Friday, May 11, 2007
Fight Back Against Pelosi & Reid!
On Thursday, May 17th at 10:30 AM Pacific Time, we will be conducting "Surrender is Not an Option" protest rallies outside of Speaker Pelosi's San Francisco office ( 450 Golden Gate Ave. 14th Floor - San Francisco) and Senator Reid’s Las Vegas office (CLICK HERE for LOCATION).
We're sick and tired of watching Congressional leaders like Pelosi and Reid deliberately undermining support for the missions of our troops serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
We are asking all of our members and supporters and the general public to show up for these mass rallies. Please bring a "white flag" as a symbol to show our disgust with the "Surrender" policies being advocated by Congress against our troops.
If you cannot make it to San Francisco or Las Vegas on May 17th for these giant rallies, then please send a protest "surrender" feather and post card package to the offices of Pelosi & Reid. CLICK HERE to SEND "NO SURRENDER" PACKAGE.
We're proud to support Michelle Malkin and many other bloggers in the "White Feather" campaign - MORE INFO HERE.
Greensburg Victim Slams Kansas Gov. For Comments
Resident: Claim Of Slow Response An Absurd 'Political Slam'
(CBS) GREENSBURG, Kan. While Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Bush administration jaw back-and-forth over the relief efforts for Greensburg, Kan., the town devastated by Friday night's F-5 tornado, town residents have chimed in and say they couldn't be any happier with the response from the government and other rescue units.
On Monday, Sebelius criticized the government’s response for relief.
Swigart's voice was soft and raspy on Wednesday, likely from the dust and mold that filled the rubble and remains of what was once his house of more than a decade. He recalled the intensity of the storm and the fear that took over his family as he, his wife, and his two sons, ages 10 and 13, huddled tightly inside a tiny five-by-five bathroom in his basement on Friday night.
After the storm dissipated, Swigart and his family came up to find just a small portion of the structure of their house remaining. Their cars were destroyed. People were crawling from a semi-truck that rolled onto his lawn. But Swigart said there was an almost immediate response from other towns, people who had lined up to try and provide rescue efforts. He said Sebelius' comment about the lack of Humvees was unfounded.
Swigart says the general feeling around the town is that residents were overwhelmed by the immediate response, and that the governor's fuss was for her own good. White House press secretary Tony Snow responded to Sebelius by saying that there was no request by Kansas officials for extra equipment, and that if there is anyone to blame, it's her.
Hat Tip To: Albanys Insanity
(CBS) GREENSBURG, Kan. While Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Bush administration jaw back-and-forth over the relief efforts for Greensburg, Kan., the town devastated by Friday night's F-5 tornado, town residents have chimed in and say they couldn't be any happier with the response from the government and other rescue units.
"The poor response thing is just political BS," Greensburg resident Mike Swigart, 47, who lost his house and four vehicles from the storm, told wcbstv.com in an exclusive interview. "I saw her on television and I'm disappointed in that because she doesn't know what she's talking about."
On Monday, Sebelius criticized the government’s response for relief.
"I don't think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower. The real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg, because the recovery will be at a slower pace."
Sebelius said that with other states facing similar limitations, "stuff that we would have borrowed is gone."
Swigart's voice was soft and raspy on Wednesday, likely from the dust and mold that filled the rubble and remains of what was once his house of more than a decade. He recalled the intensity of the storm and the fear that took over his family as he, his wife, and his two sons, ages 10 and 13, huddled tightly inside a tiny five-by-five bathroom in his basement on Friday night.
"I thought we were goners. I really thought we were going to be gone," he said. "I was just totally surprised by the intensity of it especially, and I really thought we were done for. I just kept holding onto everybody and as it got louder, we prayed harder and louder and I gotta say I think it helped."
After the storm dissipated, Swigart and his family came up to find just a small portion of the structure of their house remaining. Their cars were destroyed. People were crawling from a semi-truck that rolled onto his lawn. But Swigart said there was an almost immediate response from other towns, people who had lined up to try and provide rescue efforts. He said Sebelius' comment about the lack of Humvees was unfounded.
"You may have seen her on television when she said that, and she talked about Hummers, that we needed Hummers. There were Hummers sitting in front of my house every day. The National Guard was there," he said. "I saw people from all over who came right away to help and nobody sent them, they just came because they knew it was going to be big. The response was excellent, the rescue efforts were all night long, and I even made a comment to my wife later that night when we came back into our basement that I can't imagine anyone saying we had a poor response to this tragedy, that it was so quick and it was amazing."
Swigart says the general feeling around the town is that residents were overwhelmed by the immediate response, and that the governor's fuss was for her own good. White House press secretary Tony Snow responded to Sebelius by saying that there was no request by Kansas officials for extra equipment, and that if there is anyone to blame, it's her.
"I was told she wanted to run as vice president on the Democratic ticket, and honestly, I wouldn't vote for her if they paid me because of that one thing she said on television right there. It was a political slam is all it was," he said. "It was a political statement and as far as the military thing overseas, I support what they're doing over there, and the military that came here is doing a great job too."
Hat Tip To: Albanys Insanity
Did Howard Dean Dictate Kansas Governors Response to Tornado ?
A Listener/Reader sent this comment to me on the blog recently:
At Thursday, May 10, 2007 10:50:00 PM, Anonymous said…
So I did some checking around to see if there was an valilidity to the story and so far I have found these articles pertaining to the allegations:
Howard Dean told Kansas Gov. Sebelius to Lie
Here is an MP3 of Quinn & Rose Breaking the Story
Quinn & Rose on Sean Hannity's Show
From Albanys Insanity
And this from The Free Republic
Here is the DNC Lawyers Letter to XM Satellite Radio in PDF
Stay tuned for more folks this is going to be good.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
At Thursday, May 10, 2007 10:50:00 PM, Anonymous said…
I was listening to the Sean Hannity show on the radio today. There are credible sources in Sen Brownback's (presidential candidate) office, who said that Howard Dean phoned our Kansas Governor at 5:30 am and told her that she couldn't "allow" this "opportunity" to pass.
She was told by Dean not to put in a request for assistance from the Feds, just to play it up and wait to hear for more orders from the Dems.
Sean Hannity had information that Sen. Sam Brownback knows about this information. Let's see if he tells the truth about it.
The Governor ought to resign her position for enterprising on a major catastrophe and so negatively impacting on the lives of those poor folks who are without homes and have dead to bury! What she did is unconscionable.
So I did some checking around to see if there was an valilidity to the story and so far I have found these articles pertaining to the allegations:
Howard Dean told Kansas Gov. Sebelius to Lie
Here is an MP3 of Quinn & Rose Breaking the Story
Quinn & Rose on Sean Hannity's Show
From Albanys Insanity
And this from The Free Republic
Here is the DNC Lawyers Letter to XM Satellite Radio in PDF
Stay tuned for more folks this is going to be good.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
F-16s Destroy Terror Camp in Iraq
U.S. Air Force F-16s obliterated three truck-mounted anti-aircraft weapons and killed 10 to 14 al Qaeda operatives near Fallujah on Tuesday, according to the military.
The military believes they were al-Qaeda terrorists engaged in an operation targeting coalition aircraft
Dramatic Video Documents Strike The Department of Defense gave ABC News first access to imagery of the night operation that was carried out a little more than 48 hours ago.
The three-minute video begins with imagery from an unmanned aerial vehicle.
The operator of the drone first spotted a truck with anti-aircraft weaponry mounted on it driving in the area. The drone followed the truck as it drove to a nearby training compound.
The video shows what appears to be al Qaeda members firing anti-aircraft weapons from the trucks as they train to take over an abandoned building.
The small black images are artillery rounds being fired from the trucks and some can be seen richocheting off the structures. Because the operation began in the late evening, the drone used thermal heat imagery which made it easy to spot the activity.
Caldwell told ABC News,
The truck was taken out by an F-16.
Two other trucks and some other vehicles subsequently fled the compound.
All of this is seen on the video shot by the drones as well as the F-16 gun camera. The tracking and eventual destruction of the three trucks took approximately two hours.
The military said the entire assault continued with a ground attack -- not seen on the video -- after the drone continued to track two cars that had fled the compound and driven to a nearby town.
Based on preliminary debriefings of the detainees, Caldwell said, the military was able to determine they were al Qaeda. It is unclear if they were fighters from outside Iraq.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
The military believes they were al-Qaeda terrorists engaged in an operation targeting coalition aircraft
"We've had about 11 helicopters that have been shot at and hit over the last four months in that location,"Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, told ABC News.
Dramatic Video Documents Strike The Department of Defense gave ABC News first access to imagery of the night operation that was carried out a little more than 48 hours ago.
The three-minute video begins with imagery from an unmanned aerial vehicle.
The operator of the drone first spotted a truck with anti-aircraft weaponry mounted on it driving in the area. The drone followed the truck as it drove to a nearby training compound.
"When we spotted this truck, we continued to follow it until it went to that compound where it's obviously doing some kind of training,"Caldwell explained.
The video shows what appears to be al Qaeda members firing anti-aircraft weapons from the trucks as they train to take over an abandoned building.
The small black images are artillery rounds being fired from the trucks and some can be seen richocheting off the structures. Because the operation began in the late evening, the drone used thermal heat imagery which made it easy to spot the activity.
Caldwell told ABC News,
"We then called in aircraft support to bring in some precision munitions and once it was established there was no apparent civilians in the area, the decision was made to engage and destroy the anti-aircraft truck."
The truck was taken out by an F-16.
Two other trucks and some other vehicles subsequently fled the compound.
"We continued to track them," Caldwell said, "and when they stopped along the side of the road, they were taken out by F-16s as well."
All of this is seen on the video shot by the drones as well as the F-16 gun camera. The tracking and eventual destruction of the three trucks took approximately two hours.
"They're extremely lethal if they're able to engage our helicopters and so for us, that was critical to get that type of equipment eliminated,"he said.
The military said the entire assault continued with a ground attack -- not seen on the video -- after the drone continued to track two cars that had fled the compound and driven to a nearby town.
"We launched a precision raid with helicopters and ground assault forces went in and we were able to detain eight individuals that we believe had been associated with that training earlier in the evening,"Caldwell said.
Based on preliminary debriefings of the detainees, Caldwell said, the military was able to determine they were al Qaeda. It is unclear if they were fighters from outside Iraq.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
Kansas Guard Troops Respond to Tornado Disaster
Within four hours of the deadly tornado that struck this town under the cloak of darkness, Kansas National Guard servicemembers were called to duty to bring relief to their devastated neighbors.
Before the sun rose May 5 to allow responders to clearly see the extent of damage, 15 security forces personnel from the Kansas Air National Guard in Wichita were on the scene, providing law enforcement assistance to local authorities.
The Air Guard security forces were joined by about 30 soldiers from the Battery E, 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, from Great Bend, Kan.
The state's new C2V Mobile Incident Response Vehicle was mobilized early May 5 and placed next to the Greensburg Court House, one of the few buildings in the town left standing. Air Force Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general of Kansas and the director of emergency management, was on site in the early hours, setting the stage for timely communication response in support of local authorities.
Also on the first wave of responders from the Kansas Air Guard was the 134th Air Control Squadron from McConnell Air Force Base. Their 15 personnel arrived on the scene during the wee hours following the EF-5 tornado that hit Greensburg head-on at 9:45 p.m. May 4, bringing with them many mobile communication assets.
In short order, they established a command center complete with power, phones, video and teleconferencing capabilities. Generators, lights, water, fuel, a wrecker and heavy equipment operators also were on site.
In response to numerous national and local media flocking to the area, the 184th Air Refueling Wing also sent a four-person public affairs team. They facilitated news conferences hosted by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and other officials.
"Kansans are resilient," Sebelius said as she toured the area the evening of May 6. "I am so thankful for the prayers of not only Kansans, but from people across the nation."
Air Guardsman Senior Airman Shane Clarke of Derby, Kan., has been a security forces troop for four years, but this was the first disaster he was called to serve in.
Kansas National Guard personnel, along with local, state and federal emergency management agencies, will remain in the area throughout cleanup and recovery.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
Before the sun rose May 5 to allow responders to clearly see the extent of damage, 15 security forces personnel from the Kansas Air National Guard in Wichita were on the scene, providing law enforcement assistance to local authorities.
"We arrived to utter devastation," said Master Sgt. Frank Cook, one of the first-wave responders with the 184th Security Forces Squadron, 184th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. "We worked to make a difference and protect what little property these people have left."
The Air Guard security forces were joined by about 30 soldiers from the Battery E, 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, from Great Bend, Kan.
The state's new C2V Mobile Incident Response Vehicle was mobilized early May 5 and placed next to the Greensburg Court House, one of the few buildings in the town left standing. Air Force Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general of Kansas and the director of emergency management, was on site in the early hours, setting the stage for timely communication response in support of local authorities.
"We were fully operational within 12 minutes of arriving, and had on-board computers, phones, satellite internet, UHF, VHF, HF and 800 MHz radios. Emergency management personnel and the highway patrol utilized the vehicle extensively throughout the recovery,"said Sgt. John Staiert, a Kansas Army Guardsman from Joint Forces Headquarters in Topeka.
Also on the first wave of responders from the Kansas Air Guard was the 134th Air Control Squadron from McConnell Air Force Base. Their 15 personnel arrived on the scene during the wee hours following the EF-5 tornado that hit Greensburg head-on at 9:45 p.m. May 4, bringing with them many mobile communication assets.
In short order, they established a command center complete with power, phones, video and teleconferencing capabilities. Generators, lights, water, fuel, a wrecker and heavy equipment operators also were on site.
"The connection, coordination, and communication between the Air Guard and our Army counterparts have been fantastic,"said Air Force Maj. Tim Smith, 134th ACS and on-site commander for the Kansas Guard resources.
In response to numerous national and local media flocking to the area, the 184th Air Refueling Wing also sent a four-person public affairs team. They facilitated news conferences hosted by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and other officials.
"Kansans are resilient," Sebelius said as she toured the area the evening of May 6. "I am so thankful for the prayers of not only Kansans, but from people across the nation."
Air Guardsman Senior Airman Shane Clarke of Derby, Kan., has been a security forces troop for four years, but this was the first disaster he was called to serve in.
"I got the initial phone call at 3 a.m., and at first I was nervous because I didn't know exactly what was going on. Once I went in and learned the full situation, I was eager to lend a hand. I want to help these people who must feel helpless and a little desperate. I want to let them know we care."
Kansas National Guard personnel, along with local, state and federal emergency management agencies, will remain in the area throughout cleanup and recovery.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
Two Insurgents Killed, 34 Nabbed in Iraq
Coalition forces killed two insurgents, detained 34 others and destroyed improvised explosive devices in Iraq over the past three days.
Coalition forces southeast of Taji yesterday morning detained four suspected terrorists with alleged ties to a senior al Qaeda in Iraq leader. The leader is an explosives expert who was promoted recently after coalition forces arrested several network members, military officials said.
During an operation north of Karmah yesterday, coalition forces nabbed four individuals for their alleged involvement with the al Qaeda in Iraq command network.
In related operations near Baghdad and Ramadi yesterday, coalition forces detained seven other suspects with alleged ties to the same network.
Elsewhere, coalition forces in Mosul yesterday detained three individuals for suspected ties to al Qaeda senior leader in the area.
Coalition forces near Mandali yesterday observed insurgents operating an illegal checkpoint and attempting to emplace a roadside bomb. Attack helicopters soon arrived, engaging and killing two insurgents. Five others were killed, including two children, and three additional Iraqis were wounded, local residents told members of a coalition ground patrol.
Residents identified the bodies of Abd al-Qader Dadoush and Wadeh Kalifa Doudoush, two high-level improvised-explosive-device manufacturers and emplacers.
Contrary to some media reports, forces did not fire at a school, U.S. officials said. Task Force Lightning soldiers are investigating the cause of civilian casualties.
In southern Baghdad yesterday, paratroopers from the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, arrested two men for allegedly planting improvised explosive devices. The suspects tested positive for exposure to explosive material and are being held for further questioning.
Paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division also discovered and destroyed 12 improvised explosive devices in Kalsu yesterday. Explosive ordnance disposal teams destroyed some devices on site, and investigated others prior to their destruction.
Working on intelligence collected in prior operations, coalition forces raided a Baghdad chemical car-bomb network yesterday, detaining one suspected terrorist for his alleged involvement in the cell, military officials said.
In a raid southwest of Tal Afar on May 7, coalition forces detained seven suspects with alleged ties to a network that facilitates foreign fighter movement into Iraq. The same day, coalition forces northeast of Karmah nabbed five suspected terrorists in raids targeting individuals suspected of coordinating anti-aircraft attacks against coalition forces.
Iraqi special operations forces captured an alleged Jaysh al-Madhi militia leader in Diyala province May 7. The operation was aimed at disrupting Iranian intelligence operations and other activities in the province, military officials said. During the operation, Iraqi forces seized a sizable amount of Iraqi currency. No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during these operations.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
Coalition forces southeast of Taji yesterday morning detained four suspected terrorists with alleged ties to a senior al Qaeda in Iraq leader. The leader is an explosives expert who was promoted recently after coalition forces arrested several network members, military officials said.
During an operation north of Karmah yesterday, coalition forces nabbed four individuals for their alleged involvement with the al Qaeda in Iraq command network.
In related operations near Baghdad and Ramadi yesterday, coalition forces detained seven other suspects with alleged ties to the same network.
Elsewhere, coalition forces in Mosul yesterday detained three individuals for suspected ties to al Qaeda senior leader in the area.
"We're continuing to build on our successes to disrupt the al Qaeda in Iraq network and stop their merciless and murderous attacks against the Iraqi people,"said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
Coalition forces near Mandali yesterday observed insurgents operating an illegal checkpoint and attempting to emplace a roadside bomb. Attack helicopters soon arrived, engaging and killing two insurgents. Five others were killed, including two children, and three additional Iraqis were wounded, local residents told members of a coalition ground patrol.
Residents identified the bodies of Abd al-Qader Dadoush and Wadeh Kalifa Doudoush, two high-level improvised-explosive-device manufacturers and emplacers.
Contrary to some media reports, forces did not fire at a school, U.S. officials said. Task Force Lightning soldiers are investigating the cause of civilian casualties.
In southern Baghdad yesterday, paratroopers from the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, arrested two men for allegedly planting improvised explosive devices. The suspects tested positive for exposure to explosive material and are being held for further questioning.
Paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division also discovered and destroyed 12 improvised explosive devices in Kalsu yesterday. Explosive ordnance disposal teams destroyed some devices on site, and investigated others prior to their destruction.
Working on intelligence collected in prior operations, coalition forces raided a Baghdad chemical car-bomb network yesterday, detaining one suspected terrorist for his alleged involvement in the cell, military officials said.
In a raid southwest of Tal Afar on May 7, coalition forces detained seven suspects with alleged ties to a network that facilitates foreign fighter movement into Iraq. The same day, coalition forces northeast of Karmah nabbed five suspected terrorists in raids targeting individuals suspected of coordinating anti-aircraft attacks against coalition forces.
"These targets were the result of the continued success we're having in operations against terrorist networks," Garver said. "Each time we execute operations like these, it leads into another target, another operation, another success and, ultimately, to diminishing al Qaeda's ability to attack innocent Iraqis."
Iraqi special operations forces captured an alleged Jaysh al-Madhi militia leader in Diyala province May 7. The operation was aimed at disrupting Iranian intelligence operations and other activities in the province, military officials said. During the operation, Iraqi forces seized a sizable amount of Iraqi currency. No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during these operations.
Talk Show America 5/11/2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Petition for Rehearing D.C.Gun Ban Denied
Today, in a 6-4 vote, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied a motion by the D.C. government to reconsider the court's blockbuster opinion in Parker v. District of Columbia. On March 9, the court held in Parker that
That means the D.C. handgun ban is unconstitutional and, unless the Supreme Court overturns the Parker decision, the ban will have to be lifted. Most likely, the D.C. government will now ask the Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision. If so, the high court could decide this summer whether to take the case.
The full text of the original complaint, Parker v. District of Columbia, is available at http://www.cato.org/pubs/legalbriefs/gunsuit.pdf.
The Cato Institute is a nonpartisan public policy research foundation dedicated to broadening policy debate consistent with the traditional American principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.
Talk Show America 5/10/2007
"the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms," striking down a 31-year old ban on guns in the nation's capital. Moreover, the court continued, activities protected by the Amendment "are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual's enjoyment of the right contingent upon his or her continued or intermittent enrollment in the militia."
That means the D.C. handgun ban is unconstitutional and, unless the Supreme Court overturns the Parker decision, the ban will have to be lifted. Most likely, the D.C. government will now ask the Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision. If so, the high court could decide this summer whether to take the case.
"If the Supreme Court grants review, the citizens of this country will finally have a foursquare pronouncement from the nation's highest court about the real meaning of the Second Amendment," said Cato Institute senior fellow Robert Levy, who acted as plaintiff's co-counsel. "That's good news. For those of us who have long argued that the Second Amendment secures an individual's right to own a firearm for personal protection, the D.C. Circuit has confirmed that the Constitution is on our side."
The full text of the original complaint, Parker v. District of Columbia, is available at http://www.cato.org/pubs/legalbriefs/gunsuit.pdf.
The Cato Institute is a nonpartisan public policy research foundation dedicated to broadening policy debate consistent with the traditional American principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.
Talk Show America 5/10/2007
Pelosi Threatens to Sue President Bush over Iraq
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is threatening to take President Bush to court if he issues a signing statement as a way of sidestepping a carefully crafted compromise Iraq war spending bill.
Pelosi recently told a group of liberal bloggers, "We can take the president to court" if he issues a signing statement, according to Kid Oakland, a blogger who covered Pelosi's remarks for the liberal website dailykos.com.
"The president has made excessive use of signing statements and Congress is considering ways to respond to this executive-branch overreaching," a spokesman for Pelosi, Nadeam Elshami, said. "Whether through the oversight or appropriations process or by enacting new legislation, the Democratic Congress will challenge the president’s non-enforcement of the laws."
It is a scenario for which few lawmakers have planned. Indicating that he may consider attaching a signing statement to a future supplemental spending measure, Bush last week wrote in his veto message, "This legislation is unconstitutional because it purports to direct the conduct of operations of the war in a way that infringes upon the powers vested in the presidency."
A lawsuit could be seen as part of the Democrats' larger political strategy to pressure - through a series of votes on funding the war - congressional Republicans to break with Bush over Iraq.
Democrats floated other ideas during yesterday's weekly caucus meeting. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) suggested that the House consider a measure to rescind the 2002 authorization for the war in Iraq. Several senators and Democratic presidential candidates recently have proposed that idea.
"There was a ripple around the room" in support of the idea, said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).
In the 1970s, congressional Democrats tried to get the courts to force President Nixon to stop bombing in Cambodia. The courts ruled that dissident lawmakers could not sue solely to obtain outcomes they could not secure in Congress.
In order to hear an argument, a federal court would have to grant what is known as "standing," meaning that lawmakers would have to show that Bush is willfully ignoring a bill Congress passed and that he signed into law.
The House would have to demonstrate what is called "injury in fact." A court might accept the case if "it is clear that the legislature has exhausted its ability to do anything more," a former general counsel to the House of Representatives, Stanley Brand, said.
Lawmakers have tried to sue presidents in the past for taking what they consider to be illegal military action, but courts have rejected such suits.
A law professor at Georgetown Law Center, Nicholas Rosenkranz, said Bush is likely to express his view on the constitutionality of the next supplemental in writing. Whether Bush has leeway to treat any provision of the supplemental as advisory, however, depends on the wording Congress chooses, Rosenkranz added.
Bruce Fein, who was a Justice Department official under President Reagan, said Democrats seeking to challenge a signing statement would have to try to give themselves standing before filing a lawsuit.
"You'd need an authorizing resolution in the House and Senate to seek a declaratory judgment from the federal district court that the president, by issuing a signing statement, is denying Congress's obligation to [hold a veto override vote]," Fein said.
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduced legislation to that end last year, but the idea of a lawsuit has yet to gain traction in Congress.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said that "the odds would be good" for a signing statement on the next supplemental, considering that Bush has in the past shown a predilection for excusing his administration from contentious bills. But Levin did not offer any clues as to how Democratic leaders would counter Bush.
Talk Show America 5/10/2007
Pelosi recently told a group of liberal bloggers, "We can take the president to court" if he issues a signing statement, according to Kid Oakland, a blogger who covered Pelosi's remarks for the liberal website dailykos.com.
"The president has made excessive use of signing statements and Congress is considering ways to respond to this executive-branch overreaching," a spokesman for Pelosi, Nadeam Elshami, said. "Whether through the oversight or appropriations process or by enacting new legislation, the Democratic Congress will challenge the president’s non-enforcement of the laws."
It is a scenario for which few lawmakers have planned. Indicating that he may consider attaching a signing statement to a future supplemental spending measure, Bush last week wrote in his veto message, "This legislation is unconstitutional because it purports to direct the conduct of operations of the war in a way that infringes upon the powers vested in the presidency."
A lawsuit could be seen as part of the Democrats' larger political strategy to pressure - through a series of votes on funding the war - congressional Republicans to break with Bush over Iraq.
Democrats floated other ideas during yesterday's weekly caucus meeting. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) suggested that the House consider a measure to rescind the 2002 authorization for the war in Iraq. Several senators and Democratic presidential candidates recently have proposed that idea.
"There was a ripple around the room" in support of the idea, said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).
In the 1970s, congressional Democrats tried to get the courts to force President Nixon to stop bombing in Cambodia. The courts ruled that dissident lawmakers could not sue solely to obtain outcomes they could not secure in Congress.
In order to hear an argument, a federal court would have to grant what is known as "standing," meaning that lawmakers would have to show that Bush is willfully ignoring a bill Congress passed and that he signed into law.
The House would have to demonstrate what is called "injury in fact." A court might accept the case if "it is clear that the legislature has exhausted its ability to do anything more," a former general counsel to the House of Representatives, Stanley Brand, said.
Lawmakers have tried to sue presidents in the past for taking what they consider to be illegal military action, but courts have rejected such suits.
A law professor at Georgetown Law Center, Nicholas Rosenkranz, said Bush is likely to express his view on the constitutionality of the next supplemental in writing. Whether Bush has leeway to treat any provision of the supplemental as advisory, however, depends on the wording Congress chooses, Rosenkranz added.
Bruce Fein, who was a Justice Department official under President Reagan, said Democrats seeking to challenge a signing statement would have to try to give themselves standing before filing a lawsuit.
"You'd need an authorizing resolution in the House and Senate to seek a declaratory judgment from the federal district court that the president, by issuing a signing statement, is denying Congress's obligation to [hold a veto override vote]," Fein said.
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduced legislation to that end last year, but the idea of a lawsuit has yet to gain traction in Congress.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said that "the odds would be good" for a signing statement on the next supplemental, considering that Bush has in the past shown a predilection for excusing his administration from contentious bills. But Levin did not offer any clues as to how Democratic leaders would counter Bush.
Talk Show America 5/10/2007
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Poll:Parents Back Abstinence Education
A new survey shows the majority of parents across the U.S., regardless of
their economic or ethnic background, support abstinence education over
comprehensive sex education. The National Abstinence Education Association
is touting a new Zogby International poll that shows American parents favor
abstinence education over comprehensive sex education by a two-to-one
margin.
The National Abstinence Education
Association (NAEA) is drawing
attention to the Zobgy survey, which claims when parents
become aware of what abstinence education teaches versus what comprehensive
sex education teaches, support for abstinence programs jumps from 40 percent
to 60 percent, while support for condom-based "safe-sex" programs drops from
50 percent to 30 percent.
NAEA executive director Valerie Huber says she is convinced there has been a
"misinformation campaign" about abstinence education throughout the media.
"Once parents understood that abstinence education is really holistic and
includes some of the core components, such as building healthy
relationships, strengthening self-control, developing skills that will
improve their chances for a healthy future marriage, and even the benefits
of choosing abstinence after being sexually active," Huber notes, "parents
want that message given to their teens."
The NAEA official says she hopes the results of the Zogby poll will inform
the debate in state legislatures and Congress over funding for sex education
in schools. "Most parents do reject the so-called 'comprehensive' sex
education approach because it promotes and demonstrates condom use," she
asserts. "They think it sends a mixed message and it crosses the line to
actually encourage sexual activity."
Two out of three parents indicate that the mixed message of comprehensive
sex education "is not something that they want their children to receive,"
Huber points out. She says most parents want their kids to hear a strong
abstinence message and, if there is a discussion of contraception, that it
should detail the "realistic limitations" of condoms and other
contraceptives in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Talk Show America 5/09/2007
their economic or ethnic background, support abstinence education over
comprehensive sex education. The National Abstinence Education Association
is touting a new Zogby International poll that shows American parents favor
abstinence education over comprehensive sex education by a two-to-one
margin.
The National Abstinence Education
Association
attention to the Zobgy survey, which claims when parents
become aware of what abstinence education teaches versus what comprehensive
sex education teaches, support for abstinence programs jumps from 40 percent
to 60 percent, while support for condom-based "safe-sex" programs drops from
50 percent to 30 percent.
NAEA executive director Valerie Huber says she is convinced there has been a
"misinformation campaign" about abstinence education throughout the media.
"Once parents understood that abstinence education is really holistic and
includes some of the core components, such as building healthy
relationships, strengthening self-control, developing skills that will
improve their chances for a healthy future marriage, and even the benefits
of choosing abstinence after being sexually active," Huber notes, "parents
want that message given to their teens."
The NAEA official says she hopes the results of the Zogby poll will inform
the debate in state legislatures and Congress over funding for sex education
in schools. "Most parents do reject the so-called 'comprehensive' sex
education approach because it promotes and demonstrates condom use," she
asserts. "They think it sends a mixed message and it crosses the line to
actually encourage sexual activity."
Two out of three parents indicate that the mixed message of comprehensive
sex education "is not something that they want their children to receive,"
Huber points out. She says most parents want their kids to hear a strong
abstinence message and, if there is a discussion of contraception, that it
should detail the "realistic limitations" of condoms and other
contraceptives in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Talk Show America 5/09/2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
National Guard Has Manpower, Assets Needed for Kansas Relief Effort
More Proof that Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius lied when she said half of the National Guard Equipment was in Iraq.
National Guard troops responding to a tornado that devastated Greensburg, Kan., have the manpower and resources they need and can tap into additional support if they need it, defense officials said today.
"If the National Guard has it, Kansas will receive it," said Army Lt. Gen. H Stephen Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Some 566 members of the Kansas National Guard -- 366 Army Guard, 200 Air Guard -- are on duty, conducting search-and-rescue missions, clearing debris, helping generate power, supporting law enforcement officials, and providing other support, National Guard Bureau officials reported.
The Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available and is working quickly and aggressively to save lives and reduce suffering, Guard Bureau officials reported. More than 6,800 additional Kansas Guard troops can be tapped, if needed, as well as more than 80,000 Guardsmen from surrounding states, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today.
Kansas Guardsmen responding to the disaster have 60 percent of their Army Guard dual-use equipment and more than 85 percent of their Air Guard equipment on hand, officials said.
Whitman reported a full range of Guard equipment on hand to support the mission. The Kansas Guard has 352 Humvees, 94 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, 24 medium and light tactical vehicles, 152 2.5-ton cargo trucks, 76 series 5-ton trucks, 13 M916 tractors, 870 trailers, 52 Heavy Equipment Transport Systems, and 30 Palletized Load System Trucks.
In terms of engineering assets, the Kansas Guard has all -- and in some cases more than, -- its authorized vehicles. This includes five road graders, 15 bulldozers, eight scoop loaders and 72 dump trucks, he said.
Whitman said he was unable to report which of these assets is undergoing maintenance and might not be immediately available to provide tornado relief.
Meanwhile, the National Guard Bureau is coordinating requests for additional support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. This national partnership agreement paves the way for states to share resources during governor- or federally declared emergencies.
"The states are poised to help one another when their own resources are overwhelmed," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
Initial out-of-state assets to be committed to the mission include six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for search-and-rescue operations; power generation assets to be fielded to Macksville, in Stafford County; and a deployable communications package with voice, data, video and radio interoperability.
"Saving lives and protecting property is what the American people expect the National Guard to do, and that's exactly what we are seeing take place in the wake of the Kansas tornado disaster," Krenke said.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius mobilized the troops after a tornado rated at F-5, the highest rating given by the National Weather Service, ripped through the state May 5.
Talk Show America 5/09/2007
National Guard troops responding to a tornado that devastated Greensburg, Kan., have the manpower and resources they need and can tap into additional support if they need it, defense officials said today.
"If the National Guard has it, Kansas will receive it," said Army Lt. Gen. H Stephen Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Some 566 members of the Kansas National Guard -- 366 Army Guard, 200 Air Guard -- are on duty, conducting search-and-rescue missions, clearing debris, helping generate power, supporting law enforcement officials, and providing other support, National Guard Bureau officials reported.
The Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available and is working quickly and aggressively to save lives and reduce suffering, Guard Bureau officials reported. More than 6,800 additional Kansas Guard troops can be tapped, if needed, as well as more than 80,000 Guardsmen from surrounding states, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today.
Kansas Guardsmen responding to the disaster have 60 percent of their Army Guard dual-use equipment and more than 85 percent of their Air Guard equipment on hand, officials said.
Whitman reported a full range of Guard equipment on hand to support the mission. The Kansas Guard has 352 Humvees, 94 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, 24 medium and light tactical vehicles, 152 2.5-ton cargo trucks, 76 series 5-ton trucks, 13 M916 tractors, 870 trailers, 52 Heavy Equipment Transport Systems, and 30 Palletized Load System Trucks.
In terms of engineering assets, the Kansas Guard has all -- and in some cases more than, -- its authorized vehicles. This includes five road graders, 15 bulldozers, eight scoop loaders and 72 dump trucks, he said.
Whitman said he was unable to report which of these assets is undergoing maintenance and might not be immediately available to provide tornado relief.
Meanwhile, the National Guard Bureau is coordinating requests for additional support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. This national partnership agreement paves the way for states to share resources during governor- or federally declared emergencies.
"The states are poised to help one another when their own resources are overwhelmed," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
Initial out-of-state assets to be committed to the mission include six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for search-and-rescue operations; power generation assets to be fielded to Macksville, in Stafford County; and a deployable communications package with voice, data, video and radio interoperability.
"Saving lives and protecting property is what the American people expect the National Guard to do, and that's exactly what we are seeing take place in the wake of the Kansas tornado disaster," Krenke said.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius mobilized the troops after a tornado rated at F-5, the highest rating given by the National Weather Service, ripped through the state May 5.
Talk Show America 5/09/2007
Kansas Governor Sebelius Lies About Guard Readiness to Score Political Points
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius expressed concern that rescue and recovery efforts due to the recent devastating Tornado were being strained because much of the needed equipment has been sent to Iraq.
It turns out that these statements are not quite true as evidenced by a recent press release from the Department of Defense which read in part:
So it appears that Gov. Sebelius either lied or exaggerated about the readiness of the National Guard in her state or she has no clue what their status was and therefore shouldn't have made the earlier statement.
We all know the statement was made to score some political points about the Iraq theatre campaign and probably to try and cover the fact that her states Emergency Plan was not updated upon some of Kansas's National Guard equipment and men being deployed to Iraq.
The bottom line is that she knew well in advance of the Kansas unit's deployment and if she felt that the equipment being deployed with the Guard would be needed in the event of a disaster, then the States Emergency Management Plan should have been updated with contingency plans to deal with the void.
Judging from the Defense Department's Press release it appears that there are enough resources at the moment because she has not requested anymore. This whole scenario sounds like what Blanco and Nagin did during Katrina, blame everyone but themselves for the failed response of their own actions, when they did not properly activate their Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans.
Jay Are
Talk Show America 5/09/2007
"When the troops get deployed, the equipment goes with them. So here in Kansas about 50 percent of our trucks are gone. We need trucks. We are missing Humvees, we're missing all kinds of equipment that could help us respond in this kind of emergency,"
"National Guard are our first responders. They don't have the equipment they need to come in, and it'll just make it that much slower," she said.
It turns out that these statements are not quite true as evidenced by a recent press release from the Department of Defense which read in part:
More than 300 members of the Kansas National Guard have been activated in response to a powerful tornado that almost destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kan., May 4.
Guard members are assisting in search-and-rescue efforts in the wake of the tornado, which was classified as an F-5, the highest rating given by the National Weather Service.
The tornado wiped out much of the small town, knocking out power, water, natural gas and communications. To date, 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been reported.
The Kansas National Guard’s 278th Sustainment Brigade has established a joint task force near the incident site. In addition to search-and-rescue efforts, the troops are working on power generation, logistical support, debris clearing, support to law enforcement, supporting establishment of shelters and distribution of food and water.Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau.
Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.
The National Guard Bureau has offered liaison, operational, communications, contracting, search-and-rescue, public affairs and community relations support, and is prepared to support the governor in any way possible, Noller said.
So it appears that Gov. Sebelius either lied or exaggerated about the readiness of the National Guard in her state or she has no clue what their status was and therefore shouldn't have made the earlier statement.
We all know the statement was made to score some political points about the Iraq theatre campaign and probably to try and cover the fact that her states Emergency Plan was not updated upon some of Kansas's National Guard equipment and men being deployed to Iraq.
The bottom line is that she knew well in advance of the Kansas unit's deployment and if she felt that the equipment being deployed with the Guard would be needed in the event of a disaster, then the States Emergency Management Plan should have been updated with contingency plans to deal with the void.
Judging from the Defense Department's Press release it appears that there are enough resources at the moment because she has not requested anymore. This whole scenario sounds like what Blanco and Nagin did during Katrina, blame everyone but themselves for the failed response of their own actions, when they did not properly activate their Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans.
Jay Are
Talk Show America 5/09/2007
Is Starbucks Anti-God ?
Woman says: 'I don't think there needs to be religious dialogue on it. I just want coffee'
An Ohio woman is steaming after reading an anti-God message published on the side of a Starbucks coffee cup.
The message that got Michelle Incanno's blood boiling reads:
The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, and was included as part of an effort by the Seattle-based coffee giant to collect different viewpoints and spur discussion.
This is not the first time a message on a Starbucks cup has caused controversy.
As WND reported in September 2005, officials at Baylor University told the Starbucks store on its Waco, Texas, campus to remove a cup said to promote homosexuality.
The offending cup featured the words of homosexual novelist Armistead Maupin.
It read:
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
An Ohio woman is steaming after reading an anti-God message published on the side of a Starbucks coffee cup.
The message that got Michelle Incanno's blood boiling reads:
"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."
The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, and was included as part of an effort by the Seattle-based coffee giant to collect different viewpoints and spur discussion.
"As someone who loves God, I was so offended by that," Michelle Incanno, a married mother of three who is Catholic, told the Dayton Daily News. "I don't think there needs to be religious dialogue on it. I just want coffee."
This is not the first time a message on a Starbucks cup has caused controversy.
As WND reported in September 2005, officials at Baylor University told the Starbucks store on its Waco, Texas, campus to remove a cup said to promote homosexuality.
The offending cup featured the words of homosexual novelist Armistead Maupin.
It read:
"My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short."
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
75 students suspended for opposing 'gay'day
At least another 75 students have been suspended from school in California for wearing shirts that expressed their biblically-based opposition to homosexuality, and the district that, as WND reported, has been imposing the punishments, says those quotations aren't necessarily acceptable because they are from God’s Word.
That's the verdict from San Juan Unified School District Superintendent Steven Enoch, according to lawyers for the Pacific Justice Institute, which is working on behalf of the students.
The suspensions were begun on April 18 when the homosexual lobby-supported "Day of Silence" was observed in public schools in California - and across the nation.
An unknown number of students but at least dozens and perhaps hundreds of students were suspended for that day when they arrived wearing T-shirts proclaiming the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality, and PJI lawyer Kevin Snider was launched into action.
The students have been wearing T-shirts proclaiming their Biblical views, he said. "They had a quote from Jesus, ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments."The students also wore shirts with other Bible verses, including 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
Other slogans included the quotation from the Old Testament Law that speaks of homosexuality as an "abomination," he said. But the school also allows T-shirts promoting homosexuality, too, with messages such as "I'm gay," he noted.
What started this; was an APPROVED event by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network:
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
That's the verdict from San Juan Unified School District Superintendent Steven Enoch, according to lawyers for the Pacific Justice Institute, which is working on behalf of the students.
The suspensions were begun on April 18 when the homosexual lobby-supported "Day of Silence" was observed in public schools in California - and across the nation.
An unknown number of students but at least dozens and perhaps hundreds of students were suspended for that day when they arrived wearing T-shirts proclaiming the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality, and PJI lawyer Kevin Snider was launched into action.
The students have been wearing T-shirts proclaiming their Biblical views, he said. "They had a quote from Jesus, ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments."The students also wore shirts with other Bible verses, including 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
Other slogans included the quotation from the Old Testament Law that speaks of homosexuality as an "abomination," he said. But the school also allows T-shirts promoting homosexuality, too, with messages such as "I'm gay," he noted.
What started this; was an APPROVED event by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network:
The issues initially arose at Inderkum, Rio Linda and San Juan high schools during the event promoted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network organization, which advocates for the homosexual lifestyle and promotes educating children in that choice. During that event, students go around school during the day without speaking, and they hand out cards stating they are protesting the "discrimination" against the homosexual lifestyle.
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Al-Qaeda on the Run in Iraq ?
Pan-Arab al-Hayat has been closely reporting on the ongoing war between al-Qa'ida and Sunni groups that reject al-Qa'ida's extremist agenda. According to the latest reports, the conflict has turned into open warfare, with al-Qa'ida's affiliates pronouncing their Sunni opponents as apostates and collaborators.
The significance of declaring Sunni opponents as apostates lies in that it gives al-Qa'ida a "legal right" to eliminate its enemies. Much in the same way that al-Zarqawi had pronounced the Iraqi Shi'a to be non-Muslims, launching a horrific wave of sectarian mass-killings.
The conflict in the Sunni areas has several dimensions, on one hand, local and tribal forces see al-Qa'ida's extreme violence against Iraqi Shi'a to be detrimental to the Sunnis of Iraq and as inviting repression against Sunni civilians and Sunni areas. That has led to intense clashes between al-Qa'ida's members (especially in the cities of Anbar) and tribal forces supported by the government.
On the other hand, Sunni insurgent groups who say that they resist the American occupation, but do not attack Iraqi civilians, such as "the Islamic Army" or "the Brigades of the 1920 revolution," also perceive al-Qa'ida as an extremist faction that stains the reputation of the resistance and undermines its support among the populace; in addition to al-Qa'ida's totalizing tendencies (Al-Qa'ida had demanded that all Sunni groups pledge allegiance to its "Islamic State of Iraq.")
After a period of covert confrontations, including assassinations and counter-assassinations, al-Hayat said that anti-al Qa'ida Sunni groups have finally announced their public opposition to al-Qa'ida and its "Islamic state," and declared that they will unite their efforts within an organization called “the Front for Struggle and Reform."
The conflict is leading to further fragmentation within al-Qa'ida, al-Hayat said, with splits announced within the organization of Ansar al-Sunna, one of the main allies of al-Qa'ida in Iraq.
Clearly, one of the objectives of the new front is to further marginalize al-Qa'ida and its affiliate organizations (such as Ansar al-Sunna) and to present a "new face" for the resistance in Iraq, with the new front announcing, in its first statement, that it does not engage in attacks against Iraqi civilians.
The conflict is leading to further fragmentation within al-Qa'ida, al-Hayat said, with splits announced within the organization of Ansar al-Sunna, one of the main allies of al-Qa'ida in Iraq.
Lastly, al-Hayat also noted that, in the context of this emergent Sunni-Sunni conflict, al-Qa'ida in Iraq has been recently publishing frequent statements announcing the assassination of Sunnis accused of “apostasy” and being "agents" of the occupation. These individuals, the newspaper added, tend to support armed groups that oppose al-Qa'ida’s agenda.
The significance of declaring Sunni opponents as apostates lies in that it gives al-Qa'ida a "legal right" to eliminate its enemies. Much in the same way that al-Zarqawi had pronounced the Iraqi Shi'a to be non-Muslims, launching a horrific wave of sectarian mass-killings.
The conflict in the Sunni areas has several dimensions, on one hand, local and tribal forces see al-Qa'ida's extreme violence against Iraqi Shi'a to be detrimental to the Sunnis of Iraq and as inviting repression against Sunni civilians and Sunni areas. That has led to intense clashes between al-Qa'ida's members (especially in the cities of Anbar) and tribal forces supported by the government.
On the other hand, Sunni insurgent groups who say that they resist the American occupation, but do not attack Iraqi civilians, such as "the Islamic Army" or "the Brigades of the 1920 revolution," also perceive al-Qa'ida as an extremist faction that stains the reputation of the resistance and undermines its support among the populace; in addition to al-Qa'ida's totalizing tendencies (Al-Qa'ida had demanded that all Sunni groups pledge allegiance to its "Islamic State of Iraq.")
After a period of covert confrontations, including assassinations and counter-assassinations, al-Hayat said that anti-al Qa'ida Sunni groups have finally announced their public opposition to al-Qa'ida and its "Islamic state," and declared that they will unite their efforts within an organization called “the Front for Struggle and Reform."
The conflict is leading to further fragmentation within al-Qa'ida, al-Hayat said, with splits announced within the organization of Ansar al-Sunna, one of the main allies of al-Qa'ida in Iraq.
Clearly, one of the objectives of the new front is to further marginalize al-Qa'ida and its affiliate organizations (such as Ansar al-Sunna) and to present a "new face" for the resistance in Iraq, with the new front announcing, in its first statement, that it does not engage in attacks against Iraqi civilians.
The conflict is leading to further fragmentation within al-Qa'ida, al-Hayat said, with splits announced within the organization of Ansar al-Sunna, one of the main allies of al-Qa'ida in Iraq.
Lastly, al-Hayat also noted that, in the context of this emergent Sunni-Sunni conflict, al-Qa'ida in Iraq has been recently publishing frequent statements announcing the assassination of Sunnis accused of “apostasy” and being "agents" of the occupation. These individuals, the newspaper added, tend to support armed groups that oppose al-Qa'ida’s agenda.
Environmental Wackos:Large Families Ruining the Planet
Large Families Ruining the Planet, Environmentalists Claim by Wendy Cloyd, assistant
In order to stop global warming, people should recycle, drive smaller cars and limit procreation - at least according to a paper published today by Britain's Optimum Population Trust (OPT).
John Guillebaud, co-chairman of OPT, claimed if a couple has two children instead of three, it cuts the family's carbon dioxide output by the equivalent of 620 return flights from London to New York each year.
Stuart Shepard, a meteorologist and spokesman for Focus on the Family Action, said humans should never be placed on a scale against the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.
Dan Gainor, director of the Business & Media Institute and Boon Pickens Free Market Fellow, said it's ridiculous that an organization touting itself as an environmental group is against one of the planet’s species.
Such groups view people and animals as equals, he said. "But we've somehow 'altered the balance,' so that makes us bad."
In the eyes of extreme environmental groups, the grizzly bear that attacks you in the wild is doing its job, Gainor said. In the eyes of those same groups, the activity of mankind is evil.
The OPT report came on the same day that Gainor found an article online by Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who described humans as "the AIDS of the Earth."
Shepard said such a mindset is obviously flawed.
The OPT paper and the writings of Watson, Gainor said, are not isolated incidents.
Shepard said the report illuminates that the debate over global warming has never been about science - it's all about politics.
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Experts call it 'ridiculous' to say having more than two children is bad for Earth.
In order to stop global warming, people should recycle, drive smaller cars and limit procreation - at least according to a paper published today by Britain's Optimum Population Trust (OPT).
"The most effective personal climate-change strategy is limiting the number of children one has," the report states. "The most effective national and global climate-change strategy is limiting the size of the population."
John Guillebaud, co-chairman of OPT, claimed if a couple has two children instead of three, it cuts the family's carbon dioxide output by the equivalent of 620 return flights from London to New York each year.
"The effect on the planet of having one child less is an order of magnitude greater than all these other things we might do, such as switching off lights," he said. "The decision to have children should be seen as a very big one and one that should take the environment into account."
Stuart Shepard, a meteorologist and spokesman for Focus on the Family Action, said humans should never be placed on a scale against the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.
"We are created in the image of God," he said, "and to say the planet would be better off without us contradicts the design of Creation."
Dan Gainor, director of the Business & Media Institute and Boon Pickens Free Market Fellow, said it's ridiculous that an organization touting itself as an environmental group is against one of the planet’s species.
"Human beings are the greatest resource we have on the planet,"Gainor said.
Such groups view people and animals as equals, he said. "But we've somehow 'altered the balance,' so that makes us bad."
In the eyes of extreme environmental groups, the grizzly bear that attacks you in the wild is doing its job, Gainor said. In the eyes of those same groups, the activity of mankind is evil.
The OPT report came on the same day that Gainor found an article online by Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who described humans as "the AIDS of the Earth."
"This is the extreme, utterly bizarre end of the environmental movement that you see in science fiction movies," Gainor said. "That's how they view human beings - but conveniently never themselves. They think they're the great enlightened ones."
Shepard said such a mindset is obviously flawed.
"It's obvious to the rest of us that there's something fundamentally wrong with seeing everything on planet Earth as 'natural' except for the humans," he said. “Why are we always viewed as if we were alien beings dropped on the planet by mistake?"
The OPT paper and the writings of Watson, Gainor said, are not isolated incidents.
"We've had Sheryl Crow calling for people to use less toilet paper; we've had Al Gore on Capitol Hill," Gainor said. "And right now Congress is still considering a bill that would mandate what light bulbs we can use. This is the eco-movement. This is what Congress is acting on right now."
Shepard said the report illuminates that the debate over global warming has never been about science - it's all about politics.
"Global-warming alarmism is not a scientific issue that found political support," he said, "this is a political movement that was looking for something to exploit in hopes of attaining elected office."
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Kansas Governor: Equipment for tornado cleanup is in Iraq
Federal officials arrived Monday in ravaged Greensburg to survey the damage caused by the weekend's tornado-packed storms.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius expressed concern that rescue and recovery efforts were being strained because much of the needed equipment has been sent to Iraq.
Sebelius said city and county trucks were destroyed in the storm.
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius expressed concern that rescue and recovery efforts were being strained because much of the needed equipment has been sent to Iraq.
"When the troops get deployed, the equipment goes with them. So here in Kansas about 50 percent of our trucks are gone. We need trucks. We are missing Humvees, we're missing all kinds of equipment that could help us respond in this kind of emergency,"she said.
Sebelius said city and county trucks were destroyed in the storm.
"National Guard are our first responders. They don't have the equipment they need to come in, and it'll just make it that much slower,"she said.
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Terror Arrests in Fort Dix Attack Plot
A tip helped authorities arrest six New Jersey men Monday night in connection to an apparent terror cell, according to NBC 10's sister station WNBC in New York.
Five of them were arrested in Cherry Hill, according to reports.
Investigators said the men planned to use AK-47s to storm Fort Dix and open fire on soldiers and civilians stationed at the New Jersey base, noting that other military locations were scouted by the terrorist cell.
Three of the unnamed suspects are brothers who are all believed to be Islamic radicals, according to sources. Some of the six arrested men were also born in Albania and the former Yugoslavia, but they have spent a significant amount of time in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to authorities.
Sources said the terror suspects traveled from South Jersey to the Poconos over the last few months, where they practiced firing automatic weapons.
Before deciding to target Fort Dix, investigators said the group discussed targeting numerous other sites like Dover Air Base in Delaware, Fort Monmouth and several coast guard stations, according to WNBC.
The station also reported that some of the suspects reviewed training films from Afghanistan that allegedly showed them how to carry out terror attacks.
Fort Dix is a reserve training center, but also is home to active units, some of which focus on counter-terrorism.
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Five of them were arrested in Cherry Hill, according to reports.
Investigators said the men planned to use AK-47s to storm Fort Dix and open fire on soldiers and civilians stationed at the New Jersey base, noting that other military locations were scouted by the terrorist cell.
Three of the unnamed suspects are brothers who are all believed to be Islamic radicals, according to sources. Some of the six arrested men were also born in Albania and the former Yugoslavia, but they have spent a significant amount of time in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to authorities.
Sources said the terror suspects traveled from South Jersey to the Poconos over the last few months, where they practiced firing automatic weapons.
Before deciding to target Fort Dix, investigators said the group discussed targeting numerous other sites like Dover Air Base in Delaware, Fort Monmouth and several coast guard stations, according to WNBC.
The station also reported that some of the suspects reviewed training films from Afghanistan that allegedly showed them how to carry out terror attacks.
Fort Dix is a reserve training center, but also is home to active units, some of which focus on counter-terrorism.
Talk Show America 5/08/2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Two Al Qaeda Leaders, Three Terrorists Killed; 39 Detained in Iraq
Coalition forces identified bodies of two al Qaeda leaders, killed three additional terrorists and nabbed 39 others during operations across Iraq recently, military officials said.
Coalition forces positively identified two more senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders killed in the May 1 operation west of Taji that left Muharib Abdul Latif dead. One of the terrorists killed during the operation was positively identified as Sabah Hilal al-Shihawi, who reportedly was Latif's religious advisor.
Another terrorist killed during the raid was Abu Ammar al-Masri. Intelligence reports indicate that he was a foreign fighter facilitating insurgent activity and infrastructure support for al Qaeda in Iraq.
Both terrorists were positively identified by associates at the site. In addition, Shihawi's identity was positively verified in a photograph.
During raids yesterday and today targeting al Qaeda leaders and a foreign fighter facilitation network in central Iraq, coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained six suspected terrorists.
En route to the first targeted location, coalition forces received small-arms fire from an individual with a chest rack of magazines and grenades. Troops reacted to the hostile threat with appropriate self-defense measures and returned fire, killing the armed terrorist, U.S. officials said.
Coalition forces continued to the first targeted site, where they called to the occupants to leave the building. Two armed men ran out of the building and engaged coalition forces with small-arms fire.
Using appropriate self-defense measures, coalition forces returned fire, killing one and injuring another, officials said. The injured individual was taken to a military medical facility, where he later died from his wounds.
Further searches of the targeted buildings uncovered four individuals suspected of ties to a foreign fighter facilitation network and al Qaeda in Iraq. The four suspected terrorists were detained.
In other operations, one suspect was detained southwest of Taji, and another was detained in a raid in northern Baghdad. Both individuals are allegedly tied to al Qaeda senior leaders and their network, military officials said.
During raids in Sadr City this morning, coalition forces detained 16 suspected terrorists. The individuals targeted during the raid are suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for helping transport terrorist recruits, weapons and explosively formed penetrators from Iran to Iraq. Intelligence reports also indicate the secret cell has ties to a kidnapping network that conducts attacks within Iraq, and has links to rogue elements in Iraq and Iran.
Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, discovered four improvised explosive devices, components for 25 additional improvised explosive devices, seven 107 mm Iranian-made rockets, and an 81 mm Iranian-made mortar during a combat operation in the Mahmudiyah area today. The contents of the cache were destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.
In Operation Eagle Thunder III on May 2, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from Fort Drum, N.Y., detained nine suspected terrorists and discovered weapons in Mahmudiyah. While conducting searches of the area, soldiers found a weapons cache in the reeds that consisted of homemade grenades. Troops also discovered two improvised explosive devices during the operation.
The suspected terrorists were detained for suspicious activity and are being held for further questioning. The weapons were destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by the explosive ordnance team.
Coalition forces positively identified two more senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders killed in the May 1 operation west of Taji that left Muharib Abdul Latif dead. One of the terrorists killed during the operation was positively identified as Sabah Hilal al-Shihawi, who reportedly was Latif's religious advisor.
Another terrorist killed during the raid was Abu Ammar al-Masri. Intelligence reports indicate that he was a foreign fighter facilitating insurgent activity and infrastructure support for al Qaeda in Iraq.
Both terrorists were positively identified by associates at the site. In addition, Shihawi's identity was positively verified in a photograph.
"We will not wait for these terrorists to strike; we will seek them out," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "This is what al Qaeda in Iraq members can expect when they target the Iraqi people and security forces that protect them."
During raids yesterday and today targeting al Qaeda leaders and a foreign fighter facilitation network in central Iraq, coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained six suspected terrorists.
En route to the first targeted location, coalition forces received small-arms fire from an individual with a chest rack of magazines and grenades. Troops reacted to the hostile threat with appropriate self-defense measures and returned fire, killing the armed terrorist, U.S. officials said.
Coalition forces continued to the first targeted site, where they called to the occupants to leave the building. Two armed men ran out of the building and engaged coalition forces with small-arms fire.
Using appropriate self-defense measures, coalition forces returned fire, killing one and injuring another, officials said. The injured individual was taken to a military medical facility, where he later died from his wounds.
Further searches of the targeted buildings uncovered four individuals suspected of ties to a foreign fighter facilitation network and al Qaeda in Iraq. The four suspected terrorists were detained.
In other operations, one suspect was detained southwest of Taji, and another was detained in a raid in northern Baghdad. Both individuals are allegedly tied to al Qaeda senior leaders and their network, military officials said.
"Each operation we conduct in pursuit of these terrorists is a systematic maneuver to chip away at the network of al Qaeda and rogue foreign fighter elements that are trying to derail the progress of Iraq,"Garver said.
During raids in Sadr City this morning, coalition forces detained 16 suspected terrorists. The individuals targeted during the raid are suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for helping transport terrorist recruits, weapons and explosively formed penetrators from Iran to Iraq. Intelligence reports also indicate the secret cell has ties to a kidnapping network that conducts attacks within Iraq, and has links to rogue elements in Iraq and Iran.
"This morning's success is yet another example of the dedication and determination of coalition forces to rid Iraq of the terrorist organizations that threaten the safety and security of this country and its people,"Garver said.
Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, discovered four improvised explosive devices, components for 25 additional improvised explosive devices, seven 107 mm Iranian-made rockets, and an 81 mm Iranian-made mortar during a combat operation in the Mahmudiyah area today. The contents of the cache were destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.
In Operation Eagle Thunder III on May 2, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from Fort Drum, N.Y., detained nine suspected terrorists and discovered weapons in Mahmudiyah. While conducting searches of the area, soldiers found a weapons cache in the reeds that consisted of homemade grenades. Troops also discovered two improvised explosive devices during the operation.
The suspected terrorists were detained for suspicious activity and are being held for further questioning. The weapons were destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by the explosive ordnance team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)