Support For The War

Is support growing?

President Bush's Iraq policy is so strongly opposed even Republican members of Congress on both sides of the aisle want to be able to tell their constituents that they are doing something to find a light at the end of the tunnel. So it becomes noteworthy when a think tank shows support for the military action.

That's exactly what the Brookings Institution's Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack are doing.

In an op-ed piece in today's New York Times titled, "A War We Just Might Win" O'Hanlon and Pollack have done a flip-flop.

"We are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms," they write.

"As two analysts who have harshly criticized the Bush administration’s miserable handling of Iraq, we were surprised by the gains we saw and the potential to produce not necessarily 'victor' but a sustainable stability that both we and the Iraqis could live with."

The two, reporting on their trip to Baghdad, say that, unlike previous visits, where they found disheartened soldiers, this time the troops convey a sense of purpose and exhibit a high degree of morale.

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Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lynette Hoke www.army.mil

Politicians Try To Run The War

GOP would limit troop involvement

The Democrats took over control of Congress during the mid-term elections by pledging to move toward bringing an end to the war in Iraq.

They've failed to develop a consensus for this, but, generally, their goal is to set a timetable for withdrawal. President Bush says he won't consider announcing a timetable until after hearing next month from his generals on the ground. Already the top military commander in Iraq has indicated that he favors giving the new strategy a chance. So it's likely that no date certain for leaving will be quickly forthcoming from the White House.

Now the Republicans are trying to come up with a compromise which straddles both sides of the issue.

They are pushing a plan that would limit U.S. troop involvement in Iraq. While not harnessing the president with a timetable.

One could argue that it's not the job of lawmakers to dictate to the military. But that might be a moot point. Since the Republican plan is, at first blush, not picking up the bi-partisan support it would need to succeed.

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Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar

9/11 Families Upset Over Memorial Service Venue Change

New York City is planning to hold this year's commemoration of the 9/11 attacks at a nearby park, not at Ground Zero.

Family members are mystified, angry and hurt over this decision. They consider the World Trade Center site to be sacred ground. They argue that remains are still being discovered at the site. And that the venue for the annual service be held there.

The city wants to hold the service in a nearby park because of construction underway at the World Trade Center site.

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Photo credit: Boaz Frankel

Astronauts Flew Drunk

NASA's tarnished image faded a bit more with the release of a report which indicates that on at least two occasions, astronauts flew drunk.

The report lists no names nor missions. So it's not known if the drunk flying took place during a space flight or a training flight on an airplane.

What's most disturbing is not that astronauts are subject to the same human frailties as the rest of us. It's that flight surgeons and fellow astronauts complained that they were not mission ready and that allowing them to fly could jeopardize safety. Yet they were still permitted to fly.

NASA has to change this culture of ignoring members of the team who raise safety issues. Failure to do so sets the stage for another avoidable tragedy in the future

Helping States Divest Themselves Of Iran Investments

Gov. Crist

Several states have been trying to divest themselves of Iran investments. But, surprisingly, they need federal approval to do so.

In Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist even signed a bill into law withdrawing investments from his state's pension fun from companies participating in developing Iran's nuclear program. But the bill lacks the effect of law.

This at a time when companies in the United States are not supposed to be doing business with Iran.

Why must the federal government even involve itself in this issue. So long as the investments are legal, states should have the right to put their money wherever they please. And withdraw it and move it around whenever they want.

Come on Congress. Wake up. Give the states the authority to decide where their money goes.

2 News Choppers Collide

The choppers 3 days before they collided

Two news choppers covering a police chase in Phoenix collided. All four people on board the two choppers died.

This kind of accident was inevitable. Television news producers seem to think that anything they can shoot from their choppers is suddenly news.

I recently watched three simultaneous chases in California, in triple split screen, on CNN. Two were live. One was a flashback to the previous day's chase.

How a couple of police chases in California becomes national news is beyond me.

The Phoenix tragedy will pale in comparison with the next inevitable outcome of this practice. One of these days, at the end of a chase brought live into our homes via this great technology, a driver won't lie down as ordered by advancing cops. But will either point a gun at his own head and pull the trigger. Or will shoot it out with the police.

Won't that be fun to watch? Especially by parents with children by their sides.

Why is this news? It's because the public will buy anything the news media sends them.

As one news director I used to work for once told me, "the news is what we tell them it is."

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/swanee_3/923212460/

Al Qaeda Regrouping In The USA

Gen. Renuart

There are new indications that al Qaeda is reconstituting terror cells in the United States.

The chief military commander for homeland security, Air Force Gen. Victor "Gene" Renuart, says sleeper cells may already be in place.

The first line of defense against homeland terrorism is an informed populous. It's up to us to report suspicious activities to authorities.

Among those best positioned to help protect the homeland are people who live in the communities that are producing terrorists. That means patriotic Americans of the Islamic faith need to be prepared to report when they become aware of terror plots in the making.

This is not such a far-fetched idea. The plot to blow up a Brooklyn subway station was thwarted by the 11th hour reporting of the impending attack by a fellow Muslim.

Helping The Families Of Our War Heroes

A grateful family

The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, which was featured on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com continues to help the families of U.S. servicemen and women who were wounded or killed in action.

The FWSF recently delivered a check to the family of Pvt. William Davis. Davis was killed along with three other soldiers by a Baghdad roadside bomb in March. His death occurred less than a month before the birth of his son.

The child was named William after his father. Davis, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, also left behind a 3-year-old daughter.

You can contribute to the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund at http://www.fwsf.org/

Violence Mars Re-opening Of Red Mosque

Musharraf - pressure's on

The re-opening of the Red Mosque in Islamabad was marred by violence as militant temporarily occupied the edifice and clashed with security forces. And as a suicide bomber killed 13 people at a nearby hotel.

The militants are demanding the return of a pro-Taliban cleric who was ousted from the mosque and detained by the government. The fundamentalist imams who ran the mosque prior to a government siege that killed more than 100 people had been bent on imposing a Taliban-like control over Pakistan's capital.

This simmering rage is threatening to create a sectarian rift throughout Pakistan and could weaken Gen. Pervez Musharraf's government. Musharraf has been helping in the search for al Qaeda terrorists along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. His demise would be viewed as a major victory by those who are bent on destroying Western civilization.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Musharraf&l=cc&ct=6&ss=2&s=rec

Gaza May Collapse: UN

The United Nations envoy to the Middle East is warning that the Gaza could collapse economically if Israel doesn't re-open its border with the Palestinian territory.

Michael Williams says the Palestinians of the Gaza need to openly trade with Israel in order to avoid such an economic crisis.

The problem with this thinking is that the Gaza has been exporting terrorists to Israel. Even now, with the border closed, rockets are launched from the Gaza into Israel with a frightening degree of regularity.

The Palestinians haven't given the Israelis any incentive to re-opening the border. But the Israelis have given the Palestinians incentive to stop their attacks.

It's in the Palestinians best self interest to stop attacking Israel. They are only hurting themselves with the continuing attacks.

If Williams' dire predictions come true, the Palestinians have only themselves to blame.

Feds Raid 2 Michigan Charities

Two Dearborn, Michigan headquartered charities have been raided by federal agents.

The two charities are suspected of funneling money to the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

One of the charities is suspected of being a front group for an Iranian organization that finances suicide bombings by Palestinians.

Is Border Security Increasing Illegal Immigration?

Border fence - are these efforts backfiring?

The Cato Institute argues that a tightening of security at the border with Mexico is actually increasing the stay of illegal immigrants in the United States.

In an article for the Cato Institute's newsletter, Daniel Griswold, director of the Center For Trade Policy Studies suggests that Mexicans used to fairly freely move back and forth across the border. But no more.

"Because of the cost and risk of crossing the border, the still-large number of illegal immigrants who make it across are more likely to stay for an extended period once inside the country," he writes.

"Enforcement efforts intended to reduce illegal immigration have perversely increased the illegal population by reducing what had historically been a circular flow of migration from and back to Mexico."

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlantzy/700827714/

The Re-occupation of Lebanon

Whose borders are they?

They're back.

The Syrians.

They've re-occupied Lebanon. An area the size of the state of Arizona.

I thought Syria had agreed to get out of Lebanon.

I thought there was world-wide condemnation anytime Lebanon is occupied.

Sorry, I forgot. That condemnation is reserved solely for the Israelis.

Where is the United Nations on this issue?

Bush's Legacy

An unpopular president

I have a friend who insists, the current polls notwithstanding, that George W. Bush will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of the United States for standing up to terrorism.

Hindsight, as they say, may be 20-20. But clearly Americans do not view their president very favorably today.

In fact, the president could be remembered as the least popular in history.

A Washington Post-ABC poll concludes that President Bush ranks just below Richard Nixon as the worst president in modern history. And finds that only Harry Truman suffered such poor popularity for so long.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mydnight296/788721358/

Terrorists May Be Making Dry Runs At Airports

Screening at the Houston airport

Terrorists may be testing to see if they can circumvent security at American airports.

Homeland Security has issued an unclassified warning to airports about the seizure of components at four airports that could have been practice runs for carrying explosives onto planes. Airport security officials have been warned that ordinary-looking devices may be used to camouflage explosive devices.

The apparent dry-runs were conducted at the Baltimore, Houston, Milwaukee and San Diego airports.

Here's a prediction. No additional restrictions on what passengers can bring onto planes will be instituted unless and until actual devices are discovered or, God forbid, successfully used.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkwonsh/321583584/

Arabs Hold Out Olive Branch To Israel

Arab League flag

An historic event is taking place in Israel today.

A delegation from the Arab League has arrived to present a peace plan to Israel.

The two-member delegation, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordon, represent not their countries specifically, but the 22 nations that comprise the Arab League. This means that, by extension, those nations are negotiating with Israel through surrogate representatives. Logically (although there's very little logical about the Middle East conflict) that means that those nations now recognize the state of Israel. Because you can't negotiate with a state you don't recognize.

When A Charity Isn't A Charity

Ad used by the HLF to solicit money

A Richardson, Texas based charity and five of its top officials are on trial in federal court for allegedly funneling millions of dollars to Hamas terrorists.

The government alleges the money, $36 million, was actually used to fund efforts to destroy the state of Israel and replace it with an Islamic nation.

Perhaps some of the donors were well intentioned people concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people. Perhaps they gave their money believing it was to provide food and medicine to Palestinian children.

Attorneys for the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development say the organization believed the money was being used for humanitarian purposes. The government says some of the money was used to pay the families of suicide bombers. The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development used to be the largest Muslim charity in the United States.

The trial is expected to last about five months.

The government previously froze the HLF's finances and shut the organization down.

2 More Years In Iraq?

Training Iraqi Soldiers

The New York Times reports that the military command in Iraq has prepared a classified detailed plan which commits the United States to two more years in that nation.

The Cato Institute's director of foreign studies says the administration's apparent direction surprises him not. But Christopher Preble says it defies the will of the public.

"Seven out of 10 Americans want a timeline for removing U.S. troops from Iraq," Preble says.

"They recognize that the political compromises that must be made in Iraq must be made by Iraqis, they cannot be forced on them by U.S. troops or U.S. politicians."

The Times reports that the senior U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, prepared the document. The president has said that he would listen to his generals on the ground before making a decision about a future Iraq strategy.

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Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Alexander www.army.mil

Ahmadinejad's Demise

Falling out of favor

Word from inside Iran is that fiery President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is losing his grip on his populace.

Foreignpolicy.com is reporting that he is the butt of jokes and disdain. The recent rationing of gasoline likely helped prompt discontent among the people.

Ahmadinejad is obviously anti-American. But not all Iranians buy into his propaganda.

Some people even display pictures of President Bush on the walls in the privacy of their homes. And a recent poll concluded that by a wide margin, Iranians reject the concept of an "unelected supreme leader." The poll also found that by an even wider margin, Iranians favor democracy.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/95818633@N00/247984465/

Summer Camp In Afghanistan

It's summertime. That means for many shipping the kids to summer camp to learn how to horseback ride, swim and to sit around the campfire singing songs and roasting marshmallows.

But for some 4,000 in the UK, camp has meant learning how to build car bombs and other terrorism techniques.

Security officials say the estimated 4,000 received their training in Afghanistan, then returned to Britain. The camps were run by al Qaeda.

British officials are frantically trying to track the whereabouts of the trainees now.

Italian Mosque Allegedly Used As Terror Training Camp

Houses of worship are supposed to be places that promote peace. But investigators in Italy say a mosque there was used as a terror training camp.

An imam and two others have been arrested for allegedly running the training facility in the small mosque in central Italy. The Associated Press reports that barrels of chemicals and instructions for flying a jetliner were recovered at the mosque.

The repeated discovery of promotion of terrorism in mosques is unsettling and casts a pall on the majority of Muslims who likely are peace loving people. It is also disconcerting that mosques in modern nations, like Italy and the England, where, like others, Muslims have freedom and opportunity to improve their lives, have become breeding grounds for terrorism.

Taliban Resurges With Kidnappings

Searching for Taliban

Another indication of the Taliban and al Qaeda regaining a foothold in Afghanistan, the kidnappings of foreign nationals.

Two German hostages have been killed by the Taliban because that nation has troops in Afghanistan. The demand was, remove the troops or they would be executed.

Twenty-three South Korean medical volunteers are also being held by the Taliban. South Korean President Roh Moon-hyun is pleading for their release.

South Korea has a small contingent of support personnel in Afghanistan but has contributed no combat troops.

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Photo credit: Milks/DOD via pingnews

Iraq Generals to Washington: 'Give Us A Chance'

Let them do their jobs: generals

The generals in Iraq and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad have sent a message loudly and clearly to Washington. They want a chance to take control of the situation there before a withdrawal order is issued.

President Bush has said that he will follow the advice of his generals in deciding future policy. In principle, this is a proper procedure. Clearly the command staff on the ground should know best what the troops are capable of.

But it is also clear that the brave fighting men and women who have been deployed to Iraq are getting as weary as the rest of the nation about the prosecution of this military effort. Especially those who were counting the days to their return to the United States and their families, only to have their service in country extended.

Let's hope, since the president is evidently listening, the generals are asking for all the resources they need to get this job done.

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Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Olanrewaju Akinwunmi http://www.army.mil/

Texas May Cut Financial Ties With Iran

Gov. Perry

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is proposing that the state's pension funds withdraw money from companies that are doing business with Iran.

A similar proposal previously died in the Texas legislature.

Perry's plan follows a meeting he held with Israeli officials who suggested divestiture.

It's a good legal way to put continue to put financial pressure on Tehran which continues to threaten the region with its attempted development of nuclear weapons.

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Photo credit: Bob Daemmrich

Chertoff Warns Of British Terrorists

Chertoff

Home grown Muslim terrorists have proven a threat to the United Kingdom.

Now, U.S. Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff says some of those radicals may be heading to the United States.

Chertoff says a risk assessment indicates that those terrorists view the United States as a legitimate target as well. He is recommending tightening up visa controls from the European Union as a response.

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Photo credit: DHS/Bahler

Girl Can't Wear Chastity Ring To School

Banned rings

She's 16-years-old and she's taken a vow of chastity.

She wears a ring on one of her fingers which expresses her decision to abstain from sex.

Yet Lydia Playfoot can't wear her ring to school.

A British court has upheld the Horsham, West Sussex school's decision banning Playfoot from wearing the ring.

The argument is that the violates safety and health regulations.

The school and court can do better than this. What lesson are they teaching the children? That it's OK to be disingenuous for the sake of expediency?

Let's be honest about this. A ring does NOT cause safety or health concerns. Students Lydia's age comprehend this.

Lydia argued in her suit that the ring was an expression of her religious beliefs. And that the school is discriminating against her based on her Christian faith.

The court decision notwithstanding, Lydia's interpretation of the ban cuts closer to the truth than the school's explanation.

How Politicians Use The Internet

Ian Bogost

Howard Dean did it during his failed presidential campaign.

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman was nearly upset because of it.

Politicians have begun embracing the Internet to bring their positions directly to the people.

Previously they've used blogs to carry their positions. Now they are utilizing You Tube and MySpace as well.

This isn't limited to U.S. politicians. Australian Prime Minister John Howard is using the Internet to talk directly to his constituents as well as part of his re-election campaign.

Georgia Tech's Dr. Ian Bogost, an expert on the Internet and politics, joins us on News Talk Online on Paltalk at 5 PM New York time today to talk about how emerging technology affects today's political landscape.

A consultant to the 2004 Howard Dean campaign, he argues that today's candidates use technology -- specifically the Internet and social networking sites like blogs, You Tube and MySpace - simply as an updated extension of 20th century staples such as direct-mail and phone trees, rather than a way to engage citizens in participatory democracy.

"Digital Democracy" is an illusion, he says -- one that merely allows citizens to participate in politics superficially, such as when all questions for the July 23 Democratic presidential debate will submitted via You Tube.

Frankly, I think the presidential candidates should all be using Paltalk instead. It's the only place where they can truly interact with the voters directly.

You can talk directly with Bogost by going to www.paltalk.com/newstalk and click on the Join The Room Now! button.

To the presidential candidates: consider this an open invitation to come on the show as well.

Al Qaeda Is Coming

Al Qaeda in Iraq takes aim at Washington

A new terrorism threat assessment prepared for Congress says al Qaeda plans an attack within three years. A massive attack. Emanating, not from the Afghan-Pakistan border. But from Iraq.

Somehow, al Qaeda has gained a foothold in Iraq. And now pose a threat to the United States.

The original explanation for the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with al Qaeda. Rather we were told it was to prevent Saddam Hussein from using weapons of mass destruction. Hussein was removed from power. The WMDs were never found.

The intelligence now suggests that today, in spite of, or because of that invasion, the mission has changed.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15056253@N00/837989863/

Massacre In Iraq

This is the kind of thing that took place under Saddam Hussein's reign. Although it wasn't reported to the world in real time.

News reports say 29 people have been massacred in Diyala in internal sectarian fighting. Other casualties are reported as the result of a car bomb in Baghdad across the street from the Iranian embassy. But car bombs in Baghdad are like traffic jams on the Los Angeles freeway system now. Commonplace. Almost expected.

Hussein was a despotic dictator. It's good that he's gone. But what's replaced him can hardly be called an improvement.

It seems the Iraqis, like the American-led coalition, are ill suited to enforce civil order. Perhaps Iraqis are incapable of living in a lawful environment unless under the thumb of a powerful supreme ruler.

If the U.S. remains, the killings will continue. If the U.S. leaves, the killings will continue. Killings in Iraq now are, sadly, a way of life.

More Evidence Al Qaeda, Taliban Have Re-grouped

A preliminary U.S. intelligence report indicated that al Qaeda has been reconstituting. Now events on the ground in Pakistan seem to confirm that information.

A series of deadly terrorist bombings following the Pakistani military assault on the Red Mosque have the fingerprints of al Qaeda and the Taliban all over them.

While there's continuing discontent over the war in Iraq, there was little resistance, domestically or internationally, to the U.S. attack on these two terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

It's time to redirect U.S. military attention to the Afghan-Pakistan border to wipe out the terrorist's command and control structure. Given the risk to the Pakistan government, such an operation should have the full support of President Prevez Musharraf.

We should all care about Musharraf's government's well being. Pakistan has the nuclear bomb. The world can't afford to see it fall in the hands of al Qaeda.

Backlash To Olmert Plan To Release Terrorists

Olmert - facing more criticism

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, already under criticism for the handling of last year's invasion of Lebanon, faces more discontent over his plan to release 250 Palestinian terrorists.

Under the proposed deal, the terrorists would no longer be considered wanted by the Israeli government if they agree to cease their terrorist activities for three months.

In the first place, who in their right mind would take a terrorist at his word?

Secondly, even if they could be trusted to uphold their end of the bargain, he's talking about a mere three month hiatus. After which the terrorists, presumably, could maim again.

Many Israelis are appalled by this proposal. But sometimes its best to, not listen to the multitudes. Rather, the voice of one solitary opponent who can carry even more weight.

In this case, Olmert should be listening to Chana Bart, who is confined to a wheelchair because of a terrorist attack.

In a letter to Olmert, Bart wrote, ""I ask you, Mr. Prime Minister: Just because I was successful in remaining alive, therefore those wicked men who shot me should be released? I am bound to a wheelchair, and they should be able to walk around free and happy?"

It's a question the prime minister should answer. In person. And publicly.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/95818633@N00/308602520/

Sanitizing History

Churchill, exiting school books


British schoolchildren will soon get a sanitized version of history.

Mentions of notable key figures in history will be stripped from the secondary education curriculum.

Adolph Hitler, Martin Luther King Jr., Stalin and Gandhi will disappear from history books.

Even Britain's own beloved Winston Churchill will give way for the discussion of more "modern" issues.

This at a time when we are being threatened by a new kind of extremism. When the UK and the rest of the world sorely need Winston Churchill as a role model to understand what it is like to stand up to fanaticism. When we need to delve into the sick brain of Adolph Hitler to better understand the illness that prompts terrorists to kill in the name of religion.

Religious Cleansing In Darfur

Protesters demand UN intervention in Darfur

earlier this year

An internal UN report says that communities left vacant by displaced Christians fleeing Muslim militias in Darfur are being repopulated by 10s of thousands of Arabs from other countries.

London's Independent newspaper says some 30,000 Arabs have crossed the border from Chad and Niger and have been taken by Sudanese government troops and militias to villages previously occupied by people internally displaced by the fighting. There they have been invited to put down stakes and start new lives.

Why is this such a top secret report? Why hasn't the UN made it public? Why isn't the secretary-general demanding that action be taken? Why isn't the Security Council putting together a peace keeping force to stop the genocide? And why isn't the General Assembly passing resolutions of condemnation? Perhaps it's because they've used up their quota of resolutions of condemnation on Israel.

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Photo credit: Ivan Booth for the Genocide Intervention Network

Congressman Compares Bush To Hitler

Ellison

U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn) owes President Bush, the victims of 9/11 and their families and Holocaust survivors and their families an apology.

Ellison has compared the president to Adolph Hitler. And is implying that Bush may be responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

I understand that haters of the United States and the conspiracy buffs making such outrageous statements. But a member of Congress?

In case Mr. Ellison hasn't noticed, the Bush administration, for all its failings, has not rounded up people and marched them into death camps.

He hasn't exterminated millions of people as did Hitler.

He has presided over an administration that couldn't respond properly to Hurricane Katrina, much less pull off a 9/11.

There are those who suggest that Ellison, the only Muslim member of Congress, made these comments because of his religion. Let's hope that's not the case. Let's hope that he makes such inflammatory remarks because he is naive. Uninformed. Misdirected.

He needs to review the evidence that is available to every member of Congress. And enlighten himself about al Qaeda and the threat that terrorist organization continues to pose to us all.

Americans Can Leave Iraq: PM

Time to come home

Iraq's prime minister has given President Bush a get out of jail card.

Nouri al-Maliki says Iraq can take care of its own security issues. And that the United States can withdraw whenever it wishes.

The president has said the Iraqis must step up to the plate so the U.S. troops can withdraw. Now he can make good on that promise.

It's time the military redirect its efforts toward the real enemy, al Qaeda. The Congress has just increased the bounty on Osama bin Laden's head. Let's go get him!

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Photo credit: DOD/USAF/Vanessa Valentine via pingnews

Proposal To Outlaw Burqas In The Netherlands

A sign of oppression?

A Dutch lawmaker has proposed outlawing the wearing of burqas in his country.

Geert Wilders says the burqa is a sign of oppression and women should not be permitted to wear them.

This is the kind of fanatic thinking we see in Iran where the government tries to control what people wear. Of course, in those places, the goal is to cover up women.

If women, for cultural or religious reasons, feel comfortable wearing burqas, then it's their prerogative. Governments should not attempt to prescribe "proper attire." Whether it's to get women to cover up. Or to "release them" from "oppressive" traditions.

There are, of course, exceptions. While posing for passport or driver's license pictures, women should be required to reveal their faces. The same for women who are going through security at airports. And there are safety concerns associated while driving while wearing a burqa.

But in general, it's a woman's individual choice if she wants to cover up or wants to dress in a more revealing manner. This proposal should be defeated.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/babasteve/20088031/

Muslim Group Loses Libel Case Over Mohammad Cartoon

Attempts to muzzle Pia

Kjaersgaard fail

The Islamic Faith Community had filed a libel suit against the leader of the Danish People's Party. After she accused some of its members of treason for going to the Middle East to stir up protests against the Danish government. After a newspaper there published an editorial cartoon depicting the prophet Mohammad.

Not only did the judge rule against the IFC, but he ordered the organization to pay the Danish People's Party 40-thousand Danish crowns in costs.

Three Danish embassies were attacked. And 50 people were killed around the world in rioting protesting the publication of the cartoon.

The Islamic Faith Community is continuing to pursue the matter, saying it will issue a fatwa against Danish People's Party leader Pia Kjaersgaard if the paper continues to refuse to apologize for publishing the images.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christian_johannesen/356705536/

Judge Expedites Sept. 11th Payouts

Google Earth view of Ground Zero

A judge is accelerating the process for determining damages stemming from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.

Federal District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein is concerned that time is dragging on for the victims and families of victims of the attacks.

The issue of liability in this case is a complicated one. Hopefully as this civil case proceeds, we will not lose sight of the fact that the real culprits are the terrorists who planned and committed the largest instance of mass murder in U.S. history.

Pakistan Vows Continued Crackdown On Muslim Extremists

Red Mosque after

the assault

Pakistan showed it was serious about isolating Islamic terrorists when it conducted a military assault on the Red Mosque. Now it says that's just the start of a policy of intolerance for those using religion as an excuse to terrorize others.

Muslim religious schools will still be permitted. But the teaching of the use of violence in the name of religion will not.

Al Qaeda is already up in arms, literally, over the Red Mosque attack. It has issued a video statement urging ... what else? ... violence.

Al Qaeda Tries To Get Into The U.S.

Al Qaeda

training camp

A draft report which still must be approved by all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly says that al Qaeda is increasing its attempts to get into the United States.

The Associated Press report also says that the terrorist organization is continuing its efforts to improve its chemical, biological and radiological weapons capabilities. And has reconstituted its command structure along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

The Bush administration maintains the United States is safer than ever against the threat of terrorist attacks.

Perhaps this report can be used as excuse for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, without regard to the consequences. They can then be redeployed to attack our real enemy. The people behind the 9/11 attacks.

Patriot Act Abuses

We are so quick to give up our rights in the name of homeland security.

So many of us embrace the Patriot Act. There have been others, however, who predicted that the Patriot Act would be abused.

Those predictions have allegedly been proven true.

The FBI is investigating one of its own units for allegedly improperly obtaining the telephone records of thousands of Americans. Americans. Not foreigners.

To the FBI's credit, those involved in this alleged scheme face criminal charges.

But as this war against terrorism continues, we must be vigilant to make sure that we don't voluntarily give up the very freedoms the terrorists would take from us violently.

Al Qaeda's Number 2 A Physician

Sir Salman Rushdie

Ayman al-Zawahri, who threatened Britain with additional terrorist attacks for knighting Salman Rushdie is not just Osama bin Laden's first deputy. He is also a surgeon.

We've talked before about the recent attempts to blow up cars in London. And the fiery car that crashed into the Glasgow airport terminal.

Six doctors have been detained in connection with those attempts.

Other Muslim terrorist leaders also have, or had, medical degrees.

They are obviously, smart individuals, to have earned those degrees. But they also obviously do not hold the traditional professional values that are to be expected from physicians.

FBI To Profile Terrorists

The FBI says it will begin profiling terrorists.

In a report to Congress, the bureau says it has developed a program that will give value to certain characteristics a potential terrorist exhibits. Much like a credit score, this "terrorist score" will be used to determine who needs to be investigated.

But in a policy analysis, the Cato Institute questions the effectiveness of data-mining in the search for terrorists. The analysis suggests that the FBI's plan is a waste of money. Good old fashion shoe leather, the Cato Institute suggests, pursuing leads, is the best way to prevent terrorist attacks.

New Al Qaeda Threat Against The UK

Al-Zawahri

issues threat

A new tape, by the number two man in al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri, threatens the UK for knighting Salman Rushdie.

This is the kind of intolerance and intimidation exhibited repeatedly by extremists. Don't like something someone says about your religion? Issue a fatwa.

Don't like an editorial cartoon? Threaten the cartoonist. The newspaper. The government.

Every time these terrorists open their mouths, they reveal themselves for what they are. Close minded global bullies.

They claim to be defenders of Islam. All they do is discredit their religion. And make life even more intolerable for the bulk of Muslims, who are just trying to live their lives in peace and harmony with the rest of us.

Those Muslims who do not subscribe to these tactics need to isolate those who do. And in a very public manner. If not for altruistic reasons, then at least as a tactic of self preservation.

The fear is, if these terrorists keep pushing the non-Muslim world around in the name of religion, then the non-believers will start pushing back. This cannot be good for the law abiding members of the Islamic faith.

Keep issuing tapes, al Qaeda. The more often you do, the more you build up a resistance to you and your tactics.

Is It Possible To Leave Iraq?

Crocker - leaving Iraq

may not be an option

The U.S. Congress is preparing to debate a withdrawal strategy from Iraq. But bringing the troops back home may not be an option.

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker says a removal of the coalition troops would result in an upswing in deaths as various factions fight to control territory.

This at a time when there's already too much bloodshed in Iraq.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari paints a similar grim picture.

Politicians should be careful about making promises they can't keep to the American people about leaving Iraq. We'd rather hear the bad news as it is then sugar coating it and raising expectations that can't be fulfilled.

More importantly, we owe it to our troops to be honest with them.

More Surveillance Cameras Planned For New York City

NYPD security cam in Midtown Manhattan

Taking a cue from London, New York City is planning on blanketing lower Manhattan with security cameras.

Some 100 additional cameras are planned by year's end. The total number of cameras that will eventually be deployed south of Canal Street is estimated at 3,000. This figure takes into account both public and private security cameras in the area.

Some privacy rights groups oppose so many eyes on the public. But security officials counter that, in this post 9/11 world, the more security you can get for areas that are potential terrorist targets, the better.

Terrorists Convicted In the UK

Four terrorists have been convicted in the UK for attempting to blow up public transportation in London.

The attacks were to have taken place just two weeks after the 7/7 bombings in 2005. Those coordinated bus and rail attacks killed 52 people.

The convictions also follow on the heels attempts to blow up car bombs in London and the terrorist car crash attack on the Glasgow Airport terminal.

Imminent Indonesia Terror Threat

Will Bali be attacked again?

There are reports that a terrorist attack in Indonesia is imminent.

Bali, a popular vacation spot for Australians, is listed as one of the potential targets.

Terrorists struck before in Bali, killing a number of Australian tourists.

There was an Australian connection to the recent terrorist attempts in London and Scotland. Several suspects were arrested in Australia. And, reportedly, the car bombs that never went off in London were to be detonated via cellular phone calls placed in Australia.

Defector Iranian General Spills Beans On Nuke Program

Gen. Asghari

Former Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Ali-Reza Asghari is reportedly telling U.S. intelligence officials details of Teheran's plans to enrich its uranium development.

This information should be enough to convince naysayers that Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad plans to enter the nuclear weapons fraternity. We should take Ahmadinejad at his word that he wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Nuclear weapons in the hands of this madman can only put the region in peril.

Ahmadinejad could develop a delivery system of his own. Or use his Middle East surrogates to set off dirty bombs in densely populated environs. That way he can claim deniability. Sort of like Tony Soprano ordering Paulie or Bobby to take someone out while he establishes an alibi for himself miles away.

This development of nuclear weapons takes place at the expense of economic prosperity for Iran. Although oil-rich, Iran has not kept up its oil refinement infrastructure. So while the Iranian people literally sit on vasts amount of oil, the government has taken to rationing petrol.

The information provided by General Ashgari, who apparently defected while on vacation in Turkey, should be enough to convince the world that something must be done to stop Amadinejad. Sooner rather than later. One way or another.

Upsurge In Attacks Expected In Iraq

Gen. Petraeus

The top U.S. military commander in Iraq says he expects an increase in the number of insurgency attacks in Iraq in advance of a progress report due to be delivered to Congress in September.

Gen. David Petraeus told the Associated Press that the attacks are expected to follow the pattern of the Tet offensive that helped propel U.S. public opinion against the Vietnam War.

New York City Shortchanged Homeland Security Funds

Sen. Schumer

Once again, New York City received less homeland security money than it should from the feds.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) says while New York is receiving slightly more money than last year, it's still less than two years ago.

Schumer correctly argues that New York City remains a prime potential target for terrorists. The city has developed its own counter terrorism police operation which includes both intelligence and security units.

The distribution of federal homeland security funds should be based on risk assessment. Clearly New York and Washington D.C., which were both attacked on September 11, 2001, deserve special consideration.

Carnage In Iraq

car·nage
–noun
1.
the slaughter of a great number of people, as in battle; butchery; massacre.
2.
Archaic. dead bodies, as of those slain in battle.

73 people are dead in Iraq. The result of vehicle bombs.

The dead were innocent non-combatants. People just trying to go about their daily lives.

Going to the market. Sitting in their homes which collapsed upon them.

These continuing deaths are not the result of American bombing raids. They are the result of insurgents, some of them Iraqis, some of them interlopers, trying to gain control of neighborhoods.

This is viewed, largely, as a problem for the American-led coalition. But it is also a problem for the shaky Iraqi government. The world community should also be concerned.

Worldwide outrage seems muted, except when the United States can be held to blame. There is seemingly no outpouring of condemnation for the people who are actually building the bombs. Pushing the buttons. Killing the civilians.

It's time for this carnage to stop. If Americans think they are weary of this war, just think about how the Iraqis feel.

We can't turn the clock back and redo foreign policy of the past four years. We need to deal with the situation as presented. That means, helping the Iraqis gain control of their country. Helping them expel the intruders. And then withdrawing.

It may mean turning the other way as the Iraqis do what they feel is necessary to restore order. Americans may find their tactics distasteful. But something must be done, and quickly.

Philadelphia TV Reporter Suspended For Using The 'N' Word

Burlington

Interestingly, Tom Burlington was not suspended by FOX 29 for using the word on the air.

His transgression was using it, repeatedly, during a story meeting. Where he argued that, when reporting about the controversy over its use, the word should be actually used.

His remarks reportedly upset colleagues of all races, leading to his suspension.

Americans Not Confident About Border Security

Guarding the border

A new poll by the Associated Press finds that Americans are not confident about the government's ability to secure the borders against terrorist attacks.

The poll also finds that Americans are not confident that the government could adequately respond to an infectious disease outbreak.

The results are hardly surprising. The Mexican border leaks like a sieve. And there are wide open spaces along the Canadian border as well.

This all means that the first line of defense against terrorism rests with the population. Citizens should be trained to identify suspicious acts. And then report them to authorities.

Local police should also be trained on how to properly approach, and investigate, these potential hazards.

Outreach into the Muslim community is important as well. The vast majority of Muslims in this country are law abiding citizens. They are, however, best positioned to report those people bent on harming others.

Case in point: the planned bombing of a Brooklyn subway station was thwarted at the 11th hour when a roommate of the terrorists flagged down a passing police car to report the plot.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8764678@N06/732128263/

45 Doctors Planned U.S. Terrorist Attacks

Schlussel, not off

target after all

I remember when we had Debbie Schlussel on News Talk Online on Paltalk.

She had reported about a Muslim doctor in Chicago who allegedly refused to treat a Jewish patient in the emergency room. The patient died.

There were scores of naysayers who found her allegation to be incredulous. No doctor, they said, would risk his professional career like that.

I don't know where the investigation about that case went. But now, the concept of doctors participating in terrorism becomes less incredible.

A group of doctors and medics have been arrested in connection with the attempted London car bombings and the attack at the Glasgow airport.

Now comes word that 45 doctors got together on an Internet chat room to plot terrorist attacks in the United States.

Suddenly Debbie Schlussel doesn't seem so off base after all.

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You can read Debbie's blog at http://www.debbieschlussel.com/

BBC Reporter Alan Johnston Released

Alan Johnston released

After 114 days in captivity, BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has been released by Palestinian terrorists.

He had been held in isolation since being abducted in the Gaza. Johnston had been assigned to the Gaza where his reporting was considered largely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

At one point his captors had strapped a suicide bomb onto Johnston and made him make a video statement warning that they would blow him up if there was any rescue attempt.

Johnston called the ordeal the worst time of his life, and said it was like being buried alive.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasone2007/712867371/

More Doctors Arrested In UK Terror Plot

Will there be more attacks?

A handful of doctors are suspects in the attempted terrorist attacks in the UK.

Terrorism expert Gary Moskowitz says this shows that terrorism is much worse than we thought before.

"It's not just uneducated people languishing in poverty," he says.

"This is why the Nazis were so dangerous. They were intellectuals too."

Moskowitz believes that if terrorists are among those in medical circles, they're probably represented in other professional areas as well.

"This puts the entire Muslim population under suspicion. I feel bad for the Muslim community, but you can't blame people for that. You wouldn't expect an intellectual, a man of the world, to be a threat. But this shows we can't profile those in the Muslim community to determine who is and who isn't a threat. They are blending in as one. It's hard now to identify who is a moderate."

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Gary Moskowitz can be reached through his web site: http://www.keepamericasafe.org/

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonofgroucho/685813593/

'Spectacular' Terrorist Attack Expected This Summer

Did the U.S. know there would be an attack?

ABCNews.com is reporting the contents of a secret document which warns that a "spectacular" terrorist attack is expected on U.S. soil this summer.

According to the dispatch, the level of chatter that prompted the warning rivals that which took place just prior to the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Homeland Security Department document apparently does not mention the United States as a specific target. But, according to the report, there have been indications of attacks on Glasgow, where an attempt was made on the airport, and Prague.

The terror level is at its highest in the U.K. In Germany, the public has already been warned by the government that a major terrorist attack could take place this summer.

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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fraserspeirs/672141047/