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Helen Thomas, Lynne Stewart, a vat of anchovies and me ... indeed!
-Glenn Reynolds

Al-Qaeda spells out Iraq attack strategy in handbook

Well, it appears that an Al-Qaeda playbook has been discovered ... in the possession of the French media. Go figure:

Al-Qaeda reportedly planned to target Spain as the weakest link of the coalition in Iraq to force its troop pullout, according to a document from the terror network.

"We consider that the Spanish government cannot suffer more than two to three strikes before pulling out (of Iraq) under pressure from its own people," said the document obtained Wednesday by AFP from Raido France Internationale's regional office in Beirut.

"If these (Spanish) forces remain after the strikes, the victory of the socialist party would be near-guaranteed and the pullout of Spanish forces from Iraq would be on its agenda," said the document, distributed ahead of the March 11 attacks in Madrid.

Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, elected after the train bombings in Madrid which left 191 people dead in Spain's worst ever terrorist attack, withdrew Spanish troops from the troubled country in May.

The document has apparently been issued in late February, as it refers to the early days of the Islamic new year which fell on February 21.

Made-up of 54 pages in Arabic, the document has been authenticated by western experts of the Islamic radical terror network of Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden.

The document, entitled "the Iraq of Jihad (holy war): hopes and dangers," was prepared by the "information agency for the support of the Iraqi people -- office of services for the Mujahedeen (holy warriors) . . ."

So, what was this thing doing in Radio France Internationale's regional office in Beirut??

Posted by: Jheka at June 30, 2004 14:27 | link | comments (1) |

Ralph Nader: ZOG!! ZOG EVERYWHERE!!!!

Ralph Nader has decided to make a play for the hard left vote by going with what works:  Out and out anti-Semitism.  Specifically, Nader said the following on C-Span yesterday:

"What has been happening over the years is a predictable routine of foreign visitation from the head of the Israeli government. The Israeli puppeteer travels to Washington. The Israeli puppeteer meets with the puppet in the White House, and then moves down Pennsylvania Avenue, and meets with the puppets in Congress. And then takes back billions of taxpayer dollars. It is time for the Washington puppet show to be replaced by the Washington peace show."

Watch out, Senator Kerry. Nader's making a strong play for your base. (hat tip LGF and LGF reader Ethel Carol)

Posted by: Jheka at June 30, 2004 10:40 | link | comments |

Strange Developments in Story of Abducted Marine

OK, I want to be very, very careful about this. I don't want to go all Kathryn Cramer with this story and smear a good man, especially at a time when he is apparently in trouble. The following is based on a New York Times article which contains a lot of speculation and, for now, nothing more.  According to The New York Times (and, specifically, reporters Jeffrey Gettlemann and Nick Madigan), Cpl. Wasef Ali Hassoun the Marine who is being held and threatened with death by Islamist thugs, may have been captured after attempting to desert:

The American marine who is being threatened by his kidnappers with beheading had deserted the military because he was emotionally traumatized, and was abducted by his captors while trying to make his way home to his native Lebanon, a Marine officer said Tuesday.

The officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he believed that Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun was betrayed by Iraqis he befriended on his base and ended up in the hands of Islamic extremists.

The officer said Corporal Hassoun, a 24-year-old Marine linguist who was born in Lebanon, was shaken up after he saw one of his sergeants blown apart by a mortar shell.

"It was very disturbing to him," the officer said. "He wanted to go home and quit the game, but since he was relatively early in his deployment, that was not going to happen anytime soon. So he talked to some folks on base he befriended, because they were all fellow Muslims, and they helped sneak him off. Once off, instead of helping him get home, they turned him over to the bad guys."

Now, this does not come from an official source but, rather, according to the Times reporters, from a Marine officer who spoke on condition of anonimity. We don't know a thing about this officer. We don't know if we're talking about a general or a lieutenant. We don't know if he knew Cpl. Hassoun personally or was just going by what he'd heard. Acutally, we don't even know if the officer in question is in Iraq. Most importantly, we don't know if his claims about Cpl. Hassoun (that he was so traumatized at seeing one of his sergeants killed in action that he decided to desert to his native Lebanon) are based on speculation or something more (at least part of it - that Cpl. Hasssoun was turned over to his captors by those who were purporting to help him desert - is obviously speculation; the officer wasn't there to see what happened).

There's been a lot of speculation on how a Marine gets captured, alone, by militants. This would answer that. And yet, I hope it is not true because if it is, it would extend the already dark shadow over every Muslim in uniform, and that is not a good thing. I hope that he did not desert and that he is shown, in the end, to be a good Marine and a credit to the Corps. I hope that Cpl. Hassoun is rescued, whether or not he deserted, because even a deserter, for whatever reason, is still a Marine and still an American and we need to protect our men and women, good and not so good, from our enemies. Finally, and this is an annoying little hope whispering incessantly at the back of my skull, I hope that that video was not the price of his ticket to Lebanon or wherever. I hope that no U.S. Marine would allow himself to be so used against his country and his fellow Marines . I don't think that it was. I don't believe that he did that. Let's rescue him and put this to rest.

Posted by: Jheka at June 30, 2004 10:17 | link | comments (1) |

Arafat Hits Bottom, Digs

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat , left, shakes hands with French Foreign Minister Michel Bernier at his office in the West Bank town of Ramallah Tuesday, June 29, 2004. (AP Photo/ Nasser Nasser)

Lord knows I've never thought much of Arafat but to lower himself to this. Wow.  Truly, the old terrorist will associate himself with any kind of scum.

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 16:34 | link | comments (1) |

Buddhists Attempt Plane Hijacking

Did I say Buddhists?  No, that's probably not right.  Sketchy details so far but it looks like three followers of the Religion of Peace tried to hijack a plane from Munich to Istanbul but were thwarted by a brave pilot and German special forces.  Actually, given the events of 9/11 "hijack" is rather an optimistic term.  Oh, and if the hijackers were Mennonites or Jews or Rastafarians or anybody but followers of the Religion of Peace, I'll apologize right here in this space.  Oh, the suspense . . .

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 15:22 | link | comments (2) |

Is Germany Reverting to Form?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grave Desecration. A Jewish gravestone in Dusseldorf, Germany, is pictured on Friday, after more than 40 desecrated graves were discovered at the Jewish cemetery. Nazi and SS symbols were also sprayed in silver paint nearby. Police said they did not know yet who was responsible for the vandalism.

With very few live Jews left to hate, it appears that some Germans are going with the next best thing.

Update:  The picture of Jewish tombstones with swastikas and SS symbols on them seems to be down.  I'll look for another from the same story.  Never forget.

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 14:21 | link | comments |

Supreme Court Rules Against Web Porn Law

This is an interesting 5-4 decision that is, in my opinion, a victory for First Amendment rights.  Very often it's the "think of the children" laws that are the most invasive and dangerous.  But that's not what I find stunning.  Take a look at this, from the article:

The majority, led by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, said there may have been important technological advances in the five years since a federal judge blocked the law.

Holding a new trial will allow discussion of what technology, if any, might allow adults to see and buy material that is legal for them while keeping that material out of the hands of children.

Justices John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter, Clarence Thomas and Ruth Bader Ginsburg agreed with Kennedy.

Now that's a shocker.  Rehnquist and Scalia on one side of a decision, Thomas on the other.  How often does that happen?

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 10:40 | link | comments |

Allah Exposes Bush and Condi as Completely Unoriginal

That cute little Iraqi freedom-note thing? It's been done before.

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 10:23 | link | comments |

BEST HEADLINE EVER!!

 

 

Ewe!!  Seriously, it just doesn't get better than this. Hat tip to Urthshu.

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 09:46 | link | comments |

Scenes from Israel's Gay Pride Parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, when you guys get a chance, can someone post some pictures from the Palestinian GBLT celebration? How about the Syrian or the Iranian or the Egyptian or the Saudi festivities? Anybody? This is one reason why I consider myself, and many other "hawks" liberal and consider the leftists who insist on supporting the most homophobic, mysoginistic people on the planet well, asshats. This is why, when I was at the Gay Pride parade in San Francisco on Sunday and saw people like this, I just had to shake my head.

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 08:46 | link | comments (1) |

A Message from Palestine's Youth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Palestinian boys from the Mini Palestinian parliament, based in Rafah, chant anti American and Israeli slogans during an anti-U.S. protest outside the office of the Civil Society and Democracy Strengthening project, known as Tamkeen, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Gaza city, Thursday June 24, 2004. Arabic on placard reads 'Death to Israeli, Death to America, Death to Sharon and Bush' (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Are we clear on this? Does everybody understand now? No state until the poison of hate has been drained from the Palestinian people.

Posted by: Jheka at June 29, 2004 07:52 | link | comments (1) |

Who Knew it Was a Romance?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Al Sharpton & Richard Gere at a special Screening of Michael Moore's New Film Fahrenheit 9/11, held at the Ziegfeld Theater. - Photo by: Dave Allocca

Michael Moore: He's a Uniter. It appears that somewhere, for at least one night, a gerbil has been spared a terrible fate. Thank you Mr. Moore. Thank you, Reverend Al.

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 21:50 | link | comments (1) |

Iraq is a Free Nation Today

I disagreed (and still disagree) with turning sovereignty over so early and at so uncertain a time. Nevertheless, today a New Iraq is born and I wish it, and the freedom loving people in it, nothing but the very best. But enough from me. Let's hear what some Iraqis have to say on the subject:

Alaa of The Messopotamian:

. . . Glory and honor to the U.S. and Allied men and women whose blood is irrigating the tree of freedom in this land; and their sacrifices, suffering, and toil is laying the foundation for a future renaissance of the Mesopotamian People. Hail soldiers of freedom and enlightenment. Do not be dismayed by the trouble and turbulence of the present, for the future generations will remember and appreciate.

And last but not least; Hail, Great El Bush, a leader not only of the U.S. but a true hero of mankind. And Hail Mr. Blair and the other Leaders of the Free World.

God Bless the New Republic of Iraq; God Bless America.

Wa Al Salaam Alaykum Wa rahamutu Allahi Wa Barakatuh

Please read the whole thing.

Omar of Iraq The Model:

It’s a great day for all the freedom lovers. No doubt is left now that we’re winning while the forces of darkness and evil are losing a key round in this war.
With great delight we received th news. this is the right and important step to build the free Iraq and
It’s a painful strike for terrorism and its allies.
They really missed this surprising and brilliant timing. And I guess they’re deeply shocked right now.
their luck couldn’t help them to scar this glorious day with a crime of theirs.

Most Iraqis met this news with happiness and hope about the new government’s performance and who walks in a Baghdad now can feel relaxation in the atmosphere.
What happened this morning will have a deep effect on the future of Iraq and the region as well. It has confirmed that America is serious regarding the handover and the creation of a democratic example in the ME through the change in Iraq.
It also confirms the readiness and will of Iraqis to take their part in rebuilding Iraq as fast as possible. . . .

It’s hard to appreciate the efforts of all those who helped us to get our freedom and rebuild our country. We will never forget them. We will keep them in our hearts.
God bless Iraq and her people.
God bless America and her people.

God bless all the coalition forces who supported operation Iraqi freedom.
May God bless the souls of all those who sacrificed their lives to free Iraq.

Go read it all.

Sarmad of Road of a Nation:

. . . Thank you united state of America for your great Job you done here .
Thank you coalitions forces for you brave work and supporting good.
Thank you all Brave mans ,who lost there life here ,your bloods will be the river of hope for us .
Thank you all good friends out there ,thank you for being with us all the way , minute by minute ,day by day ,living our sadness and happiness ,standing beside us ,encouraging us
Supporting us ,worry about us ,we always felt that you are there beside us ,with us .
Thank you all brave Iraqis who stand out there to fight for better future and freedom.
I will go now to celebrate with all people for this happy moments ,it has been long time since we celebrate.

Read the whole thing.

A big thank you to Michelle of A Small Victory for the compilation. Go check out her post on the subject, which has even more joyous, hopeful sentiments.

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 17:18 | link | comments |

Hizzoner Gets it Right - Again

Edward I. Koch, former Mayor of New York City (in some tough times), liberal, Democrat, Bush supporter, writes about Michael Moore and, once again, gets it right:

It is shocking to me that Americans in a time of war, and we literally are at war with Americans being deliberately killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere by Islamic terrorists, will attack their own country, sapping its strength and making its enemies stronger. I am not a supporter of the xenophobic slogan “My country right or wrong.” But I do believe, when seeking to make it right if it is wrong, that none of us should endanger the country, our military personnel or our fellow citizens.

Disagreeing with America’s foreign policy and seeking to change it, responsibly or irresponsibly, is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment. Shaming those who do it irresponsibly is our only lawful recourse and rightly so.

Senator John Kerry in criticizing United States’ foreign policy and the incumbent president is acting responsibly, albeit I disagree with many of his views. On the other hand, Michael Moore, writer and director of the film “Fahrenheit 9/11,” crosses that line regularly. The line is not set forth in the criminal statutes, but it is determined by Americans who know instinctively what actions and statements taken and uttered violate the obligations of responsibility and citizenship they deem applicable in time of war.

David Brooks, in a brilliant New York Times column on June 26, collected some of the statements that Michael Moore has been making in other countries which denigrate the U.S. and, in my opinion, cross the line. Brooks writes:

“Before a delighted Cambridge crowd, Moore reflected on the tragedy of human existence: ‘You're stuck with being connected to this country of mine, which is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe.’ In Liverpool, he paused to contemplate the epicenters of evil in the modern world: ‘It's all part of the same ball of wax, right? The oil companies, Israel, Halliburton…We, the United States of America, are culpable in committing so many acts of terror and bloodshed that we had better get a clue about the culture of violence in which we have been active participants...Don't be like us,’ he told a crowd in Berlin. ‘You've got to stand up, right? You've got to be brave.’ In an open letter to the German people in Die Zeit, Moore asked, ‘Should such an ignorant people lead the world?’

In an interview with a Japanese newspaper, Moore helped citizens of that country understand why the United States went to war in Iraq: ‘The motivation for war is simple. The U.S. government started the war with Iraq in order to make it easy for U.S. corporations to do business in other countries. They intend to use cheap labor in those countries, which will make Americans rich.’ But venality doesn't come up when he writes about those who are killing Americans in Iraq: ‘The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not `insurgents' or `terrorists' or `The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow — and they will win.’ Until then, few social observers had made the connection between Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Paul Revere.”

Undoubtedly, too long a quote, but there is no substitute for the original.

A year after 9/11, I was part of a panel discussion on BBC-TV’s “Question Time” show which aired live in the United Kingdom. A portion of my commentary at that time follows:

“One of the panelists was Michael Moore, writer and director of the award-winning documentary “Roger & Me.” During the warm-up before the studio audience, Moore said something along the lines of “I don’t know why we are making so much of an act of terror. It is three times more likely that you will be struck by lightening than die from an act of terror.” I was aghast and responded, “I think what you have said is outrageous, particularly when we are today commemorating the deaths of 3,000 people resulting from an act of terror.” I mention this exchange because it was not televised, occurring as it did before the show went live. It shows where he was coming from long before he produced “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

Go read the whole thing.  Hizzoner is a voice for reason and decency.  President Bush would do well to make sure that he is heard far and wide.

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 16:08 | link | comments (1) |

Specialist Keith Matthew Maupin Murdered in Iraq

It appears that this young man was murdered in Iraq. Not killed in action, mind you. Captured. Then murdered. It's time to change the rules.

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 10:02 | link | comments (1) |
schmucks

Barbra Streisand - Comical Musical Schmuck

Here are the lyrics of the song that Barbra sang at the recent Kerry fundraiser:

PEOPLE
I MEAN G - O - P - EOPLE -
WHO'D BELIEVE THERE'S SUCH PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD?
BUSH SEEZA
LOTTA CONDOLEEZA,
THEY'RE DIVIDING THE PLANET'S OIL
ACCORDING TO RICHARD "POIL"
AND THEY'RE ALL JUST TRAINEES
OF CHENEY'S.

RUMSFELD,
WE MUST GET RID OF RUMSFELD -
HE'S THE SPOOKIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD.
AS FOR POWELL -
HE'S NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL.
HE'S IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM,
WHILE THEY'RE ALL FIDDLING WITH DOOM.
NO ONE'S MINDING THE STORE.
WHAT'S MORE,
LET'S DISCUSS THIS WAR WE'RE LOST IN,
DON'T ASK WHAT IT'S COSTIN' -
WHAT'S A TRILLION OR TWO TO RULE THE WORLD?

(Second chorus)
THE SENATE
HOW I WANT THE SENATE!
ALL WE NEED IS TWO PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!
I SEEA
ANTONIN SCALIA.
HOW I DREAD EV'RY TIME HE SITS -
SCARED OUT OF MY WOLFOWITZ.
TIME THOSE NEO-CON GUYS
WERE GONE GUYS.

THEY'RE LYING -
WHILE THE GLOBE IS FRYING -
AND THE FISHES ARE DYING IN THE WORLD.
THEIR SOLUTION
FOR ALL OF THE POLLUTION:
IS JUST TO BEAR IT AND GRIN,
AND PRACTICE NOT BREATHING IN.
BUT THINGS ARE GONNA BE GREAT.
JUST WAIT -
WHEN THE WHITE HOUSE STATIONERY,
READS PRESIDENT JOHN KERRY -
WE'LL BE THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!

Where does one even begin in this mess? I know. How about the racist "back of the room" line about Colin Powell (been hanging out with Harry Belaphonte, Barbra?) and go from there. Will she at least promise to leave the country if Bush wins? Please?

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 08:14 | link | comments (8) |
schmucks, leftist idiocy

Hamas Murders Three Year Old Child and 49 Year Old Man

 

 

 

 

 

The "militants" of Hamas proudly took credit for shooting rockets at a kindergarten and murdering three year old Afik Zahavi and Mordechai Yosefov, 49. The missiles actually landed on a street between two kindergartens. I guess the bastards just couldn't make up their minds. Afik's mother was also critically wounded, though, if the poor woman survives, her physical wounds will surely be a dull itch compared to the murder of her child. Nine others were lightly wounded. This was the first time that Palestinian terrorists had actually managed to kill anyone with their Kassam rockets. In relating this story CNN helpfully points out that Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade "are considered terrorist organizations by Israel and the United States." "Considered terrorist organizations." Bastards.

Update: According to Eurabian Times, It turns out that Mordechai Yosefov was actually Afik Zahavi's grandfather. Also, Ruthi Zahavi, Afik's mother, who was critically injured in the attack, has been stabilized after over ten hours of surgery. She still doesn't know that her son was murdered.

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 07:16 | link | comments |

France and Iran in Genetic World Domination Plot

 

 

 

 

 

Urthshu thinks that this bizarre story is just a strange scientific anamoly or, perhaps, the result of a terrible nuclear accident. I'm not fooled, though. I know a nefarious plot when I see one. No, boys and girls, this is just step one. Today, a harmless looking frog. Tomorrow, Islamist frog warriors with snooty accents.

Posted by: Jheka at June 28, 2004 01:51 | link | comments |

Moment of Zen, Part II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undercover Bogie.

Posted by: Jheka at June 27, 2004 19:58 | link | comments (1) |
photos

And Now, a Moment of Zen - Part I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture was taken in San Francisco. With apologies to the great Frank Sinatra and my hometown of New York, when it comes to Jews in America, if we can make it here, we'll make it anywhere.

Posted by: Jheka at June 27, 2004 19:56 | link | comments (8) |
photos, what s going right

Why did Savages Murder Fabrizio Quattrocchi? They Thought He Once Met Some Jews.

Remember Fabrizio Quattrocchi,  that brave Italian who was murdered by the Islamists in Iraq back in April but was so courageous in death that they dared not show the tape?  Well, now there's some insight into why he, in particular, was murdered (the men who were captured with him survived).  It seems that the savages who captured him thought that he had Israeli ties.  The way that Fabrizio Quattrocchi acted in his final moments and the way that his murderers acted then and now should bring the civilized peoples of the world together.  The Islamists hope that it will tear us apart.

Posted by: Jheka at June 27, 2004 18:50 | link | comments |

Today's Bad News: Part II

It apprears that a U.S. Marine, a Lebanese-American who speaks Arabic, may have been taken hostage in Iraq. Now, we know that the U.S. isn't going to meet any demands so the only way to save him is to save him. To the U.S. armed forces and others who will be looking: Good hunting. Bring our man back.

Update:  According to Al Jazeera, the marine's name is Hassoun Wassef Ali  and he is a Pakistani American.  Whatever.  He is an American marine.  He is one of us.

Posted by: Jheka at June 27, 2004 18:26 | link | comments |

Today's Bad News Part I

 

 

 

 

Two items have crossed my radar. First, it appears that Hamas and/or Al Aqsa Brigades attacked an Israeli Army base in Gaza by setting off an explosion in a tunnel that they dug under it (both took responsibility). The BBC reports 5 wounded. The Jerusalem post reports six (one was trapped under rubble), one seriously. Not surprisingly, the ghouls at Al-Jazeera initially reported five dead but now say that there is one dead and six wounded. Ha'aretz reports six wounded with one in serious and one in critical condition. Come on, boys. Pull through and disappoint the ghouls.

Update: There are now reports of Israeli retaliatory strikes. Some that have happened, some that are now in progress. See here.

Update: Twenty year old Staff Seargent Ro'i Nissim from Rishon Letzion (pictured above) passed away and was laid to rest today. May his family find peace.

Posted by: Jheka at June 27, 2004 18:22 | link | comments |

On Ordnance - Open Discussion

It's occurred to me that of the subjects in my tag line (wine, women, song and ordnance) the only one that I really haven't touched upon at all yet is ordnance.  The thing is, I have an interest in the subject but I am no kind of expert at all.  Therefore, I'm inviting people who know (I'm talking to you Iron Fist, Reaganite, sgt tom, and others people more knowledgeable than I) to an open thread.  The subject of this week's discussion?  Which foreign weapons system or technology do you wish would be adopted by the United States military?  Better urban combat tanks like the Israeli Merkava-IV (which is built to withstand exactly the kind of IED attacks we're facing in Iraq but is not as good in open field combat as the American M1-A2, or the British Challenger)?  Sniper rifles like the Canadian 12.7mm McMillan Tac-50 or the Swedish Barrett M82A1?  Have at it.  What does the world have that we can use?

Posted by: Jheka at June 26, 2004 16:06 | link | comments (8) |

IDF blows up Terrorists' Weapons Storage Facility

And, in doing so, eliminated at least seven explosives delivery systems .. um, I mean militants ... um, I mean terrorists, including a senior Islamic Jihad commander and Naaf Abu-Sharakh a senior commander in Yasser Arafat's Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade (which he has never heard of and over which he has no incluence). Well, either that or they were testing their bombs. You decide.

Update:  The Jerusalem Post (which has a far more detailed article) describes "Nayef Abu Sharkh " as the head of "Nablus Fatah Tanzim" (which, since the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade is supposed to be a part of Fatah, may actually be the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade  ... it's all so confusing).  Some of the other terrorists killed include Jafer el-Massari, the commander of Hamas' military wing (Izzadin El Kassam) and Fadi Bagit, the commander of the Islamic Jihad's El-Quds (Jerusalem) Platoons.  But of course, Arafat, who heads Fatah, has NOTHING to do with Hamas or Islamic Jihad.  Good going IDF.  Stay safe and continued success.

Posted by: Jheka at June 26, 2004 13:20 | link | comments |

Arafat Vows Truce - Denies That He Has Any Power To Enforce Truce

Ah, the Yasser two-step:

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat told foreign diplomats yesterday that he was committed to a truce during the August Olympics in Greece.

Mr Arafat's comments came amid Egyptian efforts to mediate a total ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians that would allow for a smooth withdrawal of Israeli troops and evacuation of Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip.

"I announce our commitment to a truce during the Olympic Game period... hoping this will help to revive the old Greek ritual of creating a generation that enjoys peace," Mr Arafat said.

Greece is hosting the Olympics from August 13 to 29. In ancient Greece during the Olympic Truce that ran from a week before the Games until a week after, hostilities ceased in order to let athletes, artists and spectators travel to and from the Games in safety.

An Israeli official said Mr Arafat's remarks were further proof he controlled Palestinian militants, a charge the Palestinian leader has denied.

So which is it, Yasser? Can you promise a truce and, theefore, show that you are the controlling force behind the terrorist organizations or are you powerless and therefore (once again) lying through your rotting teeth? Which is it?

Posted by: Jheka at June 26, 2004 13:02 | link | comments |

Space Elevator in our Lifetimes?

At least one scientist thinks so:

WASHINGTON - President Bush wants to return to the moon and put a man on Mars. But scientist Bradley C. Edwards has an idea that's really out of this world: an elevator that climbs 62,000 miles into space.

Edwards thinks an initial version could be operating in 15 years, a year earlier than Bush's 2020 timetable for a return to the moon. He pegs the cost at $10 billion, a pittance compared with other space endeavors.

"It's not new physics — nothing new has to be discovered, nothing new has to be invented from scratch," he says. "If there are delays in budget or delays in whatever, it could stretch, but 15 years is a realistic estimate for when we could have one up."

Edwards is not just some guy with an idea. He's head of the space elevator project at the Institute for Scientific Research in Fairmont, W.Va. NASA  already has given it more than $500,000 to study the idea, and Congress has earmarked $2.5 million more.

"A lot of people at NASA are excited about the idea," said Robert Casanova, director of the NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts in Atlanta.

Edwards believes a space elevator offers a cheaper, safer form of space travel that eventually could be used to carry explorers to the planets . . .

Well, I've been a big fan of the idea of a space elevator  for a very long time (since reading Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars) but if we're going to do it, it'll take a visionary President and I don't know if Bush (or Kerry, for that matter) is that man. Some day, maybe, but 15 years just doesn't seem realistic. For more, take a look at the space elevator blog (too lazy to read? listen to a story about space elevators here).

Posted by: Jheka at June 26, 2004 12:19 | link | comments (4) |

Two Young Men Doing the Right Thing

Remember when you were young and full of moxie?  No?  Well, let Daniel Ledeen (son of Michael Ledeen) and Bryan Henderson remind you. These two young men may be the leaders of tomorrow but we could sure use a few more like them today.

Posted by: Jheka at June 25, 2004 19:51 | link | comments (2) |
mensches, what s going right

Proud Member - Digital Brown Shirt Alliance

 

 

 

 

Albert Gore.  Truly, he's a uniter, not a divider.  Sharp As a Marble explains all.

Posted by: Jheka at June 25, 2004 12:12 | link | comments (3) |

Nipples for a Good Cause!!!

Right here!! Go visit or, surely, you will be nippleless for the rest of your days.

Posted by: Jheka at June 25, 2004 11:39 | link | comments |