is calling the bluff.
As for the denial of an Iraqi link with 9-11, most know about the link between Atta and an Iraqi agent which has been established by the Czech intelligence community. But few know about reports that the RFEL had received a letter with "white powder" were quickly removed. Over 1,000 reports of possible Anthrax were reported in the Czech Republic, of those reports, 172 were alleged to have been confirmed Anthrax. Shortly after, all reports were said to have been false alarms.
In Chile, a letter was received by a physician that had traces of Anthrax. The letter had a post mark from Swizterland. Later it was said by U.S. officials that the letter became contaminated in the mail and was mailed from the U.S.
Strange indeed that someone would mail a letter from the U.S. postmarked from Switzerland, which is said to be done by the post office and other letters were not contanminated. Makes you wonder why Atta was in Switzerland earlier before the timeframe of the letters and has been proven with ATM transactions and witness accounts.
The fact that the U.S has denied the link should raise red flags. And lastly, the denial has put the adminstration in a losing position to take any meaningfull action since the deck is stacked against the U.S.
With all of the news building against the U.S., it is however good to see the U. S. get support on Iraq from some European countries at the United Nations.
``We believe it is a mistake some allies are doing -- blaming the United States. We need to blame Iraq. Iraq is not respecting U.N. resolutions,'' Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz told reporters.
``For Portugal, it is very clear that all the options must be open,'' he added.
As we stated about Portugal, they could be seen as a beacon of light.
Indeed they are.
Fox News is indicating that CENTCOM is moving its headquarters to Qatar.
CENTCOM has been there, lending support to Operation Enduring Freedom. The story is poorly written and leads one to believe that the headquarters is moving.
It is not likely that the headquarters will move, but it is more likely air strike/lift operations support staff from the army and air force are being transfered for TDY. It is very limited in size. As was stated before on this site, no invasion will be conducted from this area, only air strikes done in the no fly zone under the terms agreed upon. The fact that the air raids are increasing is not an indication of an invasion.
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
What the hell, voting and crack are Florida related news items and have become attack ads.
From his photo, you would think he was the friggin poster boy for the Christian Coalition or someone you would see on your front door step with a bible in hand. Guess it must be the look.
Andrew Sullivan has been advocating U.N. inspections. Well, let him chew on this one No evidence of weapons of mass destruction: UN
A prelude to things to come. Sullivan will be eating his words.
Sullivan playing cat and mouse with Hussein in his articles is like watching Sylvester and Tweety or the coyote and the roadrunner. Beep Beep. Sullivan is one Looney Tune.
Glenn Reynold's beacon of light may be dimming.
But there is always Africa, Portugal, Ireland and a few other countries that could be looked at as a beacon of light.
But when it comes to Hussein, he can definately rule out these countries.
Interestingly, this story: U.S. Not Claiming Iraqi Link To Terror came out when the international polls show the Bush administration is not looked at in a favorable manner by the international community when it comes to his terrorism policy.
Related Headlines
Canada Rejects Strike on Iraq
CIA fails to find Iraqi link to terror
Monday, September 09, 2002
JIM BOREN: Davis, Simon woes could give third-party candidate a prayer
How bad is it for Davis and Simon?: The incumbent governor with a $46 million war-chest has not been able to pull away from his Republican challenger, who has run what undoubtedly has been the clumsiest campaign this state has seen in decades. The latest Field Poll shows Davis with only 38 percent of the vote to 31 percent for Simon.
Not a bad analysis of the campaign.
Supporters of third-party candidates are suggesting that this is the time for voters to take a chance on supporting a candidate who's not from the two major parties. The polls seem to give a bit of credence that thinking. More than half the voters in the most recent Field Poll had a negative view of Davis and Simon.
If this holds true on third parties and their candidates, Simon wins by a wider margin than orginally stated on this weblog. The Greens/Liberals who think Davis is too conservative, will vote Green. The Conservatives will come back to the fold and vote Simon.
Former mistress says Saddam met bin Laden
Another loose cannon, but shooting in the wrong direction.
Fer Chrissake, Raimondo is full of himself in his latest and also full of chickenshit.
It’s other things, too, like the "chickenhawk" argument. A recent column of mine, "Attack of the Chickenhawks,"asking why anyone should listen to a bunch of pointy-headed little policy wonks against the good advice of experienced military officers, was posted on August 2. By the end of the month we were hearing it out of the mouths of General Anthony Zinni and Senator Chuck Hagel, leading Republican critics of the President’s rush to war with Iraq.
A quick google search will show that he was not the one that coined the phrase nor was his use of the word on the internet the most popular or first used. Others beat him to the to the punch.
His viewpoint is not the same as some in the military or guys like Hagel. They are not antiwar, they are just concerned and carefull in that when you go to battle, you kick the enemy's ass. Iraq and its regime is not the innocent country that he wants one to believe.
Turkey, a reluctant ally against Iraq, questions U.S. policy
Turkey and the European Union's influence.
How did Iraq get its weapons? We sold them
Reports by the US Senate's committee on banking, housing and urban affairs -- which oversees American exports policy -- reveal that the US, under the successive administrations of Ronald Reagan and George Bush Snr, sold materials including anthrax, VX nerve gas, West Nile fever germs and botulism to Iraq right up until March 1992, as well as germs similar to tuberculosis and pneumonia. Other bacteria sold included brucella melitensis, which damages major organs, and clostridium perfringens, which causes gas gangrene.
Richard Perle has become a loose cannon.
He has now changed the story about the alleged meeting between Atta and Hussein. Perle meant to say the meeting between Atta and the Iragi agent in Prague.
This clearly goes against the grain of the Bush administration.
Robert Locke has an interesting article on the Fourteenth Amendment
There is a question on the citizenship of babies born in the U.S. to parents who are not U.S. citizens. Ad to this, if the parent is considered an enemy to the U.S., are the babies considered U.S. citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment? Locke says there is precedent saying no.
Hmmm. There are some pretty darn older cases that say the baby would be. Unless the baby was born on the high seas or to a diplomat.
While on the subject of elections, Caller ID is reducing response to pollsters
Sunday, September 08, 2002
Having had to fill out candidate questionaires, I can sympathize with Simon. Unfortunately, many special interest groups will not understand the answers. Jane Chastain's article on Simon's questionaire is typical.
On one point she has a problem with Simon's take on the question dealing with domestic relations and laws surrounding them.
Simon says he does not see any conflict with the pledge and the stand he appears to be taking now. This is Clintonesque or, more correctly, Grayesque. Yes, even California's left-wing Democrat governor refused to support an open-ended domestic partnership law that allows two heterosexual couples to form a domestic partnership instead of a traditional marriage.
Simon was talking about domestic partnerships. He is still against laws based on sexual orientation. He as governor would still have to recognize common law relationships.
The other question asked if he would repeal or modify adoption laws that related to same sex-couples. Jane stated:
Then, I asked him to comment specifically on the question on gay adoptions. The questionnaire said that he would "not seek to repeal or modify certain legislation signed by Gov. Gray Davis facilitating adoptions by same sex couples." Simon said he felt the premise of the question was "unfair" since a governor cannot repeal a law passed by the legislature.
He answered the question fair and sqaure and questions like this are poorly written. But Jane stated:
However, the rule governing adoptions in California was not done with legislation. The Department of Social Services proposed new rules when Pete Wilson was governor. They were rejected by Wilson and later approved by Davis. Under governors Deukmejian and Wilson in the 1980s and most of the 1990s, an unmarried couple could not jointly adopt children. Also, married couples were given preference over single individuals – who could adopt children only if there were not enough married couples waiting in line.
It is evident that Simon is not an experienced candidate, but he answered the questions straight up. It is unfortunate that the hardliners don't understand that some thought has to go into understanding the law and process instead of just offering sound bites that touch their emotional wants.
Simon has a tough job ahead with part of his base being so damned ignorant to what a governor can and can't do. And having to answer so many poorly written questionaires and then answer the questions that come from the answers. Sometimes it is just best to not answer poorly written questions. And take the criticism for not answering them.
Employees of closed TV station block major Beirut square, clash with police.
Let's see aides of MP Walid Jumblatt boycotted weekly cabinet sessions over the closure and Hizbollah MP Abdullah Qassir said the closure "does not help the cause of freedom of expression, a special characteristic of Lebanon that we must preserve."
Surprising.
Newsmax had run the story a week ago.
Other bloggers are just coming to terms with Scott Ritter?
Cheney, Powell, Rice Mum on Saddam's 9-11 Hijacking School
The tone of this article is "mums the word."
"I'm not here today to make a specific allegation that Iraq was somehow responsible for 9-11 - I can't say that," Cheney told NBC's "Meet the Press."
Instead he cited post-9-11 reports that had revealed "a number of contacts over the years" between Iraq and al Qaeda, including what he described as an "unconfirmed" meeting between 9-11 hijacker Mohammed Atta and Iraqi intelligence.
Unconfirmed? Bullshit, it was confirmed by the Czech BIS.
National Security Advisor Rice seemed to suggest the Bush administration wasn't counting on establishing a link between Saddam and the 9-11 attacks.
"I think that if you ask, do we know that he had a role in 9-11 - No, we do not know that he had a role in 9-11," she told CNN's "Late Edition." "I think that this is a test that sets the bar far too high."
"I don't think that we want to try and make the case that he directed somehow the 9-11 events," the Bush NSA chief added.
Something is definately up. The Bush administration is discounting evidence that points to Atta being in Prague and the importance of his visits to Swizterland.
Reynolds thinks the Dutch are a beacon of light.
The devil is in the details.
Despite this support, the Volkskrant newspaper quoted Defence Ministry sources saying the Netherlands is not planning to provide a military contribution to a possible attack.
With a clause.
But the PvdA, D66, Groenlinks and SP opposition parties said a UN resolution approving an attack should be a pre-condition for military intervention.
Related Link
Radio Netherlands
France, Netherlands Call for European Common Position on Iraq
The U.S. responds on the closure of the Christian T.V. station in Lebanon.
Related Headlines
Two wounded in protest against Lebanon's TV station closure
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUNDAY SEPT 08, 2002 10:27:38 ET XXXXX
To help make the case for toppling Hussein, the White House is working hard to track down one graphic exhibit: a video, which is said to show Saddam presiding over the execution of one of his political opponents!
TIME magazine will report in Monday editions, Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan has told Bush about the video -- and the hunt is on.
Developing...
The one bullet, one shot theory is the most compelling scenario for a regime change in Iraq. An eye for an eye. But it must come from within Iraq.
Atta 'met Saddam' before attacks
Don't think so.
The Prague meeting yes but this one, no. The Bush administration embarrased the Czechs when the administration denied the Prague meeting.
Because the the administration shut down the Czechs on the Prague meeting, the adminstration is now making themselves look like they are trying to manufacture evidence.
Makes you wonder if the CIA is trying to make Hatfill the fall guy. That denial of the Prague meeting smells of a cover-up over U.S. errors and Anthrax.
Bigotry comes in all forms
"You Catholics! There's your virgin,"
(via Amy Welborn)
Spain rejects immediate military attack against Iraq
The Spanish government said on Saturday that it would agree to the military solution against Iraq only in the last moment to achieve the return of international arms inspectors to that country.
Saturday, September 07, 2002
Reynolds is really on a role with his sensibilities.
September 06, 2002
THESE SATELLITE IMAGES suggest that Saddam is working on nuclear weapons. Of course, these could be part of a new civilian nuclear program. And there are probably people who would believe that.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at September 06, 2002 05:23 PM
Previously he stated the FBI had indicated the LAX shooting was terrorism when in fact they did not. Then he indicated that some Euros would back the U.S. on its ICC decisions. That hasn't happened yet. In fact the countries he cited, are in talks with other Euro countries on the U.S. position and not supporting the U.S. And now the White House admits it erred on the photos.
White House: Bush misstated report on Iraq
Seeking to build a case Saturday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction, President Bush cited a satellite photograph and a report by the U.N. atomic energy agency as evidence of Iraq’s impending rearmament. But in response to a report by NBC News, a senior administration official acknowledged Saturday night that the U.N. report drew no such conclusion, and a spokesman for the U.N. agency said the photograph had been misinterpreted.
Stratfor.com has this headline running: Lebanon, Syria Cracking Down on Militants to Appease U.S. Sep 06
In what appears to be an attempt to placate the United States, Lebanon and Syria are cracking down on radical militant groups in the Levant. However, the move inadvertently will strengthen mainstream political-militant groups, like Hezbollah, which remain a source of U.S. concern.
Will the U.S. ignore the latest coming from Lebanon on the closure of the Christian radio station?
Rowan Scarborough writes in the Washington Times that the Pentagon considers a hit before buildup
It's been done and the military has been hitting Iraq.
As for an invasion taking place from Kuwait and the U.S. base, it won't happen. As was stated before, the logistic support of the base and camp aren't there. The base is desgined for air strike ops and air rescue.
Since the base has been under attack in the past it would be a key target for a chemical attack in the future. Not a great prospect for a staging area or support of ground operations. Putting your assets in one area such as Camp Doha, is asking for trouble.
Desert Storm was not an invasion of Iraq, it was an act that liberated Kuwait. Invading a country and liberating a country are two different wars and the first requires greater support and it would have to be greater than what was in Desert Storm.
Friday, September 06, 2002
Andrew Sullivan asks: "PLEASE READ AGAIN: I just took another look at Jeffrey Goldberg's harrowing account of what's been going on in Iraq, Iraq's links with al Qaeda, and the record of this man, Saddam, whom so many wish to contain and appease. It's about the best reality-check I can find."
Did he even notice the date that Goldberg's article cites? 1988. Who was supporting Iraq then?
John LeBoutillier says LET SADDAM HANG HIMSELF.
John is right on a few things this time.
5) Getting allies – even Canada, a staunch friend – on board is vital for a number of reasons. The American people – polls show – are uneasy about a go-it-alone strategy.
6) Instead of a ground invasion, why don’t we consider ‘taking out’ all his suspected bunkers, chemical labs and ‘presidential palaces’ with our excellent and highly accurate precision bombing capability? We are even more accurate today than we were during the Gulf War – and that was damn good.
With Qatar shutting down its base to it being used for any invasion into Iraq and Kuwait being the only staging ground to conduct an invasion, there won't be one period. The logistics and the base support needed is not there.
Jordan and Qatar can be used to conduct air strikes, that is it. Any buildup will be done as a defensive posture and special ops will have to be done from the Navy or bases in Kuwait.
The war against Iraq has been ongoing and has never stopped. The escalation of air strikes and special ops will increase. The change in the regime will take place from within.
Scoobie Davis is back touting Campaign & Elections magazine's odds on the governor's race in California. The magazine is great at picking the winner at the last moment and advertising it as their picks.
At the outset of the Republican primary race, they never saw it coming up Simon. They follow the polls as much as anyone can and will adjust accordingly.
In the latest field poll conducted in California, the poll was conducted on the heels of the negative publicity surrounding Simon and the financial lawsuit aginst his company. That sentiment found in the poll among the voters will wane as the election nears. For Davis, a 7 point margin lead at this point in the game, makes him a loser in the final months of the election.
The Undecideds that left Simon will come back. They dislike Davis too much to vote for him. The race will be close, but Simon will win.
As for a Riordan match up or being the better candidate to run, the same was said about Mccain and Gore. Bush won. It wasn't pretty but he won. It is likely there will be allegations of voter fraud in this tight election race.
Thursday, September 05, 2002
Afghanistan Rocked By Violence
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. Several armed men on motorbikes opened fire on the car the president was traveling in. Mr Karzai was not hit but the local governor and a United States soldier were injured. Security agents shot dead three suspected attackers. It is not entirely clear whether Mr Karzai was the target of the attack. The governor was also a possible target.
Chilis Put the Heat on Cancer
Hot chili peppers not only fire up your food, they may also put the heat on cancer cells and force them to self-destruct. A new study shows a natural substance found in chili peppers kills cancer cells by starving them of oxygen.
Air strikes and special ops
The raid seemed designed to destroy air defences to allow easy access for special forces helicopters to fly into Iraq via Jordan or Saudi Arabia to hunt down Scud missiles before a possible war within the next few months.
As we stated on August 2nd. And again, may these individuals stay safe.
Related Headlines
Air Force's Special Team Readies for War
Flaying of Chickenhawks slur?
Maybe Cohen and Reynolds would like to make a recant since it was Colonel John Warden who devised the air campaign in Desert Storm and it were civilians who rushed into Yugoslavia, which was a failure. What is left in that region?
A reservist with what kind of experience?
Shipping sources said the US Navy had booked a large commercial vessel to move tanks and heavy armour to the Gulf, but US defence officials played down the shipment, saying it was designated for a military exercise in the Gulf region.
The sources said the US Military Sealift Command had chartered a U.S. flagged general cargo ship to sail from the southeast U.S. coast to an unspecified Middle Eastern port in the Gulf for discharge in late September. This is the third shipment of arms and military hardware in a month using commercial shipping.
Jordan?
Arabs seek rapid action to avert strike
Top Arab diplomats called here yesterday for rapid action and a “clear signal” from their meeting to avert a US war against Iraq, strongly urging new talks on the return of UN arms inspectors to Baghdad.
Hmmm.
The foreign ministers also held what delegates described as unprecedented talks with Arab-American leader James Zogby about creating an Arab lobby in the United States to defend Arab interests and follow up diplomatic initiatives like the Saudi-sponsored peace plan. The plan, adopted by the Arab League, call for a full Arab peace with Israel in return for the Jewish state’s withdrawal from all lands captured in the 1967 Middle East War. The Arabs have long accused the pro-Israel lobby in Washington of guiding US policy in the Middle East.
A bigger Hmmmm.
Will someone tell Bush or at least the New York Post, that Sharon is more worried that Libya "may be the first [Arab] country with weapons of mass destruction".
Same page comes to mind.
Sharon: Israel concerned about Libya efforts to acquire nuclear weapons; Tripoli: Sharon suffers from '\'hysteria'\'
"Libya is becoming perhaps a more dangerous country than we thought," he said. "Libya may be the first [Arab] country with weapons of mass destruction." Asked what kind of weapons of mass destruction Libya was seeking, Sharon replied "Probably the worst kind."
Hmmm.
Glenn Reynolds says:
September 04, 2002
GETTING A CLUE AT LAST: The FBI has decided that the LAX shooting (two months ago) was an act of terrorism after all. How about that!
(Via The Corner.)
However, we see this.
The Egyptian-born gunman who shot up the El Al counter at Los Angeles International Airport on July 4 harbored some resentment toward Israel, however the FBI has concluded that he was driven to his deadly act by his own personal demons and general downward spiraling of his life and was not part of any international terrorist plot.
The New York Times is running an article on the declining importance of television ads in campaign races.
For the most part the article is trying to say grass-roots campaigning is becoming more important.
However more to what is really taking place is what was said by a Republican media consultant. "It's good, but it's marginal," the consultant said. "I don't think McDonald's ever came knocking on your door."
Sullivan states this is impressive evidence.
It is the New York Times and he is calling out a praise?
What happened to the Brits, where they not included?
The big conditional agreement is what will get you all of the time. And where is Bush in that poll?
More than half the people in this country [U.K.] also believe President Bush to be the third biggest threat to world peace after Osama bin Laden and Iraqi tyrant Saddam Hussein.
Like this will make a difference in the world of linguists
A Temple University linguist says there's a lot to like about "like," the crutch word of teenagers and the bane of language purists. Muffy E.A. Siegel, who has published a scholarly study of the word, says "like" is not mindless filler but can actually impart meaning.
Wednesday, September 04, 2002
It is a crazy world
Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
HOSTILE OFFICIAL REACTION TO ALBRIGHT SPEECH.
Albright also acknowledged the impact of the U.S. role in the 1953 ouster of Prime Minister Mohammad Mussadiq, and she admitted that the U.S. supported Iraq in its war with Iran.
Israel and Iran: Covert friends?
Tehran was delighted when Israel destroyed Iraq's nuclear facilities in 1981, since officials knew perfectly well that Iran would have been the first target of Iraqi nukes.
Halliburton Iraq ties more than Cheney said
Halliburton Co., the oil company that was headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, signed contracts with Iraq worth $73 million through two subsidiaries while he was at its helm, the Washington Post reported.
During last year's presidential campaign, Cheney said Halliburton did business with Libya and Iran through foreign subsidiaries, but maintained he had imposed a "firm policy" against trading with Iraq.
"Iraq's different," the Post quoted him as saying.
Iran says it won't stand idle if Iraq is attacked
Iran reiterated its opposition to a possible U.S. attack against Iraq, warning it will not stand idle in the face of new regional instability.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told a news conference Monday that only the "Iraqi people, and not a world power, should determine Iraq's destiny."
"At the same time, Iran will not stand idle before such instability because if a country decides to overthrow another country's government, this will create a norm," Asefi said without elaborating.
Iran, Iraq in new war of words
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi on Monday accused the Iraqi government of offering the biggest service to Israel by invading Kuwait in 1990 and starting a war with Iran in 1980.
Al Qaeda Deputies Harbored by Iran
Two figures who have assumed critical roles in the al Qaeda hierarchy in recent months, including one reported dead by the Pentagon, are being sheltered in Iran along with dozens of other al Qaeda fighters in hotels and guesthouses in the border cities of Mashhad and Zabol, according to Arab intelligence sources.
Then last but not least: Attacks on Pentagon Launched by U.S. Army's Missiles
The attack on the Pentagon was carried out by missiles, he said, adding, the missiles belonged to the U.S. army.
And Cheney did business with these two countries?
It is a crazy world indeed.
Tuesday, September 03, 2002
An opinion poll carried out by two US firms shows that two thirds of the Dutch would support participating in a possible US strike on Iraq. The support is on condition of proof that Iraq is in possesion of weapons of mass destruction and United Nations Security Council approval of a military strike.
No mention of the U.S. firms who conducted the poll.
High Court Rejects Forcible Transfer As a Deterrence
The Palestinians need to take note that an Israeli government entity ruled in a just manner towards their lives. This is a right decision.
Deadly 'mistakes' by Israeli army draw rare criticism
Israelis opening up the country's most popular newspaper Monday faced a disturbing sequence of photos.
These were not the usual pictures that Yediot Ahronot runs of civilians or soldiers killed in Palestinian attacks, of Israeli newlywed couples or pregnant mothers whose lives were cut short.
They were the pictures of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army. They showed the aftermath of six army actions in which 33 presumed noncombatants were killed since late June, coupled with a headline that said "Trigger happy."
Steven Chapman has us going back and forth on U.S. foreign policy.
We say game, set, match.
Stay out of the business of foreign affairs unless we are under an immediate threat. For the most part, the CIA has operated in the foreign exchange business not for national security but for corporate security. If there is an argument for our supporting Hussein back during the 80's, let's hear it.
Dutch reject US accord over court
The Netherlands will never sign a treaty with the US that ensures American soldiers will not face the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Dutch Foreign Minister De Hoop Scheffer said.
An informal meeting of EU foreign ministers at Helsingor in Denmark resolved at the weekend to not reply to the US treaty proposal until at least 30 September.
The ministers were strongly divided, but both Italian Foreign Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British Foreign Minister Jack Straw eventually agreed to the delay.
Meanwhile, legal experts from all EU nations will soon meet to come up with a combined stance over the issue, particularly over the question whether EU states violate the ICC treaty if they sign an agreement with the US ensuring American soldiers do not appear before the court.
Will Glenn Reynolds be doing an about face on his latest statement on the European support to the U.S policy on the ICC?
The world-wide anti- Bush alliance
Meanwhile in Berlin President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Thierse (SPD) explained, a war of aggression with German participation would be unconstitutional in his opinion. Thierse demanded, in the center of the international policy the return of the UN supervisors to the Iraq had. Secretary of Defense Peter Struck (SPD) considers the war threat of the USA against Iraq counter productive.
Fer Chrissake, Sullivan does a Reynolds and then some.
First he states:
How on earth did the president let his secretary of state and his vice-president say two superficially contradictory things about U.N. weapons inspection in Iraq within days of each other? That kind of mixed message can only cause glee in the hearts of the anti-war coalition from Saddam to Mandela and Chirac (not to mention Brent Scowcroft and Howell Raines).
Ok, so which is it?
Cheney said a U.N. inspection is useless. Powell says they're necessary.
Ok, so which is it?
Is it possible that both could be right? Much of the global hostility to dealing with Saddam cannot be avoided.
It can't? Ok what next?
Why not ask Cheney to come up with a rigorous weapons inspection regime that could actually do the job - dozens of inspectors, random visits, no limits on what they can investigate and look at, and so on? Then ask Powell to endorse it and demand instant compliance from Baghdad.
Evidently Sullivan missed the one statement made by Cheney on an U.N. investigation (the one about an U.N. investigation would be useless) or has poor reading skills (even though he acknowledges his statements). How would that make Cheney look; going back on his statements. No more bad cop routine.
Then Sullivan makes the "Reynold's error" by stating:
There are increasing signs that we may have more allies in this than now seems possible.
What a crock of bullshit and wishfull thinking on his part. They want U.N. involvement, something Cheney does not want. If anything, the U.S. via Cheney would be making a drastic policy change in dealing with Iraq. A change that is not bringing allies on board. He and Reynolds have it wrong, the allies are making the U.S. change its policy and the U.S. is changing lanes to get on board with its allies.
There is a big fucking difference.
Monday, September 02, 2002
Iraq asks the international community "to be mobilized"
Jacques Chirac and Nelson Mandela launched Monday, in margin of the Summit of the Earth, a warning in the United States against any preventive action against Iraq, out of the framework of the United Nations. Perhaps come to return visit to the "father" of modern South Africa, in his foundation of Johannesburg, the French president did not intend to tackle the Iraqi question also directly.
IT'S NOT OUR FIGHT SAY BRITISH PUBLIC
But in fairness to the U.S., you must understand the British mentality. Rue Britannia: Diana's death tops poll
Pepsi, Coke hauled up for rock damage
The Supreme Court yesterday appointed a panel to assess damage caused to the environment by US soft drinks giants Pepsi and Coca Cola after they painted logos on rock faces in the Himalayan mountains.
Qatar conducts anti-WMD drill
The Qatar armed forces, in collaboration with the civil defence and emergency personnel, conducted a mock drill at Khalifa Stadium yesterday to enhance preparedness against weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Glenn Reynolds thinks the ducks are in a row?
What ducks and how? Is that a bunch of sitting ducks in a row, or a bunch of quacking ducks in a row or a bunch of paddling ducks in a row?
Where in the hell does he get his info. First things first, you have got to have your own ducks in a row, and Reynolds is certainly lacking there. We want to know when the military will be in a row with some of those in the Bush administration. How about those ducks.
What a quack up. Couldn't resist.
Holocaust survivors can sue U.S., judge rules
Although there have been dozens of Holocaust-related lawsuits filed in the past five years, the Miami case is considered particularly important because it is the only one in which the U.S. government - rather than a foreign government or foreign company - has been named as a defendant.
Kuwait breaks ranks on Saddam
With Qatar's decision to not allow the use of their base, what is left? Kuwait.
There may be the need publicly to be anti-war, but under-the-table deals are being struck." And so they did.
An al-Qaida refuge in Lebanon?
Nearly 200 al-Qaida operatives, including several senior commanders, have settled in Lebanon with Syria’s permission, taking refuge in a large Palestinian refugee camp there, an Israeli newspaper reported Monday.
Sunday, September 01, 2002
Size matters
Then the giant-killer arrives, wrappers compact, but on a massive head. Heads in the audience swivel to and fro as at a tennis match, trying to gauge which cabbage will win. Ultimately, Robb's 85.6-pound effort falls to 9-year-old Seth Dinkel's 89.9-pounder.
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