Guest commentary by Bill Dauterieve:

I was watching "Black Hawk Down" yesterday night. It is a testament to the courage, honor and commitment of American soldiers. I liked the Hollywood treatment of soldiers as a bunch of different guys. You had Obi Wan Kenobi as a office clerk, the Incredible Hulk as a Fonzie like Delta Force fighter, and Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter as a by-the-book Ranger. When they were under the gun, they set aside all their differences and fought as a single unit. They left no one behind. more...

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A new audio message from the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has declared jihad on Iraq's majority Shia population. More bombs went off in Baghdad today targetting Iraqi police officers. Zarqawi has claimed the bombings which killed 23.

Al-Jazeera:

"The al-Qaeda Organisation in the Land of Two Rivers (Iraq) is declaring all-out war on the Rafidha (a pejorative term for Shia), wherever they are in Iraq," said the voice which could not be immediately verified but sounded like previous recordings attributed to al-Zarqawi.

"As for the government, servants of the crusaders headed by Ibrahim al-Jaafari, they have declared a war on Sunnis in Tal Afar," the clip added...

"You must choose between the good side and the bad side."

Any religious group that wants to be safe from the blows of the mujahidin must [disavow] the government of al-Jaafari and its crimes. Otherwise it will suffer the same fate as that of the crusaders," said the tape.

At the same time, "any tribe ... whose allegiance to the crusaders and their agents is proven will be targeted by the mujahidin in the same way the crusaders are".

Under traditional interpretations of Islamic law, the maximum penalty for apostasy is death.

An interesting side note from the al Jazeera report refers to Zarqawi as 'the one-legged fugitive'. Zarqawi was reportedly hurt in May, but that was allegedly a serious chest wound. This is the first I had heard about Zarqawi missing a leg. It's time to take out his other one. Start with the kneecaps. Then move to the left arm......

So, why is peg-leg Zarqawi trying to kill as many Shias as possible? He's trying to start a civil war. Unfortunately, many on the Left believe a civil war is already happening in Iraq. But if this is 'civil war', then how come the vast majority of Sunnis are planning to go to the polls in the coming election? Wars begin only when politics fail.

Further, many on the Left openly support those that are fighting our troops, the side that wishes to impose a Taliban-like regime there. These people are traitors.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:11 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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A video has emerged of the Lebanese-Cypriot employee of an alcohol distribution company taken hostage in Iraq nearly three weeks ago. Images from the video are posted below. The video may be downloaded here (see Sept. 12, first link).

The man, Garabet Jean Jekerjian, can be seen in the video wearing a Corona shirt and shorts and pleads for his company, Geto Trading Ltd. which operates out of Cyprus, to leave Iraq.

The company announced today that it was caving to the terrorists' demands and is ceasing all operations in Iraq.

The terror organization, calling itself The Group for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice had released a video Sunday threatening to kill Jekerjian unless Geto pulled out. Scores of people have been murdered in Iraq by vigilante groups, both Shia and Sunni, attempting to enforce Islamic Law.

I apologize for letting this one slip under the radar screen. A description of the video and images from it follow. more...

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The Maximum Leader waxes poetic.

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Are things really all that bad in Iraq? Not according to those that are actually there. In a Pentagon press briefing today, a commander from Mosul, Iraq, described a much weakened al Qaeda presence in that region. At least 80% of al Qaeda fighters are dead or captured, and those fighting today are much less organized with far poorer training.

But how can things be getting better in Iraq when so much news--today's news--always seems so bad?

Flipping through the news this morning as I got ready for work, I noticed that CNN and Fox were reporting some very bad news from people who should know how things are going, reporters in Baghdad. However, one thing seemed rather odd to me--both reporters had the same background shot.

In fact, both reporters were at the same Baghdad hotel well inside the Green Zone. So, how are they getting their news? They are getting their news from the DOD just like I am, only they can broadcast their original news from Iraq and thus you get the feeling that they are more authoritative because they are, you know, there, even though there isn't really anywhere near where the stories are happening.

Journalists such as Michael Yon are the exception to the rule. He's embedded with military forces in Mosul, so when Yon reports that things are much better in Mosul today than last year, you better believe him. Yon is actually there where there is.

So, when Army Col. Robert B. Brown, commander of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division's Stryker Brigade Combat Team, reported from Mosul, Iraq, about conditions there you better listen, too. Remember, Yon is embedded with these guys. Stryker Brigade News has a great gallery of the men of the 1/25 here.

Here are some highlights from a DOD press release about Brown's conference. And by 'highlights', I mean pretty much the whole press release. But, as you read it, imagine that I am reporting from inside the Green Zone. I'm sure that will make it much more believable. Here's a visual, to help put you in the mood.

Brown notes that eighty percent of al Qaeda's network in northern Iraq "has been devastated" since January due to the capture or killing of key leaders and the outrage of Iraqi citizens.

The situation in Mosul is "improving on a daily basis," Brown said. "Normalcy has come back into the city." more...

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(Tampa, Florida) Remember Debra Lafave? She's the gorgeous 24-year-old teacher who claims she was insane during mad sex romps with a 14-year-old student. She's scheduled to be tried in December, however, there's a new development in her case.

Apparently, during the investigation of her alleged crimes, the authorities obtained a search warrant to photograph her genitalia to collect evidence corroborating the statements of the 14-year-old boy. The photos are public records and, as such, any citizen can request access. As a result, Lafave's lawyer, John Fitzgibbons, has filed a motion to block public access to the pictures on the basis that they are an invasion of privacy.

From the St. Petersburg Times: more...

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Mike King, of Rambling's Journal, is calling it quits. He will be missed.

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Alla Wartenberg scandal and photo gallery here. more...

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Unites States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. CNN:

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that the pledge's reference to one nation "under God" violates school children's right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God

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Here are the Left's freedom fighters at work in Iraq. Who are we fighting in Iraq? Extremists who are working to create a Taliban-like state.

"When the terrorists took over the city," the commander of the Third Armored Cavalry Colonel H.R. McMasters said in a State Department briefing yesterday, "they replaced all the imams from the mosques with Islamic extremist laymen; replaced all teachers from the schools with people who "preached hatred and intolerance"; and kidnapped and murdered large numbers of people, "including a Sunni Turkmen imam and a city councilman who was shot about 30 times to the head in front of his family.

"The enemy here did just the most horrible things you can imagine," McMasters said, "in one case murdering a child, placing a booby trap within the child's body and waiting for the parent to come recover the body of their child and exploding it to kill the parents." more...

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1 Have a link to this? Source: State Department press release. doesn't quite cut it... TY!

Posted by: Ariya at September 14, 2005 03:09 PM (noCGr)

2 Linked....because I just love the name 'Ariya' Here's the thing, though. Why is it that I have to link my sources but not the AP or Reuters?

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 14, 2005 04:21 PM (JQjhA)

3 You need to come up with your own "anonymous sources" Rusty. Then you too can say anything you want.

Posted by: Oyster at September 14, 2005 04:45 PM (fl6E1)

4 I was watching a press conference by Col. H.R. McMaster, the commander of the 3rd ACR who just kicked ass and took names in Tal Afar, and he mentioned that. He also said they had found a house that contained chemical weapons. It was on CSPAN yesterday, and it was an excellent briefing.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 14, 2005 05:17 PM (0yYS2)

5 Same press conference. I didn't notice the chemical weapons thing.

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 14, 2005 05:33 PM (JQjhA)

6 It was a brief mention.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 14, 2005 07:11 PM (0yYS2)

7 Hmm interesting. This is a major sucess I must say. I say this because it is an example that we are infact better than the terrorists. I find that too often our oppressive anti-terrorist tactics, in examples like Guantanamo Bay & ABu Ghraib, cause more hatred and terrorism. COunter-terrorism to often violates the very rights we are fighting for, and hence causes the civilians of the Middle East to hate us more than terrorists, or their previous oppressive regimes. However, as inspiring as this article is, you have to look at any article with skeptisism. One from the Department of State is obviously somewhat bias for well, the state. And we must look as this as only an example. A great and positive step foreward, but nonetheless, until presented with proof that it is the norm, i will not accept it as such, call me a pessimist, but i just dont trust things until I see them from news sources on both sides of the political spectrum.

Posted by: Ash at October 17, 2005 03:33 PM (v4xco)

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We won the battle in Afghanistan. We will win the battle in Iraq. But will we win the war on terror? Not without fighting it on its most important field of battle: the internet. Aaron at Internet Hagganah has an important essay:

Afghanistan was invaded.

It had to be done.

It had to be done, and it was not enough.

So it is with the Internet.

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Jawa Report readers will recall that on Sept. 7th we received information that some major news would be coming out of Afghanistan in the following weeks. At the time we labeled our information 'a rumor' since we could not confirm it. Today, Ed Morrissey notices that more rumors out of Afghanistan have begun to percolate to the mainstream media.

The Jawa Report, one step ahead in reporting unsubstantiated rumors.....(thanks to tip from source that wishes to remain anonymous)

UPDATE: Military now denying report. Scroll down for details more...

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Yes my company is having an open house this week. We are all supposed to remove any and all traces of personality from our work area. You know make it look just so. The man has sent down orders that all goofy stuff is to come down. My Aussie cube mate and I have formed a rebellion against this evil. For where ever there is a cube we fight for freedom.

Aussie refuses to take down his love monkey.

Howie refuses to take down the Tower of Stupidity.

.Will it last? Who will win this war of personality? We face a long struggle against a powerful enemy. Here is some background on the tower of stupidity. ItÂ’s my little 9/11 memorial and also a fun way to have a flag stick up over my cube. On 9/12 we came to work and every cube had a little flag on it. See the small flag on the left hand side itÂ’s an original 9/12 toothpick flag. Worked a couple weekends after that and built the tower from happy meals via my bosses daughters. ItÂ’s been standing nearly four years and it will be standing longer. Should Aussie dude and I loose this battle rest assured that as soon as the tourists are gone both the tower and the crimson love monkey will return to their rightful place in our cubes along with my hot Marge Simpson poster. Also for those of you who care Howie did start up that new batch of fine wine this week. Due date on the booze is 10/31. The love monkey was a gift from Aussie's new bride.

Updated: Guess who's coming to the open house Ernie Fletcher. No comment. Well maybe below the break.
. more...

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...because it's true.

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The Carnival of Liberty XI is up.

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I'm feeling sorry today. I'm feeling sorry for the families of everyone they are finding dead. I'm feeling sorry for those poor older folks who were left to die in a nursing home. I'm feeling sorry for everyone who has to stare at a ruin where their house used to be and wonder what they're going to do next. I'm feeling sorry for Bush. Before he stood up and took responsibility for any wrongdoing (he's a better man than I ever could be), he knew that he would get nothing but grief over it from both sides of the asile.

But mainly I'm feeling sorry for the country. New Orleans has shown us a lot about ourselves and the direction in which we are headed. During 9/11, we saw firefighters and policemen running INTO harm's way. Now, we see them turning in their badges and joining with the criminals. During 9/11, we all came together. Democrats and Republicans, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Irish, English, it didn't matter. We were all in this together until it was over. But now, as soon as the hurricane hit, we had politicians and politician-wanna-bes stepping up to play politics and see how they could play this natural disaster to their favor. Some, such as Hillary Clinton, were doing it to promote their agenda and attempt to smear any Republican that they could. Others, such as the mayor and governor were attempting to save face in light of horrendous errors on their part. Still others, such as Jesse Jackson and the others who started crying "race" were simply trying to keep their sway over the masses. more...

Posted by: Drew at 09:36 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
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1 Amen Brother Rusty.

Posted by: Filthy Allah at September 14, 2005 09:40 AM (5ceWd)

2 "In New Orleans, the liberals house of cards has come crashing down around their ears. Their bastion of nanny statism is no longer." Its not that nanny state to expect that 4 years after 9/11 we can deal with disasters. And that's not a liberal house of cards either.

Posted by: actus at September 14, 2005 09:41 AM (CqheE)

3 I think I'm going to start putting "I'M NOT RUSTY" at the beginning of all my posts

Posted by: Drew at September 14, 2005 09:41 AM (Ml8z/)

4 Now see, actus, there you go thinking again. What is the one difference between New York and New Orleans? New York had a competent mayor who took charge and helped his people out rather than letting half his police force run off and telling everyone that they were on their own.

Posted by: Drew at September 14, 2005 09:44 AM (Ml8z/)

5 I just heard an urban planning specialist on NPR say that federal subsidized housing policies over the last 40 years (i.e., the "war on poverty") was the reason the poor in New Orleans were concentrated in all the low-lying areas of the city. In the meantime the bushitler haters are blaming Bush for poverty and now natural disasters even though New Orleans has been a Democrat city for generations. How typical. Both at the federal and local level New Orleans exposes the failed social policies of the Left. Their greatest victims are the poor themselves. That's what I'm sorry about.

Posted by: Carlos at September 14, 2005 09:48 AM (8e/V4)

6 We said drew. The gov't can help but people hold so much more power and no forms are required for yer nightbor to fire up that chainsaw or boat or generator. Fed Gov't can help States states can help parishes or counties but in the end everyting is done by people. Private companies and individuals can do so much more so much faster. The state can never replace loving your neighbor.

Posted by: Howie at September 14, 2005 09:50 AM (D3+20)

7 Just what I have been thinking. I have donated liberally to the Red Cross and also through my church. However, I will be donating no more; not one more red cent to those lazy, whinning ingrates. My money will be going to the Humane Society or the SPCA. Now, there are creatures that will be truly grateful, and feel no entitlement for what they receive. (I found it humorous that when they were loading up a plane to go to Utah, nobody wanted to go. Could it be that they knew those Mormans would expect them to actually work and pull their own weight? Good, hardworking folks, those Mormans.) This whole thing has been a hugh eye-opener for this country. Maybe just a dress rehearsal for what is to come.

Posted by: Razorgirl at September 14, 2005 10:13 AM (H+tJ8)

8 Rusty, I'm not feeling sorry. The scum have floated to the top and we can now see who they are. That in itself will be important down the road because we now know who all our enemies are, including those like Hilary who were trying to put a moderate mask on. I feel pretty good about the people in my community who have come together and fed, housed, and entertained over 1,000 refuges without the help of the Red Cross, Salvation Army or federal or state government. You see, we don't have a Red Cross or Salvation Army contingent here. What we do have is a number of churches and individuals who got together and solved a problem without any help from the government. You see, our city has only 11,000 people yet we handled a refugee population that was almost 10 per cent of our total population. That would be like San Francisco taking in about 50,000 refuges. That won't happen and it couldn't happen because the citizens of SF would say they couldn't handle that many. As for the refuges themselves, I can say I've met a great bunch of people who are ready to go home and get to work. As a matter of fact, a group of men bought 18 generators, roofing materials, gasoline, food, water, and other provisions and left for the NO area Monday. They are already back home working to set their communities right. That is what makes America great, not a bunch of lefty cry babies who want the government to do every little thing for them. That's the reason you had people stealing, killing, and raping in NO. That's all they know how to do. They have been on the government tit for so long that they only have their base instincts left. They have no self-respect and gain their self-worth through brutality. The Islamists are exactly like that also, although they use radical Islam to justity their brutality. Sometimes I do despair, Rusty, but when I talk to the average man on the street, I really feel pretty good. You need to stop listening to those goofy MSM reporters, Rusty. You'll be a lot happier.

Posted by: jesusland joe at September 14, 2005 10:40 AM (q9AWQ)

9 "Otherwise healthy adults continue their lethargic existence without actually doing anything," but you don't want to slam them? Are you serious? While I agree that the system offers certain incentives against working once on welfare, there is nothing about the system that prohibits people from getting off their asses and doing something with their lives - permitting does not equal requiring. The responsibility for their condition lies first and foremost with them. As an anaolgy, while conditions ni the Middle East, U.S. foregin policy, soldiers in Saudi Arabia/Iraq, etc., may foster anger and resentment against the United States and/or England, those most responsible for the 9/11 attacks or the subway bombings are THE TERRORISTS THEMSELVES - not GWB, not Tony Blair, not they system, not the oppression, but the individuals who chose to take that course of action. (And no, I am not comparing being on welfare with being a terrorist, I am merely stating that both should be held accountable for their actions, and suggesting that in the setting of terrorism, you would agree with me, Drew (not Rusty)).

Posted by: tk at September 14, 2005 10:43 AM (5HwRu)

10 Better to say that I'm trying not to lump everyone together. Some (very few, I know) people are drawing welfare because they've hit bottom, haven't been able to find another job yet and simply need a way to feed their family for a time until they can get it back together. But yes, the ones who are just sitting on their asses and drawing a check need a good dose of reality. And they need their comfortable little world jerked right out from under them.

Posted by: Drew at September 14, 2005 10:47 AM (Ml8z/)

11 If it is a "dress rehearsal", then it was a big price to pay for a trial run, but I understand what you mean, Razorgirl. And many have not even thought about all the pets. I'll give you a great big blue ribbon for that. Atta girl. I think Drew hit on all the points that have been bothering me and just didn't take the time to write. For one point, in particular, the entitlements (or welfare programs, if you will) that were so predominant in New Orleans played a huge role in how these people either reacted to an evacuation or how they were actually unable to react appropriately. It created a mindset that they need help when they may not, when they may be completely capable of providing for themselves. Put in a more basic sense - it would be like the "teach a man to fish" parable and which side of that story their local government came down on. Teaching or providing.

Posted by: Oyster at September 14, 2005 11:08 AM (fl6E1)

12 "What is the one difference between New York and New Orleans? New York had a competent mayor who took charge and helped his people out rather than letting half his police force run off and telling everyone that they were on their own." New york's disaster lasted 2 hours. then it was all over when the dust settled. New Orleans' is still ongoing. Its a big difference. Like I said. Not very nanny state to expect disaster relief.

Posted by: actus at September 14, 2005 04:37 PM (CqheE)

13 "New York's disaster lasted 2 hours, then it was all over when the dust settled." That has got to be the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard anyone say. And I dare you to go up to anyone in New York and tell them that.

Posted by: Drew at September 14, 2005 04:39 PM (t6bdo)

14 Drew, I think what Actus was trying to convey was the sheer magnitude difference between NY and NO. The zone of destruction in NY covered about 16 acres while about 90,000 square miles was affected on the Gulf Coast. I don't think he meant any disrespect toward NY, he was just trying to compare the magnitude of the two disasters.

Posted by: jesusland joe at September 14, 2005 04:57 PM (q9AWQ)

15 Yeah! Damn Hillary and all of the others who bashed Bush over his laxxed response to Katrina. And while we're at it... Let's damn the 67% of Americans who polled as not being satisfied with Bush's overall performance. Fuc*ing liberals! *lol* Just face it, doodie. You're in the minority. It's just to my amusement that you're too much of a Dubya fanboy to handle when you're 'homeboy' gets his just deserts. Just because he took responsibility doesn't mean that he's freed himself of the consequences. Stop crying.

Posted by: madmagickdotnet at September 14, 2005 05:00 PM (D7Fw/)

16 "That has got to be the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard anyone say. And I dare you to go up to anyone in New York and tell them that." Whats so wrong? the disaster is over, not the cleanup or grief. In new orleans, the disaster continues, requiring continuing policing. Also, there was much vaster victimization. You didn't see NYC's government destroyed. NO's? most of their cops are homeless and officeless.

Posted by: actus at September 14, 2005 05:32 PM (CqheE)

17 Show me one photo of a dead white guy from New Orleans.

Posted by: Downing Street Memo at September 15, 2005 08:25 AM (VhNDM)

18 Don't be so sad. I'm in Alabama. The wonderful stories aren't being told. There is much goodwil and much concern, care and help here and on its way for the long term. The media has focused solely on the negative, and there's always negative because we aren't perfect. Even those saying thank you aren't being heard out there. But they are here. So I'll pass it on. Thanks to ones who care and who will still care months/weeks from now if necessary.

Posted by: terri at September 15, 2005 12:12 PM (5F0BI)

19 "Show me one photo of a dead white guy from New Orleans." I'll go ya one better; tell me where you live and I'll show you one dead liberal moron from your neighborhood.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 15, 2005 12:28 PM (0yYS2)

20 "I'll go ya one better; tell me where you live and I'll show you one dead liberal moron from your neighborhood." Shaw, DC.

Posted by: actus at September 15, 2005 06:01 PM (y/f3P)

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Terrorists in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a series of bombings that killed over 100 civilians in Iraq today. Reports from the scene conflict as to the actual total of people killed in today's mass murder spree, but a single car bomb is said to have killed at least 88 and wounded 227 in a mostly Shi'ite neighborhood of Baghdad.

Media reports indicate that al Jazeera is reporting that al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the mass murders. No specific claim, though has been made, but al Qaeda may have alluded to the deadly attacks:

The conquest of revenge for the Sunni people of Tal Afar has started," Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's al-Qaida Organisation in the Land of Two Rivers said in the statement, whose authenticity could not be verified.

It said its "brigades" had launched a series of attacks, led by its elite "martyrdom-seeking" brigade.

The statement did not claim responsibility for any of the suicide bombings, only promising to "release more (details), God willing, as soon as news comes in of the operations in Baghdad and other cities".

Reports are mixed, but between five and ten more bombs targetting civilians were heard around Baghdad this morning.

Elsewhere, gunmen entered a village, rounded up those suspected of 'collaboration' and murdered them.

Gunmen wearing military uniforms, meanwhile, surrounded a village north of Baghdad early Wednesday and killed 17 men, police said.

Police Lt. Waleed al-Hayali, in Taji, 10 miles north of Baghdad, said the gunmen detained the victims after searching the village. They were handcuffed, blindfolded and shot. The dead included one policeman and others who worked as drivers and construction workers for the U.S. military, said al-Hayali. [source]

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This is not a fitting memorial to warriors and heroes:

This is:

That's the William Wallace memorial near Stirling Castle in Scotland. (Pic from here.) Say it with me: "You can take our lives...but you will never take...our Freedom!"

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Thanks to all of you who participated in the Blog Sabbath Caption 9/11 Edition.

Thanks to Rusty for saying "Go for it."

No one knows what the future holds, but, for now, your memories have been digitally engraved for all the world to see, if they happen upon them.

I need to give a special thanks to Demosophist for letting us know... more...

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(Gaza Strip) Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has promised to put an end to "armed chaos" in the Gaza Strip, a day after the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

"No-one is above the law," Mr Abbas said in a televised speech.

"If these were white people stuck in Gaza," Abbas continued, "I donÂ’t have any [bleep]ing doubt there would have been every single helicopter, every plane, every single means that the U.S. government has to help these people."

Civil Rights groups in Gaza, such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, have harshly criticized President Bush's FEMA team for their poor handling of the Gaza situation.

Community leader and Hamas spokesperson Mushir al-Masri was pleased at the announced resignation of FEMA chief Michael Brown Monday, but said the move did not go far enough.

"50 years of Zionist occupation and all the President could do was accept Michael Brown's resignation? Where was FEMA when they were needed? Did they send us money? No. Weapons? No. The least Bush could have done was send one of the twins for a martyrdom operation, inshallah." more...

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