Call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner.

Matt Drudge objects to being called a blogger.

Ok, you're not a blogger. No, really, Drudge, YOU'RE NOT A FREAKING BLOGGER!

Whoever accused Drudge of being a blogger anyway? Seriously.

Me? I'm a blogger. And I really don't give a rat's ass if Drudge doesn't like it.

Trey Jackson has the video of Drudge's interview on C-SPAN. I actually watched it last night. Pretty good stuff, if you're interested in the alternative media.

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Those crazy Mennonites are almost as bad as those suicide bombing Amish we keep hearing about.

Thanks to Reliapundit for e-mailing me this. BBC:

Algerian authorities say they have arrested the leader of an Islamic rebel group suspected of killing 14 civilians in an ambush earlier thismonth.

Boulenouar Oukil of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), the interior ministry said in a statement.

It said the security forces also seized a large arms cache in the operation.

Dozens of people have died in recent attacks by militants who oppose the policy of reconciliation of Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The interior ministry statement also said that another GIA member - Mohamed Chama - was also captured during the operation.

The civilians were ambushed by suspected militants on 7 April, when their cars were stopped at a fake roadblock near the town of Larba, about 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, Algiers.

The passengers were then forced out and shot dead. One driver escaped and alerted the security forces.

The attack happened soon after President Bouteflika had told Algerians that security had been "largely restored across the country".

The GIA and other militant groups waged a decade-long campaign of violence, following the annulment in 1992 of elections which Islamic groups were poised to win.

An estimated 150,00 people are thought to have been killed in the violence.

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Georgia's new Republican majority repeals Jim Crow laws.

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How low can they lower the standards?

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Zimbabwe on U.N. Human Rights Commission.

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I'm urging Chris Short to join on up. Think about the discounts! THE DISCOUNTS, MAN!!

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What do Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Ted Kennedy have in common? They both think we're losing the war in Iraq. A new 18 minute audio has been released by the propaganda arm of al Qaeda in Iraq.

According to Zarqawi [SITE]:

... the American war in Iraq has been a failure and as a consequence, fear forced "the American enemy to open a dialogue with the mujahideen...." The message calls for Muslim brothers to refuse capitulation to this "deceit" and continue to carry out jihad against American forces, stating: "Attack from your bases with the help of God. DonÂ’t let a convoy pass. Convert their nights to days."

By any reasonable standard, our policy in Iraq is failing. We are steadily losing ground in the war.

Of course, what Zarqawi shows by his actions is that his real goal is not simply get the U.S. out of Iraq. That's just phase I. Phase two is the setting up of a Taliban like state in Iraq. That is why most of his attacks are against Shia Muslims and Iraqi security forces.

Anyway, here's more from CNN: more...

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Did I say wieners? Damn that Frued and his slips!! Anyway, if it wasn't for Laura's constant nagging, I would have completely forgotten about this thing.

So many good entries, so little time. But seriously, judging them isn't half as fun as reading them.

Amicus Curiae: Inspired by the Iranian paratroopers, the suicide paratroopers in Iraq were a welcome development for US troops working on target practice.

Graeme: Praise Allah! With our state-of-the art parachute camouflage, the Great Satan will never see us coming!

No doubt inspired by Kit's earlier entry: In an effort to further discredit the American military, an Italian pro-terrorist group, led by journalist Sgrena, staged an attack on this mosque dressed as U.S. paratroopers. Unfortunately, their disguises didn't extend to their chutes.

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The propaganda wing of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia has released the latest edition of their online magazine, Sawt al-Jihad. You can download the entire magazine here or here in .zip format (hat tip: vlad).

Aaron at Internet Haganah reveals that the al Qaeda publication is being distributed via sites in Japan and China. And Vlad tracks down distribution to....wait for it.....drumroll please.....Canada!

If you don't speak Arabic, it's not really worth your time downloading it. However, check out the cover page I'm making available below. I think the image just about says it all. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 03:14 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Fill in the blank: As a matter of mainstream and historical doctrine, _____________ does not allow the testimony of women in rape cases and ____________ countries routinely put rape victims in jail.

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Click pic for President Spicoli's reaction. Malkin remembers the victims. (Image stolen from Beaker)

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Where you gonna go for all your Bush=Hitler needs? The Gallery of "Bush = Hitler" Allusions is your one stop shopping mart!

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by Demosophist

I had a brief debate with Larry Johnson on the Jawa Report last week, that was recently referenced by an article in Mother Jones Blog. I expanded on the issue briefly here. To summarize, my position has basically been that:

1. The inference that State is somehow avoiding empirical evidence related to its policies is not justified by what we know and what Larry has reported. It's more likely that they are just tired of confounding policy with a report whose only real value is in a fruitless advocacy conflict; and

2. That the increase in attacks, even if specified and counted correctly, is not a meaningful indicator of whether we are "making progress" in the War on Terror, though Larry insists the data demand some negative inference.

In addition, I also suggested: more...

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Michael Totten sends me this news that Lebanon will hold elections on time. He even goes so far as to say:

Chalk up another, final, victory for the Cedar Revolution.

Thanks for the babe photo man, but nevertheless it's not over until it's over. The fat lady has definitely not sung.

For instance, check out the Lebanon Star today:

Regarding the Christian opposition's chances of success in the upcoming polls, Abi Nasr said: "The Christian opposition in particular expects the same marginalization experienced in previous elections with the same exclusion, but this time under an international supervision."

Totten does have some beautiful photos from Lebanon, though. Sorry, no babes.

UPDATE: He who will not be named has similar thoughts. Only, you know, more pithy.

UPDATE II: Not so fast Kevin, there may be more babe pics to come. I agree with Right Pundit's assessment and again with Willisms.

I would also warn that it is not wise to gauge the prospects for democracy in a country by measuring enthusiasm for democracy at, well, an encampment of pro-democracy advocates.

Lebanon was, at one time, the Paris of the Middle East. But those were the days when Christians were in the majority and still in the shadows of French colonialism. Today, Lebanon has a majority Muslim population. History shows that no Muslim nation has ever granted equal status to non-Muslim populations. Will Lebanon be the first? Let's hope.

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Ok, it's DEBKA, so take it for what it's worth. As I reported yesterday, this has been sort of circulating on the jihadi message boards. The expectation was the Bush would make the announcement, but that didn't happen. Again, this is still speculation based on rumors started at Islamic message boards.

But as Ace said yesterday, "if the media is chattering about it behind closed doors, why shouldn't the public know what they're chattering about?"

DEBKA:

An announcement of Osama bin LadenÂ’s death appears Friday in one of his close aidesÂ’ most credible Web sites. It has sparked a storm of controversy in al Qaeda circles, some of whom claim notice is false.

Signed by the Pen of Jihad Warriors, the site provides no information on circumstances of death, only asks:

Where are those who break out of borders? Where are the lamenters? Where are those who throw themselves from the tops of towers and skyscrapers? Where are the heart-rending cries?

Egyptian bin Laden adherent, Yasser Sari, calls notice a lie and promises new videotape soon in which leader announces end of al Qaeda truce in Europe. Other followers credit the announcement as “authentic and Islamic.”

UPDATE: In the 'don't count your chickens before they hatch category TRADERROB e-mails with this Sky News story:

An Islamist website has inadvertently triggered rumours that Osama bin Laden is dead.The article about the al Qaeda leader carried a headline suggesting the Saudi fugitive had died.It prompted flutters on the financial markets and triggered rumours on internet sites of bin Laden's demise.

However, closer reading of the article revealed that the author was simply suggesting the 9/11 architect could die at any time and Muslims should be prepared for his death.

Yasser al-Siri, an Egyptian dissident who ran the Islamic Observation Centre in Britain and who is considered close to al Qaeda, told the Al Sharq al Awsat newspaper that bin Laden is alive.

On a related note, as long as we're speculating, I'm gonna say we're looking for Osama on the wrong continent. Try Africa.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:57 AM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
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Barbados giving Tijuana a run for it's money? Young Bourbon Professional sends me this news about a new 'zonkey' show. Maybe they're just trying to save money. You know, so they don't have to paint those donkeys in TJ. Plus, notice the article doesn't ask the hard questions. You know, like, what does it taste like? AP:

It's male. But what is it? A zonkey? A deebra? That's the debate in Barbados since a zebra gave birth to a foal sired by a donkey.

Alex was born April 21, a milk-chocolate brown creature with the black stripes of a zebra on his ears and legs. His face looks more like a horse, with a distinctive black "V" patch on the forehead.

"It's really funny and a little bit freaky," said Natalie Harvey, a 29-year-old waitress. "I was stunned to hear about such a weird thing happening here."

While zebra hybrids are not uncommon, most Barbadians have never seen anything like Alex.

His mother, Allison, is one of two zebras brought to the Caribbean island from Botswana, in southern Africa, in the early 1990s. The other is George and both live at Highland, a six-acre ranch where goats, sheep, ducks and donkeys roam free.

George, however, suffered a long illness, and Allison became friendly with a donkey.

"We knew she was with foal but were not sure who the father was," said Philip Atwell, the head of Highland ranch.

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American Roy Hallums was abducted from his temporary Baghdad home on November 1st, 2004. He was in Iraq as a civilian contractor working on rebuilding efforts. His mission had everything to do with helping the Iraqi people rebuild their country after decades of war, mismanagement, and terror under the Saddam Hussein regime.

I had the opportunity to have several e-mail conversations with both Susan Hallums and Carrie Hallums Cooper recently. They have graciously agreed to letting us interview them. What follows is part 4 in a series of interviews with the family of Roy Hallums. In part 1 and part 2 we interviewd Susan Hallums, Roy Hallums' ex-wife.

In part 3 we interview Roy's daughter, Carrie Hallums Cooper, asking her the same questions we asked her mother. This segment continues that conversation.

Carrrie runs the website Free Roy. Carrie is 29 and makes her home in California where she also works. Carrie has an MFT (Masters of Family Therapy) and is currently pursuing a Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology. Carrie also is engaged in fundraising to help defray costs associated with freeing her father.

You can donate to the Free Roy Foundation by clicking on the Pay Pal button below.

Or you can send a check or money order to

Free Roy Foundation
c/o Carrie Cooper
PO Box 947
Westminster, Ca. 92684

More information is on the Free Roy website. Roy and other heroes will be celebrated at the Inland Empire Memorial Day Heroes Festival in Riverside, CA on May 14th.

-----------------
[You can read part 1 of this interview here]

Rusty Shackleford: Roberto Tarongoy was taken hostage on the same day as Roy, and the Filipino government as recently as two weeks ago claimed that they knew Tarongoy was alive. However, the Philipines has a policy of negotiating with hostage-takers and even paying ransom for hostages release. What are your thoughts on that policy?

Carrie Hallums Cooper: First IÂ’d like to say that I have a great respect for Ivy (RobertÂ’s wife) and the Tarongoy family. If I were in IvyÂ’s shoes I would do whatever I could to free my husband. Cognitively though, I understand that if we (the U.S.) pay ransom for hostages this will only increase more hostage-taking, which is why the United States adheres to this policy. So, from that frame of mind, the Philippines policy of negotiating with hostage-takers may be encouraging more kidnappings, which for the Philippines as a whole is not beneficial.

However, unless you have been a family member of a hostage, you will never understand the lengths that you would go to in order to free your loved one. If I had to choose between policy and my fatherÂ’s life, I would not hesitate to choose my father, and therefore pay a ransom (if I had the money). So, I do not fault the Philippines for listening to their hearts in hostage situations, even though it may encourage more hostage-taking.

I believe that the policy of not negotiating with terrorists was created for the majority (those familyÂ’s whose loved ones are not hostages), and most of the time it works out fine (as long as you stay in the majority). Right now IÂ’m in the minority (a family member of a hostage), so I donÂ’t feel like the policy works for me. I donÂ’t want to put other people in danger by endorsing paying terrorists, which I do think is what happens when you pay ransoms (because it encourages more hostage taking); but at the same time, there has got to be a better policy than to just not deal with the terrorists.

To be honest with you IÂ’m kind of torn about this issue right now. IÂ’m not a policy maker, but I feel like someone could come up with a better solution than what we have in place right now (though I donÂ’t know what it is), so that itÂ’s a win-win situation for everyone. IÂ’m sure the govt. would say that it is win-win now, but I donÂ’t feel like sitting back and letting my Dad rot over in Iraq is win-win for either me or my Dad. more...

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Wishing the Aylward family all the best in their time of distress.

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I'll start: Greg, you ignorant slut.

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So let me get this straight, the French are taking away Miss France, Laetitia Bleger's, title for posing in Playboy? And she's not even nude! As Erik Svane says about this, "If this had happened in the United States, it's a sure bet that Europe's intellectuals and pundits would be besides themselves in bewailing, mocking, and shrieking about American puritanism and hypocrisy." Indeed.

Both Rob at Say Anything and Double Viking have the pics. Despite Rob's warnings about them, they are not really nude. A kind of see through top in one of the pics, but it's the kind of stuff you see in women's fashion magazines all the time.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:12 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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