April 30, 2005

Republicans=Nazis Alert!

Georgia's new Republican majority repeals Jim Crow laws.

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April 19, 2005

Ratzinger Chosen as Pope Benedict XVI

Robert Hayes of BNN e-mails to report that Cardinal Ratzinger has been named the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic church. Ratzinger has taken the name Benedict XVI. More at BNN.

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April 14, 2005

Soldiers Cleared in Sgrena Shooting

Not that we predicted this or anything. Remember, we are Sgrena central. This was a joint report, meaning the Italians seem to be on board with the findings. We will update this post later as the official report is due out sometime today. MSNBC:

Now, NBC News has learned that a preliminary report from a joint U.S.-Italian investigation has cleared the American soldiers of any wrongdoing and provides new details into the shooting.

Intelligence agent Calipari had just negotiated Sgrena's release from Iraqi kidnappers on March 4 when the two and a driver headed for the Baghdad airport in a compact rental car.

It was dark when the Italians turned onto a ramp leading to the airport road where the U.S. military had set up a temporary checkpoint.

The investigation found the car was about 130 yards from the checkpoint when the soldiers flashed their lights as a warning to stop. But the car kept coming and, at 90 yards, warning shots were fired. At 65 yards, when the car failed to stop, the soldiers used lethal force — a machine gun burst that killed Calipari and wounded Sgrena and the driver.

Senior U.S. military officials say it took only about four seconds from the first warning to the fatal shots, but insist the soldiers acted properly under the current rules of engagement.

The investigation failed, however, to resolve one critical dispute: The Americans claim the car was racing toward the checkpoint at about 50 miles per hour, the Italians say it was traveling at a much slower speed.

In Italy, agent Calipari was given a state funeral, but the investigation found he himself may have committed a fatal error. He reportedly chose not to coordinate his movements with the U.S. military for fear it would jeopardize his efforts to free the Italian hostage.

Now you'll excuse me while I go celebrate. Hat tip Seeker.

Boughyah notices that WaPo, NYT, LA Times passing on the story. Is this true?

Others: Wizbang, Catscape, No-Oil-For-Pacifists, Powerline, Goldstein

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April 11, 2005

Soldiers Given Citations for Rescuing Egyptian Hostages in Iraq

We reported on the incident on February 8th, but no details on the raid were available until now. One U.S. soldier received a Bronze Star and eight received the Army Commendation Medal April 5 for rescuing two Egyptian hostages from terrorists in Baghdad Feb. 7. All were from the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment.

Maj. Gen. Lloyd Austin III presided over the ceremony.

"They are rewarded for doing what they are supposed to do," Austin said. "In doing so, they saved lives. I'm grateful for the way you helped this division and the Army."

Four Egyptians working for the mobile cell phone company Iraqna were kidnapped Feb 6. Less than 24 hours later, soldiers from 2nd Battalion's B Battery saved two hostages and detained two terrorists after they pulled over a suspicious vehicle while on a routine patrol in their area of operations.

more...

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