As reported here, [t]hree years after he was hauled from a hole in the ground by pursuing U.S. forces, Saddam Hussein was hanged Saturday under a sentence imposed by an Iraqi court, al-Hurra TV, al-Arabiya and Sky News TV reported.
The deposed president was found guilty over the killing of 148 members of the Shiite population of the town of Dujail after militants tried to assassinate him there in 1982, during Iraq's war with Shiite Iran.
Hopefully, this will put to rest calls by some fools to re-instate the murderer to power, and also hopefully, those who still backed Saddam by committing acts of terror against the Iraqi people and Coalition forces, will see that to continue is really not in their best interests, and they will lay down their arms (a long shot at best, I know).
Friday, December 29, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Saddam to be hanged by Sunday
As reported here, [f]ormer Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday.
The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.
The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days.
Of course, his defense lawyers immediately started crying out to world leaders asking that they intervene, and prevent his hand over to Iraqi authorities, on the grounds that he is a prisoner of war. Now, don't get me wrong, but they are just doing their job for their client, and I wouldn't expect them to do anything less. But the thing is, Saddam was tried by the Iraqi courts, for crimes against Iraqi's. He was not tried at the International Tribune court in The Hague. He was tried right there in Iraq, found guilty by the Iraqi justice system, and had his sentence handed down by the Iraqi justice system.
The trial was under the proverbial microscope, and no one outside of his defense lawyers and some on the lunatic fringe had any complaints about how the process went. The verdict and sentence are well within legal bounds, and the Iraqi's are well within their rights to ask the US government to hand him over, so that the sentence can be carried out according to Iraqi law.
That sentence needs to be carried out as soon as it can be arranged.
The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.
The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days.
Of course, his defense lawyers immediately started crying out to world leaders asking that they intervene, and prevent his hand over to Iraqi authorities, on the grounds that he is a prisoner of war. Now, don't get me wrong, but they are just doing their job for their client, and I wouldn't expect them to do anything less. But the thing is, Saddam was tried by the Iraqi courts, for crimes against Iraqi's. He was not tried at the International Tribune court in The Hague. He was tried right there in Iraq, found guilty by the Iraqi justice system, and had his sentence handed down by the Iraqi justice system.
The trial was under the proverbial microscope, and no one outside of his defense lawyers and some on the lunatic fringe had any complaints about how the process went. The verdict and sentence are well within legal bounds, and the Iraqi's are well within their rights to ask the US government to hand him over, so that the sentence can be carried out according to Iraqi law.
That sentence needs to be carried out as soon as it can be arranged.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Saddam sentenced to hang within 30 days
As reported here, Iraq's highest court rejected Saddam Hussein's appeal Tuesday and said the former dictator must be hanged within 30 days for ordering the killing of scores of Shiite Muslims in 1982.
"From tomorrow, any day could be the day" Saddam is sent to the gallows, the chief judge said. Saddam was condemned to death for his role in the execution of 148 Shiite Muslims from the small northern town of Dujail, after a 1982 assassination attempt.
In upholding the sentence, imposed Nov. 5, the Supreme Court of Appeals also affirmed death sentences for two of his co-defendants, including his half brother. And it said life imprisonment for a third was too lenient and demanded he be given the death penalty, too.
The sooner the better, to rid Iraq and the world of this beast once and for all.
"From tomorrow, any day could be the day" Saddam is sent to the gallows, the chief judge said. Saddam was condemned to death for his role in the execution of 148 Shiite Muslims from the small northern town of Dujail, after a 1982 assassination attempt.
In upholding the sentence, imposed Nov. 5, the Supreme Court of Appeals also affirmed death sentences for two of his co-defendants, including his half brother. And it said life imprisonment for a third was too lenient and demanded he be given the death penalty, too.
The sooner the better, to rid Iraq and the world of this beast once and for all.
Former President Gerald Ford dies at 93
Former President Gerald R. Ford has died.
Rest in Peace, Mr. President.
Rest in Peace, Mr. President.
Monday, December 25, 2006
A Soldiers Silent Night
As we all celebrate the birth of Christ this day with family and friends, we would be well advised to remember those who cannot be home this day with their family and friends. These are the people who are far from home this day, serving our nation by protecting our freedom. This poem is a moving tribute to those who serve.
I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all those serving in our armed forces, and to wish all of you a Merry (and safe) Christmas.
I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all those serving in our armed forces, and to wish all of you a Merry (and safe) Christmas.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Election setback for Iran's president boosts Rafsanjani
As reported here, [e]lder statesman Hashemi Rafsanjani, a mercurial cleric who has played both sides of Iran's reformist-conservative divide, is rising again as a key challenger to Iran's president after local elections show deep discontent with the president's hard line.
Last week's elections for local councils in towns and cities were seen as a referendum on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 18 months in office, and final results showed widespread victories for his opponents.
Since taking power, Ahmadinejad has escalated Iran's confrontation with the United States and the West on multiple fronts, in particular drawing the threat of U.N. sanctions for pushing ahead with uranium enrichment in Iran's nuclear program. He has also sparked widespread international outrage for his comments against Israel and casting doubt on the Holocaust.
On Wednesday, a leading newspaper that usually reflects the thinking of many in Iran's conservative clerical leadership said in a blistering editorial that the election results showed it was time for Ahmadinejad to moderate his tone and concentrate on improving the ailing economy.
"The election could be very instructive to those who have been in power," the Jomhuri Eslami editorial said. "Arrogance, disregarding people's economic situation, insulting respected people and high-flying policies were among the elements of the failure of those who could not imagine such a failure."
Let's just hope that the newly elected individuals will be able to exercise their new found political power, and rein in the lunatic, and turn Iran away from the dangerous path he has been leading it down.
I'll be keeping a close watch to see how things develop.
Last week's elections for local councils in towns and cities were seen as a referendum on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 18 months in office, and final results showed widespread victories for his opponents.
Since taking power, Ahmadinejad has escalated Iran's confrontation with the United States and the West on multiple fronts, in particular drawing the threat of U.N. sanctions for pushing ahead with uranium enrichment in Iran's nuclear program. He has also sparked widespread international outrage for his comments against Israel and casting doubt on the Holocaust.
On Wednesday, a leading newspaper that usually reflects the thinking of many in Iran's conservative clerical leadership said in a blistering editorial that the election results showed it was time for Ahmadinejad to moderate his tone and concentrate on improving the ailing economy.
"The election could be very instructive to those who have been in power," the Jomhuri Eslami editorial said. "Arrogance, disregarding people's economic situation, insulting respected people and high-flying policies were among the elements of the failure of those who could not imagine such a failure."
Let's just hope that the newly elected individuals will be able to exercise their new found political power, and rein in the lunatic, and turn Iran away from the dangerous path he has been leading it down.
I'll be keeping a close watch to see how things develop.
Judge: Iran Partly Responsible for 1996 Terrorist Attack
As reported here, [t]he Iranian government is partly to blame for a 1996 terrorist attack that killed 19 Americans in Saudi Arabia, a federal judge ruled Friday.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth allows the families of the victims of the Khobar Towers bombing to seek $254 million in compensation from the Islamic regime in Tehran.
Though intelligence officials have suspected a link between the Tehran government and the Saudi wing of Hezbollah, which the FBI has accused of carrying out the bombing, Friday's ruling is the first time a branch of the U.S. government has officially blamed Iran for the deaths of Americans in the bombings.
This court takes note of plaintiffs' courage and steadfastness in pursuing this litigation and their efforts to take action to deter more tragic suffering of innocent Americans at the hands of terrorists," Judge Lamberth wrote. "Their efforts are to be commended."
Since this is sure to enrage who Michelle Malkin calls the perpetually outraged, Judge Lamberth is to be commended on having made this ruling, as I'm sure he is fully aware that by doing so (and if he isn't, he should be), he is putting his life at risk at the hands of the perpetually outraged.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth allows the families of the victims of the Khobar Towers bombing to seek $254 million in compensation from the Islamic regime in Tehran.
Though intelligence officials have suspected a link between the Tehran government and the Saudi wing of Hezbollah, which the FBI has accused of carrying out the bombing, Friday's ruling is the first time a branch of the U.S. government has officially blamed Iran for the deaths of Americans in the bombings.
This court takes note of plaintiffs' courage and steadfastness in pursuing this litigation and their efforts to take action to deter more tragic suffering of innocent Americans at the hands of terrorists," Judge Lamberth wrote. "Their efforts are to be commended."
Since this is sure to enrage who Michelle Malkin calls the perpetually outraged, Judge Lamberth is to be commended on having made this ruling, as I'm sure he is fully aware that by doing so (and if he isn't, he should be), he is putting his life at risk at the hands of the perpetually outraged.
U.N. panel OKs curbs on Iran trade
As reported here, [t]he U.N. Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to sanction Iran until it halts efforts to make nuclear fuel, drawing a quick rejection from the Islamist nation and threats of further penalties from the United States.
The resolution calls on governments to "prevent the supply, sale or transfer ... of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology" related to Iran's suspect nuclear efforts or missiles.
The four-page resolution also includes an addendum of people, corporations and government bodies whose assets are to be frozen.
In addition, it provides a list of individuals whose international travel is to be "monitored," a concession to Russia, which had objected to a proposed travel ban on officials connected to Iran's nuclear program.
The Bush administration said it would seek further measures against Iran.
"We don't think this resolution is enough in itself. We want the international community to take further action," R. Nicholas Burns, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, said in Washington.
Although this is a good first step in an attempt to get Iran to stop their nuclear enrichment program, which in turn would halt their efforts to develop nuclear weapons, as Mr. Burns stated, it doesn't go far enough thanks to both China and Russia which both have strong economic ties to Iran, and don't want to lose the billions of trade dollars from fully isolating Iran.
Of course, the Iranians pitched a hissy fit over this, saying that it "has not delegated its destiny to the invalid decisions of the U.N. Security Council."
The true effectiveness of this resolution won't be known immediately, of course, as it remains to be seen whether the rest of the world will buy into what the resolution calls for. Hopefully, this won't turn into another "Oil-for-food" situation where countries, corporations, and individuals - with full complicity on the part of several people in the UN - came up with work-arounds to line their pockets with cash in their dealings with Saddam.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this situation.
The resolution calls on governments to "prevent the supply, sale or transfer ... of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology" related to Iran's suspect nuclear efforts or missiles.
The four-page resolution also includes an addendum of people, corporations and government bodies whose assets are to be frozen.
In addition, it provides a list of individuals whose international travel is to be "monitored," a concession to Russia, which had objected to a proposed travel ban on officials connected to Iran's nuclear program.
The Bush administration said it would seek further measures against Iran.
"We don't think this resolution is enough in itself. We want the international community to take further action," R. Nicholas Burns, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, said in Washington.
Although this is a good first step in an attempt to get Iran to stop their nuclear enrichment program, which in turn would halt their efforts to develop nuclear weapons, as Mr. Burns stated, it doesn't go far enough thanks to both China and Russia which both have strong economic ties to Iran, and don't want to lose the billions of trade dollars from fully isolating Iran.
Of course, the Iranians pitched a hissy fit over this, saying that it "has not delegated its destiny to the invalid decisions of the U.N. Security Council."
The true effectiveness of this resolution won't be known immediately, of course, as it remains to be seen whether the rest of the world will buy into what the resolution calls for. Hopefully, this won't turn into another "Oil-for-food" situation where countries, corporations, and individuals - with full complicity on the part of several people in the UN - came up with work-arounds to line their pockets with cash in their dealings with Saddam.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this situation.
British Lord Stings Senators Rockefeller and Snowe: 'Uphold Free Speech or Resign'
This is a follow up to my earlier post.
As reported here, Lord Monckton, Viscount of Brenchley, has sent an open letter to Senators Rockefeller (D-WV) and Snowe (R-Maine) in response to their recent open letter telling the CEO of ExxonMobil to cease funding climate-skeptic scientists.
Lord Monckton, former policy adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, writes: "You defy every tenet of democracy when you invite ExxonMobil to deny itself the right to provide information to "senior elected and appointed government officials" who disagree with your opinion."
Lord Monckton then calls upon our two Senators to either withdraw their letter, or resign their Senate seats, and I wholeheartedly agree with his demand. You can read Lord Monckton's letter here (It is a .pdf file, which requires Adobe Reader to view. Get Adobe reader here.)
H/T kc anethema
As reported here, Lord Monckton, Viscount of Brenchley, has sent an open letter to Senators Rockefeller (D-WV) and Snowe (R-Maine) in response to their recent open letter telling the CEO of ExxonMobil to cease funding climate-skeptic scientists.
Lord Monckton, former policy adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, writes: "You defy every tenet of democracy when you invite ExxonMobil to deny itself the right to provide information to "senior elected and appointed government officials" who disagree with your opinion."
Lord Monckton then calls upon our two Senators to either withdraw their letter, or resign their Senate seats, and I wholeheartedly agree with his demand. You can read Lord Monckton's letter here (It is a .pdf file, which requires Adobe Reader to view. Get Adobe reader here.)
H/T kc anethema
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Annan lobs parting shot at Bush foreign policy
As reported here, outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan took his criticism of the Bush administration to the nation's heartland Monday, saying America must not sacrifice its democratic ideals while waging war against terrorism.
In the hometown of President Truman, who helped found the United Nations, Annan said "human rights and the rule of law are vital to global security and prosperity."
When the U.S. "appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused," Annan told a packed audience at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
You want to talk about ideals, Kofi? The editors at the OpinionJournal have something to say about the ideals espoused by you, and your inept or ineffective actions regarding the massacres in Rwanda, Darfur, and Iraq, not to mention the Oil for Food scandal, Tsunami relief, etc., during your tenure at the UN.
Don't be coming here to talk trash about what we do, especially since you tried to oppose what we have been doing nearly every step of the way, ok?
In the hometown of President Truman, who helped found the United Nations, Annan said "human rights and the rule of law are vital to global security and prosperity."
When the U.S. "appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused," Annan told a packed audience at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
You want to talk about ideals, Kofi? The editors at the OpinionJournal have something to say about the ideals espoused by you, and your inept or ineffective actions regarding the massacres in Rwanda, Darfur, and Iraq, not to mention the Oil for Food scandal, Tsunami relief, etc., during your tenure at the UN.
Don't be coming here to talk trash about what we do, especially since you tried to oppose what we have been doing nearly every step of the way, ok?
Top Ten Junk Science Moments for 2006
Steven Milloy of JunkScience has come out with his Top 10 Junk Science Moments for 2006.
H/T Reality Hammer
H/T Reality Hammer
Gregoire: Voters should decide on Viaduct
As reported here, after mulling over the various options for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Governor Gregoire has decided to ... punt.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said [Friday] that the residents of Seattle should decide how to replace the aging and earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Gregoire was expected to announce her decision about what should be done - either replace it with a tunnel or rebuild it. Instead, she called for a city vote between rebuilding the structure or replacing it with a tunnel.
Note to Chris: This is a State highway, not a city highway, which means that the State is responsible for this highway, not the City of Seattle, and that responsibility includes making the decision about whether to replace it with another elevated structure (which would be the wrong decision), or with a tunnel (the right decision). We put you in office to make these kinds of decisions, and this is one of the toughest you would have made to be sure, not to cede your leadership back to the voters.
"I don't believe that, without a vote, either option will move forward," Gregoire said. "We need to hear directly from the people for whom this decision has the most impact."
The earliest a vote will take place will be in April of 2007, which will be over six years since the Nisqually earthquake happened. Now, we will have to wait some more, before something is decided, and due to the shortsightedness of many in Seattle, that will probably be a new Viaduct, rather than a tunnel, simply due to the construction cost difference. The existing Viaduct is a major eyesore - not to mention a disaster waiting to happen - blocking views of one of our biggest tourist attractions - the Seattle waterfront - from most of downtown, and that won't change with a rebuild.
If the tunnel is built, however, this will give us the chance to enhance the waterfront with parks and pedestrian promenades, as well as allow new businesses to be developed to take advantage of the tourists coming to visit the waterfront. The number of tourists visiting a revitalized waterfront would only increase, which would translate into more dollars being pumped into the Seattle economy, and the creation of more jobs.
But, Gregoire wants the citizens to vote on this, instead of showing leadership and making the decision herself.
Note to Chris: In the future, when you decide to punt, make sure we're not having a major storm blow through, ok? You badly shanked this one into the wind.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said [Friday] that the residents of Seattle should decide how to replace the aging and earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Gregoire was expected to announce her decision about what should be done - either replace it with a tunnel or rebuild it. Instead, she called for a city vote between rebuilding the structure or replacing it with a tunnel.
Note to Chris: This is a State highway, not a city highway, which means that the State is responsible for this highway, not the City of Seattle, and that responsibility includes making the decision about whether to replace it with another elevated structure (which would be the wrong decision), or with a tunnel (the right decision). We put you in office to make these kinds of decisions, and this is one of the toughest you would have made to be sure, not to cede your leadership back to the voters.
"I don't believe that, without a vote, either option will move forward," Gregoire said. "We need to hear directly from the people for whom this decision has the most impact."
The earliest a vote will take place will be in April of 2007, which will be over six years since the Nisqually earthquake happened. Now, we will have to wait some more, before something is decided, and due to the shortsightedness of many in Seattle, that will probably be a new Viaduct, rather than a tunnel, simply due to the construction cost difference. The existing Viaduct is a major eyesore - not to mention a disaster waiting to happen - blocking views of one of our biggest tourist attractions - the Seattle waterfront - from most of downtown, and that won't change with a rebuild.
If the tunnel is built, however, this will give us the chance to enhance the waterfront with parks and pedestrian promenades, as well as allow new businesses to be developed to take advantage of the tourists coming to visit the waterfront. The number of tourists visiting a revitalized waterfront would only increase, which would translate into more dollars being pumped into the Seattle economy, and the creation of more jobs.
But, Gregoire wants the citizens to vote on this, instead of showing leadership and making the decision herself.
Note to Chris: In the future, when you decide to punt, make sure we're not having a major storm blow through, ok? You badly shanked this one into the wind.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Holocaust Denial Is No Joke
Anne Applebaum, a columnist for the Washington Post and Slate, and a fellow at the American Academy in Berlin, has written an excellent piece regarding the "conference", which began yesterday, dealing with the "validity" of the Holocaust being held in Tehran, Iran. The lunatic running that asylum had his Foreign Ministry set up this "conference", so they could invite Holocaust deniers from around the globe, to enable these despicable people the opportunity to put forth their vile views, and pat each other on the back as they nod their heads in agreement with each other.
Of course, beyond the head nodding and back patting, lies the real underlying reason for this "conference", and that is to de-legitimize the nation of Israel. Israel was established in 1948 by the UN as a direct result of the Holocaust, an event in our world's history that has been documented with billions of words, photographs, eye witness accounts, and by other means, all of which prove beyond a shadow of a doubt - to reasonable thinking people, that is - that the Holocaust really did happen. If they can persuade themselves that the Holocaust did not happen, that will justify to their minds that their ultimate goal of the total annihilation of the Nation of Israel, along with the rest of the Jews in the world is ok. Don't forget that the lunatic running that asylum has called for Israel to be wiped off the map.
Ms. Applebaum states, [T]he near-destruction of the European Jews in a very brief span of time by a sophisticated European nation using the best technology available was, it seems, an event that requires constant re-explanation, not least because it really did shape subsequent European and world history in untold ways. For that reason alone, the archives, the photographs, and the endless rebuttals will go on being necessary, long beyond the lifetime of the last survivor.
Sadly enough, she's correct.
Update
Iranian leader says Israel will be 'wiped out'
As reported here, the lunatic running the asylum said the following, "The Zionist regime will disappear soon, the same way the Soviet Union disappeared," Ahmadinejad said, according to ISNA, a government-financed news agency. Thus, "humanity will achieve freedom."
Achieve "freedom"? Freedom from what, exactly? Oh, I get it. Freedom from the "Zionist oppressors". Freedom from religious diversity in the elimination of the Jews, which would make one less group you'll have to deal with in your planned take over of the world, in which you plan to make everyone submit to your will or die as you re-establish the "Caliphate".
Well, I think you better guess again.
Although the UN probably won't do anything to stop you from trying to wipe Israel off the map, considering the anti-Israel bias prevalent in that useless entity, Israel certainly won't stand idle when you decide to act on the rhetoric you've been spewing for months now, and the hope here is that the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel.
Update
Iran Says Pressure From Western Governments Caused Boycott of Holocaust Conference Hosts
As reported here, Iran on Sunday blamed pressure from Western governments and media for the decision by nearly 40 think-tanks to boycott the Iranian institute that hosted last week's Holocaust conference.
The head of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Francois Heisbourg, said Saturday that the European and North American research institutes had decided to suspend contact with the Institute for Political and International Studies, a Tehran institute affiliated to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Last week the IPIS convened a conference that questioned the existence of the Holocaust, provoking an international outcry. The United States, European Union and Israel denounced the conference, whose delegates included well-known Holocaust deniers and David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan.
Heisbourg issued a statement saying that "through its complicity with the deniers of the absolute evil that was the Holocaust, IPIS has now forfeited its status as an acceptable partner."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini cast doubt on the sincerity of the Western institutes' move on Sunday, telling reporters: "Probably this was decided under pressure from governments and Western media propaganda."
Um, no. The reason your little conference was boycotted - which I applaud - is the simple fact that your conference attempted to "prove" that the Holocaust is a "myth", and not the established fact that it is, so that you could somehow justify your aspirations to "wipe Israel off the map", not because of pressure from Western governments or the media.
Of course, beyond the head nodding and back patting, lies the real underlying reason for this "conference", and that is to de-legitimize the nation of Israel. Israel was established in 1948 by the UN as a direct result of the Holocaust, an event in our world's history that has been documented with billions of words, photographs, eye witness accounts, and by other means, all of which prove beyond a shadow of a doubt - to reasonable thinking people, that is - that the Holocaust really did happen. If they can persuade themselves that the Holocaust did not happen, that will justify to their minds that their ultimate goal of the total annihilation of the Nation of Israel, along with the rest of the Jews in the world is ok. Don't forget that the lunatic running that asylum has called for Israel to be wiped off the map.
Ms. Applebaum states, [T]he near-destruction of the European Jews in a very brief span of time by a sophisticated European nation using the best technology available was, it seems, an event that requires constant re-explanation, not least because it really did shape subsequent European and world history in untold ways. For that reason alone, the archives, the photographs, and the endless rebuttals will go on being necessary, long beyond the lifetime of the last survivor.
Sadly enough, she's correct.
Update
Iranian leader says Israel will be 'wiped out'
As reported here, the lunatic running the asylum said the following, "The Zionist regime will disappear soon, the same way the Soviet Union disappeared," Ahmadinejad said, according to ISNA, a government-financed news agency. Thus, "humanity will achieve freedom."
Achieve "freedom"? Freedom from what, exactly? Oh, I get it. Freedom from the "Zionist oppressors". Freedom from religious diversity in the elimination of the Jews, which would make one less group you'll have to deal with in your planned take over of the world, in which you plan to make everyone submit to your will or die as you re-establish the "Caliphate".
Well, I think you better guess again.
Although the UN probably won't do anything to stop you from trying to wipe Israel off the map, considering the anti-Israel bias prevalent in that useless entity, Israel certainly won't stand idle when you decide to act on the rhetoric you've been spewing for months now, and the hope here is that the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel.
Update
Iran Says Pressure From Western Governments Caused Boycott of Holocaust Conference Hosts
As reported here, Iran on Sunday blamed pressure from Western governments and media for the decision by nearly 40 think-tanks to boycott the Iranian institute that hosted last week's Holocaust conference.
The head of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Francois Heisbourg, said Saturday that the European and North American research institutes had decided to suspend contact with the Institute for Political and International Studies, a Tehran institute affiliated to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Last week the IPIS convened a conference that questioned the existence of the Holocaust, provoking an international outcry. The United States, European Union and Israel denounced the conference, whose delegates included well-known Holocaust deniers and David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan.
Heisbourg issued a statement saying that "through its complicity with the deniers of the absolute evil that was the Holocaust, IPIS has now forfeited its status as an acceptable partner."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini cast doubt on the sincerity of the Western institutes' move on Sunday, telling reporters: "Probably this was decided under pressure from governments and Western media propaganda."
Um, no. The reason your little conference was boycotted - which I applaud - is the simple fact that your conference attempted to "prove" that the Holocaust is a "myth", and not the established fact that it is, so that you could somehow justify your aspirations to "wipe Israel off the map", not because of pressure from Western governments or the media.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Senatorial Blackmail?
From the editors of the OpinionJournal we learn that two Senators, Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have sent a letter to ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson. Its message: Start toeing the Senators' line on climate change, or else. As is stated in the OpinionJournal commentary, [a] windfall profits tax is in the air, and we've seen what happens to other companies that dare to resist Congressional intimidation. The letter can be found in its' entirety here, courtesy of the editors of OpinionJournal. It's an eye opener, folks.
Basically what it boils down to is this. Rockefeller and Snowe believe that "global warming" is an indisputable fact, and they are calling on ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerman to discontinue funding organizations that don't hold that view - the "deniers" - as it is hurting the credilbility of the United States in its' foreign affairs. They also go on to state that the tactics ExxonMobil is promoting is similar to that used by "big tobacco".
After reading the letter myself, and getting over my feeling of astonishment, I realized something. Neither of the two Senators really knows what they are talking about, as they continuously use the phrase "climate change", when in reality they mean "global warming (which can be directly attributed to human activity)".
As those of you who have read my blog before, you'll know that I've posted on "global warming" and climate change before. Where climate change is definitely a fact of life here on Earth, "global warming" is an as yet proven theory, espoused mainly by extremist environmentalists, and the scientists who derive the majority of their funding from the extreme environmental organizations.
The climate of the Earth is a constantly changing force of nature. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Our climate is not, and never has been, static. It has always changed, and it always will, and man has no control, or direct influence, over that. So-called "global warming", however, is another thing altogether, has yet to be proven to anyone's satisfaction (including those scientists who advocate for it!), and thus, remains a theory (The easiest way to rebut the fallacy that "global warming" is a "fact", is to ask why your local weatherman can't accurately predict the weather more than a few days in advance. It's because they don't know enough - yet - and our climate is so unpredictable!). So much for "consensus" within the scientific community.
With the two Senators attempting to censor the activities of ExxonMobil in regard to who they can fund, and for what purpose, I think I like this paragraph the best. Every dogma has its day, and we've lived long enough to see more than one "consensus" blown apart within a few years of "everyone knowing" it was true. In recent decades environmentalists have been wrong about almost every other apocalyptic claim they've made: global famine, overpopulation, natural resource exhaustion, the evils of pesticides, global cooling, and so on. Perhaps it's useful to have a few folks outside the "consensus" asking questions before we commit several trillion dollars to any problem. [Emphasis mine]
The environmentalist extremists are wrong on this subject as well, in my opinion, and so are Senators Rockefeller and Snowe in their blatant attempt to blackmail ExxonMobil into doing something they don't feel is right, which is to stop debate.
H/T - specialrpt, posting in quicknews
Basically what it boils down to is this. Rockefeller and Snowe believe that "global warming" is an indisputable fact, and they are calling on ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerman to discontinue funding organizations that don't hold that view - the "deniers" - as it is hurting the credilbility of the United States in its' foreign affairs. They also go on to state that the tactics ExxonMobil is promoting is similar to that used by "big tobacco".
After reading the letter myself, and getting over my feeling of astonishment, I realized something. Neither of the two Senators really knows what they are talking about, as they continuously use the phrase "climate change", when in reality they mean "global warming (which can be directly attributed to human activity)".
As those of you who have read my blog before, you'll know that I've posted on "global warming" and climate change before. Where climate change is definitely a fact of life here on Earth, "global warming" is an as yet proven theory, espoused mainly by extremist environmentalists, and the scientists who derive the majority of their funding from the extreme environmental organizations.
The climate of the Earth is a constantly changing force of nature. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Our climate is not, and never has been, static. It has always changed, and it always will, and man has no control, or direct influence, over that. So-called "global warming", however, is another thing altogether, has yet to be proven to anyone's satisfaction (including those scientists who advocate for it!), and thus, remains a theory (The easiest way to rebut the fallacy that "global warming" is a "fact", is to ask why your local weatherman can't accurately predict the weather more than a few days in advance. It's because they don't know enough - yet - and our climate is so unpredictable!). So much for "consensus" within the scientific community.
With the two Senators attempting to censor the activities of ExxonMobil in regard to who they can fund, and for what purpose, I think I like this paragraph the best. Every dogma has its day, and we've lived long enough to see more than one "consensus" blown apart within a few years of "everyone knowing" it was true. In recent decades environmentalists have been wrong about almost every other apocalyptic claim they've made: global famine, overpopulation, natural resource exhaustion, the evils of pesticides, global cooling, and so on. Perhaps it's useful to have a few folks outside the "consensus" asking questions before we commit several trillion dollars to any problem. [Emphasis mine]
The environmentalist extremists are wrong on this subject as well, in my opinion, and so are Senators Rockefeller and Snowe in their blatant attempt to blackmail ExxonMobil into doing something they don't feel is right, which is to stop debate.
H/T - specialrpt, posting in quicknews
Illegal immigrant sentenced to 5 years for fatal crash
This is why we need effective immigration reform, now.
An illegal immigrant with a history of drug arrests has been sentenced to five years and a month behind bars for the traffic death of a popular community college educator.
The prison term for Marcos Ramos Medina, 35, a twice-deported Mexican national who most recently lived in Portland, was the maximum under state guidelines for vehicular homicide. His criminal record in Portland included possession of cocaine and the sale of heroin for profit, and he also had a federal firearms conviction.
Imagine that. Deported twice before, yet this guy somehow manages to come back into our country, gets high on meth, kills a popular community college educator, and gets sentenced to five years and a month behind bars. And of course, Defense lawyer Jeff West said the verdict would be appealed.
Just another victim of poor economics who acted negligently and/or recklessly in pursuit of economic freedom, or a twice deported illegal engaging in criminal acts that cost a life?
And to think that there are some out there who want to give people like Medina amnesty?
An illegal immigrant with a history of drug arrests has been sentenced to five years and a month behind bars for the traffic death of a popular community college educator.
The prison term for Marcos Ramos Medina, 35, a twice-deported Mexican national who most recently lived in Portland, was the maximum under state guidelines for vehicular homicide. His criminal record in Portland included possession of cocaine and the sale of heroin for profit, and he also had a federal firearms conviction.
Imagine that. Deported twice before, yet this guy somehow manages to come back into our country, gets high on meth, kills a popular community college educator, and gets sentenced to five years and a month behind bars. And of course, Defense lawyer Jeff West said the verdict would be appealed.
Just another victim of poor economics who acted negligently and/or recklessly in pursuit of economic freedom, or a twice deported illegal engaging in criminal acts that cost a life?
And to think that there are some out there who want to give people like Medina amnesty?
Viaduct repair is ruled out
As reported here, [r]epairing Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct would cost $2.3 billion and extend the structure's life about 25 years -- maybe -- according to new estimates released Tuesday by the state.
And though some disagree, state officials say it just isn't worth it.
Sanity prevailing? One would hope so, but we are talking about the State, after all, so you'll forgive me when I say that this won't be the last word on this.
The repair cost estimate, the state maintains, is more than 80 percent of the estimated cost of building a new viaduct, though repairs would not have the same longevity. Cost inflation and risks account for more than 43 percent of the retrofit cost.
"Retrofitting" the 53-year-old viaduct "is possible," but the new study shows the work, while cheaper, might have one-fourth the longevity of a new structure, said the state's viaduct project manager, Ron Paananen. A replacement elevated structure or a tunnel would last 75 to 100 years.
"What this shows is we've appropriately screened (the repair option) out and are narrowing down the alternatives, and basically, we're down to a new elevated structure or a tunnel," Paananen said.
Also Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation released another report from an 11-member panel of engineers that concluded the "relatively narrow difference in costs between ... retrofit and rebuilding weighs heavily in favor of rebuilding."
The new studies continue escalating arguments about the viaduct, which carries about 100,000 vehicles a day on state Route 99 along downtown's west shore. The viaduct sustained minor damage during the 2001 Nisqually Quake, and state engineers maintain it could collapse in another major earthquake.
But retrofit advocates said Tuesday that they'll demand more answers about the latest conclusions. They questioned the earthquake standards that drive up part of the costs and argue that repairs won't require long shutdowns of the highway like a replacement would. They also said the new cost doesn't account for up to $3.4 billion in estimated annual losses to nearby businesses caused by a viaduct shutdown.
So, let me get this straight. Retrofitting the viaduct will cost 80% of the cost of replacing it with either a new viaduct or tunnel, but will only last - maybe - 25 years, while either of the replacement options will last between 75 to 100 years, and the retrofit advocates are concerned about the economic impact to businesses while construction is happening? What about 25 years later, if the viaduct is retrofitted? What then? Do we do it again, at a higher cost than replacing it now? And what if the retrofit doesn't last as long as projected? What then? What if a really big earthquake hits the city, collapsing the viaduct, making your retrofit moot? What then?
We need to replace the viaduct, sooner rather than later, both from the cost and business economic concerns, and for the safety of the people who use the viaduct.
And let me make one thing perfectly clear here. Contrary to what a recent reader thought I was saying when I posted this, I am adamantly opposed to either a retrofit of the existing viaduct or a rebuild of the viaduct, and fully support the tunnel option as the best course of action that we can take.
Sorry, David S., but you obviously haven't been paying attention to what I have said repeatedly here.
And though some disagree, state officials say it just isn't worth it.
Sanity prevailing? One would hope so, but we are talking about the State, after all, so you'll forgive me when I say that this won't be the last word on this.
The repair cost estimate, the state maintains, is more than 80 percent of the estimated cost of building a new viaduct, though repairs would not have the same longevity. Cost inflation and risks account for more than 43 percent of the retrofit cost.
"Retrofitting" the 53-year-old viaduct "is possible," but the new study shows the work, while cheaper, might have one-fourth the longevity of a new structure, said the state's viaduct project manager, Ron Paananen. A replacement elevated structure or a tunnel would last 75 to 100 years.
"What this shows is we've appropriately screened (the repair option) out and are narrowing down the alternatives, and basically, we're down to a new elevated structure or a tunnel," Paananen said.
Also Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation released another report from an 11-member panel of engineers that concluded the "relatively narrow difference in costs between ... retrofit and rebuilding weighs heavily in favor of rebuilding."
The new studies continue escalating arguments about the viaduct, which carries about 100,000 vehicles a day on state Route 99 along downtown's west shore. The viaduct sustained minor damage during the 2001 Nisqually Quake, and state engineers maintain it could collapse in another major earthquake.
But retrofit advocates said Tuesday that they'll demand more answers about the latest conclusions. They questioned the earthquake standards that drive up part of the costs and argue that repairs won't require long shutdowns of the highway like a replacement would. They also said the new cost doesn't account for up to $3.4 billion in estimated annual losses to nearby businesses caused by a viaduct shutdown.
So, let me get this straight. Retrofitting the viaduct will cost 80% of the cost of replacing it with either a new viaduct or tunnel, but will only last - maybe - 25 years, while either of the replacement options will last between 75 to 100 years, and the retrofit advocates are concerned about the economic impact to businesses while construction is happening? What about 25 years later, if the viaduct is retrofitted? What then? Do we do it again, at a higher cost than replacing it now? And what if the retrofit doesn't last as long as projected? What then? What if a really big earthquake hits the city, collapsing the viaduct, making your retrofit moot? What then?
We need to replace the viaduct, sooner rather than later, both from the cost and business economic concerns, and for the safety of the people who use the viaduct.
And let me make one thing perfectly clear here. Contrary to what a recent reader thought I was saying when I posted this, I am adamantly opposed to either a retrofit of the existing viaduct or a rebuild of the viaduct, and fully support the tunnel option as the best course of action that we can take.
Sorry, David S., but you obviously haven't been paying attention to what I have said repeatedly here.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, 1926-2006
As reported here, America has lost a leading light and advocate for freedom, as the former UN Ambassador for the US under President Reagan, has passed away.
Rest in Peace, Jeane. Your voice will be sorely missed.
Rest in Peace, Jeane. Your voice will be sorely missed.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
One last roll call for the survivors of Pearl Harbor attack
December 7th, 1941, a day that will live in infamy, as President Roosevelt characterized it, plunged the United States fully into WWII. On this day, 65 years later, the surviving members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association are making their final trip back to Pearl Harbor, to remember and honor their fallen comrades.
This, they say, will be their final farewell.
With their number quickly dwindling, survivors of Pearl Harbor will gather today one last time to honor those killed by the Japanese 65 years ago ...
The Association has met every five years since its' inception, and all of the members of the group are now in their 80's and 90's, and most don't expect to live to see the seventieth anniversary. That's the way life is, but I fear that as these brave men pass, the memory of that fateful day will also pass into the pages of history, and out of our consciousness.
That would be a shame, as remembering what happened on December 7th, 1941 reminds us all to be alert to the dangers in this world, and to always be ready to defend the nation, and stand for freedom over tyranny.
Nearly 500 survivors from across the nation were expected to make the trip to Hawaii, bringing with them 1,300 family members, numerous wheelchairs and too many haunting memories.
Memories were vivid of the shocking, two-hour aerial raid that destroyed or heavily damaged 21 ships and 320 aircraft, that killed 2,390 people and wounded 1,178 others, that plunged the United States into World War II and that set in motion the events that led to atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
"I suspect not many people have thought about this, but we're witnessing history," said Daniel Martinez, chief historian at the USS Arizona Memorial. "We are seeing the passing of a generation."
The survivors say they have more than horrific memories to offer. "Remember Pearl Harbor" is just the first half of the association's motto; the rest is "Keep America alert."
Tom Brokaw called those who came of age during WWII "The Greatest Generation", which I agree with, and what Mr. Martinez said is also true. We are seeing the passing of this generation. I just hope we don't forget the lessons learned on that fateful day of infamy. As a veteran of the US Navy who was stationed on a ship home ported in Pearl Harbor, this day, and this story especially, is particularly poignant for me.
Remember Pearl Harbor!
This, they say, will be their final farewell.
With their number quickly dwindling, survivors of Pearl Harbor will gather today one last time to honor those killed by the Japanese 65 years ago ...
The Association has met every five years since its' inception, and all of the members of the group are now in their 80's and 90's, and most don't expect to live to see the seventieth anniversary. That's the way life is, but I fear that as these brave men pass, the memory of that fateful day will also pass into the pages of history, and out of our consciousness.
That would be a shame, as remembering what happened on December 7th, 1941 reminds us all to be alert to the dangers in this world, and to always be ready to defend the nation, and stand for freedom over tyranny.
Nearly 500 survivors from across the nation were expected to make the trip to Hawaii, bringing with them 1,300 family members, numerous wheelchairs and too many haunting memories.
Memories were vivid of the shocking, two-hour aerial raid that destroyed or heavily damaged 21 ships and 320 aircraft, that killed 2,390 people and wounded 1,178 others, that plunged the United States into World War II and that set in motion the events that led to atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
"I suspect not many people have thought about this, but we're witnessing history," said Daniel Martinez, chief historian at the USS Arizona Memorial. "We are seeing the passing of a generation."
The survivors say they have more than horrific memories to offer. "Remember Pearl Harbor" is just the first half of the association's motto; the rest is "Keep America alert."
Tom Brokaw called those who came of age during WWII "The Greatest Generation", which I agree with, and what Mr. Martinez said is also true. We are seeing the passing of this generation. I just hope we don't forget the lessons learned on that fateful day of infamy. As a veteran of the US Navy who was stationed on a ship home ported in Pearl Harbor, this day, and this story especially, is particularly poignant for me.
Remember Pearl Harbor!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Speaker Chopp fights viaduct tunnel plan
As reported here, [t]he most powerful lawmaker in Olympia, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, has again put his might behind an effort to sink any plans to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a waterfront tunnel.
"The tunnel is a luxury the taxpayers of Washington cannot afford," Chopp and 29 members of the House Democratic Caucus said in a recent letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire.
So, Frank, I suppose that we can afford the measly few who will be killed when this disaster-waiting-to-happen finally does collapse, either from another earthquake or from the supports just giving way due to the rain we get here washing them away? I also suppose that we who actually live in the area around the viaduct can afford the extra added traffic to the surface streets on a permanent basis that is equivalent to the amount of fans a Mariners and Seahawks game being played every day, would bring in? Let's not forget that the current Viaduct carries approximately 110,000 vehicles per day, ok?
So, Frank, what do you propose? That we simply stick our heads in the sand and hope this problem goes away on its' own? Well, I have news for you, Frank. This problem will go away on its' own, if we don't do something about it now, when the next earthquake happens, and I have some advice for you Frank. You better not be on it when that happens, or you'll end up in the "measly few" category.
"The tunnel is a luxury the taxpayers of Washington cannot afford," Chopp and 29 members of the House Democratic Caucus said in a recent letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire.
So, Frank, I suppose that we can afford the measly few who will be killed when this disaster-waiting-to-happen finally does collapse, either from another earthquake or from the supports just giving way due to the rain we get here washing them away? I also suppose that we who actually live in the area around the viaduct can afford the extra added traffic to the surface streets on a permanent basis that is equivalent to the amount of fans a Mariners and Seahawks game being played every day, would bring in? Let's not forget that the current Viaduct carries approximately 110,000 vehicles per day, ok?
So, Frank, what do you propose? That we simply stick our heads in the sand and hope this problem goes away on its' own? Well, I have news for you, Frank. This problem will go away on its' own, if we don't do something about it now, when the next earthquake happens, and I have some advice for you Frank. You better not be on it when that happens, or you'll end up in the "measly few" category.
The question that just won't die, Part II
Charles Rangel is at it again, speaking about something that he obviously doesn't have any real knowledge about, in calling for the reinstitution of a military draft, as we had during the Vietnam era. I posted about this previously, here. Mr. Rangel's remarks shows that he has not done any real research as to the true demographics of who does enlist in the military.
Mr. Rangel's remarks that only people who have no prospects for a "meaningful career" enlist is outrageously off the mark, and shows exactly what he and his fellow Dems really feel about our military - contempt - and the American Legion wants an apology.
Mr. Rangel tries to show that he has done some research into this by stating that, "[W]e also have done some research with the Department of Defense. And we have found that 26 percent of those killed in action are either African-American or Hispanics.", implying that only poor, uneducated folks are becoming casualties. What Mr. Rangel fails to mention is that only 26% of those killed in action are African-American or Hispanics, meaning that a whopping seventy four per cent of those killed in action are white and other ethnicities.
Mr. Rangel also conveniently ignores data that shows that those who enlist in our all-volunteer military are better educated and better off economically than their peers, instead of what he and Jessie Jackson continue to claim. As Tim Kane states in his article, "According to military data analyzed by the Heritage Foundation, U.S. troops come from wealthier neighborhoods than their civilian peers. In fact, the only underrepresented neighborhoods are those with the lowest incomes.".
Fortunately for our military, and hence our nation's security, there are adults in charge - even in the Democrat camp, amazingly enough - who say that a military draft is both unnecessary, and not even on the agenda. "We did not include that" in legislative plans for early next year, said Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record) of Maryland, who will be House majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January.
Mr. Rangel's remarks that only people who have no prospects for a "meaningful career" enlist is outrageously off the mark, and shows exactly what he and his fellow Dems really feel about our military - contempt - and the American Legion wants an apology.
Mr. Rangel tries to show that he has done some research into this by stating that, "[W]e also have done some research with the Department of Defense. And we have found that 26 percent of those killed in action are either African-American or Hispanics.", implying that only poor, uneducated folks are becoming casualties. What Mr. Rangel fails to mention is that only 26% of those killed in action are African-American or Hispanics, meaning that a whopping seventy four per cent of those killed in action are white and other ethnicities.
Mr. Rangel also conveniently ignores data that shows that those who enlist in our all-volunteer military are better educated and better off economically than their peers, instead of what he and Jessie Jackson continue to claim. As Tim Kane states in his article, "According to military data analyzed by the Heritage Foundation, U.S. troops come from wealthier neighborhoods than their civilian peers. In fact, the only underrepresented neighborhoods are those with the lowest incomes.".
Fortunately for our military, and hence our nation's security, there are adults in charge - even in the Democrat camp, amazingly enough - who say that a military draft is both unnecessary, and not even on the agenda. "We did not include that" in legislative plans for early next year, said Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record) of Maryland, who will be House majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January.
N.D. tribe barring church protesters
As reported here, [a] church group that protests at military funerals around the country will be barred from services for an American Indian soldier on a reservation, tribal officials say.
That "group" would be from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., Fred Phelps' bunch of nutjobs who have been going around the country, demonstrating at funeral services of those killed in the war on terror, claiming that the deaths are "God's punishment" for our "evil ways". These "people" are despicable in the extreme.
Tribal leaders passed a resolution Friday that prohibits the group from protesting on the reservation, said Marcus Wells Jr., chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes.
"We will not tolerate any harassment that is intended to provoke ill feelings and violence," he said.
Kudo's to the Three Affiliated Tribes for making this stand.
Rest in Peace Young Eagle.
That "group" would be from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., Fred Phelps' bunch of nutjobs who have been going around the country, demonstrating at funeral services of those killed in the war on terror, claiming that the deaths are "God's punishment" for our "evil ways". These "people" are despicable in the extreme.
Tribal leaders passed a resolution Friday that prohibits the group from protesting on the reservation, said Marcus Wells Jr., chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes.
"We will not tolerate any harassment that is intended to provoke ill feelings and violence," he said.
Kudo's to the Three Affiliated Tribes for making this stand.
Rest in Peace Young Eagle.
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