Monday, June 8, 2009.
"If men through fear, fraud or mistake, should in terms renounce and give up any essential natural right, the eternal law of reason and the great end of society, would absolutely vacate such renunciation; the right to freedom being the gift of God Almighty, it is not in the power of Man to alienate this gift, and voluntarily become a slave."
--John Adams, Rights of the Colonists, 1772
That is why I believe that after someone has done their time in prison or wherever, they should have the right to protect themselves with a gun. Many disagree. I recommend you check yourself. Where does your freedom come from, eh?
Tue, 6/9.
"A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate."
--Thomas Jefferson, Rights of British America, 1774
And nature's GOD.
Wed, 6/10.
"Government, in my humble opinion, should be formed to secure and to enlarge the exercise of the natural rights of its members; and every government, which has not this in view, as its principal object, is not a government of the legitimate kind."
--James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1790
That is exactly why we are having these Tea Parties. THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Thu. 6/11.
"Under all those disadvantages no men ever show more spirit or prudence than ours. In my opinion nothing but virtue has kept our army together through this campaign."
--Colonel John Brooks, letter to a friend, January 5, 1778
Virtue. Is this a 'concept' or a reality that is removed from our educational system? It certainly has lost its place in our government. *anger*
Fri. 6/12.
"The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men."
--George Washington, General Orders, August 23, 1776
******************************
This is an excellent essay by Mark Alexander: Memo to Republicans: Don't Cuddle the Counsel of Competitors.
Source: Patriot Post.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Petraeus praises Pakistani operations against insurgents
by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 11, 2009) – The commander of U.S. Central Command Thursday praised the Pakistani army for operations it is waging against insurgents near the country's border with Afghanistan. "These have been quite impressive operations and I think Pakistan deserves some significant credit for it," Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said of operations in Pakistan's Northwest Province.
Petraeus spoke today at the Center for a New American Security about the so-called “Af-Pak” strategy President Barack Obama’s administration laid out in March. One of the key features of the plan to change course in Afghanistan is to broaden the operation to include Pakistan.
The Pakistani military’s initiative against extremists within their borders reflects Pakistan’s belief that the insurgents represent a major threat to the country, the general said.
“There is no question at this point that the Pakistanis see very clearly the existential threat that is posed to their country by the extremists, particularly by the Pakistani Taliban,” he said.
“As these operations go forward, it is obvious that there is a clear recognition of the need not just to clear miscreants -- as the Pakistanis term them -- from Swat Valley and from the others in which they have challenged the writ of government,” he said. “But there is also a recognition of the need to hold those areas and then of course to rebuild them because there has been significant damage in some of those areas as well.”
Petraeus said the current operations represent the first time Pakistani people have risen up against the insurgents in the tribal areas, aligning themselves against the Taliban with so-called 'tribal Lashkars.’
“You see all of the political leadership united,” he said, adding that the government in Islamabad is also working to relieve the people displaced by conflict. Petraeus reaffirmed the U.S. support of military logistics and Pakistani relief operations.
“Those people have to be enabled to get home. These are proud hill people, now down in the lowlands in camps and they desperately need to get back there and so the conditions must be established and achieved to enable them to do just that,” he said of the refugees.
“Of course what we’re trying to do there is provide assistance but not direct tactical or operational assistance, but rather logistical assistance, coalition support funding, funding to support the internally displaced persons,” he said of the $300 million pledged by the U.S. to aid the humanitarian relief.
Meanwhile, the United States delivered four Mi-17 cargo helicopters to the Pakistani army yesterday to support Pakistan’s counterinsurgency as well as humanitarian efforts, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad announced.
Petraeus praised the speed in which the delivery was made. “Within two or three weeks of [the] request from them for helicopter support, we wheeled four Mi-17s just refurbished out of the back of a Colt [military aircraft] yesterday,” he said.
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.
Digg!
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 11, 2009) – The commander of U.S. Central Command Thursday praised the Pakistani army for operations it is waging against insurgents near the country's border with Afghanistan. "These have been quite impressive operations and I think Pakistan deserves some significant credit for it," Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said of operations in Pakistan's Northwest Province.
Petraeus spoke today at the Center for a New American Security about the so-called “Af-Pak” strategy President Barack Obama’s administration laid out in March. One of the key features of the plan to change course in Afghanistan is to broaden the operation to include Pakistan.
The Pakistani military’s initiative against extremists within their borders reflects Pakistan’s belief that the insurgents represent a major threat to the country, the general said.
“There is no question at this point that the Pakistanis see very clearly the existential threat that is posed to their country by the extremists, particularly by the Pakistani Taliban,” he said.
“As these operations go forward, it is obvious that there is a clear recognition of the need not just to clear miscreants -- as the Pakistanis term them -- from Swat Valley and from the others in which they have challenged the writ of government,” he said. “But there is also a recognition of the need to hold those areas and then of course to rebuild them because there has been significant damage in some of those areas as well.”
Petraeus said the current operations represent the first time Pakistani people have risen up against the insurgents in the tribal areas, aligning themselves against the Taliban with so-called 'tribal Lashkars.’
“You see all of the political leadership united,” he said, adding that the government in Islamabad is also working to relieve the people displaced by conflict. Petraeus reaffirmed the U.S. support of military logistics and Pakistani relief operations.
“Those people have to be enabled to get home. These are proud hill people, now down in the lowlands in camps and they desperately need to get back there and so the conditions must be established and achieved to enable them to do just that,” he said of the refugees.
“Of course what we’re trying to do there is provide assistance but not direct tactical or operational assistance, but rather logistical assistance, coalition support funding, funding to support the internally displaced persons,” he said of the $300 million pledged by the U.S. to aid the humanitarian relief.
Meanwhile, the United States delivered four Mi-17 cargo helicopters to the Pakistani army yesterday to support Pakistan’s counterinsurgency as well as humanitarian efforts, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad announced.
Petraeus praised the speed in which the delivery was made. “Within two or three weeks of [the] request from them for helicopter support, we wheeled four Mi-17s just refurbished out of the back of a Colt [military aircraft] yesterday,” he said.
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.
Digg!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Jones: Strategy boosts Afghan army, police
by Gerry Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (Aug. 10, 2009) – Ramping up the numbers of Afghan soldiers and police is part of President Barack Obama’s multi-pronged Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy, National Security Advisor James L. Jones said Sunday.
On March 27, Obama announced his plan to increase U.S. support to Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat terrorist groups in the region and to provide security and a better quality of life for residents. The president also directed the deployment of 4,000 extra U.S. troops to Afghanistan to train Afghan soldiers and police.
The president’s Afghanistan strategy, Jones said on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” looks toward an expanded Afghan military and constabulary to assume security duties eventually. The three-pronged strategy, he said, also identifies the need for U.S. and allied assistance to bolster Afghanistan’s economic development and improve governance.
“This strategy merges all of those three things,” Jones said. “We’re definitely going to – in conjunction with our allies – develop the Afghan army at a faster rate, and the Afghan police, so that we can have Afghans in charge of their own destiny in a shorter period of time.”
The Afghan National Army has about 90,000 troops, with plans to boost that force to about 134,000. Afghan National Police ranks are expected to increase from about 82,000 officers now to 87,000 by 2011.
Before the president’s strategy review, 17,000 additional U.S. troops were approved for deployment to southern Afghanistan. Some of those troops are mentoring Afghan soldiers and police, while others are confronting Taliban militants and al-Qaida terrorists.
Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the senior U.S. military officer in Afghanistan and commander of NATO forces there, is working on an assessment to determine what is required to implement Obama’s strategy. About 58,000 U.S. forces are in Afghanistan now, and that number is expected to increase to about 68,000 troops later this year. About 39,000 NATO troops are serving in Afghanistan.
“The Defense Department will evaluate what General McChrystal has to say,” Jones said, “and, in due time, it’ll come up for a decision by the president.”
Jones also reported that “the instruments of security are being well thought out” for Afghan presidential and provincial elections scheduled Aug. 20.
Obama’s strategy addresses Pakistan as well as Afghanistan, Jones said, citing Pakistan’s recent successes in fighting insurgents in its isolated, northwest regions and along its border with Afghanistan.
Source: CENTCOM.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (Aug. 10, 2009) – Ramping up the numbers of Afghan soldiers and police is part of President Barack Obama’s multi-pronged Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy, National Security Advisor James L. Jones said Sunday.
On March 27, Obama announced his plan to increase U.S. support to Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat terrorist groups in the region and to provide security and a better quality of life for residents. The president also directed the deployment of 4,000 extra U.S. troops to Afghanistan to train Afghan soldiers and police. The president’s Afghanistan strategy, Jones said on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” looks toward an expanded Afghan military and constabulary to assume security duties eventually. The three-pronged strategy, he said, also identifies the need for U.S. and allied assistance to bolster Afghanistan’s economic development and improve governance.
“This strategy merges all of those three things,” Jones said. “We’re definitely going to – in conjunction with our allies – develop the Afghan army at a faster rate, and the Afghan police, so that we can have Afghans in charge of their own destiny in a shorter period of time.”
The Afghan National Army has about 90,000 troops, with plans to boost that force to about 134,000. Afghan National Police ranks are expected to increase from about 82,000 officers now to 87,000 by 2011.
Before the president’s strategy review, 17,000 additional U.S. troops were approved for deployment to southern Afghanistan. Some of those troops are mentoring Afghan soldiers and police, while others are confronting Taliban militants and al-Qaida terrorists.
Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the senior U.S. military officer in Afghanistan and commander of NATO forces there, is working on an assessment to determine what is required to implement Obama’s strategy. About 58,000 U.S. forces are in Afghanistan now, and that number is expected to increase to about 68,000 troops later this year. About 39,000 NATO troops are serving in Afghanistan.
“The Defense Department will evaluate what General McChrystal has to say,” Jones said, “and, in due time, it’ll come up for a decision by the president.”
Jones also reported that “the instruments of security are being well thought out” for Afghan presidential and provincial elections scheduled Aug. 20.
Obama’s strategy addresses Pakistan as well as Afghanistan, Jones said, citing Pakistan’s recent successes in fighting insurgents in its isolated, northwest regions and along its border with Afghanistan.
Source: CENTCOM.
RC South commander briefs Gates on way forward in Afghanistan
by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
CHATEAU ST. GERLACH, Netherlands (June 10, 2009) – Additional forces in southern Afghanistan will allow the coalition to better protect the people there from the Taliban, the commander of Regional Command South told Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and other defense leaders here Wednesay.
“It is fair to say that the last seven months have been tough,” said Dutch army Maj. Gen. Mart de Kruif, who has been in command of the region since November.
Southern Afghanistan is a Taliban stronghold. Nine of the most violent provinces are in the south, and a significant U.S. troop increase is changing the nature of the fight. Meanwhile, security has deepened and expanded in the areas the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force control, especially in Oruzgan, central Helmand and elements of Zabol provinces, de Kruif said.
The influx of American troops in the region has doubled the numbers available for operations, and most already have started operations. The 2nd Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade is to move into the area in July and complete the build-up in time for Afghan elections in August.
The new forces will allow the command to deliver three effects, de Kruif said. “First, they will put more boots on the ground” to consistently and persistently deliver security for the Afghan people of the region, he explained. The Taliban rely on a tactic of terrorizing the people of the region. “That means that we cannot come into a village at 8 in the morning and leave at 5 in the evening,” the general said. “We need to have 24/7 presence to deliver more security.”
The second effect comes from additional helicopters in the region, giving the command more capability to project where it wants to go when it wants to go there, the general said. “So we will go to areas we never were before and disrupt the enemy leadership and logistics,” he said.
Finally, he said, the additional forces will give the command the ability to go after the networks setting roadside bombs.
De Kruif applauded the decision to add more civilian capability to the region along with additional military forces. American civilians are being integrated completely into the provincial reconstruction teams in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
“Overall, I am absolutely sure we got the concept right of shape, clear, hold and build,” he said. “We are starting to resource the concept now, and I believe we will see our first effects in the next couple of months.”
The additional troops will allow the command to break what ISAF commander Army Gen. David D. McKiernan called a stalemate. Before the buildup, the command had roughly 20,000 troops providing security around the clock for 60 percent of the area’s population. The troops were arrayed throughout the provinces, making a map charting their activity look like ink spots. The additional troops will “connect those ink spots” and bring security to 90 to 95 percent of the people, de Kruif said.
The command also will be able to pay more attention to its border with Pakistan, which de Kruif said is “completely open.” Insurgents have had freedom of movement between sanctuaries in Pakistan and the battlefields of Afghanistan, he said.
“That will change with the new forces we have now,” he said. “We have the ability to interdict these lines of communications much more.”
The command also is conducting other operations against Taliban fighters seeking to use the border area to hide. “We are investing now in training and mentoring the Afghan Border Police,” de Kruif said, noting that a border police unit completed eight weeks of focused training this week.
The general also stressed the importance of cooperation with Pakistan. “We will open a Joint Border Control Center with the Pakistani armed forces as soon as possible,” he said. “We have increased cooperation with the Pakistani armed forces to get more control along the border. “Nevertheless,” he added, “we have to realize we will not close this border completely.”
Gates is here for meetings about Regional Command South on his way to a NATO defense ministers conference.
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. Digg!
American Forces Press Service
CHATEAU ST. GERLACH, Netherlands (June 10, 2009) – Additional forces in southern Afghanistan will allow the coalition to better protect the people there from the Taliban, the commander of Regional Command South told Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and other defense leaders here Wednesay.
“It is fair to say that the last seven months have been tough,” said Dutch army Maj. Gen. Mart de Kruif, who has been in command of the region since November.
Southern Afghanistan is a Taliban stronghold. Nine of the most violent provinces are in the south, and a significant U.S. troop increase is changing the nature of the fight. Meanwhile, security has deepened and expanded in the areas the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force control, especially in Oruzgan, central Helmand and elements of Zabol provinces, de Kruif said. The influx of American troops in the region has doubled the numbers available for operations, and most already have started operations. The 2nd Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade is to move into the area in July and complete the build-up in time for Afghan elections in August.
The new forces will allow the command to deliver three effects, de Kruif said. “First, they will put more boots on the ground” to consistently and persistently deliver security for the Afghan people of the region, he explained. The Taliban rely on a tactic of terrorizing the people of the region. “That means that we cannot come into a village at 8 in the morning and leave at 5 in the evening,” the general said. “We need to have 24/7 presence to deliver more security.”
The second effect comes from additional helicopters in the region, giving the command more capability to project where it wants to go when it wants to go there, the general said. “So we will go to areas we never were before and disrupt the enemy leadership and logistics,” he said.
Finally, he said, the additional forces will give the command the ability to go after the networks setting roadside bombs.
De Kruif applauded the decision to add more civilian capability to the region along with additional military forces. American civilians are being integrated completely into the provincial reconstruction teams in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
“Overall, I am absolutely sure we got the concept right of shape, clear, hold and build,” he said. “We are starting to resource the concept now, and I believe we will see our first effects in the next couple of months.”
The additional troops will allow the command to break what ISAF commander Army Gen. David D. McKiernan called a stalemate. Before the buildup, the command had roughly 20,000 troops providing security around the clock for 60 percent of the area’s population. The troops were arrayed throughout the provinces, making a map charting their activity look like ink spots. The additional troops will “connect those ink spots” and bring security to 90 to 95 percent of the people, de Kruif said.
The command also will be able to pay more attention to its border with Pakistan, which de Kruif said is “completely open.” Insurgents have had freedom of movement between sanctuaries in Pakistan and the battlefields of Afghanistan, he said.
“That will change with the new forces we have now,” he said. “We have the ability to interdict these lines of communications much more.”
The command also is conducting other operations against Taliban fighters seeking to use the border area to hide. “We are investing now in training and mentoring the Afghan Border Police,” de Kruif said, noting that a border police unit completed eight weeks of focused training this week.
The general also stressed the importance of cooperation with Pakistan. “We will open a Joint Border Control Center with the Pakistani armed forces as soon as possible,” he said. “We have increased cooperation with the Pakistani armed forces to get more control along the border. “Nevertheless,” he added, “we have to realize we will not close this border completely.”
Gates is here for meetings about Regional Command South on his way to a NATO defense ministers conference.
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.
Digg!
Obama's Fantasy v Free Market Reality
Labels:
economy,
entertainment,
gov't,
open tb
Many of you, such as myself, argued that President Bush and President Obama should not pass the TARP and stimulus bills, but they did it anyway. At the time, only 5% of the people were in foreclosure. The lesson that should have been learned from that situation is, "If you can't afford something, don't buy it". But oh no.
The people that knew there was a bubble burst coming and waited patiently on the sidelines got screwed, because the gov't just had to come in and save everyone...er...5% of the people who could not afford their houses to begin with and were foreclosed on anyway because they could not afford their houses. Duh.
Many people assume it was the 'greed' of Wall Street (when did they start selling houses?) and the loaning agencies. Well, in a manner of speaking they did have something to do with it, but why? Could it be that if we looked even closer we might find that the govt (yes, there they go again) FORCED banks to make loans they would not have made otherwise?
I know. They were going to give me a house and I don't have a job. I told them NO!
I saved my pennies, I bought store brand food, I bought second-hand clothes if I bought any at all, and this was all for the purpose of saving enough money to put a big down payment on a house. My house. My home. My American Dream.
You will never know the language that came out of my mouth toward President Bush and President Obama over this. My dreams are crushed because I played by the rules. What kind of a lesson is this? What is the message you're sending?
YOU ARE SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE, IDIOTS.
Which brings me to this tape I came across over at Stop the ACLU. It explains this fantasy land President Obama is living in, and why it is so disastrous. I pray he wakes up soon before we are broke. Here is the tape.
Hat tip: Stop the ACLU who got this video from Political Math.
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.
Sharing my thoughts with The Pink Flamingo: Barack Obama's Very Bad Monday, third world county: If Bush Had..., Right Truth: British National Party (BNP) - Are they racist? Anti-semitic?, The World According to Carl: Uncle Jay Explains The News — June 8, 2009, DragonLady's World: A New Week, and Right Voices: Wish I Were Kidding: Tom Brokaw to Obama: What can Israel learn from Buchenwald about its treatment of Palestinians?, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Friends who are sharing their posts with you:
1. Right Voices: Another Cartoon Summarizes the Nobama campaign.
2. Woman Honor Thyself: Little Rock: Muslim Shoots 2 Americans at Military Recruitment Center.
3. Nuke Gingrich: Building a Home Distillation Apparatus.
4. Potbelly Stove: More climate change propaganda.
Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!
The people that knew there was a bubble burst coming and waited patiently on the sidelines got screwed, because the gov't just had to come in and save everyone...er...5% of the people who could not afford their houses to begin with and were foreclosed on anyway because they could not afford their houses. Duh.
Many people assume it was the 'greed' of Wall Street (when did they start selling houses?) and the loaning agencies. Well, in a manner of speaking they did have something to do with it, but why? Could it be that if we looked even closer we might find that the govt (yes, there they go again) FORCED banks to make loans they would not have made otherwise?
I know. They were going to give me a house and I don't have a job. I told them NO!
I saved my pennies, I bought store brand food, I bought second-hand clothes if I bought any at all, and this was all for the purpose of saving enough money to put a big down payment on a house. My house. My home. My American Dream.
You will never know the language that came out of my mouth toward President Bush and President Obama over this. My dreams are crushed because I played by the rules. What kind of a lesson is this? What is the message you're sending?
YOU ARE SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE, IDIOTS.
Which brings me to this tape I came across over at Stop the ACLU. It explains this fantasy land President Obama is living in, and why it is so disastrous. I pray he wakes up soon before we are broke. Here is the tape.
Hat tip: Stop the ACLU who got this video from Political Math.
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.
Sharing my thoughts with The Pink Flamingo: Barack Obama's Very Bad Monday, third world county: If Bush Had..., Right Truth: British National Party (BNP) - Are they racist? Anti-semitic?, The World According to Carl: Uncle Jay Explains The News — June 8, 2009, DragonLady's World: A New Week, and Right Voices: Wish I Were Kidding: Tom Brokaw to Obama: What can Israel learn from Buchenwald about its treatment of Palestinians?, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Friends who are sharing their posts with you:
1. Right Voices: Another Cartoon Summarizes the Nobama campaign.
2. Woman Honor Thyself: Little Rock: Muslim Shoots 2 Americans at Military Recruitment Center.
3. Nuke Gingrich: Building a Home Distillation Apparatus.
4. Potbelly Stove: More climate change propaganda.
Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Digg!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Romanian forces end mission in Iraq
by Sgt. Mark Miranda
1st Armored Division
COB ADDER, Iraq (June 9, 2009) – Military operations in Iraq formally ended for Romanian forces June 4, as one of America's coalition allies prepared to ship out some of its remaining troops with an end-of-mission ceremony held by Romania’s 26th Infantry “Red Scorpions” Battalion.
The Romanian flag was lowered over the 26th’s compound here, affectionately known as “Camp Dracula,” in a ceremony following a memorial for the Romanian military personnel who died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ceremony was held just an hour before the U.S. Army 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team conducted a relief-in-place, transfer-of-authority ceremony with the outgoing 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division.
Romanian President Traian Basescu, who is the supreme commander of Romanian armed forces during wartime, was on hand.
Romanian Lt. Col. Gabriel Toma, commander of the 26th Infantry Battalion, received the U.S. Bronze Star Medal from Army Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of Multinational Corps Iraq.
“It’s hard to say farewell to a trusted partner,” Jacoby said. “Few have been as committed to freedom of the Iraqi people as the Romanians, and I extend my thanks, as it’s been an honor to serve with them here in Iraq.”
Jacoby praised the Romanians as a dedicated and capable force, and expressed condolences for their lost soldiers.
Since August 2003, Romania has deployed more than 5,200 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Assigned to two different multinational divisions, Romanian forces have provided intelligence support to Multinational Division South by conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions and operating unmanned aerial vehicle platforms. Romanian forces also provided base security, supply-route security and quick-reaction forces in Basra, and conducted training and monitoring of Iraqi army units, culminating with the May 23 graduation of Iraqi commandos on Camp Ur.
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. Digg!
1st Armored Division
COB ADDER, Iraq (June 9, 2009) – Military operations in Iraq formally ended for Romanian forces June 4, as one of America's coalition allies prepared to ship out some of its remaining troops with an end-of-mission ceremony held by Romania’s 26th Infantry “Red Scorpions” Battalion.
The Romanian flag was lowered over the 26th’s compound here, affectionately known as “Camp Dracula,” in a ceremony following a memorial for the Romanian military personnel who died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ceremony was held just an hour before the U.S. Army 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team conducted a relief-in-place, transfer-of-authority ceremony with the outgoing 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division.
Romanian President Traian Basescu, who is the supreme commander of Romanian armed forces during wartime, was on hand. Romanian Lt. Col. Gabriel Toma, commander of the 26th Infantry Battalion, received the U.S. Bronze Star Medal from Army Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of Multinational Corps Iraq.
“It’s hard to say farewell to a trusted partner,” Jacoby said. “Few have been as committed to freedom of the Iraqi people as the Romanians, and I extend my thanks, as it’s been an honor to serve with them here in Iraq.”
Jacoby praised the Romanians as a dedicated and capable force, and expressed condolences for their lost soldiers.
Since August 2003, Romania has deployed more than 5,200 troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Assigned to two different multinational divisions, Romanian forces have provided intelligence support to Multinational Division South by conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions and operating unmanned aerial vehicle platforms. Romanian forces also provided base security, supply-route security and quick-reaction forces in Basra, and conducted training and monitoring of Iraqi army units, culminating with the May 23 graduation of Iraqi commandos on Camp Ur.
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.
Digg!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Oil market prompts shift in Iraqi security strategy
by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – Falling oil prices and a reduced Iraqi budget have prompted the U.S. command responsible for overseeing Iraqi security forces to re-evaluate its priorities, a military official said recently. “The reduced Iraqi budget has caused us to address some tough choices with our [Iraqi Interior Ministry] colleagues,” Army Maj. Gen. James Milano, deputy commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq’s interior affairs directorate, said in a Pentagon news conference
The most recent Defense Department report on Iraqi stability published in March cited the relationship between a bearish oil market and Iraqi government budget constraints. “Iraq’s near-term economic development depends largely on its success in managing the oil and gas sector,” the so-called 9010 report states. “Although the rapid rise in oil prices and projected revenues led to the expansive 2008 supplemental budget, the collapse of oil prices in the last quarter of 2008 has caused an equally rapid Iraqi [government] shift to a more conservative posture.”
One effect of the economic downturn is a hiring freeze at the Interior Ministry. The ministry employs some 560,000 employees, but hasn’t added new personnel since December despite plans to grow the ranks of the national police from four to five divisions. “They're not going to be able to hire additional national police right now to fulfill that objective, nor will they be able to purchase the associated equipment for that,” Milano said.
Additionally, the ministry has put on hold its plans to hire more border guards and to purchase four-wheel drive vehicles and other equipment.
“They're having to rack and stack their priorities and determine what are their most critical needs right now, and what can they possibly wait to purchase until the budget situation improves,” he said.
U.S. and ministry officials agree on the need for more comprehensive logistics system in Iraq, in addition to better information technology, warehousing, distribution and forensic capabilities, Milano said. “We need additional surveillance and security equipment at the ports of entry and along the border,” he said. “We're making progress in that area, but those are some of the items of equipment and capability that they need.”
The general said the United States aided the ministry in developing a three-year strategic plan for 2010 through 2012 that takes into account the current fiscal climate. “But again, it's the effective application of their available budget, their discretionary budget, and ours that we want to implement to get the biggest bang for the buck, if you will,” Milano added.
Source: CENTCOM. Digg!
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – Falling oil prices and a reduced Iraqi budget have prompted the U.S. command responsible for overseeing Iraqi security forces to re-evaluate its priorities, a military official said recently. “The reduced Iraqi budget has caused us to address some tough choices with our [Iraqi Interior Ministry] colleagues,” Army Maj. Gen. James Milano, deputy commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq’s interior affairs directorate, said in a Pentagon news conference
The most recent Defense Department report on Iraqi stability published in March cited the relationship between a bearish oil market and Iraqi government budget constraints. “Iraq’s near-term economic development depends largely on its success in managing the oil and gas sector,” the so-called 9010 report states. “Although the rapid rise in oil prices and projected revenues led to the expansive 2008 supplemental budget, the collapse of oil prices in the last quarter of 2008 has caused an equally rapid Iraqi [government] shift to a more conservative posture.” One effect of the economic downturn is a hiring freeze at the Interior Ministry. The ministry employs some 560,000 employees, but hasn’t added new personnel since December despite plans to grow the ranks of the national police from four to five divisions. “They're not going to be able to hire additional national police right now to fulfill that objective, nor will they be able to purchase the associated equipment for that,” Milano said.
Additionally, the ministry has put on hold its plans to hire more border guards and to purchase four-wheel drive vehicles and other equipment.
“They're having to rack and stack their priorities and determine what are their most critical needs right now, and what can they possibly wait to purchase until the budget situation improves,” he said.
U.S. and ministry officials agree on the need for more comprehensive logistics system in Iraq, in addition to better information technology, warehousing, distribution and forensic capabilities, Milano said. “We need additional surveillance and security equipment at the ports of entry and along the border,” he said. “We're making progress in that area, but those are some of the items of equipment and capability that they need.”
The general said the United States aided the ministry in developing a three-year strategic plan for 2010 through 2012 that takes into account the current fiscal climate. “But again, it's the effective application of their available budget, their discretionary budget, and ours that we want to implement to get the biggest bang for the buck, if you will,” Milano added.
Source: CENTCOM.
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America's Freedom-Long Beach Tea Party
I am having difficulty getting this message out, so I thought this would be a great place to do so. This is in California. There will be a couple of speakers, and I hope you will contact me to let me know you are coming. We'd love to see ya here.
When: Noon-3pm, Saturday, July 4th.
Where: Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA. Then we'll move over to the stage hub around 11:50am.
Map: Click here.
View Larger Map
Contact: E-mail Rosemary.
Website: Rosemary's Thoughts.
If you happen to know anyone in a neighboring area or in Long Beach, California, please encourage them to share their Independence Day with us at our Tea Party. While we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence (which was actually on the 5th), we can reclaim our independence from this tyrannical government.
It doesn't matter to them anyway, no matter which party claims you, just as long as we show up on election day. Let's show them they are wrong. Let us proclaim it it loud and clear. They'd better start listening to us now or else.
Or else what? We'll put up our own candidates, that's what! Hit them where it will hurt them. Job insecurity. Over at Smart Girl Politics we are working on this very thing. They want our money? We want their jobs. Are you ready to join forces with us? Join this movement that is sweeping this great country. Join us. Remember, Live Free or Die!
PS. May I recommend a site for you to check out if you do not live in this area and even if you do? The name of it is TeaPartyPatriots, and many of the people from the TaxDayTeaParty are over there now. Just thought you might like to know. Have a great 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 @ Talon, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg! .
When: Noon-3pm, Saturday, July 4th.Where: Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA. Then we'll move over to the stage hub around 11:50am.
Map: Click here.
View Larger Map
Contact: E-mail Rosemary.
Website: Rosemary's Thoughts.
If you happen to know anyone in a neighboring area or in Long Beach, California, please encourage them to share their Independence Day with us at our Tea Party. While we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence (which was actually on the 5th), we can reclaim our independence from this tyrannical government.
It doesn't matter to them anyway, no matter which party claims you, just as long as we show up on election day. Let's show them they are wrong. Let us proclaim it it loud and clear. They'd better start listening to us now or else.
Or else what? We'll put up our own candidates, that's what! Hit them where it will hurt them. Job insecurity. Over at Smart Girl Politics we are working on this very thing. They want our money? We want their jobs. Are you ready to join forces with us? Join this movement that is sweeping this great country. Join us. Remember, Live Free or Die!
PS. May I recommend a site for you to check out if you do not live in this area and even if you do? The name of it is TeaPartyPatriots, and many of the people from the TaxDayTeaParty are over there now. Just thought you might like to know. Have a great 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 @ Talon, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Digg! .
Report points to irregularities in Farah air strike incident
by Jim Garamone
Armed Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – The investigation into a May 4 close-air support incident in Afghanistan’s Farah province that caused civilian casualties has pointed to some deviations from established tactics, techniques and procedures, but those involved showed extraordinary care in the incident, the Pentagon’s press secretary said Monday.
Geoff Morrell said Army Brig. Gen. Raymond Thomas conducted the review and briefed Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on the recommendations of his report.
Thomas conducted the investigation on orders from U.S. Central Command chief Army Gen. David H. Petraeus. The full report will be released later this week.
“It appeared to me … that the personnel involved took extraordinary care in tracking the militants that they had come under attack from,” said Morrell, who attended Thomas’s briefing.
An Afghan unit had come in contact with Taliban militants and asked for back-up from U.S. Marines. “That unit came in, and over the next several hours beat back this attack, killing several dozen Taliban in the process, and required some close air support to ultimately prevail,” Morrell said.
The investigation found some problems with the way in which close-air support was used. A B-1 bomber, because of the way the aircraft makes its approach, had to break away from positive identification of its targets, Morrell said.
“There's no way to determine whether or not that had anything to do with the fact that civilian casualties did incur in this incident, but they did note that as one of the problems associated with how this all took place,” the press secretary said.
Between 20 and 30 Afghan civilians died in the incident, U.S. officials have said. “I'm going to let [Central Command] speak to the final numbers,” Morrell said. “But they were greatly outnumbered by the Taliban killed in this incident.”
Morrell called the Thomas report “exhaustive” and said that the Americans on the ground went to great lengths to limit civilian casualties.
American forces already have tightened rules for close-air support, Morrell said, and there will be a further review of procedures. Since the beginning of the year, civilian casualties in Afghanistan are down 40 percent, he noted. Meanwhile, he added, “American casualties and that of our coalition partners and Afghan security forces have shot up 75 percent.”
Morrell said coalition officials want to reduce civilian casualties to zero, but that it’s impossible to do so. “I would be foolish to stand up here and say that we'll ultimately eliminate civilian casualties, but we are going to make every effort we can to reduce them,” he said.
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. Digg!
Armed Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – The investigation into a May 4 close-air support incident in Afghanistan’s Farah province that caused civilian casualties has pointed to some deviations from established tactics, techniques and procedures, but those involved showed extraordinary care in the incident, the Pentagon’s press secretary said Monday.
Geoff Morrell said Army Brig. Gen. Raymond Thomas conducted the review and briefed Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on the recommendations of his report.
Thomas conducted the investigation on orders from U.S. Central Command chief Army Gen. David H. Petraeus. The full report will be released later this week. “It appeared to me … that the personnel involved took extraordinary care in tracking the militants that they had come under attack from,” said Morrell, who attended Thomas’s briefing.
An Afghan unit had come in contact with Taliban militants and asked for back-up from U.S. Marines. “That unit came in, and over the next several hours beat back this attack, killing several dozen Taliban in the process, and required some close air support to ultimately prevail,” Morrell said.
The investigation found some problems with the way in which close-air support was used. A B-1 bomber, because of the way the aircraft makes its approach, had to break away from positive identification of its targets, Morrell said.
“There's no way to determine whether or not that had anything to do with the fact that civilian casualties did incur in this incident, but they did note that as one of the problems associated with how this all took place,” the press secretary said.
Between 20 and 30 Afghan civilians died in the incident, U.S. officials have said. “I'm going to let [Central Command] speak to the final numbers,” Morrell said. “But they were greatly outnumbered by the Taliban killed in this incident.”
Morrell called the Thomas report “exhaustive” and said that the Americans on the ground went to great lengths to limit civilian casualties.
American forces already have tightened rules for close-air support, Morrell said, and there will be a further review of procedures. Since the beginning of the year, civilian casualties in Afghanistan are down 40 percent, he noted. Meanwhile, he added, “American casualties and that of our coalition partners and Afghan security forces have shot up 75 percent.”
Morrell said coalition officials want to reduce civilian casualties to zero, but that it’s impossible to do so. “I would be foolish to stand up here and say that we'll ultimately eliminate civilian casualties, but we are going to make every effort we can to reduce them,” he said.
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.
Digg!
Lebanon's Elections
Sunday, June 7, 2009, Lebanon held their elections and the March 14th ticket gained seats in the Parliament for which they are in the majority. The Daily Star has two articles (more actually, but I am going to post one and discuss the other).
How many people knew there was even an election? Oh, I forgot. It's the economy stupid. NOT. This is very important. We are still trying to find the guilty parties behind the assassination of former PM Hariri, Hizbullah is still refusing to give up their war guns, Syria is still messing with Lebanon's affairs, and it is a struggle between those who desire to get on with their freedom and those who desire to take it from them. So this is a very important election.
Let me first explain how the parliament is set up so you will understand the election.
There are 128 seats in Parliament which are divided evenly between Christians and Muslims. One has to be 25 years old to run for office. They are elected to serve a term of four years. For the Muslims, 27 seats go to Sunnis, 27 seats go to Shiites, 8 go to Druze, and 2 go to Alawites. 34 go to the Maronites, 14 to the Greek Orthodox, eight to the Greek Catholics, five to the Armenian Orthodox, one to the Armenian Catholics, one to Evangelicals and one to minority sects. The speaker of the house is always a Shiite.
While we have an electoral college, they have 26 electoral districts. Voter eligibility for this election was 21 years old. However service members were not allowed to participate in the election. If that happened here, I'd be having a protest from now until the day I died, but I do not know the reasoning behind this. Could it be that Hizbullah has infiltrated the military? I don't know.
These are the conditions for this election. There were 587 candidates, voting started at 7 am and lasted until 7 pm, there were 5,200 voting stations, and after voting they had to dip their finger in ink to prove they voted and so they could not vote again (we should do this!).
Now we know some of the basics, let's discuss what happened.
Hat tip: This information came from The Daily Star: Key facts about Lebanon's 2009 elections.
******************************
Major challenges await newly elected parliament.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Listen to the Article.
BEIRUT: Lebanese headed to the polls Sunday in crucial parliamentary elections that will determine the country's future for the next four years. Here are some of the challenges facing the 2009 Parliament:
*HIZBULLAH'S WEAPONS
The role of Hizbullah's resistance army is a major bone of contention. March 14 leaders call for a state monopoly on arms, a demand echoed by UN Security Council resolutions. But Hizbullah has sworn to keep the weapons it says are vital to defend Lebanon from Israel.
* RELATIONS WITH SYRIA
Pulling Lebanon from Syria's orbit has been at the heart of March 14's agenda since the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, while many March 8 leaders maintain very close ties to Damascus.
Syria still faces calls from March 14 and the United Nations to demarcate its border with Lebanon. March 14 leaders also accuse Syria of arming Palestinian groups based in Lebanon.
* HARIRI TRIBUNAL
Establishing an international tribunal to try suspects in Hariri's killing was a key goal of anti-Syrian politicians, who blamed Damascus for the killing. The issue aggravated political conflict with Syrias allies in Lebanon.
Plans for the court were never approved by the Lebanese parliament or president. The Security Council voted in May 2007 to set up the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and it began work in March at The Hague. Hizbullah again questioned the neutrality of an international inquiry into the assassination after the tribunal ordered the release of four pro-Syrian generals held without charge since 2005. - Reuters
Source: The Daily Star: Major challenges await newly elected parliament.
******************************
With Europe turning to the right and Lebanon turning to the common sense (right), why are we now going to go down the paths these countries have found by trial and error they failed? Just asking.
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.
Friends posts they want to share with you:
1. Woman Honor Thyself: Matisyahu : One DaY.
Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!
How many people knew there was even an election? Oh, I forgot. It's the economy stupid. NOT. This is very important. We are still trying to find the guilty parties behind the assassination of former PM Hariri, Hizbullah is still refusing to give up their war guns, Syria is still messing with Lebanon's affairs, and it is a struggle between those who desire to get on with their freedom and those who desire to take it from them. So this is a very important election.
Let me first explain how the parliament is set up so you will understand the election.
There are 128 seats in Parliament which are divided evenly between Christians and Muslims. One has to be 25 years old to run for office. They are elected to serve a term of four years. For the Muslims, 27 seats go to Sunnis, 27 seats go to Shiites, 8 go to Druze, and 2 go to Alawites. 34 go to the Maronites, 14 to the Greek Orthodox, eight to the Greek Catholics, five to the Armenian Orthodox, one to the Armenian Catholics, one to Evangelicals and one to minority sects. The speaker of the house is always a Shiite.
While we have an electoral college, they have 26 electoral districts. Voter eligibility for this election was 21 years old. However service members were not allowed to participate in the election. If that happened here, I'd be having a protest from now until the day I died, but I do not know the reasoning behind this. Could it be that Hizbullah has infiltrated the military? I don't know.
These are the conditions for this election. There were 587 candidates, voting started at 7 am and lasted until 7 pm, there were 5,200 voting stations, and after voting they had to dip their finger in ink to prove they voted and so they could not vote again (we should do this!).
Now we know some of the basics, let's discuss what happened.
Hat tip: This information came from The Daily Star: Key facts about Lebanon's 2009 elections.
******************************
Major challenges await newly elected parliament.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Listen to the Article.
BEIRUT: Lebanese headed to the polls Sunday in crucial parliamentary elections that will determine the country's future for the next four years. Here are some of the challenges facing the 2009 Parliament:
*HIZBULLAH'S WEAPONS
The role of Hizbullah's resistance army is a major bone of contention. March 14 leaders call for a state monopoly on arms, a demand echoed by UN Security Council resolutions. But Hizbullah has sworn to keep the weapons it says are vital to defend Lebanon from Israel.
* RELATIONS WITH SYRIA
Pulling Lebanon from Syria's orbit has been at the heart of March 14's agenda since the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, while many March 8 leaders maintain very close ties to Damascus.
Syria still faces calls from March 14 and the United Nations to demarcate its border with Lebanon. March 14 leaders also accuse Syria of arming Palestinian groups based in Lebanon.
* HARIRI TRIBUNAL
Establishing an international tribunal to try suspects in Hariri's killing was a key goal of anti-Syrian politicians, who blamed Damascus for the killing. The issue aggravated political conflict with Syrias allies in Lebanon.
Plans for the court were never approved by the Lebanese parliament or president. The Security Council voted in May 2007 to set up the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and it began work in March at The Hague. Hizbullah again questioned the neutrality of an international inquiry into the assassination after the tribunal ordered the release of four pro-Syrian generals held without charge since 2005. - Reuters
Source: The Daily Star: Major challenges await newly elected parliament.
******************************
With Europe turning to the right and Lebanon turning to the common sense (right), why are we now going to go down the paths these countries have found by trial and error they failed? Just asking.
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.
Friends posts they want to share with you:
1. Woman Honor Thyself: Matisyahu : One DaY.
Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Digg!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Children used to carry out attacks
MNC-I
KIRKUK, Iraq (June 6, 2008) — A teenage boy was seen throwing a grenade at a combined patrol of Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers, June 4, in the town of Hawijah, approximately 30 kilometers west of Kirkuk City in northern Iraq. The grenade failed to detonate, and the suspect fled into the mix of local shops, but the incident is part of a growing trend of children carrying out attacks on Iraqi security and U.S. forces in the province.
Maj. Warren Sponsler, the operations officer for 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based near Hawijah, says he believes teenagers are being recruited by insurgents to commit the attacks.
Days earlier, a 15-year-old boy was apprehended, after throwing a grenade at a combined team of Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers on patrol in Hawijah. The grenade detonated against one U.S. vehicle. No one was injured and minor damage to one vehicle was reported.
The same unit reported that a boy between the ages of 14 to 16 threw a grenade at a combined convoy of Hawijah IPs and Soldiers from 1-8 Cavalry, May 26. No one was injured nor was there any damage reported in the attack.
In Kirkuk City, a boy - possibly as young as 14 - was the driver of a vehicle used in a suicide car bombing that killed five Iraqi policemen, wounded five others and also wounded 11 civilian bystanders, according to Kirkuk police, May 12.
Also in Kirkuk City, a 19-year-old would-be suicide bomber was detained by Iraqi police while attempting to detonate a suicide vest in a Shia Mosque, May 1. According to Iraqi police, he confessed to have been fighting insurgents in Iraq three years by the time of his arrest.
"To endanger children with acts of terrorism is despicable," said Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commander of 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry. "But when terrorists actively recruit them to risk their lives for goals that the child probably doesn't even understand is evil. There's just no other way to say it."
Four members of a group known to recruit young children because of the reduced scrutiny they encounter from security officials, were arrested April 14, in Kirkuk by soldiers from the 12th Iraqi army Division for suspected insurgent activities, according to Maj. Charles Assadourian, the intelligence officer for 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry.
Assadourian said the youths were being trained to avoid detection while carrying out insurgent activities and were being taught to become suicide bombers.
Terrorist groups are capitalizing on the fact that children do not draw as much attention and Soldiers do not want to harm them, according to Chief Warrant Officer Two Michael Hyatt, the 2nd BCT 1st Cavalry fusion chief. Children that are hurt while carrying out insurgent activities are also being used in propaganda campaigns by terrorists depicting them as martyrs.
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. Digg!
KIRKUK, Iraq (June 6, 2008) — A teenage boy was seen throwing a grenade at a combined patrol of Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers, June 4, in the town of Hawijah, approximately 30 kilometers west of Kirkuk City in northern Iraq. The grenade failed to detonate, and the suspect fled into the mix of local shops, but the incident is part of a growing trend of children carrying out attacks on Iraqi security and U.S. forces in the province.
Maj. Warren Sponsler, the operations officer for 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based near Hawijah, says he believes teenagers are being recruited by insurgents to commit the attacks. Days earlier, a 15-year-old boy was apprehended, after throwing a grenade at a combined team of Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers on patrol in Hawijah. The grenade detonated against one U.S. vehicle. No one was injured and minor damage to one vehicle was reported.
The same unit reported that a boy between the ages of 14 to 16 threw a grenade at a combined convoy of Hawijah IPs and Soldiers from 1-8 Cavalry, May 26. No one was injured nor was there any damage reported in the attack.
In Kirkuk City, a boy - possibly as young as 14 - was the driver of a vehicle used in a suicide car bombing that killed five Iraqi policemen, wounded five others and also wounded 11 civilian bystanders, according to Kirkuk police, May 12.
Also in Kirkuk City, a 19-year-old would-be suicide bomber was detained by Iraqi police while attempting to detonate a suicide vest in a Shia Mosque, May 1. According to Iraqi police, he confessed to have been fighting insurgents in Iraq three years by the time of his arrest.
"To endanger children with acts of terrorism is despicable," said Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commander of 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry. "But when terrorists actively recruit them to risk their lives for goals that the child probably doesn't even understand is evil. There's just no other way to say it."
Four members of a group known to recruit young children because of the reduced scrutiny they encounter from security officials, were arrested April 14, in Kirkuk by soldiers from the 12th Iraqi army Division for suspected insurgent activities, according to Maj. Charles Assadourian, the intelligence officer for 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry.
Assadourian said the youths were being trained to avoid detection while carrying out insurgent activities and were being taught to become suicide bombers.
Terrorist groups are capitalizing on the fact that children do not draw as much attention and Soldiers do not want to harm them, according to Chief Warrant Officer Two Michael Hyatt, the 2nd BCT 1st Cavalry fusion chief. Children that are hurt while carrying out insurgent activities are also being used in propaganda campaigns by terrorists depicting them as martyrs.
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.
Digg!
Video Potpourri 6/6/09
Labels:
entertainment
I have 3 different sets of videos to share with you today. Some are from Reason, one is from my relious my friend, and some are those that YouTube keeps insisting I may have an interest in seeing. I usually don't, but you may.
New Videos from ReasonTV.
New Videos from Since33AD
Other Interesting Videos.
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 @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.
New Videos from ReasonTV.
- Reason Editor in Chief Matt Welch on California's Budget Woes
- Free* Government Money With Matthew Lesko!
- Michael McMenamin: How Churchill Became Churchill
- Smiles Outlawed: DMV Makes Life Even More Miserable
New Videos from Since33AD
Other Interesting Videos.
- Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis? V2
- Crank Dat Obama
- 28 Days Later Summary(spoilers)
- Barack Obama: Yes We Can<
- Funny Pranks - LOL! Wal Mart Bag Prank!
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 @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Friday, June 5, 2009
PJTV News 6/5/09
Labels:
enemies,
entertainment,
journalists,
media,
News,
open tb
There are some very good and some funny videos for this weekend, and I'd like to share them with you. Enjoy.
1. The President's Not-So-Firm Grasp on the Middle East.
Anne Bayefsky joins Roger to shine a light on the hypocrisy (or just plain ignorance) of the President on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as evidenced in his speech in Cairo, Egypt. Click here. [9:24]
2. Keith Olbermann Smacks Down New PJTV Commentator Steven Crowder.
Keith Olbermann smacks down the newest PJTV Commentator Steven Crowder. Click here. [3:49]
3. A New Beginning or More of the Same?
Dr. Walid Phares, of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, joins Roger with devastating analysis of Obama's Cairo Speech. Click here. [8:43]
4. Government Motors: Former GM Exec, Joe Hicks, Needs A Painkiller After Obama's Auto Industry "Cure". Click here. [6:48]
5. Michelle Obama, CoverGirl: But how's the coverage between the covers? Sonja Schmidt's Left Exposed. Click here. [4:19]
6. Why Are Conservatives So Mean? Click here. [4:35]
7. U.S. Govt. Tells Terrorists Where to Find the Nukes, The American Public Doesn't Want to Close Gitmo. Click here. [3:48]
8. AlfonZo Rachel: An Al Gore Environmentalist In ZoNation's Court. Click here. [2:55]
9. Islamization of the West w/ Carol Gould, Radical Cleric Behind Mumbai Attacks Freed. Click here. [9:11]
10. The ObamaCare Fix: Three Steps to Prevent Nationalized Healthcare. Click here. [10:48]
And one more, because I'd like to know the answer, too!
11. From Lords of the Manor to Girlie Men: When Did Men Become Such Weenies? Click here. [10:54]
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.
Sharing this post with Nuke Gingrich: Would a wise Latina pick Sotomayor for the Supreme Court?, Woman Honor Thyself: Anti-Christian, The World According to Carl: Now THIS Is A Dedicated Reporter!, Leaning Straight Up: Obama's Cairo speech, it actually didn't suck, MacBro's Place: OTA #96, Right Voices: I Wish I Were Kidding: Tom Brokaw to Obama: What can Israel learn from Buchenwald about its treatment of palenstinians?, and Nill Illigitimi Carborundum: Battle of Midway, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.
1. The President's Not-So-Firm Grasp on the Middle East.
Anne Bayefsky joins Roger to shine a light on the hypocrisy (or just plain ignorance) of the President on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as evidenced in his speech in Cairo, Egypt. Click here. [9:24]
2. Keith Olbermann Smacks Down New PJTV Commentator Steven Crowder.
Keith Olbermann smacks down the newest PJTV Commentator Steven Crowder. Click here. [3:49]
3. A New Beginning or More of the Same?
Dr. Walid Phares, of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, joins Roger with devastating analysis of Obama's Cairo Speech. Click here. [8:43]
4. Government Motors: Former GM Exec, Joe Hicks, Needs A Painkiller After Obama's Auto Industry "Cure". Click here. [6:48]
5. Michelle Obama, CoverGirl: But how's the coverage between the covers? Sonja Schmidt's Left Exposed. Click here. [4:19]
6. Why Are Conservatives So Mean? Click here. [4:35]
7. U.S. Govt. Tells Terrorists Where to Find the Nukes, The American Public Doesn't Want to Close Gitmo. Click here. [3:48]
8. AlfonZo Rachel: An Al Gore Environmentalist In ZoNation's Court. Click here. [2:55]
9. Islamization of the West w/ Carol Gould, Radical Cleric Behind Mumbai Attacks Freed. Click here. [9:11]
10. The ObamaCare Fix: Three Steps to Prevent Nationalized Healthcare. Click here. [10:48]
And one more, because I'd like to know the answer, too!
11. From Lords of the Manor to Girlie Men: When Did Men Become Such Weenies? Click here. [10:54]
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.
Sharing this post with Nuke Gingrich: Would a wise Latina pick Sotomayor for the Supreme Court?, Woman Honor Thyself: Anti-Christian, The World According to Carl: Now THIS Is A Dedicated Reporter!, Leaning Straight Up: Obama's Cairo speech, it actually didn't suck, MacBro's Place: OTA #96, Right Voices: I Wish I Were Kidding: Tom Brokaw to Obama: What can Israel learn from Buchenwald about its treatment of palenstinians?, and Nill Illigitimi Carborundum: Battle of Midway, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Success in Afghanistan, Pakistan requires knowledge of region
by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 5, 2009) – Success in Afghanistan and Pakistan will require an intimate local knowledge of the tribal culture and a small coalition footprint, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said here Friday.
Navy Adm. Eric Olson told the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on terrorism, unconventional threats and capabilities that the United States stands ready to do whatever it can to help Pakistan combat extremists, but “I think that we can't help Pakistan more than they want to be helped,” he added.
The situation in Pakistan is complicated, the admiral said, and the United States will not force help on people who don’t want it.
“One of the filters on sort of their willingness to be helped is how the Pakistan military is perceived within Pakistan,” the admiral said. “It is the strongest element of Pakistan, historically. It is the element of government upon which the people depend.”
Pakistan is a proud country with a proud military tradition, and America cannot take actions that would cause the Pakistani military to appear to be an extension of the U.S. military, Olson said. “We can only help them in a way that truly helps them, and they are much more expert in that than we are,” he told the subcommittee.
The Pakistanis also have never forgotten the cut-off of military contacts in 1990 as a result of the Pressler Amendment, which sought to pressure Pakistan into not developing nuclear weapons. Even though full relations were re-established between the countries in 2003, Olson said, a full generation of Pakistani officers did not work with their American counterparts.
“I think the best thing that we can do is develop the relationships that will erode whatever atmosphere of distrust exists, help the Pakistani people understand that our interests there are theirs and that our commitment is a long term commitment for the good of Pakistan and the stability of the region,” Olson said.
The admiral called the environment in Afghanistan uniquely complex. “It is really a village-by-village, valley-by-valley counterinsurgency,” he said. “One of the things that I'm finding myself saying more often is that presence without value is perceived as occupation.” Afghans have a long history of mistrust toward outsiders, he noted, and they will resist outside influence.
“Much of Afghanistan has not felt … the impact of a central government in Kabul, ever,” Olson said. “I think a large part of our goal there is to encourage the people who are now deciding where their allegiance will be … to decide to place their bet with a legitimate government, at whatever level that is.”
Whether Afghans pledge loyalty to tribal, local, regional or federal government, “it will come down to ultimately where they place their bet,” the admiral said. “I think in the absence of solid metrics, it will be our sense of where the people are beginning to place their bets that will lead us to understand whether or not our efforts are successful in the hinterlands of Afghanistan.”
Any effort in the country will require a careful U.S. approach, and “it will require as small a footprint as we can get away with in the places we go with the capability and the security considerations as part of that,” he said.
“It will require … a shift towards true local regional knowledge, however that is obtained,” the admiral said. “We have to get beyond generalizations in Afghanistan into true deep knowledge of tribal relationships, family histories, the nuances of the terrain and the weather and how that affects how business is done, how money is made, how their world operates.”
Leaders have to be able to assess what impact American operations and just mere presence will have in remote regions of Afghanistan, Olson said.
“I think this is a long-term commitment for us, in order to build that depth of knowledge and then allow it to have the impact in the places where that needs to occur,” he said. “This will not be people deciding overnight where their allegiance is, it’s going to have to be convincing them over a long period of time that they are better off placing their bet with the local regional governments than with the illegitimate power players in the region.
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. Digg!
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 5, 2009) – Success in Afghanistan and Pakistan will require an intimate local knowledge of the tribal culture and a small coalition footprint, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said here Friday.
Navy Adm. Eric Olson told the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on terrorism, unconventional threats and capabilities that the United States stands ready to do whatever it can to help Pakistan combat extremists, but “I think that we can't help Pakistan more than they want to be helped,” he added.
The situation in Pakistan is complicated, the admiral said, and the United States will not force help on people who don’t want it.
“One of the filters on sort of their willingness to be helped is how the Pakistan military is perceived within Pakistan,” the admiral said. “It is the strongest element of Pakistan, historically. It is the element of government upon which the people depend.”
Pakistan is a proud country with a proud military tradition, and America cannot take actions that would cause the Pakistani military to appear to be an extension of the U.S. military, Olson said. “We can only help them in a way that truly helps them, and they are much more expert in that than we are,” he told the subcommittee.
The Pakistanis also have never forgotten the cut-off of military contacts in 1990 as a result of the Pressler Amendment, which sought to pressure Pakistan into not developing nuclear weapons. Even though full relations were re-established between the countries in 2003, Olson said, a full generation of Pakistani officers did not work with their American counterparts.
“I think the best thing that we can do is develop the relationships that will erode whatever atmosphere of distrust exists, help the Pakistani people understand that our interests there are theirs and that our commitment is a long term commitment for the good of Pakistan and the stability of the region,” Olson said.
The admiral called the environment in Afghanistan uniquely complex. “It is really a village-by-village, valley-by-valley counterinsurgency,” he said. “One of the things that I'm finding myself saying more often is that presence without value is perceived as occupation.” Afghans have a long history of mistrust toward outsiders, he noted, and they will resist outside influence.
“Much of Afghanistan has not felt … the impact of a central government in Kabul, ever,” Olson said. “I think a large part of our goal there is to encourage the people who are now deciding where their allegiance will be … to decide to place their bet with a legitimate government, at whatever level that is.”
Whether Afghans pledge loyalty to tribal, local, regional or federal government, “it will come down to ultimately where they place their bet,” the admiral said. “I think in the absence of solid metrics, it will be our sense of where the people are beginning to place their bets that will lead us to understand whether or not our efforts are successful in the hinterlands of Afghanistan.”
Any effort in the country will require a careful U.S. approach, and “it will require as small a footprint as we can get away with in the places we go with the capability and the security considerations as part of that,” he said.
“It will require … a shift towards true local regional knowledge, however that is obtained,” the admiral said. “We have to get beyond generalizations in Afghanistan into true deep knowledge of tribal relationships, family histories, the nuances of the terrain and the weather and how that affects how business is done, how money is made, how their world operates.”
Leaders have to be able to assess what impact American operations and just mere presence will have in remote regions of Afghanistan, Olson said.
“I think this is a long-term commitment for us, in order to build that depth of knowledge and then allow it to have the impact in the places where that needs to occur,” he said. “This will not be people deciding overnight where their allegiance is, it’s going to have to be convincing them over a long period of time that they are better off placing their bet with the local regional governments than with the illegitimate power players in the region.
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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Founders' Daily Quote(s): 6/1-6/5/09
Labels:
daily quote,
history,
Justice(s)
Monday, June 1, 2009.
"[T]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 81, 1788
HA! I wish you were here to argue that point in front of the SCOTUS and the next nominee.
Tue. 6/2.
"The truth is, that, even with the most secure tenure of office, during good behavior, the danger is not, that the judges will be too firm in resisting public opinion, and in defence of private rights or public liberties; but, that they will be ready to yield themselves to the passions, and politics, and prejudices of the day."
--Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833
That is what we have now. Could someone please explain to me why we are NOT supposed to listen these WISE old white men?
Wed. 6/3.
"One single object ... [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Livingston, March 25, 1825
***clap, clap, clap***
Thu. 6/4.
"The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virture to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust."
--Federalist No. 57 (Alexander Hamilton or James Madison), 1788
Fri. 6/5.
"His Example is now complete, and it will teach wisdom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age, but in future generations, as long as our history shall be read."
--John Adams, message to the U.S. Senate on George Washington's death, December 19, 1799
Amen. It surely has and does. Thank you, and rest in peace General George Washington.
Source: PatriotPost.us.
"[T]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 81, 1788
HA! I wish you were here to argue that point in front of the SCOTUS and the next nominee.
Tue. 6/2.
"The truth is, that, even with the most secure tenure of office, during good behavior, the danger is not, that the judges will be too firm in resisting public opinion, and in defence of private rights or public liberties; but, that they will be ready to yield themselves to the passions, and politics, and prejudices of the day."
--Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833
That is what we have now. Could someone please explain to me why we are NOT supposed to listen these WISE old white men?
Wed. 6/3.
"One single object ... [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation."
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Livingston, March 25, 1825
***clap, clap, clap***
Thu. 6/4.
"The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virture to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust."
--Federalist No. 57 (Alexander Hamilton or James Madison), 1788
Fri. 6/5.
"His Example is now complete, and it will teach wisdom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age, but in future generations, as long as our history shall be read."
--John Adams, message to the U.S. Senate on George Washington's death, December 19, 1799
Amen. It surely has and does. Thank you, and rest in peace General George Washington.
Source: PatriotPost.us.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
News: Michael Yon
Secretary Gates Sets Me Straight.
Secretary Gates read my site this morning and corrected an erroneous report from me. My information was actually accurate insofar as I reported what troops were saying -- but it was in conflict with the reality.
Secretary Gates has departed the Philippines and is in the air to Alaska. I stayed behind in the Philippines to cover forces who are battling terrorists here.
These are great pictures here and here.
Philippines.
Fly from Mindanao to Sulu this morning. Please see latest from Philippines.
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.
Secretary Gates read my site this morning and corrected an erroneous report from me. My information was actually accurate insofar as I reported what troops were saying -- but it was in conflict with the reality.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Sets Me Straight.To Alaska!
29 May 2009
Secretary Gates arrived in Singapore after a 35 hour flight from Kansas. The aircraft landed several times along the way due to a technical issue that precluded in-flight refueling. But he got here. [Continue reading.]
Secretary Gates has departed the Philippines and is in the air to Alaska. I stayed behind in the Philippines to cover forces who are battling terrorists here.
Secretary Gates in Singapore.Close Combat and US Navy In The Philippines.
01 June 2009
Manila, Philippines
The Shangri-La security dialogue is over. Bigwigs from all over the region came to the conference, including Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. All the major media outlets piled in, such as the New York Times, AP, and dozens of others from Asia, Europe, and the United States. The dialogue is already well covered in the media, so I’ll write mostly about topics that likely will not make the press. [Continue reading.]
These are great pictures here and here.
Philippines.
Fly from Mindanao to Sulu this morning. Please see latest from Philippines.
Philippines.He just keeps writing away, and I will keep posting them for you. Have a wonderful weekend.
03 June 2009
Mindanao
The southern Philippines has been a festering bed for international terrorists for decades. Direct links with al Qaeda and associated groups, such as Jemaah Islamiya (JI), are conclusively established. These groups are collectively responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people from dozens of countries. JI, for instance, was responsible for the 2002 Bali bombing that killed 202 people, including my friend Beata Pawlak. [.]
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.
China 20 Years Later
Labels:
anti-Liberty,
Asia,
history,
war crimes
It didn't have to happen. Tienanmen Square. Below please find lost audios about what led up to that awful, terrifying, unforgivable day on 4 June 1989 and try to contemplate what could have been.
Zhao Ziyang Tapes Reveal Call for Democracy.
For more, go to www.RFA.org.
HONG KONG, May 14, 2009 — Twenty years after the People's Liberation Army crushed the student-led pro-democracy movement in China with guns and tanks, a former top Communist Party official has released audio recordings in which former premier Zhao Ziyang calls for parliamentary democracy for China, Radio Frede Asia (RFA) reports.
Zhao, who fell into political disgrace in the wake of the crackdown, described it in recordings as "a tragedy to shock the world, which was happening in spite of attempts to avert it."
He recalls hearing the sound of "intense gunfire" on the evening of June 3, 1989 while sitting at his Beijing home, where he was held under house arrest until his death. He concludes in extracts read from an unpublished political memoir that the only way forward for China is a parliamentary democracy.
"Of course, it is possible that in the future a more advanced political system than parliamentary democracy will emerge," Zhao said. "But that is a matter for the future. At present, there is no other."
He said China could not have a healthy economic system, nor become a modern society with the rule of law without democracy.
"Instead, it will run into the situations that have occurred in so many developing countries, including China: the commercialization of power, rampant corruption, and a society polarized between rich and poor."
Released by aide.
Zhao's former political aide, Bao Tong, who served a seven-year jail term in the wake of the crackdown, released the tapes ahead of the 20th anniversary of the violent suppression of the 1989 student movement, in which hundreds, perhaps more than 1,000, died.
"Zhao Ziyang left behind a set of audio recordings. These are his legacy," Bao wrote to RFA's Mandarin service from under house arrest at his Beijing home.
"Zhao Ziyang's legacy is for all of China's people. It is my job to transmit them to the world in the form of words and to arrange things," he said.
"Their contents have implications for a history that is still influencing the people of China to this day. The key theme of this history is reform," Bao said.
Authorities in Beijing suppressed any public displays of grief for Zhao in the days after his death on Jan. 17, 2005, detaining dozens of people for wearing white flowers in his honor or attempting to pay their respects at the former premier's home.
Zhao was openly mourned by thousands in the former British colony of Hong Kong, however, where is seen by many as a symbol of the territory's own struggle for political change.
Educating China's youth.
Bao said his purpose in releasing the tapes, which he described as "political task," was partly to educate a whole generation of young people in China who had never heard of Zhao Ziyang.
"On the mainland at the current time, this part of history has been sealed off and distorted, so it will be useful to discuss some of this history for younger readers."
"The name of Zhao Ziyang was erased from news media, books and periodicals, and the historical record within China," Bao wrote in a six-part essay accompanying the tapes, titled "The Historical Background to the Zhao Ziyang Recordings."
"Zhao wanted to address the issues of official corruption and democracy which were the concerns of most ordinary Chinese people, using the principle of the rule of law," Bao wrote of the conflict between his former political mentor and late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping.
"He wanted to instigate reforms of China's political system alongside deepening economic reforms, concentrating the attention of the whole of society onto the issue of reforms."
The Chinese authorities have already begun tightening security in and around Beijing ahead of the sensitive anniversary.
Articles and forum posts connected in any way to the events of 20 years ago are being deleted regularly from Chinese cyberspace, including an appeal for the rehabilitation of Zhao and Hu Yaobang, whose death on April 15, 1989 triggered the student movement.
Original reporting by RFA's Mandarin service. Mandarin service director: Jennifer Chou. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han.
Source: RFA.
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.
Zhao Ziyang Tapes Reveal Call for Democracy.
For more, go to www.RFA.org.
HONG KONG, May 14, 2009 — Twenty years after the People's Liberation Army crushed the student-led pro-democracy movement in China with guns and tanks, a former top Communist Party official has released audio recordings in which former premier Zhao Ziyang calls for parliamentary democracy for China, Radio Frede Asia (RFA) reports.
Zhao, who fell into political disgrace in the wake of the crackdown, described it in recordings as "a tragedy to shock the world, which was happening in spite of attempts to avert it."
He recalls hearing the sound of "intense gunfire" on the evening of June 3, 1989 while sitting at his Beijing home, where he was held under house arrest until his death. He concludes in extracts read from an unpublished political memoir that the only way forward for China is a parliamentary democracy.
"Of course, it is possible that in the future a more advanced political system than parliamentary democracy will emerge," Zhao said. "But that is a matter for the future. At present, there is no other."
He said China could not have a healthy economic system, nor become a modern society with the rule of law without democracy.
"Instead, it will run into the situations that have occurred in so many developing countries, including China: the commercialization of power, rampant corruption, and a society polarized between rich and poor."
Released by aide.
Zhao's former political aide, Bao Tong, who served a seven-year jail term in the wake of the crackdown, released the tapes ahead of the 20th anniversary of the violent suppression of the 1989 student movement, in which hundreds, perhaps more than 1,000, died.
"Zhao Ziyang left behind a set of audio recordings. These are his legacy," Bao wrote to RFA's Mandarin service from under house arrest at his Beijing home.
"Zhao Ziyang's legacy is for all of China's people. It is my job to transmit them to the world in the form of words and to arrange things," he said.
"Their contents have implications for a history that is still influencing the people of China to this day. The key theme of this history is reform," Bao said.
Authorities in Beijing suppressed any public displays of grief for Zhao in the days after his death on Jan. 17, 2005, detaining dozens of people for wearing white flowers in his honor or attempting to pay their respects at the former premier's home.
Zhao was openly mourned by thousands in the former British colony of Hong Kong, however, where is seen by many as a symbol of the territory's own struggle for political change.
Educating China's youth.
Bao said his purpose in releasing the tapes, which he described as "political task," was partly to educate a whole generation of young people in China who had never heard of Zhao Ziyang.
"On the mainland at the current time, this part of history has been sealed off and distorted, so it will be useful to discuss some of this history for younger readers."
"The name of Zhao Ziyang was erased from news media, books and periodicals, and the historical record within China," Bao wrote in a six-part essay accompanying the tapes, titled "The Historical Background to the Zhao Ziyang Recordings."
"Zhao wanted to address the issues of official corruption and democracy which were the concerns of most ordinary Chinese people, using the principle of the rule of law," Bao wrote of the conflict between his former political mentor and late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping.
"He wanted to instigate reforms of China's political system alongside deepening economic reforms, concentrating the attention of the whole of society onto the issue of reforms."
The Chinese authorities have already begun tightening security in and around Beijing ahead of the sensitive anniversary.
Articles and forum posts connected in any way to the events of 20 years ago are being deleted regularly from Chinese cyberspace, including an appeal for the rehabilitation of Zhao and Hu Yaobang, whose death on April 15, 1989 triggered the student movement.
Original reporting by RFA's Mandarin service. Mandarin service director: Jennifer Chou. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han.
Source: RFA.
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.
Videos For Tea Parties
Labels:
entertainment,
Politics
I received an e-mail from America's Family Association with a video to share with all the organizers, but I really liked a different one he made. So we came to a compromise. I'm going to share both of them with you.
This is just adorable. It puts into action the explanation one of the reasons why I am having this America's Freedom Day-Long Beach Tea Party.
This is the commercial Matthew wants everyone to see.
Hat tip: Right.org.
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.
This is just adorable. It puts into action the explanation one of the reasons why I am having this America's Freedom Day-Long Beach Tea Party.
This is the commercial Matthew wants everyone to see.
Hat tip: Right.org.
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.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Amazing Mercy And Grace
Labels:
entertainment,
God,
gratitude,
open tb
Today I received an e-mail from a very thoughtful young lady, Caroline, and she sent me this video. Do you realize there are truly Christians in Iran? Watch below.
Are you having a rough day? Things aren't going your way? Did you think to pray? Remember this. Many of our brothers and sisters are suffering even to the point of death without denouncing God Almighty, so we should be grateful for every blessing we have no matter how large or small. After all, a blessing is from God. God doesn't deal in junk.
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.
Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!
Are you having a rough day? Things aren't going your way? Did you think to pray? Remember this. Many of our brothers and sisters are suffering even to the point of death without denouncing God Almighty, so we should be grateful for every blessing we have no matter how large or small. After all, a blessing is from God. God doesn't deal in junk.
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.
Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Digg!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
China: Protests? What Protests?
Labels:
anti-Liberty,
Asia,
current events,
Remember
Below you will find an article written by Radio Free Asia. This is the time of year they and we remember Tiananmen Square, 1989, when the Chinese government told its army to roll its tanks over the people, and they did so. What is it they were demanding of China? Freedom. Funny thing, ya know. Some people say others can't handle it while sit in the majority of our country and try to take it away from us! It will be a cold day in hell...
(Go to www.rfa.org/english/news/special/june4/ for news, essays, and never before released videos and photos of the 1989 protests.)
Paint-Throwing at Mao’s Portrait Born of Frustration, 1989 Protester Says.
WASHINGTON—China has developed tremendously over the last two decades, but “in terms of political and democratic reforms” the system is unchanged, one of three men jailed for splattering paint on Chairman Mao Zedong’s portrait during the 1989 Tiananmen protests has told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Yu Zhijian, who along with fellow paint-thrower Yu Dongyue was just granted U.S. asylum, described their high-profile May 23, 1989 act of vandalism as a product of frustration directed at the Chinese authorities and prompted by the failure of protest leaders to devise a response when Beijing declared martial law.
“Before we resorted to the violent behavior, we tried to communicate to the student leaders our assessment of the situation,” Yu Zhijian told RFA’s Mandarin service in his first interview since arriving in the United States in mid-May.
“We felt, as participants in the movement, that there should have been a plan in response to the martial law.”
“The day after we arrived in Beijing, we joined the crowd that tried to block the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] vehicles from entering the city. We talked to the students and ordinary citizens. I felt that they didn’t know where the movement was headed,” he said.
“As there wasn’t to be a ‘triumphant withdrawal,’ the leaders of the movement should have come up with relatively decisive responses. So we proposed three suggestions,” he said, including a nationwide strike and a takeover of several key buildings.
But on May 21, “when we brought our three suggestions to the Square we didn’t see any student leaders. So we gave our proposal to someone whose job was to maintain order at the Square…After that, the movement wasn’t headed in the direction that we had hoped,” he said.
Turned over to police.
And two days later, “We decided to smear Mao’s portrait with eggs containing paint. In our view, the rule by the Chinese Communists from 1949-89 was a Maoist dictatorship,” Yu said.
“The portrait of Mao Zedong symbolized the dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party. We had hoped that our action would lead the participants of the movement to change course and bring the movement back from the brink of failure.”
The two childhood friends—along with a bus driver named Lu Decheng—hurled 30 eggs filled with paint at the portrait and were quickly seized by student protesters eager to distance themselves from the act and handed over to police.
Less than two weeks later, Chinese troops moved in on the protests with tanks and live ammunition, killing hundreds of people and prompting an international outcry. An official blackout on discussion of the crackdown remains in force, 20 years later.
“China has witnessed huge changes in the past 20 years. But in terms of political and democratic reforms, it is where it was 20 years ago. There has been no change whatsoever,” he said.
Mental health damaged.
Yu Dongyue¸ a former journalist and art critic, was convicted of sabotage and counter-revolutionary propaganda and handed a 20-year jail term. Lu received a 16-year jail term, and Yu Zhijian, a former teacher, drew a life sentence.
Lu and Yu Zhijian were paroled in 1998 but Yu Dongyue remained in custody because, officials said, he had never confessed to any wrongdoing. His sentence was cut by two years in 2000 and another 15 months in 2003.
Yu Dongyue is the longest-serving known political prisoner sentenced in connection with the 1989 crackdown. He spent several years in solitary confinement and was subjected to beatings and electric shocks, and friends and relatives say his mental health has suffered severely.
During an interview here, Yu Dongyue appeared vacant. He spoke haltingly and was unable to answer direct questions.
“As you can see, his mental condition is awful, just awful,” Yu Zhijian said. “Yu Dongyue spent 17 years in prison. When he was released he was a shadow of his former self. My heart ached when I saw him.”
Lu was granted asylum in Canada in 2006. Yu Dongyue and Yu Zhijian fled China through Thailand and were granted U.S. asylum last month.
Neither man would discuss the route they took to escape China, but Yu Zhijian notably cited Chinese-born human rights activist Harry Wu and his Laogai Foundation, for their assistance.
Asked how he regarded the 20th anniversary on Thursday of the June 4, 1989 crackdown, he replied:
“My heart is heavy with memories of June 4th. These memories will never be erased from my mind. It is a topic that pains me to bring up, especially when the June 4th anniversary is upon us. I am unable to sleep or eat. My mind is in turmoil. The movement 20 years ago was a noble one and it changed our lives.”
“The participants were not limited to university students. The general public—in the millions—also took part in it. In our hometown in Hunan, even the peasants stopped working in the fields. They were glued to the television. They were inspired by the patriotism and democratic spirit of the students.”
Original reporting by He Ping for RFA’s Mandarin service. Translated by RFA Mandarin service director Jennifer Chou. Written and produced in English by Sarah Jackson-Han.
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
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!
(Go to www.rfa.org/english/news/special/june4/ for news, essays, and never before released videos and photos of the 1989 protests.)
Paint-Throwing at Mao’s Portrait Born of Frustration, 1989 Protester Says.
WASHINGTON—China has developed tremendously over the last two decades, but “in terms of political and democratic reforms” the system is unchanged, one of three men jailed for splattering paint on Chairman Mao Zedong’s portrait during the 1989 Tiananmen protests has told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Yu Zhijian, who along with fellow paint-thrower Yu Dongyue was just granted U.S. asylum, described their high-profile May 23, 1989 act of vandalism as a product of frustration directed at the Chinese authorities and prompted by the failure of protest leaders to devise a response when Beijing declared martial law.
“Before we resorted to the violent behavior, we tried to communicate to the student leaders our assessment of the situation,” Yu Zhijian told RFA’s Mandarin service in his first interview since arriving in the United States in mid-May.
“We felt, as participants in the movement, that there should have been a plan in response to the martial law.”
“The day after we arrived in Beijing, we joined the crowd that tried to block the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] vehicles from entering the city. We talked to the students and ordinary citizens. I felt that they didn’t know where the movement was headed,” he said.
“As there wasn’t to be a ‘triumphant withdrawal,’ the leaders of the movement should have come up with relatively decisive responses. So we proposed three suggestions,” he said, including a nationwide strike and a takeover of several key buildings.
But on May 21, “when we brought our three suggestions to the Square we didn’t see any student leaders. So we gave our proposal to someone whose job was to maintain order at the Square…After that, the movement wasn’t headed in the direction that we had hoped,” he said.
Turned over to police.
And two days later, “We decided to smear Mao’s portrait with eggs containing paint. In our view, the rule by the Chinese Communists from 1949-89 was a Maoist dictatorship,” Yu said.
“The portrait of Mao Zedong symbolized the dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party. We had hoped that our action would lead the participants of the movement to change course and bring the movement back from the brink of failure.”
The two childhood friends—along with a bus driver named Lu Decheng—hurled 30 eggs filled with paint at the portrait and were quickly seized by student protesters eager to distance themselves from the act and handed over to police.
Less than two weeks later, Chinese troops moved in on the protests with tanks and live ammunition, killing hundreds of people and prompting an international outcry. An official blackout on discussion of the crackdown remains in force, 20 years later.
“China has witnessed huge changes in the past 20 years. But in terms of political and democratic reforms, it is where it was 20 years ago. There has been no change whatsoever,” he said.
Mental health damaged.
Yu Dongyue¸ a former journalist and art critic, was convicted of sabotage and counter-revolutionary propaganda and handed a 20-year jail term. Lu received a 16-year jail term, and Yu Zhijian, a former teacher, drew a life sentence.
Lu and Yu Zhijian were paroled in 1998 but Yu Dongyue remained in custody because, officials said, he had never confessed to any wrongdoing. His sentence was cut by two years in 2000 and another 15 months in 2003.
Yu Dongyue is the longest-serving known political prisoner sentenced in connection with the 1989 crackdown. He spent several years in solitary confinement and was subjected to beatings and electric shocks, and friends and relatives say his mental health has suffered severely.
During an interview here, Yu Dongyue appeared vacant. He spoke haltingly and was unable to answer direct questions.
“As you can see, his mental condition is awful, just awful,” Yu Zhijian said. “Yu Dongyue spent 17 years in prison. When he was released he was a shadow of his former self. My heart ached when I saw him.”
Lu was granted asylum in Canada in 2006. Yu Dongyue and Yu Zhijian fled China through Thailand and were granted U.S. asylum last month.
Neither man would discuss the route they took to escape China, but Yu Zhijian notably cited Chinese-born human rights activist Harry Wu and his Laogai Foundation, for their assistance.
Asked how he regarded the 20th anniversary on Thursday of the June 4, 1989 crackdown, he replied:
“My heart is heavy with memories of June 4th. These memories will never be erased from my mind. It is a topic that pains me to bring up, especially when the June 4th anniversary is upon us. I am unable to sleep or eat. My mind is in turmoil. The movement 20 years ago was a noble one and it changed our lives.”
“The participants were not limited to university students. The general public—in the millions—also took part in it. In our hometown in Hunan, even the peasants stopped working in the fields. They were glued to the television. They were inspired by the patriotism and democratic spirit of the students.”
Original reporting by He Ping for RFA’s Mandarin service. Translated by RFA Mandarin service director Jennifer Chou. Written and produced in English by Sarah Jackson-Han.
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
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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Taliban increasingly targets civilians in eastern
by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 2, 2009) – Conditions in eastern Afghanistan have been challenging, but coalition efforts have paid off with improved security and development, the commander of Regional Command – East said Tuesday.
One major challenge that remains is the Taliban targeting innocent civilians, Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser said during a videoconference with reporters at the Pentagon. While there is a growing realization among the Afghan people that the Taliban deliberately target civilians, it still doesn’t elicit the outrage as when coalition forces accidentally kill civilians, he noted.
Schloesser, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force 101, turns over command for Regional Command – East to Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, tomorrow.
The Taliban and their allies continue to target and launch attacks on the Afghan people every day, the general said. “Where the enemy is attacking, they are clearly aiming for softer targets, like civilians, as well as Afghan institutions, like district centers, that represent governance at the lowest levels,” Schloesser said.
He said he has been surprised by the willingness of the Taliban to attack innocent civilians, including killing women and children.
While there is clearly outrage in many areas of Afghanistan when ISAF mistakenly kill civilians, “I don't see the level of moral outrage” when insurgents kill civilians, he said. “The deliberate targeting of [them] is incredible to me, and I would have thought that the world would find it despicable.”
Roughly 75 percent of the attacks in eastern Afghanistan occur in just 25 percent of the 158 districts. “We have a lot of districts in eastern Afghanistan where the level of violence just does not affect the people,” he said.
Still, there has been an increase in violence in the region for the past three years, Schloesser said. This year so far, the level of violence is up about 25 percent over last year.
“Unlike last year, most of that violence I attribute to the operations that we’re conducting with our Afghan partners, as well as those new forces,” he said. “The bottom line is we’re in areas that we were not before. We’ve increased forces sometimes tenfold in those areas, and it’s making a heck of a difference to the insurgents, and I know eventually it will make a difference to the Afghan people in those areas.”
The command has grown from two brigade combat teams to five, Schloesser said. There are more Afghan army and national police units in the region. The command has worked hard on the counterinsurgency campaign that highlights security and development at the district level. “We try to do all this with and by and through our Afghan partners,” he said.
There is more development aid and growing Afghan government capabilities to help the people, the general added. “There’s no doubt in my mind there’s been substantial improvement across the board with some of these resources or all of these resources,” he said. “But I do want to highlight that we’re nowhere near the tipping point yet, and I also will say that progress is fragile.”
The progress has been tough and not without sacrifice. “We’ve lost 178 soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and civilians killed in action up till this afternoon, and 810 wounded – some of them grievously,” Schloesser said. “There’s no way we can bring them back; there's no way that we can express enough grief to their loved ones. But I do want them to know that there's not a day that goes by that we don't think about their sacrifices or the sacrifices of their families.”
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. Digg!
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 2, 2009) – Conditions in eastern Afghanistan have been challenging, but coalition efforts have paid off with improved security and development, the commander of Regional Command – East said Tuesday.
One major challenge that remains is the Taliban targeting innocent civilians, Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser said during a videoconference with reporters at the Pentagon. While there is a growing realization among the Afghan people that the Taliban deliberately target civilians, it still doesn’t elicit the outrage as when coalition forces accidentally kill civilians, he noted.
Schloesser, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force 101, turns over command for Regional Command – East to Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, tomorrow.
The Taliban and their allies continue to target and launch attacks on the Afghan people every day, the general said. “Where the enemy is attacking, they are clearly aiming for softer targets, like civilians, as well as Afghan institutions, like district centers, that represent governance at the lowest levels,” Schloesser said.
He said he has been surprised by the willingness of the Taliban to attack innocent civilians, including killing women and children.
While there is clearly outrage in many areas of Afghanistan when ISAF mistakenly kill civilians, “I don't see the level of moral outrage” when insurgents kill civilians, he said. “The deliberate targeting of [them] is incredible to me, and I would have thought that the world would find it despicable.”
Roughly 75 percent of the attacks in eastern Afghanistan occur in just 25 percent of the 158 districts. “We have a lot of districts in eastern Afghanistan where the level of violence just does not affect the people,” he said.
Still, there has been an increase in violence in the region for the past three years, Schloesser said. This year so far, the level of violence is up about 25 percent over last year.
“Unlike last year, most of that violence I attribute to the operations that we’re conducting with our Afghan partners, as well as those new forces,” he said. “The bottom line is we’re in areas that we were not before. We’ve increased forces sometimes tenfold in those areas, and it’s making a heck of a difference to the insurgents, and I know eventually it will make a difference to the Afghan people in those areas.”
The command has grown from two brigade combat teams to five, Schloesser said. There are more Afghan army and national police units in the region. The command has worked hard on the counterinsurgency campaign that highlights security and development at the district level. “We try to do all this with and by and through our Afghan partners,” he said.
There is more development aid and growing Afghan government capabilities to help the people, the general added. “There’s no doubt in my mind there’s been substantial improvement across the board with some of these resources or all of these resources,” he said. “But I do want to highlight that we’re nowhere near the tipping point yet, and I also will say that progress is fragile.”
The progress has been tough and not without sacrifice. “We’ve lost 178 soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and civilians killed in action up till this afternoon, and 810 wounded – some of them grievously,” Schloesser said. “There’s no way we can bring them back; there's no way that we can express enough grief to their loved ones. But I do want them to know that there's not a day that goes by that we don't think about their sacrifices or the sacrifices of their families.”
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.
Digg!
Monday, June 1, 2009
US troops preparing to leave Iraqi cities
by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 1, 2009) – American combat troops are on pace to leave Iraqi cities by the June 30 deadline stipulated by the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, U.S. officials in Baghdad said Sunday.
Army Brig. Gen. Keith Walker, commander of the Iraq Assistance Group, said in a news conference that security throughout the country has continued to improve.
The security agreement calls for all coalition combat forces to be out of the cities by the end of the month. “We will adhere to the security agreement,” Walker said. “So, all combat forces will be out of the cities unless there is a specific invitation from the government of Iraq.”
U.S. forces will be available in advisory roles and to provide enabler capabilities, the general said.
In 2007, there was an average of 900 attacks per week. In 2008, that number dropped to 200 attacks per week. In 22 of the 26 weeks this year, fewer than 100 attacks have taken place per week nationwide, Walker said.
This improvement in security happened as the number of U.S. forces in Iraq declined by more than 20 percent from the height of the surge. “We have returned over 100 bases to Iraq since October,” the general said. “The provisions of the security agreement make our partnership with Iraqi forces that much more important.”
Today, Iraqi security forces conduct all operations. Coalition forces participate only with Iraqi concurrence. The coalition-Iraqi partnership “is characterized by combined planning, preparation and execution with Iraqi security forces in the lead,” he said. “It is enabled by a close working relationship and the collocation of partnership units and transition teams.”
The partnership’s coalition units help the Iraqi units with enablers, logistics and to ensure situational awareness between Iraqi forces and coalition forces.
Coalition transition units are now shifting attention to beefing up Iraqi command and control capabilities, sustainment and enabler units. “We have reached the point where partnership units are the core of what Multinational Corps Iraq does,” Walker said.
The corps will take over the partnership chores from the Iraq Assistance Group. “It no longer makes sense to have two organizations doing the same thing,” Walker said, so the mission of the group is folding into the corps.
Multinational Corps Iraq will handle the military and police transition teams and training for Iraqi forces in addition to operational responsibilities. The Iraqi Assistance Group will case its colors June 3.
Even once the U.S. units move out of the cities, they will remain associated with their Iraqi partners, Walker said. “They’ll have to drive a bit more, but they will be available,” he said.
The security agreement covers the entire country, so coalition forces will move out of areas such as Mosul, which have been fairly hot in the past months, the general said.
More than 600,000 Iraqis serve in the country’s security forces.
Source: CENTCOM.
Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (June 1, 2009) – American combat troops are on pace to leave Iraqi cities by the June 30 deadline stipulated by the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, U.S. officials in Baghdad said Sunday.
Army Brig. Gen. Keith Walker, commander of the Iraq Assistance Group, said in a news conference that security throughout the country has continued to improve.
The security agreement calls for all coalition combat forces to be out of the cities by the end of the month. “We will adhere to the security agreement,” Walker said. “So, all combat forces will be out of the cities unless there is a specific invitation from the government of Iraq.”
U.S. forces will be available in advisory roles and to provide enabler capabilities, the general said.
In 2007, there was an average of 900 attacks per week. In 2008, that number dropped to 200 attacks per week. In 22 of the 26 weeks this year, fewer than 100 attacks have taken place per week nationwide, Walker said.
This improvement in security happened as the number of U.S. forces in Iraq declined by more than 20 percent from the height of the surge. “We have returned over 100 bases to Iraq since October,” the general said. “The provisions of the security agreement make our partnership with Iraqi forces that much more important.”
Today, Iraqi security forces conduct all operations. Coalition forces participate only with Iraqi concurrence. The coalition-Iraqi partnership “is characterized by combined planning, preparation and execution with Iraqi security forces in the lead,” he said. “It is enabled by a close working relationship and the collocation of partnership units and transition teams.”
The partnership’s coalition units help the Iraqi units with enablers, logistics and to ensure situational awareness between Iraqi forces and coalition forces.
Coalition transition units are now shifting attention to beefing up Iraqi command and control capabilities, sustainment and enabler units. “We have reached the point where partnership units are the core of what Multinational Corps Iraq does,” Walker said.
The corps will take over the partnership chores from the Iraq Assistance Group. “It no longer makes sense to have two organizations doing the same thing,” Walker said, so the mission of the group is folding into the corps.
Multinational Corps Iraq will handle the military and police transition teams and training for Iraqi forces in addition to operational responsibilities. The Iraqi Assistance Group will case its colors June 3.
Even once the U.S. units move out of the cities, they will remain associated with their Iraqi partners, Walker said. “They’ll have to drive a bit more, but they will be available,” he said.
The security agreement covers the entire country, so coalition forces will move out of areas such as Mosul, which have been fairly hot in the past months, the general said.
More than 600,000 Iraqis serve in the country’s security forces.
Source: CENTCOM.
Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Digg!
Dem's Violate 1965 Voting Rights Act
Labels:
anti-Liberty,
Liberty,
News,
racism
Below please find a press release that I never in my lifetime ever wanted to read.
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Washington DC: In light of a Washington Times report today that political appointees at the U.S. Department of Justice forced career prosecutors to drop and/or reduce charges against men observed intimidating Philadelphia voters last election day, Project 21 Chairman Mychal Massie is calling for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate this alleged obstruction of the Voting Rights Act by the Obama Administration.
"From all accounts, this was a clear-cut violation of peoples' right to vote without fear and intimidation, but the Obama Administration appears to be trying to sweep it under the rug," said Massie. "After all of the allegations about the Bush Administration politicizing the Justice Department, this smacks of either extreme ignorance or extreme hubris on the part of their successors. Whatever the case, an independent investigation is needed to get to the bottom of what's going on over there."
According to media reports, on November 4, 2008, Malik Zulu Shabazz, King Samir Shabazz and Jerry Jackson of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense were seen on national television standing outside a Philadelphia polling place in military-style uniforms. Jackson was an official poll watcher that day, representing the 14th Ward Democratic Committee.
Bartle Bull, a long-time civil rights activist who was working as a poll watcher in the area, said in a government affidavit that he saw the men using a nightstick to intimidate voters. Bull said their "clear purpose" was to "intimidate voters with whom they did not agree." He also said he heard them tell a white poll watcher, "you are about to be ruled by a black man, cracker."
A civil suit filed by the Justice Department in January alleged the men violated the Voting Rights Act "by continuing to direct intimidation, threats and coercion at voters and potential voters." After none of the men appeared in court to face the charges, the government sought a default judgment against them.
According to interviews and documents obtained by the Times, the lawyers were later ordered to reverse themselves and ask for the cases against Malik Zulu Shabazz and Jerry Jackson to be dismissed. A default judgment was pursued against King Samir Shabazz to simply prohibit him from displaying a weapon within 100 feet of an open polling place until November 15, 2012.
Justice Department spokesman Alejandro Miyar told the Times: "Claims were dismissed against the other defendants based on a careful assessment of the facts and the law."
"We've got reports of one of the most blatant violations of the Voting Rights Act in recent memory, and the Obama Justice Department is essentially taking a pass. What's wrong here?" asked Massie. "One could easily surmise that this is Chicago-style payback for helping Obama win the election. That would be a crime in Washington. The only way to find out who did what and for what reason is to bring someone in from the outside to get to investigate these very troubling allegations."
The Washington Times article, "Career lawyers overruled on voting case; Black Panthers had wielded weapons, blocked polls," by Jerry Seper, is available online here.
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 or Devon Carlin at (202) 543-4110 x11 or e-mail us at Project21 AT nationalcenter DOT org, or visit us at Project 21's website..
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I am deeply and sincerely ashamed for all of us.
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.
******************************
Black Leader Calls for Special Counsel to Investigate Possible Voting Rights Corruption at Justice Department
Political Appointees Said to Overrule Career Staff in Election Intimidation Case
Political Appointees Said to Overrule Career Staff in Election Intimidation Case
Washington DC: In light of a Washington Times report today that political appointees at the U.S. Department of Justice forced career prosecutors to drop and/or reduce charges against men observed intimidating Philadelphia voters last election day, Project 21 Chairman Mychal Massie is calling for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate this alleged obstruction of the Voting Rights Act by the Obama Administration.
"From all accounts, this was a clear-cut violation of peoples' right to vote without fear and intimidation, but the Obama Administration appears to be trying to sweep it under the rug," said Massie. "After all of the allegations about the Bush Administration politicizing the Justice Department, this smacks of either extreme ignorance or extreme hubris on the part of their successors. Whatever the case, an independent investigation is needed to get to the bottom of what's going on over there."
According to media reports, on November 4, 2008, Malik Zulu Shabazz, King Samir Shabazz and Jerry Jackson of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense were seen on national television standing outside a Philadelphia polling place in military-style uniforms. Jackson was an official poll watcher that day, representing the 14th Ward Democratic Committee.
Bartle Bull, a long-time civil rights activist who was working as a poll watcher in the area, said in a government affidavit that he saw the men using a nightstick to intimidate voters. Bull said their "clear purpose" was to "intimidate voters with whom they did not agree." He also said he heard them tell a white poll watcher, "you are about to be ruled by a black man, cracker."
A civil suit filed by the Justice Department in January alleged the men violated the Voting Rights Act "by continuing to direct intimidation, threats and coercion at voters and potential voters." After none of the men appeared in court to face the charges, the government sought a default judgment against them.
According to interviews and documents obtained by the Times, the lawyers were later ordered to reverse themselves and ask for the cases against Malik Zulu Shabazz and Jerry Jackson to be dismissed. A default judgment was pursued against King Samir Shabazz to simply prohibit him from displaying a weapon within 100 feet of an open polling place until November 15, 2012.
Justice Department spokesman Alejandro Miyar told the Times: "Claims were dismissed against the other defendants based on a careful assessment of the facts and the law."
"We've got reports of one of the most blatant violations of the Voting Rights Act in recent memory, and the Obama Justice Department is essentially taking a pass. What's wrong here?" asked Massie. "One could easily surmise that this is Chicago-style payback for helping Obama win the election. That would be a crime in Washington. The only way to find out who did what and for what reason is to bring someone in from the outside to get to investigate these very troubling allegations."
The Washington Times article, "Career lawyers overruled on voting case; Black Panthers had wielded weapons, blocked polls," by Jerry Seper, is available online here.
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 or Devon Carlin at (202) 543-4110 x11 or e-mail us at Project21 AT nationalcenter DOT org, or visit us at Project 21's website..
******************************
I am deeply and sincerely ashamed for all of us.
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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