Well I don't really want to update Mike Pechar's post so I will start one of my own. I will add a few links below to a couple other stories going on today. Also below the break I will post various quotes and comments I have collected up so far today. I may update this thread later and Mike if you feel the need update your post as well.

The Taliban claims it is holding the last missing Navy Seal. While I hope he is safe and will return it appears doubtfull at this time. Let's keep him and his family in our prayers. One look at the news this AM and you see what is likely to happen.

Orange alert for Mass Transit in USA.

The latest death toll in London Ranges from 33 to 40 killed 390 to 1000 injured. I have several links I have been watching today I will list them below the break along with quotes and stuff. I just want to say my heart goes out to London and all of Britain. Mike Pechar's thread below seems to be getting a lot of comments. I noticed Mike stopped updating that one and moved on. So where ever you would like to put yours go ahead.

UPDATED:

NPR just reported that Egypt has confirmed the death of it's top diplomat in Iraq.

Also ABCNEWS is reporting two unexploded bombs were found in London.

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

"ABC NEWS HAS LEARNED BRITISH OFFICIALS TOLD U.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY RECOVERED TWO UNEXPLODED BOMBS IN LONDON

http://abcnews.go.com?CMP=EMC-1396"

From a breaking news email I recieved

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Posted by: Howie at 12:12 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
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Update 7/09 (Chad):
Scratch one traitor off of Rusty's list. The lawyer for film-maker Cyrus Kar indicates his client will be released.

If true, send them to the firing squad. Could the American suspected of involvement in a kidnapping be Mohammed Monaf? Mohammed Monaf has been indicted in Romania for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of 3 Romanian journalists. Developing.....WAPO:

The U.S. military is holding five U.S. citizens suspected of insurgent activities in Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday.

They were captured separately and don't appear to have ties to one another, spokesman Bryan Whitman said. He declined to identify them, citing a Pentagon policy that prohibits identification of detainees.

Three of those being detained are Iraqi-Americans; another is an Iranian-American; the fifth is a Jordanian-American, Whitman said. The three Iraqi-Americans were captured in April, May and June, officials said. The Iranian-American was captured May 17, one official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the cases.

One of the Iraqi-Americans allegedly had knowledge of planning for an attack, and another was possibly involved in a kidnapping, Whitman said. The third was "engaged in suspicious activity," he said, declining to be more specific.

Whitman said the Iranian-American was captured with several dozen washing machine timers in his car-- items that can be used as components in bombs.

In Los Angeles, relatives identified him as Cyrus Kar, 44, a U.S. Navy veteran who lives in that city. He was in Iraq to film scenes for a documentary on King Cyrus the Great, founder of Persia, when he was arrested at a checkpoint in Baghdad in mid-May, his family said. They also said he has been cleared of wrongdoing and there is no legal authority for his detention.

They said he called them on May 24 and said he had been detained because of a misunderstanding involving a taxi driver who had been driving Kar and his cameraman around Baghdad. Kar was born in Iran but came to the United States when he was a child, according to reports in the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.

The Jordanian-American was captured in a raid late last year and is suspected of high-level ties to Abu Musab Zarqawi, the Jordanian terrorist and leading al-Qaida ally in Iraq. Officials announced his capture in March.

All five are in custody at one of the three U.S.-run prisons in Iraq-- Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca or Camp Cropper, Whitman said, declining to provide their precise location. The International Committee of the Red Cross has had access to all five prisoners, Whitman said.

A panel of three U.S. officers rules on whether each prisoner is properly held; that has already taken place for the Jordanian-American. Whitman did not say whether the three Iraqi-Americans or the Iranian-American have been through this process.

UPDATE I: More on Cyrus Kar from Mercury News:

An Iranian-born U.S. citizen and Navy veteran was detained in Iraq by American forces after troops said they found a common component for improvised explosive devices in his taxi, according to U.S. defense officials.

His family says Cyrus Kar, 44, was in Iraq to film scenes for a documentary on King Cyrus the Great, founder of Persia, when he was arrested at a checkpoint in mid-May. He had also filmed in Iran, Tajikistan, Turkey and Afghanistan and consulted with scholars, they said.

Kar's family first learned of his troubles May 24, when he called them to say he had been detained because of a misunderstanding involving a taxi driver who had been driving Kar and his cameraman around Baghdad. They last heard from him on June 28.

The Defense Department confirmed to both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times that Kar, who lives in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, was in U.S. military detention outside Baghdad. He has not been charged with a crime and will have a hearing to determine whether he is a security threat, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Kar's relatives, however, told both papers that Los Angeles FBI Agent John D. Wilson told them weeks ago that Kar's story had checked out, that he had passed a government polygraph test and that he had been cleared of any charges.

"He's cleared," one of Kar's aunts, Parvin Modarress, quoted Wilson as saying, according to the New York Times. "They were waiting for a lie-detector machine, but they finally got it. He passed the lie-detector test."

Wilson told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday that he had met with the women but said he could not speak further. Cathy Viray, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles FBI office, said she could not comment on the matter.

Frustrated, Kar's relatives plan to file a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday that challenges Kar's continued detention in Iraq. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and other civil liberties lawyers are representing Kar, Modarress and Kar's cousin, Shahrzad Folger, against President Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Army Maj. William H. Brandenburg, overseer of military detention operations in Baghdad.

"Mr. Kar is now imprisoned by the United States military in Iraq without the slightest hint of legal authority," said Mark D. Rosenbaum, the ACLU's Southern California legal director.

"His arbitrary military detention is unaccompanied by any charge, any warrant, any writ or any process. So far as either the civilian or the military court system is concerned, Mr. Kar has simply disappeared into detention without a trace."

Posted by: Rusty at 11:35 AM | Comments (26) | Add Comment
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Well I must say it’s been one heck of a week, lots of stuff going on. Me and the boy let off fireworks till we looked like a couple of coal miners on Sunday night. The big ones got rained out on the fourth. We drove over anyway like “ye reckon it’ll quiyut”. But we did make some fireworks last night and they were pretty good. Picked me some blackberries last week & got some chiggers. I got to get that done so I can start a batch of wine. Still got plenty of grape left.

Well I gots me a new PC here in the office and I would just like to extend my congratulations to PC makers everywhere for this little box of chicklets they call a keyboard. Well I really donÂ’t want to point fingers but I share a name with the founder. Also a big thanks for doing away with the port that I could have plugged my old one into. I hope yÂ’all saved a Chinese nickel in plastic by screwing with the page up, page down, insert, end, & delete key. I use all those and boy does this suck.

I guess for me this week there can be no other display of behavior other than this bastard. Hanging ainÂ’t good enough and they ought to let that little girl pulls the switch and give this (I canÂ’t think of a good noun) his wish. I canÂ’t say it any better than Rusty did.

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Posted by: Howie at 08:48 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Al Jazeera reports that the Islamic Army of Iraq and the Mujahidin Army of Iraq have appointed a common spokeperson for the two groups. These two groups are active in hostage taking. It was the Islamic Army in Iraq that was responsible for the downing of a civilian helicopter in April and the subsequent videotaped murder of an unarmed and wounded Bulgarian pilot named Lyubomir Kostov [story, images, and links to video here]. The Mujahidin Army was, up until now, thought to be associated with ex-Baathist and Arab nationalist elements. Their propganda videos tend to have high production value, are sometimes in English, and tend to cater to capturing support from elements in the West.

This may be a rhetorical question, but if the reporter for al Jazeera knew where to find the terrorist spokesman, then why is he not in U.S. or Iraqi custody now? The time is long past due that the U.S. bombs the headquarters of al Jazeera.

Two armed groups in Iraq, known for fighting US-led forces and their capture of foreigners including journalists, have appointed a joint spokesperson.

The new spokesperson for the Islamic Army in Iraq and Jaish al-Mujahidin, Dr Ibrahim Yusuf al-Shimmari, told Aljazeera that the decision comes in the context of the groups' plans to implement a political programme and be politically recognised.

"It is most appropriate for the two groups to unite and appoint a media spokesman," said al-Shimmari, "due to the escalating amount of persons who claim to speak on behalf of the resistance and adopt political projects that do not serve the resistance."

This is the first step in the implementation of the groups' plan to unite, added al-Shimmari. "Other steps will follow soon."

Posted by: Rusty at 02:41 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Not bad for a 'quagmire'. ADNKI:

The doctor of one of al-Qaeda's groups in Iraq was arrested by US troops during a raid carried out on June 21 in Baghdad, the US military has revealed in a statement published on the website 'Voice of Iraq'. Muhsin Abu Sayf, defined in the statement as "the doctor who treated the hostages kidnapped by the terror group led by the Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and other bands."

Abu Sayf is said to speak English well and was therefore given the task of interrogating the hostages. According to the statement "he worked alongside Abu Aqil, a local al-Qaeda leader arrested several weeks ago, who led the kidnapping activities in Baghdad."

Abu Aqil, whose real name is Sami Amar Hamid Mahmoud, has overseen the kidnappings of numerous Iraqis and foreigners in the Baghdad area. Arrested on June 26, he used kidnapping to fund al-Qaeda's activities, and the doctor, Abu Sayf, is said to have played a central role in the hostage operation, collecting the ransom money and delivering it to the terror group.

Meanwhile, US forces arrested last month an Al-Qaeda member in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a statement for the Multi-National Forces said Monday.

The US forces arrested Tunisian national, Emad Nasser Ahmad, known as Abu Hamza during a raid in Mosul, the statement added.

According to the statement, Abu Hamza is responsible for bringing to Iraq Arab "militants" and sheltering over 100 suicide bombers to carry out their attacks in Mosul.

Posted by: Rusty at 12:53 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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The first Arab ambassador to Iraq is abducted and taken hostage. The types of demands made for his release will depend on which group took the Egyptian ambassador.

The fact that it was the Egyptian ambassador increases the probability that the terrorist group responsible is a nationalist one rather than a Salafist Islamist one. Why? Because Egypt is run by an Arab Socialist party with strong ties to the Baathism of Saddam Hussein and Syria.

It should be remembered that the short-lived great Baathist experiment of a unified greater Arab nation was the unification of Syria and Egypt under the banner of the UAR between 1958-1961. That Egypt would be the first Arab nation to upgrade its diplomatic mission in Iraq to sending a full ambassador may be seen as a betrayal of one Arab Socialist state against another.

If such is the case, there is a chance that Ihab Sherif will be found alive. On the other hand, if one of the Islamist terror organizations such as Ansar al-Sunna (not likely since the group rarely operates in Baghdad), al Qaeda in Iraq (possibly), or The Islamic Army in Iraq (possibly) then there is close to zero chance for his survival. In either case, we should see a hostage video soon.

Of course, to the warped minds in the Islamic lands this could only be the work of the Zionists.

Islam Online:

The abduction of the head of the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Baghdad sends a strong message from Iraqi resistance groups to Arab countries set to follow the Egyptian lead by sending ambassadors to occupied Iraq, Egyptian experts have said.

“Sending an ambassador to an unstable Iraq was a wrong decision that prompted resistance groups to kidnap Ihab El-Sherif as a warning shot for willing Arab countries,” Abdallah El-Ashaal, a former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, told IslamOnline.net.

Egyptian and Iraqi officials said Monday that Kidnappers who seized Sherif on Saturday, July 2, have not yet contacted authorities or presented any demands.

The envoy, a father of two, was cornered by gunmen in cars while on a short trip to buy a newspaper near his home and had not been heard from since.

His white four-wheel vehicle was found undamaged near a newspaper stand...

Iraq announced last week that Egypt would become the first Arab country to give its Baghdad envoy the full title of ambassador since US forces toppled Saddam Hussein more than two years ago....

But former Egyptian ambassador to Afghanistan Ahmad El-Ghamrawi offered a different version of the abduction.

“Iraq has become an open arena for intelligence services and there is a strong possibility that Sherif was kidnapped by a foreign body to pit the Egyptians and the Iraqis against one another,” he told IOL.

He said SherifÂ’s latest post as Egyptian charges dÂ’affaires in Tel Aviv substantiate the theory that he might have been abducted by the Israeli intelligence services Mossad.

“Sherif has come to know a lot about Israel,” Ghamrawi said.

“Israel also wants to tarnish the image of the Iraqi resistance in the eyes of the Egyptian people,” he added.

The retired diplomat did not rule out a possible collaboration between the Mossad and the US occupation authorities to deprive the Iraqi resistance of the sympathy and solidarity of the Egyptian people.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:36 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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So here are the things Howie found today. Submitted for your reading pleasure. And I wish people would stop calling with problems that aren't.

Iranian VP voice of '79 kidnappers.

Bush asks for fairness on Nominee to be named as early as next week.

Also we see that a team of special forces is still missing and the Taliban claims to hold at least one. This link may die quickly.

Iran progressing backwards??

A quick reversion of hard won social freedoms seems to be occuring right after that country's election.

full Story here.

David McCullough's 1776 exerpts. David has a new book out and they are reading exerpts each morning on NPR. Sounds pretty good. 102 Minutes on radio reader so far is pretty good. I was wondering if any of Osama's friends made the book.

Apparently Nancy Pelosi has upset several boggers while this is a bit stale it may still make for a good argument.

Captains quarters has a few things to say to start us off.

Full transcript of Ms. Pelosi's interview

Congress has cut funding for developers who use the recent Supreme Court Decision to push residents from homes. Like they will need it and this does not help small enterprise as far as I can tell.

Well that call I got sure put a cramp in my plan for deep editorial opinions. You may thank them below.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone and watch those fingies. But I like things that go boom.

UPDATE: Michelle Malkin is on effin fire today!!

Good news, civilian casualties DOWN in Iraq.

Posted by: Howie at 03:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Well I've emaled Rusty again this AM. No response as of yet but maybe he will stir himself up and drop us a note later. Guest Posters have at it. I have maybe a few little items to post later. I'll try not to repeat my "OH MY GOD ITS DOWN" and post like a wild man. I think that response is due to 20 years working in DP 24/7. I've got that latest innovation a cell, phone provided by my fine employer that keeps me always on. It's just the culture. Remember the guy in Jurrasic Park trying to hack that morons password after he took the whole park down. Well that's me complete with mountian of cigarette buts. I run on Caffiene, Sugar, and cigarettes. So I get a bit wound up at times. Well except I'm not black or tall or good looking but you get the idea. If you readers have a subject think would make a good friday argument thread drop me a line.

UPDATE FROM RUSTY:

Bring out your dead!

I'm not dead yet.......

Posted by: Howie at 09:56 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Howie, Did you see the comments in the thread about the Iran President? they have a URL that says the wrong guy is being circled in the pictures displayed here. Might make for a update at least?

Posted by: dave at July 01, 2005 10:07 AM (fsJ2z)

2 Thanks dave but I just saw that Rusty seems to be updating things. Maybe he feels better and if so all I can say is. Hoooray!!!! Oh yyeeeeaaahhhhhh!!!!!

Posted by: Howie at July 01, 2005 10:12 AM (D3+20)

3 I think he's faking it. Doesn't want to blog...

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at July 01, 2005 10:21 AM (x+5JB)

4 Yeah but that's so unlike him. He must really feel crappy or be like indisposed. I worried about the guy all night. I'm kind of paranoid and he just let's me worry and worry. Bad Rusty bad.

Posted by: Howie at July 01, 2005 10:38 AM (D3+20)

5 Dave: oh yeah that is why everyone should post links. I can't be for sure myself. Even some of the hostages disagree. I do see a similarity in the pic. But also not quite certain.

Posted by: Howie at July 01, 2005 11:09 AM (D3+20)

6 Howie--I was kidding about Rusty.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at July 01, 2005 01:42 PM (x+5JB)

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Well Rusty has convinced me to try out Gmail. I have a new address there mchlhwrd@gmail.com. I have not dropped my mchlhwrd@yahoo.com but may in a few weeks. Also I see below that Rusty is sick and I've emailed but no response. So I guess he is out for the day at least. I'll put a few links that seem to be good stories for today. Pick the subject y'all like best and have at it. Also Guest Posters help us you are our only hope.

Thirteen Bodies recovered in Afghanistan 7 Missing.

Army will meet recruiting goal after slump.

Pilot violates DC airspace and causes minor evacuation.

Gaza pullout sparks unrest.

If you see a good link or story, drop it by me at either address. I will have just a smidgen of time to add a couple new threads this afternoon.

Updated: All soldiers on the transport are accounted for and all 16( revised figure) were killed

ABC news link

Posted by: Howie at 11:05 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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Ok, I'm not 100% sure how to take Porter Goss' cryptic allusions to bin Laden's whereabouts. Here's the question: If the U.S. knows where bin Laden is yet refuses to bomb his location for fear of violating 'sovereignty', then haven't we already abandonded the Bush doctrine of making no distinction between terrorists and the nations that give them refuge?

Further, let us suppose bin Laden is in, say, Iran, and the Iranians would nab him if they could but bin Laden is in an area which is not fully under government control. Would bombing said area really be a violation of 'sovereignty' if the nation is not actually in control of the area? I recall that Grotius uses just such a circumstance in his defense of just war. Further, the case of U.S. troops going into Mexico after Pancho Villa is another example.

NY Times via Polipundit (subscription):

The director of the CIA says he has an ''excellent idea'' where Osama bin Laden is hiding, but that the United States' respect for sovereign nations makes it more difficult to capture the al-Qaida chief...

''When you go to the question of dealing with sanctuaries in sovereign states, you're dealing with a problem of our sense of international obligation, fair play,'' Goss said. ''We have to find a way to work in a conventional world in unconventional ways.''

Asked whether that meant he knew where bin Laden is, Goss responded: ''I have an excellent idea where he is. What's the next question?''

Bin Laden, wanted for the 9/11 attacks, is believed to be hiding in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

My own gut feeling is that bin Laden is somewhere in Africa. I have speculated in the past that bin Laden, who is a mystical believer in his own prophetic powers, would return to the scene where his first 'vision' became a reality: Somalia. However, the recent upsurge in violence in the Western Sahara has led me to rethink that position. Al Qaeda in Iraq recently congratulated the SCMP for the expanding of their terrorist activities out of Algeria and into Mauratania. It is very possible that bin Laden, then, has found refuge with the SCMP.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:11 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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This is almost indescribably sick: "An Indian woman who was allegedly raped by her father-in-law is now being ordered by a Muslim council of community elders to marry him."

Posted by: Rusty at 01:24 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
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Apparently duct tape isn't just for fixing loose tailpipes, repairing broken glasses, or plugging up holes in the trailor roof. It's also great for making sure suicide bombers don't chicken out at the last minute.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:31 AM | Comments (23) | Add Comment
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1 "If the women don't find you handsome at least they'll find you handy."

Posted by: Editor at June 14, 2005 09:57 AM (adpJH)

2 Insh'Allah? Maybe it should be Insh'Duct Tape. If it is Duct Tape's Will, I will kill children. I KNEW it couldn't really be Allah's.

Posted by: Jeremy at June 14, 2005 10:12 AM (ssh6o)

3 Is there nothing duct tape can't do??

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at June 14, 2005 10:16 AM (JQjhA)

4 Don't forget WD40.

Posted by: Oyster at June 14, 2005 10:25 AM (fl6E1)

5 The US does the same thing. All you people who support the war in Iraq- put your $ where your mouth is, sign up and go fight it! Ohhh the silence...

Posted by: Crazy Horse at June 14, 2005 10:53 AM (h0FT+)

6 And leave you lefty wackjobs alone over here? I think not.

Posted by: Jeremy at June 14, 2005 10:55 AM (ssh6o)

7 CrAzY HoRsE...our soldiers are doing suicide missions with their hands duct taped? Show me the proof. Yeah, driving in a hummer can be suicide, but at least you aren't taped and trying to blow yourself up!

Posted by: osamabeenhiding at June 14, 2005 11:02 AM (buka0)

8 I did sign up, CrazyHorse. I served my time in service to my country. I am a veteran. I'm proud of it. Have you? What have YOU done for your country, or another human being lately?

Posted by: tremor at June 14, 2005 11:03 AM (kmBPo)

9 Hey Crazy Horse, how many seals have you saved? Whales? Spotted owls? How many oppressed little brown people have you personally rescued from whitey's clutches? How many homeless people have you personally served up a bowl of soup. How much taxes have you paid to your big goverment? How many Leftist revisionist history books have you personally written? How many corrupt corporations have you personally destroyed? None? Blowhard.

Posted by: Carlos at June 14, 2005 11:15 AM (8e/V4)

10 Rusty, a few years ago I saw an article detailing research into the uses of duct tape. It turns out that the one thing duct tape is not good for is: taping ducts.

Posted by: Anachronda at June 14, 2005 11:21 AM (xGZ+b)

11 Don't you just love how these guys say the same things over and over making the tired charge of chickenhawk, even when the post is anti-al Qaeda?

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at June 14, 2005 11:37 AM (JQjhA)

12 Hey guys, leave Mentally Unstable Equus alone.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at June 14, 2005 11:40 AM (x+5JB)

13 It's been a while since Latin, but I believe that would be Equum Insanum.

Posted by: Jeremy at June 14, 2005 11:59 AM (ssh6o)

14 Jeremy--trying to keep it vox populi.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at June 14, 2005 12:04 PM (x+5JB)

15 I personally love it when these leftards mouth off, because it's a perfect example of why freedom of speech is so great; the enemies of liberty have ample opportunity to show their true colors. Also, it's just amusing. I know we're not supposed to make fun of the mentally disabled, but damn, they make it so easy.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 14, 2005 12:41 PM (0yYS2)

16 Actually, IM...the same goes quite well to describe you. Every time I verbally pistol whip you, you're absent to reply with anything real or substantial. Instead, you embarrass everyone in here with your hardline crap. What I want to know is...why are you so damn angry and hull of hate? What has burned you?! I want to know where all of this is coming from.

Posted by: osamabeenhiding at June 14, 2005 01:14 PM (buka0)

17 By the way IM...as much as I argue, insult or debate with anyone in here...I truly don't hate anyone. Even you I would accept into my home for dinner or buy a beer for to discuss world events. I'm just in awe at how much you seem to be well spoken and educated, but completely pissed off and paranoid at the same time.

Posted by: osamabeenhiding at June 14, 2005 01:22 PM (buka0)

18 These guys taped to the cars are called assisted-suicide bombers by the military in country.

Posted by: Don Miguel at June 14, 2005 02:42 PM (+KixN)

19 I wrote: "I personally love it when these leftards mouth off, because it's a perfect example of why freedom of speech is so great; the enemies of liberty have ample opportunity to show their true colors. Also, it's just amusing. I know we're not supposed to make fun of the mentally disabled, but damn, they make it so easy." Quothe osama: "Actually, IM...the same goes quite well to describe you. Every time I verbally pistol whip you, you're absent to reply with anything real or substantial. " Now you're just high. Don't post after smoking dope, or insulation, or whatever. You have never "verbally pistol whipped" me, or anyone else for that matter. Your posts are usually borderline incoherent, and on the wrong side of the border. "Instead, you embarrass everyone in here with your hardline crap." Everyone huh? Funny that they're so quiet about it. I have heard a few tell you off from time to time though. "What I want to know is...why are you so damn angry and hull of hate?" Well, I'm not into that "love thine enemy" crap. I'd rather kill my enemy. I know it's not very warm and fuzzy, but it works like gangbusters in a war, which I've been to, and you have not. "What has burned you?!" Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that people want to kill Americans and other innocent people. I know it sounds crazy, but that sort of thing kind of upsets me. "I want to know where all of this is coming from." Somewhere between the nutsack and the trigger finger. Some call it heart, some call it guts. I don't spend much time thinking about it. "By the way IM...as much as I argue, insult or debate with anyone in here...I truly don't hate anyone." And therein lies the problem. You can't win a war without hating your enemy. I hate anyone who wants to kill me or any other innocent person. I don't think terrorists need to be understood, they need a bullet to the head and to be hanged from a bridge for the crows, and their family made to pay for the bullet and the rope. I'm a bastard if I don't like someone, though you probably already could tell. "Even you I would accept into my home for dinner or buy a beer for to discuss world events." Some have tried it, and while my table manners are of the best, most people don't want to truly discuss the harsh realities of the world. You might say I'm a little too intense for polite company during political discussion. I can clear out a room full of hippies faster than a drug raid, and I don't have to be rude to do it, just brutally honest. "I'm just in awe at how much you seem to be well spoken and educated, but completely pissed off and paranoid at the same time." Thanks for the compliment. I thought I never replied with anything real or substantial? You're all over the place. Anyway, it's not paranoia when someone is out to get you. Seen the news lately? They're out to get us. That's what I'm pissed about, and I have no time for someone who doesn't get that. You don't seem to get that. I'd rather that the most important news items of the day from Iraq could be something more mundane than suicide bombings, like maybe a new factory or school opening. I wish I could go to the local Pakistani grocery (I love Indian food, with Punjabi as my absolute favorite), without wondering who in there might be building a bomb in their basement. I really wish that everyone in the world could just relax and not want to kill or subjugate one another, but I know that will never be. So I hate those who want to do bad things. I guess that makes me crazy.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 14, 2005 05:33 PM (0yYS2)

20 In response, IM: "Now you're just high. Don't post after smoking dope, or insulation, or whatever. You have never "verbally pistol whipped" me, or anyone else for that matter. Your posts are usually borderline incoherent, and on the wrong side of the border." I don't get high. I have made some rather pointed responses to what you post to no reply from you. Wether you think that's a "chili fart" or not...I still think you're being a pussy for not responding. As far as incoherent or all over the place...I think not. I might be guilty of bad comedy sometimes, but not what you accuse me of. "Everyone huh? Funny that they're so quiet about it. I have heard a few tell you off from time to time though." Have you ever seen a room go quiet from embarrassment? I've seen more than a few accuse you of being a hard-liner. "Well, I'm not into that "love thine enemy" crap. I'd rather kill my enemy. I know it's not very warm and fuzzy, but it works like gangbusters in a war, which I've been to, and you have not." You're right I haven't been to war, and I hope I never have to kill anyone. The problem is, you're not over there fighting. You're in Tennessee talking about killing people in the streets! "Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that people want to kill Americans and other innocent people. I know it sounds crazy, but that sort of thing kind of upsets me." Same here. "Somewhere between the nut-sack and the trigger finger. Some call it heart, some call it guts. I don't spend much time thinking about it." Well, depending on what you're doing IM, some might call that your 'taint'..hehe. "And therein lies the problem. You can't win a war without hating your enemy. I hate anyone who wants to kill me or any other innocent person. I don't think terrorists need to be understood, they need a bullet to the head and to be hanged from a bridge for the crows, and their family made to pay for the bullet and the rope. I'm a bastard if I don't like someone, though you probably already could tell." When I referred to 'hate' I meant anyone in HERE...fellow Americans, regardless of left/right/up/down...not terrorists, who I agree should meet just as ugly an end as which they inflict upon others. "Some have tried it, and while my table manners are of the best, most people don't want to truly discuss the harsh realities of the world. You might say I'm a little too intense for polite company during political discussion. I can clear out a room full of hippies faster than a drug raid, and I don't have to be rude to do it, just brutally honest." Imagining that actually makes me laugh my ass off... Anyway, I'm pretty intense too. I'd be game even if you were going crazy. "Thanks for the compliment. I thought I never replied with anything real or substantial? You're all over the place. Anyway, it's not paranoia when someone is out to get you. Seen the news lately? They're out to get us. That's what I'm pissed about, and I have no time for someone who doesn't get that. You don't seem to get that. I'd rather that the most important news items of the day from Iraq could be something more mundane than suicide bombings, like maybe a new factory or school opening. I wish I could go to the local Pakistani grocery (I love Indian food, with Punjabi as my absolute favorite), without wondering who in there might be building a bomb in their basement. I really wish that everyone in the world could just relax and not want to kill or subjugate one another, but I know that will never be. So I hate those who want to do bad things. I guess that makes me crazy." No man, that does not mean you're crazy...but saying you're ready to start popping of random Muslims in your hood seems a bit extreme to me. Indian food is the bomb though, no pun-jabi intended. I take back the substantial part, but 'real' is a point of view. Still though, why aren't you in the military anymore?

Posted by: osamabeendownloadin'porn at June 14, 2005 07:03 PM (buka0)

21 Anti-AQ all the way. But you are still Chickenhawks Re-enlist Carlos, we need you on that wall,

Posted by: Jimbio at June 15, 2005 11:10 AM (HFKAk)

22 Again, in a fit of madness, osama wrote: I don't get high. I have made some rather pointed responses to what you post to no reply from you." Such as? Name one. NAME ONE. This is a tired lefty tactic of making baseless allegation and accusations, and nobody here buys it. "Wether you think that's a "chili fart" or not...I still think you're being a pussy for not responding." Not responding to what? Cites please. "As far as incoherent or all over the place...I think not." I guess the ravings of a madman make sense to the madman. "I might be guilty of bad comedy sometimes, but not what you accuse me of." Chronic incoherence and incognizance come to mind. "Have you ever seen a room go quiet from embarrassment?" So by your twisted logic, the fact that nobody says anything says something... So, black is white in your world after all. "I've seen more than a few accuse you of being a hard-liner." Please cite these instances, and by the way, I AM a hard-liner. Now let's talk about you. You get spanked on a regular basis but generally don't even respond directly. Who's the pussy? It's you. "You're right I haven't been to war, and I hope I never have to kill anyone." Don't worry, it's a job for men anyway. "The problem is, you're not over there fighting." Yep, that is a problem. "You're in Tennessee talking about killing people in the streets!" Right, and they're talking about killing us in the streets. And schools. And shopping malls. You don't read the news much do you? Me: "Somewhere between the nut-sack and the trigger finger. Some call it heart, some call it guts. I don't spend much time thinking about it." Well, depending on what you're doing IM, some might call that your 'taint'..hehe. You also don't know much about biology do you? You see... oh never mind. "When I referred to 'hate' I meant anyone in HERE...fellow Americans, regardless of left/right/up/down...not terrorists, who I agree should meet just as ugly an end as which they inflict upon others." I hate liberals, yes, with a passion. They are not fellow Americans if they support terrorism or give aid and comfort to the enemy. It's a simple concept really, and easily understood by anyone with a brain. You're either on our side or the enemy's side. Not too hard, eh? "No man, that does not mean you're crazy..." But I am crazy. It's fun, you should try it sometime. In my world, black is black and up is up. Seeing as how I'm not like most other people, that makes me crazy, right? "...but saying you're ready to start popping of random Muslims in your hood seems a bit extreme to me." When did I say I was going to do that? You really have mastered the art of selective/creative reading. "I take back the substantial part, but 'real' is a point of view." How is the concept of real subjective to point of view? What color is the sky in your world? Mine is blue. "Still though, why aren't you in the military anymore?" Medically discharged; bad back, bad shoulder, bad hip, all in the line of service. Why aren't you in the military now?

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 15, 2005 01:23 PM (0yYS2)

23 IM: Oh man...here we go again.... "Such as? Name one. NAME ONE. This is a tired lefty tactic of making baseless allegation and accusations, and nobody here buys it." There are many where I have the last word...go look at the posts yourself. Many aren't up anymore, but there are still posts in here right now which I have still to have a response from you. If you didn't see them fit to respond to, fine. The proof is in the posts. Don't accuse me of lying about it! "Chronic incoherence and incognizance come to mind." Well then, why don't YOU give me an example this time. "So by your twisted logic, the fact that nobody says anything says something... So, black is white in your world after all." No, you're probably just clearing out a discussion like you said the hippies flee the room when you open your mouth! "Please cite these instances, and by the way, I AM a hard-liner. Now let's talk about you. You get spanked on a regular basis but generally don't even respond directly. Who's the pussy? It's you." IM, I hardly think anyone spanks me in here. Most agree or find middle ground with me. The only person who ever really has beef with what I say is you. "Don't worry, it's a job for men anyway." Well, get to work then, manly man! "Right, and they're talking about killing us in the streets. And schools. And shopping malls. You don't read the news much do you?" All the time. Are people dying in malls? The streets? Schools? I think our fellow Americans seem to have that job covered. "You also don't know much about biology do you? You see... oh never mind." Actually, I know a shit-load about human anatomy. The 'taint' reference is to where you have your gun. "I hate liberals, yes, with a passion. They are not fellow Americans if they support terrorism or give aid and comfort to the enemy. It's a simple concept really, and easily understood by anyone with a brain. You're either on our side or the enemy's side. Not too hard, eh?" Well, you've labeled me a Liberal when I support the troops and hate terrorists. How does that compute? "...but saying you're ready to start popping of random Muslims in your hood seems a bit extreme to me." "When did I say I was going to do that? You really have mastered the art of selective/creative reading." IM! You are always talking about taking to the streets and hanging Muslims from lamp posts. Do I have to go find the exact line for you? "How is the concept of real subjective to point of view? What color is the sky in your world? Mine is blue." Ever try to explain what blue looks like to a blind man? That's how I feel when I'm talking to you sometimes. "Medically discharged; bad back, bad shoulder, bad hip, all in the line of service. Why aren't you in the military now?" Because I am more useful here, for one. I also have a strong urge to keep out of exploding humvees.

Posted by: osamabinpostin' at June 15, 2005 02:42 PM (buka0)

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Frequent commenter Jeremy pointed Michael Yon's website out. Yon is currently in Iraq and makes this great point in his description of the battle for Mosul:

journalist not wishing to embed with US forces is free to apply for an Iraqi visa, fly to Baghdad, and hire a car and an interpreter who can drive them around town. They can knock on doors and talk directly with people; visit hospitals, talk with doctors; stop by the side of the road and talk with shepherds; or even hang out in a village and help make the goat cheese. Iraqi people are generally polite and usually more than willing to offer opinions about what's happening in their neighborhood.

Of course, the major problem with eschewing a close military presence is the enemy's proclivity to kidnap and behead journalists whose reports portray insurgents in a negative or violent way. This puts ethical journalists in a tight spot where they have the freedom to roam but not to report the truth; whereas journalists who embed with US forces often report very negatively.

Now, here is your chance to help out. I'll just quote Jeremy's description of what is going on here. Yon describes a 5 year old little girl with a heart condition that can be treated back in the States:

The short version is, the soldiers want to help her, but are being held up by red tape. I have emailed our state's Senators concerning the matter, and thought that perhaps other readers might want to do the same.

I don't imagine myself much of a writer, but I will paste my letter below, in case anyone would like to use what I wrote in whole or in part.

Senator XXXX,

In the Isla Zeral area of Mosul, Iraq, there is a 5 year old girl desperately in need of help. Her name is Rhma Taha Ahmed and she suffers from a heart condition. In mid-May, her father flagged down a passing US Army patrol from the 1-24th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division and asked them to look at his daughter. Captain Paul Carron, the Bravo company commander of this unit, decided to take action to help this little girl get the medical attention she so urgently needs. While many American doctors have pledged money or free treatment, this young girl's chance for life is being delayed by bureaucratic snags and red tape. Senator XXXX, our great country has the means to help this young girl before it is too late. We have doctors willing to help her; we have soldiers, in harm's way in the defense of freedom and the Iraqi people, reaching out to a sick child, far above the call of duty. We have every thing we need, letÂ’s not let red tape stand in the way. Senator, you are in the position to expedite the process of bringing Rhma here for treatment. I ask that you help our soldiers and our nation demonstrate their compassion for people everywhere.

Sincerely,
YYYY

To find out your Senators e-mail address, go here.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:18 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Four bombs killed at least eight people in Iran over the weekend. The bombs went off in a predominately Arab community targetting buildings associated with the Persian dominated government. Here is the kicker: Iran is blaming a terrorist organization in Iraq that was initially supported by Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party during the long years of conflict between the two nations. However, the fall of the Hussein regime means those funds dried up.

So now that Iran is busying itself supporting the insurgency in Iraq, at least some of that money is being used for acts of terrorism against the Iranian government. Ironical.

As Ward Churchill would say: "It's just the hens coming home to roost."

UPDATE: I've found a few more articles in which the Iranians blame the US for being linked to the terror attack. After reading that I'm much more inclined to believe that elements within the Iranian government itself is to blame for the bombings in an effort to garner public support for a more hardline candidate than Hashemi Rafsanjani who leads in the polls. Yes, it's a conspiracy theory, but such conspiracies are much more likely to exist in closed societies with formal media controls such as in Iran.

Here is the article from Townhall:

Iran's fundamentalist government has blamed U.S.-sheltered terrorists for a series of bomb blasts on Sunday that killed at least nine people, less than a week before voters choose a new president...

But a spokesman for Iran's Security Council accused groups linked to the ousted Baathist regime in Iraq.

A senior national security official was quoted as blaming Arab separatists whom he said were being trained under the protection of U.S. forces in neighboring Iraq.

The official, Ali Agha Mohammadi, said British forces based in southern Iraq may also be linked to the attackers.

"We call on the Americans and the British to condemn these attacks and hand over the terrorists in Iraq. Sadly, they have so far not said anything," he said.

On April 22, DEBKA-Net-Weekly 203 lead article explored Khuzestan Arab Spring offensive and its Kurdish Iraqi backing. On May 6, DNW 204 revealed Khuzestan FrontÂ’s No. 2 leader Said Taher Naama paid secret visit to White House April 23

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Abu Musab al Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq has claimed to have taken 36 Iraqi soldiers hostage and threatened to murder them unless Muslim women are released from Iraqi jails in a series of communiques posted at an Islamic message board. The Iraqi government places the number of hostages as 22. The deadline, and the extention given in a later communique, has run out.

This type of threat is typical of the al Qaeda in Iraq group, but up until now the threat has usually been that hostages would be executed (many by beheading) if the US did not release women prisoners. This threat is indicative that the insurgency in Iraq is now between secularists in governmnet and religious fanatics who's aim is to install a Taliban like government.

In the past, al Qaeda in Iraq (formerly known as Tawhid and Jihad) has followed through with these types of threats by murdering their victims. The group, in an attempt to legitimze their crimes, first forces the victims to confess to various crimes against Islam before murdering them. A video is usually posted some time later. As soon as a video is released, we will post links and images of the crimes committed by the 'insurgents' in Iraq.

The Geo TV:

The Al Qaeda group in Iraq has said that it was holding 36 Iraqi troops hostage and demanded the government free all women prisoners within 24 hours, according to a Web statement.

The statement addressed to Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari 24 hours to free all Muslim women prisoners held in Interior Ministry jails.

The statement said the group was holding 36 National Guards after raids in Western Iraq, and not 22 as reported by Iraqi police on Wednesday.

The Sunni Muslim group, which has often abducted and killed officials and soldiers, said the 36 were being questioned about their "crimes against Sunnis".

Posted by: Rusty at 01:05 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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1 Are they still trying to get those 2 biologial and chemical weapons scientists outta jail? Man, do they ever want to find out how to use that stuff.

Posted by: Editor at June 11, 2005 02:22 PM (WUwLB)

2 Dear sir, i am very glad to write you this letter how are you by the way i want learn the Quran and orthers how to recite so i wish if you could send me some this is my address Abdul Latif P.O.BOX AS256 ASWASE /KUMASI GHANA/W/A

Posted by: Abdul Latif Ahmed at June 11, 2005 03:20 PM (sbrlu)

3 Holy Prophet, Rusty, it's Islamospam!

Posted by: Kevin at June 11, 2005 03:56 PM (pfvPv)

4 Send him a Bible.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at June 11, 2005 04:14 PM (5+YX4)

5 Of course they want their women back. How else do they expect to breed?

Posted by: Ariya at June 11, 2005 04:21 PM (IXXEm)

6 Can some one send that man a 'used' Koran, quick?!? Any old bathroom copy will do.

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at June 11, 2005 04:24 PM (JQjhA)

7 "Of course they want their women back. How else do they expect to breed?" From the looks of some of them, camels and goats will do in a pinch. The name "Ali Ba-Baaahhhh" springs to mind...

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 11, 2005 10:20 PM (0yYS2)

8 Tell me when they reach 100,000 big guy.

Posted by: Professor Peter Von Nostrand at June 12, 2005 01:35 AM (h9w01)

9 Are they still trying to get those 2 biologial and chemical weapons scientists outta jail?

Posted by: Jack at June 12, 2005 02:44 AM (b8+qf)

10 I don't believe they specifically have named any women that they believe to be in U.S / Iraqi custody? This is more like a propaganda ploy they believe the average Iraqi will be enraged by.

Posted by: dave at June 12, 2005 08:26 AM (fsJ2z)

11 Hmm, this thread got porn spam pretty quickly.

Posted by: Editor at June 12, 2005 09:41 AM (WUwLB)

12 YPB: I think that guy may already have a partial copy if ya know what I mean. editor: Yeah my Yahoo box was just loaded with phish last week. Never mind that I never ever ever read any spam except for entertainment. Attatchmets too, come one how stupid do they think we are. I'm pretty dense some days but sheesh.

Posted by: Howie at June 12, 2005 11:51 AM (D3+20)

13 News last night and this am is that 26 bodies with 3 beheaded and 23 shot were found alongside the road. Probably these guys. 26 36 still a crime. My hat's off to the iraqi's who died and their familys.

Posted by: Howie at June 12, 2005 12:19 PM (D3+20)

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Marines in Fallujah are now reporting an odd incident in which 16 American and 3 Iraqi security contractors were detained for firing at US soldiers and Iraqi defense forces last month. Some may jump to the conclusion that this is evidence of a 'shoot first, ask questions later' mentality among these paramilitary forces, but I would caution against that. Friendly fire incidents are very common in combat situations (think back to Pat Tillman), especially in places like Fallujah that have been hotbeds of terrorist activity in the past.

Still, the fact that the Marines detained the men for some time does indicate that they were, at the very least, royally pissed at getting shot at by Americans. more...

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1 I too would be royally pissed. I think I'd understand that it happens, but still, I'd be royally pissed.

Posted by: tyler at June 09, 2005 10:13 AM (Y9Lwb)

2 This clearly does not support Lefty claims that our GIs are "targeting" journalists-- not that anything usually supports Lefty claims.

Posted by: Carlos at June 09, 2005 10:15 AM (8e/V4)

3 I can't wait to hear the details of this incident. It should be interesting since I can't imagine how anyone could confuse Marines with Joe Jihadi.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 09, 2005 10:48 AM (0yYS2)

4 The account you report seems different than the report from In The Dark : http://rujournalism.blogspot.com/2005/06/us-marines-beat-us-mercenaries-in-iraq.html

Posted by: Avary at June 09, 2005 03:08 PM (75qFN)

5 Seems to me that its coming to a bad day for America when some misfits whose names cant be pronounced in english, accuse our marines in Iraq of lying and making up a story about being shot at.I honestly believe that our Marines, who are risking their lives everyday for someone elses worthless country, while ours is being taken over by their kind, fully know and understand the difference between a gunshot and a shovel and the direction from which it came. Cmon "jack". Get behind America and her troops or go home where you belong.

Posted by: bill blue at June 10, 2005 10:08 PM (crwmM)

6 Dont know what type of camel skin or pork rind they write the quran on, but Ive heard it dont make good --- wipe.

Posted by: bill blue at June 10, 2005 10:41 PM (crwmM)

7 I think that these contractors should be held responsable just like any other American serving in that country. Those contractors run around that country knowing that they are not going to be held to any fire for whatever they do! That is why there are incidents like this one. I am in full understanding that you must do what you can to survive, but to totally out of control is uncalled for.

Posted by: franpasrt at June 25, 2005 03:06 PM (Lb175)

8 I think that these contractors should be held responsable just like any other American serving in that country. Those contractors run around that country knowing that they are not going to be held to any fire for whatever they do! That is why there are incidents like this one. I am in full understanding that you must do what you can to survive, but to totally out of control is uncalled for.

Posted by: franpasrt at June 25, 2005 03:06 PM (Lb175)

9 ATTN: I am Sir Usman Belo(Esq),a Solicitor, I am the Personal Attorney to Mr.F. Harry a national of your country who was an oil merchant in Nigeria. On the 21st of April 2001, my client, his wife and their two children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama Express Road, here in Nigeria and all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has proven unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet,but of no avail, hence I mandated my secretary to search for any possible relative of my late clients in the Internet before the bank get the account confiscated or declared unserviceable,particularly, where the deceased had an account valued at about US$25.6m (Twentyfive Point Six Million United States Dollars). The bank has issued me an ultimatum notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next 21 working days. I then decided to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since my client is from the same country with you and his middle name is similar to yours , The said amount will be paid to you if you comply immediately and with all the necessary documents of the deceased in my possession it will be very easy and convient. Immediately the money is paid to you, 55% of the total amount will be for me, 40% for you, while the remaining 5% should be for miscalleneous expenses or tax as your government may require, I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make,All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law, Please, you are advised to reply immediately through my alternative direct e-mail address stated as quote:usmanbelo2007@yahoo.co.uk I await your prompt response! Best regards, Sir Usman Belo(Esq). SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA(SAN)

Posted by: Barr usman belo at June 27, 2005 09:14 AM (bbaXG)

10 You don't even know whole story of the contractors in Iraq trying to do their job. I personally know two of the contractors and know the story the marines are putting out is not true. They treated fellow Americans who also served their country in the military prior to becoming contractors like dirt. The Marines in my opinion feel they are above the law...Lets see what happens when the final truth is realved.

Posted by: shellita66 at July 02, 2005 11:24 AM (0r2lQ)

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Can you imagine a terror organization worse than Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq? The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah is such a group. These guys specialize in killing any and every Kurdish leader, Turkish truck driver, Shia cleric, and Iraqi government official.

Here is a press release from Task Force Freedom as published by the Stryker Brigades in Northern Iraq: more...

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Syria is knee-deep in the shiznick that is the Iraqi insurgency. When leftists speak of 'the right of Iraqis to resistance', exactly which Iraqis are they talking about? Are they the Kurds in the North that won't let American GIs pay for anything? Are they the Shia majority which now controls the country though its first democratic elections ever? No, says Darleen Click,

they are less the French Resistance and more representative of the German Resistance -- the Werewolves who launched attacks, post WWII, against Americans and other Germans.

In addition, much of the Iraq insurgency doesn't even involve Iraqis, but a myriad of Islamists from well outside Iraq's borders.

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This is grand news from our allies in Jordan. An appeals court has just overturned the terror funding conviction of Bilal Mansur al-Hiyari. Here's the kicker: Bilal Mansur al-Hiyari already served his six-month sentence for giving financial support to America's number one enemy Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

AP:

The Oct. 31 conviction of Bilal Mansur al-Hiyari by the military State Security Court "fell short of adequate justifications and causes," the Court of Cassation said in the March 20 ruling.

The United States has accused al-Hiyari of financing al-Zarqawi, a fellow Jordanian who leads the most active insurgent group in Iraq. Washington said in April it would freeze any assets al-Hiyari may have in the United States and was asking U.N. members to do likewise.

The court demanded a retrial for al-Hiyari, who had already served his six-month jail sentence and has been released. He is believed to be in Jordan, but his whereabouts were not known Tuesday.

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I cannot begin to tell you the depths of my disgust on hearing that Sunni leaders in Iraq are trying to negotiate a truce with the mass murderers and al Qaeda linked terrorist of the Islamic Army in Iraq.

And the Sunnis in Iraq wonder why they are being 'picked on' by the government? The very fact that any politician has open lines of communications with a group that intentionally murders hundreds of civilians, sometimes by beheading them, makes my head spin. If this guy has any knowledge of who these terrorists are shouldn't he be reporting that to the authorities?

Below the story you will find a photo compilation of the crimes of this group. Warning: Graphic images of the 'insurgency' as it truly is. You may recall that the Islamic Army in Iraq is the group that murdered Italian hostage Enzo Baldoni. But their crimes do not end there.

The Mujahidin Army, on the other hand, is likely made up of Baathist remnants and nationalist Sunni forces, and might be reasoned with. These guys are more interested in political power than in setting up the next Taliban like state.

BBC:

A prominent Iraqi Sunni politician has said that two insurgent groups are ready to disarm and begin talks with the Iraqi government.
Former minister Ayham al-Samarie said the Islamic Army in Iraq and the Mujahideen Army represented more than 50% of the resistance.

He said he began contacting the groups' political leaders five months ago.

The Islamic Army has claimed responsibility for several attacks and for taking hostages.

It was not possible to independently verify Mr Samarie's claim and the government would not comment on the matter, the Associated Press news agency reports.

The disclosure follows reports last week that Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari had opened indirect channels of communication with some militant groups, urging them to lay down their weapons.

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