No, seriously. I see a lot fairly baffling stuff on the internet, but this one I just don't get.

Watch it and tell me.

LINK FIXED more...

Posted by: Bravo Romeo Delta at 11:23 AM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
Post contains 63 words, total size 1 kb.

In case your wondering, my alma mater won the NCAA football championship this year....Via Mere Rhetoric:

holocust schmolocost.....
that whole thing drives me nuts.
there arent that many holicost surviviers.
most of those guys havent experienced anything -- except possibly excess. its a tool the zionists use... but to be honest wonder how effective it is these days.

Just thought id contribute its fun reading about the holohoax. it probably happened but 6mil is a lot i think the figure was much smaller and yes i think its possible to fabricate such a story. the jews are masters at this and congrats to them for being able to do so. not only do they claim sole bearers to the "anti-semetic" crimes, but they are able to live of reparations forever. smart idea dont you think?

On a paranthetical note, on 9/12/01 I was in a class and we were discussing the events of the previous day. I made the comment that the "Islamist extremists are every bit as dangerous as the Nazis." The Professor's eyes went buggy and he (literally) screamed at me to shut up.

Funny, he never flinched when students would call George Bush a Nazi. (ht: Charles Johnson)

Posted by: Rusty at 03:54 PM | Comments (61) | Add Comment
Post contains 244 words, total size 2 kb.

I have nothing left to say. Screw you guys, I'm going home.

Posted by: Rusty at 03:37 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 14 words, total size 1 kb.

BBC:

Brazilian football star Ronaldo has made a televised plea for the release of a countryman kidnapped in Iraq [ Joao Jose Vasconcelos ]...

"I hope they will show pity and let him return home to his family and friends."...

Ronaldo's fiancee and the hostage are from the same Brazilian state...

Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho and Brazilian legend Pele are also preparing to record messages, reports say....

Posted by: Rusty at 01:45 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 82 words, total size 1 kb.

This is why Russia is our natural ally. AP:

Hundreds of security forces stormed an apartment building today in southern Russia, killing seven suspected Islamic extremists linked to Chechen rebels and ending a two-day standoff.

Black smoke billowed from the building in Nalchik, the regional capital of the province of Kabardino-Balkariya, near Chechnya, as police and Interior Ministry troops fired automatic weapons and hurled grenades. The gunmen returned fire, wounding two police officers, the Interior Ministry said.

After a five-hour shootout, authorities found seven bodies, Interior Ministry spokesman Alexei Polyansky said.

Posted by: Rusty at 01:39 PM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
Post contains 135 words, total size 1 kb.

AFP reports that the State Department is now admitting that at least 3 Americans are probably alive and being held in Iraq:

"We know of three Americans who are held hostage in Iraq, and then there is a handful of others that are unaccounted for," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Wednesday.

Boucher declined to identify the three or provide any details on their situation, only saying that officials are in regular contact with their families.

Roy Hallums, Dean Sadek, Tim Bell and Bill Bradley. The Army of Ansar al Sunnah claimed to have killed Spc. Matt "Keith" Maupin on video, but the victim could not be identified as in other videos released by the group.

Posted by: Rusty at 01:27 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 143 words, total size 1 kb.

Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Supermuhammed!!!

John at Crossroads of Arabia blogs on this Arab News article:

Muslim children from the Gulf states, the UK and Australia now have something new to look forward to: An English-language comic book for kids, described as the first of its kind in the Arab world...

“The aim of this Saudi-Swedish educational project is to wean Muslim children away from satellite TV and expose them to Islamic views,” Al-Hajji told Arab News.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:11 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
Post contains 140 words, total size 1 kb.

1 It's been time to tell the Saudis to go to hell for a couple of decades now.

Posted by: Preston Taylor Holmes at January 27, 2005 09:44 AM (WsZ4F)

2 We can't ... correction the administration can't ... because the king personally told our administration that they are our friends and our government believes it ... are you blind ... the government thinks its okay! You must be un-American to believe anything the government doesnt!

Posted by: Salamander at January 27, 2005 09:59 AM (V40IZ)

3 Maybe countries with religious freedom allow Saudi Arabia to proseletyze because they've got religious freedom? Freedom of speech is freedom of speech, and shouldn't be subject conditions based on who's paying for it. Besides, I'm guessing these will be like Islamic Jack Chic tracts. I'd love to get my hands on one.

Posted by: Eric at January 27, 2005 10:07 AM (hrQvk)

4 I look forward to altering the dialogue and text on these things.

Posted by: Laurence Simon at January 27, 2005 10:27 AM (uBCxH)

5 Freedom of religion of one thing, but that is an INTERNAL matter. If a nation-state means anything than controlling its borders must be an inherent attribute. If that is the case, than a free society can control the influx of money from outside the country. Restricting the transfer of Saudi money to the US to support religion is not a restriction on freedom of religion in the legal sense. If Muslim societies wish to support Islam within our country, more power to them. But the transfer of money from one country to another is a PRIVELEGE dictated by law and not a RIGHT. If they wish to retain this privelege I submit that they ought to offer that priveledge to us as well. If not, then the relationship is inequitable and ought to be altered. If the s

Posted by: Rusty at January 27, 2005 10:59 AM (JQjhA)

6 Should we also block the .sa domain?

Posted by: Eric at January 27, 2005 01:41 PM (hrQvk)

7 How about we let those kids read this comic book: http://davidsonpress.com/islam/ Just an idea.

Posted by: mike at January 27, 2005 07:38 PM (a8b5N)

8 Ha!!

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at January 27, 2005 09:36 PM (JQjhA)

9 I'll say it and even use it as a platform but you just did it yourself. I would not trust a Saudi for anything in this world and I sure would love to see others follow in that same path. Cindy

Posted by: firstbrokenangel at January 28, 2005 06:57 AM (D39Vm)

10 I think it's great. The more Islamic children are exposed to Islamic views the more backward they become. Which in turn means less competition for followers of civilized, modern religions. Better yet, for those who chose not to practice religlion. That way, the west and progressive countries in Asia can continue to get rich selling them our TV's, cars, cell phones, etc. I think getting Islamic children away from TV's is a good idea. They learn to much watching TV. Sitting in the sand, reading comic books is better. What happens when they run out of oil to sell? Do we feed them? Do they return to herding camels in the desert? Makes you wonder. Personally, I liked them better when they ran around the desert killing each other. Beating slaves & women and cooking grasshoppers on camel dung fires. Just seems more Islamic. A natural way for them to be. Maybe, Islamic comic books will help them return to the good ole days. When women were women and camels were camels and the men knew the difference.

Posted by: greyrooster at January 28, 2005 07:20 AM (To5gU)

11 Why do they need more fictional literature based upon fantasy? They already have the Koran.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at January 28, 2005 10:45 AM (x+5JB)

12 NOW THAT WAS GOOD!!!!!

Posted by: greyrooster at January 30, 2005 10:57 AM (gvOyZ)

13 Greyrooster--I'm STILL waiting for a barrage of criticism from the liberals for my comment!

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at January 31, 2005 06:03 PM (4q4yV)

14 Due to my warning, they apparently decided better. Then again, that is exactly what I wished. Sneaky huh.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 01, 2005 03:11 AM (DSbhO)

15 I THANK you, sir!

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 01, 2005 06:59 AM (x+5JB)

16 PRESTON TAYLOR HOLMES: That's impressive. I can't help but think a name like that belongs on a book cover. You know, one of those big brown ones with the gold lettering. Any the wife likes the Taylor part. Her maiden name.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 07:36 PM (JHIKU)

17 Way, way, way, way. Spell check first dummy.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 07:38 PM (JHIKU)

18 The name's even better than "Robert E. Lee Priutt" in Jones' From Here to Eternity." Greyrooster: Did you hear about the vadalism to several of the War between the States monuments at Gettysburg? Some sick nut has lopped off the swords of several statues--blue AND grey, I believe. He/she/it should be shot for defiling these monuments.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 05, 2005 07:52 AM (ALptw)

19 I'm a Muslim comic book artist. All I got to say is... LOL But I got to add that the Saudi Royal family are nothing but a herd of fascist pigs. Most of Muslims around the world hate them. Why are you affraid of Islamic comic books, the market is full of comics about Christianism. Even in manga format!!!! Dont fear what you dont know deeply. Best regards, Wassalam Muhammad Hassan

Posted by: Muhammad Hasan at April 04, 2005 08:55 AM (PF8YD)

20 wow, you're all so educated.

Posted by: randomcat at April 25, 2005 05:43 PM (uwzOE)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Friends of Democracy is blogging the Iraqi election from Iraq. The next few days should be very interesting.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:56 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 24 words, total size 1 kb.

Did you notice this CNN I linked in yesterday's Religion of Peace Roundup?

"The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) will lend its name to a controversial report on freedom and governance in the Arab world despite U.S. objections to parts of the text".
...
"The dispute reflects differences between the U.S. view that the Arab world's problems are mainly internal and the Arab consensus that external factors such as foreign intervention and Israel's treatment of the Palestinians have contributed significantly to oppression and poor governance in the region".

The Watcher over at Indymedia wonders if this is another case of payola going to higher ups in the UN to change the reports conclusion. Who better to blame than the Jews?

On the other hand, since when has blaming the Jew menace needed a payoff? The U.N. does it all the time with hundreds of resolutions condemning Israel for the very same acts other countries routinely engage in. The question is not why the U.N. is blaming the Jews now. The real question is why they didn't blame the Jews earlier?

Posted by: Rusty at 08:49 AM | Comments (23) | Add Comment
Post contains 231 words, total size 2 kb.

A guy walks into his house after returning from Mecca. "Honey, I'm home," he yells. Then slits his 14 year old daughters throat for being a 'filthy filthy Jew slut'.

Turns out she was a virgin. "Oops, my bad."

HT: Tim at Opinion Bug

(PS-what kind of society runs medical tests to see if the father was justified in murdering his daughter?)

Posted by: Rusty at 08:36 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
Post contains 66 words, total size 1 kb.

Dave at Garfield Ridge,

is down like a clown Charlie Brown.

Go visit Garfield Ridge.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:20 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 29 words, total size 1 kb.

From time to time, a foreign national will walk into a US embassy and start divulging sensitive information.  In some circles these people are known as walk-ins.  And today, the comments section of Winds of Change had, what can be considered an inadvertent walk-in of sorts.

Recently there has been a great deal of discussion about the validity of the notion of "activistism."  Activistists tend to define themselves by their apparent desire for protest for it's own sake, rather than as a tool to achieve specific political ends.  Much of this discussion has been carried on in posts by Marc Cooper, Michael Totten, myself, and most recently Joe Katzman at Winds of Change.  The current debate deals with, in part, about the role of activistism in today's left, and the ideological nature of those who seem to be calling the shots in the Democratic Party.  Closely related to this subject is the notion that the activist left is completely tone deaf on national security, due to the apparent allergy that the far left has to the field of strategic studies.

In the comments section of Joe Katzman's roundup of discussion about activistism, a certain T.J. Madison manages, in his comment, to provide a glaring illustration of this allergy to strategic thinking in just under 100 words.

In the context of discussion about prevailing trends in the Democratic Left, T.J. Madison has become an unintentional walk-in in the debate about the intellectual proclivities of the activistist left and the role of activistism in the Democratic weakness on security.

Posted by: Bravo Romeo Delta at 05:25 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 1819 words, total size 13 kb.

Via Chad at In the Bullpen this story:

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Wednesday called on Iraqi insurgents to release a U.S. hostage [Roy Hallums], responding to the captive's plea for his intervention...

"As a response to the begging, we ask the Iraqi resistance in the name of Islam and Arabism to free him, implementing the principle of forgiveness," the Arab satellite news channel Al-Jazeera quoted Gadhafi as saying in a statement...

Posted by: Rusty at 04:39 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 125 words, total size 1 kb.

Brought to you by the Religion of Peas in a Can Council.

After videotaping himself beheading civilians for the past year and a half and publicly proclaiming himself the head of al Qaeda in Iraq, the UN finally designates Abu Musab al-Zarqawi a 'terrorist' and freezes his assets.

England to free 12 terror suspects. (ht: Chad Evans)

Two ex-Gitmo inmates return to England--promptly promise to sue US.

They're guerrillas, not terrorists says Italian Judge--then sets them free! (ht: Robert Spencer)

Profile of foreign terrorists fighting in Iraq (ht: Evan)

Are the Saudis funding Wahhabi extremist propaganda on Iraqi 'independent' TV? (ht: Captain Ed)

80 lashes given to 12 year old pick-pocket in Kingdom of the Religion of Peace (ht: Robert Spencer)

Terrorism caused by ideas, yeah but I wonder what ideas those would be.... (ht: Spencer, again)

Jihad recruitment on the rise in Europe...no connection to massive influx of Muslims immigrants, though. (ht: Charles Johnson)

UN Blames Zionists and Jew Controlled America for Arab Social Problems (ht: Daniel)

Let's face it, Islam doesn't mean Peace...(ht: Cameron)

Where are all those Leftist human shields when you need them?? You know, to guard the polling stations.... more...

Posted by: Rusty at 12:21 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 358 words, total size 6 kb.

Susan and Carrie are finally getting some MSM press again. As suspected, the bastards holding Roy are demanding a $12 million ransom. KESQ:

The former wife of an American who was kidnapped in Baghdad and appeared in a recent hostage video is urging President Bush to save him.

Speaking on the "Today" show this morning, Susan Hallums of Corona, California says her former husband Roy is a "patriotic" American hero who needs help....

[speaking of Roy's allusions to Bush] Hallums' daughter, Carrie, says she believes that statement was scripted. She insists he's "always been a supporter of our U-S government."

"It was terrible to see him, but good to see him,' said Susan Hallums, Roy's ex-wife. "He's strong, but I could tell he was fearful for his life. He had a machine gun next to his head.'

The Corona woman said she thought Roy looked "pale, thin and fearful.'...

"The week before (the abduction), he e-mailed me every day, and he called (the) kids two or three times a week,' she said. "We were both very close to our children, so that should keep you close friends, and we were.'

Susan Hallums said that although the U.S. government adheres to a strong policy of non-negotiation with terrorists, Roy's former employer, Riyadh-based Saudi Arabian Trading and Construction Co., had been in contact with the hostage-takers since his abduction. The company told her $12 million was being demanded in exchange for her ex-husband's release....

"It hit me this morning when I was crying,' she said despondently while packing her suitcase. "I was devastated. It's still hard to see him. But he's strong and he's brave. If anybody could get through this, he will.'

The ex-wife of hostage Roy Hallums is appealing to President Bush to do something to win her ex-husband's freedom in Iraq.

On the tape, Hallums says he won't ask Bush for help because of what he calls Bush's "selfishness and unconcern."

But Susan Hallums says she believes he was forced to say those things. She says he's "an American hero" who "never hurt anybody" and "needs our help."

Posted by: Rusty at 08:34 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 367 words, total size 3 kb.

In the past 24 hours I've gotten e-mails from producers at Fox News, CNN, NBC's Today Show, and several regional newspapers. Why me? Google.

Has Google become the foundation for MSM research? I certainly hope not.

That's how I do research.

So, tell me again why the MSM is superior to blogs?

On a related note check out Take Back the News, which integrates MSM stories with Bloggers and their takes.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:19 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 87 words, total size 1 kb.

Flight school catering to foreigners....terrror alert....why does this all sound so familiar? Michelle Malkin is on the case from top to bottom.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:31 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 32 words, total size 1 kb.

UPDATE 9/07: ROY HALLUMS RESCUED IN IRAQ!!!! Details here. Or try the Main Page.
-------------------------------------------

A new video has surfaced showing American hostage Roy Hallums. I have posted a transcription of the video below.

Roy Hallums was abducted on Nov. 1st, 2004 from his apartment in Baghdad along with several other foreign nationals. Roy is a civilian and was in Iraq working on the reconstruction effort. A Fillipino hostage, taken with Roy, was later released [ht: Digger] seems to be still in captivity, even though the government of the Phillippines is directly negotiating with the hostage takers. Roy's abduction was first broken at the Jawa Report on November 30th. We also reported on Roy in the post Remembering the Forgotten American Hostages in Iraq and in our Tribute to American Hostage Roy Hallums). I would urge readers to check the comments on those posts as many of Roy's family and friends have left comments.

UPDATE III: I have obtained a copy of the video. A transcription of it follows. Roy seems in good health, but is obviously agitated. He is seen sitting on the floor, crosslegged, an rubs his hands as he makes the statement. An AK-47 is pointed at his head throughout. At several points in the video a baby can be heard crying in the background. The copy of the video I have may be incomplete as the audio cuts off as Roy continues to speak:

My name is Roy Hallums. I'm an American national and I have worked with the American forces.

I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq.

I'm please asking for help because I...my life is in danger because it's been proved that I worked for American forces.

I'm not asking for any help from President Bush because I know of his selfishness and unconcern for those that have been pushed into this hell hole.

I am asking for the help of Arab rulers, especially President Muammar Gaddafi because he's known for helping those who are suffering.

I also ask that Arab leaders help me in this situation so that I can be released as quickly as possible from this definite death. I would remember this favor for the rest of my life, should my life remain.

And I ask my family to help because my health is in a very bad situation.

So please, please I'm asking any one, Arab leader, especially President Gaddafi, please help me in this situation so I can be reunited...(audio ends but lips keep moving)

Xinhua:

One US citizen, apparently taken hostage in Iraq, has pleaded for his life, according to a video tape released on Tuesday.

The man identifying himself as Roy Hallams said, "I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq. I am asking for help because my life is in danger because it's been proved that I work for American forces."

But the authenticity of the video has to be verified.

On the video, the man asked for help from Arab leaders instead of US President George W. Bush. But he fell short of saying when or where he was captured.

News24:

A videotape found on Tuesday shows an American abducted last November by gunmen in Baghdad pleading for his life and appealing to Arab rulers including Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi to intercede to spare his life...

On the tape, Hallums, with a rifle pointed at his head, stated his name and said "I have worked with American forces."

"I am please asking for help because my life is in danger because it's been proved I worked for American forces," he said. "I'm not asking for any help from President Bush because I know of his selfishness and unconcern for those who've been pushed into this hellhole."

Hallums, speaking slowly, said he was asking for help from "Arab rulers especially President Muammar Gaddafi because he's known for helping those who are suffering."

"I also ask that Arab leaders help me in this situation so I can be released as quickly as possible from this definite end," he added. "I would remember this favour for the rest of my life should my life remain and I ask my family to help because my health is in a very bad situation."

Further, the intervention on the part of Ghaddafi may be a hidden plea for money. Robert Tarongoy, the Fillipino abducted with Roy, was released reportedly after ransom was paid. How else could Ghaddafi help??

UPDATE II: More details from ABC News:

The undated video shows American contractor Roy Hallums, who was seized with five colleagues in Baghdad in November, sitting cross-legged in front of a black background anxiously rubbing his hands as he makes an appeal to the camera....

"I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq," 56-year-old Hallums, dressed in civilian clothes and his beard flecked with white, says on the tape.

"I'm asking for help because my life is in danger because it's been proved that I work for American forces."

As he speaks, the barrel of an assault rifle is held inches from his head. Unlike other tapes made by militants of hostages seized in Iraq, no flags or banners of an organization appear in the picture and no demands are made.

ABC News:

Susan Hallums said she kept her ex-husband's kidnapping a secret for weeks after finding out that he had been abducted in Iraq this past November.

Now her former husband's pleas for mercy are being heard by the world. A newly released videotape shows missing American Roy Hallums pleading at gunpoint for Arab rulers to let him live.

Susan Hallums told ABC News' "Good Morning America" — in an interview that aired on Dec. 19 — that she hoped speaking out about her former husband of 32 years might help him be released.

"He's on the quiet side Â… in every walk of life he's always been very well-liked and well-received," Susan Hallums said on "GMA."

When Susan Hellums and her two grown daughters were first told of her her ex-husband's abduction, she said they were asked by authorities to refrain from discussing it with anyone else. She said she decided to speak out after reading about his fellow captive.

Roy Hallums, 56, was abducted on Nov. 1 along with Robert Tarongoy of the Philippines. The kidnappings took place after an armed assault on their compound in Baghdad. Roy Hallums and Tarongoy had been working for a Saudi company that does catering for the Iraqi army.

Susan Hallums, 52, said her former husband was supposed to come home in late November. She said he'd planned to stay through his daughter Carrie's birthday in late December.

His daughter Carrie Cooper told "GMA" that she hoped his captors would show mercy if they knew he had a family.

"Please let my dad go," she pleaded with his kidnappers on "GMA," before telling her father "I love you and I hope you can come home soon."

Susan Hallums, Roy's ex-wife, sent me this e-mail a week ago. Let me share part of it with you:

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your race. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.

Amen.

Roy's family has made these 'Save Roy' magnets, and may be purchased by sending a minumum donation of $3 to the 'Free Roy Foundation' at:

Hallums Family
PO Box 947
Westminster, Ca. 92684

Click Image to Enlarge

Posted by: Rusty at 08:33 AM | Comments (24) | Add Comment
Post contains 1844 words, total size 13 kb.

As time is short, here are a few headlines. This post sponsored by The Religion of Peas...have you eaten your peas today?

Iraqi Forces Arrest Top al-Qaeda Lieutenant

New Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Tape Calls For A "Bitter War" On Election Day

Zarqawi executes hostage on street, posts video online. (video here)

Brazilian Engineer Taken by "New" Terror Group

The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah executes Iraqi Colonel on video.

Islamist TV Guide

Domestic Front

Doubts cast on Boston dirty bomb tip

University of Oregon BANS support of the troops

Last but not least, reader Andre sports his new '72 Virgins' shirt, and wishes the jihadis a speedy trip to their eternal reward!!

Posted by: Rusty at 08:42 AM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
Post contains 127 words, total size 2 kb.

Two must reads: Professor Chaos and James Joyner.

Posted by: Rusty at 02:32 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 26 words, total size 1 kb.