And from the MSM nothing but crickets.
The rate of killings of US troops in Iraq has been on the decline, down by 60 percent, since the launch of the new security measures in Baghdad, according to statistics revealed by the Multi-National Force-Iraq Combined Press Information Centre.
Only 17 members of the US military in Iraq have been killed since February 14 till March 13, compared to 42 from January 13 to February 13; the rate was on the decline during the first month of the security crackdown, compared to a month before.
Two of the 17 soldiers died at US Baghdad camps of non-combat causes.
The remarkable decrease in killings among the US troops came at a time when more of these troops were deployed in the Iraqi capital, especially in districts previously regarded as extremely hazardous for them such as Al-Sadr City, Al-Azamiyah, and Al-Doura.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Some Muslim workers at Target refuse to handle pork
I'm a reporter who covers Target for the Star Tribune and the other day, I got a call from someone who said that an employee at the Target store downtown refused to run his bacon through a scanning machine (Egad sounds painful!) He was mighty upset, arguing that the cashier had "no right to work as a cashier at Target" if she wasn't prepared to swipe his groceries.But he was a little vague on the details, so I decided to check it out myself. At the Target store on E. Lake Street, a cashier wearing a hijab looked uncomfortable when I showed up at the cash register with a frozen pepperoni pizza. She immediately called for help, and another employee rang up the pizza and placed it in the basket.
I asked her if it was because she was Muslim, and she nodded her head. "I can't even touch it," she said.
Rosie Accuses Bush of Treason
From Human Events....O’DONNELL: Alberto Gonzales he needs to be gone
SEN. SCHUMER: Called for it yesterday.
O’DONNELL: Do you think that anyone will call for the impeachment of George Bush in congress?
SEN. SCHUMER: Probably not. Because impeachment is when you've committed a crime.
O’DONNELL: Treason isn't a crime?
Evidently not Rosie, if it was over half of the House and Senate Democrats would be behind bars.
The Fred Factor
I have been curiously eyeing what appears to be something quite uncharacteristic in the Republican party, a grassroots uprising. In increasing number and intensity voices hereto silent are initiating petitions, writing letters and E-mails and eagerly readying their checkbooks. What you ask is causing such a stir in the normally reserved conservative ranks? The answer is Fred Dalton Thompson.
In an unprecedented show of spontaneous support many in the Republican base are bucking the conventional leadership and throwing their support in the direction of a potential nominee that isn't even a candidate. Despondent and disgruntled with the current slate of Republican contenders the great silent majority is choosing to be silent no more. The "hold your nose and pull the lever for the Republican" mentality is simply not going to suffice this time around.
It appears that with either Hillary or Obama likely to win the Democrat nomination, the stakes are just too great and Conservatives across the spectrum are just not willing to back another Bob Dole.
I've been watching Presidential election politics for longer than I care to remember and this is the first time I've seen this degree of blatant activism arising from the bowels of the collective conservative persona.... ever. In Thompson they see an ideological bretheren, a fiscal and social conservative, plain spoken, articulate and with genuine star power. They are really excited about this guy like I have'nt seen since Reagans second term and it's growing. Much of this is under the radar for all but political junkies like me who read hundreds of blogs everyday but make no mistake its there and it's real.
Personally I like Thompson, other than a few misteps his conservative bonafides are impeccable. His reserved plain spoken approach and thoughtful grand fatherly presentation elicits a sense of confidence and trust. My crystal ball tells me that in a debate he would make Hillary look like a shrill, angry b!tch and Obama a starry eyed schoolboy. His stage presence is formidable.
One things a given, if FDT gets into the race the dynamic will change overnight and in a big BIG way.
In an unprecedented show of spontaneous support many in the Republican base are bucking the conventional leadership and throwing their support in the direction of a potential nominee that isn't even a candidate. Despondent and disgruntled with the current slate of Republican contenders the great silent majority is choosing to be silent no more. The "hold your nose and pull the lever for the Republican" mentality is simply not going to suffice this time around.
It appears that with either Hillary or Obama likely to win the Democrat nomination, the stakes are just too great and Conservatives across the spectrum are just not willing to back another Bob Dole.
I've been watching Presidential election politics for longer than I care to remember and this is the first time I've seen this degree of blatant activism arising from the bowels of the collective conservative persona.... ever. In Thompson they see an ideological bretheren, a fiscal and social conservative, plain spoken, articulate and with genuine star power. They are really excited about this guy like I have'nt seen since Reagans second term and it's growing. Much of this is under the radar for all but political junkies like me who read hundreds of blogs everyday but make no mistake its there and it's real.
Personally I like Thompson, other than a few misteps his conservative bonafides are impeccable. His reserved plain spoken approach and thoughtful grand fatherly presentation elicits a sense of confidence and trust. My crystal ball tells me that in a debate he would make Hillary look like a shrill, angry b!tch and Obama a starry eyed schoolboy. His stage presence is formidable.
One things a given, if FDT gets into the race the dynamic will change overnight and in a big BIG way.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Anbar tribes kill 11 insurgents
Well, bless their little hearts......
Government media office issued a statement reporting that a group of Anbar tribes killed 11 insurgents including four emirs belonging to Al Qaeda Organization. In cooperation with Iraqi army and multinational forces, a group of Anbar tribes attacked caches of Qaeda insurgents in Juiba region in eastern Ramadi and arrested 16 insurgents and confiscated a car used by gunmen for criminal operations.
Government media office issued a statement reporting that a group of Anbar tribes killed 11 insurgents including four emirs belonging to Al Qaeda Organization. In cooperation with Iraqi army and multinational forces, a group of Anbar tribes attacked caches of Qaeda insurgents in Juiba region in eastern Ramadi and arrested 16 insurgents and confiscated a car used by gunmen for criminal operations.
Sen. Hagel’s retirement a ‘distinct possibility’
One can only hope.
With Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) set to make an announcement about his political plans Monday, those close to Hagel and Nebraska politics say those plans could include his retirement from the Senate.
Top politicians in Nebraska are lined up should the potential presidential candidate retire. Hagel’s staff is mum on whether he will announce his Senate plans during the press conference, but whether he announces them Monday or later, retirement is on the table.
One prospective candidate, Republican former congressman and former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, said he met with Hagel two months ago about Hagel’s political future and reported that his Senate plans are still unknown.
Look up the term RINO in the dictionary and you will find a picture of Chuck Hagel. My sense is he would get more votes in the Democrat primary then he ever would for the Republican nomination.
With Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) set to make an announcement about his political plans Monday, those close to Hagel and Nebraska politics say those plans could include his retirement from the Senate.
Top politicians in Nebraska are lined up should the potential presidential candidate retire. Hagel’s staff is mum on whether he will announce his Senate plans during the press conference, but whether he announces them Monday or later, retirement is on the table.
One prospective candidate, Republican former congressman and former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, said he met with Hagel two months ago about Hagel’s political future and reported that his Senate plans are still unknown.
Look up the term RINO in the dictionary and you will find a picture of Chuck Hagel. My sense is he would get more votes in the Democrat primary then he ever would for the Republican nomination.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Germany's Schroeder slams U.S. missile shield plans
DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. plans to build a high-tech missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic are dangerous and absurd, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Sunday.
"The missile defence system planned by the United States and which is to be installed in eastern Europe is politically extremely dangerous," Schroeder said in a speech in Dresden.
Herr Gerhardt one thing that is perfectly apparent to the vast majority of us paying attention is that you and your butt buddy Jacques are almost invariably WRONG. We all know how well your economic policies worked during your tenure. Now that the adults are in charge look what's happened...
Germans finding their own way back. German economy growing at 3.7% in 2006.
Ok boys and girls can we all say irrelevent?
"The missile defence system planned by the United States and which is to be installed in eastern Europe is politically extremely dangerous," Schroeder said in a speech in Dresden.
Herr Gerhardt one thing that is perfectly apparent to the vast majority of us paying attention is that you and your butt buddy Jacques are almost invariably WRONG. We all know how well your economic policies worked during your tenure. Now that the adults are in charge look what's happened...
Germans finding their own way back. German economy growing at 3.7% in 2006.
Ok boys and girls can we all say irrelevent?
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Kurds Open to Coalition with Allawi, Fadhila
This would have huge ramifications...
Al-Hayat is reporting that Iraqi Kurds are considering abandoning their alliance with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shia-dominated coalition and instead forming a new coalition led by former prime minister Iyad Allawi’s Iraqi List and recently including the Shia Fadhila Party (“Inclusion of the Kurds in Allawi’s Coalition Depends on Its Success”).
Prominent Kurdish leader Mahmud Uthman told news agencies that the Kurds were interested “if it is confirmed that the coalition that Iyad Allawi is trying to form can bring together diverse parties capable of bringing about change in Iraq.” The article also noted that there was speculation that the new coalition was being supported by the United States, as U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Allawi together visited Kurdistan recently just as Fadhila was withdrawing from the United Iraqi Alliance.
Al-Hayat is reporting that Iraqi Kurds are considering abandoning their alliance with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shia-dominated coalition and instead forming a new coalition led by former prime minister Iyad Allawi’s Iraqi List and recently including the Shia Fadhila Party (“Inclusion of the Kurds in Allawi’s Coalition Depends on Its Success”).
Prominent Kurdish leader Mahmud Uthman told news agencies that the Kurds were interested “if it is confirmed that the coalition that Iyad Allawi is trying to form can bring together diverse parties capable of bringing about change in Iraq.” The article also noted that there was speculation that the new coalition was being supported by the United States, as U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Allawi together visited Kurdistan recently just as Fadhila was withdrawing from the United Iraqi Alliance.
An Honest Assessment?
Democratic strategist Bob Beckel admitted, in an interview on Fox News, that Fred Thompson for president would be their worst nightmare.
Normally the opinions of a Democrat strategist on a Republican candidate are worth squat but in this particualr instance Beckel may be calling it straight.
If you want to follow the latest on the possible FDT candidacy go here.
Normally the opinions of a Democrat strategist on a Republican candidate are worth squat but in this particualr instance Beckel may be calling it straight.
If you want to follow the latest on the possible FDT candidacy go here.
"The Great Global Warming Swindle" Video on Google
You can see it in it's entirety here. Be sure and watch the whole thing, it's well worth the time for climate infidels everywhere.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Kenyan police arrest key Al Qaeda suspect
Another good grab.NAIROBI: The Kenyan police have arrested a man they believe to be a key Al Qaeda suspect who tried to shoot down an Israeli airliner and helped plan the simultaneous bombing of a hotel in 2002 that killed 15 people, officials said.
The man's identity was not immediately confirmed, but investigators said they believe he is Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, a senior official in Kenya's security services told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the matter was classified.
Iraqi Security Forces: al-Qaeda leader captured (Updated & Bumped)
This is a big one folks.....
A suspected leader of the group Islamic State in Iraq, which has ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist network, was detained in northern Iraq on Sunday, Iraqi security forces reported. Muharib Mohammed Abdullah, aka Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, was arrested in a joint raid by Iraqi and US soldiers in the city of Duluiya.
"This is a great success for the Iraqi security forces, comparable to the killing of Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi," the Salaheddin provincial administration in the town of Tikrit said in a statement.
Abdullah is a former legal expert from the city of Balad, north of Baghdad.
Bill Roggio has more.
Still working on confirmation.
Update: The MOI (Ministry of the Interior) now says Abdullah Latif al-Jaburi - aka Abu Abdullah - the #2 man of the Islamic State in Iraq - has been captured, not al-Baghdadi as initially reported.
UpdateII: Iraq Slogger Reports: Abu Omar al-Baghdadi "Apprehended"
Second Unconfirmed Report of Militant Leader's Capture in Two Days
Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, chief of the militant group Islamic State of Iraq, has been captured, according to an unconfirmed report.
Buratha news reported Monday that "knowledgable sources" had informed the news agency of al-Baghdadi's capture in the Baghdad neighborhood of Dora, along with four others.
According to the sources, a formal announcement of al-Baghdadi's arrest will be issued in "the coming hours," Buratha reports.
Update III: Third times a charm Iraqs IM reports WE GOT HIM!
A suspected leader of the group Islamic State in Iraq, which has ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist network, was detained in northern Iraq on Sunday, Iraqi security forces reported. Muharib Mohammed Abdullah, aka Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, was arrested in a joint raid by Iraqi and US soldiers in the city of Duluiya.
"This is a great success for the Iraqi security forces, comparable to the killing of Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi," the Salaheddin provincial administration in the town of Tikrit said in a statement.
Abdullah is a former legal expert from the city of Balad, north of Baghdad.
Bill Roggio has more.
Still working on confirmation.
Update: The MOI (Ministry of the Interior) now says Abdullah Latif al-Jaburi - aka Abu Abdullah - the #2 man of the Islamic State in Iraq - has been captured, not al-Baghdadi as initially reported.
UpdateII: Iraq Slogger Reports: Abu Omar al-Baghdadi "Apprehended"
Second Unconfirmed Report of Militant Leader's Capture in Two Days
Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, chief of the militant group Islamic State of Iraq, has been captured, according to an unconfirmed report.
Buratha news reported Monday that "knowledgable sources" had informed the news agency of al-Baghdadi's capture in the Baghdad neighborhood of Dora, along with four others.
According to the sources, a formal announcement of al-Baghdadi's arrest will be issued in "the coming hours," Buratha reports.
Update III: Third times a charm Iraqs IM reports WE GOT HIM!
Baker confirms push for Thompson run
Appears that momentum may be building....WASHINGTON — Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker Jr. said today he is urging his friend Fred Thompson to run for president and encouraging others to convince him.
Baker, R-Tenn., in a telephone interview with The News Sentinel, said: "I'm planting the seed that he might run or might be convinced to run." Baker also was White House chief of staff to President Reagan and most recently served as U.S. ambassador to Japan.
Thompson, 64, an actor on the TV drama "Law & Order" also was a Republican senator from Tennessee for eight years through 2002.
Baker said he's talked to Thompson about running for president. "He doesn't confirm that he's interested and he also doesn't tell me to stop," Baker said.
The Gathering of Eagles
March 17, 20077 AM to 4 PM The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall, Washington D.C.All you need to know is HERE.
This will be continually bumped untill the day of the event.
Dems Ignore Economy
February unemployment drops to 4.5% on an increase in nonfarm payrolls of 97,000. Aveerage hourly earnings gain a whopping .4% and export increases double imports.
Usual reax from the clinically depressed left, any good news which can't be spun negatively is simply ignored.
Usual reax from the clinically depressed left, any good news which can't be spun negatively is simply ignored.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
House Creates Global Warming Committee
Prepare yourself for 2 years of the most monumentally inane string of uninterupted dog and pony shows in the history of the US Congress.
(CNSNews.com) - As one of the top priorities on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) agenda, the House voted Thursday to create a select committee on global warming.
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was passed by a bipartisan vote of 269 to 150.
In announcing her idea, Pelosi said, "Its purpose will be to communicate with the American people on this important issue. I promise to do anything in my power to achieve energy independence within ten years, stop global warming, and this select committee is to further those goals."
(CNSNews.com) - As one of the top priorities on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) agenda, the House voted Thursday to create a select committee on global warming.
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was passed by a bipartisan vote of 269 to 150.
In announcing her idea, Pelosi said, "Its purpose will be to communicate with the American people on this important issue. I promise to do anything in my power to achieve energy independence within ten years, stop global warming, and this select committee is to further those goals."
India swamps Japan to claim Asian top spot in billionaires list
The new economic powerhouses...
NEW YORK: The number of billionaires in China and India nearly doubled in the last year, pushing Japan from Asia's top spot for the first time in 20 years, according to Forbes Magazine's latest rich list.
"It was a sizzling year in Asia. Both India and China saw huge gains," said Forbes Associate Editor Luisa Kroll, who oversaw the report.
"After a 20-year reign at the top, Japan is no longer in Asia's top spot."
NEW YORK: The number of billionaires in China and India nearly doubled in the last year, pushing Japan from Asia's top spot for the first time in 20 years, according to Forbes Magazine's latest rich list.
"It was a sizzling year in Asia. Both India and China saw huge gains," said Forbes Associate Editor Luisa Kroll, who oversaw the report.
"After a 20-year reign at the top, Japan is no longer in Asia's top spot."
Democrats Want Iraq Pullout By Fall 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a direct challenge to President Bush, House Democrats unveiled legislation Thursday requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the fall of next year.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the deadline would be added to legislation providing nearly $100 billion the Bush administration has requested for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It's no challenge, it's blatant pandering to the moonbat base having absolutely 0 chance of going anywhere. They know it, the Republicans know it and anyone with half a brain knows it as well.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the deadline would be added to legislation providing nearly $100 billion the Bush administration has requested for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It's no challenge, it's blatant pandering to the moonbat base having absolutely 0 chance of going anywhere. They know it, the Republicans know it and anyone with half a brain knows it as well.
Missing Iranian spy chief 'defected to West' (Updated & Bumped)
The disappearance and defection of Ali Reza Azkari is Iran's worst nightmare. This guy knows where ALL the bodies are buried. WMDs, defense strategies, meddling in Iraq, this guy knows it all and will likely be only too happy to spill the beans.
A former Iranian spy chief was suspected last night of defecting to the West, raising the prospect of a timely intelligence bonanza amid tensions with Teheran.
While the speculation was impossible to verify, it is hard to imagine a more tantalising prospect for Western intelligence agencies than the defection of General Ali Reza Azkari, who is known to have served in Lebanon in the 1990s liaising with Hizbollah.
Skilful debriefing could shed important light on Iranian arms smuggling to the Shia militia, although he would also be pressed for secrets of Iran's nuclear programme.
Citing "informed sources", the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat said Gen Azkari had defected to the United States.
Update: Iranian General Reportedly Held in N. Europe
Unconfirmed reports now indicate that Gen. Ali Reza Asghari, the former Iranian Minstry of Defense official who disappeared in Istanbul in early February, is being interrogated in a northern European country while being processed for transfer to the United States.
Update II:Former Iranian Defense Official Talks to Western Intelligence
A former Iranian deputy defense minister who once commanded the Revolutionary Guard has left his country and is cooperating with Western intelligence agencies, providing information on Hezbollah and Iran's ties to the organization, according to a senior U.S. official.
Ali Rez Asgari disappeared last month during a visit to Turkey. Iranian officials suggested yesterday that he may have been kidnapped by Israel or the United States. The U.S. official said Asgari is willingly cooperating. He did not divulge Asgari's whereabouts or specify who is questioning him, but made clear that the information Asgari is offering is fully available to U.S. intelligence.
This is the first confirmation of this we have gotten from the US government albeit anonymous.
A former Iranian spy chief was suspected last night of defecting to the West, raising the prospect of a timely intelligence bonanza amid tensions with Teheran.
While the speculation was impossible to verify, it is hard to imagine a more tantalising prospect for Western intelligence agencies than the defection of General Ali Reza Azkari, who is known to have served in Lebanon in the 1990s liaising with Hizbollah.
Skilful debriefing could shed important light on Iranian arms smuggling to the Shia militia, although he would also be pressed for secrets of Iran's nuclear programme.
Citing "informed sources", the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat said Gen Azkari had defected to the United States.
Update: Iranian General Reportedly Held in N. Europe
Unconfirmed reports now indicate that Gen. Ali Reza Asghari, the former Iranian Minstry of Defense official who disappeared in Istanbul in early February, is being interrogated in a northern European country while being processed for transfer to the United States.
Update II:Former Iranian Defense Official Talks to Western Intelligence
A former Iranian deputy defense minister who once commanded the Revolutionary Guard has left his country and is cooperating with Western intelligence agencies, providing information on Hezbollah and Iran's ties to the organization, according to a senior U.S. official.
Ali Rez Asgari disappeared last month during a visit to Turkey. Iranian officials suggested yesterday that he may have been kidnapped by Israel or the United States. The U.S. official said Asgari is willingly cooperating. He did not divulge Asgari's whereabouts or specify who is questioning him, but made clear that the information Asgari is offering is fully available to U.S. intelligence.
This is the first confirmation of this we have gotten from the US government albeit anonymous.
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