World News From Michael Yon

20 April 2009.
From Borneo Island
Thailand continues to simmer. Though the immediate violence appears to have abated, the divisions are deep. The problems are not over and appear to be growing.

Meanwhile, down in Borneo, I took this photo last evening.

This audio is of historical interest.

As always, every move in/on Iraq is subject to endless debate.

I’ll be out in the jungle today with indigenous Borneo people whose ancestors were headhunters. They still hunt with blowguns and poison darts. In other Borneo news, there were reports last week that scientists just located a previously undiscovered group of orangutans, numbering perhaps 2,000 members. Borneo is wild country.

24 April 2009
Greetings from Borneo,

I am with the British Army in Brunei going through a combat tracking course. The course goes 7 days/week for 21 days. This is day 5. Very good training so far, and plenty of sweat. This is great prep for Afghanistan.

I've got 30,000 copies of my book "Moment of Truth in Iraq." The inventory is in pristine condition and still packed in crates. I am considering having the books destroyed (expensive to store), but before they go to pulp they are going to auction. If you want 30,000 copies, please make your best offer. Shipping costs go to buyer and should be on order of $2,000 for just about anywhere in the U.S. For a particularly generous offer, I'll come by for a day of signing books. This can be a great way to help fund operations. Please send any offers to Rich at: Rich. Will soon post some dispatches about this excellent tracking course. Meanwhile, the torture issue is becoming worse by the day.

April 25, 2009.
Keep Tracking

The British Army tracking school on Borneo Island is outstanding. Please see the latest.

April 26, 2009.
Track On. Borneo tracking.

April 27, 2009.
Are You Tracking? We just finished Day 8 of tracking school in Borneo. Have you heard of Gobar Gas?

April 28, 2009.
Ambush. More on tracking in Borneo.

April 29, 2009.
Incredible. You've got to read this.

April 30, 2009.
The Swamp of Death. Tracking in Borneo got interesting today!

May 2, 2009.
Keeping Track

Good Morning America,

The soldiers improve at tracking with each passing day. It's 0500 here in Borneo. Today we'll helicopter deep into the jungle for a tracking "mission" to test the new skills. Fingers are crossed that they'll pass the first test.

More when we return from the jungle. Until then, two more dispatches are up: MAYDAY and MYSTERIOUS PLACES.

Your Writer,

Michael

Update from Michael:
May 4, 2009.
Greetings from Borneo,

Would you know how to tell if someone left footprints at daytime vs. at nighttime?

Very Respectfully.

Update II.
May 5, 2009.
Day 16.
The sun is not yet up this Wednesday morning. The helicopter will soon take us deep into the jungle. After it roars away, we'll track our prey. This from yesterday.

Your Writer.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Nat'l Ctr For Public Policy News

Black Activists Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Invalidate Outdated Section of Voting Rights Act.
Washington, DC - As the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments today in the voting rights case Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Holder, the Project 21 black leadership network is joining with other organizations to ask that this outdated portion of the Voting Rights Act be found unconstitutional.... More...

Outrage of the Day: Keith Olbermann Got a Big Raise While His Employer Got a Bailout.
Writing on U.S. News and World Report's website, Peter Roff notes that MSNBC's Keith Olbermann negotiated a $3.5 million raise at the very time his employer was receiving a taxpayer bailout... More... (Video included)

Outrage of the Day: "Change Has Come. It's Very Demoralizing."
A letter from a combat soldier on the front lines of the War on Terror... More...

Editors Note: The above letter is a must read. I believe everyone should read this to understand even deeper how demoralized our troops are feeling. Please.

Obama Reverses Labor Union Transparency Rules.
Obama Administration decides labor unions don't have to fill out financial disclosure forms, since they are so much of a bother... More...Short blog, funny (if you still have your sense of humor).

Outrage of the Day: The Leaders of Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
Pity the citizens of these six nations... More...Ah, what can I say? It is short and to the point.

And the Left Claims the Skeptics are in the Global Warming Debate for the Money.
Al Gore's net worth increases by perhaps as much as a hundred-fold... More...

Outrage of the Day: Hurting the Nations by Hurting the Rich.
Composer/producer Andrew Lloyd Webber explains how it hurts a nation to overtax its rich... More...

Not "Nobody," Rep. Dingell, But We Appreciate You Saying It Anyway.
Yes, cap-and-trade is a tax... More...Video

Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly Report the Alleged GE Corruption Story.
The story as video... More...Three videos!

A Help to Workers.
Better for workers than card check... More...Amy has an excellent idea. Short and to the very good point.

Olbermann Watch Has Tom Borelli/Glenn Beck Interview Audio as Video.
Our Free Enterprise Project's Tom Borelli's Glenn Beck radio interview as video... More...

Keith Olbermann: Worst Fact-Checking in the World.
The odious Keith Olbermann, GE employee, named Jesse Watters runner-up for "Worst Person in the World" for asking questions at the GE stockholder meeting... More...The nerve! Imagine that? Someone asking big business a question? The nerve! [/sarc]

GE-Owned Networks' Media Bias, Conflicts-of-Interest Remain Focus Day After Stockholder Meeting.
At yesterday's annual GE shareholder meeting, CEO Jeffrey Immelt was challenged on the subject of media bias at GE-owned NBC, CNBC and MSNBC... More...

Her Microphone Was Cut Off: GE Executives Respond to Questions About Media Bias, More at Shareholder Meeting.
GE executives apparently have little patience for questions about media bias at their holdings CNBC and MSNBC... More...

Want Tax Money to Fund a New "Green Bank"? If "No," Sign Our Petition to GE.
Do you agree with GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt that America needs a taxpayer-funded "green bank"? If you're not sure, watch Glenn Beck interview Tom Borelli. Afterward, you may wish to sign our petition... More...

Bill O'Reilly Interviews Tom Borelli on GE Doing Business with Iran.
Bill O'Reilly interviewed Tom Borelli about his confrontation with GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt at last year's GE annual shareholder meeting... More...

On Nancy Pelosi's Contempt.
Mychal Massie is fed up... More...

Outrage of the Day: No Tolerance for the Truth.
It seems there's no tolerance for truth these days... More...

Outrage of the Day: United Nations Threatens Bush Administration Officials.
America must get out of the United Nations... More...

The Kangaroo Returns: Obama Administration's One-Sided Energy Hearing a Kangaroo Court.
The kangaroo is back... More...

Disconnect on Accuracy Doesn't Add Up.
Jeffrey Temple writes that the left seems to prefer estimates over accurate data when it comes to the census and radio ratings... More...

Green Trumps Black and White for Television Diversity.
Research Associate Devon Carlin asks and answers the question: Complaints about a racial "white-out" on television are common, but are they valid? More...

A New Government Bank?
Should taxpayer funds be spent on a new government-owned bank? The left thinks so... More...

The New Byrd-Hagel.
The Senate has voted 89-8 to oppose cap-and-trade if it raises electricity or gasoline prices... More...

Black Leader Speaks Against the Radical Underpinnings of Obama's Bailout Agenda.
This nation was founded on a rebellion against a tyrannical government. We should not now create a new one... More...

Outrage of the Day: Obama's Hypocrisy on Lobbying.
As a candidate for President, Barack Obama made attacking lobbyists one of the linchpins of his candidacy.... More...

Outrage of the Day: Senate Majority Leader Calls Chief Justice a Liar.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Friday called Chief Justice John Roberts a liar... More...

Outrage of the Day: Obama Raised Cash for Never-to-Be-Run Senate Race After Leaving Senate.
Barack Obama was still raising money for his 2010 U.S. Senate re-election fund as late as December 26, 2008, more than a month after being elected President... More...

Outrage of the Day: The Terrible Health Care Canadians and Britons Receive.
Who needs health care reform? Britons and Canadians, that's who... More...

The Left Calls for $60 Billion in Subsidies to Mainstream Media.
The left has begun a bailout appeal for floundering mainstream newspapers... More...

Waxman Drags Feet on Needed CPSIA Reform.
Outrage of the Day to Rep. Henry Waxman for his refusal to hold hearings on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA)... More...

Carol Browner: Dictating Climate Policy Like Caesar of Old.
An op-ed by David Ridenour on President Obama's choice of Carol Browner to serve as a so-called "climate czar" has appeared in newspapers nationwide... More...

Lifestyles of the Spendthrift and Infamous.
"Reagan said most Americans simply want a better life for themselves and their families without too much government intervention. Unless we do something to change our nation's course, we will have neither," says Ak'Bar A. Shabazz... More...

Real Stimulus: Reform How Banks Shop Credit Cards.
Many of our current problems are rooted in our economy being lured away from its free-market roots, says Bishop Council Nedd II... More...

Obama Can Protect or Destroy Marriage.
"President Barack Obama's personal triumph over the generational legacy of black broken homes has the power - by virtue of example - to heal and strengthen marriage in America," says Niger Innis. More...

The Scandal that is the EPA.
With so many disasters going on in our government, scandals that are business-as-usual at the EPA can fly under the radar. They shouldn't... More...

What Greenhouse Gas Restrictions Could Do to Our Economy.
Writing in Investor's Business Daily, David Ridenour says, "When our economic bus is teetering at the edge of a cliff, it's a bad time to throw on some extra weight..." More...

Public Employee Pensions Endangered by State Officials Playing Global Warming Politics, Report Says.
Already at-risk public employee pension funds are being placed at further risk by state officials, says a report by Steve Milloy and Tom Borelli... More...

Pensions in Peril: Are State Officials Risking Public Employee Retirement Benefits by Playing Global Warming Politics?
State and local pension fund administrators who promote or ignore global warming regulation may be contributing to undesirable economic conditions that will adversely impact the portfolios they manage... More...

Cap and Trade Carbon Policies Could Increase Emissions, Says Justin Danhof.
If Congress adopts cap and trade, it may not like the results, analyst warns... More...

Overwhelming Majority of Americans Oppose Cap and Trade.
A National Center for Public Policy Research poll shows an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose the higher energy costs that cap and trade would impose... More...

Americans Reject Proposed Expansion of Clean Water Act, Poll Shows.
A majority of Americans oppose the Oberstar/Feingold Clean Water Restoration Act, according to a survey by Wilson Research Strategies for the National Center for Public Policy Research... More...

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Bi-Monthly News Digest I 4/09

March 31, 2009.
Black Leader Speaks Against the Radical Underpinnings of Obama's Bailout Agenda.

Washington, DC - President Barack Obama has now laid the groundwork for sweeping government intervention in the free market with his announcement of new government requirements for its continued support for struggling American automakers...The National Center For Public Policy Research.

April 2, 2009.
Videos from Blackfive, IDFnadesk, and MachoSauceProductions:

Brothers at War: Interview with Jake Rademacher, Part Two.
Brothers at War: Interview with Jake Rademacher, Part One.

Hamas Gunmen Attempt to Plant Explosives Along Security Fence in Gaza.

Card Checkin'.

April 3, 2009.
Two Young Iranian Christian Women in Notorious Evin Prison.

On March 5th 2009, two Iranian Christian women, Miss Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad (30), and Miss Maryam Rustampoor (27), were arrested by the Iranian security forces. Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus. They are being unfairly labeled as ‘anti-government activists’, because of the hostility of the government towards practising Christians...40 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Iran. [To be included in praying for the Christians in Iran, e-mail PrayForIran here.

April 5, 2009.
Taliban Beating Girl.
Luang Prabang, Laos.

A concerned reader passed this along. Gateway Pundit posted commentary and a video link of Taliban savages flogging a girl in public. I recommend viewing this disturbing video. While watching, one can only dream of a bunch of U.S. Marines bursting in to confront these savages man to man. Please watch the video on Gateway Pundit -- Where Hope Finally Made a Comeback -- and spread the link far and wide. Michael Yon.

April 6, 2009.
American Guns and Mexicans.

It would appear that the Mexico situation carries enough emotional potential – in North America – to dwarf anything we saw on Iraq. Afghanistan is more like a martial metronome, or a software program that’s running in the background; we only notice when it crashes. Mexico, however…Michael Yon online.

April 7, 2009.
A Picture for You.
Luang Prabang, Laos

The sun had already set when I settled the bill at l’Elephant and walked up the darkening street away from the Mekong. This small town with French ambiance and Asian culture is calming, very calming compared to the wars...Michael Yon online.

April 9, 2009.
More Pictures for You.
Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

This morning some monks performed a ritual under a tree near my door. I did not want to intrude upon their tranquility with a camera, so I modestly enjoyed the moment, knowing that in just a few days I would walk into another, very different land...Michael Yon online.

April 10, 2009.
More videos from MachoSauceProductions and other videos of interest:
Ol' skool Battlestar Galactica fan.

Al-Qassam Brigades.
Al Qaeda Orientation Video.
Quick Update.
1980 Republican National Convention.
Hamas ya noor il ayn (Best Nasheed ever).

Trace Adkins at the CMAs - Til the Last Shots Fired.

The Wounded Warrior Project will receive a portion of the proceeds when you buy the "Live" version of "Til the Last Shot's Fired" to your iPod. Keep the tissues nearby for the video: Til the Last Shot's Fired. It's all about the Warriors...

Elyse - President, Board Member - Eagles UP!
www.eaglesup.us.

April 11, 2009.
American soldiers who vanished without a trace are found. Finally they come home. Joe Galloway tells the story. Hat tip: Michael Yon.

April 12, 2009.
Obama Youth Brigade: Church Attendance Forbidden.
By Jonas Clark

...The Bill would forbid any student in the brigade to participate in “engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.” That means no church attendance or witnessing...Again, is this what America voted for? Here is part of the HR1388 Bill’s wording:...SEC. 1304. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS...Section 125 (42 U.S.C. 12575)...The Voice Magazine. Hat tip: Patty @ Smart Girl Politics.

April 13, 2009.
Thailand Cracking?
Posted from Malaysia.

[This dispatch is in the "RUBS" format. (Rough, Unedited and Barely Spell checked.) I can convey much more information and more timely by occasionally bursting out via stream of consciousness.]...Back in October 2008, I emailed Dana Lewis, an interesting journalist who was traveling between Afghanistan, Dubai and Moscow:...Michael Yon online.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Today I am having an open trackback courtesy of Linkfest. This means you can (track)post your best post here. Remember to link me to your article before you trackback. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback? Everyone have a nice day.

Some friends would like to share their posts with you for your reading pleasure and information:
1. Woman Honor Thyself: Israel doesn’t Need Obama.
2. Beagle Scout: Gore: ManBirdPig Flu Will Lead to SkyNet, Rule by Robot Overlords.
3. Potbelly Stove: History repeating itself.

Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Organizers Beware! UPDATE: Nevermind

I had a Tea Party on the 15th of April, and it was very peaceful and educational. I received more of an education today. See, when I called on the 16th of April to get my next Tea Party going (July 4th), I had to leave a voice mail. The Detective called me today and informed me that I had the wrong office. He said not to think of this as anything more than a simple thing, but I needed to speak with the Department of Homeland Security!

He asked if I was from a national organization and I told him I wasn't. He didn't believe me. He also thought I was against our country or our government (I don't quite remember the questions, because my blood was boiling). I straight out answered him, "NO! I love our beautiful country, and I just want to make sure it's still here when our children and grandchildren grow up!" Can you believe this? I even told him how much the national debt was at the time I wrote my post, $11,221,539,981,704 and rising every moment!

Our gross national product is around $12,000,000,000. Now you tell me, how can we survive if these congress critters keep spending our hard earned money like there's no tomorrow? Oh yes, he asked me if I voted for Obama. I told him I voted for Sarah Palin. :)

Are they allowed to ask who we voted for? I didn't think so. Ya know, I've wanted to run for office for a long time now, but I've been too afraid to try. There is dirt in my past from when I was a juvenile and a little bit when I turned 18 and then in the year 1985. I am not proud of it, but how long do I have to pay for crimes which were perpetrated against me? Long story, no answer.

(I did fill out the paperwork and inform the city clerk that I would be running for City Council a few cycles back, but I pulled out of the race for lack of money.)

Just be careful when you have your Tea Party. Don't even bother to involve the Special Events unless you have more than 75 people coming. Ya know, you could always claim, "Oh my! What a turn-out. I never expected so many people!"

PS. I'm pretty upset but not rattled. Keep on keepin' on, my brothers and sister!

Update: I just got off the phone with a DHS detective, and he informed me that we do not, in fact, need their permission to have a Tea Party. It was odd though. He acted as if he had never heard of a Tea Party. When I brought up the Tax Day Tea Party, he went, 'Ooohh, THAt.' Excuse me? Am I missing something here? Or am I just being paranoid? Why would the police officer think it necessary to send me to DHS in the first place? Hmm. I'm going to give him a call tomorrow. Stand-by for the update...

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

MilitaryFamiliesUnited News

Below is rather disturbing news from Military Families United. I received this on March 31, 2009. Please take the time to read it and sign the petition. Thank you.

MILITARYFAMILIESUNITED.org:

BREAKING NEWS: Obama To Release Another GITMO Terrorist.

Dear Military Families United Member and Supporter,

Last night, the Obama administration agreed to release yet another terrorist currently being held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Ayman Saeed Batarfi, a Yemeni doctor, is a member of al-Qaida, supported the Taliban and has been an official of al-Wafa - another organization identified by the U.S. Government as a terrorist supporting group.

The U.S. government had charged him with providing medical support to al-Qaida terrorists and he has freely admitted meeting with Osama bin Laden. As a medical doctor, he also worked closely with senior al-Qaida microbiologists while in Afghanistan and purchased medical equipment for al-Qaida.

He’s not the first.

This is not the first terrorist that President Obama has set free. On February 23rd Obama released Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed. Mohamed was captured in Pakistan in April, 2002 and has admitted to training at various al-Qaida camps. He is alleged to have plotted multiple attacks on American soil and now he is free in England.

This frightening development means that we need your help more than ever. Please consider signing our petition below. If you’ve signed it already, please consider forwarding this email to friends and family.

Why is he being released?

Batarfi is being released not because he has been deemed innocent or no longer a threat, but because the evidence against him is not admissible in a civilian court.

In other words, without your help, this could be the beginning of a disturbing trend that will prevent many of the remaining 240 GITMO detainees from standing trial and being brought to justice for their activities. Your voice can help stop this.

We need you!

As Americans and military families we cannot stand quietly by and allow President Obama to endanger our national security by putting campaign promises above protecting our homeland and our brave men and women in uniform.

If this is frightening to you, please consider helping us fight once again.

No timetable has been set for the Batarfi release so we have to take action now before he rejoins the fight to kill innocent people. We ask you to do three things:

• Please visit www.DontFreeTerrorists.org and sign the petition that lets President Barack Obama know that we need to protect our country and keep terrorists locked up.
• Please send this to every friend and family member you have today. It is incredibly important to grow our grassroots movement and we are relying on you to do it.
• Donate Here.

We need your help to let America know about the dangers of freeing suspected terrorists. Please forward this to your friends and family asking them to sign the petition. We cannot allow our country be put in danger.

Quotes from this morning’s papers:

“he (Saeed Abdullah Batarfi) had worked for a charity that had terrorist ties and that he had met with Osama bin Laden.” – New York Times (3/31/09)

“Justice Department lawyers contend he (Saeed Abdullah Batarfi) was at one of al-Qaida's major battles, and not just as a charity worker.” – Associated Press (3/31/09)

“he (Saeed Abdullah Batarfi) was the chief medical adviser for a group designated a terrorist organization shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.” – Washington Post (3/31/09)

Help Us Fight For Those Who Fight For Us
Click Here To Donate.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

ZoNation

Many of you remember AlfonZo from my weekly subscriptions issue, and Pajamas Media has also taken notice. They have snatched him! That's right. He now has an even larger forum on Pajamas TV. If you would like to view his latest four videos, and they are hilarious, you may view them here.

Below is an introduction to his videos. They are also trying to raise money (who isn't?). Do not worry. His videos are free. They are just asking for $5 if you like what you see. (I might add, this is not the $15 they got me to pay!)

ZoNation with Alfonzo Rachel.

... a fun and entertaining show and commentary on issues of the day!

Support PJTV with a $5/month subscription.

Like what you see on PJTV? Please help support the Pajamas TV coverage of Tea Party Protests, our hearings about finance and health care, and to support great shows such as ZoNation, National Security, Sharia and Jihad Review, Middle East Update, Dr. Helen, Poliwood, and more with a $5.00/month subscription to PJTV here.

I obviously believe the programs are worth every penny. I do not have cable TV. I can't be bothered with stupidity. This, however, is very educational, news breaking, analytical, and just plain hilarious with Zo added to the line up. Give them a try. Remember that line, "Try it! You might like it." Well, what are you waiting for? Have a blessed weekend.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Michael Yon's News 4/3/09

Below you find a collection of e-mails from Michael Yon, our citizen journalist who has travelled the world to give us news from behind the lines of fire in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I would like to share these with you. From here on in, the writings will be from Michael. Have a wonderful weekend.

March 31, 2009.
Gary Sinise has gotten behind the documentary called "Brothers at War." I haven't seen it yet because I've not been in the United States, but the reviews are excellent.

Brothers at War.

The British continue to get slammed, but I am very proud to know the British soldiers who took me into combat. At least five British units took me into combat (where there was actual combat). As much as I hate combat, I'd go back to war with them in a heartbeat. Please read.

I've been seriously considering shifting some focus to Mexico, which obviously is already having a very negative affect on the United States. We've got to do something, once and for all, about sealing that border. It's unlikely it will ever be completely sealed, but it shouldn't be a freeway. And covering Mexico would not be like covering the Hindu Kush. I could actually visit Texas and New Mexico and Arizona and California and call it work!

April 1, 2009.
Greetings,

It might seem we are off to a slow start on war coverage this year, but in fact 2009 will likely bring the most intense war coverage I've ever done. It will be up close and personal, and no doubt some very intense combat. But this new work is like launching a rocket. It's like writing, actually: 95% preparation/homework and 5% execution. (Though "execution" in the wars often goes on for many months on end.)

Meanwhile, I just published a piece in the New York Daily News print and online editions.

I will have a piece in the Washington Times print and online on Thursday.

I'm also finishing a long piece on torture.

The very few words I've written about Mexico have stirred much controversy. Mexico is mostly out my sphere of experience other than short trips, and I've only spent a few months traveling in places like Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. And so I have said very little about Mexico, but the topic is very emotive for various reasons, such as the potential implications of large amounts of guns that might be moving from the United States to Mexico. The only apparent certainty is that truth will be the first casualty for anyone reporting on guns to Mexico. Too many people have vested interests in shaping the message.

The word "Mexico" today is starting to ring like "Iraq" did six years ago. It's interesting that Afghanistan evokes very little emotion, and so reporting truth from there is less likely to spur outrage. And today, Iraq is no longer the lightning rod that it was -- so long as a new war does not spark, which might change that. The Iraq-media-balloon is flat. But Mexico...there's a lightning rod, and any writer who dares look into the weapons issue will likely become a pinata. Especially if he or she discovers something inconvenient.

Hurricane Mexico seems to be gathering energy both in reality and in the media. At least if you cover Mexico, you can live part time in Texas or thereabouts with Americans. Been a long time for me.

In other news, Baitullah Mehsud has apparently threatened to attack the United States. This is interesting in light of so many snippets out there, such as the local source who recently told me that an Australian is apparently with AQ in a certain area in Pakistan. Needless to say, an Australian passport will get you over just about any border.

April 1, 2009.
You've got to see the latest haul from one of our Canine heroes. This is only one reason why these dogs get treated better than Lassie.

Not only do they get treated better than Lassie; they also get treated better than Soldiers and Marines. No kidding.

Please also see this Op-Ed on Obama and AfPak in the Washington Times.

April 2, 2009.
Greetings,

Several readers have forwarded a very interesting story from FOX. Looks like FOX has been digging around for answers and they are providing exactly the answers that some readers were asking about. I hope FOX is right, because that means I have very smart readers.

I'm heading into Laos tomorrow and not sure if I will have communications or Internet. Emotions are running high now but this too shall pass. Please keep the cursing on the site to a minimum. Kids read the comments. Most readers probably have noticed that even if 90% of the weapons into Mexico don't come from the United States, 99% of the comments to my site are published without filtration (other than for profanity). Insults make me stronger. Like Rocky doing situps and getting punched in the stomach. Could be worse; al Qaeda wants to murder me.

Please read the FOX story.

April 2, 2009.
Am heading to Laos just now. Amazing place but haven’t been there since before I first dropped into the Iraq war. They call Laos, “The Land of a Million Elephants.” I once looked at a very old map in Venice, Italy, and Laos was depicted on the map by lots of elephants. Speaking of which, a young female elephant tried to hit me with stalks of sugarcane last week. She was angry about something. Her name was “Nungning,” which is a very funny word in Thai language. I was told that “nungning” means the flamboyant way that a lady boy acts and walks. Whatever the case, Nungning the young elephant has a great throwing-trunk and can wallop you with sugarcane. She’s a pretty good shot, too.

Two interesting stories here. One is about Rape in Afghanistan, and the other discusses the black market of military gear in Pakistan.

On weapons to Mexico, some people dispute the veracity of the FOX report which disputes the veracity of government reports. I’ll get to that soon, but there is the feeling that this discussion is not winding down. It’s just getting started. The Mexico issue reminds me of Iraq but not Afghanistan. Truth was difficult to report from Iraq because the emotional valence was so high, and political stakes were monumental. Reputations and careers were destroyed by the tsunami of emotions. Afghanistan is easier; I still catch flak for Afghan reporting and likely will catch heavy flak this year when I return, but nothing like the lightning bolts that regularly struck me while reporting Iraq. Mexico brings a madhouse of interests and the gun issue is just one. There are the aliens and drugs and on and on. Will be interesting to hit the ground there.

Please view this very disturbing video. The video indicates what many have said, that Mexican authorities are neck-deep in the drug business: Mexican Incursions into the US.

Please also keep up with the comments. Discussion is always helpful.

I’ll be in Laos for the next little bit, possibly with little communications.

Your writer,

Michael Yon

PS. If you enjoy his writings, you can do all of us a huge favor and support him along with us. He is out there without any backing except that which we provide. You may send him $10, $20, $100 here. If you would rather mail it to him, you may do that instead. Thank you for your time. Have a great weekend.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

World, National News II 4/2/09

Today's news shall begin with three dispatches from Michael Yon.

March 26. The first article Michael writes is about a helicopter that went down, and he also writes a little cautionary piece. lol

A helicopter went down with interesting consequences. Please read.

Interesting that the short dispatch on weapons to Mexico is resulting in such a torrent of comments.

My work is misquoted around the world every day, but nowhere as often as on my own site. Some readers seem to think that I wish to ban firearms in the United States, or that I claim that automatic weapons are flowing to Mexico. Automatic weapons almost certainly are flowing to Mexico, which would explain how they got there. But I didn't write it. Nor would an easy reading of the short dispatch reveal that I am calling to ban guns in the United States. It's just fascinating to see apparent gun-fanatics misquote a document that is just inches away on the same computer screen. If they invest only that minimal level of attention to the guns they are apparently packing, it's just a matter of time before they accidentally shoot themselves or someone else. Attention to detail is an important component of gun safety.

His next dispatch is in regard to the AfPak situation.

Before I read a dozen op-eds reinterpreting what the President said, which of course can sway one's raw thoughts, it can be of some minor value to make a few observations. I was particularly interested in and waiting for comments on a few topics, such as the Afghan Army and Police. In that regard, the President left me disappointed.

More on the AfPak:

An Iraq-experienced young officer shares some well-informed insights.

There seems to be a very warm welcome for President Obama's newly unveiled AfPak strategy. Am I alone in seeing this plan as a road map to failure? Of course Pakistani and Afghan leaders welcome the plan that will put billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars worth of assets at their disposal. The more invested we become in their corruption, the more leverage they have. Karzai wouldn't be able to administer Atlanta or Miami, yet he has strategic influence with the United States and NATO. Such people are happy to see more influence pumping through the pipes, yet we have no plan to build the 400,000 security forces that our own experts say are required to secure Afghanistan. Instead, we have a plan to reach the half-way mark after about three years, and no announced plan to reach 400,000.

There is little in the Obama plan to be excited about. Some have called it "bold," but from my boots it looks like a recipe for disaster.

We are steaming toward failure in AfPak, but with more steam than ever before.

Wow. Michael has proved to be ahead of the curve in the past. Maybe the Obama administration should pay attention to what he writes.

Now for North Korea, that pesky little pipsqueak. He is apparently planning on putting two American journalists on trial for 'spying'. You can read it about it at CNN and if the article is missing from that link, you may read about it here.

The next article should chill you. It is from ACT! For America, and they are letting us know that the Jihadis have successfully gotten the UN to criminalize all religions except Islam.

UN body OKs call to curb religious criticism.
By FRANK JORDANS

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N.'s top human-rights body approved a proposal backed by Muslims nations Thursday urging the passage of laws around the world protecting religion from criticism. The proposal by Pakistan had drawn strong criticism from free-speech campaigners and liberal democracies. A simple majority of 23 members of the 47-nation Human Rights Council voted in favor of the resolution. Eleven mostly Western nations opposed it and 13 countries abstained. The resolution urges states to provide "protection against acts of hatred, discrimination, intimidation and coercion resulting from defamation of religions and incitement to religious hatred in general." [Continue reading.]

Do not allow these words to fool you. Just take a look around and see how many Christians are at this very moment imprisoned for teaching about Christ. Is that tolerance?

Then we have "The Idiots Guide to Pakistan" by Nicholas Schmidle. It is a six page article, but it is worth your time.

This next article deserves the full text be shared with you. It is from a group I've belonged to for quite a while, and we need your prayers.

Two young Iranian Christian women in notorious Evin Prison.

On March 5th 2009 two Iranian Christian women, Miss Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad (30), and Miss Maryam Rustampoor (27), were arrested by the Iranian security forces, according to reports received by FCNN. Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus. They are being unfairly labeled as ‘anti-government activists’, because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians.

Their shared apartment was searched and personal belongings confiscated. They were hand-cuffed and first taken to the Police and Security Station 137 in Gysha, West of Tehran for interrogation. Later they were taken to Vozara Detention Centre. Then they were taken to the Branch 2 of the National Security Section of the Revolutionary Court. Afterwards, several sessions of interrogation took place. Finally, on March 18th, after appearing at the Revolutionary Court, they were sent to the notorious Evin Prison where they are being held without charge.

They have been told they could be freed on a bail of US$400,000. This excessive bail level is unrealistic and is designed to intimidate and make the release impossible. The families have subsequently been told on several occasions a judge is not available to discuss the case.

Both women are allowed just a one minute telephone call every day to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention. During their last call on March 28 Marzieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said ‘I am dying’.

There has been a noted increase in government intimidation of the Christians. Last year they were over 50 known cases of arrests and imprisonment. They were some cases of torture.

Iranian Christian leaders from around the world are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Marzieh and Maryam.

We ask world governments to put pressure on Iran to ensure freedom of religion.

Prayers are being offered for their safe release. We ask Christians around the globe to continue to pray.

Thank you,
prayforiran.org.

My prayers are with you.

In this dispatch, Michael allows his sense of humor to peek from under the tent.

Guns to Mexico might become a contentious issue. There are few certainties in life, but there are some: as with the Iraq war, the first casualty about guns to Mexico will be the Truth. Gun Fanatics will wave the Constitution; Anti - Gun Fanatics will wave anything they can find, probably something they had been wearing; the Government will mumble and walk in circles, while Mexico merges with the United States, and Clinton blames America for Mexico being Mexico.

I'll go back to Afghanistan where it's safe and things are more predictable.

Put in the category of Fanatic. I'm an American Patriot and proud of it! ;)

For those of you concerned about that worm that is supposed to be going around, PC Mag has a good article about it. Hat tip: third world county.

That should be enough news for now. I really ought to be starting on a new post. Have a nice day.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

World, National News 4/1/09

Today's news will be a compilation of several different sources. Due the number of articles, they will not be grouped into categories such as source. Rather I shall start with the oldest and end with today's news.

Feb. 16, 2009. There is a book that can downloaded that changed this man's life, and it only costs $4.95 $3.95(!). Here is excerpt of what he has to say about An Introduction To Christian Economics: "The first chapter caught my attention: “The Biblical Critique of Inflation.” I was hooked. That’s why I went to seminary. I wanted to know what the Bible said about these issues. Karl Marx had done more damage to the 20th century than any single individual, and we are about to adopt his manifesto hook, line, and sinker."

March 12. Now I have some PJTV shows. Exposing Corrupt Members of Congress with Jason Mattera 15 min, Global Warming Alarmism & The International Climate Change Conference 12 min, North Korea: The Threat of War 22 min, El Salvador: Latin American Tiger 12 min, and Author M.A. Khan, "Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, & Slavery"| 15 min. I only have a subscription that allows me access to 3 months of archives so this is dated later than that, sorry. You can try, but I'm not promising anything.

March 20. Then we have a very good article from third world county. It is an address by Lord Christopher Monckton to the 2009 International Conference on Climate Change:

Great Is Truth, and Mighty Above All Things.

An excerpt: "Recently four of us in this room were invited to a meeting of Government and opposition leaders and policymakers in Madrid, to debate the science and economics of climate against Al Gore (not a climate scientist); Railroad Engineer Pachauri, the head of the U.N.’s climate science working group (not a climate scientist); Sir Nicholas Stern, the author of the U.K. Socialist Government’s joke report on the economics of climate change (not a climate scientist); and the Environment Minister of Spain (not a climate scientist).

All four of us--three climate scientists and I (not a climate scientist) accepted the invitation to debate. All four of them refused. They said they would only come if they could speak on their own, without facing any challenge, any debate, any question, any fact, any inconvenient truth. Not one of them dared to face us. They did not have what in English we should call the cojones." [Continue reading.]

Also for this day I have four short dispatches from Michael Yon. Torture: Just Say "No", Obama and AfPak: The Volcano is Rumbling, A True American Who Covers Our Soldiers' Backs, and Straight Shooting from General (ret.) Barry McCaffrey. On the 23rd, I received this dispatch: "Small Talk".

On March 23, 2009, we also received this horrible news about one of our own. 'Honoring a Fallen Soldier and Avid Writer and Military Blogger, Sgt. Christopher P. Abeyta' was in the subject line. May he rest in sweet Peace with our Lord.

Sgt. Christopher P. Abeyta, 23, of Midlothian, Illinois, was killed last week while serving in Afghanistan. Sgt. Abeyta and two other soldiers who were with him, Sgt. Robert M. Weinger and Spc. Norman Cain III, were also killed when the vehicle they were riding in was struck by an IED.

Sgt. Abeyta ran a military blog from Afghanistan called The Chronicles of Butters! and according to a news story Sgt. Ab eyta had kept a journal since he was 11-years old...[continue reading at Milblogging.com.]

March 25. Here is another e-mail from Michael Yon, our brave citizen journalist who goes where the dinosaur media fears to go.

Lots of folks want to meet the great American who devotes so much time to supporting the troops. Please see Lt. Dan's schedule.

Also, please see this Mark Bowden piece on torture. It's lengthy but well worth the time. The article was forwarded to me from an American officer with more than 25 years on active duty.

Your Writer,

Michael Yon

Alright. I'm going to share something with you that some people call me crazy for even thinking about this, but I think it is important that we should grow our own food just in case of emergency. If that's crazy, so be it. Well, it could have to do with the fact that it comes from my Calorie Count subscription, weighing in at 115 pounds. lol. Here is the link: Container Gardening With Salad Greens.

March 25. Another great article sent to me by Michael Yon.

Greetings,

AmMex threatens to be the new AfPak. America should be getting smarter these days -- especially post 9/11 -- that it's better to attack these problems while they are, ahem, still small. Or at least not yet overwhelming.

I would kindly suggest that you read this short dispatch, and that media reach out to General (ret.) McCaffrey, who intimately knows this issue. His contact information can be found through the dispatch. Please tell him I sent you.

Amex the new AfPak.

Your Writer,

March 26. This movie has a trailor, and it is very touching. I surely would like to see it when it is released this spring. Hat tip: USMCdaughter. The trailor can be found at the end of this little quote.

The Maine War Front
by G.I. Film Festival.

Far away from the war, in Portland, Maine there are people who think about the war every day. They get up every morning, not with the thought of having to pay their mortgages or the thought of far away adventures, but theirs is the thought of continued service to their country – to give back in some small measure. Whether it is 3 am in the morning or 3 pm in the afternoon, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, these volunteers get up and go out to make a difference in the lives of our departing and returning soldiers.

They see the faces of those deploying to war and the faces of those returning from war every day. They count their numbers and pay their respects in smiles, handshakes and hugs. Who are these dedicated men and women? They are the volunteer troop greeters in Portland, Maine and the subject of an emotionally revealing documentary, (here is the trailor) The Way We Get By.

Oh my. It's already tomorrow. I guess I should go ahead and publsh this and get started on today's news. Have a great and blessed day.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Security News

Today I have a few articles that may interest you. Let's hope so, anyway. lol.

This first article is from ACT! For America, and it is in regard to the dangers our children face in these times. Specifically while our children are waiting at the bus stop, they become 'soft targets' for jihadis.

School buses 'soft targets' for possible terrorist attacks.
By: AMANDA CREGAN The Intelligencer

Terrorism experts say homeland security begins at the school bus stop. It's a school security gap that most parents, police and school officials don't always see, but terrorists do. School buses can be vulnerable to a potential attacker, but are often overlooked in a school district's security plan.

That's why 75 police officers, detectives, emergency workers and school administrators from across Montgomery, Bucks and the rest of the Philadelphia region spent Monday learning how to shore up the gap in a course on "School Bus Safety in a Post 9/11 Era" held at the North Montco Technical Career Center in Towamencin and hosted by the Southeast Region Terrorism Taskforce. [Continue reading.]

This next article is very disturbing. If we want to stop Sharia law from becoming the so-called 'law' of this land, we have to make ourselves aware of what is happening around us.

UN Watch Briefing.
Proposal at U.N. to criminalize 'defamation of Islam'.

"Geneva, March 11, 2009 -- A new U.N. resolution circulated today by Islamic states would define any questioning of Islamic dogma as a human rights violation, intimidate dissenting voices, and encourage the forced imposition of Sharia law. (See full U.N. text below.)"

"UN Watch obtained a copy of the Pakistani-authored proposal after it was distributed today among Geneva diplomats attending the current session of the UN Human Rights Council. Entitled "Combating defamation of religions," it mentions only Islam." [Continue reading.]

This article was also provided by ACT! For America. Here is also a link to Anti-Jihad who also has an article on this.

This next article from NewMax is about a non-political issue turned political. Do you remember the acronym ACORN? Check this out.

ACORN to Partner With Government for 2010 Census.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
By: Dave Eberhart Article Font Size

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform (ACORN) is now a “national partner” with the U.S. Census Bureau, soon to help the White House find 1.4 million workers to canvass for the country’s 2010 census.

If the acronym rings a bell, it’s because the organization has a history of voter fraud charges in the last election cycle, according to a report by FOXNews.com.

ACORN will be joining with more than 250 national partners, including TARGET and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), to assist in the hiring of census workers around the country. [Continue reading.]

Nice, eh? All I seem to be doing lately is shaking my head.

I would write more because I definitely have it, but I'm about to pass out from exhaustion. Everyone have a nice night. God bless.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

News And Videos: 29 Jan 09

I must admit, the news has come fast and furious. Too fast for me, so I shall share with you their links and you can choose which news is important to you. I also have more videos to share with you! Yippee! ;)

To get started, ACLU: Supermax Too Good For Gitmo Detainees is from the Stop the ACLU.

I received some news from Michael Yon on the 18th of January about some of the work our guys are doing in Afghanistan. WOW! Rollin' In Hash. On the 27th, he also sent a message that he was in Israel for a conference and to do some more reporting. Jerusalem. Would you believe the Lithuanians gave Michael an award for his reporting in Afghanistan?! Too bad our own government does not recognize his talents. Please read this. It is very important, as all Michael's posts are. BTW, Michael won this year's Milblog award.

M. Zuhdi Jasser is the President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, a community activist, and a physician in private practice. He has written his 'This is the speech Obama should deliver to the Muslims world", written over at The Investigative Project on Terrorism. The title of the article is, "President Obama's Message to the Muslim World: Walk the walk and then we'll talk the talk", by M. Zuhdi Jasser, For IPT News, January 23, 2009. I've written about him in the past. He is a Muslim who is tired of the press following these terrorists around by the nose. Give his writing a try and see what you think.

This is an audio made by Barb and Jenna Bush for Sasha and Malia Obama. The title is "Bush Daughters Offer Counsel To Obama Girls." Hat tip: Big Dog's Weblog.

Big Dog also provided me with this YouTube video on a blog titled, "The American Form of Government." This is the URL for the video: The American Form of Government. It lasts 10:35 minutes, but it is worth the time.

My friend Gribbit sent out a plea for membership in The Conservative Undergroundk. It used to be, and still is, the TCU Nation. If you are already member of the TCU Nation, you're fine. If you are not yet a member, let's talk. We have many sites all over the net trying to gather Conservatives into one major force like moveon.org did. Well, it's been like herding cats, as I'm sure you've heard before. lol. This site, however, you can blog there, chat there, set up political events, etc. It is really good, and I've been spending some time over there. Come over and join us. Let's kick some liberal/leftist/marxist arse! ;)

Now for the videos. (More news and videos later this weekend.)

Here are some videos from Jan. 22, 2009:
IDFnaDesk.
Hamas Uses Schools and Ceasefire to Shoot Rockets at Israel.
تنتهك حماس الإسلام و القرآن الكريم IDF VLOG: Hamas Profanes Islam .
Israel Defense Forces Vlog: Hamas is a Terrorist Army, Lt. Barak Raz.

Macho Sauce Production.

(Donations are welcomed and appreciated.)

The Fair Reporter.
1. W's Legacy.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

BP Agents Sentences Commuted 3/19/09

It's about time, and I'm grateful President Bush did it. Today President Bush commuted the sentences for Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean. They will leave prison March 20, 2009. They never should have been there in the first place, but I would like to thank everyone who kept up the good fight and did not quit the fight to free them. Thank you.

Please read this statement below from The National Center For Public Policy Research press release. I believe it is very important and better written than I am able to at this time, so without further adieu, here it is.
******************************
Black Leader Lauds Bush Commutation of Border Agents' Sentences.

Washington, D.C. - Mychal Massie, the chairman of the Project 21 black leadership network, is praising the decision made today by outgoing President George W. Bush to commute the sentences of jailed Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Under the terms of the commutation order, made by President Bush on his last full day in office, the imprisoned law enforcement officers will be released on March 20. Ramos and Compean were sentenced to 11 and 12 years, respectively. Much of their time since entering prison in January of 2007 has been spent in solitary confinement.

"I sincerely want to thank President Bush for commuting the sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean," said Project 21's Massie. "Their freedom has been too long in coming. We are pleased that, in one of his final acts as chief executive, President Bush has done the right thing and shown these men mercy."

Ramos and Compean were prosecuted for an incident that occurred in February 2005 on the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso, Texas. They chased Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila on foot after he abandoned a van containing 743 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1 million. During the chase, Ramos shot at Aldrete-Davila after Ramos thought he saw Aldrete-Davila draw a gun. Aldrete-Davila escaped across the U.S.-Mexico border, and Ramos assumed Aldrete-Davila was unhurt. In fact, Aldrete-Davila had been shot in the buttock. U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton later charged Ramos and Compean for pursuing Aldrete-Davila without supervisor approval, moving spent shell casings and improperly reporting the fired shots.

Aldrete-Davila was granted immunity to testify against Ramos and Compean. He recently plead guilty to charges that he conspired to smuggle marijuana into the United States twice after he was granted immunity and faces a jail term of between five and 40 years and $2 million in fines.

Quoted by CNN.com, an unnamed Bush Administration official said: "The President has reviewed the circumstances of this case as a whole and the conditions of confinement and believes the sentences they received are too harsh and that they, and their families, have suffered enough for their crimes."

Project 21's Massie added: "I have repeatedly told the President that their sentences were too harsh and that they did not fit the crime. I am pleased that he finally agreed."

Massie also expressed thanks "to all those who stood with us in our petitions in favor of freeing these brave men."

Project 21’s Massie was an outspoken national voice in seeking a pardon or commutation for Ramos and Compean. Massie wrote about the case in a commentary published in The Washington Times on December 28, 2007. This commentary is available at the Washington Times.

Project 21, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research, has been a leading voice of the African-American community since 1992. For more information, contact David Almasi at (202) 543-4110 x11 or Project 21.org e-mail, or visit Project 21's website. ******************************
May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!

NK Has Nukes; Demands On USA

It is being reported by many news outlets that North Korea now has between 4 and 7 'weaponized' nuclear weapons. The IAEA is not allowed to inspect these areas, and they now believe they have a better chance of obtaining 'friendly' and 'normalized' relations with the USA because of Obama.

For all of you people who voted for him, I would like to thank you so very freaking much. Did we not warn you of this? Oh, but your hatred for President Bush was so fierce that you lost your minds. You must have. We are at war, and you deny this fact. We cannot allow this puny punk to push around, lest others begin to think they can do the same. Oh, but you got what you, didn't ya. I hope it was worth it to you. I also hope that if there is a nuclear strike, the weapon is aimed at you.

The links for some of these articles are: Researcher: North Korea has 'Weaponized' Plutonium (FoxNews.com), US Expert Says North Korea Has 'Weaponized' Plutonium (VOA), Researcher: North Korea has `weaponized' plutonium (AP, map included), North Korea Has Enough Plutonium for 6 Nuclear Bombs, NYT Says (Bloomberg.com: Asia), and NKorea says may retain nukes, raises border tensions with Seoul (SpaceWar.com).

PS. SpaceWar.com is the ONLY one who spoke of the imminent threat to Seoul, Korea, whereas the South actually had to be put on high alert! I recommend this article, but only if you actually care about what is happening the world. My God. Did I go to sleep and wake up in the Twillight Zone? Somebody please, WAKE ME UP!

These are some good people that I know really care, and they write pretty powerful articles as well. (Not that mine is powerful. The topic, yes, my writing, no.) That is why I would like to share their posts with you: Blog @ MoreWhat.com: Open Trackback Linkfest Haven Tuesday, third world county: Quick Tip, Political Byline: Former French President Gets Pounded By His Pooch, Walls of the City: sensor ping LV, The World According To Carl: Uncle Jay Explains The News — January 19, 2009, DragonLady's World: OTA Monday 119, The Pink Flamingo: Democratic Corruption Corruption!, Leaning Straight Up: With Obama President, People Finally Care and Hollywood Is Making a Pledge, Democrat=Socialist: Inauguration 2009 Food For Thought, and Conservative Cat: I'm Back, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!

Taylor's Son Convicted; 97 Years

Ex-president (Charles Taylor) of Liberia's son, 'Chuckie' was convicted in October 30, 2008. He has been convicted of torture, arms trafficing, and conspiracy to torture and smuggle arms, according to a federal court in Florida. The prosection had requested 147 years in prison, but they were only to obtain 97 years. It is about time. Although he wasn't charged with the murder of any of them, his indictment alleged that he murdered at least four of ten victims.

"His case, tried in Miami, was the first brought under a 1994 U.S. law saying those accused of committing torturous acts overseas can be tried in a U.S. federal court, as long as the person is a U.S. national or is present in the United States, regardless of nationality." [Son of ex-Liberian leader sentenced to 97 years in prison, CNN]

"Taylor Jr. was tapped by his father to command an anti-terrorist unit called the ''Demon Forces'' that beat, burned and beheaded Liberian civilians from 1999 to 2003, the jury concluded.

The Miami criminal case -- which took place at the same time the father, Charles Taylor, faced a war-crimes tribunal in the Netherlands -- marked the first U.S. prosecution of torture committed in a foreign country." ['Chuckie' Taylor sentenced to 97 years in landmark torture case, by BY JAY WEAVER
jweaver AT MiamiHerald DOT com.]

(If you are interested in the CNN article, you will have to e-mail me. They seem to lose all of their articles, so I put the articles in research file.)

His father is still in the Hague waiting to be convicted on war crimes for his war crimes while he created chaos and wars while he was president of Liberia and also kept these poor people in fear for their very lives. He was captured in 2005. My, how long does it take to get over with the trial? This is one reason why I have NO faith in any of these UN phony set-ups.

I'm glad this part is finally over. It was the best we could hope for since they weren't going to impose the death penalty. They did for Nuremberg trials. Gee, we're come a long way, eh? NOT.

PS. There is a blogger who is claiming that he Chuckie was convicted of murder also. I sure as heck hope so. I have a tendency to believe this blogger more than I do the press. Why? Because CNN and the AP puts out their article, and everyone else just copies it instead of doing their own research. Yes, I received this message from CNN. That's only because they will not allow me to remove myself from their mailing list! So that's how they get their numbers! lol.

Anyway, after I get the notice from them, I google the title to find out if it's true. Then I read the other articles. Besides, as I said before, CNN has a tendency to remove their link after a certain amount of time. Oh, their articles are oh so precious! NOT. Have a nice day.

Here are some friends I would like this news with and you can read their posts as well: Blog @ MoreWhat.com: Open Trackback Linkfest Haven Tuesday, third world county: Quick Tip, Political Byline: Former French President Gets Pounded By His Pooch, Walls of the City: sensor ping LV, The World According To Carl: Uncle Jay Explains The News — January 19, 2009, DragonLady's World: OTA Monday 119, The Pink Flamingo: Democratic Corruption Corruption!, Leaning Straight Up: With Obama President, People Finally Care and Hollywood Is Making a Pledge, Democrat=Socialist: Inauguration 2009 Food For Thought, and Conservative Cat: I'm Back, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Trackback URI. Digg!

US, UK Reach Logistics Agreement

CENTCOM Public Affairs.

MACDILL AFB, Fla. (Nov 5, 2008) – American and British senior military officials, on behalf of their respective countries, signed the first full Implementing Agreement for logistics support in Afghanistan during a ceremony held here Wednesday. Brig. Gen. Kenneth Dowd, CENTCOM Director of Logistics, represented the U.S. in concluding the first agreement to provide reciprocal provisions for logistics support, supplies and services between military forces of the United States and the United Kingdom stationed in or in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“We have worked the details of this agreement for close to seven months,” Dowd said. “The final product will ensure our forces deployed to Afghanistan have the logistical support they need to accomplish their mission.” The new implementing arrangement will be the base document for all locations in and in support of Afghanistan, Dowd added. This overarching implementing arrangement allows the local commanders to coordinate logistics plans and streamline the coordination thereby reducing the impact on the planning requirements in the field.

Representing the United Kingdom in Wednesday’s ceremony was Brigadier M.G. Hickson, Late Royal Logistics Corps, signing for the British military. “We’re pleased to work with the American military as they move into predominately British supported areas of Afghanistan,” Hickson said. “We have an excellent working relationship with the staff at CENTCOM and look forward to working a reciprocal agreement for Iraq."

"As we conclude this IA for Afghanistan, we will continue to develop one for Iraq in support of the troops deployed in that area of operations,” Dowd said.

Brig. Gen. Kenneth Dowd, CENTCOM Director of Logistics, and Brigadier M.G. Hickson, Late Royal Logistics Corps, sign the first full Implementing Agreement between the United States and United Kingdom for logistics support in Afghanistan Wednesday.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

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Gen. David Petraeus Assumes Command Of CENTCOM

CENTCOM Public Affairs.

** LINK TO TRANSCRIPT AT BOTTOM OF PAGE **

MACDILL AFB, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2008) – The men and women of U.S. Central Command, government leaders, civic leaders and guests gathered at the Memorial Air Park here to welcome a new commander during a change of command ceremony Friday. Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey relinquished command to Gen. David H. Petraeus, formerly commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq.

Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert M. Gates presided over the ceremony, telling the men and women of CENTCOM, "It will be the valor, grit and fighting spirit of you, the men and women of United States Central Command, that will give heart to our friends while pursuing terrorists where they hide." Secretary Gates noted that General Petraeus was again, "taking responsibility for our precious sons and daughters."

Also participating in today's ceremony was Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He told the audience, "The value of leadership never changes and it's no secret we've learned a lot from David Petraeus." Gen. Petraeus most recently served as Commander Multi-National Forces-Iraq, where he oversaw all Coalition forces from February 2007 to September 2008. He is most noted for his contribution to the stabilization of Iraq during surge operations in mid-2007.

In 2003, Petraeus commanded the 101st Airborne Division and participated in the initial phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned to Iraq in 2004 as the first commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command. Petraeus is a 1974 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and subsequently earned a M.P.A. degree (1985) and a Ph.D. (1987) in International Relations from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Lt. Gen. Dempsey has served our nation throughout a distinguished military career for more than 34 years and departs USCENTCOM after serving first as the deputy commander beginning in August 2007, then as the acting commander since March 2008. Dempsey has been confirmed for promotion to general and his next assignment will be as Commander of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

Related Link to this article: Transcript of entire CENTCOM Change of Command ceremony.

Source: CENTCOM.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

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