Cindy Sheehan icon of the global anti war movement, says that US leadership has been corrupted by not opposing Bush's polices on the Iraq war and torture.
In an exclusive interview with a Press Tv correspondent Cindy Sheehan criticized the Democratic dominated congress for not impeaching President Bush for waging a war with Iraq based on lies.
Sheehan also said that since she started her protest against the war in 2005, American public opinion has drastically changed; Bush's approval rating is now at its lowest since Iraq's invasion.
When Sheehan was asked about Iran's nuclear issues, she replied that Iran is a sovereign country that is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy for civilian purpose, whereas US and Israel are countries in possession of nuclear arsenals.
Sheehan's son, Casey was killed during his service in Iraq. She attracted international attention in August 2005 for her permanent demonstration at a camp outside of Bush's Texas ranch. In May 2007, Sheehan officially ended her involvement as an anti-war activist.
On July of 2007 after President Bush's commuted the sentence of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff Scooter Libby, Sheehan announced that she plans to challenge speaker Nancy Pelosi as an independent, because Pelosi pointedly failed to introduce articles of impeachment against President Bush.
UPDATE:Here is the actually interview with this nut job.
WASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - A group calling itself the Turkistan Islamic Party released a video threatening the Beijing Olympic Games and claiming responsibility for recent deadly explosions on two Chinese buses, a terrorism monitoring firm said on Friday. IntelCenter, a U.S.-based terrorism monitoring firm, said the group had released a video entitled "Our Blessed Jihad in Yunnan," featuring a statement by the group's leader, Commander Seyfullah, threatening next month's Olympics. "Despite the Turkistan Islamic Party's repeated warnings to China and international community about stopping the 29th Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese have haughtily ignored our warnings," IntelCenter quoted Seyfullah as saying. "The Turkistan Islamic Party volunteers who had gone through special preparations have started urgent actions." Seyfullah said the group bombed two public buses in Shanghai on May 5 and "took action against police" in Wenzhou on July 17 with a tractor loaded with explosives. The group also bombed a plastic factory in Guangzhou on July 17 and bombed three public buses in Yunnan on July 21, according to IntelCenter. The bus explosions killed at least two people and injured 14 in the southwestern city of Kunming on Monday amid a security clampdown ahead of the Olympics. The official Xinhua news agency had blamed the blasts on "sabotage" and was seeking to find out who was responsible. "The Turkistan Islamic Party warns China one more time," Seyfullah said, according to the IntelCenter transcript. "Our aim is to target the most critical points related to the Olympics. We will try to attack Chinese central cities severely using the tactics that have never been employed." He urged spectators and athletes "particularly the Muslims" planning to attend the Olympics to change their mind. "Please do not stand together with the faithless people," he said. "The Turkistan Islamic Party volunteers will conduct violent military actions against individuals, departments, venues and activities that are related to the Olympics in China."
This from ABC. Here is what some of the attendees had to say about this meeting.
The meeting took place one room removed from where the main Obama Victory Fund fundraiser was scheduled, inside the Balboa Bay Club. Tickets to the VIP reception -- where attendees could get a picture with Obama -- cost $28,500 per couple, while the "requested contribution" to the general reception was $2,300 per person.
{...}
The reporter quoted one attendee -- who gave his name as "Manouch," but Moshayedi said it was not him -- in describing Obama's short speech: "He basically talked about stopping this rhetoric about going to war with Iran," the attendee said. "Manouch" described Obama as the right man to "calm down the world" and "stop all these nonsense wars we are having."
Of course this is all in accordance to Quran 9:29: "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
A Catholic bishop in the southern Philippines’ Basilan province has received a letter from self-described “Muslim warriors” possibly linked to Abu Sayyaf who are threatening him with harm if he does not convert to Islam or pay “Islamic taxes.” Further, authorities are seeking the return of three adults and two children, all Catholics, who were kidnapped in the same area this week.
On July 19 Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela sent a copy of the threatening letter to Church-run Radio Veritas in Quezon City, UCA News reports. Bishop Jumoad told UCA News that a student at Claret College in Isabela was told to give the letter to the school secretary who could pass it along to the bishop.
The writers of the letter claimed to be “Muslim warriors” who “don't follow any laws other than the Qur'an.” They say the bishop should convert to Islam or pay the Islamic tax, called a “jizya,” to their group in exchange for protecting him “in the place of Muslims.”
If the bishop refuses, the letter threatened, “force, weapons or war may be used” against him. Citing bombings in other Philippines cities, the letter said he should not feel safe even if protected by soldiers.
Bishop Jumoad was given two mobile cell phone numbers and told he had fifteen days to respond. The letter bore the two names “Puruji Indama” and “Nur Hassan J. Kallitut,” both of whom were titled “Mujahiddin.”
The letter was accompanied by a letterhead in the local dialect that said “Al-Harakatul Islamiyya.” The bishop said he has seen the phrase “Al-Harakatul” in kidnapping incidents in Basilan involving the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.
He also reported that other Catholics have said they are receiving threatening letters. “Bishop, we are disoriented and we cannot sleep. What is our reaction to this?" they have reportedly said.
On July 21 the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’’ CBCP News reported that three adults and two children who are members of a parish in Basilan had been kidnapped from a public jeep. Provincial administrator Talib A. Barahim on Tuesday told UCA News that no one has reported receiving a ransom demand.
NBC’s Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube get the skinny on the abrupt cancellation of Barack Obama’s visit to Landstuhl and Ramstein yesterday. The campaign tried to excuse it by claiming that it wouldn’t be appropriate to visit while on a campaign-funded portion of his trip, but that wasn’t the real problem. When Obama found out he couldn’t use the visit as a photo op, he canceled:
One military official who was working on the Obama visit said because political candidates are prohibited from using military installations as campaign backdrops, Obama’s representatives were told, “he could only bring two or three of his Senate staff member, no campaign officials or workers.” In addition, “Obama could not bring any media. Only military photographers would be permitted to record Obama’s visit.”
The official said “We didn’t know why” the request to visit the wounded troops was withdrawn. “He (Obama) was more than welcome. We were all ready for him.”
In fact, those same rules applied for the CODEL trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. They serve to keep politicians from exploiting military facilities for political reasons, and to ensure that all visitors get treated fairly. Andrea Mitchell, also of NBC, complained of this very issue during the earlier visits with the troops when she told Chris Matthews that the media couldn’t get access to Obama when visiting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This makes the decision track very clear. Obama and his team set up the visits to military installations before going overseas. After seeing how the media got excluded in Iraq and Afghanistan, they decided it wasn’t worth traveling to Ramstein and Landstuhl to visit the severely wounded troops because they couldn’t bring the campaign and get the photo ops they wanted. Instead, Obama went shopping in Berlin.
As I wrote yesterday, that’s certainly a revealing set of priorities for a man who wants to lead these troops as Commander in Chief.
Yet he found time for the German soldiers.... Thanks to Gateway Pundit for pointing this out:
QUESTION: What are issues and recommendations for solutions that are unique to Muslim Americans?
1. A Law against harrassment of a Muslim women wearing Hijab at the Airport, DMV and other public arenas.
2. Institute a Law to allow Muslim Employees to take a hours off from work for Friday Jummah Prayer.
3. Make the 2 Eid's, recognized National Holidays on Calendars with days off from work.
4. Optional Halal meals in federal buildiings, public schools and colleges.
5. Provide prayer areas suitable for Salah and Jummah, in public and private facilities. (i.e. Malls, Airports, Universities and government buildings.)
6. Organize a Muslim American group to assist in recommendations for US foreign policy affecting majority Muslim countries.
Fast food restaurants have employee dress codes not only for appearances, but for hygiene and safety. With that in mind, this case is sounding a lot like the case of the women wanting to wear Islamic attire in a Midwestern tortilla factory. The local health inspector isn't going to take kindly to long sleeves potentially brushing perishable food, and/or the grill and fryer oil, to say nothing of guidelines for hand-washing (see also: the debate over short sleeves in British hospitals). Then there is the matter of long attire and the potential need to make a quick exit in the event of a fire or robbery.
There are many functional reasons for demanding standardized attire, but there is also the matter of allowing special treatment for a small part of the work force. And would the uniform issue be the end of the demands for accommodation? For example, would these women refuse to make a burger with bacon?
"Two Muslim women sue McDonald's, alleging discrimination," by Gregg Krupa for the Detroit News, July 24:
DEARBORN -- Two Muslim women say that a McDonald's restaurant refused to hire them, and insulted them during job interviews because they wear traditional Islamic dress.
Toi Whitfield, 20, of Detroit and Quiana Pugh, 25, of Dearborn sued McDonald's, the owner of the local franchise and its unidentified manager in Wayne County Circuit Court on Thursday. Their representative said they are considering filing civil rights complaints with the federal and state governments.
"I applied for the McDonald's position maybe two weeks ago and he simply (told me) I had to make a choice and remove my hijab, or I would not be able to establish employment there," Pugh said.
"When I walked away, I was definitely hurt by it and disturbed. I was confused that it could happen here in Dearborn, with so many Muslims," she said.
A man who would not identify himself at the restaurant, on Ford Road near Schaefer, referred all questions to representatives for McDonald's. "We're just trying to figure out what is going on," he said.
The man said the manager in question at the restaurant would not have a comment.
Obama’s 41 minute speech in Amman, Jordan contained a full 7 1/2 minutes of “uhs”. No repeat “uhs” were used in the entirety of this 7 minute and 36 second-long video, which compiled all of his “uhs” in one piece. This is the great orator?
Elected officials and straphangers called on the MTA yesterday to pull the Islamic subway-ad campaign being promoted by a controversial Brooklyn imam whom federal officials have linked to acts of terrorism.
The push to promote Islam on the rails this September, in a $48,000 ad campaign sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America, was reported in The Post yesterday.
"I strongly believe the MTA should pull the ads," said Rep. Peter King (R-LI), a ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee. "They are especially shameful because the ads will be running during the seventh anniversary of September 11, and because the subways are considered a primary target of terrorists."
Although the group says the ads - which will coincide with the holy month of Ramadan - aim to educate non-Muslims and reach out to those interested in joining the faith, many are incensed that Imam Siraj Wahhaj was chosen as the pitchman in a YouTube video for "The Subway Project."
In 1995, federal officials named Wahhaj an unindicted co-conspirator in a plot to blow up city landmarks, although he was never formally charged.
A former member of the Nation of Islam, Wahhaj also served as a character witness in the trial of convicted terrorist Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, and has said that he hopes one day all Americans are "persuaded" to become Muslims.
MTA officials said the ads are protected as free speech under the First Amendment. Mayor Bloomberg agreed.
"If you were to advocate becoming a Muslim, I assume the First Amendment would protect you," he said. The content of the ads themselves is not offensive or suggestive of violence or terrorism, officials said. They merely refer those interested in learning more about Islam to call (877) WHY-ISLAM or visit whyislam.org.
Azzem Khan, assistant secretary general of the Islamic Circle, defended Wahhaj.
"Siraj Wahhaj is a fine American and is respected by Muslims and non-Muslims alike," he said.
Barack, your visit here is just a waste of time; you're not wanted or needed here. We'll do just fine without you and you'll probably do better with out us, too. Don't come around here making as if you're looking out for the good of Israel. We know who you are and who your friends are. Zigzagging back and forth about dividing or un-dividing Jerusalem won't clear your history.
I'm not talking about your middle name. Any good Christian might have the middle name Hussein (although I can't think of any others). We won't hold that against you. There are worse things than having an Arab name; like for instance being supported by a known Jew-hater, bigot Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, who among other statements has accused the Jews of bringing on the Holocaust through cooperation with Hitler - "They helped him get the Third Reich on the road." But, of course, it would be wrong to hold that against you, because you haven't been rallying for his support (recently).
We can't really blame you for the beliefs of Father Michael Pfleger, who embraces Black Liberation Theology, which claims that Jesus was Black - so the Jews have no claim to Israel and, therefore, the Muslims are the rightful heirs of the Holy Land. Those beliefs have nothing to do with you, aside from the fact that you have coined the man your "moral compass." But one must admit that Pfleger is not your only mentor and also is not alone in looking up to Farrakhan.
Your spiritual mentor is Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who has praised Jimmy Carter for denouncing Zionism. Last year, the Trumpet Newsmagazine of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to Louis Farrakhan and said that he is a man who "truly epitomized greatness." You are a member of that Church and Jeremiah Wright is its leader and your spiritual adviser.
[...] Meanwhile, former American President Jimmy Carter has urged Israel to release Hamas politicians in efforts to expedite the prisoner deal. Robert Pastor, a senior adviser to Carter, came to Israel last week in a regional tour that included meetings with Hamas, Syria and Egypt.
In his Israeli visit, Pastor met Eli Yishai, head of the Shas party and a minister in Olmert’s cabinet. Pastor conveyed Carter’s wish to preside over a tripartite meeting with a senior Hamas figure, in order to discuss the Carter’s initiative.
Carter met with Hamas leaders in Syria in April to discuss the terms of Shalit’s release.
As news spreads of Israel’s gradual capitulation to Hamas, Prime Minister Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are working to censor the details of the Shalit negotiations. They claim that control over media publication on the issue will prevent addition public pressure on the State to release terrorists and the resultant toughening of Hamas' demands.
Have yet to see this in America media but have found it on various middle east media sites. like this one HERE Here is a rough translation of what the article says into english:
presents former U.S. President Jimmy Carter a new initiative for the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, and proposes to hold a meeting between Minister of Industry and Trade Israel, Eli Yishai (Shas) and senior official of Hamas. With the Israelis try to draw lessons from the deal with Hezbollah, and suggested Security Minister Ehud Barak to impose strict confidentiality on the negotiations with Hamas, as a result of the wide impact of the media and my family of captured Israelis to make the deal with Hezbollah. With the Israelis try to draw lessons from the deal with Hezbollah, and suggested Security Minister Ehud Barak to impose strict confidentiality on the negotiations with Hamas, as a result of the wide impact of the media and my family of captured Israelis to make the deal with Hezbollah. According to the Arab initiative, the 48 received by Minister Yishai, as revealed by an Israeli official, including the release of Hamas MPs who have been arrested by the occupying forces after the families of the captive Israeli in June June 2006, children and women for the Israeli prisoner transfer to Cairo, stay in the custody of Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman, giving Area to visit his family. According to the Arab initiative, the 48 received by Minister Yishai, as revealed by an Israeli official, including the release of Hamas MPs who have been arrested by the occupying forces after the families of captured Israeli in June June 2006, children and women for the Israeli prisoner transfer to Cairo, stay in the custody of Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman with Allow his family to visit him.
That is the translation from Google translate gave. Its a little rough and alot of it doesnt make sense. All I know is that if I search Jimmy Carter in Arabic on Google I get alot of news results on this story. Try it yourself CLICK HERE
UPDATE This article is a bit more clear. READ HERE
As part of a month-long aircraft makeover, a painted American flag was removed from the tail of Sen. Barack Obama's official campaign airplane and was replaced with the presidential candidate's trademark "O" symbol.
The refurbished 757 was unveiled to members of the news media today, 41 of whom boarded the craft and took off to meet Obama in Amman, Jordan, where the presidential candidate will stop as part of a Middle Eastern and European tour.
Obama traveled to the Mideast earlier this week on board a separate airplane.
Fox News blogger Bonny Kapp, traveling on Obama's new airplane, reported:
"The North American jet that flew Obama and his traveling crew around for much of the primary season was refurbished with new seats and power for each passenger a must on the campaign trail. And the plane that once had an American flag on its tail now sports the Obama 'O.'"
E.D.: So the question Jamie's report raises is should we be concerned? Could a group really recruit a terrorist on our own turf? Joining me is now is counterterrorism analyst Steve Emerson, author of the book American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us. That is one of the greatest books to get a great perspective on summary issues we're facing. Steve, thanks for being back with me again.
STEVE EMERSON: Sure.
E.D. The Muslim organization says this is an ad being put out there, because people don't understand what true Islam is all about, and that now we are misunderstanding what their objective is. Do you think that's accurate?
EMERSON: No, I think that's absolutely false. The organization that publishing it is WhyIslam?, a subsidiary of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA). Their main goal is to convert, recruit to convert as well as have people carry out missionary work for Islam. It's not to clear up misconceptions at all. It's only designed to basically convert. The problem is that the organization itself, Islamic Circle of North America, has hosted many conferences of which we have tapes an documents from that have called for violence, that have supported suicide bombings, that have disrespected the United States, Even Sirraj Wahhaj has come out on tapes we have heard saying the United States is garbage, and the United States doesn't have any respect and he would like Islam to reign supreme throughout the U.S.
E.D.: Let's show our audience a couple of things. First, First, a statement from the Islamic Circle of North America says anyone who looks at the ad objectively can see that it is not preaching anything. There is a lot of Islamaphobia out there. We provide people with a chance to speak with an actual Muslim who is informed. Now, you also talk about this Imam who is involved in it and this is a quote from one of his sermons and it is kind of eye-opening. Let's put this up. This is from Sirraj Wahhaj's sermon. He says "in his time, the so-called democracy will crumble, and there will be nothing, and the only thing that will remain will be Islam." Are they trying to pull the wool over our eyes? Not, Muslims in general in America, but these organizations?
EMERSON: Yes, these organizations offshoots for the Muslim brotherhood. Its main mission is to spread Islam and make sure it is dominant in the world and convert as many people as possible. Ultimately, some of those people who converted do carry out acts of violence or extremism. There is no doubt about it.
E.D.: Can they really recruit an American hero on our turf, do you think?
EMERSON: They have done that already. The fact is that Sirraj Wahhaj, himself, a convert. He was recruited and then became an appendage to that list of coconspirators. It's clear that he himself demonstrates that people who get recruited to these groups can be parts of conspiracies. Now, the bottom line here is that the mother group itself is a radical group and the notion that Islamophobia is the only reason they are disseminating this propaganda is really a smoke screen. It is designed to recruit, expand their ranks and spread their Islamist interpretation of Islam, which is quite radical.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A Republican state senator from South Carolina is being criticized for a post on his blog that shows photos of Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden wearing similar clothing, along with a line that states the difference between the two is "a little B.S." Advertisement
The image was posted on Sen. Kevin Bryant's blog on Friday without an explanation from the politician. It appears to be a photo of a T-shirt, with images of bin Laden and Obama wearing turbans and the words "OBAMA" AND "OSAMA," with the "B" and "S" each highlighted in red.
Bryant did not return messages left seeking comment Monday.
The chairwoman of the state Democratic Party called the posting a desperate attempt by Bryant to get attention for his re-election bid.
I just found this great blog today written by a former student of UC Irvine. He does a great job of tracking the Islamist at the school. Visit the blog at http://www.reutrcohen.blogspot.com/
“If you look at the seriousness of the climate crisis, you see how it ties to the economic crisis and the national security threat that we face,” he said. “200 billion dollars are being sent overseas just from oil.”
“The idea that we can drill our way out of this is just so absurd,” he said, comparing the push for offshore oil drilling — which has gained popularity and put environmentalists on the defense — to dealing with a hangover by having another drink.
“The defenders of the status quo are the ones who have dug us into this hole,” he said, commenting that Americans have been “so often fooled into finding a remedy for a problem" that has nothing to do with the problem at hand — pointing to the invasion of Iraq when America was attacked by terrorists in Afghanistan as an example.
Media bias at its best. Pat Dollard has video on this. Heres what Drudge has on it:
NYT REJECTS MCCAIN'S EDITORIAL; SHOULD 'MIRROR' OBAMA Mon Jul 21 2008 12:00:25 ET
An editorial written by Republican presidential hopeful McCain has been rejected by the NEW YORK TIMES -- less than a week after the paper published an essay written by Obama, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
The paper's decision to refuse McCain's direct rebuttal to Obama's 'My Plan for Iraq' has ignited explosive charges of media bias in top Republican circles.
'It would be terrific to have an article from Senator McCain that mirrors Senator Obama's piece,' NYT Op-Ed editor David Shipley explained in an email late Friday to McCain's staff. 'I'm not going to be able to accept this piece as currently written.'
MORE
In McCain's submission to the TIMES, he writes of Obama: 'I am dismayed that he never talks about winning the war—only of ending it... if we don't win the war, our enemies will. A triumph for the terrorists would be a disaster for us. That is something I will not allow to happen as president.'
NYT's Shipley advised McCain to try again: 'I'd be pleased, though, to look at another draft.'
[Shipley served in the Clinton Administration from 1995 until 1997 as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Presidential Speechwriter.]
MORE
A top McCain source claims the paper simply does not agree with the senator's Iraq policy, and wants him to change it, not "re-work the draft."
McCain writes in the rejected essay: 'Progress has been due primarily to an increase in the number of troops and a change in their strategy. I was an early advocate of the surge at a time when it had few supporters in Washington. Senator Barack Obama was an equally vocal opponent. 'I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there,' he said on January 10, 2007. 'In fact, I think it will do the reverse.'
MORE
Shipley, who is on vacation this week, explained his decision not to run the editorial.
'The Obama piece worked for me because it offered new information (it appeared before his speech); while Senator Obama discussed Senator McCain, he also went into detail about his own plans.'
Shipley continues: 'It would be terrific to have an article from Senator McCain that mirrors Senator Obama's piece. To that end, the article would have to articulate, in concrete terms, how Senator McCain defines victory in Iraq.'
Developing...
And here is the complete article that Mccain wrote
In January 2007, when General David Petraeus took command in Iraq, he called the situation “hard” but not “hopeless.” Today, 18 months later, violence has fallen by up to 80% to the lowest levels in four years, and Sunni and Shiite terrorists are reeling from a string of defeats. The situation now is full of hope, but considerable hard work remains to consolidate our fragile gains.
Progress has been due primarily to an increase in the number of troops and a change in their strategy. I was an early advocate of the surge at a time when it had few supporters in Washington. Senator Barack Obama was an equally vocal opponent. "I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there,” he said on January 10, 2007. “In fact, I think it will do the reverse."
Now Senator Obama has been forced to acknowledge that “our troops have performed brilliantly in lowering the level of violence.” But he still denies that any political progress has resulted.
Perhaps he is unaware that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has recently certified that, as one news article put it, “Iraq has met all but three of 18 original benchmarks set by Congress last year to measure security, political and economic progress.” Even more heartening has been progress that’s not measured by the benchmarks. More than 90,000 Iraqis, many of them Sunnis who once fought against the government, have signed up as Sons of Iraq to fight against the terrorists. Nor do they measure Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s new-found willingness to crack down on Shiite extremists in Basra and Sadr City—actions that have done much to dispel suspicions of sectarianism.
The success of the surge has not changed Senator Obama’s determination to pull out all of our combat troops. All that has changed is his rationale. In a New York Times op-ed and a speech this week, he offered his “plan for Iraq” in advance of his first “fact finding” trip to that country in more than three years. It consisted of the same old proposal to pull all of our troops out within 16 months. In 2007 he wanted to withdraw because he thought the war was lost. If we had taken his advice, it would have been. Now he wants to withdraw because he thinks Iraqis no longer need our assistance.
To make this point, he mangles the evidence. He makes it sound as if Prime Minister Maliki has endorsed the Obama timetable, when all he has said is that he would like a plan for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops at some unspecified point in the future.
Senator Obama is also misleading on the Iraqi military's readiness. The Iraqi Army will be equipped and trained by the middle of next year, but this does not, as Senator Obama suggests, mean that they will then be ready to secure their country without a good deal of help. The Iraqi Air Force, for one, still lags behind, and no modern army can operate without air cover. The Iraqis are also still learning how to conduct planning, logistics, command and control, communications, and other complicated functions needed to support frontline troops.
No one favors a permanent U.S. presence, as Senator Obama charges. A partial withdrawal has already occurred with the departure of five “surge” brigades, and more withdrawals can take place as the security situation improves. As we draw down in Iraq, we can beef up our presence on other battlefields, such as Afghanistan, without fear of leaving a failed state behind. I have said that I expect to welcome home most of our troops from Iraq by the end of my first term in office, in 2013.
But I have also said that any draw-downs must be based on a realistic assessment of conditions on the ground, not on an artificial timetable crafted for domestic political reasons. This is the crux of my disagreement with Senator Obama.
Senator Obama has said that he would consult our commanders on the ground and Iraqi leaders, but he did no such thing before releasing his “plan for Iraq.” Perhaps that’s because he doesn’t want to hear what they have to say. During the course of eight visits to Iraq, I have heard many times from our troops what Major General Jeffrey Hammond, commander of coalition forces in Baghdad, recently said: that leaving based on a timetable would be “very dangerous.”
The danger is that extremists supported by Al Qaeda and Iran could stage a comeback, as they have in the past when we’ve had too few troops in Iraq. Senator Obama seems to have learned nothing from recent history. I find it ironic that he is emulating the worst mistake of the Bush administration by waving the “Mission Accomplished” banner prematurely.
I am also dismayed that he never talks about winning the war—only of ending it. But if we don’t win the war, our enemies will. A triumph for the terrorists would be a disaster for us. That is something I will not allow to happen as president. Instead I will continue implementing a proven counterinsurgency strategy not only in Iraq but also in Afghanistan with the goal of creating stable, secure, self-sustaining democratic allies.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A member of a radical Islamic group accused of plotting to bomb Israeli and US military facilities in California was on Monday jailed for 12 years and seven months, justice officials said.
Gregory Patterson, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to wage war on the United States and possession of a firearm for his role in the plot, which involved three co-conspirators who have also been caught.
Last month another plotter, Levar Washington, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty. Another member of the group, Kevin James, faces sentencing in early 2009, while a fourth man -- Hammad Samana -- was declared unfit to stand trial and is in psychiatric care.
According to prosecutors, the men were part of Jam'iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh (JIS), which was founded by James in 1997 while he was in prison.
Justice officials said although there was no evidence of links to Al-Qaeda or other foreign Islamic groups, the accused men had adopted their cause.
Prosecutors said James enlisted Washington while in prison in late 2004. Washington then recruited Patterson and Samana upon his release.
While Washington carried out a string of armed robberies on gas stations to raise funds for the group, Samana began choosing targets including Los Angeles International Airport, the Israeli Consulate and army recruitment centers.
An Islamic group plans to blitz 1,000 subway cars with advertisements this September in a campaign being promoted by a Brooklyn imam whom federal officials have linked to a plot to blow up city landmarks.
The group says its mission is to explain the true nature of Islam to non-Muslims who believe the religion is bent on acts of violence - but Siraj Wahhaj, the inflammatory imam who appears in a promotional YouTube video for the project, has defended convicted bomb-plotters and called the FBI and CIA the “real terrorists.”
US Attorney Mary Jo White even named Wahhaj one of 170 unindicted co-conspirators in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the thwarted plan to blow up a slew of buildings.
“In time, this so-called democracy will crumble, and there will be nothing, and the only thing that will remain will be Islam,” Wahhaj said in one of his sermons.
The stark, black-and-white ads of the Subway Project promote Islam with the goals of clearing up long-held misconceptions about the faith and reaching out to those interested in becoming Muslim, according to the Islamic Circle of North America, the group behind the campaign.
Timed to run during the month of Ramadan, the ads come in pairs, reading “Q: Prophet Muhammad?” or “Q: Islam?” and the corresponding answer is always “A: You deserve to know.”
Those interested in knowing more are directed to call (877) WHY-ISLAM or to visit whyislam.org, which provide literature that teaches and proselytizes about the faith.
The group insists it is not looking to transform subway cars into the “G-had train.”
Politico's Carrie Budoff Brown, accompanying Obama on his trip to the Middle East and Europe, emails:
Reporters traveling overseas with Sen. Barack Obama were thrown a bit of curve last week when the campaign emailed a “dress code” for Israel and Jordan. Aides had passed along as a courtesy the list that they had distributed to their staff to follow.
But some of the tips raised a few eyebrows, particularly among the female reporters.
“Do not wear green.” (Explained later as the color of Hamas)
“Do not wear nail polish.”
“Women should only wear a limited amount of jewelry.”
“Shoulders and arms must be fully covered (no strapless tops, no tank tops, no short sleeve shirts.)"
“Closed-toe shoes, women should also wear stockings.”
At historical and religious sites, a suit or slacks should be worn, shoulders and arms must be covered (“no strapless tops, no tanks tops no short sleeve shirts”), shoes might need to be removed, and women may be asked to cover their heads and “should be prepared with a scarf/pashmina,” the email stated.
As the traveling press prepared to depart tonight from Chicago for Jordan, there was a dash to cover toes and arms – or at least be prepared upon arrival in the Middle Eastern country tomorrow. Still spotted on the bus en route to the airport: plenty of jewelry, tank tops, and nail polish.
Yesterday I posted a speech by a Muslim from Atlanta who says Islam is superior to democracy. You can view it here. He has now visited my blog and left a comment here. He even left us a link to his blog which is at http://alxs.hadithuna.com/. Here is what he said in his comment:
"Actually, I don't qualify to be called a radicalist. I'm not a good enough Muslim for that compliment, but thank you the same. (Radical meaning from the root, of course.) See, you may think I hate you and want to kill you, but I don't yet. I'd rather see you guided to Islam than destroyed, but guidance is Allah's to give or withhold in our faith. Anyway, as for moving to the Middle East, I would agree except for one thing... they don't have shariah there, either. That's the problem! That's why I was addressing this to Muslims. As for democracy, I'd say it's an attempt to secure the justice of the Shariah without the Islam and self-discipline of it. Many democrats mean well, but they don't know that Shariah is what modern democracy is attempting to be, minus the religion.
So he says he doesn't want to kill me yet??? What exactly do you mean by this AIX? So you will only want to kill me if I totally reject Islam and Shariah law? Well AIX I reject Islam because I am a Christian and I reject Shariah in the United States and I wish it was not in any country in the world. Also you say that no country in the Middle East Has Shariah? Not even Saudi Arabia? I love America AIX and the Constitution of this wonderful land. It gives freedom to everyone and equality of rights.. Under Shariah Muslims dominate over the Christians... Women must cover there faces and heads when they go in public... Women can not go out into public without a male escort etc.... Why would anyone want those kind of restrictions on freedom?
Hmmmm. imagine that. Its about time we deal with Iran!
BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. military in Iraq says it has arrested a suspected propaganda expert linked to a militant group that receives training from Iran.
The military says it believes the man is a member of the Hezbollah Brigades, an Iraqi group it describes as "an offshoot of Iranian-trained special groups." That's how the U.S. refers to Shiite fighters defying a cease-fire order from radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
A military statement says the man uploads to the Web images and video of attacks on Iraqi and U.S.-led forces. The information is allegedly used to raise money and other kinds of support from Iranian backers.
A measure that aims to keep prostitutes from facing criminal charges has qualified for the November ballot in San Francisco.
The measure, which qualified Friday, would bar authorities from spending money to investigate or prosecute prostitutes for engaging in prostitution.
A San Francisco first-time offender program that allows men to avoid charges for soliciting a prostitute if they attend a class and pay a fine would also end under the measure.
The Erotic Service Providers Union recently announced it had gathered the 12,000 signatures necessary to put the measure on the ballot after failing to get a similar initiative before voters in 2006.
Mayor Gavin Newsom said the measure would hurt the city's ability to investigate and prosecute sex-trafficking crimes.
JERUSALEM – Members of the most active West Bank terror organization are set to serve in security forces being deployed to protect Sen. Barack Obama during his trip to the West Bank tomorrow, WND has learned.
Obama is due to visit Israeli officials in Jerusalem and leaders of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank city of Ramallah as part of a wider Middle Eastern and European tour that includes Jordan, France and Germany.
According to security officials coordinating deployments of forces with the PA for Obama's Ramallah visit, members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's declared military wing, have been called upon by the PA to participate in the protection of Obama, particularly in securing the perimeter during a scheduled meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Brigades is listed as a terror organization by the U.S. State Department. The group took credit along with the Islamic Jihad terror organization for every suicide bombing in Israel between 2005 and 2006 and is responsible for thousands of shootings and rocket firings. Statistically, the Al Aqsa Brigades perpetuated more terrorism from the West Bank than Hamas, according to the Israeli Defense Forces.
Brigades leaders, speaking to WND on condition of anonymity, confirmed they will participate in protecting Obama as official members of the PA's security forces.
Coptic Organizations in America along with activists from Egypt, the Middle East, Europe and the United states, will conduct a peaceful demonstration in front of the White House on Wednesday July 16, 2008, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.
The purpose is to convey, to world's opinion and international human rights organizations, the systematic and continuous persecution, murders, discrimination, marginalization, and the organized (by the security police, and muslim organizations) kidnapping of Coptic girls inflicted on Coptic Christians of Egypt by the Egyptian government and Muslim “extremists,” which in many cases represent the whole "moderate" population of a village or a town, following recent killings and attacks on Christian homes, businesses and institutions.
We will expose the persecution of the Coptic Christians of Egypt, including unprovoked attacks against Coptic families, churches, monasteries, homes and businesses. During the past few weeks, news agencies worldwide reported attacks against the Copts in towns and cities of Zaitoun, Alexandria, Abu Fana, Dafash, El Menia, Luxor, and Fayoum. The situation became so bad to the extent that attempts were made to force Coptic monks to denounce their faith under torture and death threats.
Here are some great pics from this event.. Thanks to Bullneck for these.
Literature being handed out by the protesters to people passing along Penn. Ave., NW.
There have previously been some interesting blog posts at Obamas site as you can see here now this:
They fear peace By Kate Smythe-Blake - Jul 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content
The kike filth are trying to steal this election from us. But this is our time. The kike live in fear of peace. They fear happiness. The thought of people living happily in peace without killing each other frightens the horde of kike that runs our government. But when pieces of kike use their kike manipulation tactics to stop Barack, it is time to strike back. There is nothing a kike army can do when faced with progressive people who are determined to achieve peace. We will achieve lasting peace.
Conservative Christian leader James Dobson has softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite serious misgivings.
"I never thought I would hear myself saying this," Dobson said in a radio broadcast to air Monday. "... While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might."
Dobson and other evangelical leaders unimpressed by McCain increasingly are taking a lesser-of-two-evils approach to the 2008 race. Dobson and his guest, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, spend most of the pretaped Focus on the Family radio program criticizing Democratic candidate Barack Obama, getting to McCain at the very end.
In an advance copy provided to The Associated Press, Dobson said that while neither candidate is consistent with his views, McCain's positions are closer by a wide margin.
"There's nothing dishonorable in a person rethinking his or her positions, especially in a constantly changing political context," Dobson said in a statement to the AP. "Barack Obama contradicts and threatens everything I believe about the institution of the family and what is best for the nation. His radical positions on life, marriage and national security force me to reevaluate the candidacy of our only other choice, John McCain."
Earlier, Dobson had said he could not in good conscience vote for McCain, citing the candidate's support for embryonic stem cell research and opposition to a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, as well as concerns about McCain's temper and foul language.
Dobson said on the radio program he must consider McCain's record against abortion rights and support for smaller government, and added McCain "seems to understand the Muslim threat." He also indicated McCain's choice of a running mate will be a factor.
Of his new position, Dobson said in the statement to the AP, "If that is a flip-flop, then so be it."
Both the Obama and McCain campaigns declined comment Sunday.
Dobson is considered a powerful voice in conservative evangelical Christianity; his radio broadcast reaches 1.5 million U.S. listeners daily. Critics argue his influence is waning, pointing to a younger generation of leaders pushing to broaden the movement's agenda.
Last month, Dobson accused Obama, in a 2006 speech on faith and politics, of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.
Obama replied that Dobson was "making stuff up" and portrayed his speech as an attempt by people of faith, like himself, to "try to translate some of our concerns in a universal language so that we can have an open and vigorous debate rather than having religion divide us."
In case you dont know Pam she runs Atlas Shrugs a wonderful blog. I found this over at Revolution Muslim: The title of the post is "One of the brothers ABUSES Pamela Geller LOL, (She Really Did Look Old & Awful)" A video is posted in which they yell obscene things at her while she is in the Israel day parade and at the beginning of the video they even make her look like a witch... You can view the video here.
He says he is from Atlanta Georgia. He goes by the screen name AI X. In this video he talks about the evils democracy and how Islam is superior to it. I say if he feels that way move to the Middle East. I found this at Revolution Muslim posted by user Lion Bite:
Haven't done this segment in a while.. But I just found another terrorist website hosted in the US. This time it is http://hcjl.org/ It appears to be a website for jihadist in Iraq. You can view the Google translated verison of the site HERE. A WHOIS query shows the site is hosted in Texas by ThePlanet.com. You can contact them to let them know they are hosting a terrorist website at abuse@theplanet.com or call them at 1-281-714-3560
This has been the headline on Drudge since Saturday.. German newspaper has an article that appears to show Al-Maliki endorsing Obamas plan for Iraq. Heres what German paper Spiegel said:
SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?
Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we’re concerned. U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.
The problem with this article is that the quote was changed after it was published. Hot Air points out what the article said originally.
SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?
Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we’re concerned. US presidential candidate Barack Obama is right when he talks about 16 months. Assuming that positive developments continue, this is about the same time period that corresponds to our wishes.
