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

Posted by: Rusty at 09:01 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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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...

Posted by: Rusty at 10:08 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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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...

Posted by: Rusty at 02:52 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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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.

Posted by: Rusty at 02:18 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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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.

Posted by: Rusty at 04:49 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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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.

Posted by: Rusty at 01:52 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
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******Massive Irony Alert*****Please Switch Brain Irony Filter On To Prevent Overload******

Seriously, you can't make this shit up. Al Jazeera will show clips of infidels getting beheaded by 'resistance forces' but won't run ads from PETA calling into question the handling of sheep imported from Australia because those images are just too cruel.

WND:

Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based Arab television network famous for airing images of beheadings and mutilated bodies, rejected a 30-second commercial from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals showing abuse of Australian sheep.

The sheep, raised for wool, are later shipped alive to the Middle East for slaughter. The footage shows lambs partially skinned alive during a procedure called "mulesing." Sheep are repeatedly kicked as they are loaded onto what PETA calls "death ships." Other sheep are are shown being dragged and kicked in the head as their throats are slit while other sheep watch.

Others on the ironicalness of it all: QandO, Myopic Zeal, Say Anything

Posted by: Rusty at 01:18 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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It's times like these when you wish all the horror stories about Camp X-Ray down at Guantanamo were true. At the very least let'l get a female guard to do the cavity search when he arrives. AP:

Pakistan said Monday it handed over a senior al-Qaida suspect to the United States even though he had been the country's most wanted man for allegedly masterminding two bloody attempts to blow up President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

Some Pakistani officials have described Abu Farraj al-Libbi as al-Qaida's latest No. 3 man, after Osama bin Laden and Egyptian surgeon Ayman al-Zawahri. However, he did not appear on the FBI list of the world's most-wanted terrorists, and his exact role in al-Qaida remains murky....

Because of the grave nature of the attacks, al-Libbi had been widely expected to stand trial in Pakistan. But last week Musharraf told CNN his government would turn the Libyan over to the United States. In a newspaper interview published Monday, he confirmed the handover had taken place.

"Yes, we turned Abu Farraj al-Libbi over to the United States recently, and we don't want people like him in our country," he was quoted as saying by al-Ittihad, a newspaper in the United Arab Emirates.

Musharraf's spokesman, Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, verified the comments, which were made during an official visit to the UAE.

A Pakistani intelligence official said al-Libbi was whisked out of Pakistan with U.S. officials on a plane "a few days ago." The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the clandestine nature of his job, said he did not know where al-Libbi was taken.

Earlier report on Abu Farraj al-Libbi here.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:25 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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You won't see this tonight on TV. DOD:

Tips from local residents helped Iraqi security forces rescue a kidnapping victim, seize weapons and uncover a weapons cache June 5, Multinational Force Iraq officials in Baghdad reported today.
Iraqi police from the Shaab Police Station responded to a tip and launched a raid on a local residence, where they found a kidnapping victim unharmed inside, officials said.

Four suspects were taken into custody for questioning, officials said.

In other anti-insurgent activity, an Iraqi citizen who witnessed two sacks of ammunition and weapons being dropped in a field turned the contents over to soldiers at Camp Justice.

Officials said the citizen saw a white Toyota pickup truck drop the sacks and investigated the contents. Inside the bags were 37 Iraqi hand grenades, 101 Bulgarian grenade fuses, two Spanish artillery fuses, two French 130 mm artillery proximity fuses and one heavy machine gun, officials said.

The resident transported the cache to Camp Justice and turned it over to soldiers at the gate, officials said.

Also in Iraq, soldiers with the 1st Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, acted on a tip from a civilian and uncovered a weapons cache consisting of 20 122mm rockets.

No injuries or damages were reported during the incidents.

The Iraqi government announced Monday it detained nearly 900 suspected militants and set up more than 800 checkpoints in a two-week sweep that appears to have somewhat blunted attacks in the capital. ...

The latest figures released from Operation Lightning, which began May 22 in Baghdad, included at least 887 arrests and the establishment around Baghdad of 608 mobile and 194 permanent checkpoints. Also, 38 weapon stores were raided.

The operation is the biggest Iraqi-led offensive since Saddam's ouster two years ago. Before it began, authorities controlled only eight of Baghdad's 23 entrances. Now all are under government control.

Posted by: Rusty at 04:51 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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When is the US government going to get serious with these fascists? It's important to note that these men were arrested for practicing their faith, which is prohibited in the Kingdom. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 10:32 AM | Comments (26) | Add Comment
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1 See? No comments. Nobody's shocked. Where's AI on this?

Posted by: Oyster at June 02, 2005 01:36 PM (fl6E1)

2 On other news: Finns arrest Satanists for practising their religion on Christian burial ground. I'm shocked! They weren't allowed to show off their religion by prancing around the area Christians consider their own. Don't say it's not the same thing, it is to Muslims, who now show-off minority religions are only trouble

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 01:49 PM (lGolT)

3 Darn, 'know', not now...

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 01:50 PM (lGolT)

4 So Christianity is a minority show off religion?? Also a law here not to be in a graveyard after dark (although it never stopped me & my sugar). Keeps down teenage pregnancy. Go back to the gulag thread.

Posted by: Howie at June 02, 2005 02:59 PM (D3+20)

5 Christianity in the Middle East is as much a minority show-off religion as Satanism is in Christian world.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 03:08 PM (lGolT)

6 I now find myself sorry I encouraged you to express your opinion. Most of old testament written in Iraq (during jewish bondage there). And just where do you think the city of Nazareth is?? Not in Saudi Arabia but definately in the middle east.

Posted by: Howie at June 02, 2005 03:17 PM (D3+20)

7 Howie: You've created a Frankenstein, old boy.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at June 02, 2005 03:29 PM (x+5JB)

8 YBP: Yes and a hard headed one at that. We had a little argument on the Gulag thread as well. Can't say I'm not hard headed, But at least I don't pretend to understand Finland better than the Finns.

Posted by: Howie at June 02, 2005 03:48 PM (D3+20)

9 It is a minority religion and always has been in the Middle East area, even the Romans could convert Arabs to Christianity, and Jews have always been a minority everywhere, except perhaps in some areas in Israel, where the Palestinian populations weren't the majority since biblical time.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 03:50 PM (lGolT)

10 It is a minority religion and always has been in the Middle East area, even the Romans couldn't convert Arabs to Christianity, and Jews have always been a minority everywhere, except perhaps in some areas in Israel, where the Palestinian populations weren't the majority since biblical time.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 03:50 PM (lGolT)

11 Fine, I'll stop expressing opinions, see ya

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 03:51 PM (lGolT)

12 So what? The very essence of liberty is that individuals and minorities be allowed to practice their faith.

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at June 02, 2005 04:06 PM (JQjhA)

13 Finn: Now you know how I felt when you started dogging America. I think you should express your opinion but should you upset me I'll call you on it every time. I was so pissed I was shaking. There is a lot wrong with this country but I love it with all my heart. That is why in 2000 years we'll still be here and be far ahead of Europe. We'll go on making mistakes an learing from them. Well go on picking up the good parts of other cultures. Here everyone has worth and value to the nation as a whole.

Posted by: Howie at June 02, 2005 04:09 PM (D3+20)

14 Darn... guess I'll keep stubbornly commenting if the verybigblogboss has taken an interrest. Because when you have minority religions yuo don't approve because they are just heretic versions of something in your own religion, (active Satanists in Christianity, active Christians in Islam) you are allowed stop them from messing around in places the majority thinks are too sacred for the heretic minority to ridicule with their presence.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 04:12 PM (lGolT)

15 Am I going to be the next one all rightist team up against now that greg is gone? I got a summer job and a lot of drinking, fishing, swimming and traveling to do, so I can't be as active as he was. Pick Improbulus.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 04:17 PM (lGolT)

16 You were actually so angry you were shaking? Lovely... I was getting a bit annoyed in the comment-gulag myself.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 04:23 PM (lGolT)

17 Sorry Finn I'm out of time. I'm not picking on you I was really upset.

Posted by: Howie at June 02, 2005 04:25 PM (D3+20)

18 Howie, make sure you notice how easy it was to make you calm down by making me look like a victim of censorship. (Fine, I'll stop expressing opinions, see ya)((not that it was an attempt to do so but anyway)) Even if it would be a crime against one of your collective souls main principles you shouldn't change moods that fast and easy.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 02, 2005 04:27 PM (lGolT)

19 That's because I believe in free speech. I was not calmed down.

Posted by: Howie at June 02, 2005 04:47 PM (D3+20)

20 Why not Finn thats what makes people interesting! Veeeeeeeeeery boring we would all be if our moods didnt change you should know that I thought you were 2 different people at one point because of your mood swings or maybe that was just your alter ego, A Finn ( the sober one) ;0)

Posted by: sparky at June 02, 2005 04:48 PM (F1nba)

21 Finn, you are so completely clueless regarding the history of the Christian faith that I'm completely aghast.

Posted by: SPQR at June 02, 2005 09:36 PM (xauGB)

22 SPQR: Fin just likes hanging out with the grownups. He's in over his head and doesn't even know it. Comments like "show-off minority religions", caring more about a "few arabs" than a whole population of Russians, a sense of happiness when the twin towers came down, all show an adolscent, pre-programmed mindset. And then has the nerve to smugly criticize Howie on his reaction to all that BS. When he grows up and gets out into the real world and gets smacked around a bit, he may realize what kind of nonsense he's been touting here. Maybe.

Posted by: Oyster at June 02, 2005 10:07 PM (YudAC)

23 I don't have a pre-programmed mindset and I'm just criticizing howies sudden loss of rage after the victimization. Speaking of pre-programmed mindsets, you all seem to have ones, since you always comment the same way, your comments are always on the same side of the issue and it's not fun stuff to read unless it is pointed at you as an insult. Predictable people are no fun at all. Plus Rusty seems like the only adult, some others are more like know-it-all students, perhaps at adult age, but just picking opinions and blindly sticking with them until their community at the study place changes it's mind. Sparky is always a good read though.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 03, 2005 01:16 AM (cWMi4)

24 Finn: Has it occurred to you that we "comment the same way" and are here because we feel the same way about situations? It's not pre-programmed and on occasion some of those who seem to be on the "other side" of you have actually agreed with you. If we were pre-programmed this would simply not occur. Howie did not victimize you. You dissent on so many issues with mischaracterizations and incorrect history and get called on it. That is not being victimized. In that case you have essentially made victims of most of us. So much time is wasted here correcting you every time you change the course of the subject matter with more nonsense or level insults at our opinions. I stand by my characterization of you and your remarks noted above. If you're going to let a history of what happened between your country and some Russians, long before you were born, justify your remarks about not caring about them I feel sorry for you. If you felt a sense of happiness about 3,000 innocent people dying at the hands of some madmen, I feel sorry for you. If you feel it's necessary to point out that you feel some religions, namely Christianity, are "show-off" simply by virtue of their numbers in a given area, I feel sorry for you. You've displayed an intolerance here for far more things than anyone else here and nearly all of it is insulting toward us and our country without ever having lived here or known any of us. You've taken the general anti-American stance and adopted it as your own. Nothing original there. Just exactly HOW am I to feel about you? Other than you are a "minority show-off here", I find many of your comments repugnant. I'm supposed to sit back and take it? Uh ... that would be a No. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Right or wrong. Last time I checked, we were still free to be so. But that freedom or liberty is no guaranty that we won't be offended. And that goes both ways. Personally, I feel you clarified your stance here long ago. What's the purpose of re-affirming it over and over? If we're "no fun at all" unless you can use our viewpoints as an insult, it tells me much. I have never just "picked" a viewpoint and blindly stuck with it. My viewpoints are the result of many years of facing adversity and agreement, hard times and good times, and most of all - 50 years of life experience. I have raised children, owned businesses and thwarted various and sundry catastrophies in my life and come out okay ,and I don't take kindly to someone with a summer job telling me they know what's wrong with me. And to Rusty, I apologize if I've gone overboard here. I just had to get that off my chest. I will not address Finn again in the future.

Posted by: Oyster at June 03, 2005 08:45 AM (YudAC)

25 Gee thanks guys....I'm so flattered by your support really. I'm goint to be pretty buried the next few days so I may not be out here much. I do have one thing I want to say today. I got home in time to catch the end of the News Hour on PBS. They were running in interview with the former editor of the Washington Post. Right after that they play photos of fallen soldiers who have died recently. There were 15 on there last night. In particular there were three in a row from the fine state of Mississippi. Other states as well but MS took it particularly hard on the chin and I just wanted to thank them for these fine young men's sacrafice for our country.

Posted by: Howie at June 03, 2005 09:30 AM (D3+20)

26 Oyster, my comments are usually just attempts to stir things up or simply say "No it isn't", because I have no real opinions on any of this, since it doesn't concern me and there's no point in making comments like "good for you, I don't care, see ya". If you take them personally instead of just thinking "What an immature idiot spamming with dumb ideas", I'm glad not everyone thought that yet. Ok ok you're all old people, I try not to imply otherwise. Good for you, I don't care, see ya.

Posted by: A fatwad Finn at June 03, 2005 10:37 AM (lGolT)

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While the troops have gone home, Syrian intelligence officers remain to direct Hizballah agents to do their dirty work. NY Times:

An outspoken journalist known for his writings against Syria's presence in Lebanon was killed in a car bombing in Beirut today, raising tensions in Lebanon just four days after elections for a new Parliament began.

The bomb was placed in a vehicle outside the home of the journalist, Samir Kassir, in the predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiya. Mr. Kassir's body lay slumped on one side after the blast as fire crews arrived on the scene, witnesses said. The blast shattered windows in the nearby area.

Mr. Kassir, a columnist at the Lebanese daily An Nahar, was known for his opposition to Syria's role in Lebanon. He blamed Syria for the assassination on Feb. 14 of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and railed about that country's need to pull out of Lebanon. He also led a call for the resignation of Lebanon's pro-Syrian security chiefs.

Popular demonstrations and international pressure after the killing of Mr. Hariri finally ended Syria's nearly 30-year occupation, but questions remain about whether security agents are still in the country.

In his last column in An Nahar on Friday, Mr. Kassir criticized what he said was the unwillingness of Syria's government to enact rapid change, noting that reform for the governing Baathist Party "does not mean accepting opposing views."

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