mypetjawa v. 2.0 (beta) "<i>Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to ev

December 24, 2005

A Reporter With A Mission

A classified radiation monitoring program, conducted without warrants, has targeted private U.S. property in an effort to prevent an al-Qaida attack, federal law enforcement officials confirmed Friday.
While declining to provide details, including the number of cities and sites monitored, the officials said the air monitoring began after the Sept. 11 attacks and was conducted from publicly accessible areas, which they said made warrants and court orders unnecessary.
U.S. News and World Report first reported the program on Friday. The magazine said the monitoring was conducted at more than 100 Muslim sites in the Washington, D.C. area Â— including Maryland and Virginia suburbs Â— and at least five other cities when threat levels had risen: Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York and Seattle.

Let's be real clear on this. Federal officers do not require a warrant to be present on public property. They do not require a court order to monitor radiation levels. And if they had not been doing so following 9/11, they would have been derelict in their duty.

This story is one of the most egregious examples of agenda journalism I've ever seen. Every mention of court orders and warrants in the story above is a deliberate attempt to make it appear that something sinister is happening, when, in fact, Federal agents simply are doing their lawful duty. Where were the much vaunted eleventy-seven layers of editors when writer Larry Margasak was puking out this profoundly biased attack piece?

What the hell is wrong with the author? Well, Margasak is on a mission to end the Bush Presidency and destroy as many Republicans as possible. Josef Goebbels would have loved him.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto, where agenda journalists are treated as the dangerous vermin that they are.

Posted by: Bluto at 12:04 AM | Comments (37) | Add Comment
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1 I'm wondering who, if anyone, has a problem with a radiation search. There's no reasonable excuse to keep a box full of it in your closet or the in your trunk of your car. That AP article is total bullshit.

Posted by: Tom at December 24, 2005 12:45 AM (cUb/i)

2 Bluto, For the last month you are seeing more and more straw grasping. I just think a big, "So what? And the problem with this is..." Agenda is right. And they wonder why their circulation and credibility is falling so low. Merry Christmas BTW.

Posted by: CDR Salamander at December 24, 2005 03:11 AM (m64uD)

3 Agent Smith says, Gogglebox do-goodies telling everyone that radiation is bad for them.. pernicious nonsense! Everyone should get 100 Chest X-rays a year, and they ought to have'em too! Agent Brown says to disregard Agent Smith in his "Chernobyl Moment."

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:23 AM (AovCV)

4 Actually, there is legal precedent for the position of requiring a warrant for such 'searches.' Specifically, the courts have held that a warrant was required for using heat detectors to locate homes with large grow-light marijuana 'farms' inside them, and the narcotics officers were on public property monitoring what could be 'seen' from there - infrared rays. But since they can't really be 'seen' (at least by humans) the homeowners had a reasonable expectation of privacy, so a warrant was needed. Whether the same 'logic' applies to the radiation detectors will hinge on what technology was being used and the wave/particle duality of matter - was it detecting particles in the public space or waves emanating from the private space.

Posted by: Glenmore at December 24, 2005 08:39 AM (8rYQZ)

5 Glenmore . ..Are you saying that homeowners/mosques have a reasonable expectation of privacy to possess nuclear material that may produce emanating waves so long as the evidence is eminating soley from their private space? What God forsaken planet are you from?

Posted by: justamomof4 at December 24, 2005 09:23 AM (XU9K/)

6 Hey Glenmore, Cannabis Sativa can't be used for mass murder, it's a whole different animal than freaking nuclear material. Are you stupid, or a democrat, or something?

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 24, 2005 09:35 AM (0yYS2)

7 IM, Stupid and Democrat-aren't these terms synonomous?

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 24, 2005 10:35 AM (rUyw4)

8 This particular aspect was not really that secret if you knew the types of equipment used, how it used, and patterns of search. It was actually a kinda open un-spoken secret. The media is not stupid - they knew the generalities for several years. This is just an attempt at BDS piling on in light of the "so-called" NSA bruhaha. The media just feels comfortable at the moment to hype this. The air-recon aspect was scaled back significantly nearly 2 yrs ago. Ground units - I don't know - fixed stations took a couple of years to implement and coordinate. I was involved in this in an extremely minor associated way in late '01 early '02. It was actually a lil' amusing - early generation rushed equipment in the hands of untrained NYPD and Mil personnel. A shitload of false positives in the beginning. The initial equipment was both too generalized and too sensitive. We made a lot of hospital personnel & X-Ray techicians on their way home late for supper. This is a non-issue like the NSA thing. For it to work the Media and BDS affictees must totally dis-associate these actions from 9/11 and the war against AQ - its not per se tied in with IRAQ!!! Can't be done - this ain't going nowhere.

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 11:45 AM (3aakz)

9 Oh - Merry Christmas to all

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 11:46 AM (3aakz)

10 Lincoln said it best: "The Constitution is not a suicide pact."

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 24, 2005 12:38 PM (RHG+K)

11 The scope of warrantless searches is something that has always fascinated me. For the record, the case that Glenmore mentioned was written by (drumroll please)... Scalia. And, yes, he was right on that decision. As far as it's applicability to this, well, that's tough to say. There are a lot of similarities but given the nature of the items being searched for, it could be decided the other way. The loophole, of course, is that the government is free to conduct these searches (as the Court has deemed them to be), it simply can't use the evidence that they gather at bar; and it is subject to civil liability. The question that should (and in, my opinion, must be) answered is whether the agents have some reason to be doing this. If they do have a reason, one must ask why they aren't bothered to get warrants. Probably just my general distrust of government working here. And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all.

Posted by: KG at December 24, 2005 12:48 PM (eRMCR)

12 The case that Glenmore brings up involves criminality not war. Holding nuclear material to fuel a bomb (dirty or otherwise) is not crimanality but an act of war. Last I recall the Federal government had a lot more leeway when it comes to acts of war than it does with growing ganja. Also, Glenmore I can not possibly believe the constitutionality of the program hinges on if its workings were based on particle or waves. Merry Christmas to all!

Posted by: Marcus Aurelius at December 24, 2005 01:19 PM (HCun/)

13 KG, The reason might have something to do with all the radical Muslims in the DC area. Over 80% of mosques were found to have hate literature in them, and probably many more have taught the ism of jihad. The MSM refuses to confront the Muslim leaders on this issue, so one would assume that they are sympathetic to the Islamist cause. Perhaps it is the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but this tactic has not worked well in past years(re: the Afghan War between Islam and the Russians) for the US or its perfunctionary allies in Europe. I predict the media will have to pay a big price for attempting to undermine our troops and aligning themselves with radical Islam. And so will the liberals and Democrats who seek to topple a President and cause the US to lose a war. We will not forgive and forget what the media has done this time. There is a tally sheet all over the internet for everyone to see.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 24, 2005 01:38 PM (rUyw4)

14 Make it simple - those who disagree - what would you have done? Who would you have done it to? All this in the aftermath of 9/11 - kinda funny actually. Of all the reasons why 3000 people died on 9/11 given, this one I find left unsaid ... 3000 people died because the perpetrators didn't have access at the time to a nuclear device or similar WMD - otherwise it would have been 300000 - and I would have been one of them. And that 300000 figure is minimum - GARANTEED - they (AQ)wouldn't think twice about it!

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 01:41 PM (3aakz)

15 Now, now, hondo. It's much better for 300,000 to die than for a single Islamist terrorist to suffer the potential to have a purported civil right violated. Besides, if 300,000 had died on 9/11 Bushitlerburton probably would have been impeached. Damn their eyes, those 297,000 had a duty to die to rid of us of the evil RepubliNazis.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 24, 2005 02:40 PM (RHG+K)

16 Without names and faces your probably right - as long as its abstract (like their arguments and anger). I just find it a bit annoying on a personal level since - there by the grace of God (& AQ's lack of the proper tools) I, and a good portion of my family and friends, would have been well inside the potential blast radius.

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 02:52 PM (3aakz)

17 Agent Brown enjoys warrantless searches for any sign that any of you are waking up from your slumber. Once Agent Smith tapped the thoughtstream from your Human Leader. It was a cowboy motif with him cast as some ranch worker in Mid-20th Century Wyoming. The grotesqueries he viewed nearly caused a program crash and podburst.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:39 PM (moNXA)

18 Justamom and Improbulus: I am not defending the Islamofacists, but merely pointing out the arguments their allies in the NY Times and some US courts may use. Know your enemies, and anticipate their actions.

Posted by: Glenmore at December 24, 2005 07:58 PM (5A9HX)

19 Kamsa hamnida, Agent Smith.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 24, 2005 08:21 PM (RHG+K)

20 joe, dispite my inherent distrust of government, I assumed that there was a legit reason for them to conduct the searches. Thanks for the pointer. Marcus, you raise an interesting point. I don't know the area as well as I'd like to, but my understanding is that under International Law (yeah, a nasty word in conservative circles, I know), non-state actors can't be parties to a war. I could be wrong on this point, and if anyone knows the answer, feel free to correct me. But if that's the case, then there is a question as to whether this can be treated as an act of war. That's the technical point. On a practical level, I think most would agree that this is at least the equivalent to a state of war. But as Prof Bainbridge pointed out the other day, there is a question as to what the definition of normalcy is now. My point is simply this, though, if there was sufficient evidence to suspect something at one of these locations, they should have been able to get a warrant. My concern is abuse of power - today it's someone else, tomorrow it's you, the day after that it's me. hondo, I don't disagree with you, in principle. But the question is, are we willing to sacrafice the rule of law to win the war on terror? And immediately following 9/11, this does not seem extraordinary. But at this stage of the game, it's a tougher question, for me at least. But you're right, this is most likely a non-story and at some point, joe is right, all the crap that the MSM and the Democrats have been slinging is going to come back at them.

Posted by: KG at December 24, 2005 08:55 PM (eRMCR)

21 Agent Smith says Karma Chameleon.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 25, 2005 06:00 AM (/8HS6)

22 KG said: "Probably just my general distrust of government working here." So you're willing to let your distrust of government, which is normally a healthy attitude, overrule any efforts at preventing a possible nuclear attack on America? Look, I hate the government with every fibre of my being, because in its current form, it is probably more corrupt and incompetent than every before, and I would love to see just about every sonofabitch in it taken out and hanged for treason or shot for dereliction, but unfortunately, we don't have that convenience at this time, so we must allow our collection of civil service morons and FBI and CIA idiot lifers, as well as the military, (who are most definitely not included with the rest of the government as far as my sentiments are concerned, and who are the finest men and women our country produces), to attempt to do their jobs, no matter how badly they don't want to. After islam has been put down, then we can turn to the traitors in our midst and purge them from the body of the nation like the cancer they are.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 25, 2005 10:34 AM (0yYS2)

23 KG You argue in the abstract - which is fine in moot and criminal situations. But this is real - not moot or a criminal investigation. Reference non-state actors - International Law is constantly evolving and adjusting to changing organizational realities. The Idea of nation states themselves is realtively new going back simply a matter of centuries. I believe (but don't have the info in front of me) the non-state actor aspect origninated during the European colonization period as a tool to de-legitimize indigenous opposition - and reduce conflicts (in the eyes of their domestic populations) to civil actions - which in turn evolved into the term - police actions. Your technically right - but it will continue to evolve - the debate between nations (plural) motivated by their own interests and relationships between each other rather than on the non-state actor. Reference sufficent evidence for a warrant - to you this is a criminal proceeding - much closer associated with a gas station robbery than an actual war scenario. That is a big mistake with incredbile disasterous consequences - its not moot - you know what i'm talking about. By purely legal definition in a criminal proceeding - there IS NO significant evidence (agreed). But this is not a mundane vague fishing expedition. It was very very specific - and for what you know. An abstract hypothetical - a bomb threat (nuclear) in the city of NY - location not specified (that would be point of detonation - with a nuke it doesn't matter) - how would you conduct the search? Would every structure require a warrant prior - can you get a blanket warrant for the city - positive readings would require detail follow-up - there are no Tricorders - you can not pinpoint to a ten digit grid coordinate (trust me on this one) - and if people refused to comply or delay (just on principle - I know some who would do just that) - what? I can go on ... Point left out of discussion is the obvious but unspoken problem summed up as - use it or lose it. Does it really matter to a suicide bomber(s) - they are the trigger/detonator - where exactly point of detonation occurs? When I did the security detail in NY after 9/11, my boys were all fired up that they just might intercept a car or truck bomb - and enthusiastic about "doing their job - protecting people". I was quietly terrified that that might possibly happen. I knew if we did - we would be the point of detonation. On the rare occasion of a truly suspicious stop - I let the guys do the search while I got as close to the driver as possible (stayin' friendly - talking - smiling) - at an angle - with only one hand showing - the other on my pistol - out of sight. I knew if anything actually happened - I would have less than a second to put a bullet in his head - and pray he was the detonator - or worse - just some nervous guy and I fucked up. KG - it isn't moot and it isn't abstract.

Posted by: hondo at December 25, 2005 12:11 PM (3aakz)

24 sorry - left out not ... as in .... not just some nervous guy and I fucked up. Fuck ups happen (like shit). Its nice to be able to sit back in comfort and judge others fuck ups - not nice being there.

Posted by: hondo at December 25, 2005 12:17 PM (3aakz)

25 hondo: you're absolutely right - it makes a big difference when you've been in situations where the threat is personal and immediate rather than hypothetical. I once spent an hour and a half clearing some special bulletin/watch list baggage. I kept wondering if I'd have time to perceive the flash.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 25, 2005 12:51 PM (RHG+K)

26 Ok, the question that no one seems to be answering, is why couldn't the government agents take the twenty minutes necessary to get the warrants? That's not preventing "any efforts" to stop an attack. It's one extra step. Trust me, the DA and police officers know which judges to go to in order to get warrants. hondo, your hypothetical, where there is a legit n-bomb threat is one where I'd have no problem with warrantless searches. Nor would the bulk of case law. But random searches like this, at this point in time, smells of a fishing expidition. My concern about warrants also goes to what happens after an attack has been stopped. Let's assume that the perpetraters survived. How do we prosecute if the evidence is excluded at trial, be it a civilian or military court? The bastards walking because of a failure to get a warrant is a legit scenario. I fully understand that it's not a moot question. If it was a moot question, there would be nothing to argue about. And as far as when the threat is personal, I don't fault the individuals on the ground for acting in a way that they see as necessary to protect themselves and others - even the courts have made exceptions for officers acting in good faith. What I am worried about is the policy set from above because, as I said, today it's a bad guy, tomorrow it's you, the day after it's me. And car searches, especially where there is a checkpoint (which it sounds like that's what you were involved with), are treated very different from homes, offices, and places of worship - law enforcement (for a variety of reasons) have a lot more leeway in those searches. Oh, and as far as international law goes, yes, it's evolving - just as every area of the law is - but we have to deal with it as it exists today. I'm actually surprised that there hasn't been a movement by any of the western states (whether in good faith or not [looking at France]) to get a new multi-lateral treaty regarding terrorism and piracy in the modern world. I don't think there's that much of a disagreement between us on this. I'm not saying that the searches should stop, wholesale. I simply believe that, in most circumstances (always allowing an exception for the most extraordinary of cases), the government would be better serving the American people by getting warrants. Reasonable minds can still disagree on that point, yes?

Posted by: KG at December 26, 2005 12:55 PM (eRMCR)

27 KG - (BTW - remember what this issue was about?) ... always allowing an exception for the most extraodinary cases. After that line, I realized this argument was pointless. You clearly do not consider the potential for a nuclear device or dirty bomb variant smuggled into a high density American urban population center to reach that threshold of "extraodinary". You think its not "plausible? Can't imagine anyone wanting and willing to try? ... OK I can only hope that if (God forbid) it does happen - you are Ground Zero - I've already been there. PS - It's not actually fishing expedition - its more like a trawling operation (ha = same thing) Oh - I gave you the answer in 5 simple words (USE IT OR LOSE IT) - it is a real term - it is actually used (the primary rationale for all this actually). your too smart not to understand what it means ... you just have different priorites.

Posted by: hondo at December 26, 2005 04:18 PM (3aakz)

28 here's the distinction, hondo - where there is credible intel or evidence of a n-bomb threat, then I say go for it. But if there is none, and the government is conducting searches for no rational reason, then I say it is wrong. That's where I draw the line. Despite my inherent distrust of government that I mentioned earlier, I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to law enforcement on this one. And I never suggested that it's not plausible or that there wasn't anyone out there willing to do this. I am by no means that niave. Go check my blog archieves, I've talked a great deal about killing these bastards before they kill us.

Posted by: KG at December 26, 2005 04:52 PM (eRMCR)

29 KG So, was it - is it .. credible? This "issue" is real, specific, and ongoing - why the abstract arguments? Nor is this a true and exclusive Law Enforcement issue ... Being hypothetically absurb - if an asteriod was about to impact upon your town - would you 1) dial 911 & 2) attempt to get a Restrainting or Cease And Disiss Order from the courts.

Posted by: hondo at December 26, 2005 05:25 PM (3aakz)

30 Honestly, hondo, I don't know if it was credible, but I'm willing to assume that it was, which is why I'm also willing to give the gov a pass. But whether it is credible or not depends entirely on the facts of the particular case, that is why I'm taking it up to what you call the abstract level. Just saying that there was (or is, or might be) this program doesn't do much. Perhaps it's the lawyer in me, but I need more facts - when we are talking about an abstract program, all my training sends me to arguing in the abstract. Which, by the way, is where the story was. As far as it being not entirely a law enforcement issue, I agree, the problem is that despite all the talk, the government still treats it like a law enforcement action (they're using the FBI instead of the military). That's the tricky part about the whole war on terror - government officials keep saying that it's not a law enforcement activity, yet they keep send law enforcement agencies to do law enforcement activities and call it part of the war on terror. And to answer your hypothetical, the answer is to get the hell out of town and take as many people with me as I could. But that is an act of God rather than an act of man. Again, I'm thinking that there really isn't that much difference in our positions. My chief concern is that it's difficult to take power away from government once it has assumed the power, even in dire times (see for example, the New Deal). I simply want to make sure we recognize as many of the pitfalls as possible when we give the government powers that they didn't necessarily have before.

Posted by: KG at December 26, 2005 07:04 PM (eRMCR)

31 Same here - classic example Rico Act. But your abstract arguments ... just tooooo much! "Angels dancing on the head of a pin"! .. and with each new line - you add more angels! I have to stay focused on whats real and tangible - my and mine's ultimate civil liberty is at stake - life.

Posted by: hondo at December 26, 2005 07:44 PM (3aakz)

32 When a man takes a swing at me I put him down. I don't call a lawyer to get a restraining order.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 26, 2005 11:36 PM (RHG+K)

33 I live near a nuclear plant, and there's a sniffing monitor in my yard. It sets off an alarm if it detects the slightest bit of radiation. Should I report this violation of my rights to the NYT so they can reinforce USNews' story? Why are reporters so stupid and lazy? Just asking.

Posted by: opine6 at December 26, 2005 11:40 PM (AOIp1)

34 Two points: 1. Do we want these laws in place if and when someone like Hillary wins the presidency ? This is a good argument for a permanent renewal cycle on the Patriot Act. 2. Next to Canada, New York was the most deserving North Americna target for the 9/11 attack. New York trains , feeds, promotes and shelters a very large number agents and groups trying to undermine the US anti Islamic war. The New York based MSM, ACLU, Columbia university, Gay Barney, Shimmy Shummer and Mayor Bloomberg are but a few examples among 1000's.

Posted by: Rondo at December 27, 2005 09:59 AM (KpVch)

35 The distinction is clear. At war or not. These terrorists attacks are clearly an act of war. Monitoring, walking, listening, smelling, detecting, or even using glasses (or a telescope) from public property are ways to get probable cause of a crime. This destinction is only applicable to lawyers during a pre-trial hearing. Those involved with leaking Top Secret information to the public, and tipping off our enemies should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and shamed by the public.

Posted by: Chief RZ at December 27, 2005 10:36 AM (iNTGz)

36 Lost in the shouting: No invasion of privacy actually occurred. A radiation detector is good for only one thing, detecting radiation. It is blind to all else. Ergo, if the FBI or DOE aimed one at your house every hour of every day for a month, unless you actually had a radiation source, they would see nothing more than if they had aimed a toaster, umbrella, or tennis shoe at your house. It is physically impossible for a radiation detector to be an intrusion, unless you are actually emitting radiation. This is absolutely different from using a listening device, camera, or even a dog that would detect a wide variety of things, mostly innocent, a handful serious.

Posted by: Ben at December 27, 2005 10:55 AM (8GHW6)

37 Point 1: We're looking at distinctions between reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Thereby lurks the issue of bypassing the FISA Court, IF that law applies. Point 2: The KYLO Decision (marijuana grow in Oregon) dealt with infra-red picking up emanations of heat that in some cases, actually showed the general outline of what was "lit up" on the inside of a house. Radiations detectors do no such thing. Point 3: In view of the last sentence in Point 2, there is no expectation of privacy from the equipment being used by agents who are any place that is open to the public. Ergo, no violation of anyone's rights and another MSM/Dem attempt to embarrass Bush for political gain in spite of creating more threats to our National Security in the process.

Posted by: justaguy at December 27, 2005 03:14 PM (jaPSl)

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December 23, 2005

Have A Holly Jolly

My official Christmas post.

Cya Monday or so.

Which is when Hannukah starts.

Which is really good timing, because it gives us an extra week of good 'ol American free religous expression to drive the leftists insane with.

w00t!

(note: sooper sekrit message to moonbats embedded in post linked above)

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Currently On CSPAN-2

Bill Bennett: "I was born into a Catholic family, but raised by Jews." (Or something like that.) Very incisive thoughts on the origins and trajectory of the conservative movement. Ultimately the Dems are in serious trouble, almost everywhere. Sponsored by the Wilson Center.

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Christmas With Vinnie

Shopping:

Wife: 8 hours, 3 stores, 1 present.

Me: 1 store, 20 minutes, 1 present.

Wrapping:

Wife: 1 roll of tape, 5 minutes, 1 present.

Vinnie: 8 hours, 3 rolls of tape, 1 present.

See? It all evens out in the end.

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I Couldn't Help Myself

I just had to tick off the resident atheist at work by telling him, "Jesus is the reason for the season."

I just had to.

Someone stop me before I offend again!

Eh, he started it.

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Christmas Eve Eve Roundup

Yes Howie wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas. I suspect blogging will be light but for those of you who just need to click something here are a few interesting tidbits. Actually around the cube farm this is crunch time so IÂ’ll see you next week too.

Uh duh, court rules gassing of Kurds genocide and gives chemical supplier 15 years.

CNN:"The court thinks and considers legally and convincingly proven that the Kurdish population meets requirement under Genocide Conventions as an ethnic group," the ruling said. "The court has no other conclusion than that these attacks were committed with the intent to destroy the Kurdish population of Iraq."

Freedom is contagious.

NPR:Iranian Kurds say they are inspired by developments across the border in northern Iraq.

Like there was ever any doubt in my mind.

Iranian bloggers buck represive state.

Timesonline: But if Iran, under the repressive rule of the ultraconservatives, is silencing the sound of Western pop, in another area of its culture, a wild cacophony of voices has erupted. The blogosphere is exploding. In Iran there are now more than 100,000 active blogs or weblogs, individual online diaries covering every conceivable subject, from pets to politics. Farsi is the 28th most spoken language in the world, but it now ties with French as the second most used language in the blogosphere. This is the place Iranians call Â“WeblogistanÂ”: a land of noisy and irreverent free speech.

Also see USS Neverdock.

The Real meaning of Christmas.

Nationalreview: There is an edge to Christmas, a harshness, and a different kind of promise than that implied by the easy words of peace and glad tidings. It is a mystery, all of it. The Word made flesh indeed, but into a world that was from the beginning set against it, that sought with every bit of strength at hand to stay in the darkness.

Dems love repression.

NYSUN: WASHINGTON - A Senate resolution condemning the president of Iran for anti-Semitic comments he made earlier this month is riling its Republican sponsors on Capitol Hill. They claim Senate Democrats forced them to strip language from the document expressing support for self-determination and a national referendum in the country

Blogfession.

Christmas in Bumfuct Egypt.

Christmas card with meaning, Hat tip Dad.

Let's not forget to read this.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Â“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.Â”

Updated : I've negelcted Voski's very good positive achievments post. He posts this every Friday so get over there and check it out. My apologies to Vonksi for forgetting him last week.

It's been a great year for Howie. Not an easy or quiet year but great fun and with great opportunity and promise. Thanks to all who have supported The Jawa Report by commenting and posting here. And thanks especially to the very good Dr. Rusty Shackleford.

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Sexy Bin Laden

Can you Say Fatwa?

GQMagazine:

The niece of the man who orchestrated the destruction of the World Trade Center seventy-eight blocks to the south has a point. After September 11, the name bin Laden (which is how itÂ’s spelled when referring to Osama) turned radioactive, borderline satanic-by-association. It made her feel cursed, presumed guiltyÂ—made her wonder if it might keep her from ever getting a record deal. So she took her motherÂ’s maiden name, Dufour, which makes for a better ﬁrst impression, even though the bin Laden taint is always there.

UPDATE by Vinnie:

Hey, why stop at one?

>"Everyone relates me to that man, and I have nothing to do with him," Wafah Dufour, the daughter of bin Laden's half brother, Yeslam Binladin, says in the January edition of the magazine, referring to the al-Qaida leader.
"I want to be accepted here, but I feel that everybody's judging me and rejecting me," said the California-born Dufour, a law graduate who lives in New York. "Come on, where's the American spirit? Accept me. I want to be embraced, because my values are like yours. And I'm here. I'm not hiding.

WE EMBRACE YOU! WE ACCEPT YOU!
Now how about a Playboy shoot?

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1 That's one hell of a nice tent she is living in.

Posted by: Brad at December 23, 2005 12:26 PM (3OPZt)

2 Is it wrong if one thinks the niece of one of the worst men in history is hot?

Posted by: pka at December 23, 2005 12:50 PM (PsCy+)

3 She does kind of look like him, don't you think?

Posted by: IO ERROR at December 23, 2005 12:56 PM (FVbj6)

4 Ya know, a nip here, a tuck thereÂ…Â…. Niece my ass, thatÂ’s him!!!!

Posted by: Brad at December 23, 2005 01:00 PM (3OPZt)

5 Is there not anyone else who sees the delicious irony of it all? He is the most backward, uptight, unfun person in the history of the world. His life is antithetical to the modern world, yet here is his own blood kin, a total hottie and a proud American to boot. Yeah, we'll win, because we've got all the hot chicks.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 23, 2005 02:07 PM (0yYS2)

6 Check this one out: http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/partypictures/2005/08_25_05/images/savemusic/Wafah-Dufour.jpg Good story about her here: http://www.wral.com/entertainment/5628679/detail.html

Posted by: Tim at December 23, 2005 02:40 PM (5rYy9)

7 Makes me make little desert sounds like and .

Posted by: CDR Salamander at December 24, 2005 03:20 AM (m64uD)

8 Agent Smith, in an unrestrained moment, says that the Bin Laden name has now been redeemed from Hell's Kingdom to Hot Babedom.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:26 AM (AovCV)

9 Why do you talk in third person? Talk normal.

Posted by: George Ramos at December 24, 2005 08:05 AM (Jvzae)

10 Agent Smith Agreed - a tempest in a bathtub

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 12:08 PM (3aakz)

11 This is an outrage! Here we are, ogling over the niece, the very blood kin of the most despicable, evil, disgusting.... Oh hell, who am I kidding...I'd come up through the toilet if I thought it'd get me into that tub.

Posted by: James West at December 24, 2005 08:12 PM (oxMjD)

12 I don't think she's at all attractive, now I can see why they throw women into burlap sacks called burquas.

Posted by: Andre at December 24, 2005 09:32 PM (bQ3vG)

13 Damn Andre, you need some red meat and beer, stat!

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 25, 2005 10:41 AM (0yYS2)

14 LOL! Dude, she's fugly in my view.

Posted by: Andre at December 25, 2005 11:57 AM (bQ3vG)

15 Why the long face? Is she half horse? :p

Posted by: Mark B. at December 25, 2005 10:38 PM (JGQt3)

16 Wafah IS A GODDESS!!! SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!!! LONG LIVEWAFAH!

Posted by: Avon at December 28, 2005 07:25 AM (cKXSh)

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Italy Goes After U.S. Marine In Nicola Calipari Shooting

Italian prosecutors have launched an official investigation targeting a U.S. Marine for the shooting death of Nicola Calipari which it considers a Â“murder":

ANSAÂ—A United States marine has formally been placed under investigation here for the murder of an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq last March .
The Rome prosecutorÂ’s office identified the marine as Mario Lozano .
Intelligence officer Nicola Calipari was killed on March 4 when US troops manning a temporary roadblock opened fire on a car carrying him, another agent and a released hostage to Baghdad airport. . . .

State Department spokesman Sean McCormick today said that the Calipari case is considered Â“closedÂ” but he referred questions about legal actions to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Nicola Calipari was the Italian intelligence officer that negotiated Giuliana SgrenaÂ’s release from Iraqi terrorists back in March 2005. He was killed when the car transporting Giuliana Sgrena and himself failed to stop at a U.S. Military checkpoint and was fired upon. At the time, Italy had decided not to share its rescue plan with the United States and I believe that is what led to CalipariÂ’s tragic death, not a young Marine doing his job.

Cross-posted at OpinionBug.com

Posted by: OpinionBug at 11:19 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
Post contains 217 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I see the Eurotards are having no trouble reconciling being dhimmis and useful idiots at the same time. We should have let the Nazis have Europe.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 23, 2005 12:14 PM (0yYS2)

2 This is getting personal. I'll have more information after Christmas when I check in to the unit tues or Weds on WTF is going on here. Mario is home with his family decorating the tree - n' he ain't goin' nowhere!

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 01:12 PM (3aakz)

3 BTW - HE'S NOT A MARINE! No offense Rod Stanton

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 01:27 PM (3aakz)

4 It would be interesting to see them try to get him...

Posted by: CDR Salamander at December 23, 2005 04:48 PM (m64uD)

5 Yes, it would, but if I were him, I would not travel out of the US. That aside, where does this Italian court claim to get its jurisdiction over this case? Just curious.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 23, 2005 07:23 PM (rUyw4)

6 Any country that tried to arrest him would have a major fight with the US on their hands. Plus does the American Service members Protection Act apply here. I would remind our Italian allies of this fact. Plus it is insulting having these idiots call a friendly fire incident a murder. This is their attempt to get compensation for the widow, not a cent.

Posted by: Kate at December 23, 2005 07:37 PM (C7pu/)

7 Agent Jones says that Jester Maximus' fiery mix of goatboys and knifeboys will be handed the keys to a fleet of GPS-tagged Maseratis, courtesy of the Italian taxpayer and under the unblinking aegis of the Architect.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:30 AM (AovCV)

8 What the hell is that stupid crap? I swear to God smith, you're the biggest fucking dumbass since greg, and if I find out that you're the one who posted that crap about me on the indymedia site, I will find you.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 24, 2005 10:23 AM (0yYS2)

9 A PR stunt in Italy to appease the left for "The Holiday They Dare not speak Its Name". Mario was completely cleared where it counted - and with Italian authorities too ... this is all Civil/political BS. Smith - I don't get it either - what are you - trippin' n' typin' now?

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 12:14 PM (3aakz)

10 Who is Greg?

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 25, 2005 01:10 AM (moNXA)

11 Nobody

Posted by: hondo at December 25, 2005 12:33 PM (3aakz)

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Oberlin College Women's Rugby Semi-Nude Calendar

(Oberlin, Ohio) With pom-poms and other props, the women's rugby team at Oberlin has posed for a 2006 calendar to "challenge the way people think about women playing a traditionally male sport." Even bruised and sweaty, they're provocative.

"We aren't trying to sell ourselves, but we wanted to address important issues, like how women athletes are depicted sexually, and gender roles in sports," said team member Alia Kate. "It's about our empowerment as both women and athletes."

The hope is that people will be drawn to the photos (sample) and then think seriously about the statements.

You know, when I look at men's magazines, I'm initially drawn by the pictures of the centerfold. But I become much more engaged when I read about her favorite foods and how she plans to stop world hunger.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 08:46 AM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 148 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I think you misspelled "engorged." And you apparently missed this hot chick in GQ.

Posted by: IO ERROR at December 23, 2005 08:53 AM (FVbj6)

2 That's funny!

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 09:02 AM (3aakz)

3 From what I've heard that calendar is less than stellar. Here is a link to another sample picture: Ugly Broads I don't know about you, but I'd rather look at naked dudes.

Posted by: Mark at December 23, 2005 10:05 AM (ga+7P)

4 This calendar is not going to make the top ten, that's for sure. Ugh!

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 23, 2005 10:11 AM (rUyw4)

5 That calendar isn't challenging thinking about women playing traditionally male sports. It's just challenging to the eyes.

Posted by: Graeme at December 23, 2005 10:15 AM (NV2f4)

6 Four words: Playboy. Brazilian. Women. Soccer. Google it.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 23, 2005 11:23 AM (0yYS2)

7 Agent Brown says that there is nothing to fear.. but the Architect.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:35 AM (AovCV)

8 I think it is great finally women are coming out of their shells. Nothing wrong in it at all. Burn them bra's too.

Posted by: Paul at December 25, 2005 10:00 AM (M7kiy)

9 What's funny is that those girls you think are ugly are probably getting quadruple the amount of action you guys got in college. I think they're pretty cute.

Posted by: Patricia at December 25, 2005 10:36 PM (jsTQ2)

10 Good for you Patricia, but I'm guessing you're a lesbian, and therefore still a girl, which means you really have no idea what men find attractive.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 26, 2005 04:22 PM (0yYS2)

11 They're still homely.

Posted by: Oyster at December 27, 2005 05:03 PM (YudAC)

12 Improbulus Maximus- Slight correction, I'm a Woman and bisexual. There is a very important difference between knowing what men find attractive (which I do) and *caring* what men find attractive(which I don't). It's attractive to see women redefine it for themselves without worrying about what men on the street or men on a message board think about it. To me and probably a lot of other women, that's attractive. Shows strength; plus they've got hot little bodies which doesn't hurt! More men should take notes.

Posted by: Patricia at December 28, 2005 01:18 PM (jsTQ2)

13 In my opinion this was nothing more than a fundraising publicity stunt. The claims that it is a statement of feminist equality lost all its credibility when they took off their clothes. I thought feminists were opposed to women being looked at like sex objects? I would appreciate the intent if I believed it.

Posted by: George at February 02, 2006 07:47 PM (lCaqq)

14 George, Feminists are not against women's sexuality. They are against the idea that women's sexuality is subserviant and assumed to be so (i.e. she's a slut - he's a hero). If I woman decides to be sexual, then they should not have to answer to man for that choice. Bob prop tmr rfc

Posted by: bob at June 14, 2006 10:55 AM (oDi5T)

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Yippee!!!

Someone I have a passing acquiantance with is having her first blogiversary today...

Congratulations!

Posted by: Vinnie at 07:16 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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December 22, 2005

Congressional Black Caucus Sitting On Katrina Donations

The Cybercast News Service reports that the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which severely criticized the Bush administration for its slow response to Hurricane Katrina, has yet to distribute one penny of money contributed to their own relief fund:

"We are collecting all the way up through the very end of the year and then our board has set aside a committee who is going to administer the funds," Patty Rice, spokeswoman for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), told Cybercast News Service on Wednesday.

This seems like a particularly lackadaisical attitude for an organization whose members have repeatedly gone over-the-top in condemning government response to the catastrophe: more...

Posted by: Bluto at 11:54 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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Brits Arrest Bomb Plotter

(London) A fifth terror suspect will join four others awaiting trial for the failed July 21 attempt to murder passengers on London's transit system.

From CNN.com:

London's Metropolitan Police identified the man as Adel Yahya, 23. He was arrested Tuesday at Gatwick Airport as he got off a flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He was charged with conspiring with four other men -- all of whom are awaiting trial over the plot to attack three subway trains and a double-decker bus -- "to cause by an explosive substance, explosions of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property."

Yahya is accused of conspiring with Muktar Said Ibrahim, 27, Yassin Omar, 24, Hussein Osman, 27, and Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 32, for trying to bomb three subway trains and a bus. Fortunately, they were unsuccessful.

Notably, if convicted and sentenced to modest prison terms, all the terror suspects are young enough that likely they would represent a future threat. I hope the British justice system is of the same opinion.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 07:19 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Saddam Embraces Democratic Party Platform In His Defense

From the The Daily Star (Lebanon):

Iraq's former leader said the White House had lied to justify its 2003 invasion by saying he had chemical weapons, and had lied again Wednesday when it denied his claim he was tortured in U.S. custody.

Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.):

Â“I think I was either lied to or we got some really bad intelligence. And IÂ’m not sure IÂ’ll ever know which it was.Â”

Rep. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.):

Â“If I had known the administration lied, if I had known that the presentations were rigged Â… I certainly wouldnÂ’t have trusted [the administration]. Â… The evidence was rigged, and the case wasnÂ’t proven at all.Â”

Now that Saddam has revealed his political affiliation, I'm told that Democratic strategists are hoping to get him to run for Senator from New York when Hillary makes her Presidential bid.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto, an oasis of superb taste and refined, yet simple, elegance.

Posted by: Bluto at 06:33 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 169 words, total size 1 kb.

Enemy Within: British Muslim Convicted

Sky News reports that a 21 year-old Briton has been convicted under British anti-terror laws:

A market stall holder has been found guilty of plotting to kill a highly-decorated British soldier who served in Iraq.
Abu Mansha, 21, was convicted of breaking anti-terror laws.
He was arrested in South London and found with a piece of paper which had the name and address of Corporal Mark Byles written on it.

Mansha apparently focused on this particular soldier because he was highly decorated:

Cpl Byles had led a "perilous" bayonet charge killing up to 20 Iraqi rebels and had won the Victoria Cross by saving 30 of his colleagues.

Mansha was also found in possession of terrorist porn, including video of the beheading of hostage Ken Bigley.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto.

Posted by: Bluto at 01:19 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 140 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Is Mr. Abu a Presbyterian perchance?

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 01:49 PM (8e/V4)

2 "DAMN THOSE PRESBYTERIANS" (while shaking fist furiously in air)

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 01:59 PM (3aakz)

3 I'm sure that Mr. Mansha is just another "misguided criminal".

Posted by: Graeme at December 22, 2005 02:25 PM (slJ4n)

4 This serves better than anything else that the average islamofascist is not just a criminal, but a coward to boot. Which, of course, is why the liberals love them; birds of a feather and all that.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 02:37 PM (0yYS2)

5 Agent Smith says that the Architect had been watching that market stall holder for some time. It was his shopkeeper profile that tipped us off.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 22, 2005 05:04 PM (QiDzI)

6 Agent Smith Thank God you said market instead of bathroom - so there's no confusion. Your material has been getting kinda slack lately - some of us have been worrying if you are losing your .... enthusiasm.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 05:10 PM (3aakz)

7 "The Architect"? Do you mean Art VanDelay?

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 22, 2005 06:10 PM (RHG+K)

8 Bluto When I quickly read the comment I automatically assumed it was Agent Smith on the come back - n' yelled "YEAH! THE BOY IS GETTIN' HIS MOJO BACK!" Then I saw your name - clearly you have never lost yours! I still wait and worry about ... Agent Smith.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 06:25 PM (3aakz)

9 Agent Smith answers your inquiries: The Architect is older than you know. He sees everything. Secret "Funny English" Hondo, we know you are a dangerous vowel-shifter, wobbly to the core and in an evil alliance with Chemical Ali. Your name is a crime.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 23, 2005 02:19 AM (QiDzI)

10 Agent Smith You have been relying to heavily on that NK phrase manual to augment your work, idle brain cells are the devil's Rice Krispies.

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 07:54 AM (3aakz)

11 The only chemical Ali I know manages an Ace Hardware Store in Brooklyn, you can find in in the Paint Section berating a Palestinian stockboy for ineffectiveness.

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 07:58 AM (3aakz)

12 I think Agent Smith's brain went snap....crackle.....and then popped. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 23, 2005 10:25 AM (rUyw4)

13 He may turn into a raging tulip, hondo.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 23, 2005 10:26 AM (rUyw4)

14 Agent Smith says to all you podlings, all your extra brainpower are belong to our Fusion reactor controller.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:38 AM (AovCV)

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Did The Germans Cave?

German Trade-off Suspected in Release of Terrorist Killer

(CNSNews.com) - Germany freed the murderer of a U.S. Navy diver despite personal intervention by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the State Department has confirmed, amid speculation that Berlin let the Hizballah terrorist go as part of a deal to free a German hostage in Iraq.

Mohammed Ali Hamadi flew to Lebanon after being released last week, 18 years after he was sentenced to "life" imprisonment for hijacking a U.S. airliner in 1985 and killing 23-year-old Petty Officer Robert Stethem.

Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S., and Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora appeared unmoved Wednesday by American requests that Hamadi be handed over. (snip)

Hamadi reportedly flew to Lebanon last Thursday. Three days later, Berlin announced that Susanne Osthoff, an archaeologist taken hostage in Iraq on Nov. 25, was safely in German hands.

"Several officials have said Osthoff's release did not involve paying ransom money, but was rather a 'diplomatic gesture.' It remains a source of speculation what that gesture was."

Officials declined to provide details of the negotiations with the hostage-takers. Deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler said Monday that doing so could benefit the perpetrators of future kidnappings.

The perps have already "benefitted" Mr Erler as now they are aware that the German government will trade high value terrorist murderers for hostages.

Companion OpiniPundit

Posted by: Traderrob at 10:53 AM | Comments (23) | Add Comment
Post contains 234 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Of course they caved, and they did it without a second thought, because not only did they get a positive return out of it, it also satisfied their animosity toward America at the same time.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 11:16 AM (0yYS2)

2 "Did The Germans Cave? Is the sky blue? Is water wet? Are Liberals self-loathing traitors? Of course the Germans caved. That's why we don't go to the Euroweenies for permission-- because they cave.

Posted by: dcb at December 22, 2005 11:41 AM (8e/V4)

3 I was expecting a bit more from the new PM.....silly me.

Posted by: traderrob at December 22, 2005 11:47 AM (3al54)

4 NO, this is what happens when beliefs in American exceptionalism (blind nationalism) begins to hinder and break down cooperation among the world community. This cooperation is necessary for US hegemony, but for some reason the self proclaimed "patriots" running this country do not see it. Remember, in 1930s Germany, they thought the same thing. Nazi Germmans thought they were "the master race" whose duty it was to spread "civilization" by force. Sound familiar followers of Prescott? See, when you ignore intl law because you are so much better than "old europe" those "liberal pinko pussies" they have no reason to cooperate with you, and thus become antagonistic. Germany letting that guy go essentially says "blow us stupid." So again, have fun telling each other how much better you are than everyone else and how everyone who disagrees with you are traitors and such. Ya , ya , I know, for freedom and liberty we need an emperor that can use arbitrary executive power for Jesus to return. Yes, spying on Americans is patriotic as is torturing people and fighting war for peace. ROwell saw you guys coming. DOg patch america wont stand, read a book, turn off that TV. ernie

Posted by: ernie at December 22, 2005 12:16 PM (X4Dyg)

5 ernie, Whoa what a load of crap you just spewed. The outrage here has nothing to do with Germany not following our directions. This has to do with them having no balls. You should not give in to kidnappers - it ENCOURAGES kidnapping. They are appeasers of terrorists and more Germans will be kidnapped now that they capitulated on this one. America has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists for a reason: common sense. It seems that Germany has not thought out the consequences. Germany is not saying "blow us" to the US. They are prostituting themselves to terrorists. Who's looking stupid now?

Posted by: susan at December 22, 2005 12:41 PM (1miWe)

6 ernie, too much planet Chomsky for you.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 01:04 PM (8e/V4)

7 So, lebannon and Iraq are sleeping in the same bed now. We should get them too(again). Lock and load Bush, I sees them bad guys now...... I better check CNN to see if its true

Posted by: JJ at December 22, 2005 01:23 PM (Vr7tm)

8 "Hey Ma! That neighbor's kid - lil' ernie - is in the yard again diggin' up holes! He must have found a way out of their attic again!"

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 02:10 PM (3aakz)

9 Oh, well, maybe it's a good thing. The terrorists will just start kidnapping more Germans and fewer Americans. The downside is that the Germans will be releasing people that will go right back into the fight against the West, which INCLUDES Germany. Europussies don't realise that the islamofascists hate them too.

Posted by: Slice at December 22, 2005 02:14 PM (ZSDaZ)

10 It looks like it's a match between ernie and greg to see who is the bigger moron. Ernie is slightly ahead, but greg is just getting his legs back.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 02:38 PM (0yYS2)

11 It sounds as if ernie has been hitting the local library, unfortunately 99% of the info seems to be gushing out of an ear. This signifies some amusing posts in the coming days. I'm just aquiver with anticipation. The Germans, like the rest of Western Europe have again shown that terrorism pays and pays well. Oh and ernie, if you read that book "Nazism for Dummies" again, you'll see that the Nazis were not spreading civilisation by force. The idea was the enslavement of the world in service of the master race.......by force if necessary, and back when Europe had some spine, it was necessary. The United States is spreading democracy, and not by force. Iraqis did not rush out to vote under threat of American retribution There's a huge difference therefore, between Nazism and US foreign policy.

Posted by: Graeme at December 22, 2005 02:47 PM (slJ4n)

12 Of course, ernie makes a mountain out of a mole hill. YOU MORON! Can't you see that this will only increase the number of kidnappings now? Are you that stupid? This is not about big, bad, evil America and its insatiable appetite for oil. Shove your conspiracy theories up your ignorant butt and see this simply for what it is. Germany is now negotiating with terrorists. America the horrible is not lurking under the surface on this one man, sorry to disappoint you.

Posted by: Jack's Smirking Revenge at December 22, 2005 03:23 PM (CtVG6)

13 Big Bad America lives in lil' ernie's closet. But when the lights go out lil' ernie .... Someone should get him one of those Killer Klowns night lights for Christmas ...

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 04:50 PM (3aakz)

14 Clearly the german government decided to follow what the reagan admin did and sell weapons to the kidnappers. So this is a triumph for the Republican party.Why isn't colonel north out cheering this behaviour ?

Posted by: kb at December 22, 2005 06:56 PM (ZBmhj)

15 Agent Jones opines on the German Cave: There once was a German named Pieter, who tried to type a message to Dieter. His keyboard got stuck so he ran out of luck, And thus escaped the "Bahn" from the Rieper.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 23, 2005 02:25 AM (QiDzI)

16 It appears the saying "ignorance has no limitations" is true. It manifests itself regularly in the comment section here. Poor ernie can't see the difference between "spreading civilization" by way of killing off a large portion of it and "spreading civilization" by espousing the idea that all have a right to live. I feel sorry for li'l ernie. He's too stupid to understand the fundamentals of it.

Posted by: Oyster at December 23, 2005 07:56 AM (YudAC)

17 When I visualize lil' ernie I see, for reasons unknown, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" - the "lesser" brother - though there it was an act of limited "confidence" skills - lil' ernie is the real thing.

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 08:08 AM (3aakz)

18 He's too stupid to know he's stupid.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 23, 2005 08:10 AM (0yYS2)

19 Ernie, what international law are we ignoring? Perhaps those treaties we refrained from signing. As such, those are not binding on us ... according to international law. One reason the USA is reluctant to sign on to all sorts of treaties is that we actually follow them. France signs onto all the treaties it likes because they are not worth the paper they are written on over there, except as gestures of high-mindedness and "sophistication".

Posted by: Honza Prchal at December 23, 2005 07:06 PM (/tB/z)

20 Besides, even we do sign agreements we still make our own rules. ie NAFTA and the lumber ruling with the Canadians. we like to play the game and change the rules as we go it's better that way...

Posted by: JJ at December 23, 2005 09:46 PM (Vr7tm)

21 The Germans caved in to the Islamists for the same reason they tolerate honor killings in their own country. Basically they are afraid of the radical Muslims who are in their midst. This was just one more example of appeasement on Germany's slide into Eurabia, nothing more, nor less. It really didn't concern Germany whether American sensibilities were injured or not, as we are not the ones likely to start a burning spree in large German cities, a la France. The real problem I have with the whole episode is its use by lightweight thinkers like ernie and others in more important places who will use it to bash the US rather than seeing the real significance, which is the caving of Europe to radical Islam. One wonders whether Europe has any fight left in it at all.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 24, 2005 09:39 AM (rUyw4)

22 oh hwatever. "planet chomsky"? sounds like you listen to too much horowitz jesus land. Anyway, really, your hyper nationalsit ideology is hindering US hegemony, point...fact...and simple. Not a big deal, couldnt care less, but the fact is Germany is telling yOu..."eat shit". sorry, the truth hurts. happy kwanza. ernie

Posted by: ernie at December 24, 2005 06:35 PM (X4Dyg)

23 Aaaaahhhh lil ernie! Sad! Still can't get any bush for Christmas.

Posted by: hondo at December 25, 2005 12:40 PM (3aakz)

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Three Best Movies of All Time

Number One: Groundhog Day.

Number Two: When Harry Met Sally.

Number Three: Local Hero.

Recently, number three moved up to number two, displacing Local Hero to number three (which had been number one until Bill Murray's masterpiece).

Number Four: Head Over Heels [Renamed, inappropriately: Chilly Scenes of Winter] (Fatally flawed by an ideologically contrived ending, so just ignore the ending. Make up your own, or something.)

Posted by: Demosophist at 04:13 AM | Comments (50) | Add Comment
Post contains 72 words, total size 1 kb.

1 As much as I loved "Local Hero" - a unique beautiful small film - but the three greatest films of all time???? Demo - you don't live in a very small town with one video shop with one rack of videos do you?

Posted by: hondo at December 21, 2005 10:29 PM (3aakz)

2 I don't get it.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 21, 2005 11:05 PM (8e/V4)

3 Patton The Unfor-given Being There

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 22, 2005 12:40 AM (RHG+K)

4 Weird. I had to hyphenate Unfor-given for the comment moderator to allow it.

Posted by: The Dread Pundit Bluto at December 22, 2005 12:41 AM (RHG+K)

5 You have left off "Cabin Boy" with Chris Elliot.

Posted by: Filthy at December 22, 2005 04:34 AM (uxn8Q)

6 Agent Smith says Iranian films are the best.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 22, 2005 05:47 AM (prUmQ)

7 I don't have a favorite. Hubby's fave is Independence Day. Can you wear out a DVD?

Posted by: Oyster at December 22, 2005 06:38 AM (YudAC)

8 Little known fact about "Groundhog Day" It is a modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." = Diva Blue Velvet Usual Suspects

Posted by: 8ackgr0und N015e at December 22, 2005 06:47 AM (wsdWU)

9 8ackbr0und N015e: Blue Velvet and Diva are indeed classics. The Usual Suspects also excellent. But what about Corndog Man? One of the best movies about racism ever made. Or Cinema Paradiso? Best date movie ever. Have you ever seen Robert DeNiro in a boyscout uniform? See This Boy's Life w/ Ellen Barkin & Leonardo Diwhatshishame.

Posted by: scott at December 22, 2005 08:24 AM (vt8Y4)

10 I'm not much of a movie buff, so it'd be difficult for me to name three favourites. My favourite movie though is Flight of the Intruder.

Posted by: Graeme at December 22, 2005 09:52 AM (slJ4n)

11 Ha, ya'll live in a cave. Three best: 1.Gone with the Wind 2.The Searchers 3.High Noon Hell, I'm from Texas.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 22, 2005 10:00 AM (rUyw4)

12 Cinema Paradiso is excellent but it doesn't break the mold. I agree Usual Suspects probably doesn't belong on the list either. I would replace it with "Toy Story" So now Diva Blue Velvet Toy Story Gone with the Wind is classic ... but too damn long. I think they should have ended it with the scene of Scarlet on the hilltop declaring "As Gawad is mah witness, I will nevah be hungry agayun..." at least that's how I remember the scene. If they had ended on that note the audience would have been applauding while the credits rolled.

Posted by: 8ackgr0und N015e at December 22, 2005 10:11 AM (wsdWU)

13 Well, if you listen to the so-called experts, Citizen Kane with Orson Wells was named the greatest movie ever made, but I thought it to be powerful in spots but boring. It sure didn't have the adventure/action factor that I look for in a movie.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 22, 2005 10:24 AM (rUyw4)

14 Two words: Groove Tube!

Posted by: Lisa at December 22, 2005 10:33 AM (yqmM2)

15 Little known fact... "Rosebud" happened to be the pet name William Randolf Hearst used for his mistress's muff

I'm sure that contributed to his ire about the movie. Pretty funny when you think about it.

Posted by: 8ackgr0und N015e at December 22, 2005 10:34 AM (wsdWU)

16 Chilly Scenes of Winter is an Ann Beattie novel. If the movie is based on the book, the re-titling would not be inappropriate (although the first title sounds more likely to draw theater-goers...)

Posted by: slickdpdx at December 22, 2005 10:52 AM (Fe1Zf)

17 As long we we're talking about Bill Murray, has anyone see The Razor's Edge?

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 11:19 AM (0yYS2)

18 Oh, come on. While I agree they are good movies, are they really top 3? What about Rushmore? (My number one favorite) or Dr Strangelove? Full Metal Jacket? The Godfather? Star Wars? Pulp Fiction?

Posted by: mr littlejeans at December 22, 2005 11:32 AM (bbPQt)

19 I dig the Razor's edge. Very moody and melancholy. Touching story. Good flick.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 11:42 AM (8e/V4)

20 BG This is a light easy-going possibly even funny thread - but you can't help yourself from approaching this as serious as possible - and regaling us with Denny's napkin trivia for reasons unknown. You are one weird kid. Anyway - Usual Suspects deserves a mention. No one has my namesake on their top 10 - or 100?

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 12:07 PM (3aakz)

21 Anybody seen the new Battlestar Galactica? I know, laugh. But the 4 hour movie was incredible. Best sci-fi I've seen ever.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 12:27 PM (8e/V4)

22 JC A SciFi buff? Same here - personal best - Blade Runner

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 12:53 PM (3aakz)

23 hondo, that's an old favourite of mine too. If you like that, I guarantee you'll like BSG.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 12:56 PM (8e/V4)

24 Agent Smith - Have you ever actually seen an Iranian film? They do have a history of excellent films - an great people - most however are currently in the West - those remaining in country are about to vote with their feet - speed of which dependent on current developments there.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 12:58 PM (3aakz)

25 hondo, Libs like any film where they have to read subtitles, no matter how crappy the movie really is.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 01:07 PM (8e/V4)

26 JC I can deal with subtitles - wish the Spanish language stations would include them - it would help improve my Spanish - and others English ... can't figure out why they don't do.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 01:12 PM (3aakz)

27 hondo, I don't mind them either, but I'm not impressed by "foreign" films the way Libs are just because they're foreign. They're so intent on impressing people with their worldliness. By the way, my favourite war movie ever is foreign-- Downfall.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 01:15 PM (8e/V4)

28 1. Shawshank redemption 2. Schindler's list 3. Cool Hand Luke.

Posted by: Alexander at December 22, 2005 01:30 PM (JnnHL)

29 JC The "foreign" films the libs love are not the same foreign films the foreigners love. There is a big disconnect! Years of living overseas and amongst immigrants here in NYC opened my eyes to that. One of my fav war films is also somewhat anti-war - and German - Die Brucke - worth a look My Fav war however remains crazy enough - "Kelly's Heros" I am a New Yawker n' a cynical mercenary at heart. I'd probably do it - but rest assured as a patriot at heart - I would proudly fly my American flag on the front lawn of my beachfront hacienda in Costa Rica - you could then call me Ramon - Ramon Smith.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 01:41 PM (3aakz)

30 All good recomendations, and in an absolute sense probably better than the ones I chose. But my criteria are pretty simple, even lame-brained. If the movie is as enjoyable to watch the 10th time I've seen it as it was the first time it's one of the greats. That applies to the first three, certainly. (All of them tend to be shown during the holiday season, so watch for them. Local Hero was on IFC today and Harry Met Sally was on AMC yesterday.) Head Over Heels doesn't appeal to me the way it used to, though I still have a weakness for any woman who looks like Mary Beth Hurt. It's probably genetic. I like The Usual Suspects, but even though I've watched it a number of times I didn't like it as much the third time as the first. It's that "plot twist thing." Agent Smith, I'm really surprised you didn't mention the Aussie production Proof. Somehow I thought the casting would appeal to you. Note: I would have provided a link to Proof but this stupid comment filter saw it as "questionable content."

Posted by: Demosophist at December 22, 2005 02:26 PM (Wf0yw)

31 Well if we're gonna talk foreign films, how about Ran and other excellent Asian historical dramas?

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 02:40 PM (0yYS2)

32 The original La Femme Nikita kicks ass.

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at December 22, 2005 02:49 PM (8e/V4)

33 Improbulus Maximus: How 'bout 'A Tale of Two sisters'? Korean horror Or 'Avalon'? (not a foreign film, but good)

Posted by: Scott at December 22, 2005 03:23 PM (0kvgR)

34 Wow, how many movies have you seen in your life? 10?

Posted by: Venom at December 22, 2005 04:10 PM (dbxVM)

35 insult doesn't work - fell flat - practice practice practice

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 04:39 PM (3aakz)

36 My fave Sci-fi was Brazil.

Posted by: Oyster at December 22, 2005 04:39 PM (YudAC)

37 Ah Oyster! My favorite twisted sister! Typos have consequences.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 04:41 PM (3aakz)

38 I guess no one mentioned Casablanca because they simply strung together a bunch of cliches instead of writing any dialogue, right?

Posted by: 8ackgr0und N015e at December 22, 2005 05:04 PM (wsdWU)

39 Aaahhh, a blip by any another name ... The stuff his dreams are not made of.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 05:16 PM (3aakz)

40 Hondo, forgive my ignorance.

Posted by: Oyster at December 23, 2005 07:59 AM (YudAC)

41 Sorry - A blip ... a minor insignificant and passing dot in the continuious scheme of life. The stuff his dreams ... a play on words conecting Casablanca to the Maltese Falcon but modifying it downward to fit a more minor character (8noise - BG - or whatever) with self over-rated and limited vision. Too much, huh?

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 08:20 AM (3aakz)

42 Or did you mean Brazil?

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 08:22 AM (3aakz)

43 Here is the definitive list: The Ultimate Eight ( in no particular order) The Godfather The Philadelphia Story Judgment At Nuremberg The Shop Around The Corner Casablanca North By Northwest To Catch A Thief Good Fellas

Posted by: Steve Sharon at December 23, 2005 04:57 PM (UT/Xp)

44 Sorry.....forgot maybe the most important of all. so make it NINE... The Best Years Of Our Lives

Posted by: Steve Sharon at December 23, 2005 04:59 PM (UT/Xp)

45 Hooray for Hondo for Kelly's Heroes!

Posted by: Steve Sharon at December 23, 2005 05:06 PM (UT/Xp)

46 Agent Smith nominates "Rambo".

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:41 AM (AovCV)

47 Hmm....some good choices, Steve, but you show a cultural bias, but so do I. Here's my top ten because 3 is not enough: 1. Gone with the Wind 2. The Searchers 3. High Noon 4. Casablanca 5. The Wizard of Oz 6. Patton 7. The Empire Strikes Back 8. It's a Wonderful Life 9. The Godfather 10. The African Queen

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 24, 2005 09:59 AM (rUyw4)

48 Agent Smith That entire stupid series also happens to be one of the biggest money makers in the Middle East - weird huh.

Posted by: hondo at December 24, 2005 12:18 PM (3aakz)

49 I also have the two most beautiful female movie stars in my top ten. They are Grace Kelley in High Noon and Natalie Wood in The Searchers. Their tragic deaths still come to mind from time to time.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 24, 2005 03:38 PM (rUyw4)

50 Joe: How was Grace's death tragic? I think she lived a pretty full life. I was living in Hollywood at the time that Natalie died and built a shadow box frame for some sort of memorial that Robert Wagner designed for his wife shortly after her death. I always thought my sister was a blonde version of Natalie. She'd be pretty close to my top pick. I also have a weakness for Barbara Hershey, whom I met in the LA DMV once when she was just a starlet.

Posted by: Demosophist at December 25, 2005 03:09 PM (Gn5kF)

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Senate Votes To Maximize Foreign Oil Imports

From the Associated Press via Yahoo!News:

WASHINGTON - The Senate blocked opening the nation's largest untapped oil reserve in an Alaska wildlife refuge Wednesday, denying President Bush his top energy priority and delivering a victory to environmentalists who said drilling would threaten wildlife.

Now, if a few million old and/or weak people would help us all out by popping off during the next blizzard/heat wave, we can build the utopia of the environmentalists' dreams.

Your cooperation is needed now more than ever, in light of the disappointingly low death rate from Hurricane Katrina. Won't you please do your part to cull the excess human population? Animals would thank you if they could talk and think in abstract terms.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto, where animals are cherished for their wonderful, meaty flavor.

Posted by: Bluto at 12:07 AM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
Post contains 147 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I'm a proud member of People Eating Tasty Animals. And you'll have to pry this steak from my cold, dead hands!

Posted by: IO ERROR at December 22, 2005 12:23 AM (FVbj6)

2 I think good vet can get a steak back on it's feet in about ten minutes....

Posted by: Lonevoice at December 22, 2005 12:34 AM (s1hRR)

3 Agent Smith says all you podlings can't be freed because you are all viruses.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 22, 2005 05:48 AM (prUmQ)

4 If we all work together, we can make Logan's world a reality.

Posted by: Oyster at December 22, 2005 06:41 AM (YudAC)

5 When gas is $4 a gallon and our government bends over to Saudi princes again, we'll know who to blame. God forbid we explore 1% of a 20 million acre tract of wilderness!

Posted by: MCPO Airdale at December 22, 2005 09:07 AM (WOQ34)

6 I know who to blame right now. We have an election in 2006, and this should be one of the issues, but most likely the MSM will focus on Bush, as the nation spirals downward. I recommend shotgun shells and canned goods when you are thinking about where to put your extra money, if you have any.

Posted by: jesusland joe at December 22, 2005 10:09 AM (rUyw4)

7 I hope gas goes to $5.00 a gallon so that Congress will be forced to do something, because as long as gas prices are reasonable, nothing will be done. Biodiesel will be the best and easiest option, but Americans will have a hard time getting used to efficient engines that run on cheap fuel.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 11:22 AM (0yYS2)

8 maxie When gas hit 5.00 a gallon the Fed, State ,and local governments will be laughing to the bank with all that winfall tax revenue. Somebody do the math.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 12:13 PM (3aakz)

9 I'm old enough to remember when gas stations were required by law to post the tax breakdown within pricing signs - When that was changed nationwide - someone should have "noticed". Imagine - laws that actually prevent consumer information - ha ha ha

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 01:09 PM (3aakz)

10 Let's see - start with 60.00 a barrel of crude - 55 gallons per barrel - out of ground cost 1.10 That 60.00 is agreed on world global price - actual cost of getting it out of the ground varys due to geological and viscosity reasons - Saudi & Libya the easist low cost ... A commodidy a hugh number of entities have their sticky fingers in.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 01:25 PM (3aakz)

11 I am now paying a 2.5% sales tax to my county for the priveledge of having heating oil! I wrote a letter to my county legislator. She responded that "things could be worse!" We currently pay 8.75% in sales tax. I sent a letter to the editor of my local newspaper and didn't receive a SINGLE response! I can only assume that I am white trailor trash in the eyes of my politicians and community members. Never mind that my home is worth about $700,000.

Posted by: babs at December 22, 2005 01:25 PM (iZZlp)

12 babs! Dooooohhhh! Now they are going to reassess you and raise your property tax! Better put a couple of old pickups out there on concrete blocks - an old Fridge might help too.

Posted by: hondo at December 22, 2005 01:54 PM (3aakz)

13 I don't know about your state hondo, but in tennessee it's a flat $.60 per gallon, so with higher fuel costs, consumption, and thus revenues, goes down.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 02:41 PM (0yYS2)

14 Almost all state and federal motor fuel taxes are set at a flat rate. So where does all that money go ?Well of course in times of short supply profits do go uAt least there will be some oil left for our kids, at some point the muslims may just flat out stop selling to us like they did in the 70's

Posted by: john Ryan at December 22, 2005 02:59 PM (ads7K)

15 Our imperial senate has voted to keep us hostage to OPECto appease OPEC and the eco-freaks

Posted by: sandpiper at December 22, 2005 03:39 PM (I9Upt)

16 I wish OPEC would embargo us again, then we'd have a new crop of oil millionaires in the US.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 22, 2005 08:11 PM (0yYS2)

17 The top providers of US oil are: 1. Canada 2. Mexico 3. Saudi Arabia 4. Nigeria 5. Venezuela 6. Iraq 7. Angola 8. Ecuador I guess we just cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage anymore by Arabic countries. Of course these still are OPEC countries running a cartel to control supply and price of supply.

Posted by: Dale at December 22, 2005 11:02 PM (Gh/Fm)

18 Hondo, the 'barrel' used for oil pricing contains 42 gallons, not 55. Also, 42 gallons of crude does not make 42 gallons of gasoline. So, your analysis is a bit simplistic and somewhat flawed. Sort of like the Rathergate documents, the information is plausable, so it MUST be true. ;^) That being said; yes, $60 crude generates some VERY nice profits at the exploration end, but is pretty much revenue neutral for refiners and puts a crimp on folks who are in retail sales of product.

Posted by: Charlie at December 23, 2005 07:59 AM (2ZhL/)

19 People scream and cry endlessly about the environment, cheap gas, and foreign oil dependance simultaneously, as if we can have our cake and eat it too. Someone should find out a way to convert stupidity into energy, then we could run on the dhimmicraps alone for another hundred years.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at December 23, 2005 08:14 AM (0yYS2)

20 Very large hamster cages connected to generators may work.

Posted by: hondo at December 23, 2005 08:25 AM (3aakz)

21 Agent Smith rebukes dangerous vowel-shifter Hondo's plan to enslave hamsters. Our pods are too big for them and humans' brains are needed for parallel processing for the reactor.

Posted by: Agent Smith at December 24, 2005 06:43 AM (AovCV)

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December 21, 2005

Iranian Booze Smuggling

With Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad increasingly clamping down on Iranian society, banning everything from Western music to free speech, centuries-old smuggling lifelines are flourishing. And the most sought-after commodities are beer, wine, and whiskey. On treacherous, rocky trails (pic), smugglers' pack mules laden with hooch cross the Zagros Mountains bordering Iraq and Iran every night. Demand has never been better as bootleggers brave the driving rain, landmines and Iranian border guards to smuggle liquor to Iran.

Although liquor is frowned upon in Iraq, it's cheap, legal, and untaxed. In Iran, it's illegal and expensive. As a result, bootleggers are selling alcohol for at least five times the cost. Heineken, Amstel, and cheap whiskey are very popular.

From the JPost.com:

Alcohol is also the most profitable bootleg item, explained Muhammad and several other booze-brokers interviewed in this half-deserted border town of bootleggers and security agents.
A sniper's rifle, an AK-47 and magazine clips droop from the walls of the hut-like artwork. Muhammad, an ethnic Kurd and a Peshmerga, or a Kurdish militiaman, said the weapons are for fighting Ansar al-Islam, an antigovernment Kurdish Islamic terrorist group. A bribe of a few dollars - which he called "tips" - and a clever mule are the best defenses against Iranian border guards, he explained.

Hmmm ... a clever mule outwits Iranian Border guards? And, all the while, Iran is enriching uranium. I get the willies just thinking about it.

Alcohol is not the only commodity smuggled. Anything from tea to washing machines is carried into Iran, usually after paying a small bribe to border guards. Conversely, Iranians travel the same routes into Iraq on day trips, touring bootleggers' camps in a manner not dissimilar from Americans visiting Napa Valley wineries. Distilled and fermented intoxicants are very popular with many Iranians, even the clerics, and the entrenched black market is an indication of the general population's dissatisfaction with the government.

"Iran is a good country, but we have a very bad government. We have no freedom, no satellite TV, no justice," said Ali Reza Dodelband, 42. Shivering in a jeans-jacket, he stood just feet from the official border crossing, gathering a crew of stout porters to carry about three tons of tea across the border.
He would like to move from Iran to Iraq, "then I want [US President George W. Bush] to bomb Iran. Tell Bush he must bomb the -," Dodelband then pantomimes the wrapping of a turban over his combover, referring to Iran's clerics.

Heh.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 05:48 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 415 words, total size 3 kb.

Crappy Birthday, Hanoi Jane

Is it just me? Or did everyone know that today is Hanoi Jane Fonda's birthday.

Let's sing her a song, shall we?

Crappy birthday to you
For the treason you do
Crappy birthday Mizzzzzzz Fonda
I hope you slide under a gas truck and taste your own blood, you treasonous beeeeeeeeyotch.

Thank you, I'm here all week.

Posted by: Vinnie at 05:42 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
Post contains 59 words, total size 1 kb.

Foreign Teachers Kidnapped in Gaza

(Gaza Strip) Two teachers at the American International School in Gaza were abducted by four masked and armed kidnappers on Nasser Street in the Gaza City. Dutch citizen Hindrich Tatchken, principal of the American School in Gaza and his deputy Brian Improjio, an Australian national. Dutchman Hendrik Taatgen (aka Hindrich Tatchken) and Australian Brian Ambrosio (aka Improjio) were forced from their car as they approached the school in the northern Gaza Strip. They were bundled into another vehicle which then sped away.

Witnesses in northern Gaza say the teachers were on their way to a private school that follows the American curriculum for the last day of term before Christmas holidays.
"They were intercepted by between two to three other cars and then taken away," said a witness.

School officials confirmed that both had been kidnapped and the school had informed the Dutch and the Australian embassies. Police have initiated a search for the two men.

The identity of the kidnappers is not presently known but it is known that both teachers are solid supporters of Palestinian causes. Although the number of kidnappings in Gaza has risen in the recent past, most are released unharmed after some "negotiation," if you get my drift. (Source)

[Update]

According to a Reuters report, the two teachers were released after eight hours following the involvement of a lawmaker from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The kidnappers were PFLP gunmen who kidnapped the teachers to secure the release of jailed leaders.

The PFLP has said the abduction was to pressure the Palestinian Authority to release leaders jailed in the West Bank town of Jericho for killing an Israeli cabinet minister in 2001.
The PFLP leaders are guarded under U.S. and British supervision.
"This is our first message, first to the Authority and secondly to the Zionist, American and British enemy. Our message is not directed to the peoples of the two hostages," said a PFLP statement in Gaza.

So, oops! They found out that their hostages weren't American nor British and released them. This shows that the terrorist groups typically don't have many deep thinkers.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 03:15 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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