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Posted by: Rusty at 12:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Release Auburn from the SEC or the blogger gets it!

Posted by: Rusty at 12:19 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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No not in Saudi Arabia where the punishment for leaving the faith is death, nor Pakistan, nor Iran--Muslims in the US should be punished for converting to other faiths. Commentary:

A still more original apologist for the harsh treatment of apostates who reside in the West is Ali Khan, a law professor at Washburn University in Kansas. In a recent issue of the Cumberland Law Review, Khan suggested that Islam can be seen as a form of intellectual property, and Muslims as “trustees” who have vowed to protect their faith’s “knowledge-based assets.” ...

The key point, however, is not the outlandish substance of Khan’s argument. Rather, it is the fact that he was able to use an American law review as a soapbox from which to advocate the licensed punishment of apostates—and that his grossly illiberal views were never rebutted in its pages.

And for our Canadian readers, never fear, there is Syed Mumtaz Ali, the president of the Canadian Society of Muslims. Mr. Ali is a lawyer and the man behind Canada's move to recognize sharia courts. Don't worry, unlike Muslim lawyers in the Middle East, he doesn't advocate killing apostates. He's a moderate, you see. Moderates just want to put you in jail or fine you for turning your back on the umma.

In fact, in a long essay (see Conclusions) by Mr. Ali, he explains to Canadians why they are bigots and illiberal if they do not let Muslims in Canada punish blasphemers and apostates.

Nothing says moderation more to me than that. (h/t: Robert Spencer)

Posted by: Rusty at 11:54 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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I have long been an admirer of Natan Sharansky. It seems I am in good company.

Posted by: Rusty at 10:00 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Unfortunately for the family, I do not believe that the Rev. Jackson's intervention will greatly affect the release of Roy Hallums [background on Roy Hallums here]. We are not dealing with heads of state here but either a) Islamofascist terrorists or b) common thugs bent on getting money. The latter seems more likely.

Jackson ought to be applauded for his efforts despite the slim chance of success. Let's hope and pray this can make some difference.

AP:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will try to help negotiate the release of a kidnapped American contractor who was snatched in Baghdad three months ago and recently appeared pleading for his life at gunpoint.

Susan Hallums, 52, turned to the founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition after calling on politicians and President Bush to help free her ex-husband, Roy Hallums, 56, who was kidnapped Nov. 1 at his office with another man.

"I feel so drained, and this has given me more strength again to have more hope and faith," she said.

The United States government has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists or insurgents.

Jackson, who has successfully secured the release of hostages on several occasions since the 1980s, said he was confident the captors would cooperate.

"We hope that the captors will pick up on the spirit of what has happened the last few days in Iraq and not use Roy as a trophy," Jackson said, referring to Sunday's election in Iraq. "While our government can't negotiate, someone who can ought to."

Jackson said he will appeal to religious leaders who know the hostage takers.

Susan has been hitting all the media she can to try and get Roy's plight some publicity. I'm not sure what more we can do other than offer our moral support to her and her family. Any one with media connections or their own blog might also help by keeping Roy in the headlines. Below is a picture Susan sent me at an interview with Paula Zahn on CNN. From left to right: Carrie Hallums Cooper, Paula Zahn, Susan Hallums.

h/t: Chad Evans

Related: Terrorists Release Video of American Hostage Roy Hallums, Tribute to American Hostage Roy Hallums, Remembering the Forgotten American Hostages in Iraq

Posted by: Rusty at 08:44 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Feb. 1, 1944 Washington Post story: U.N. Panel Finds No Genocide in Germany but Urges Tribunals (printer friendly version)

Linked at OTB

*Hint

Posted by: Rusty at 06:29 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
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*

Posted by: Rusty at 05:09 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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by Demosophist

A link to an article in a left-leaning paper, in a left-leaning area of a left-leaning country, sent to me today by a left-leaning friend. In his words: "All I want is a good outcome. I don't have to have been right."

Admit It: Bush Was Right About Iraq. Excerpt:

But on the defining, fundamental question, Bush was right.

He understood that to defeat an idea, no matter how perverse and brutal it might be, it was necessary to have an opposite and superior idea.

He understood, in other words — instinctively rather than intellectually — that the only way to win a war against terrorism was to turn it into a war for democracy.

This is now happening. Against the quest of ordinary Iraqis for dignity and self-respect and freedom, the terrorists in Iraq had nothing ultimately to offer, except blood and hatred.

(Cross-posted by Demosophist to Demosophia and Anticipatory Retaliation)

Posted by: Demosophist at 05:02 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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This is an archive page. For the latest news about communiques and videos coming from terrorists in Iraq, please go to the MAIN PAGE HERE.
--------------------

First, the Jawa report debunked Ansar al-Islam's claim to have downed a British plane yesterday. Then, we help the blogosphere debunk the claim that the Mujahideen Squadrons captured a US soldier in Iraq today. (Incidentally, both claims were made on the same Islamist bulletin board, meaning whoever is behind the claims speaks Arabic.) Today, there is word that the video released by the 1920 Revolution's Brigade and shown on al Jazeera, of the British C-130 being shot down is also a hoax.

AFP in Turkish Press:

Francis Tusa, editor of Defence Analysis, said the footage contained numerous discrepancies, noting that it was taped in broad daylight while the crash took place early evening.

There was also no direct image of the supposed attack, simply three different clips edited together. One showed a finger pressing a button to launch a rocket, followed by a fireball and finally the wreckage of what was alleged to be the British plane.

"At the moment there is no evidence they have shown that shows that is the RAF aircraft," Tusa told AFP.

If the militants had really put all the camera gear in place, you would have expected to see more of the action, he said.

"The other thing is that it took them over a day to get that video out, which we think was because they were taking time to try to edit footage to make it look right."

The wreckage of an engine shown in the film could have come from a Hercules but "it also bears some similarity to a large helicopter engine," said Tusa, referring to a Sea Stallion such as the one that crashed in Iraq last month, killing all 31 US marines aboard.

Posted by: Rusty at 04:46 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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We will post video as soon as it becomes available. Reuters:

A little-known Iraqi insurgent group said on Tuesday it was holding a U.S. soldier and threatened to kill him within 72 hours if Iraqi prisoners were not released, according to an Internet statement.
"Our mujahideen ... have managed to capture the American soldier John Adam after killing a number of his colleagues," said the Mujahideen Squadrons in the undated statement.

It carried a picture appearing to show a U.S. soldier sitting in front of a black banner with a rifle pointed at his head. The authenticity of the claim, which did not say where the man was seized, could not be verified.

"We will cut his throat in 72 hours if our male and female prisoners in the occupation jails are not released," it said.

A group using the same name, Mujahideen Squadrons, last month claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a Brazilian engineer in Iraq.

Update: Kevin Aylward chimes in

If you think that there's something odd about the picture you're not alone. My bullshit meter went off immediately. The size of the head looks all wrong, like the picture was created in Photoshop.

Update II: Evan Kohlman writes:

1.) The soldier is seen seated in front of the trademark rising sun banner of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qaida faction in Iraq. Yet, this was not the group that took credit for the kidnapping. In fact, no credible representative from Zarqawi's group has yet taken credit for this kidnapping.
2.) As pointed out by several colleagues, the boots and uniform worn by "John Adam" are not U.S. military issue. For that matter, where is John Adam's name patch on his uniform?

Marks, a retired Army general, said he has several questions about the photograph's authenticity.

A flak jacket the man is wearing in the picture has an unfamiliar kind of piping or trim along its edges, Marks said. The man's open-legged pants, as opposed to gathered hems, seem odd, he said.

Marks also questioned what appeared to be camouflage paint on the man's face. "We have not used camo paint with conventional forces serving in Iraq," Marks said.

Click for bigger image

I'm happy to have been in on this expose from the beginning. Jeff Quinton has a good run down of the progression, starting with Kevin Aylward, my own, and Evan Kohlman's (who e-mailed me early about the hoax and who will be on MSNBC's Keith Olbermann @ 8:00 p.m.) questions. Others involved in the expose seem to be Michelle Cantalano (who gives the credit to Total Farkers).

Something seemed fishy from the start. I started looking through my photo archives to see if I could match the banner. Unfortunately I had this thing called 'a job' where I had to be in class to 'teach'. Damn, the blogosphere works fast!!

UPDATE V:

Note to self:

Calculate probability that the hoax was generated by an American--very likely because this is, after all, a G.I. Joe doll.

Next, calculate probability that an American would have the wherewithall to post the 'hostage photo' at a website run entirely in Arabic---hmm, very unlikely.

Last, calculate probability that the culprit is an Arab-American..........

All the blogs below are also on the story. I got to hand it to Preston Taylor Holmes, Ace, Powerline, and
GOP & the City for making reality even funnier.

(h/t: Jeff Quinton & M.H. King)

Others: Wizbang, Moderate Voice, Counterterrorism, OTB, ITB, SondraK, Ace, Instapundit, M. H. King, Cynical Nation, Blogs for Bush, Charles Johnson, and a billion more......

Posted by: Rusty at 01:20 PM | Comments (59) | Add Comment
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1 I'm sure they could have found an M-16 from anywhere...either off a dead body or maybe it was smuggled in. But yeah, the photo looks too fucked up. CNN quotes a retired general as saying that 1) "We have not used camo paint with conventional forces serving in Iraq" and 2) "the guy's flak jacket has an unfamiliar kind of piping or trim along its edges." and 3) "The man's open-legged pants, as opposed to gathered hems, seem odd..." I guess we'll find out at some point.

Posted by: Venom at February 01, 2005 01:33 PM (dbxVM)

2 And doesn't "John Adam" sound like a name they would make up? Or perhaps he works for Yoyodyne.

Posted by: Eric at February 01, 2005 01:38 PM (hrQvk)

3 looks pretty fake to me. thats what I hope at least. Or my brain could sub-conciously be forcing me to believe its fake...

Posted by: me at February 01, 2005 01:41 PM (Ak8mQ)

4 Not sure we have too many pinheads in our military. Looks like they took a rubber head off a GI Joe doll. Is there even a clip in that gun? FAKE FAKE FAKE

Posted by: OB SNOOKS at February 01, 2005 01:41 PM (yBHNA)

5 FAKE PHOTO FAKE PHOTO FAKE PHOTO!!!!!

Posted by: Allah's Nasty Jock at February 01, 2005 01:45 PM (yBHNA)

6 saw this in comments on whizbang it is a GI JOE doll: http://www.monkeydepot.com/Merchant/bd0450.JPG

Posted by: kd at February 01, 2005 01:46 PM (djPJR)

7 Amazing how close this looks like the GI Joe Doll

Posted by: Ob SNOOKS at February 01, 2005 01:53 PM (yBHNA)

8 Notice how you can't see any fingers on the gun? you can see the trigger and the edge of the grip but no hand... that's because, since it's a doll, the "fingers" would be as wide as the stock, and are holding it just out of the picture. If they'd made it into the frame, the AP and Reuters headlines would have read "Gigantic Terrorists Threaten to Behead..."

Posted by: kd at February 01, 2005 02:01 PM (djPJR)

9 It is a clear fake....definitely a doll. Go here for comparison pics - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37049

Posted by: Eric at February 01, 2005 02:07 PM (q3pwu)

10 I have cut the throat of many a GI Joe Doll in my youth. It is very hard to get thru that thick rubber. I cut my fingers a couple times. Did the same when I executed my planet of the Apes dolls too. Such a bad fake.

Posted by: Stinky Allah at February 01, 2005 02:12 PM (yBHNA)

11 A camoflagued M-16... Gosh this is worse than a superscript...

Posted by: Jon at February 01, 2005 02:19 PM (alDTJ)

12 I very well may piss my pants at this one. First, sending a mentally retarded suicide bomber, and now taking toys hostage... what's next, they hijack the Good Ship Lollipop?

Posted by: Wine-aholic at February 01, 2005 02:26 PM (Wsn+K)

13 I HAVE TAKEN HOSTAGE ONE SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS!! IF YOU FILTHY INFIDELS DO NOT RELEASE ALL PRISIONERS, I SHALL CUT HIS THROAT.

Posted by: Abdul The Toy Hater at February 01, 2005 02:30 PM (yBHNA)

14 I think you all underestimate the power of Cobra and its desire to inflict chaos on G.I Joe and the world.

Posted by: Venom at February 01, 2005 02:32 PM (dbxVM)

15 This was probably done by an American hoaxer (remember Benjamin Vanderford)? The rifle (or weapon - not gun) was what made it obvious. The coloring is wrong (notice the magazine is solid black as well) and nobody's hand is on the pistol grip or anywhere near the trigger guard, meaning someone would have to hold it by the stock.

Posted by: Jeff at February 01, 2005 02:39 PM (ifPXk)

16 This was probably done by an American hoaxer (remember Benjamin Vanderford)? The rifle (or weapon - not gun) was what made it obvious. The coloring is wrong (notice the magazine is solid black as well) and nobody's hand is on the pistol grip or anywhere near the trigger guard, meaning someone would have to hold it by the stock.

Posted by: Jeff at February 01, 2005 02:39 PM (ifPXk)

17 I hope you's are all right, for once! Bastard insurgents. How they could have captured ONE soldier, without anyone fighting them off is beyond me, anyway. I hope to God all of you are right.

Posted by: Laura at February 01, 2005 02:58 PM (ptOpl)

18 You silly Americans Underestimate the power of COBRA COMMAND!!!!!

Posted by: COBRA COMMANDER at February 01, 2005 03:10 PM (yBHNA)

19 DAMMIT they GOT SNAKE EYE'S !!!

Posted by: Duke at February 01, 2005 03:14 PM (22t5y)

20 Price of toy GI Joe: $15.00 Price of gay Islamic Flag: $1.00 Price of the world laughing at your faggot asses becuase you are so lame that you resort to taking Captain America Hostage: PRICELESS!

Posted by: Salamander at February 01, 2005 03:27 PM (V40IZ)

21 Besides "John Adam," himself, just have a look at the banner hanging behind him. It looks like somebody painted it with a White-Out pen or something on a black handkerchief. And what's with that name? "Hey, Muhammad, what shall we call our 'captive'?" "Well, what about a good American name, like some kufr president? Maybe John Adam? Wasn't he the founder of their infidel country? That will strike fear into their hearts!" "Sounds good to me!" "You think, maybe, we should have him cowering in front of the infidel Malibu Barbie Dune Buggy?" "Don't be ridiculous. Even the stupid Americans at AP won't fall for that."

Posted by: SmallishBees at February 01, 2005 03:30 PM (Jmmc7)

22 Its already been confirmed that there is no one missingin the military No need to beat this to death.

Posted by: Susan at February 01, 2005 03:31 PM (3pOYP)

23 Susan, thats the point ... to be-little these good for nothing camel jock's. They get to gloat when we screw up ... as they say pay back is a bitch. Also I have to admit people, what do you expect from an arab mind!

Posted by: Salamander at February 01, 2005 03:41 PM (F26eZ)

24 No, the banner is legit. But it's a Zarqawi banner, not even the same group that claimed to be holding the dude hostage.

Posted by: Rusty at February 01, 2005 04:10 PM (JQjhA)

25 We have to remember that there are good Arabs and bad Arabs. Many support George Bush. Some are Christians! The race is not the enemy--it's the terrorist mentality that is the target of freedom.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 01, 2005 05:06 PM (iMFIo)

26 Absolutely.

Posted by: Rusty at February 01, 2005 05:10 PM (JQjhA)

27 If I was a terrorist, I think I would rather have Crusader Whore Barbie as my love slave. Allah u Ahkbar, infidel bitch!

Posted by: Mr. K at February 01, 2005 06:35 PM (OMu3y)

28 The race is not the enemy. But what about the religion?

Posted by: greyrooster at February 01, 2005 11:10 PM (D+Kmg)

29 Why would they threaten to "cut his throat" when you could just pop it off?

Posted by: Indy Media Watch at February 01, 2005 11:19 PM (vLXE2)

30 All i have to say is fantastic job on that scaled miniature-version of the flag. These insurgents may be stupid but they're sort of a crafty stupid.

Posted by: Igor Kazakov at February 02, 2005 12:57 AM (xM3Dg)

31 HOAX 4 SURE 1. VEST NON STANDARD, AND MAGAZINE POUCHES APPEAR FULL. 2. BOOTS DARK SOLES, NOT TAN, AS ISSUE. 3. NO MAGAZINE IN M-4 (M-16 CARBINE HELD TO HEAD) 4. NO USA COLORS PATCH (FLAG)ON RIGHT ARM, NO DIVISION PATCH ON LEFT ARM, AND NO NAME OR BRANCH TAPES ON CHEST. 5. AND FINAL, THE PHOTO IS PROBABLY THE BEST TO COME FROM THE "INSURGENTS" (YEAH RIGHT), THE QUALITY OF A 12 YEAR OLD (NERD)AT LEAST,.....DEFINATELY. 6. ZAQUAWRI (SPELLING?), AND THE BAATHISTS, CAN LEARN FROM THIS CHILD (OR THE CIA), ABOUT HOW TO ACTUALLY GET ATTENTION, ASIDE FROM CUTTING AND MURDERING INNOCENTS. BY THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURE, AND PRESENTATION, HMMM? DOES IT INDICATE THAT THE THE INSURGENCY IS DONE? THAT DEMOCRACY PREVAILS? ULTIMATELY YES, 5+ YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THE PRESSURE IS APPARENTLY ON. ALLAH CLARK BAR! TO OUR TROOPS, BE THERE SOON, HOOAH!

Posted by: SHAWNDAWG at February 02, 2005 03:49 AM (MYSXC)

32 Greyrooster: I know that this will offend some people, but the religion--and I hesitate to even call it that--is indeed the enemy, as it is based upon hate and opposition to all that many in this country hold dear--mainly, freedom, decency, peace, and justice. (And let's not forget Christianity.) It's yet another ugly manifestation of evil in the world, and if practiced by the actual mandates of its manual, the Koran, Islam cannot but continue to be a deadly enemy and want to wage war on ANY religion or way of thought that is not exactly like it. (I really didn't mean to sugarcoat it like that.)

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 02, 2005 07:09 AM (x+5JB)

33 Rusty and Young Bourbon Professional: You are right that there are Coptic and Assirian Arabs as well as Christian Arabs. This does not change the one important fact, which is missed by many who do not understand the interaction of Iranians, Turks, Kurds and Arabs. Please do look carefully how the groups were listed above, their history and how the later two have always been opressed by the first two as well as being bent over the interrogation table for some 2 department/division questioning by everyone from the British to the Israiles. The interaction has been a mutually known hiearchy of fighter and herders. The Turks and Iranians come from a history of thousands of years of war and dying on the field or horseback, whilst the Arabs are herders with the occational opportunistic stab at war. The main reason is this: Arabs are clan based, never thinking any farther than the "county border", which added to the fact they dont know how to fight cohesively and with gusto, has ... is ... and will forever be the reason they are under domination/hegemony of greater minds/people. Oh and for those who will come back with those wonderfull Hollywood inspired views of Larita of Arabia, or grandeur of herdsman overthrowing their kings and princes, I have this to say: Its not to hard to slit open the throat, or stomach, of a beaten soldier on a retreat home through deserts to get to the gold coins they may have swallowed, all with the aid of the British armed forces behind you.

Posted by: Salamander at February 02, 2005 07:22 AM (W2YA6)

34 Salamander: I now see what you meant further up in the posts. Thank you for these insights, sir. YBP

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 02, 2005 08:14 AM (x+5JB)

35 Damn I'm glad I asked that question. Knew what the answer was. Tricky huh! We all have our strenghts. You guys can put it much better than this old, let me see? racist, ignorant old drunk. LOVE IT!! heh, heh. Wish it would quit raining. The fish are biting. Life is good, enjoy it fellows.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 02, 2005 10:22 AM (GpysX)

36 Everyone is missing the point. There is a Joe out there that needs our help. We never leave Joes behind. I'll call Duke. Yo Joe!

Posted by: Bill Dautrive at February 02, 2005 10:40 AM (G95Uf)

37 I think a joint Joe/MASK task force would be great for morale and cooperation between the branches.

Posted by: Brian B at February 02, 2005 11:58 AM (CouWh)

38 ok, hoax notwithstanding, what was the intent of this video? To scare the bejesus out of our govt. and possibly obtain a ransom from them? Did they really think we are that stupid to actually believe it was one of our guys? By the way, I didn't know GI Joe's are available over there, where the hell did they get one? They probably had Osama order one on the internet in whatever hole he's hiding in.

Posted by: Laura at February 02, 2005 05:44 PM (ptOpl)

39 A silly little people, mean, barberous and cruel. See, I seen the movie to.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 02, 2005 07:48 PM (GpysX)

40 Laura, According to the news, these action figures are sold by a company that supplies U.S. military bases around the world. I'm sure there are tons of them floating around in Kuwait. And yeah, I'm sure it was a desperate attempt to get a ransom. I wonder what they would have done when the ransom demand came and went with no money paid...giant magnifying glass?

Posted by: Venom at February 03, 2005 09:15 AM (dbxVM)

41 Thanks for the reply, Venom. Gee, aren't we getting civil these days? ;-)

Posted by: Laura at February 03, 2005 05:26 PM (ptOpl)

42 Yea. But I'm getting bored. What we have here is a lack of competition. At least Venom has a brain. My present toy is a total zero.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 03, 2005 06:52 PM (n5v9Q)

43 is this a religious war? who invaded who? you could try and justify it by saying they started it with terrorism but then that is just the extremists and they should be the ones being sought not the entire nation being invaded. If you commit a crime do you expect you family to be punished? WMD well done Americans have fantastic intelligence!! I am a non-muslim (wouldn't call myself religious at all) but I live in a predominantly muslim country and I find them as a whole to be as friendly if not more friendly than most western countries (I say as a whole but I know there are crazies out there just as there is in christianity). Pretty much it is not supprising that Americans worldwide are known for their arrogance (we are the greatest nation and all should do as we do) as well as their stupidity (Bush?? he is hardly a mind to be reckoned with).

Posted by: random at February 04, 2005 01:43 AM (Y5yMj)

44 RANDOM: Jealous? No problem just stay in your muslim country and please do not come to arrogant America. The list to get in is long enough already. Please tell me which nation is greater. Amazing how those of you who defame America never mention what country you live in. Ashamed? What wonderful country are you talking about?

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 07:40 AM (L6Dgc)

45 Laura, Yeah, I dunno...I mean, I could argue all day, or try and be productive and constructive. Bitching with people here doesn't accomplish anything. And I would actually prefer to work with people instead of argue. We're all different, we're all going to have different perspectives and experiences. I'm not going to agree with all of them, nor will people agree with all of mine. But, we're all the same in that we want a safe world to live in for our families and friends. And that sounds like a good starting point for any kind of constructive discussion. And besides, it's the fucking Internet. As if anything said here should matter in people's real life. It won't affect my day at work, it won't affect your time with your family, it won't affect greyrooster and his fishing. Once we leave the keyboards, it all stays there. Life is too short to be hung up on words from total strangers, whether it's here or elsewhere.

Posted by: Venom at February 04, 2005 02:11 PM (dbxVM)

46 VENOM: I am leaving for the Florida Keys for two weeks. Will you fill in for me?

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 02:42 PM (JHIKU)

47 I can only try. Enjoy your vacation, and don't think about this place.

Posted by: Venom at February 04, 2005 02:54 PM (dbxVM)

48 Venom believe it or not, there was a time after 9/11 that I came onto the many war-related chatrooms and it got pretty heated up. I'd be upset for DAYS. There were so many people that felt more sorry for the "innocent civilians" in Iraq than they did for the victims of 9/11! It became mini-wars among the chatrooms...there we all were, united in our grief, yet far apart in our views and our position and what we should do about it. I stand behind my country, my government and its leaders, and our soldiers fighting for US. If it was so easy, I'd like to see what some of these Bush bashers would run the country. It's the weekend, Super Bowl par---tays, everyone enjoy and have a good one.

Posted by: Laura at February 04, 2005 03:56 PM (ptOpl)

49 Greyrooster and Venom: Weren't you the two guys who were accusing each other of being light in the loafers pretty recently? Regardless, glad it's over. Greyrooster: In your opinion, what is the most realistic film about the Vietnam War?

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 04, 2005 04:54 PM (ALptw)

50 Platoon.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 06:39 PM (JHIKU)

51 Remember you asked the most realistic. The thing with the sniper was BS. That's not how we did it. Maybe the Army. Not the Marine Corps. The boot camp thing was good. However, when I was in boot camp we had metal huts and the bathroom was down the street. Basicly, the same. Everyone swore to kill the drill instructors. 13 weeks later we bought their beer and proceeded to beat the shit out of the real enemy. The navy.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 06:46 PM (JHIKU)

52 And Bourdon: It was a joke. Only Venom out smarted me. Not going to invite him to our weekly texas hold em game.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 06:50 PM (JHIKU)

53 Greyrooster: Please clarify: "It was a joke. Only Venom out smarted me." Also, I sincerely thank you and the many others for serving this country.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 05, 2005 07:44 AM (ALptw)

54 Joke because 90% of the time we are at opposite ends of the table.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 05, 2005 09:11 AM (mRvYE)

55 Got to go. Truck is here for my boat. They are hauling it to Islamorada. Going to take one of my satelite boxes with me and see if I can connect to onboard dish. The thing is supposed to track signals. Never has worked yet. Two grand just to watch football. What was I thinking? Everyone have a nice Superbowl Sunday. First stop tonight Gainesville. Tomorrow mother in laws near Vero Beach. Then paradise. We are fishing the King fish tourament. If time permits may cross to Cancun and try for some sails or Marlin. Fellow conservatives. Hold the fort. May the force be with you for the forces of evil keep trying.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 05, 2005 09:24 AM (mRvYE)

56 Greyrooster, if you paid just 2000 for a tracking dish on your boat it probably will not work. you should check with one of your local dish or directv dealers there, they will give you the co-ordinates for the primary satellite that you need for the game, remember, no in-line amps, splitters or such, these screw up your satellite signal.

Posted by: Mons*Calpe at February 05, 2005 05:10 PM (Ot+sc)

57 Greyrooster: Are you confusing Full Metal Jacket with Platoon? Full Metal Jacket had the sniper and the drill instructor. Platoon started out with Charlie Sheen just having landed in Vietnam. Either way, I've heard they were both pretty realistic.

Posted by: Venom at February 07, 2005 08:58 AM (dbxVM)

58 And yeah, I realize you won't read this until you get back, and likely not at all. But, oh well...

Posted by: Venom at February 07, 2005 08:59 AM (dbxVM)

59 Hello How are you doing today,my name is Mr Lauren Bill.I am sales manager of my enterprise.I deal in the sale of general machandise.I would love to purchase your(good)please get back to me with your last offer so that payment would commence immediately and i will be responsible for the shipping.Thanks

Posted by: lauren at April 08, 2005 09:26 PM (1TQI6)

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Here's a first at the Jawa. In the past reader love mail has ranged from supporting the actions of terrorists to the occasional death threat. Reader 'kaka' writes and tells me--among other things--that he will be joining the Mujahadin in Iraq this summer. What other amazing things do my Jedi powers tell me about 'kaka'? Well, he logged in from the City of Westminister College in London, where he is presumably a student (WARNING: Foul Language): more...

Posted by: Rusty at 11:28 AM | Comments (33) | Add Comment
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In yesterday's Religion of Peace Update we told you of a website where Muslims were tracking Christians who had the cajones to speak out against repressive Islam. Today, more info from Robert Spencer who has the exclusive:

A close friend of Hossam Armanious and relatives of the family murdered in New Jersey [background info here] have revealed the following:

Shortly after the murders, members of the Egyptian consulate went to visit the family to encourage them to keep quiet. And many family members have obeyed, saying nothing to reporters or anyone else....

Though the family wants to reserve judgment until the results of the case are released, they did say that the way the four family members were bound and gagged and the way their throats were slit with holes carved is similar to executions that are shown on al-Jazeera. The American public is not aware of this because the details of the executions are not often described in news accounts.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that the Egyptian government wants to keep reports of a possible religiously motivated mass murder out of the headlines of American newspapers. That, after all, would not look good for the Religion of Peace. I'm paraphrasing here but remember: It is better to look good than to be good.

(h/t: Tim at Opinion Bug) more...

Posted by: Rusty at 08:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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So how racist are you, exactly?  Harvard thinks they have a way of figuring that out, via the Harvard Implicit Association Test (Courtesy Tim Blair.)

This test purports to discover what hidden biases you might have on race, gender, sexuality or any one of a number of things.  The methodology the test seems to use is based largely on what appears to be the Freudian Slip methodology.  Take it and you'll see what I mean.

The part that I found supremely interesting was that I took the test to determine whether or not I was biased in favor of Kerry or Bush.  Now, I am going to wait a minute for you all to look back through my posting history and form your own judgment on where I stand.  Don't worry, go ahead - I'll wait.

Posted by: Bravo Romeo Delta at 04:46 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Was there a major power outtage or what nine months ago? Did I miss orglefest 2004?

Posted by: Rusty at 04:26 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Today's Religion of Peace Update is brought to you by the folks at American Greetings, now offering their new line of CAIR Bears. (Thanks to Eric Smith for the CAIR Bears pic) and by the Mathemeticians for Freedom Alliance reminding you that d/dt (mv) = 0 ; v = const

Today's Religion of Peace theme: "Nunca encontraras una mas miserable madriguera de escoria y villania." (via Flea)

Federal judge says terror suspects at Gitmo can challenge detention in US courts.

Al Jazeera may be put on auction block--bin Laden to start early bidding on e-Bay.

Terror suspect raised money for Islamic schools (shock)

Terrorists strike in Tajikistan, blow up government building.

Iraqi election news roundup from the Poliblogger.

Pakistani, Afghani, and Lebanese jihadis open fire on ex-patriot Iraqi elections voters in Australia. And John Howard, the Aussi PM, proves once again to be one of America's staunchest allies.

Iraqis give terrorists the finger---literally!! (scroll down)

Ansar al Islam Claims To Have Shot Down British Plane but 1920 Revolution Brigade (the group that brought you such hostage takings as Dean Sadek) also claiming responsibility. (via Michelle Malkin)

Giving a Muslim a dirty look = anti-Muslim
Murdering Arab Christians in New Jersey = anti-Muslim
Remembering Israeli victims of terrorism at UC Irvine = anti-Muslim

Christians on PalTalk Chat Service Tracked by Radical Islamic Web Site.

Religion of Peace Uses Child With Down's Syndrome as Suicide Bomber

Thousands protest in Morocco: Tsunamai was Allah's punishment for wicked!

Islamic miracle: Like the images of Mary on a corn tortilla, Abu Mussab al Zarqawi begins to turn up in the oddest of places.

Kofi Annan gets it wrong again.

Arab broadcasters report Iraqi election more favorably than Germans. (via Instapundit)

Iraqi elections a European victory, not US.

Auschwitz and al Qaeda

Posted by: Rusty at 09:02 AM | Comments (31) | Add Comment
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UPDATE: This is an archive page. If you are looking for more recent news about terrorist communiques or videos, please go to our MAIN PAGE HERE. Updated daily.

UPDATE: I knew it! 1920 Revolution Brigade claims downing of British Plane on Video. This is the same group responsible for the kidnapping of American Dean Sadek. (ht: Michelle Malkin)

10 are believed dead in the crash. Via Jeff Quinton this Times article:

The Ansar al-Islam group said in a statement on an Islamic website that its fighters tracked the Hercules aircraft, "which was flying at a low altitude, and fired an anti-tank missile at it".

The statement said: "Thanks be to God, the plane was downed and a huge fire and black clouds of smoke were seen rising from the location of the crash."

Established after the 9/11 attacks, Ansar al-Islam is one of IraqÂ’s older extremist groups and has been linked to al-Qaida.

First, Ansar al Islam has not been active in over a year. Unless the report is wrong and they mean Ansar al Sunna, which happens from time to time. The fighting remnants of Ansar al Islam seemed to have joined Ansar al Sunna. The only Ansar al Islam related activities in the past year have been fundraising and planning by a cell in Germany.

Second, wrong area. Ansar al Islam's base of operation was in Kurdistan. Ansar al Sunna has been operating in areas that were formerly Kurdish but which were 'Arabized' under the Saddam Hussein regime. The plane was apparantly shot down only 20 miles north-west of Baghdad which is in the Sunni triange but nowhere near al Sunna's normal base of operations.

Unless of course the terrorists were referring to this.... more...

Posted by: Rusty at 08:44 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Two readings on this: 1. The Lockheed C-130 can be equiped with CM technology (Chafe, Flares), and most of the times is for heat, and radar guided ground-to-air munitions. The lack of any countermeasures "signatures" on the video recording could be: A. The weapon was not a autonomous ground-to-air weapon, but an non-autonomous weapon used in an un-orthodox fashion (anti-personal, or anti-tank wepaon). B. Lack of countermeasures onboard C. Crew / CM system failure to acknowledge launch of an autonomous munitions. 2. Footage shot of mutitions being expended, then footage of crashed aircraft being added on to get required PR. If a munition of that size would hit a C-130 in mid-flight there would be smoke and fire in the air as well as noticable debres falling ... even if it was a 1-1,000,000 chance hit on a fuel cell.

Posted by: Salamander at January 31, 2005 12:04 PM (V40IZ)

2 As a former C-130 pilot, I would say the options A + C above would be the root causes as to why the plane was shot down. If it was an optically guided anti-tank missile, then reactive flares would be ineffective. But such an anti-tank missile would have a short range only useful against low-flying aircraft, which unfortunately the Brits were this day. If the crew didn't see the launch, then any reactive maneuvering wouldn't have been performed, thus the absence of any flares. The damage an anti-tank missile would do to the C-130 would be devastating, probably many times more than the standard MANPAD. Remember, an anti-tank missile is normally used against heavily armored vehicles, which the C-130 is not. Hitting a fuel cell isn't the only way to take the Herc out, a lucky strike at the wing root could structurally weaken the airframe and take off the wing or a lucky shot into the cockpit, and that is all she wrote. Either way, these terrorist bastards got lucky.

Posted by: Craig D. at January 31, 2005 09:47 PM (f3XV4)

3 12,657 Ansar Al-Islam militants killed so far, and only 1,598 American Forces killed - haha!!! AMERICAN FORCES KILLS THE PRIMITIVES SUNNI's LIKE SMOOSHING LITTLE ANTS !!

Posted by: Brian Moreno at May 30, 2005 06:37 AM (RATdR)

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Via Matt Cardens this WaPo report:

"A handicapped child was used to carry out a suicide attack on a polling site," al-Naqib said. "This is an indication of what horrific actions they are carrying out."

He gave no other details about the attack, but police at the scene of one the Baghdad blasts said the bomber appeared to have Down's Syndrome.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:31 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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The 'spiritual leader' of an al Qaeda linked jihadi group in Kuwait, Amer Khlaif al-Enezi, was captured in a 9 hour running gunbattle between the terror suspects and Kuwaiti security forces. Four suspected terrorists were killed in the battle. One of those killed was a Saudi national. The former imam's brother was taken into custody yesterday.

One civilian was also killed in the clashes.

Thousands of rounds were said to have been exchanged in the shootout.

This is the fourth clash in the past month between suspected terrorists and Kuwaiti security forces this month. Many of the suspected terrorists are believed to have been in transit from other Arab states to Iraq. Hundreds of foreign terrorists have been reported fighting the U.S. in Iraq.

More: AFP, The Scotsman.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:21 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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by Demosophist

Today, during a discussion on Fox News about the Iraq Election Moira Liasson objected to Brit Hume's contention that many people had been habitually skeptical about the odds of establishing a legitimate democracy in Iraq. Moira allowed that this just wasn't so, and that although many people had expressed skepticism about the details of the Bush plan nearly everyone had always had faith in the "will of all people to be free." Well, I can't speak for Liasson, nor do I know what she thought back then, but it seems to me her memory may be a bit "selective." Frankly, I don't know anyone who has more credibility with political sociologists on the topic of democratization than Amitai Etzioni, and over a year ago, back in November, 2003, I posted a comment to his blog post A Sociologist's Iraqi Exit Strategy. For documentation purposes you can find the original here, along with his response, but it's reproduced below for the sake of convenience: more...

Posted by: Demosophist at 09:28 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Sorry for the absence today, folks. I'm busy throwing together a student trip to Washington, DC. The problem is that I can't find a place at a reasonable price with enough rooms!! The hotel also needs to be near a Metro stop. I'll be in DC from May 14th to the 22nd.

Any ideas out there?

Posted by: Rusty at 03:04 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
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