Great piece in the Times online (no not the NY or LA Times)
Muslims feel like victims. The West feels guilty. Is the world going mad? - Comment - Times Online
"To complain about unnecessary intrusions seems reasonable; to insist that profiling be carried out properly and indeed respectfully, entirely proper. But to argue, as is now common, that it is another example of harassment of and discrimination against Muslims by an increasingly aggressive and hostile State and society, is not only a bit rich. It sounds disturbing like another example of what is becoming a dangerous pathology among many Muslims — to wallow in a self-imposed and eagerly embraced status of victimhood.
This condition places the blame for every ill in their lives, in their communities, in the West and in the countries of the Middle East, on the imperialist oppression of the white man, the American and, of course, the Jew, never once stopping to consider even the possibility that their plight might be, in part at least, their own making."
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Stereotyping is leading to terror, says first Muslim Miss England | the Daily Mail
Stereotyping is leading to terror, says first Muslim Miss England | the Daily Mail
The Terrier asks: What came first, the sterotyping or the terror?
Which leads one to a new term: Terreotyping, that is, recognizing the terrorist type, which is not at all akin to the terrier type.
The Terrier asks: What came first, the sterotyping or the terror?
Which leads one to a new term: Terreotyping, that is, recognizing the terrorist type, which is not at all akin to the terrier type.
FrontPage magazine.com :: The Minneapolis Thought Police by J. Matt Barber
FrontPage magazine.com :: The Minneapolis Thought Police by J. Matt Barber
"If you’re a Christian working for the City of Minneapolis, watch your step – your job may already be in jeopardy. In what may be one of the most blatant acts of anti-Christian bigotry and discrimination by an American government agency, the Minneapolis Police Department has suspended a Police Psychologist, Dr. Michael Campion of Campion, Barrow & Associates, at the behest of leftist activists.
What was Dr. Campion’s crime? It seems that until last year he was a board member with the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), a Christian organization that advocates traditional family values. The Minneapolis Police Department admits that because of Dr. Campion’s Christian beliefs and his former affiliation with IFI, he is now under suspension pending an investigation into his beliefs."
This appears to violate the Constitution: "...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
If Campion is fired by the city of Minneapolis for his religious beliefs,with no question having been raised of wrongdoing in his work based on those beliefs, or anything else, it would appear that he is being subjected to a religious test, and has failed, based on his holding traditional Christian beliefs.
"If you’re a Christian working for the City of Minneapolis, watch your step – your job may already be in jeopardy. In what may be one of the most blatant acts of anti-Christian bigotry and discrimination by an American government agency, the Minneapolis Police Department has suspended a Police Psychologist, Dr. Michael Campion of Campion, Barrow & Associates, at the behest of leftist activists.
What was Dr. Campion’s crime? It seems that until last year he was a board member with the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), a Christian organization that advocates traditional family values. The Minneapolis Police Department admits that because of Dr. Campion’s Christian beliefs and his former affiliation with IFI, he is now under suspension pending an investigation into his beliefs."
This appears to violate the Constitution: "...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
If Campion is fired by the city of Minneapolis for his religious beliefs,with no question having been raised of wrongdoing in his work based on those beliefs, or anything else, it would appear that he is being subjected to a religious test, and has failed, based on his holding traditional Christian beliefs.
UK drama paints fictional assassination of Bush | Entertainment | Entertainment News | Reuters.com
Is this an example of media wishful thinking? Or hoping? Or planting a seed?
UK drama paints fictional assassination of Bush | Entertainment | Entertainment News | Reuters.com
British public broadcaster Channel 4 is courting controversy with what it calls a "shockingly real" drama about the fictional assassination of President George W. Bush.
"Death of a President," shot in the form of a documentary examining the assassination, will use a blend of archival footage and computer-generated special effects to portray Bush in October 2007 arriving in Chicago during an anti-war rally.
In the film, Bush is killed by a sniper, and the investigation quickly focuses on a Syrian-born man. It will air in October on Channel 4's More4 digital channel, as well as at the Toronto Film Festival in September.
"It's a pointed political examination of what the war on terror is doing to the American body politic," said More4 boss Peter Dale at a press conference on Thursday."
what the war on terror is doing to the American body politic...
I suppose that is horthand for saying its the fault of the war on terror, rather than the fault of those who are our enemies in that war.
UK drama paints fictional assassination of Bush | Entertainment | Entertainment News | Reuters.com
British public broadcaster Channel 4 is courting controversy with what it calls a "shockingly real" drama about the fictional assassination of President George W. Bush.
"Death of a President," shot in the form of a documentary examining the assassination, will use a blend of archival footage and computer-generated special effects to portray Bush in October 2007 arriving in Chicago during an anti-war rally.
In the film, Bush is killed by a sniper, and the investigation quickly focuses on a Syrian-born man. It will air in October on Channel 4's More4 digital channel, as well as at the Toronto Film Festival in September.
"It's a pointed political examination of what the war on terror is doing to the American body politic," said More4 boss Peter Dale at a press conference on Thursday."
what the war on terror is doing to the American body politic...
I suppose that is horthand for saying its the fault of the war on terror, rather than the fault of those who are our enemies in that war.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Carter and Khatami, Made for Each Other
Former president (as if we could ever forget) Carter is set to meet with former Iranian president Khatami, when he visits the U.S. next week. As former presidents go I must speak up in Khatami's favor. At least he supports the policiesof his government, eveil though they are, while Jimmy misses no opportunity to poke a finger in the ey of the U.S.
Obrador Carrying It Too Far?
It would have appeared that the days of instability in Mexican government were over. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador seems to be reayd to test that concept, by establishing a government to challengethat of the newly elected president, Felipe Calderon.
I hope the next losing U.S. presidential candidate doesn't try this, since lately,they never believe they really lost.
Coup D'Etat in Mexico? - Los Angeles Times
I hope the next losing U.S. presidential candidate doesn't try this, since lately,they never believe they really lost.
Coup D'Etat in Mexico? - Los Angeles Times
Telegraph | News | Migrants changing Britain, says race chief
Telegraph | News | Migrants changing Britain, says race chief
Put this in the "Well, duh!" folder:
Migrants changing Britain, says race chief
By Philip Johnston, Home Affairs Editor
(Filed: 30/08/2006)
Immigration to Britain today is fundamentally different from previous settlements because it is changing the composition of the nation, the head of the Commission for Racial Equality said last night.
Trevor Phillips, who provoked controversy last year by challenging the concept of multiculturalism and saying that Britain was "sleepwalking to segregation", said the social significance of the current wave of immigration was being overlooked.
More young people were arriving to compete for jobs with settled workers and a growing number of incomers were setting up their own institutions, such as churches, shops and media outlets."
Put this in the "Well, duh!" folder:
Migrants changing Britain, says race chief
By Philip Johnston, Home Affairs Editor
(Filed: 30/08/2006)
Immigration to Britain today is fundamentally different from previous settlements because it is changing the composition of the nation, the head of the Commission for Racial Equality said last night.
Trevor Phillips, who provoked controversy last year by challenging the concept of multiculturalism and saying that Britain was "sleepwalking to segregation", said the social significance of the current wave of immigration was being overlooked.
More young people were arriving to compete for jobs with settled workers and a growing number of incomers were setting up their own institutions, such as churches, shops and media outlets."
THE WILL TO WIN By DONALD RUMSFELD - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
Good for Rumsfeld; about time too.
THE WILL TO WIN By DONALD RUMSFELD - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
That year, 1919 turned out to be one of those pivotal junctures in modern history - the beginning of a period where, over time, a very different set of views would come to dominate discourse and thinking in the West. A sentiment took root that contended that, if only the growing threats that had begun to emerge in Europe and Asia could be appeased, then the carnage and destruction of World War I might be avoided.
It was, as Churchill observed, a bit like feeding a crocodile, hoping it would eat you last.
There was a strange innocence. Someone recently recalled one U.S. senator's reaction in September 1939, upon hearing that Hitler had invaded Poland to start World War II: "Lord, if only I could have talked with Hitler, all this might have been avoided." Think of that.
Once again we face the same kind of challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism.
Today, another enemy - a different kind of enemy - has also made clear its intentions - in places like New York, Bali, London and Madrid. But many have still not learned history's lessons.
We need to face the following questions:
* With the growing lethality and availability of weapons, can we truly afford to believe that somehow vicious extremists can be appeased?
* Can we really continue to think that free countries can negotiate a separate peace with terrorists?
* Can we truly afford the luxury of pretending that the threats today are simply "law enforcement" problems, rather than fundamentally different threats, requiring fundamentally different approaches?
* And can we truly afford to return to the destructive view that America - not the enemy - is the real source of the world's trouble?
We hear every day of new plans, new efforts, to murder Americans and other free people. Indeed, the plot recently discovered that would have killed hundreds - possibly thousands - of innocents on planes from Britain to the United States should have demonstrated to all that the enemy is serious, lethal and relentless...
Amnesty International disgracefully refers to the military facility at Guantanamo Bay - which holds terrorists who have vowed to kill Americans, and is arguably the best run and most scrutinized detention facility in the history of warfare - as "the gulag of our times."
(And Ted kennedy compares Abu Ghraib to Hussein's torture facilities. Terrier's note)
THE WILL TO WIN By DONALD RUMSFELD - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
That year, 1919 turned out to be one of those pivotal junctures in modern history - the beginning of a period where, over time, a very different set of views would come to dominate discourse and thinking in the West. A sentiment took root that contended that, if only the growing threats that had begun to emerge in Europe and Asia could be appeased, then the carnage and destruction of World War I might be avoided.
It was, as Churchill observed, a bit like feeding a crocodile, hoping it would eat you last.
There was a strange innocence. Someone recently recalled one U.S. senator's reaction in September 1939, upon hearing that Hitler had invaded Poland to start World War II: "Lord, if only I could have talked with Hitler, all this might have been avoided." Think of that.
Once again we face the same kind of challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism.
Today, another enemy - a different kind of enemy - has also made clear its intentions - in places like New York, Bali, London and Madrid. But many have still not learned history's lessons.
We need to face the following questions:
* With the growing lethality and availability of weapons, can we truly afford to believe that somehow vicious extremists can be appeased?
* Can we really continue to think that free countries can negotiate a separate peace with terrorists?
* Can we truly afford the luxury of pretending that the threats today are simply "law enforcement" problems, rather than fundamentally different threats, requiring fundamentally different approaches?
* And can we truly afford to return to the destructive view that America - not the enemy - is the real source of the world's trouble?
We hear every day of new plans, new efforts, to murder Americans and other free people. Indeed, the plot recently discovered that would have killed hundreds - possibly thousands - of innocents on planes from Britain to the United States should have demonstrated to all that the enemy is serious, lethal and relentless...
Amnesty International disgracefully refers to the military facility at Guantanamo Bay - which holds terrorists who have vowed to kill Americans, and is arguably the best run and most scrutinized detention facility in the history of warfare - as "the gulag of our times."
(And Ted kennedy compares Abu Ghraib to Hussein's torture facilities. Terrier's note)
Global Warming: No debate allowed
Can it be, (gasp)that the global warming gang don't want you to know theat an opposing point of view exists?
MIT's inconvenient scientist - The Boston Globe
Here's the kind of information the ``scientific consensus" types don't want you to read. MIT's Alfred P. Sloan professor of meteorology Richard Lindzen recently complained about the ``shrill alarmism" of Gore's movie ``An Inconvenient Truth." Lindzen acknowledges that global warming is real, and he acknowledges that increased carbon emissions might be causing the warming -- but they also might not.
``We do not understand the natural internal variability of climate change" is one of Lindzen's many heresies, along with such zingers as ``the Arctic was as warm or warmer in 1940," ``the evidence so far suggests that the Greenland ice sheet is actually growing on average," and ``Alpine glaciers have been retreating since the early 19th century, and were advancing for several centuries before that. Since about 1970, many of the glaciers have stopped retreating and some are now advancing again. And, frankly, we don't know why."
MIT's inconvenient scientist - The Boston Globe
Here's the kind of information the ``scientific consensus" types don't want you to read. MIT's Alfred P. Sloan professor of meteorology Richard Lindzen recently complained about the ``shrill alarmism" of Gore's movie ``An Inconvenient Truth." Lindzen acknowledges that global warming is real, and he acknowledges that increased carbon emissions might be causing the warming -- but they also might not.
``We do not understand the natural internal variability of climate change" is one of Lindzen's many heresies, along with such zingers as ``the Arctic was as warm or warmer in 1940," ``the evidence so far suggests that the Greenland ice sheet is actually growing on average," and ``Alpine glaciers have been retreating since the early 19th century, and were advancing for several centuries before that. Since about 1970, many of the glaciers have stopped retreating and some are now advancing again. And, frankly, we don't know why."
The Selling of Islam
Gates of Vienna
Gates of Vienna gets it right, again, surveying the state of education and culture illiteracy which permits Islamic influence to inform our institutions, thereby forming Western students and society to elevate Islam over Western cultures and values. That's an impossible sentence, so hop over to Gates and read the article yourself.
Gates of Vienna gets it right, again, surveying the state of education and culture illiteracy which permits Islamic influence to inform our institutions, thereby forming Western students and society to elevate Islam over Western cultures and values. That's an impossible sentence, so hop over to Gates and read the article yourself.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Gathering nuclear storm - Commentary - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
Gathering nuclear storm - Commentary - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
The Terrier is not ablove a certain amount of concern over the current state of affairs. Just read it. And maybe say a few rosaries.
The Terrier is not ablove a certain amount of concern over the current state of affairs. Just read it. And maybe say a few rosaries.
On Islamic "Conversion"
The American Thinker
Prompted by the gunpoint "conversions" of Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig:
A Long Tradition of Forced Conversions
"Forced conversions in Islamic history are not exceptional—they have been the norm, across three continents—Asia, Africa, and Europe—for over 13 centuries. Orders for conversion were decreed under all the early Islamic dynasties—Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, and Mamluks. Additional extensive examples of forced conversion were recorded under both Seljuk and Ottoman Turkish rule (the latter until its collapse in the 20th century). But the list is much longer yet. The Shi’ite Safavid and Qajar dynasties of Persia/Iran. During the jihad ravages on the Indian subcontinent, beginning with the early 11th century campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni, and recurring under the Delhi Sultanate, and Moghul dynasty until the collapse of Muslim suzerainty in the 18th century following the British conquest of India.
Moreover, during jihad—even the jihad campaigns of the 20th century [i.e., the jihad genocide of the Armenians during World War I, the Moplah jihad in Southern India [1921], the jihad against the Assyrians of Iraq in the early 1930s, the jihads against the Chinese of Indonesia and the Christian Ibo of southern Nigeria in the 1960s, and the jihad against the Christians and Animists of the southern Sudan from 1983 to 2001], the (dubious) concept of “no compulsion” (Koran 2:256; which was cited with tragic irony during the Fox reporters “confessional”!), has always been meaningless.
A consistent practice was to enslave populations taken from outside the boundaries of the “Dar al Islam,” where Islamic rule (and Law) prevailed. Inevitably fresh non-Muslim slaves, including children, were Islamized within a generation, their ethnic and linguistic origins erased. Two enduring and important mechanisms for this conversion were concubinage and the slave militias—practices still evident in the contemporary jihad waged by the Arab Muslim Khartoum government against the southern Sudanese Christians and Animists. And Julia Duin reported in early 2002 that murderous jihad terror campaigns—including, prominently, forced conversions to Islam —continued to be waged against the Christians of Indonesia’s Moluccan Islands.
Given this enduring and ignoble historical legacy, it remains to be seen whether contemporary Muslim religious authorities—particularly those within Palestinian society, and affiliated with Hamas or Fatah—will condemn publicly the forced conversions of the kidnapped Fox reporters.
Moreover, will they be joined by a chorus of authoritative voices representing the entire Muslim clerical hierarchy—Sunni and Shi’ite alike—from Mecca and Cairo, Qom and Najaf, to the Muslim advocacy groups in the West (such as CAIR in the United States, and the Muslim Council of Britain in England)—unanimous in their condemnation of this hideous practice, and formalized by a fatwa stating as much?
Will such Muslim authorities at least recognize the acute predicament of Centanni and Wiig by issuing a fatwa stating that their “conversion”, being under duress, was not bona fide, condemning in advance any Muslim who might now attack these journalists for “apostasy” from Islam?
What should be gleaned from this harrowing Gazan spectacle of non-Muslim journalists being kidnapped, imprisoned for nearly two weeks, and coerced at gunpoint into converting to Islam, while condemning their own societies?"
Prompted by the gunpoint "conversions" of Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig:
A Long Tradition of Forced Conversions
"Forced conversions in Islamic history are not exceptional—they have been the norm, across three continents—Asia, Africa, and Europe—for over 13 centuries. Orders for conversion were decreed under all the early Islamic dynasties—Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, and Mamluks. Additional extensive examples of forced conversion were recorded under both Seljuk and Ottoman Turkish rule (the latter until its collapse in the 20th century). But the list is much longer yet. The Shi’ite Safavid and Qajar dynasties of Persia/Iran. During the jihad ravages on the Indian subcontinent, beginning with the early 11th century campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni, and recurring under the Delhi Sultanate, and Moghul dynasty until the collapse of Muslim suzerainty in the 18th century following the British conquest of India.
Moreover, during jihad—even the jihad campaigns of the 20th century [i.e., the jihad genocide of the Armenians during World War I, the Moplah jihad in Southern India [1921], the jihad against the Assyrians of Iraq in the early 1930s, the jihads against the Chinese of Indonesia and the Christian Ibo of southern Nigeria in the 1960s, and the jihad against the Christians and Animists of the southern Sudan from 1983 to 2001], the (dubious) concept of “no compulsion” (Koran 2:256; which was cited with tragic irony during the Fox reporters “confessional”!), has always been meaningless.
A consistent practice was to enslave populations taken from outside the boundaries of the “Dar al Islam,” where Islamic rule (and Law) prevailed. Inevitably fresh non-Muslim slaves, including children, were Islamized within a generation, their ethnic and linguistic origins erased. Two enduring and important mechanisms for this conversion were concubinage and the slave militias—practices still evident in the contemporary jihad waged by the Arab Muslim Khartoum government against the southern Sudanese Christians and Animists. And Julia Duin reported in early 2002 that murderous jihad terror campaigns—including, prominently, forced conversions to Islam —continued to be waged against the Christians of Indonesia’s Moluccan Islands.
Given this enduring and ignoble historical legacy, it remains to be seen whether contemporary Muslim religious authorities—particularly those within Palestinian society, and affiliated with Hamas or Fatah—will condemn publicly the forced conversions of the kidnapped Fox reporters.
Moreover, will they be joined by a chorus of authoritative voices representing the entire Muslim clerical hierarchy—Sunni and Shi’ite alike—from Mecca and Cairo, Qom and Najaf, to the Muslim advocacy groups in the West (such as CAIR in the United States, and the Muslim Council of Britain in England)—unanimous in their condemnation of this hideous practice, and formalized by a fatwa stating as much?
Will such Muslim authorities at least recognize the acute predicament of Centanni and Wiig by issuing a fatwa stating that their “conversion”, being under duress, was not bona fide, condemning in advance any Muslim who might now attack these journalists for “apostasy” from Islam?
What should be gleaned from this harrowing Gazan spectacle of non-Muslim journalists being kidnapped, imprisoned for nearly two weeks, and coerced at gunpoint into converting to Islam, while condemning their own societies?"
Australia on Dishonest Reporting from Lebabnon
The press is digging its own grave and seems not to care.
"United Press International - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
"What concerns me greatly is the evidence of dishonesty in the reporting out of Lebanon," he said. He gave as examples the case of photographs of the results of Israeli air strikes being altered and the "tendency to report every casualty on the Lebanese side of the conflict as a civilian casualty, despite indisputable evidence that many of the injured from the Israeli offensive were Hezbollah combatants," Downer said. "
"United Press International - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
"What concerns me greatly is the evidence of dishonesty in the reporting out of Lebanon," he said. He gave as examples the case of photographs of the results of Israeli air strikes being altered and the "tendency to report every casualty on the Lebanese side of the conflict as a civilian casualty, despite indisputable evidence that many of the injured from the Israeli offensive were Hezbollah combatants," Downer said. "
Ahmadinejad Challenges Bush to TV Debate
From Reuters, lapdog of Islamofascism, comes this. File it in the "Oh, please" folder.
Ahmadinejad defiant, challenges Bush to TV debate | Top News | Reuters.com
Ahmadinejad defiant, challenges Bush to TV debate | Top News | Reuters.com
Monday, August 28, 2006
Rating the PMs Thatcher #1
"Margaret Thatcher was the best prime minister of the 20th century, according to a left-wing author and historian who argues that Tony Blair's aspirations to the title have been wrecked by the Iraq war."
I would choose Churchill myself, but the artcile makes good reading, and the Iron Lady would be my second choice.
Independent Online Edition > UK Politics
I would choose Churchill myself, but the artcile makes good reading, and the Iron Lady would be my second choice.
Independent Online Edition > UK Politics
Study calls Jersey a taxing place to call home
Study calls Jersey a taxing place to call home
The Terrier was born and bred in the Garden State, and still thinks of it as home. I miss many things about living there, but not the miserable governance. Why anyone believed that Jon Corzine would get a grip on taxes is beyond me. I wait with bated breath to hear how he does on corruption.
The Terrier was born and bred in the Garden State, and still thinks of it as home. I miss many things about living there, but not the miserable governance. Why anyone believed that Jon Corzine would get a grip on taxes is beyond me. I wait with bated breath to hear how he does on corruption.
Shifting Political Winds? Michael Barone Thinks So
More from the NY Sun:
Change in the Winds - August 28, 2006 - The New York Sun
"There seems to have been a change in the political winds. They've been blowing pretty strongly against George Bush and the Republicans this spring and early this summer. Now, their velocity looks to be tapering off or perhaps shifting direction...
The event this month that I think has done most to shape opinion was the arrest in London on August 9 of 23 Muslims suspected of plotting to blow up American airliners over the Atlantic.
They've been trying to kill us for years, going back at least to 1983, when a Hezbollah suicide bomber killed 241 American servicemen in Lebanon. Then they attacked the World Trade Center, the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the USS Cole in Aden — all while Bill Clinton was president. September 11 woke us up to the threat. The political acrimony of 2004 and 2005 and this year made it seem remote.The London arrests reminded us it's still there."
"Polls since the London arrests suggest what has been happening. Mr. Bush's job approval was up significantly in the Gallup Poll, usually the most volatile of national polls, and the Democratic margin in the generic question (Which party's candidate for the House would you vote for?) was sharply reduced. There was a similar trend in generic vote in the Rasmussen poll, which is ordinarily much less volatile than Gallup."
Plus,Lieberman is leading Lamont in the polls.
Hillary must now decide whether to continue supporting the war, continue recent efforts to bash it, and Bush, or take a long vacation from history until she gets new polls done.
Change in the Winds - August 28, 2006 - The New York Sun
"There seems to have been a change in the political winds. They've been blowing pretty strongly against George Bush and the Republicans this spring and early this summer. Now, their velocity looks to be tapering off or perhaps shifting direction...
The event this month that I think has done most to shape opinion was the arrest in London on August 9 of 23 Muslims suspected of plotting to blow up American airliners over the Atlantic.
They've been trying to kill us for years, going back at least to 1983, when a Hezbollah suicide bomber killed 241 American servicemen in Lebanon. Then they attacked the World Trade Center, the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the USS Cole in Aden — all while Bill Clinton was president. September 11 woke us up to the threat. The political acrimony of 2004 and 2005 and this year made it seem remote.The London arrests reminded us it's still there."
"Polls since the London arrests suggest what has been happening. Mr. Bush's job approval was up significantly in the Gallup Poll, usually the most volatile of national polls, and the Democratic margin in the generic question (Which party's candidate for the House would you vote for?) was sharply reduced. There was a similar trend in generic vote in the Rasmussen poll, which is ordinarily much less volatile than Gallup."
Plus,Lieberman is leading Lamont in the polls.
Hillary must now decide whether to continue supporting the war, continue recent efforts to bash it, and Bush, or take a long vacation from history until she gets new polls done.
Mark Steyn on Islam's Weakness
Achilles' Heel - August 28, 2006 - The New York Sun
"Here's Osama bin Laden during the post-9/11 Afghan campaign:
"I was ordered to fight the people until they say there is no god but Allah, and his prophet Mohammed.""
(Direct quote from the Koran)
"The bad news is that Islam will soon be able to enforce submission-conversion at the point of a nuke. The good news is that any religion that needs to do that is, by definition, a weak one."
Anyone still want to talk with these people?
It's a really good piece, try to find time to read the whole thing.
"Here's Osama bin Laden during the post-9/11 Afghan campaign:
"I was ordered to fight the people until they say there is no god but Allah, and his prophet Mohammed.""
(Direct quote from the Koran)
"The bad news is that Islam will soon be able to enforce submission-conversion at the point of a nuke. The good news is that any religion that needs to do that is, by definition, a weak one."
Anyone still want to talk with these people?
It's a really good piece, try to find time to read the whole thing.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Kellogg-Briand Anniversary
In the long history of human conceits, few are more notable for their failure than the attempt to end war through the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
No more war, we just won't go there anymore, so said 62 nations, who probably meant it at the time. After the horrific carnage of World War I such a pact must have seemed fitting. It was not enforced and so ended up on the scrap heap.
No more war, we just won't go there anymore, so said 62 nations, who probably meant it at the time. After the horrific carnage of World War I such a pact must have seemed fitting. It was not enforced and so ended up on the scrap heap.
Who'da Thunk IT? The UN helping Hezbollah
What did you do in the war, UNIFIL?
"DURING THE RECENT month-long war between Hezbollah and Israel, U.N. "peacekeeping" forces made a startling contribution: They openly published daily real-time intelligence, of obvious usefulness to Hezbollah, on the location, equipment, and force structure of Israeli troops in Lebanon.
UNIFIL--the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, a nearly 2,000-man blue-helmet contingent that has been present on the Lebanon-Israel border since 1978--is officially neutral. Yet, throughout the recent war, it posted on its website for all to see precise information about the movements of Israeli Defense Forces soldiers and the nature of their weaponry and materiel, even specifying the placement of IDF safety structures within hours of their construction. New information was sometimes only 30 minutes old when it was posted, and never more than 24 hours old.
Meanwhile, UNIFIL posted not a single item of specific intelligence regarding Hezbollah forces. Statements on the order of Hezbollah "fired rockets in large numbers from various locations" and Hezbollah's rockets "were fired in significantly larger numbers from various locations" are as precise as its coverage of the other side ever got."
Tell me again, why do we have a UN? I keep forgetting?
"DURING THE RECENT month-long war between Hezbollah and Israel, U.N. "peacekeeping" forces made a startling contribution: They openly published daily real-time intelligence, of obvious usefulness to Hezbollah, on the location, equipment, and force structure of Israeli troops in Lebanon.
UNIFIL--the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, a nearly 2,000-man blue-helmet contingent that has been present on the Lebanon-Israel border since 1978--is officially neutral. Yet, throughout the recent war, it posted on its website for all to see precise information about the movements of Israeli Defense Forces soldiers and the nature of their weaponry and materiel, even specifying the placement of IDF safety structures within hours of their construction. New information was sometimes only 30 minutes old when it was posted, and never more than 24 hours old.
Meanwhile, UNIFIL posted not a single item of specific intelligence regarding Hezbollah forces. Statements on the order of Hezbollah "fired rockets in large numbers from various locations" and Hezbollah's rockets "were fired in significantly larger numbers from various locations" are as precise as its coverage of the other side ever got."
Tell me again, why do we have a UN? I keep forgetting?
Steele Explains It All
Shelby Steele on White Guilt
This explains Muslim extremism as well as anything.
"If this war makes anything clear, it is that Israel can do nothing to appease the Muslim animus against her. And now much of the West is in a similar position, living in a state of ever-heightening security against the constant threat of violence from Islamic extremists. So here, from the Muslim world, comes an unappeasable hatred that seems to exist for its own sake, a hatred with very little actual reference to those it claims to hate. Even the fighting of Islamic terrorist groups is oddly self-referential, fighting not for territory or treasure but for the fighting itself. Standing today in the rubble of Lebanon, having not taken a single inch of Israeli territory, Hezbollah claims a galvanizing victory."
"Hatred and murder are self-realization because they impart grandeur to Islamic extremists--the sense of being God's chosen warrior in God's great cause. Hatred delivers the extremist to a greatness that compensates for his ineffectuality in the world. Jews and infidels are irrelevant except that they offer occasion to hate and, thus, to experience grandiosity. This is why Hezbollah--Party of God--can take no territory and still claim to have won. The grandiosity is in the hating and fighting, not the victory."
This explains Muslim extremism as well as anything.
"If this war makes anything clear, it is that Israel can do nothing to appease the Muslim animus against her. And now much of the West is in a similar position, living in a state of ever-heightening security against the constant threat of violence from Islamic extremists. So here, from the Muslim world, comes an unappeasable hatred that seems to exist for its own sake, a hatred with very little actual reference to those it claims to hate. Even the fighting of Islamic terrorist groups is oddly self-referential, fighting not for territory or treasure but for the fighting itself. Standing today in the rubble of Lebanon, having not taken a single inch of Israeli territory, Hezbollah claims a galvanizing victory."
"Hatred and murder are self-realization because they impart grandeur to Islamic extremists--the sense of being God's chosen warrior in God's great cause. Hatred delivers the extremist to a greatness that compensates for his ineffectuality in the world. Jews and infidels are irrelevant except that they offer occasion to hate and, thus, to experience grandiosity. This is why Hezbollah--Party of God--can take no territory and still claim to have won. The grandiosity is in the hating and fighting, not the victory."
Crter Speaks: Blair Compliant and Subservient: Jimmy Carter's explosive critique of Tony Blair
Telegraph | News | Compliant and subservient: Jimmy Carter's explosive critique of Tony Blair
Jimmy Carter continues to solidify his title as worst former U.S. President, ahving long ago laid claim to worst sitting U.S. President.
In his latest bitter tirade, he says:
"In many countries where I meet with leaders and private citizens there is an equating of American policy with Great Britain - with Great Britain obviously playing the lesser role. We now have a situation where America is so unpopular overseas that even in countries like Egypt and Jordan our approval ratings are less than five per cent. It's a shameful and pitiful state of affairs and I hold your British Prime Minister to be substantially responsible for being so compliant and subservient."
I hope no one either side of the pond takes this too seriously; Carter has never been right about anything yet.
I'm still trying to figure which side he is on, apart from his own.
Jimmy Carter continues to solidify his title as worst former U.S. President, ahving long ago laid claim to worst sitting U.S. President.
In his latest bitter tirade, he says:
"In many countries where I meet with leaders and private citizens there is an equating of American policy with Great Britain - with Great Britain obviously playing the lesser role. We now have a situation where America is so unpopular overseas that even in countries like Egypt and Jordan our approval ratings are less than five per cent. It's a shameful and pitiful state of affairs and I hold your British Prime Minister to be substantially responsible for being so compliant and subservient."
I hope no one either side of the pond takes this too seriously; Carter has never been right about anything yet.
I'm still trying to figure which side he is on, apart from his own.
BREITBART.COM - Kidnapped Fox News Journalists Freed
BREITBART.COM - Kidnapped Fox News Journalists Freed
Centanni and Wiig, happily are free. Interesting that the two were forced to make statements that they had converted to Islam. Check your calendars, folks. Mine says 2001. Theirs seems to be set at 1100.
Centanni and Wiig, happily are free. Interesting that the two were forced to make statements that they had converted to Islam. Check your calendars, folks. Mine says 2001. Theirs seems to be set at 1100.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Old theory, new doubt - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Single Bullet Theory Takes A Hit
Old theory, new doubt - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory studying the assassination of President John F. Kennedy have done what many thought impossible -- their research suggests that the single-bullet theory is even less credible than it seems."
Old theory, new doubt - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory studying the assassination of President John F. Kennedy have done what many thought impossible -- their research suggests that the single-bullet theory is even less credible than it seems."
Damaged people belie nostalgia - Miranda Devine - Opinion - smh.com.au
Damaged people belie nostalgia - Miranda Devine - Opinion - smh.com.au
The 60s changed everything, only it was less the Age of Aquarius than the age of self-destructive indulgence.
Read the story of the Hughes family and understand the 60s.
I a student once submitted a paper to me which purported to demonstrate how Woodstock had been the genesis, rather than a product of the 1960s. She romanticized the period and was mentored in this project by another teacher who had himself been shaped by that culture. He was the very model of excesses, none of which were admirable.The paper was a mess, and deserved the poor grade it received. The student, and the teacher were appalled, and somehow came to believe that I was somehow prejudiced against her, him or the 60s. That I suppose was apredictable outcome of 60s culture.
The 60s changed everything, only it was less the Age of Aquarius than the age of self-destructive indulgence.
Read the story of the Hughes family and understand the 60s.
I a student once submitted a paper to me which purported to demonstrate how Woodstock had been the genesis, rather than a product of the 1960s. She romanticized the period and was mentored in this project by another teacher who had himself been shaped by that culture. He was the very model of excesses, none of which were admirable.The paper was a mess, and deserved the poor grade it received. The student, and the teacher were appalled, and somehow came to believe that I was somehow prejudiced against her, him or the 60s. That I suppose was apredictable outcome of 60s culture.
America's Muslims Aren't as Assimilated as You Think
America's Muslims Aren't as Assimilated as You Think
This from the WaPo. If the picture we're getting is wrong, why doesn't the WaPo and the rest of the MSM correct it?
Lucky for me I don't rely on mainstream media, therefore I don't have this "assimilated-Muslim" image in my mind.
Of course, the WaPo finds any fault here to be America's.
"It is too soon to say where the growing alienation of American Muslims will lead, but it seems clear that the factors contributing to it will endure. U.S. foreign policy persists in dividing Muslim and Western societies, making it harder still for Americans to realize that there is a difference between their Muslim neighbor and the plotter in London or the kidnapper in Baghdad."
This from the WaPo. If the picture we're getting is wrong, why doesn't the WaPo and the rest of the MSM correct it?
Lucky for me I don't rely on mainstream media, therefore I don't have this "assimilated-Muslim" image in my mind.
Of course, the WaPo finds any fault here to be America's.
"It is too soon to say where the growing alienation of American Muslims will lead, but it seems clear that the factors contributing to it will endure. U.S. foreign policy persists in dividing Muslim and Western societies, making it harder still for Americans to realize that there is a difference between their Muslim neighbor and the plotter in London or the kidnapper in Baghdad."
Friday, August 25, 2006
Nerves - or Something Else?
Another jet is diverted to Bangor on its way from Manchester, UK to Chicago. Maybe we are all starting at shadows, or maybe airline crews have been alerted to keep their guard up. Something's in the wind, and it ain't honeysuckle.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2006/08/25/national/a103730D30.DTL
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2006/08/25/national/a103730D30.DTL
Oceans Cooling
Well, goooolly," as GomerPyle might have said, or even, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"The American Spectator carries news that the oceans are registering cooling factors, going back say, thirty years, that are just being recognized.
"But the ocean is so vast and slow to change that it takes several decades to realize the heating caused by carbon dioxide. Consequently, a change in the rate of carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere wouldn't be noticed for 30 to 60 years, depending upon whose calculations one believes.Between the time atmospheric carbon dioxide was first directly measured, at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, in 1957, and 1975, it clearly increased exponentially. And once the ocean temperature began to rise, it did so at a constant rate.Then, about 30 years ago, something very peculiar began to occur. Since 1975, it has been impossible to tell whether the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing at an exponential or simply a constant rate.Because of the lag time required for the oceans to register the change in carbon dioxide, it may not be a surprise that an interval of cooling has been detected. The timing is about right: around 30 years.But that's just another climate change hypothesis that time will test. Be forewarned, though. As we've learned from the completely unexpected cooling of the deep ocean that began in 2003, we know a lot less about climate change than we think."
Might this be part of the inconvenient truth that we don't know nearly as much about planet change as we like to think.
Al Gore, call your office.
AMIR TAHERI About that Hezbollah Victory...
OpinionJournal - Featured Article
"The way much of the Western media tells the story, Hezbollah won a great victory against Israel and the U.S., healed the Sunni-Shiite rift, and boosted the Iranian mullahs' claim to leadership of the Muslim world. Portraits of Hassan Nasrallah, the junior mullah who leads the Lebanese branch of this pan-Shiite movement, have adorned magazine covers in the West, hammering in the message that this child of the Khomeinist revolution is the new hero of the mythical "Arab Street...
In Lebanon, the Middle East and the broader Muslim space, however, the picture is rather different."
"The way much of the Western media tells the story, Hezbollah won a great victory against Israel and the U.S., healed the Sunni-Shiite rift, and boosted the Iranian mullahs' claim to leadership of the Muslim world. Portraits of Hassan Nasrallah, the junior mullah who leads the Lebanese branch of this pan-Shiite movement, have adorned magazine covers in the West, hammering in the message that this child of the Khomeinist revolution is the new hero of the mythical "Arab Street...
In Lebanon, the Middle East and the broader Muslim space, however, the picture is rather different."
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
August 23rd
The Terrier notes that the 22nd passed without Armageddon being trigged by Iran. Nothing much came out of Iran. We all knew that the Iranians wouldn't accept the packeage of incentives in exchange for ending their nuclear enrichment program. They did get three months of more enrichment time out of the deal, and the Bush Admin has tossed a bone to potential allies in pursuing sanctions against Iran, otherwise we're back to where we were three months ago. The world has to decide whether we can tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran, and if not, what we' are prepared to do about it.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Cusack's Round Upon Things African
Please visit Cusack for a trio of Africa-related items. Will the world be outraged? Nah.
http://www.andrewcusack.com/
http://www.andrewcusack.com/
A Day for Remembrance: Joe Rosenthal RIP
The photographer, Joe Rosenthal, who took this photo on February 23, 1945 has died at the age of 93. This is one of the more reproduced photos of the war, showing U.S. Marines raising the flag on Mt.Suribachi after the bloody Iwo Jima victory.A great photo, (not photo shopped, or posed) which is the model for the Marine Memorial Iin DC. It also made famous a Pima Indian, Ira Hayes, whose struggle with the bottle would be central to a movie about his life (The Outsider, 1961; Tony Curtis as Hayes) , as well as a song by Johnny Cash in 1964 (The Ballad of Ira Hayes, written by Pete LaFarge).
"Call him drunken Ira Hayes, He won't answer anymore, Not the whiskey drinkin' Indian, Nor the Marine that went to war." RIP, Ira Hayes
BUCHANAN DECLARES: THIRD WORLD CONQUEST OF AMERICA
http://www.drudgereport.com/flashpjb.htm
“As Rome passed away, so, the West is passing away, from the same causes and in much the same way. What the Danube and Rhine were to Rome, the Rio Grande and Mediterranean are to America and Europe, the frontiers of a civilization no longer defended.”
Follow the link to read other highlights, such as:
"Buchanan warns: “The children born in 2006 will witness in their lifetimes the death of the West."One in every twelve people breaking into America has a criminal record.By 2050, there will be 100 million Hispanics concentrated in the U.S. Southwest.Between 10 and 20 percent of all Mexicans, Central Americans and Caribbean people have already moved to the United States.Every month, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehends more illegal aliens breaking into our country, 150,000, than the number of troops we have in Iraq."
In 406 BC the Rhine River froze and the barabarians waiting to enter the Roman Empire could nolongerbekeptout. Of course, conditions in the empire had been decling for some years, Roman citizens felt no duty to the empire, rulers were more concerned with persoanl gain than service to the people, the system was designed to keep the people shut out of the avenues of power and quieted by handouts (bread and circuses.)
Scary? I remember reading predictions of this sort of thing in the 1960s (porbably in the National Review, possibly by Pat Buchanan), and here we are.
If the book takes off (it will), expect the election in November to be about immigration, not Iraq, not terror (barring another attack). Similarly, the election of 2008 will be about this as well. I wonder if we have already made it impossible to counter the votes of illegal persons who are sure to impact the elections?
The Terrier echoes Hugh Hewitt, paraphrasing:
I'll support the political party which will win the war on Islamic Fascism, control the borders, reduce spending and retain (or widen) tax cuts.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
British Want to Ditch US in Terror War
Telegraph | News | Ditch US in terror war, say 80pc of Britons
"However - by a margin of more than five to one - the public wants Tony Blair to split from President George W Bush and either go it alone in the "war on terror", or work more closely with Europe."
Interesting; the British want a more aggressive war on terror, but would rather fight it alongside those who don't want to fight it at all. Where do they plan on getting the weapons necessary to fight the baddies? Is this a case of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome)?
"However - by a margin of more than five to one - the public wants Tony Blair to split from President George W Bush and either go it alone in the "war on terror", or work more closely with Europe."
Interesting; the British want a more aggressive war on terror, but would rather fight it alongside those who don't want to fight it at all. Where do they plan on getting the weapons necessary to fight the baddies? Is this a case of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome)?
Illegal Presence Battlelines in MT Laurel, NJ
I think the phrase "illegal immigration" should be put to rest. The problem is "illegal presence".
'Riverside is going to be ours'
'Riverside is going to be ours'
Mulims have a Hard Time Adjusting to Italian Culture...
...it seems that murder is seen as an appropriate remedy for wayward daughters by some Pakistanis. Possibly, such people should stay in Pakistan. How long will Europe put up with this?
Independent Online Edition > Europe
Independent Online Edition > Europe
Banfield's Nobel Club
Elliot Banfield provides the New York Sun with excellent illustrations that raise political cartoons to a new level. Here he takes on the Nobel Peace Prize. Considering the past Nobel Laureates one wonders how the Nobel Committee missed out on Hitler and Chamberlain forMunich and Hitler and Stalin for the Non-Aggression Pact. They'dhave fit in nicely with this bunch.
I Still Can't Cry Hard Enough
Five years down the road I still find this to be the most moving tribute to the victims of 9/11 that I've come across. And I still cry, but it's never hard enough.
Follow the link and give a listen; look at the faces again and remember why we fight.
http://www.cantcryhardenough.com/
Song Info
Performed By: Victoria Williams
Written By: David Williams & Marvin Etzioni
From the Album: Swing the Statue
p & c 1990 Rough Trade Records
Lyrics:
I'm going to live my life
Like every day's my last
Without a simple good-bye
It all goes by so fast
And now that you're gone
I can't cry hard enough
No I can't cry hard enough
For you to hear me now
I'm going to open my eyes
And see for the first time
I've let go of you like
A child letting go of his kite
There it goes up in the sky
There it goes beyond the clouds
For no reason why
I can't cry hard enough
No I can't cry hard enough
For you to hear me now
I'm going to look back in vain
And see you standing there
When all that remains
Is just an empty chair
And now that you're gone
I can't cry hard enough
No I can't cry hard enough
For you to hear me now
Follow the link and give a listen; look at the faces again and remember why we fight.
http://www.cantcryhardenough.com/
Song Info
Performed By: Victoria Williams
Written By: David Williams & Marvin Etzioni
From the Album: Swing the Statue
p & c 1990 Rough Trade Records
Lyrics:
I'm going to live my life
Like every day's my last
Without a simple good-bye
It all goes by so fast
And now that you're gone
I can't cry hard enough
No I can't cry hard enough
For you to hear me now
I'm going to open my eyes
And see for the first time
I've let go of you like
A child letting go of his kite
There it goes up in the sky
There it goes beyond the clouds
For no reason why
I can't cry hard enough
No I can't cry hard enough
For you to hear me now
I'm going to look back in vain
And see you standing there
When all that remains
Is just an empty chair
And now that you're gone
I can't cry hard enough
No I can't cry hard enough
For you to hear me now
MOMENT OF TRUTH By RALPH PETERS - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
"Bit by bit, the Western mood is turning from disbelief regarding the "terrorist threat" to hard-knuckled realism about extremist Islam. 9/11 taught the terrorists little of use and many wrong lessons. It may be hard for some of us to discern what's really happening, but the Islamists are resurrecting a militant, ruthless West.
The florid American master of horror fiction, H. P. Lovecraft, warned his characters, "Do not raise up what ye cannot put down." Islamist terrorists are reviving the West's thirst for blood. And this time it won't be slaked in Flanders.
Things are going to get uglier east of Suez. And we're going to win."
Let's hope he's right.
MOMENT OF TRUTH By RALPH PETERS - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
The florid American master of horror fiction, H. P. Lovecraft, warned his characters, "Do not raise up what ye cannot put down." Islamist terrorists are reviving the West's thirst for blood. And this time it won't be slaked in Flanders.
Things are going to get uglier east of Suez. And we're going to win."
Let's hope he's right.
MOMENT OF TRUTH By RALPH PETERS - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
Ben Stein Sounds the Alarm. Again.
Looking for the Will Beyond the Battlefield - New York Times
"I keep thinking, again, that if Israel, with its back to the sea, cannot muster the will to fight in a big way, then the fat, faraway U.S.A. will never be able to do it. I keep saying this and it terrifies me."
Sense is still alive among the elites. The Terrier is surprised this made it to the pages of the NYT.
"I keep thinking, again, that if Israel, with its back to the sea, cannot muster the will to fight in a big way, then the fat, faraway U.S.A. will never be able to do it. I keep saying this and it terrifies me."
Sense is still alive among the elites. The Terrier is surprised this made it to the pages of the NYT.
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism Security
While Hezbollah reamrs Kofi Annan scolds Israel for moving to prevent that. Annan would be happy to the chair out from under Israel if she hung herself. Failing that he'll make conditions for her survival ever more difficult. The Terrier never expected to see a day in which Israel's survival (long term) would be in doubt. Yet the world seems ever ready to question her right to survive, and accept Palestinian lies about their claims to the terriroty that is Israel.
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism Security: "DEBKAfile Reports: Turkey forces one Syrian, 5 Iranian arms planes to land at Diyarbakir military base
August 20, 2006, 11:47 AM (GMT+02:00)
Six Iranian ILDT type 4-cargo planes and a Syrian aircraft were forced to land at the southeast Turkish military airport last Thursday after US spy satellites spotted they were loaded with missiles, missile launchers and eight boxes of Chinese made C-802 missiles, dubbed by Iran “Nur.” "
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism Security: "DEBKAfile Reports: Turkey forces one Syrian, 5 Iranian arms planes to land at Diyarbakir military base
August 20, 2006, 11:47 AM (GMT+02:00)
Six Iranian ILDT type 4-cargo planes and a Syrian aircraft were forced to land at the southeast Turkish military airport last Thursday after US spy satellites spotted they were loaded with missiles, missile launchers and eight boxes of Chinese made C-802 missiles, dubbed by Iran “Nur.” "
Mark Steyn
World is watching as Iraq war tests U.S. mettle
"I happened to be in the Australian Parliament for Question Time last week. The matter of Iraq came up, and the foreign minister, Alexander Downer, thwacked the subject across the floor and over the opposition benches in a magnificent bravura display of political confidence culminating with the gleefully low jibe that "the Leader of the Opposition's constant companion is the white flag.'' The Iraq war is unpopular in Australia, as it is in America and in Britain. But the Aussie government is happy for the opposition to bring up the subject as often as they want because Downer and his prime minister understand very clearly that wanting to "cut and run" is even more unpopular. So in the broader narrative it's a political plus for them: Unlike Bush and Blair, they've succeeded in making the issue not whether the nation should have gone to war but whether the nation should lose the war.
That's not just good politics, but it's actually the heart of the question. Of course, if Bush sneered that John Kerry and Ted Kennedy and Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi's constant companion is the white flag, they'd huff about how dare he question their patriotism. But, if you can't question their patriotism when they want to lose a war, when can you? At one level, the issue is the same as it was on Sept. 11: American will and national purpose. But the reality is that it's worse than that -- for (as Israel is also learning) to begin something and be unable to stick with it to the finish is far more damaging to your reputation than if you'd never begun it in the first place. Nitwit Democrats think anything that can be passed off as a failure in Iraq will somehow diminish only Bush and the neocons. In reality -- a concept with which Democrats seem only dimly acquainted -- it would diminish the nation, and all but certainly end the American moment. In late September 2001 the administration succeeded in teaching a critical lesson to tough hombres like Musharraf and Putin: In a scary world, America can be scarier. But it's all a long time ago now."
©Mark Steyn, 2006
"I happened to be in the Australian Parliament for Question Time last week. The matter of Iraq came up, and the foreign minister, Alexander Downer, thwacked the subject across the floor and over the opposition benches in a magnificent bravura display of political confidence culminating with the gleefully low jibe that "the Leader of the Opposition's constant companion is the white flag.'' The Iraq war is unpopular in Australia, as it is in America and in Britain. But the Aussie government is happy for the opposition to bring up the subject as often as they want because Downer and his prime minister understand very clearly that wanting to "cut and run" is even more unpopular. So in the broader narrative it's a political plus for them: Unlike Bush and Blair, they've succeeded in making the issue not whether the nation should have gone to war but whether the nation should lose the war.
That's not just good politics, but it's actually the heart of the question. Of course, if Bush sneered that John Kerry and Ted Kennedy and Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi's constant companion is the white flag, they'd huff about how dare he question their patriotism. But, if you can't question their patriotism when they want to lose a war, when can you? At one level, the issue is the same as it was on Sept. 11: American will and national purpose. But the reality is that it's worse than that -- for (as Israel is also learning) to begin something and be unable to stick with it to the finish is far more damaging to your reputation than if you'd never begun it in the first place. Nitwit Democrats think anything that can be passed off as a failure in Iraq will somehow diminish only Bush and the neocons. In reality -- a concept with which Democrats seem only dimly acquainted -- it would diminish the nation, and all but certainly end the American moment. In late September 2001 the administration succeeded in teaching a critical lesson to tough hombres like Musharraf and Putin: In a scary world, America can be scarier. But it's all a long time ago now."
©Mark Steyn, 2006
It's My Life and I Won't Fly If They Do
Be alert, be aware, watch what's going on around you
That's the message and these British vacationers heard it and acted, refusing to board and prepare for flight until two people deemed suspicious were reomved from the plane. I expect we'll see more of this, what is certainly racial profiling at the grass roots level.
Mutiny as passengers refuse to fly until Asians are removed the Daily Mail
That's the message and these British vacationers heard it and acted, refusing to board and prepare for flight until two people deemed suspicious were reomved from the plane. I expect we'll see more of this, what is certainly racial profiling at the grass roots level.
Mutiny as passengers refuse to fly until Asians are removed the Daily Mail
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Americans growing nervous about role of Iran in terror - 08/18/06 - The Detroit News Online
Americans growing nervous about role of Iran in terror - 08/18/06 - The Detroit News Online
About time, too. It may seem as if the war in Iraq is not going as well as we'd all hoped, but as long as Americans feel safe on home ground, they're likely to vote for the party which recognizes that there's a war on. Nancy Pelosi and Harry "I've killed the Patriot Act" Reid had better not order the Bolly just yet.
About time, too. It may seem as if the war in Iraq is not going as well as we'd all hoped, but as long as Americans feel safe on home ground, they're likely to vote for the party which recognizes that there's a war on. Nancy Pelosi and Harry "I've killed the Patriot Act" Reid had better not order the Bolly just yet.
Celebrities with Sense
Radio Blogger
Follow the link to a celebrity funded ad concerning the war on terror. Nicole Kidman, James Woods, bernie Mac and Danny DeVito are signatories. Good on 'em and support their projects.
Follow the link to a celebrity funded ad concerning the war on terror. Nicole Kidman, James Woods, bernie Mac and Danny DeVito are signatories. Good on 'em and support their projects.
The Terrier Decries the Poodle
The French helped manouver a ceasefire with the prospect that a multinational force (including French troops) would disarm Hezbollah.Now the French contingent is to be a "symbolic" force of 200. Of what is that a symbol? The decline of France as a nation? The loss of French power, identity and will? The French fear of its own Islamicists? The French death wish? You get the idea.
Charles Martel is spinning.
Charles Martel is spinning.
Terriers Against Terror
OpinionJournal - Featured Article
It's "Bush's war on terror", doncha' know, just as it was Lincoln's war and Mr. Madison's war in other times. This even according to Judge Taylor, who, in declaring the "National Security Agency's warrantless wiretaps as unconstitutional" (WSJ) referreds with apparent derision to "the war on terror of this Administration." This is consistent with her being a Carter appointeee, one supposes, as is her further shot as reported by the WSJ: "Oh, and by the way, the Jimmy Carter appointee also avers that "there are no hereditary Kings in America."
"Before yesterday, no American court had ever ruled that the President lacked the Constitutional right to conduct such wiretaps. President Carter signed the 1978 FISA statute that established the special court to approve domestic wiretaps even as his Administration declared it was not ceding any Constitutional power. And in the 2002 decision In Re: Sealed Case, the very panel of appellate judges that hears FISA appeals noted that in a previous FISA case (U.S. v. Truong), a federal "court, as did all the other courts to have decided the issue, held that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information." We couldn't find Judge Taylor's attempt to grapple with those precedents, perhaps because they'd have interfered with the lilt of her purple prose."
This is, on its face a political decision, as were the words of an unidentified "analyst on ABC-TV declaring that if the Bush Administration has the decision overturned and continues to conduct the wiretaps bUsh could be impeached. This assumes that the public will give control of both houses to the Democrats in the fall elections. Perish the thought. Meanwhile the ABC host jumps on board with the Bush Administration's War on Terror as a prelude to reporting Taylor's decision. They might not want to be on board, but this Terrier says it's my war too. ABC-TV will be the first to blame Bush if there is another attack on U.S. soil.
It's "Bush's war on terror", doncha' know, just as it was Lincoln's war and Mr. Madison's war in other times. This even according to Judge Taylor, who, in declaring the "National Security Agency's warrantless wiretaps as unconstitutional" (WSJ) referreds with apparent derision to "the war on terror of this Administration." This is consistent with her being a Carter appointeee, one supposes, as is her further shot as reported by the WSJ: "Oh, and by the way, the Jimmy Carter appointee also avers that "there are no hereditary Kings in America."
"Before yesterday, no American court had ever ruled that the President lacked the Constitutional right to conduct such wiretaps. President Carter signed the 1978 FISA statute that established the special court to approve domestic wiretaps even as his Administration declared it was not ceding any Constitutional power. And in the 2002 decision In Re: Sealed Case, the very panel of appellate judges that hears FISA appeals noted that in a previous FISA case (U.S. v. Truong), a federal "court, as did all the other courts to have decided the issue, held that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information." We couldn't find Judge Taylor's attempt to grapple with those precedents, perhaps because they'd have interfered with the lilt of her purple prose."
This is, on its face a political decision, as were the words of an unidentified "analyst on ABC-TV declaring that if the Bush Administration has the decision overturned and continues to conduct the wiretaps bUsh could be impeached. This assumes that the public will give control of both houses to the Democrats in the fall elections. Perish the thought. Meanwhile the ABC host jumps on board with the Bush Administration's War on Terror as a prelude to reporting Taylor's decision. They might not want to be on board, but this Terrier says it's my war too. ABC-TV will be the first to blame Bush if there is another attack on U.S. soil.
In her Vermont town, few knew woman arrested for flight scare - Boston.com
In her Vermont town, few knew woman arrested for flight scare - Boston.com
The original reports were right, CAtherine Mayo did bring the vaseline, screwdriver, matches and a lighter on to Flight 923 from the UK to Washington on the 16th. She also:
"... caused a security scare when she passed notes to crew members, urinated on the floor and made comments the crew believed were references to al-Qaida and the Sept. 11 attacks on the London-to-Washington, D.C., flight... "
"Mayo's son, Josh, 31, described his mother as a peace activist and said she had been in Pakistan since March. She has traveled there often since making a pen pal before Sept. 11, 2001. The pen pal hasn't been allowed to visit the United States, he said."
And the predictable rant:
"In a rambling 2003 column for the Daily Times of Pakistan entitled "An American in Pakistan: A new kind of arrogance," Mayo criticized the United States. She wrote: "Once America decided that might is right, everything else became a cliche, too. When dissent is not allowed, all truth becomes predictable."
What that is supposed to mean is anyone's guess.Possibly she should have a chat with Cindy Sheehan about how to dissent more effectively. Cindy is still at large, I believe. The last refuge of dissenters seems to be paranoia. Or should that be The last refuge of paranoids is dissent.?
The original reports were right, CAtherine Mayo did bring the vaseline, screwdriver, matches and a lighter on to Flight 923 from the UK to Washington on the 16th. She also:
"... caused a security scare when she passed notes to crew members, urinated on the floor and made comments the crew believed were references to al-Qaida and the Sept. 11 attacks on the London-to-Washington, D.C., flight... "
"Mayo's son, Josh, 31, described his mother as a peace activist and said she had been in Pakistan since March. She has traveled there often since making a pen pal before Sept. 11, 2001. The pen pal hasn't been allowed to visit the United States, he said."
And the predictable rant:
"In a rambling 2003 column for the Daily Times of Pakistan entitled "An American in Pakistan: A new kind of arrogance," Mayo criticized the United States. She wrote: "Once America decided that might is right, everything else became a cliche, too. When dissent is not allowed, all truth becomes predictable."
What that is supposed to mean is anyone's guess.Possibly she should have a chat with Cindy Sheehan about how to dissent more effectively. Cindy is still at large, I believe. The last refuge of dissenters seems to be paranoia. Or should that be The last refuge of paranoids is dissent.?
OpinionJournal - Wonder Land
OpinionJournal - Wonder Land
Perhaps because The Terrier holds the degree of Juris Doctor the arguments made by Daniel Henninger of the WSJ seem to be particularly cogent. The entire article needs to be read, but these quotes give a fair summary of Henninger's conclusions:
"Over the past year the Democrats have built a political case that President Bush's conduct of the war on terror is trampling civil liberties and the rule of law. There is a list for the Bush assault on "our values": the NSA's warrantless wiretaps, Guantanamo, phone-call data mining and of course his Supreme Court nominations. "
"Even allowing for election needs, why is it not possible for the congressional Democratic Party and its Amen corner in the punditocracy and blogosphere to overcome their George Bush phobia here? They should allow the creation of a civil-liberties regime that will genuinely (not hopefully) reduce our exposure to the risks now being rolled up by the surveillance and arrests in London.
The foiling of the plot in Britain was a kind of public-policy miracle, a rare chance to rethink. The U.S. could have spent the past week with 4,000 funerals. We would have had calls for measures so stringent and draconian they would make the Bush program look like pattycake. We have none of that. But unless our politics changes, we will. "
Perhaps because The Terrier holds the degree of Juris Doctor the arguments made by Daniel Henninger of the WSJ seem to be particularly cogent. The entire article needs to be read, but these quotes give a fair summary of Henninger's conclusions:
"Over the past year the Democrats have built a political case that President Bush's conduct of the war on terror is trampling civil liberties and the rule of law. There is a list for the Bush assault on "our values": the NSA's warrantless wiretaps, Guantanamo, phone-call data mining and of course his Supreme Court nominations. "
"Even allowing for election needs, why is it not possible for the congressional Democratic Party and its Amen corner in the punditocracy and blogosphere to overcome their George Bush phobia here? They should allow the creation of a civil-liberties regime that will genuinely (not hopefully) reduce our exposure to the risks now being rolled up by the surveillance and arrests in London.
The foiling of the plot in Britain was a kind of public-policy miracle, a rare chance to rethink. The U.S. could have spent the past week with 4,000 funerals. We would have had calls for measures so stringent and draconian they would make the Bush program look like pattycake. We have none of that. But unless our politics changes, we will. "
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Vital Perspective: Total Information Blackout: Iranian Police Destroying Satellite Dishes in Tehran
Vital Perspective: Total Information Blackout: Iranian Police Destroying Satellite Dishes in Tehran
The Mullahs are making sure the average Iranian is kept in the dark.
August 22nd is five days away.
The Mullahs are making sure the average Iranian is kept in the dark.
August 22nd is five days away.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
My Way News - Congressman Helps Deliver His Own Son
My Way News - Congressman Helps Deliver His Own Son
Congratulations to Bobby Jindal and family. I'd like to see more of Rep. Jindal, preferably winning elections to high office. He speaks well and speaks sense. (Which is another way of saying I tend to share his views.)
Congratulations to Bobby Jindal and family. I'd like to see more of Rep. Jindal, preferably winning elections to high office. He speaks well and speaks sense. (Which is another way of saying I tend to share his views.)
United 923 Diverted
Details are sketchy and unconfirmed, but a United Airlines flight from Britain to Washington DC was diverted to Logan Airport in Boston, under jet fighter escort. The pilot raised an alarm after some sort of disturbance involving a female pasenger. Reports (unconfirmed) are that she had in her possession a screwdriver, a jar of vaseline and matches, and a note in two languages referencing Al Qaeda. She may just have been claustrophobic, but even if this is an innocent incident, it is disturbing that she was able to bring contraband aboard.
Again, the details are still in the realm of rumor and conjecture.
Late reports deny that the woman involved had the contraband or the note. How this misinformation came to be widely disseminated and attributed is still to be determined.
Again, the details are still in the realm of rumor and conjecture.
Late reports deny that the woman involved had the contraband or the note. How this misinformation came to be widely disseminated and attributed is still to be determined.
Gates of Vienna
A nice change-of-pace article about an immigrant who actually likes Sweden, and has assimilated to the point of changing his name and converting to Christianity. He has also joined a political party which opposes massimmigration:
"That he become an active Sverige-Demokrat [resembles the Danish People’s Party — translator] he thinks is not awkward at all.
“It is no strange or hostile xenophobic party. We only want to encourage immigrants to return to their own countries and to their roots if they are unhappy in Sweden.”
Among important election questions, Samuel Älgemalm gives prominence to the government’s sick integration policy, brutal Muslim cultural imperialism in the West, and, on the local plane, the struggle against the building of a mosque in Växjö."
Wow.
A nice change-of-pace article about an immigrant who actually likes Sweden, and has assimilated to the point of changing his name and converting to Christianity. He has also joined a political party which opposes massimmigration:
"That he become an active Sverige-Demokrat [resembles the Danish People’s Party — translator] he thinks is not awkward at all.
“It is no strange or hostile xenophobic party. We only want to encourage immigrants to return to their own countries and to their roots if they are unhappy in Sweden.”
Among important election questions, Samuel Älgemalm gives prominence to the government’s sick integration policy, brutal Muslim cultural imperialism in the West, and, on the local plane, the struggle against the building of a mosque in Växjö."
Wow.
New York Daily News - Home - Bill burns Bush
Time for Bill Clinton to Zip It
Even while the Clintons blame all the woes of the world on Bush, the Terrier can't help but wish the Clintons (yes, both of them: "If you vote for him, you get me.") had tackled at least one of the pressing issues which faced the nation and the world while they occupied the White House. Adlai Stevenson accused the nation of choosing to fall asleep for eight years when they twice rejected him in favor of Eisenhower. One is tempted to say the same of the Clintons, they took a vacation from history, napping while problems festered. Some legacy.
Time for Bill Clinton to Zip It
Even while the Clintons blame all the woes of the world on Bush, the Terrier can't help but wish the Clintons (yes, both of them: "If you vote for him, you get me.") had tackled at least one of the pressing issues which faced the nation and the world while they occupied the White House. Adlai Stevenson accused the nation of choosing to fall asleep for eight years when they twice rejected him in favor of Eisenhower. One is tempted to say the same of the Clintons, they took a vacation from history, napping while problems festered. Some legacy.
Pat Buchanan's 'State of Emergency' - Editorials/Op-Ed - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
I have not yet read Buchanan's book, and I always approach his work with some apprehension, for he says many things with which I violently disagree. Based on the reviews so far, I expect I would agre with much of State of Emergency.
The Terrier is not anti-immigrant. That would be foolish, from an economic standpoint, at the very least.
However, the Terrier does believe that every nation has the right and duty to control its own borders, so The Terrier is a proponent of securing the borders of the United States. The Terrier further believes that persons admitted to the U.S. with a view to obtaing permanent residence and eventual citizenship should be required to acclimate to the cultural, linguistic and political standards of the United States. This would include learning the history of the United States, understanding the customs and accepting equality on the same footing as native born Americans, that is fitting into the system, not expecting the system to reform itself around the customs,language and political understanding of the immigrants.
To require less would be an invitation to disaster.
Political sceinec teaches us that a nation has certain characteristics, including shared culture,language, history, defined territory and sovereignty. Admitting tens of millions of people who reject assimilation into the nation weakens the fabric of the nation.
Bah,some would say, Are you not of immigrant stock yourself? I would answer, I am, but my forebears of blessed memory who deserve my gratitude for having the courage to leave Europe and settle in the United States)did not seek to impose their language on the United States, they learned English. They observed U.S. holidays, worked hard, lived peacefully, and if they sought to change American society it was through the measured process of political participation, ie, they voted. They did not march in rallies chanting "Death to America," nor did they conspire in plots to kill U.S. residents; they did not demand that the laws they brought with them be enforced in their local enclaves; they did not consider sections of the United States to be territory stolen from their native homeland. The U.S. economic system did not provide social services. Residents, citizens or no, contributed their work, paid taxes and got by.
The United States of my ancestors celebrated assimilation, not diversity. That makes all the difference.
I have not yet read Buchanan's book, and I always approach his work with some apprehension, for he says many things with which I violently disagree. Based on the reviews so far, I expect I would agre with much of State of Emergency.
The Terrier is not anti-immigrant. That would be foolish, from an economic standpoint, at the very least.
However, the Terrier does believe that every nation has the right and duty to control its own borders, so The Terrier is a proponent of securing the borders of the United States. The Terrier further believes that persons admitted to the U.S. with a view to obtaing permanent residence and eventual citizenship should be required to acclimate to the cultural, linguistic and political standards of the United States. This would include learning the history of the United States, understanding the customs and accepting equality on the same footing as native born Americans, that is fitting into the system, not expecting the system to reform itself around the customs,language and political understanding of the immigrants.
To require less would be an invitation to disaster.
Political sceinec teaches us that a nation has certain characteristics, including shared culture,language, history, defined territory and sovereignty. Admitting tens of millions of people who reject assimilation into the nation weakens the fabric of the nation.
Bah,some would say, Are you not of immigrant stock yourself? I would answer, I am, but my forebears of blessed memory who deserve my gratitude for having the courage to leave Europe and settle in the United States)did not seek to impose their language on the United States, they learned English. They observed U.S. holidays, worked hard, lived peacefully, and if they sought to change American society it was through the measured process of political participation, ie, they voted. They did not march in rallies chanting "Death to America," nor did they conspire in plots to kill U.S. residents; they did not demand that the laws they brought with them be enforced in their local enclaves; they did not consider sections of the United States to be territory stolen from their native homeland. The U.S. economic system did not provide social services. Residents, citizens or no, contributed their work, paid taxes and got by.
The United States of my ancestors celebrated assimilation, not diversity. That makes all the difference.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Pan-Islamism challenges idea of nation state
Mark Steyn
Pan-Islamism challenges idea of nation state
"Pan-Islamism is the profound challenge to conventional ideas of citizenship and nationhood. ...The pan-Islamists do act. When they hold hands and sing "We Are The World," they mean it. And we're being very complacent if we think they only take over the husks of "failed states" like Afghanistan, Somalia and Lebanon. The Islamists are very good at using the principal features of the modern multicultural democracy -- legalisms, victimology -- to their own advantage. The United Kingdom is, relatively speaking, a non-failed state, but at a certain level Her Majesty's government shares the same problem as their opposite numbers in Beirut: They don't quite dare to move against the pan-Islamists and they have no idea what possible strategy would enable them to do so.
So instead they tackle the symptoms. Excellent investigative work by MI-5 and Scotland Yard foiled this plot, and may foil the next one, and the one after that, and the 10 after that, and the 100 after those. And in the meantime, a thousand incremental inconveniences fall upon the citizen. If you had told an Englishman on Sept. 10, 2001, that within five years all hand luggage would be banned on flights from Britain, he'd have thought you were a kook. If you'd told an Englishwoman that all liquids would be banned except milk for newborn babies that could only be taken on board if the adult accompanying the child drinks from the bottle in front of a security guard, she'd have scoffed and said no one would ever put up with such a ludicrous imposition. But now it's here. What other changes will the Islamists have wrought in another five years?
Absent a determination to throttle the ideology, we're about to witness the unraveling of the world."
Mark Steyn
Pan-Islamism challenges idea of nation state
"Pan-Islamism is the profound challenge to conventional ideas of citizenship and nationhood. ...The pan-Islamists do act. When they hold hands and sing "We Are The World," they mean it. And we're being very complacent if we think they only take over the husks of "failed states" like Afghanistan, Somalia and Lebanon. The Islamists are very good at using the principal features of the modern multicultural democracy -- legalisms, victimology -- to their own advantage. The United Kingdom is, relatively speaking, a non-failed state, but at a certain level Her Majesty's government shares the same problem as their opposite numbers in Beirut: They don't quite dare to move against the pan-Islamists and they have no idea what possible strategy would enable them to do so.
So instead they tackle the symptoms. Excellent investigative work by MI-5 and Scotland Yard foiled this plot, and may foil the next one, and the one after that, and the 10 after that, and the 100 after those. And in the meantime, a thousand incremental inconveniences fall upon the citizen. If you had told an Englishman on Sept. 10, 2001, that within five years all hand luggage would be banned on flights from Britain, he'd have thought you were a kook. If you'd told an Englishwoman that all liquids would be banned except milk for newborn babies that could only be taken on board if the adult accompanying the child drinks from the bottle in front of a security guard, she'd have scoffed and said no one would ever put up with such a ludicrous imposition. But now it's here. What other changes will the Islamists have wrought in another five years?
Absent a determination to throttle the ideology, we're about to witness the unraveling of the world."
News Of the World - Online Edition
At last a hint of sanity wafts from across the Atlantic, as Lord Stevens has a message for British Muslims:
"Blasting a passenger airliner out of the sky, killing hundreds of innocent men, women and children, is NEVER acceptable. Under any circumstances. There is NEVER an excuse."
"Muslim terrorism in Britain is based in, has its roots in, and grows in, our Muslim community. The madmen of 7/7 and other suicide bombings didn't hide among the Hindu communities, worship in the Sikh temples, recruit at Catholic churches, did they?"
And for the public at large:
"I'm a white 62-year-old 6ft 4ins suit-wearing ex-cop—I fly often, but do I really fit the profile of suicide bomber? Does the young mum with three tots? The gay couple, the rugby team, the middle-aged businessman?
No. But they are all getting exactly the same amount and devouring huge resources for no logical reason whatsoever. Yet the truth is Islamic terrorism in the West has been universally carried out by young Muslim men, usually of ethnic appearance, almost always travelling alone or in very small groups. A tiny percentage, I bet, of those delayed today have such characteristics.
This targeting of airport resources is called passenger profiling—the Israelis invented it and they've got probably the safest airports and airlines in the world."
"Plainly, Muslim terrorism isn't going away. We need to consider everything in our battle to defeat it. But that's the responsibility of all.
Not least the community where, sadly for them, it is festering."
At last a hint of sanity wafts from across the Atlantic, as Lord Stevens has a message for British Muslims:
"Blasting a passenger airliner out of the sky, killing hundreds of innocent men, women and children, is NEVER acceptable. Under any circumstances. There is NEVER an excuse."
"Muslim terrorism in Britain is based in, has its roots in, and grows in, our Muslim community. The madmen of 7/7 and other suicide bombings didn't hide among the Hindu communities, worship in the Sikh temples, recruit at Catholic churches, did they?"
And for the public at large:
"I'm a white 62-year-old 6ft 4ins suit-wearing ex-cop—I fly often, but do I really fit the profile of suicide bomber? Does the young mum with three tots? The gay couple, the rugby team, the middle-aged businessman?
No. But they are all getting exactly the same amount and devouring huge resources for no logical reason whatsoever. Yet the truth is Islamic terrorism in the West has been universally carried out by young Muslim men, usually of ethnic appearance, almost always travelling alone or in very small groups. A tiny percentage, I bet, of those delayed today have such characteristics.
This targeting of airport resources is called passenger profiling—the Israelis invented it and they've got probably the safest airports and airlines in the world."
"Plainly, Muslim terrorism isn't going away. We need to consider everything in our battle to defeat it. But that's the responsibility of all.
Not least the community where, sadly for them, it is festering."
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Wife defends phone terror suspect - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com
They were just making money; honest. Possibly they should find a new source of cash, just until this clash of civilizations has played itself out.
They were just making money; honest. Possibly they should find a new source of cash, just until this clash of civilizations has played itself out.
Raids snare British al-Qa'ida leader | News | The Australian
It is being reported that the British nabbed the #1 Al Qa'ida in Britain. A heavy sentence be upon him.
"SECURITY sources believe a man arrested in last week's anti-terror raids is al-Qa'ida's leader in Britain.
British Home Office officials say one of those arrested is suspected not only of masterminding the foiled plot to bring down up to nine trans-Atlantic airliners, but also of involvement in other planned atrocities over the past few years."
"The al-Qa'ida leader -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- acts as a suspected hub in a network of extremist groups. These include Kashmiri and north African groups based in Britain. He is linked to a second suspect, also in Britain, who has "played a major role in facilitating support for the Iraq jihad"."
It is being reported that the British nabbed the #1 Al Qa'ida in Britain. A heavy sentence be upon him.
"SECURITY sources believe a man arrested in last week's anti-terror raids is al-Qa'ida's leader in Britain.
British Home Office officials say one of those arrested is suspected not only of masterminding the foiled plot to bring down up to nine trans-Atlantic airliners, but also of involvement in other planned atrocities over the past few years."
"The al-Qa'ida leader -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- acts as a suspected hub in a network of extremist groups. These include Kashmiri and north African groups based in Britain. He is linked to a second suspect, also in Britain, who has "played a major role in facilitating support for the Iraq jihad"."
LESSONS SO FAR By RALPH PETERS - New York Post Online Edition: Postopinion
The Terrier asks: Has any one learned these lessons, or will it be business as usual?
The Terrier asks: Has any one learned these lessons, or will it be business as usual?
Stephen Morris: It is Islamic fascism | Opinion | The Australian
"Yet for those with a respect for history and intellectual clarity, the term has a more precise meaning. It refers to a revolutionary political mass movement or regime that aims to achieve national greatness by radically transforming political and social life with totalitarian rule and by a policy of imperial expansion. Fascist ideology is reactionary in that it aspires to re-create a mythical past."
David E. Sanger over at the NYT should read every word; he may learn something.
"By now it should be patently clear that we in the West are at war with a hydra-headed and barbaric enemy that has not a shred of humanity and relishes the bloodletting of tens of thousands of innocents, including other Muslims. It is at least as brutal as the Nazis and communist enemies we have faced in the past. Although radical Islam is not militarily as powerful as Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, it has the huge strategic advantage of suicide bombing, which is immune to deterrence.
Should any of its constituent elements -- the Iranian Government or al-Qa'ida -- acquire nuclear weapons, it will likely attempt genocide against Israel and create devastation in the West of an unprecedented kind."
"Yet for those with a respect for history and intellectual clarity, the term has a more precise meaning. It refers to a revolutionary political mass movement or regime that aims to achieve national greatness by radically transforming political and social life with totalitarian rule and by a policy of imperial expansion. Fascist ideology is reactionary in that it aspires to re-create a mythical past."
David E. Sanger over at the NYT should read every word; he may learn something.
"By now it should be patently clear that we in the West are at war with a hydra-headed and barbaric enemy that has not a shred of humanity and relishes the bloodletting of tens of thousands of innocents, including other Muslims. It is at least as brutal as the Nazis and communist enemies we have faced in the past. Although radical Islam is not militarily as powerful as Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, it has the huge strategic advantage of suicide bombing, which is immune to deterrence.
Should any of its constituent elements -- the Iranian Government or al-Qa'ida -- acquire nuclear weapons, it will likely attempt genocide against Israel and create devastation in the West of an unprecedented kind."
Telegraph | News | Diplomat exposes Britain's Ministry of Silly Talk
"During a talk in Bangkok entitled The Influence of Monty Python on British Foreign Policy, the ambassador, David Fall, said: "There is nothing more silly than international conferences."
"He said he believed that the reactions of countries to the 1970s television comedy series were a reliable guide to their true nature.
"The leaders of Iran and North Korea perhaps lack a certain sense of humour," said Mr Fall, who is due to retire next year after a 30-year career, which has included postings in Thailand, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam.
"The ultimate test should be this: is a country or a government sure enough of itself to allow others to poke fun at it without launching a nuclear attack?
"Such people, I suggest, should not be allowed unrestricted access to nuclear power. Any country with the words 'people's democratic' in the title tends to be definitely unfunny."
A happy glint of humor in grim times.
"During a talk in Bangkok entitled The Influence of Monty Python on British Foreign Policy, the ambassador, David Fall, said: "There is nothing more silly than international conferences."
"He said he believed that the reactions of countries to the 1970s television comedy series were a reliable guide to their true nature.
"The leaders of Iran and North Korea perhaps lack a certain sense of humour," said Mr Fall, who is due to retire next year after a 30-year career, which has included postings in Thailand, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam.
"The ultimate test should be this: is a country or a government sure enough of itself to allow others to poke fun at it without launching a nuclear attack?
"Such people, I suggest, should not be allowed unrestricted access to nuclear power. Any country with the words 'people's democratic' in the title tends to be definitely unfunny."
A happy glint of humor in grim times.
Let the devil take tomorrow - Haaretz - Israel News
An interesting spot-on analysis of Israel's realloss in the current war, and why Olmert and crew should pay the political price for incompetent leadership.
An interesting spot-on analysis of Israel's realloss in the current war, and why Olmert and crew should pay the political price for incompetent leadership.
Does Calling It Jihad Make It So? - New York Times
Does calling it a jihad make it so, asks David Sanger, in another remarkably unhelpful article in the "newspaper of errors", er, "record".
Let me be biref: Yes, David,I'm afraid it does. Especially since there is no divergence of opinion on that score between Bush and the jihadis.
Says Sanger:"The difference in these initial public characterizations was revealing: The American president summoned up language reaffirming that the United States is locked in a global war in which its enemies are bound together by a common ideology, and a common hatred of democracy. For the moment, the British carefully stuck to the toned-down language of law enforcement."
Might that be because British law has specific constraints on revelations and characterizations during an on going criminalinvestigation? Even if the British decide not to use the term "jihad", does not using it mean it isn't the case?
"A critical debate in America today — among political candidates and among national security experts — is whether five years of war declarations and war-making have helped to make the United States more secure. Or, even in the absence of a major attack on American soil since 9/11, has this strategy created greater danger by providing terror groups with exactly what they crave: the sense that they are a unified army of jihadists? And has the strategy radicalized large swaths of the Muslim world in ways that were not imaginable as recently as 2003?" (2003 being the date of the war to topple Saddam Hussein.)
Islam was born with a sword of conquest in hand, and when it has been laid aside it has because of weakness or complacency, not peaceful urges. Islam is in an expansionist phase again, and our war against them can be faulted only for being too timid. George Bush has been loath to speak of Islam as the problem, speaking instead, time and again of a vague "terror." That softsoap attitude did not deter jihads,nor make them more mild. The radicalization comes from the imams in the mosques, not the President in the White House.
Does calling it a jihad make it so, asks David Sanger, in another remarkably unhelpful article in the "newspaper of errors", er, "record".
Let me be biref: Yes, David,I'm afraid it does. Especially since there is no divergence of opinion on that score between Bush and the jihadis.
Says Sanger:"The difference in these initial public characterizations was revealing: The American president summoned up language reaffirming that the United States is locked in a global war in which its enemies are bound together by a common ideology, and a common hatred of democracy. For the moment, the British carefully stuck to the toned-down language of law enforcement."
Might that be because British law has specific constraints on revelations and characterizations during an on going criminalinvestigation? Even if the British decide not to use the term "jihad", does not using it mean it isn't the case?
"A critical debate in America today — among political candidates and among national security experts — is whether five years of war declarations and war-making have helped to make the United States more secure. Or, even in the absence of a major attack on American soil since 9/11, has this strategy created greater danger by providing terror groups with exactly what they crave: the sense that they are a unified army of jihadists? And has the strategy radicalized large swaths of the Muslim world in ways that were not imaginable as recently as 2003?" (2003 being the date of the war to topple Saddam Hussein.)
Islam was born with a sword of conquest in hand, and when it has been laid aside it has because of weakness or complacency, not peaceful urges. Islam is in an expansionist phase again, and our war against them can be faulted only for being too timid. George Bush has been loath to speak of Islam as the problem, speaking instead, time and again of a vague "terror." That softsoap attitude did not deter jihads,nor make them more mild. The radicalization comes from the imams in the mosques, not the President in the White House.
Are we Going Wobbly in the Face of Islamofascism?
"Ahmed Barakat, a member of Hizbullah's central council, said in an interview to Qatari newspaper al-Watan that "Today Arab and Muslim society is reasonably certain that the defeat of Israel is possible and that countdown to the disappearance of the Zionist entity in the region has begun."
If the cease-fire resolution turns out to be as bad as it seems at this point, we will be looking at a mcuh worse war in 6 months. The Muslim world has scented Israeli blood and will only want more. God help us all.
Hezbollah Crows
"Ahmed Barakat, a member of Hizbullah's central council, said in an interview to Qatari newspaper al-Watan that "Today Arab and Muslim society is reasonably certain that the defeat of Israel is possible and that countdown to the disappearance of the Zionist entity in the region has begun."
If the cease-fire resolution turns out to be as bad as it seems at this point, we will be looking at a mcuh worse war in 6 months. The Muslim world has scented Israeli blood and will only want more. God help us all.
Hezbollah Crows
Saturday, August 12, 2006
A Lesson on Terrorism from Harold the Saxon
From the American Thinker comes a lesson on history and adviceon fighting terror.
From the American Thinker comes a lesson on history and adviceon fighting terror.
It All Comes Down to Roundhead or Cavalier
I'm not sure I agree (being a Cavalier sympathizer, myself) but interesting nonetheless. I've posted several paragraphs, but urge you to read it all:
"Telegraph | Opinion | When we question Israel, we question democracy itself: "Israel is more than a country; it is an archetype. The Jewish state is the supreme embodiment of the national principle: of the desire of every people to have their own state. For 2,000 years, Jews were scattered and stateless, but they never lost their aspiration for a national home - 'next year in Jerusalem', as the traditional toast had it. That they have fulfilled that aspiration delights Euro-sceptics, but unsettles Euro-enthusiasts, who believe that national loyalties are arbitrary and anachronistic.
Then there is the question of whether Britain belongs with Europe or with the Anglosphere. Europhiles understandably want to align our stance with that of the EU, which refuses to list Hizbollah as a terrorist organisation, and sees a degree of equivalence between the paramilitaries and the Israeli Defence Force. The English-speaking democracies, by contrast, are not shy about taking sides. Lining up with George W. Bush and Tony Blair are the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, who says that Israel's response is "measured" - despite the accidental killing of several Canadian UN peacekeepers - and his Australian counterpart, John Howard, who has told his Muslim leaders that nothing should stand in the way of disarming Hizbollah.
The Euro-sceptic/Zionist Conservatives are heirs to the Roundheads. They believe in democracy, however messy its outcomes. They distrust elites and their opinions, and want power devolved to the lowest practicable level.
The Euro-enthusiast/Arabists are Cavaliers. They think that democracy sometimes needs to be tempered by good sense, order and seemliness, and worry lest the wisdom of generations be overturned by a transient popular majority.
The Roundhead is philo-Semitic: it was Cromwell himself who brought Jews back to England. When he looks at the Middle East, his sympathy - in the literal sense of fellow-feeling - is with Israel, a state that, even while fighting for its survival, has retained a boisterous parliamentary system, a free press and independent courts."
I'm not sure I agree (being a Cavalier sympathizer, myself) but interesting nonetheless. I've posted several paragraphs, but urge you to read it all:
"Telegraph | Opinion | When we question Israel, we question democracy itself: "Israel is more than a country; it is an archetype. The Jewish state is the supreme embodiment of the national principle: of the desire of every people to have their own state. For 2,000 years, Jews were scattered and stateless, but they never lost their aspiration for a national home - 'next year in Jerusalem', as the traditional toast had it. That they have fulfilled that aspiration delights Euro-sceptics, but unsettles Euro-enthusiasts, who believe that national loyalties are arbitrary and anachronistic.
Then there is the question of whether Britain belongs with Europe or with the Anglosphere. Europhiles understandably want to align our stance with that of the EU, which refuses to list Hizbollah as a terrorist organisation, and sees a degree of equivalence between the paramilitaries and the Israeli Defence Force. The English-speaking democracies, by contrast, are not shy about taking sides. Lining up with George W. Bush and Tony Blair are the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, who says that Israel's response is "measured" - despite the accidental killing of several Canadian UN peacekeepers - and his Australian counterpart, John Howard, who has told his Muslim leaders that nothing should stand in the way of disarming Hizbollah.
The Euro-sceptic/Zionist Conservatives are heirs to the Roundheads. They believe in democracy, however messy its outcomes. They distrust elites and their opinions, and want power devolved to the lowest practicable level.
The Euro-enthusiast/Arabists are Cavaliers. They think that democracy sometimes needs to be tempered by good sense, order and seemliness, and worry lest the wisdom of generations be overturned by a transient popular majority.
The Roundhead is philo-Semitic: it was Cromwell himself who brought Jews back to England. When he looks at the Middle East, his sympathy - in the literal sense of fellow-feeling - is with Israel, a state that, even while fighting for its survival, has retained a boisterous parliamentary system, a free press and independent courts."
Friday, August 11, 2006
Word is coming across the wires that Hezbollah is reporting their destruction of an Israeli gunboat. At the same time, the UN is drafting a resolution for a cease-fire. It would be supreme folly to end this conflict, or even pause the fighting until Israel has destroyed Hezbollah. If the terrorists come out of this thinking that they have defeated Israel, or even survived Israel's attempts to destroy them, the next round will be nastier and more fraught with peril. And there will be a next round.
The Seven Front War
At the moment that is what we are fighting, whether or not Ted Kennedy and Harry Reid admit it. If you read only one thing today read this.
Seven Fronts
If you read two things read this in case you missed it yesterday in the WaPo
Guns of August
At the moment that is what we are fighting, whether or not Ted Kennedy and Harry Reid admit it. If you read only one thing today read this.
Seven Fronts
If you read two things read this in case you missed it yesterday in the WaPo
Guns of August
ACLU Call Your Office
How is it that we found the plotters before they struck? What is so wrong with keeping a close eye on our enemies?
WSJ
"Let's emphasize that again: The plot was foiled because a large number of people were under surveillance concerning their spending, travel and communications. Which leads us to wonder if Scotland Yard would have succeeded if the ACLU or the New York Times had first learned the details of such surveillance programs."
How is it that we found the plotters before they struck? What is so wrong with keeping a close eye on our enemies?
WSJ
"Let's emphasize that again: The plot was foiled because a large number of people were under surveillance concerning their spending, travel and communications. Which leads us to wonder if Scotland Yard would have succeeded if the ACLU or the New York Times had first learned the details of such surveillance programs."
Thursday, August 10, 2006
A must read:
But when the Americans speak of freedom, we should not imagine, in our cynical and worldly-wise way, that they are merely using that word as a cloak for realpolitik. They are not above realpolitik, but they also mean what they say.
These formidable people think freedom is so valuable that it is worth dying for.
Telegraph | Opinion | Americans will die for liberty
But when the Americans speak of freedom, we should not imagine, in our cynical and worldly-wise way, that they are merely using that word as a cloak for realpolitik. They are not above realpolitik, but they also mean what they say.
These formidable people think freedom is so valuable that it is worth dying for.
Telegraph | Opinion | Americans will die for liberty
Stop Blaming Ourselves
"And for this it just won’t do to claim it’s all about bad US foreign policy. It is repetitive but necessary to point out that we didn’t start this war when we invaded Iraq. The attacks on 9/11 were planned not only before we invaded, but during a time when the US was expending extraordinary effort to try to forge a lasting settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
And if our actions have radicalised the jihadists we should remember that they are animated at least as much by our ridding Afghanistan of their spiritual brethren, the Taleban, as they are by whatever crimes the US may have committed in Baghdad.
The same applies to Israel and Lebanon. Not only is the current war the direct result of Hezbollah’s aggression, its deeper causes lie in the continued determination of Israel’s enemies, increasingly emboldened by Tehran, to liquidate the Jewish state.
Few can look at events in Iraq or Lebanon today with optimism, but it would be dangerous folly to assume, as some do, that the West should retreat, beating its breast and promising never to offend again.
Events such as yesterday’s near-miss should remind us that September 11, 2001, gave birth to a radical and dangerous new world."
Please spend some time and read the whole thing.
The first step towards defeating the terrorists: stop blaming ourselves - Comment - Times Online
"And for this it just won’t do to claim it’s all about bad US foreign policy. It is repetitive but necessary to point out that we didn’t start this war when we invaded Iraq. The attacks on 9/11 were planned not only before we invaded, but during a time when the US was expending extraordinary effort to try to forge a lasting settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
And if our actions have radicalised the jihadists we should remember that they are animated at least as much by our ridding Afghanistan of their spiritual brethren, the Taleban, as they are by whatever crimes the US may have committed in Baghdad.
The same applies to Israel and Lebanon. Not only is the current war the direct result of Hezbollah’s aggression, its deeper causes lie in the continued determination of Israel’s enemies, increasingly emboldened by Tehran, to liquidate the Jewish state.
Few can look at events in Iraq or Lebanon today with optimism, but it would be dangerous folly to assume, as some do, that the West should retreat, beating its breast and promising never to offend again.
Events such as yesterday’s near-miss should remind us that September 11, 2001, gave birth to a radical and dangerous new world."
Please spend some time and read the whole thing.
The first step towards defeating the terrorists: stop blaming ourselves - Comment - Times Online
The Terrier can't help but wonder at the jihadi fascination with airplanes. They love to fly them into buildings, crash them, blow them and all within to smithereens. (I don't know of any jihadis who can actually creat them just destroy them in various ways). Can it be that the Arabian stories of flying carpets have created a desire to soar, a fixation on air-borne activities? Just asking.
As more about the terror plot (which would have rivaled 9/11 if carried out) is revealed, I can't help but hope for word that wiretaps and following the money trail were a significant part of the undoing of the plot. Justification can be a beautiful thing, not that The Terrier is one to say I told you so.
Gore Not So Green After All
Gore
Even while Gore tells the rest of us to use a clothesline, this liver of a so-called "carbon-neutral lifestyle" continues to leave a mighty footprint on the environment, in consumption and in profiting from a zinc concession on one of his properties.
Read the article, and wonder about the inconvenient truths Gore hasn't revealed.
Gore
Even while Gore tells the rest of us to use a clothesline, this liver of a so-called "carbon-neutral lifestyle" continues to leave a mighty footprint on the environment, in consumption and in profiting from a zinc concession on one of his properties.
Read the article, and wonder about the inconvenient truths Gore hasn't revealed.
The Terrier notes that August is a month of momentous events. World War I really ramped up in August, after a slow start. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo by Gavril Princip, a Bosnian nationalist.
"What is the good of your speeches? I come to Sarajevo on a visit, and I get bombs thrown at me. It is outrageous!"
The Archduke interrupting the Mayor's speech at City Hall in Sarajevo
It was not until July 28th that Austria declared war on Serbia, and like a row of dominos the rest of Europe fell into what would be the trenches of WWI.
It was in August that the Nazis and Soviets crafted the non-aggression pact which partitioned Poland and freed Hitler from the fear of a two front war (until he felt ready to fight one).
Barely a week later Hitler sent his troops into Poland the world was plunged into World War II.
Vesuvius erupted in August, Cleopatra killed herself in August, the last Roman Emperor (Romulus Augustus) was deposed in August, marking the "fall" of the Roman Empire, Princess Diana, and Elvis, and Mother Theresa of Calcutta died in August.
I suppose the same sort of list could be compiled for each month (April is particularly interesting), but it is August, the world seems to be on the verge of something, and The Terrier can't help but think of these things.
"What is the good of your speeches? I come to Sarajevo on a visit, and I get bombs thrown at me. It is outrageous!"
The Archduke interrupting the Mayor's speech at City Hall in Sarajevo
It was not until July 28th that Austria declared war on Serbia, and like a row of dominos the rest of Europe fell into what would be the trenches of WWI.
It was in August that the Nazis and Soviets crafted the non-aggression pact which partitioned Poland and freed Hitler from the fear of a two front war (until he felt ready to fight one).
Barely a week later Hitler sent his troops into Poland the world was plunged into World War II.
Vesuvius erupted in August, Cleopatra killed herself in August, the last Roman Emperor (Romulus Augustus) was deposed in August, marking the "fall" of the Roman Empire, Princess Diana, and Elvis, and Mother Theresa of Calcutta died in August.
I suppose the same sort of list could be compiled for each month (April is particularly interesting), but it is August, the world seems to be on the verge of something, and The Terrier can't help but think of these things.
Good for France (heavy sarcasm). Let's see how far they get now that Al Quaeda has reared its repulsive head again. It is all connected, the so-called war on "terror" is a war against Islamic Fascism. We fight it with police work, intelligence gathering on many levels and in destroying Islamic fascists on the battlefield in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon. When the world recognizes that maybe we'll stop pretending Hezbollah is anything but a terorist organization, fighting a proxy war for Syria and Iran.
France Threatens To Go It Alone On Middle East - August 10, 2006 - The New York Sun
France Threatens To Go It Alone On Middle East - August 10, 2006 - The New York Sun
Sky News: Air Chaos After Terror Plot Disrupted
Sky reports that the liquid explosives are speculated to have been mixed in flight. The Terrier suspects even if someone were to be asked by security officers to ingest some of the material prior to boarding they could have done so without becoming immedaitely ill. They would expect they'd be dying soon anyway.
O villainy! Ho! let the door be lock'd. Treachery! seek it out. (Shakespeare, Hamlet)
Had the nefarious plot succeeded it would, in words of British officials, resulted in mass murder on an unprecedented massive scale.
Means by which the plot was exposed have not yet been revealed. The Terrier suspects that the ACLU would not have liked them.
Sky reports that the liquid explosives are speculated to have been mixed in flight. The Terrier suspects even if someone were to be asked by security officers to ingest some of the material prior to boarding they could have done so without becoming immedaitely ill. They would expect they'd be dying soon anyway.
O villainy! Ho! let the door be lock'd. Treachery! seek it out. (Shakespeare, Hamlet)
Had the nefarious plot succeeded it would, in words of British officials, resulted in mass murder on an unprecedented massive scale.
Means by which the plot was exposed have not yet been revealed. The Terrier suspects that the ACLU would not have liked them.
The British have Busted a Big One
Telegraph News Aircraft bomb plot thwarted
Lest anyone believe that the war in which we are engaged is a neocon plot to frighten the public intooting for Republicans, the British have detected and foiled a plot explode multiple aircraft in midair. The flights from the UK to the US would have been destroyed through use of liquid bombs. United, Continental and American were believed to be the planes targeted.
The Terrier is listening to Biritsh Home Secretary Reid's remarks to the press.
Let me once again call on the patron saint of England, St. George, for protection and thanks for past favors in defense of England and her allies. St. David and St. Andrew ditto.
Telegraph News Aircraft bomb plot thwarted
Lest anyone believe that the war in which we are engaged is a neocon plot to frighten the public intooting for Republicans, the British have detected and foiled a plot explode multiple aircraft in midair. The flights from the UK to the US would have been destroyed through use of liquid bombs. United, Continental and American were believed to be the planes targeted.
The Terrier is listening to Biritsh Home Secretary Reid's remarks to the press.
Let me once again call on the patron saint of England, St. George, for protection and thanks for past favors in defense of England and her allies. St. David and St. Andrew ditto.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Mike Wallace Interviews Iranian Prez:
"The American government, sir, it is very clear to me they have to change their behavior and everything will be resolved." Ahmadinejad
For "change their behavior" read "submit to the wishes of Muslims. Acquiesce as Israel is wiped off the map."
Is there anyone Wallace wouldn't interview?
"The American government, sir, it is very clear to me they have to change their behavior and everything will be resolved." Ahmadinejad
For "change their behavior" read "submit to the wishes of Muslims. Acquiesce as Israel is wiped off the map."
Is there anyone Wallace wouldn't interview?
As I write this on a late afternoon of a beautiful day in Manhattan The Israeli Defense Force is sending new troops and armor into Lebanon, to widen the ground war and root out their enemies. One can expect greater loss of life on both sides,and a longer time frame for the war. Hezbollah seems to have been successful in drawing Israel into Lebanon to fight a ground war, recognizing that Israel holds supremacy in the air. Of course, that's why Hezbollah posts its fighters and weapons in areas thick with civilizns, so as to make Israel's conduct of the war that much more difficult. If Israel had the mentality and ethics of Hezbollah they'dhave won long ago, without regard to the human toll. God knows how this war will conclude. I expect that before it ends, we will all wish that Hezbollah had never kidnapped those two Israeli soldiers.
On Daily Kos it is suggested that Israel be sacrificedto Islam, in the name of"peace."
"In my diary of yesterday, I proposed that our party support the creation of a single secular democracy in the area now controlled by Israel, and I was impressed by the quality of responses. Based on this tiny sample of 100 or so Democrats, I’m thinking that maybe the average Democratic voter might be open to taking a more impartial role in the Middle East - and thus making our country less of an object of hatred by Muslims everywhere."
This amounts to throwing Israel to the wolves, much as in the Russian fable (also appears in Cather's My Antonia, I believe) in which a sled is pursued by wolves. It is decided to toss someone out to stop the wolves. This as I recall, doesn't stop them at all and in the Russian fable the wolves continue until everyone has been tossed off and the last one is defenseless when they catch the sled.
There is also a Russian proverb: When pursued by wolves, shoot the nearest wolf first. My own advice: shoot the wolves until there are no more.
If Israel is thrown to the wolves there is no hope for Western Civilization. To borrow from Winston Churchill "...then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age..."
Frightening that Kos and its ilk are so powerful in the Democratic Party.
"In my diary of yesterday, I proposed that our party support the creation of a single secular democracy in the area now controlled by Israel, and I was impressed by the quality of responses. Based on this tiny sample of 100 or so Democrats, I’m thinking that maybe the average Democratic voter might be open to taking a more impartial role in the Middle East - and thus making our country less of an object of hatred by Muslims everywhere."
This amounts to throwing Israel to the wolves, much as in the Russian fable (also appears in Cather's My Antonia, I believe) in which a sled is pursued by wolves. It is decided to toss someone out to stop the wolves. This as I recall, doesn't stop them at all and in the Russian fable the wolves continue until everyone has been tossed off and the last one is defenseless when they catch the sled.
There is also a Russian proverb: When pursued by wolves, shoot the nearest wolf first. My own advice: shoot the wolves until there are no more.
If Israel is thrown to the wolves there is no hope for Western Civilization. To borrow from Winston Churchill "...then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age..."
Frightening that Kos and its ilk are so powerful in the Democratic Party.
Essential reading, Mark Steyn on the Mideast situation.
"Stability is the enemy. Stability gave us 9/11 and nuclear Iran and Saddam's invasion of Kuwait. The stability of the present Middle East has been a disaster for the world."
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1710395.htm
"Stability is the enemy. Stability gave us 9/11 and nuclear Iran and Saddam's invasion of Kuwait. The stability of the present Middle East has been a disaster for the world."
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1710395.htm
Joe Lieberman has lost his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate. Although this was expected, it is momentous in its implications. The sole issue on which Lieberman was attacked by neophyte Ned Lamont ws Lieberman's support for the war in Iraq. (Hillary, call your ofice.) Being a 90% party line voter is not enough in the brave new world of Democratic politics, controlled by George Soros, Moveon.org and blogs like Daily Kos. The Terrier can't help but believe this will do mischief to the party of FDR, Truman JFK and Henry Jackson in the long run, and probably in the short run. It is worth noting that despite the turmoil caused by opposition to the war in Vietnam, the nation elected Nixon twice, and did not turn control of the national government over to the peace proponents. We may have to be dragged to war kicking and screaming, but once in, by gum, we don't want to lose, or cut and run. Since there is no draft to excite the base of supporters which were active in the Vietnam era, the war is more likely to be a distant thought in the voting booth for most Americans. We will vote our pocketbooks, over Iraq.
The war in which Israel is currently involved will have a larger impact on the November elections than will Iraq, is my guess, barring some terrible incident in Iraq. Most Americans support Israel, and see this small, brave nation as being in the front lines of the war on Islamic Jihad. As the party of Democrats succumbs to its leftist, Bush-hating base, Americans will wonder whether they can trust the nation's security to such clueless wonders.
The war in which Israel is currently involved will have a larger impact on the November elections than will Iraq, is my guess, barring some terrible incident in Iraq. Most Americans support Israel, and see this small, brave nation as being in the front lines of the war on Islamic Jihad. As the party of Democrats succumbs to its leftist, Bush-hating base, Americans will wonder whether they can trust the nation's security to such clueless wonders.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
As far as I can figure, some Muslim "youths" gave two gay men a savage beating. I don't believe either man had drawn a picture of Mo. Could it be...Do you suppose? Are Muslims...gasp...homophobic?
http://http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=124882
http://http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=124882
Make no plans for the 22nd of August:
DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2006®
WSJ: Scholar Warns Iran's Ahmadinejad May Have 'Cataclysmic Events' In Mind For August 22Tue Aug 08 2006 10:22:35 ETIn a WALL STREET JOURNAL op-ed Tuesday, Princeton's Bernard Lewis writes: "There is a radical difference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other governments with nuclear weapons. This difference is expressed in what can only be described as the apocalyptic worldview of Iran's present rulers." "In Islam as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time -- Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined." President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the US about nuclear development by Aug. 22," which this year corresponds "to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to 'the farthest mosque,' usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1)."This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind."
DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2006®
WSJ: Scholar Warns Iran's Ahmadinejad May Have 'Cataclysmic Events' In Mind For August 22Tue Aug 08 2006 10:22:35 ETIn a WALL STREET JOURNAL op-ed Tuesday, Princeton's Bernard Lewis writes: "There is a radical difference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other governments with nuclear weapons. This difference is expressed in what can only be described as the apocalyptic worldview of Iran's present rulers." "In Islam as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time -- Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined." President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the US about nuclear development by Aug. 22," which this year corresponds "to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to 'the farthest mosque,' usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1)."This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind."
Monday, August 07, 2006
Amil Imani on Islam's useful idiots. Please follow the link and read the whole essay.
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5741
"The “moderate” mainstream of Islam has been outright genocidal from inception. Their own historians record that Ali, the first imam of the Shiite and the son-in-law of Muhammad, with the help of another man, beheaded 700 Jewish men in the presence of the Prophet himself. The Prophet of Allah and his disciples took the murdered men’s women and children in slavery. Muslims have been, and continue to be, the most vicious and shameless practitioners of slavery. The slave trade, even today, is a thriving business in some Islamic lands where wealthy, perverted sheikhs purchase children of the poor from traffickers for their sadistic gratification.
Muslims are taught deception and lying in the Quran itself—something that Muhammad practiced during his life whenever he found it expedient. Successive Islamic rulers and leaders have done the same. Khomeini, the founder of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, for instance, rallied the people under the banner of democracy. All along his support for democracy was not a commitment of an honest man, but a ruse. As soon as he gathered the reins of power, Khomeini went after the Useful Idiots of his time with vengeance. These best children of Iran, having been thoroughly deceived and used by the crafty phony populist-religionist, had to flee the country to avoid the fate of tens of thousands who were imprisoned or executed by the double-crossing imam. "
Maybe this explains the errors in reporting that seem always to be helpful to Islamic terrorists.
News from Lebanon early today reported 40 killed in IDF strikes. The actual number, revealed later? 1. One. Uno.
Perhaps, given the penchant for misstatement apparent in Islamic news sources, MSM should be more guarded in accepting Islamic "news." Just a thought.
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5741
"The “moderate” mainstream of Islam has been outright genocidal from inception. Their own historians record that Ali, the first imam of the Shiite and the son-in-law of Muhammad, with the help of another man, beheaded 700 Jewish men in the presence of the Prophet himself. The Prophet of Allah and his disciples took the murdered men’s women and children in slavery. Muslims have been, and continue to be, the most vicious and shameless practitioners of slavery. The slave trade, even today, is a thriving business in some Islamic lands where wealthy, perverted sheikhs purchase children of the poor from traffickers for their sadistic gratification.
Muslims are taught deception and lying in the Quran itself—something that Muhammad practiced during his life whenever he found it expedient. Successive Islamic rulers and leaders have done the same. Khomeini, the founder of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, for instance, rallied the people under the banner of democracy. All along his support for democracy was not a commitment of an honest man, but a ruse. As soon as he gathered the reins of power, Khomeini went after the Useful Idiots of his time with vengeance. These best children of Iran, having been thoroughly deceived and used by the crafty phony populist-religionist, had to flee the country to avoid the fate of tens of thousands who were imprisoned or executed by the double-crossing imam. "
Maybe this explains the errors in reporting that seem always to be helpful to Islamic terrorists.
News from Lebanon early today reported 40 killed in IDF strikes. The actual number, revealed later? 1. One. Uno.
Perhaps, given the penchant for misstatement apparent in Islamic news sources, MSM should be more guarded in accepting Islamic "news." Just a thought.
The WSJ:
Lieberman The "peace" Democrats are back. It's a dream come true for Karl Rove.
OpinionJournal - Featured Article
Democrats embrace the anti-war issue as if they believe it will sweep them into control of government. Do they read no history at all? Americans have a long record of objecting to war, but even as we object, we hate like heck to see the USA on the losing side. General George B. Mc Clellan went from the front lines to be the Democratic candidate for president, opposing Lincoln in his 1864 re-election bid. Today we see the Civil War as a winner, but in 1864 plenty of people still questioned Lincoln's handling of the war, and some Democrats advocated ways to end the conflict, allowing the seceded states to remain out of the Union. The Democrats must have thought they had a winner in Mc Clellan. They didn't.
The more frenzied the anti-war, anti-Bush attacks become, the more the central of the country will seek sanity within the confines of the Republicans. Many may wish the war was over, but aredarned if they'll cut and run. The ongoing war between Israel and those who would destroy her cannot make the democrats feel better. Jewish voters garvitate toward the Democrats, but if the Republicans seem to offer greater security for Israel, look for that picture to change. "Never again" has seldom been said with more justifiable urgency.
Lieberman The "peace" Democrats are back. It's a dream come true for Karl Rove.
OpinionJournal - Featured Article
Democrats embrace the anti-war issue as if they believe it will sweep them into control of government. Do they read no history at all? Americans have a long record of objecting to war, but even as we object, we hate like heck to see the USA on the losing side. General George B. Mc Clellan went from the front lines to be the Democratic candidate for president, opposing Lincoln in his 1864 re-election bid. Today we see the Civil War as a winner, but in 1864 plenty of people still questioned Lincoln's handling of the war, and some Democrats advocated ways to end the conflict, allowing the seceded states to remain out of the Union. The Democrats must have thought they had a winner in Mc Clellan. They didn't.
The more frenzied the anti-war, anti-Bush attacks become, the more the central of the country will seek sanity within the confines of the Republicans. Many may wish the war was over, but aredarned if they'll cut and run. The ongoing war between Israel and those who would destroy her cannot make the democrats feel better. Jewish voters garvitate toward the Democrats, but if the Republicans seem to offer greater security for Israel, look for that picture to change. "Never again" has seldom been said with more justifiable urgency.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
The Jerusalem Post says:
"Syria 'ready for possible regional war'"
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525815642&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
If they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind. They must know the US will never let Israel lose. Things could, unfortunately, get interesting.
The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia: "
"If Israel’s war with Hezbollah ends for Israel as badly as it has started, it could well mean a harsh coda to Ariel Sharon’s life’s work."
NYT front page caption. As Israel eliminates Hezbollah (okay, its taking them a few days longer than expected) The NYT is quick to say the war is going badly for Israel. How will they wiggle out of this when Israel is victorious?
"If Israel’s war with Hezbollah ends for Israel as badly as it has started, it could well mean a harsh coda to Ariel Sharon’s life’s work."
NYT front page caption. As Israel eliminates Hezbollah (okay, its taking them a few days longer than expected) The NYT is quick to say the war is going badly for Israel. How will they wiggle out of this when Israel is victorious?
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Western Resistance
TEXT
Wht is wrong with these people?
Borrowed from WesternResistance.com
"One of the strangest aspects of Islam's treatment of women is "mut'ah" marriage, which allows a Muslim man to take up with a part-time wife for a short contract. At the end of the agreed period, the man no longer has any responsibility for the woman. In effect, it is legalised prostitution. The Bahraini feminist Ghada Jamshir has condemned mut'ah marriage.
She said on al-Arabiya TV on December 21, 2005 of mut'ah that it is, in practice, a form of child abuse:
Ghada Jamshir: "This is a violation of children's rights! This constitutes sexual assault of the girl. What does 'pleasure from sexual contact with her thighs' mean? It means deriving sexual pleasure from an infant. How old is an infant? One year, a year and a half, a few months?
"Is it conceivable for a grown man to have sex with an infant girl? And you people tell me that the Islamic Shari'a authorizes this? Forget about the mut'ah. Let's talk about misyar. What do misyar marriages mean? You said that I'm a Sunni and that's why I'm attacking the Shiites. No!"
Misyar marriage, sometimes referred to as "traveler's marriage" is even worse, as it means the husband does not live with the wife, and has no responsibility financially for her, and can divorce her at any time. Misyar was first observed amongst Sunnis in Egypt in the early 19th century. It is now common in Egypt."
TEXT
Wht is wrong with these people?
Borrowed from WesternResistance.com
"One of the strangest aspects of Islam's treatment of women is "mut'ah" marriage, which allows a Muslim man to take up with a part-time wife for a short contract. At the end of the agreed period, the man no longer has any responsibility for the woman. In effect, it is legalised prostitution. The Bahraini feminist Ghada Jamshir has condemned mut'ah marriage.
She said on al-Arabiya TV on December 21, 2005 of mut'ah that it is, in practice, a form of child abuse:
Ghada Jamshir: "This is a violation of children's rights! This constitutes sexual assault of the girl. What does 'pleasure from sexual contact with her thighs' mean? It means deriving sexual pleasure from an infant. How old is an infant? One year, a year and a half, a few months?
"Is it conceivable for a grown man to have sex with an infant girl? And you people tell me that the Islamic Shari'a authorizes this? Forget about the mut'ah. Let's talk about misyar. What do misyar marriages mean? You said that I'm a Sunni and that's why I'm attacking the Shiites. No!"
Misyar marriage, sometimes referred to as "traveler's marriage" is even worse, as it means the husband does not live with the wife, and has no responsibility financially for her, and can divorce her at any time. Misyar was first observed amongst Sunnis in Egypt in the early 19th century. It is now common in Egypt."
From the American Thinker:
"There are pivotal moments in history, events in which the course of human affairs is altered forever. One such moment occurred along the Danube River in 1683. On that fateful morning in the later 17th century, the fate of Western Civilization was sealed by the determination of those brave defenders who stood their ground against the might of the Ottoman Turks."
Timothy Birdnow
May I suggest you read it all. And say a Rosary. Prior to the Battle of Lepanto the Pope called for a crusade of Rosaries for victory of the Spanish and Italian fleet over the Ottoman Turks. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (formerly Victory) was the grateful result.
It's Our Enemy, Too
Israel receives precious little credit or support as she faces the common enemy of decent mankind. VDH says it best (excerpts from NRO Online):
The Brink of Madness
A familiar place.
By Victor Davis Hanson
"When I used to read about the 1930s — the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, the rise of fascism in Italy, Spain, and Germany, the appeasement in France and Britain, the murderous duplicity of the Soviet Union, and the racist Japanese murdering in China — I never could quite figure out why, during those bleak years, Western Europeans and those in the United States did not speak out and condemn the growing madness, if only to defend the millennia-long promise of Western liberalism.
Our present generation too is on the brink of moral insanity. That has never been more evident than in the last three weeks, as the West has proven utterly unable to distinguish between an attacked democracy that seeks to strike back at terrorist combatants, and terrorist aggressors who seek to kill civilians.
In short, if we wish to learn what was going on in Europe in 1938, just look around."
Read it all.
Israel receives precious little credit or support as she faces the common enemy of decent mankind. VDH says it best (excerpts from NRO Online):
The Brink of Madness
A familiar place.
By Victor Davis Hanson
"When I used to read about the 1930s — the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, the rise of fascism in Italy, Spain, and Germany, the appeasement in France and Britain, the murderous duplicity of the Soviet Union, and the racist Japanese murdering in China — I never could quite figure out why, during those bleak years, Western Europeans and those in the United States did not speak out and condemn the growing madness, if only to defend the millennia-long promise of Western liberalism.
Our present generation too is on the brink of moral insanity. That has never been more evident than in the last three weeks, as the West has proven utterly unable to distinguish between an attacked democracy that seeks to strike back at terrorist combatants, and terrorist aggressors who seek to kill civilians.
In short, if we wish to learn what was going on in Europe in 1938, just look around."
Read it all.
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