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Selected News For Week Apr 1 - 7

This thread is for our readers to post news items that might not have gotten enough attention during the week. Articles that fit under the topic of a recent thread should be posted there.

Please don’t post pieces from popular sites like the Drudge Report. Also, avoid material from blogs and editorials unless they are truly newsworthy in their own right.

In order to make the articles as readable as possible, try to stick to the format described in the first of these weekly threads here.

As always, remember to excerpt heavily and to provide a link to the original source.

Related Articles:

This article was posted by Steve Gilbert on Sunday, April 1st, 2007 at 12:01 am. Comments are currently closed.

86 Responses to “Selected News For Week Apr 1 - 7”

wardmama4
April 1st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Odie 44 - this one’s for you - talk about lies, how about adding - and the liars who tell them.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....htm?csp=34

Army cites officers, but find no criminality in Tillman death

Nine high-ranking Army officers misled Pentagon investigators about the facts surrounding the death of NFL star and Ranger Pat Tillman, but there was no broad coverup, a military investigator said Monday.

**************************
Here’s Odie’s first article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....endly_fire
************************
Read both articles very closely - the Commander who was cited in CPL Pat Tillman’s death - is the same one now ‘claiming’ to have tried to tell Bush about it! Great msm source to be trashing President Bush (but of course, Bush never listens to anyone, ever). And once again the media is trying a Vietnam playbook redo - Peg Mullen (our beloved Cindy Sheehan of today) was a Vietnam mom who ran around the country wanting to ‘know why her son was killed’ - even after it was determined to be ‘friendly fire’ [now where are we hearing the term this WAR?] she ‘claimed’ that the reporter was part of the whole deal. And yet the msm in America (and liberals, anti-war mongers and most dems) keep doing it all over and over again.

Isn’t that a sign of mental illness?
mathews
April 1st, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Video: Failed “Insurgent” attack
http://www.globaldefensegroup......;Itemid=85

Very good site!
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 5:56 pm
“…[now where are we hearing the term this WAR?]”

WM4…..not sure but were you asking me a question? If you are, I didn’t get it….LOL.
1sttofight
April 1st, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Read the article, spot the typical lib mistake.

http://www.freerepublic.com/fo.....page=20#20
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Ok 1st……real baseball has started so my head is a little distracted watching 40 year old Tom Glavine dazzel the Cards. Tell me what I’m missing there.
1sttofight
April 1st, 2007 at 9:42 pm
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO - KIMBERLY SHRUM grips a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver and aims at a target 25 yards away.

Bang.

A hot shell casing hits the floor, joining hundreds of others littering the concrete at Jackson Arms Indoor Shooting Range in South San Francisco.

Shrum centers herself and aims again.

Bang.

I have never saw a revolver eject a casing when it was fired.
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Oh…ok I saw that and thought it was just someone trying to be funny. The whole thread was kind of hard to follow. The other part of that same statement is the 25 yards. That’s a far piece to put a round on a target with a revolver, especially a .357.

When you said liberal mistake I thought you were talking about some bleeding heart anti-everything speech….lol.
1sttofight
April 1st, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Yeah, I am sure it was actually 25 feet.

Why do these people try to write about something they know absolutely nothing about?
Odie44
April 1st, 2007 at 10:17 pm
WI - Go Mets!!!, lol.
DEZ
April 1st, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Good find 1st.
Funny as hell, A revolver that ejects shell casings.
I have a model 686 Smith combat special with a 6 inch barrel and fully adjustable sights.
And 25 yards is no easy task, Let alone for a newbie.
Yes its a .357
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Odie44….

My brain gets all squishy on opening day….baseball…..and all in the world is right again, for at least 9 innings.
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Hey Dez….a .357 in my hands at 25 yards=lots of holes in the ceiling at about 27 yards.
DEZ
April 1st, 2007 at 10:42 pm
W.I.
I really doubt that you are a that bad a shot,
But then again you don’t have the latest and greatest shell ejecting revolver with ion powered
recoil reduction like the lady in the story.
Nice job with the troll bye the way.
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 10:55 pm
No Dez….I really am that bad with handguns. I was barely able to stay qualified with them in all my Navy years.
1sttofight
April 1st, 2007 at 11:04 pm
WI,
I know what your problem with pistols is.
You never learned to sling the bullets out of the barrel like our hero’s of yesteryear, Gene and Roy did.
And I bet your guns didn’t have unlimited ammo either.
DEZ
April 1st, 2007 at 11:05 pm
W.I. I salute your honesty,
But if you were able to stay qualified, The roof is safe enough.
I still hunt from time to time with a handgun, Mostly with my Contender.
But sleeping in any more is more fun than getting out of bed.
Yes I am getting lazy about spending time in the woods, Work and other hobbies keep me
busy enough.
DEZ
April 1st, 2007 at 11:11 pm
LMAO 1st.
They did have the tendency to shake the bullets out of the gun in the movies.
Hell in the movie Shane, At the end of the film the hero shot the floor and the guy fell off the railing 12 feet up, So its not aiming the gun, ya just gotta be real fast. Use the gun like a salt shaker and the
bad guys will fall.
Oh and the harder ya pull the trigger the farther the bullet goes, I swear !
Would the movies lie?
DW
April 1st, 2007 at 11:16 pm
OK, gotta weigh in here.
25 yards isn’t all that difficult (I once won a case of beer shooting balloons at 50 yds).
What’s difficult, is shooting at those knock-down steel targets at 7 yards.
Especially if the first one you hit doesn’t fall down, but instead sends the 148 grain wadcutter screaming back on a reciprocal course and hits you squarely between the eyes with a solid thwock ! (this actually happened to me, and no , I could never duplicate that shot in a million years -nor, would I want to) causing you to drop your gun and fall to the ground stunned.
Just try to hit the next steel plate after realizing that they shoot back very accurately.
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 11:22 pm
“25 yards isn’t all that difficult (I once won a case of beer shooting balloons at 50 yds).”

Easy for you to say DW. I was so bad with a .38 or .45 that even when I was the big dog senior guy taking my seabees to the range for quals, they were taking bets as to whether it would be the year the MCPO wouldn’t qual. Now that’s really bad when you have a rep like that with your own people….LOL. Now with an M16 or a .50 cal I was fine, actually above average. Just couldn’t fire a freaking sidearm and hit anything. All my guys loved it though because the low qualifier always had to buy the beer!
DW
April 1st, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Never fired an M-16 (or a C-7 as they’re known here) though I was fairly good with an FN.
I gather you’ve fired at something at some point that was firing back. That’s the marksmanship that matters.
After I picked myself up off the ground that day, I had 5 rounds left in the gun and two reloads. Think I could put another round on target?
Final score:
Steel target -1
DW -0
There’s a lot to be said for being in the artillery…
DEZ
April 1st, 2007 at 11:36 pm
DeeDubya, Your right, Its not all that hard to hit a target at 25 yards, I will drill a few at that range.
With my scoped Contender I will drill holes easy at 100 yards.
Then again I have been trying to teach my neighbor for 10 years to hit a target with a 22 rifle to hit a target at a range of 30 yards, He is a lost cause, The last time I tried I simply told him to just toss the gun at the squirrel or pray that the crack of the rifle would cause the animal to go into cardiac arrest.
DEZ
April 1st, 2007 at 11:37 pm
So Ann Coulter aint the only thing that knocks DW down.
Warmonger Infidel
April 1st, 2007 at 11:59 pm
So did I ever tell you about the time I took out a very large rattle snake with my .38 snake loads? The rattler and I met at a distance of about 5 feet, the snake load shredded his head and neck area. Of course he was coiled up next to a very large granite rock. I was in shorts and hiking boots. You get the idea.
DW
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 am
Hey DEZ, it takes real talent to shoot yourself in the forehead from 14 yards !

WI, I used to use shot loads (22LR pistol) on rats in the barn -I feel your pain.
What I can’t shoot -for the life of me- is a submachinegun. We used to have a Canuck version of the British Sterling. Short, controlled bursts. Ya right. They may look salty as hell, but I was better off to throw rocks (or paving tiles).
Good thing they came with a bayonet mounting…
Odie44
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 am
Ok, not to boast here - but you vets and poor shooting skills is starting to scare me, lol.

For some odd reason, even with 20/100 vision - I have always been a damn good shot with a rifle and a pistol of all different calibers.

As a wee toddler, I first fired a snub-nose .44 at my uncles cabin and from there, learned to shoot a rifle well. Thank the Boy Scouts - because my .22 rifle at 75 yards was deadly. And WI - I understand the snake story. Part of my early ritual was to open my uncles cabin - in the Catskills - with a 2 hour “snake hunt” using a .44 with snake shot..

Thankfully, I was also good at geometry….lol.
Lurkin_no_mo
April 2nd, 2007 at 4:23 am
Love the guns stories!
As and enlisted soldier and later an officer, I always qualified expert with the old .45 fixed sight colt.
I never could see or find the 300 mtr targets with the M16, so always shot sharpshooter.
Once, for an exhibition, I had to pull the .45 and shoot rapid fire from the hip. I could tell the rounds were hitting the concrete floor but couldn’t adjust correctly. Pulled the target in and each round had hit dead center in the chest of the silhouette target, having richocheted off the floor. Just dumb luck.
A police officer I knew went into a bar after closing time when the alarm went off carrying his shotgun. Bad dude was hiding behind the bar with a pistol. As my freind entered the guy popped up, had my bud dead to rights. He brought up his shotgun and reflexively pulled the trigger…pellets hit the floor and caught the dude in the chest and face, killing him. Luck does sometimes happen.
sheehanjihad
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:07 am
Does anyone remember the M-14? sniff….the good old gub mint .45 was and still is to me the best knock down piston in existence. but, that’s because I am old and decrepit. Shooting one is a learned art….but once you understand the eccentricities of it, it is fairly accurate. Does wonders on mice too. Off to work! FN DW? the FAL? damn, that was/is one fine weapon.
artboyusa
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:35 am
My fave gun of all time was just a beat up Mauser 98. Loved shooting that old gun. My nephew (14 years) is a crack shot, even with his granddad’s AK 47, which ain’t exactly the world’s most accurate weapon. I was pretty good at his age too but nowadays I think I’ve done good if I can manage to hit the sky.
BillK
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 am
Uh oh; an international law expert has outsmarted himself.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

A Blair spokesman told reporters before the first appearance that broadcasting images of the captives would violate the Third Geneva Convention, which holds that “prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.”

But “from a laws-of-armed-conflict point of view, the Geneva Conventions do not apply,” said David Crane, an international law expert at Syracuse University College of Law.

“There is no state of armed conflict between Iran and the U.K., hence no violation of the Geneva Conventions (is committed by) broadcasting of the images,” Crane said in an e-mail.

So isn’t this a tacit admission that nothing we do at Gitmo could ever be considered a violation of the Geneva Conventions?

Note the article also says:

“Getting a reputation as a scofflaw has negative consequences for you. Iran is already paying that price — the fact that they are refusing to cooperate with the (International Atomic Energy Agency) is driving the Russians nuts, and they are much more isolated as a consequence,” Weiner said. “It clearly weakens Iran’s standing internationally.”

The British seem to understand that power, Crane said, and he applauded their involvement of the available international bodies. He suggested Blair will keep the Americans — close allies, but with their own controversial history on detainee treatment — at a polite arm’s length.

Bottom line though, is that there is no state of armed conflict between the US and any nation, so this expert in international law then tacitly admits it would be impossible for the US to violate the Geneve Conventions as well; something tells me he’ll be taken to the Democrat wood shed and will soon “correct” his statement…
BillK
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:10 am
After earlier refusing to apologize, the head of the Colorado House Education Committee finally stepped down on Friday for his comments:

Rep. Mike Merrifield stepped down as head of the House Education Committee on Friday after apologizing to the legislature for writing in an e-mail: “There must be a special place in hell” for charter school supporters.

The Colorado Springs Democrat’s comments angered charter school advocates in both parties. They called it a “Mel Gibson moment,” referring the Hollywood star’s anti-Semitic outburst during a DUI arrest last year.

“Despite the private nature of the e-mail, I deeply regret my strong language and disrespectful tone,” said Merrifield, who noted the e-mail he sent in December to his Senate counterpart was from his private account.

[ ... ]

Merrifield’s action came after the political Web site facethestate.com posted his e-mail to Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, touching off a firestorm at the Capitol.

“There must be a special place in hell for these Privatizers, Charterizers and Voucherziers. They deserve it!” he wrote.

Merrifield made his comments during an exchange in which he and Windels, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, discussed whether to push for a full repeal of the State Charter School Institute.

Merrifield said Friday that he has never made a secret of his stance against charter schools, which he contends are stripping resources from public schools.
crosspatch
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2007
John Travolta’s House

House Democrat John Murtha, with backing from former Tennessee Senator Al Gore, has proposed that NASA send a probe to the Sun to check to see if it is the cause of Global Warming. The first step is to redeploy the Kwajalein launch facility to Okinawa. Then they are to use that as the launch point for their new project called the HOAX project (Heliocentric Orbiter And eXperiment project). Earth has a fever, says Gore so Murtha is to propose legislation to fund a project to take the temperature of the Sun and see if it also has a fever. The HOAX craft will carry Temperature Probe B to compare changes in the solar temperature with changes on Earth where Temperature Probe A will be located.

In order to keep costs down, Murtha is proposing the spacecraft be built without the shielding normally needed for a mission to the Sun. He describes NASA’s conventional planning as “stupid” and “dumb”. Instead, he says, they will send the probe at night when the Sun is dark and temperatures much cooler. Murtha admitted that there could be significant fallout both political and financial should this HOAX ever see the light of day.

NASA officials were unavailable for comment.
DW
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pm
La belle province showing even more spine:

Fron CTV News:
Quebec firm on hijab ban for prison guards

A Quebec woman who was forced to choose between her hijab and her career is considering taking her case to the Human Rights Commission.

Sondos Abdelatif, 19, was given the ultimatum to withdraw from a training session at Montreal’s Bordeaux Detention Centre or remove her headscarf.

Quebec’s Public Safety Department is standing behind its decision to ban the hijab. The ministry, which is in charge of Corrections Services, said a headscarf could act as a strangulation device should hostile prisoners attack a guard while on patrol…

Full story:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/Arti.....mp;no_ads=
*******************

Quebec has been showing a lot of balls lately concerning the Muslims. This is encouraging, yet both annoying and perplexing given their left-wing stance on most matters. Bear in mind that this is the same province that twice refused to send their sons to fight in “those English wars” -both of which (WWI & WWII) were being fought to liberate France.
Odd, but I like it !
1sttofight
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Hello DW, Where have you been hiding out?

I read that earlier today . Good for them, It is her choice, either follow the rules or look for a job somewhere else. Not real complicated.
DW
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
It is her choice, either follow the rules or look for a job somewhere else. Not real complicated.
Bear in mind, we have a Mountie running around wearng a turban with his uniform. That story is 20 years old. And any Canuck who doesn’t like that is a racist -so I’m told. So much for our heritage.
We’re on our way to a race war. It doesn’t have to be that way, but liberal Quislings are going to ensure that it happens.
1sttofight
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:47 pm
When the hell did it become a crime to offend someone?
crosspatch
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
It is one thing to do something to intentionally offend someone. It is something quite different to avoid doing anything that someone might possibly find offense with. You are then pandering to their own issues. We need to stop walking on their eggshells.
BillK
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Harry Reid, unhappy at being out of the spotlight, has opened his yap again:

Reid May Move to Cut Iraq War Funds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday he wants to cut off money for the Iraq war next year, making clear for the first time that Democrats are willing to pull out all the stops to end U.S. involvement.

Reid’s new strategy faces an uphill battle because many of his colleagues see yanking funds as a dangerous last resort. The proposal increases the stakes on the debate and marks a new era for the Democratic leadership once reluctant to talk about Congress’ power of the purse.

“In the face of the administration’s stubborn unwillingness to change course, the Senate has no choice but to force a change of course,” said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who signed on Monday as a co-sponsor of Reid’s proposal with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

The move is likely to intensify the Democrats’ rift with the administration, which already contends Democrats are putting troops at risk by setting deadlines.

“It’s time the self-appointed strategists on Capitol Hill understood a very simple concept: You cannot win a war if you tell the enemy you’re going to quit,” Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday at a fundraising luncheon for Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.

To quote the President, “Bring it on.” I for one relish the opportunity to get the Democrats (and “Republicans” like Hagel - really, between Hagel and Nelson, I can’t believe most Nebraskans aren’t incredibly embarassed) on record as the surrender-fetishists they are by voting to actually remove funding from troops in the field.
BillK
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:50 pm
How many ways can you say “they just don’t get it”?

Unionizing to save the Santa Barbara News-Press

Santa Barbara — AT THE Santa Barbara News-Press, where the newsroom has unraveled under attack from a wealthy owner, a law like the proposed Employee Free Choice Act could have made all the difference.

Reporters, copy editors and photographers voted 33 to 6 in September to join the Graphic Communications Conference, a union that is an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. But six months later, contract negotiations have yet to begin. Wendy P. McCaw, the News-Press’ owner and co-publisher, filed a challenge to the union vote with the National Labor Relations Board and then fired eight reporters — all union activists, including me, a senior writer with 21 years at the paper.

The conflict began last summer when six top editors, a columnist and a reporter resigned to protest McCaw’s interference in news coverage. A raft of other journalists, most of them union supporters, have quit since then. Now, because of the union-related firings, those left in the newsroom won’t join our protests for fear of losing their jobs.

Only liberals could see imposition of a union as a way to “save” a business… but it’s not surprising considering who the former owner of the paper was:

So the union won. But what does winning mean if many of your supporters quit before negotiations even start? Or if you still don’t have your job back after months and months? In all, 40 people have left the newsroom since early July. The News-Press has only three news reporters today, down from 15 in June.

I was escorted out of the building in late October, a month after the union vote. I had been hired in 1985 by the New York Times Co., the previous News-Press owner. My colleague John Zant, a senior sportswriter, was fired two months ago by McCaw after 38 years at the paper.
Warmonger Infidel
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:53 pm
kucharsk….I’m to the point that I hope Reid, Pelosi and the rest of the surrenderist keep it up because it will cost them with the electorat. If, and that’s still a big if, the new surge works, they are going to look like fools. It will really make them look foolish if we would not only have this surge going but turn our troops loose to start doing what needs to be done to win and end this war.
sheehanjihad
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Flaaaarida wins!
crosspatch
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:10 am
I find it interesting that the news media is reporting “twice as many US troops died as Iraqi” in March. What they don’t tell you is that the daily death rate for MNF-I troops was less in March than in January or February. Also, for March, there were 82 MNF-I deaths (81 US and 1 UK). There were 215 deaths reported in the media of Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army. Compared to the 91 deaths reported in January for IP/IA, I can see that the Iraqis are getting much more aggressive in confronting the enemy. So compared to January, MNF-I casualties are down slightly and Iraqi security forces casualties are up more than 100%. The media is simply digging for a bad statistic and happened to find one.
wardmama4
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 am
WI - the question was in the story - the only two reasons that CPL Pat Tillman’s death continues to be brought up again and again is to beat the ‘friendly fire’ drum until the ’stupid masses’ get the point that evil, American troops kill their own because of their ‘incomptenence, lack of training, gung ho kill ‘em all attitude - whatever. And the fact that the exact same Gen who was reprimanded for this incident is the one now trying to bash President Bush should be seen for the crappola it is. I read an op-ed when CPL Tillman was killed that made the point - is any one live more important than any other. That is why keeping score, highlighting the 100th, 1000th whatever is so very Wrong. To family and friends, each and every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine is important and too me (an avid football fan) even being an NFL player does not make CPL Pat Tillman more important than any other. Seems it is a bit ‘convienent’ that he was killed by ‘friendly fire’ to me.

Everything associated with OIF (as far as Dems, libs, and the anti-war mongers) is everything Vietnam again. That is disgusting, stupid, immature and dangerous. It must be exposed every time it occurs and we must try and stop it. This is not Vietnam and the results will be so dangerous and destructive to the entire World, if we let them keep going down this road of repetition. And that is why I put the other article up - to expose the Vietnam playbook redo of the CPL Pat Tillman ‘friendly fire’ death.
BillK
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:08 am
WI - that’s why Reid wants to cut off funding. The surge can’t be allowed to work; we need to cut off troop funding now before anything good happens.
crosspatch
April 3rd, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Here’s something I saw over at the Rasmussen site that I don’t think many are going to see in the paper or elsewhere on the web:

“Another significant note is that 31.3% of Americans now refuse to identify with either major party. That’s a seven percentage point increase since Election 2004 and the highest total of unaffiliateds ever measured.”

The “base” of both parties is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
BillK
April 4th, 2007 at 4:38 am
Bad news; the liberal loon “videographer” in jail for refusing to turn his raw video over to a Grand Jury investigating the brutal beating of San Francisco police officers at a peace rally has been released:

DUBLIN, Calif. - A freelance videographer walked out of federal prison Tuesday after spending more time behind bars than any other journalist for refusing to testify to a grand jury.

Joshua Wolf, 24, in a deal with prosecutors, posted online the unaired videotape that he had refused to give federal authorities, defense lawyer David Greene said. U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who had jailed Wolf for 226 days, had approved his release earlier in the day.

“Joshua Wolf has complied with the grand jury subpoena,” prosecutor Jeffrey Finigan said in court papers filed Tuesday.

Of course, proving he still cares not one whit for the law:

“I will not under any circumstances testify before a grand jury,” Wolf said as he left the prison. An unshaven Wolf, wearing a white T-shirt and sweat shorts, said he was looking forward to “pizza and a beer.”

The moonbat press of course backs him up wholeheartedly:

The National Writer’s Union, which represents freelance writers, said in a statement that Wolf should never have been jailed.

“The abuses visited on Josh and other journalists are part of an effort by governments at all levels to control the volume, flow and content of the information that reaches the public,” the union said.

So wanting a guy with a video camera to release footage to a grand jury that may prove how Police officers were beaten at an event for “peace” is now an attempt by government to control the flow and content of information.

Funny, it seems just the opposite was true in this case, as Mr. Wolf was the one refusing to release the information.

But they’ll never admit that…
BillK
April 4th, 2007 at 4:46 am
The AP reacts with horror that the US might be looking for al Qaeda agents in Ethiopia’s jails:

NAIROBI, Kenya - CIA and FBI agents hunting for al-Qaida militants in the Horn of Africa have been interrogating terrorism suspects from 19 countries held at secret prisons in Ethiopia, which is notorious for torture and abuse, according to an investigation by The Associated Press.

Human rights groups, lawyers and several Western diplomats assert hundreds of prisoners, who include women and children, have been transferred secretly and illegally in recent months from Kenya and Somalia to Ethiopia, where they are kept without charge or access to lawyers and families.

The detainees include at least one U.S. citizen, and some are from Canada, Sweden and France, according to a list compiled by a Kenyan Muslim rights group and flight manifests obtained by AP.

The meat of the “investigation” which the AP is breathlessly hyping:

But some U.S. allies have expressed consternation at the transfers to the prisons. One Western diplomat in Nairobi, who agreed to speak to AP only if not quoted to avoid angering U.S. officials, said he sees the United States as playing a guiding role in the operation.

John Sifton, a Human Rights Watch expert on counter-terrorism, went further. He said in an e-mail that the United States has acted as “ringleader” in what he labeled a “decentralized, outsourced Guantanamo.”

Details of the arrests, transfers and interrogations slowly emerged as AP and human rights groups investigated the disappearances, diplomats tracked their missing citizens and the first detainees to be released told their stories.

So not only is it the US’ fault that Ethiopia has “secret prisons,” but now we’re guiding their operation as well.

It’s amazing how powerful we are and what secrets we can keep when we can’t even keep secret the details of what our intelligence agencies do.

IMHO, if it means any al Qaeda operative is in a prison, it’s a good thing no matter who is responsible. Perhaps the Iranians should take over responsibility for the prisons, as then there are no conceivable circumstances under which there would be any human rights violations…
BillK
April 4th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Crap. How are Pelosi, Boxer and the NOW gang going to play this one?

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Recognized as Top Company for Executive Women

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has been named one of the “2007 Top 35 Companies for Executive Women” by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). NAFE selected the company for its programs and initiatives designed to support female participation and leadership in the workplace.

NAFE selected the companies based upon their innovative programs that foster women’s advancement to influential positions. They also examined the number of women within each company overall, in senior management and on the Board of Directors.

Only those companies with two or more women serving on the Board were considered for this honor; Wal-Mart currently has three females serving on its 14-member Board of Directors, accounting for 21 percent of the board.

Wal-Mart and other companies honored this year demonstrated significant representation of women in executive positions. Additionally, the honored companies emphasize compensation equality, manager accountability for the advancement of women and successful training programs.

“At Wal-Mart, we invest in all of our associates. We are dedicated to enabling women to succeed in and outside the workplace. Whether it’s offering industry-leading career training programs and creating opportunities for advancement or providing a network of support, we are committed to the women within our company,” said Charlyn Jarrells Porter, senior vice president and chief diversity officer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We are honored to be recognized by NAFE for our continued efforts to support and promote women in all facets of our organization.”
englishqueen01
April 4th, 2007 at 9:49 am
The people of Wisconsin FINALLY did something right:

Ziegler wins court seat

Washington County Circuit Judge Annette Ziegler won a seat Tuesday on the state Supreme Court by a wide margin, besting Madison attorney Linda Clifford in the most expensive high-court race in state history.

With 98% of precincts reporting, Ziegler had 58% of the vote to Clifford’s 42%, according to unofficial vote tallies.

Ziegler will replace retiring Justice Jon P. Wilcox on Aug. 1.

She carried forward her momentum from the Feb. 20 primary, when she captured twice as many votes as Clifford.

…

“Today, I think the voters made clear that they reject negative campaigns and that those don’t work and that instead they want someone who’s a judge and who’s practiced criminal law,” said Ziegler, 43, a former assistant U.S. attorney.

Ziegler campaigned as someone who would practice judicial restraint, and she highlighted that in her comments to a crowd of more than 100 people at the Old Courthouse Museum in West Bend.

“I will work very hard to be a judge, not a legislator,” she said.

Clifford, 58, told supporters at a Madison tavern that she was disappointed not to have been elected to a position for which she was qualified but said she would continue to focus on issues such as judicial independence.

She decried the escalating cost of judicial elections, estimating later she was outspent 3 to 1 by Ziegler and groups backing her.

“I’m especially, though, disappointed in the fact that judicial elections in our state are now so overwhelmed by money that it appears that the candidate with unlimited funds is surely going to be the victor,” she said.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=586679

Given the liberal tendencies of our Governor, the recent passage of the same-sex marriage ban amendment, and a previous ruling on the constitutionality of school choice (allowing students - especially minorities - to get out of the hell hole that is Milwaukee Public Schools), this is a VERY GOOD thing.

Clifford said in so many words that she would overturn the same-sex marriage ban amendment vote (which past with a whopping majority), and she would have the court (via the teacher unions) “re-open” school choice on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment (taxpayer dollars going to private, religious schools that educate children rather than the violent cesspool of MPS).

That Ziegler won is a great thing for Wisconsin. We have elected a judge, not an activist. Perhaps there’s hope for this state after all.
crosspatch
April 4th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
One of the problems of giving advanced technology to our allies is that it increases the chances that the technology will “leak”.

Japan probes possible leak of Aegis info

TOKYO, April 4 (UPI) — Japanese civilian and military authorities are investigating a possible leak of information to China on the U.S Aegis air defense system.

The target of the investigation is an officer of Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force married to a Chinese woman suspected of spying.
Old Grouch
April 4th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
CP, it wouldn’t be fair for us to have something the other side doesn’t. Just because the Aegis is the best thing ever added to the Fleet doesn’t mean we should keep it secret. I’m sure Peloony would agree. And to a much earlier thread: If I hold the gun with both hands, I have no trouble shooting 6 inch groups at 100 yards with my .44 (.44 spl). Forget one handed. Nothing is safe. The most sought after guns in Iraq: the venerable .45 of old and the M-14. Two of the best ever made.
navycopjoe
April 4th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Deported immigrants’ kids face dilemma
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....I7veJvzwcF

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Twelve-year-old Adrian Ramirez huddled with his two sisters on a bench and tried to find the words to describe his feelings about their mother’s pending deportation to Mexico.

“I want my family to be together,” he said, wiping away tears as Yadira, 10, and Adriana, 6, stared at their shoes. “I want them to stop these laws. I don’t know what life would be like in Mexico. My home is in Palo Alto.”

Adrian’s lament is becoming increasingly familiar as immigration officials step up efforts to seize illegal immigrants. Many of the 18,000 men and women deported under Operation Return to Sender since June were raising families — including children born in the United States

One funny part-Operation Return to Sender
One wtf part-”Is it really a choice? Staying in foster care, or leaving with their parents?” asked Samina F. Sundas, the founder of American Muslim Voice, which is trying to help the Ramirez family
American Muslim Voice-wth is this?
1sttofight
April 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
“God calls on us to protect the weak, especially children,” Wilson said in a statement. “Instead we are ripping apart the fabric of the community and leaving children behind.”

Real simple, take your damn kids with you, Duh.
crosspatch
April 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
When Chinese illegals here in California have kids, they are often shipped back to China for raising and then come back as full US citizens where they can get good jobs in industry. One article I read over a year ago said China even had special schools for these kids where they learn english and are given training in scientific and engineering fields and are then sent to the US to work in high technology positions.
BillK
April 4th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
You’ve just got to shake your head…

Court to rule if chimp has human rights

He recognises himself in the mirror, plays hide-and-seek and breaks into fits of giggles when tickled. He is also our closest evolutionary cousin.

A group of world leading primatologists argue that this is proof enough that Hiasl, a 26-year-old chimpanzee, deserves to be treated like a human. In a test case in Austria, campaigners are seeking to ditch the ’species barrier’ and have taken Hiasl’s case to court. If Hiasl is granted human status - and the rights that go with it - it will signal a victory for other primate species and unleash a wave of similar cases.
1sttofight
April 4th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
BREAKING NEWS:

A small tornado ripped through my community last night . Where is FEMA? Where is Bush? Where is my check?
This racist tornado targeted a white community.

http://whnt.com/Global/story.asp?S=6324207
mathews
April 4th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
GWOT is over, where do I surrender?

No more GWOT, House committee decrees

http://www.militarytimes.com/n.....s_070403w/

Do I just go to my local mosque? Or have the Islamo-fascist DNC’er announced the locations of the islamic sharia “re-education” camps?
sheehanjihad
April 4th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
“Court to rule if chimp has human rights”…… The courts today, in a five to six decision, ruled that Harry Reid is indeed entitled to the same rights as a human. Chimps everywhere are outraged, and promised a “sit in” at all municipal zoos throughout the world as soon as their lead chimp…cindy “the snag” sheehan announces the timetable. Other mammals recalled their respective examples of their species from many exhibits and in a flurry of activity that has so far remained unexplained, all of the fish at the Monterey Aquarium were seen swimming upside down in a “circle of solidarity” for all primates, non humans, animals, democrats, reptiles, amoebas, and liberals, and vowed to continue to do so until the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute ceases their harassment of Arctic wildlife by pointing at them during bleak cold times, and giggling, making the wildlife feel “uncomfortable”…and “excluded”. All of the scientists involved are being shipped to London for sensitivity training.
1sttofight
April 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Another round of GUESS THE PARTY AFFILIATION.

According to published reports as much as $2,500 in deposits was discovered missing when accounts were recently balanced. It was also reported that an agreement was in place for an employee to pay back the money.

http://www.thedailysentinel.co.....ee646f74c2
BillK
April 4th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
GWOT is over? DId anyone mention this to bin Laden?

I’ll also have to be sure to let my friends fighting the GWOT know it’s over; someone hasn’t told them yet, either.
sheehanjihad
April 4th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
In another attempt to eliminate anything that could lend credence to the Republican cause, the democrats are scratching the GWOT term from government language. They say it isnt relevant, and it is too difficult to keep repeating as they slice and cut the money from the military budget….by the way, they really said it is too repetitive to keep writing it in legislation. So, eliminate the term, and thus, eliminate the threat from people’s minds. They are slowly bringing us under the tent…..and they have been promised total power if the succeed….but the price will be the population of the country….to rule is what they are seeking…not to lead. The Brits have been released to give the impression that pelosi had some behind the scenes stuff to do with it. Part of the choreography the democrats and the europeans are dancing to….the steps carefully laid out by Islamic fundamentalists. Get ready, we have less than two years left.
wardmama4
April 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
‘“There was no political intent in doing this’
and
’said Republicans “were not consulted” about the change.’

What about those two statements do not make anyone believe that this was not political in nature?

Don’t worry - as pointed out recently (talk radio I think) not even their vaulted raising of the minimum wage has been signed into law or effective yet - and that was the only ‘legislation’ that got passed without a down and dirty scuffle. I don’t see any of their ‘bills’ getting anywhere at all. Nor are their ‘investigations’. It is all just a sham to keep their talking points in front of the ’stupid masses’ every day. I think I’d slit my wrists if I only had the alphabet networks to depend on for ‘news.’

That just might be the only highlight of this whole wasted session of Congress - proving once and for all that the garbage the Dems put forth can’t even get passed and they are thus even more do nothing than the last Congress.
navycopjoe
April 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Does that mean that my sis, bro-in-law, and I have to give out GWOT medals back?
Or do they get swapped out it Murtha medals?
Just sad.
groovygrl
April 4th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
The American Taliban’s parents want him to be released…

http://www.latimes.com/news/na.....storylevel

John Walker Lindh’s parents step up pressure for son’s release
By Richard A. Serrano, Times Staff Writer
12:20 PM PDT, April 4, 2007

The parents of John Walker Lindh, serving a 20-year sentence in the country’s toughest federal prison, stepped up their request for his release today by noting that the first U.S. war-crimes tribunal in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, recently resulted in a punishment of just nine months.

“John has been in prison for more than five years,” said his mother, Marilyn Walker. “It’s time for him to come home.”
…

Let me guess how this guy got his value system all screwed up to begin with…picture this…3 year old Johnny Lind is coloring on the walls with crayons. Mommy Marilyn says “No, Johnny, no…Time out for you…ohhhh, pooor baby, mommy didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s ok, here’s your crayons.”

How about Mike Spann’s parents? Does their son get to come home now? After all it’s been five years. It’s time. Right?
sheehanjihad
April 4th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Damn groovygrl….I really really wish that Lindh’s parents read this site. And the rest of the parakeet bungholes that think johnny boy was noble in his cause against America. Spann’s parents should be at every parole hearing….and reiterate what johnny was fighting for, and who he was fighting with, and who he was SHOOTING AT!
1sttofight
April 4th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
If any of yall are looking for a good cause to donate too, These people are doing the Lords work.

http://honorflight.net/index.html

Honor Flight headed home
The Honor Flight tour of Washington, D.C., and its war memorials is complete and the 14 veterans are getting ready to board a plane for Huntsville.

The group is expected to arrive at Huntsville International Airport at 7 p.m. and the public is encouraged to meet them and welcome them home as they arrive.

The World War II veterans, who were treated to the trip to the nation’s capitol by Honor Flight Tennessee Valley, arrived in Washington this morning to a crowd of passengers who waved flags and welcomed them to the capitol.

The group then visited the World War II Memorial, the White House, the Korean War Memorial and the Marines Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima memorial.

Local businesses and individuals have donated more than $65,000 toward the Honor Flight project. The next flight is scheduled for September.

–Patricia C. McCarter

http://www.al.com/huntsvilleti.....tml#247230
BillK
April 5th, 2007 at 2:56 am
navycopjoe, they’ll have to give back their GWOT medals for “Bush Lied, People Died” certificates of shame…
wardmama4
April 5th, 2007 at 9:07 am
So now (Lindh’s parents) in leftist land - it is not the CRIME, but it is how other people so labeled are sentenced, that determines a sentence? So now it will have to be ‘usual sentencing guidelines for named suspect’? Once again, make the CRIMINAL more important than the CRIME, SOCIETY and of course, the VICTIM. And they continue to whine in their ‘news’ papers why crime is so rampant in America, blaming poverty and blindly believing that if taxes are raised and the violent, hatefilled ignorant of America are just given a gob of money (without earning it) they will go quietly into peace, dignity and good citizenship?!? What a crock.

God I hate the leftist, social whinners in the World. This guy killed someone - end of story and they should be down on their knees Thanking God that he hasn’t already been strung up for that. Which in my mind he deserves.
Old Grouch
April 5th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Illegal aliens have more rights than citizens, criminals have more rights than victims, you go to jail if you lie to Congress, Congress gets a pay raise when they lie to the people. Maybe we’ve all died and gone to Hell.
1sttofight
April 5th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Veterans receive heroes’ welcome
Ex-Marine sums up feelings of 14 on trip: ‘the best day of my life’

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvi.....amp;coll=1
groovygrl
April 5th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Thanks, 1st, for making me cry at work.
1sttofight
April 5th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Thanks GG,
I am trying to get my uncle on the next flight.
He was an Army Medic in the Pacific and still refuses to talk about what he did.
Voice of Reason
April 5th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
http://thehill.com/leading-the.....04-05.html

Kerry, Gingrich announce climate showdown
By Jeremy Jacobs
April 05, 2007
Former House Speaker and possible presidential candidate Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and 2004 Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) are set to square off on climate change next week, their staffs announced Thursday.
The debate, hosted by New York University’s John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress, will take place next Tuesday, April 10, at 10 a.m. in the Russell Senate Office Building.

I pray it will be on CSPAN so I can TiVo.

This beating could send Lurch straight to Paris and a big bottle of bordeaux.
VoR
pigpaws
April 5th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
“Court to rule if chimp has human rights”…… …

You just know the dems have to be behind this. If dead folks can do it, and felons can do it, chimps would be a more legitimate voting block.
1sttofight
April 5th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Jesse and Rev Al have whole new group to scam.
Odie44
April 5th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Voice of Reason -

Thanks for the heads up, I too hope it is televised. I actually hope it promotes a logical, scientific and reasonable debate on the issue - and not hysterical guesses vs pointing out hysterical guesses.

If Kerry were smart (I loosely use that term) - he would abandon references to Gores movie and wildly over exaggerated “facts” as science.

I think Newt will give us what we expect - a sane and honest approach. And Newt, being the brilliant guy he is - has already begun to lay the groudwork at a reasonable solution, for both sides, sans the ultra enviro nutjobs posing as scientists and “experts”. He is one upping the dialogue before he “officially” enters the race, if he chooses to enter at all.

The sad part of this issue, like most hijacked liberal issues - is the common Joe really doesn’t have a clue what is going on , nor do they see a blatant “reason” for enviro’s to make their “case”.

I have a good friend who leans left. Well, is really leaning left on this issue. I have lost some respect for his brain, namely due to a comment he made last week while BBQing. He stated “global warming is making the fire ant issue more severe and it will spread throughout the country.” I asked where he got that - and pointed me to a “report” that had more “could be, may, should, perhaps…” statements, in that illogical 12 degrees of seperation - as a fact. I researched the issue myself and came to the conclusion - fire ants have spread in the US due to agricultural reasons, namely sod, plants, etc being grown in the Southeast - shipped across the country. Mobile Alabama was the first to report fire ants - due to S American agricultural shipments. The spread can only go so far - for areas (NE, NW, MIdwest, etc) have frost - which disallows the fire ant to survive. Using his “science” I realized these frost areas would have to both increase their avg winter months temp by over 30 degrees, which even the most ardetn man made global warming folks dont come close to in 1000 year “models and predictions”. I shared this info with him - to which he scoffed at it and flat out said “thats not what it is - its global warming”

When you start losing repsect for good friends due to their convictions of dummy science - I fear the direction we are all headed in. I dont have to agree 100% with friends on issues - but it highlights the easy and convenient “reasons” for people to be “educated” on issues, while ignoring 5th grade science.
BillK
April 6th, 2007 at 2:09 am
No big surprise:

Disney to Allow Same-Sex Couples to Have Fairy Tale Weddings

LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. has changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to participate in a popular Fairy Tale Wedding program it runs mainly at its two U.S. resorts and cruise line, a Disney spokesman said on Thursday.

Disney previously allowed gay couples to organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts, but had barred them from purchasing its Fairy Tale Wedding package and holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World set aside specifically for weddings.

“We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies,” Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said. “This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests.”

[ ... ]

Disney has come under fire from religious conservatives, including the Southern Baptist Convention, who have accused the company of promoting a gay agenda.

The groups, which lifted an eight-year boycott of Disney in 2005, had criticized the company for such corporate policies as giving health benefits to same-sex partners of employees, allowing “Gay Day” celebrations at its theme parks and airing a prime-time television show on its ABC network featuring openly gay comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

“We are not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests. We are in the hospitality business and our parks and resorts are open to everyone,” Walker said.

I think it’s time that families started having second thoughts about the type of experiences they may inadvertently be exposing their children to when they visit Disney parks.
BillK
April 6th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Hmmm, they didn’t feel this way when Clinton was in office and there was a Republican majority…

Reid says Bush must learn to compromise

RENO — President Bush would be to blame, not the Democrat-controlled Congress, if he vetoes a supplemental spending bill for U.S. troops because he has rejected repeated invitations to discuss a compromise, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday.

“I’m a legislator. I know how to compromise. He doesn’t. That’s what he’s got to learn,” Reid, D-Nev., said.

“Compromise is not a bad word. I think it’s been real hard for him to understand he can’t do what he did before we had a new Congress in town.

“He’s going to have to learn to deal with it.”

Because we, not the President are in charge.

My favorite quote, revealing the left’s stubborn head in the sand “let’s say it enough and people will believe us” view of “truth”:

“Before we invaded, there was not a single terrorist in Iraq. I recognize Saddam Hussein was an evil man and I’m glad he’s gone. But invading Iraq did not help the situation. It made it worse.”

I don’t think even the rabid anti-Bush folks in the State Department would agree with that one…
crosspatch
April 6th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Apparently President Bush had totally screwed up our economy and now we suffer from runway employment.
Old Grouch
April 6th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
It doesn’t matter what Newt says in the debate, Kerry will lie and claim victory. Anything else would be out of character. The UN report says that anything that happens is the fault of GW. (The Rats say GWB’s fault). Cute dodge. If nothing happens, they’ll certainly blame that on CO2. Might as well, hard to sue God.
1sttofight
April 6th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Oooo Ahhhh.

http://hotair.com/archives/200.....g-in-iraq/
BigOil
April 7th, 2007 at 9:53 am
From the AP:

Police Find 80 Immigrants in Phoenix Home; 2 Suspected Smugglers Arrested

Illegal Immigrants? How did this slip past the editors at the AP? These people are clearly Undocumented Workers.
BigOil
April 7th, 2007 at 9:57 am
From the AP:

Police Find 80 Immigrants in Phoenix Home; 2 Suspected Smugglers Arrested

PHOENIX — Authorities found at least 80 suspected illegal immigrants in a house west of Phoenix and arrested two suspected smugglers, a police official said.

Authorities shot tear gas into the house, forcing one of the suspected smugglers out. They found the other suspect hiding in the attic, said Peoria police spokesman Mike Tellef.

He said authorities became aware of the drop house after a Michigan resident called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying one of their relatives had called because the smugglers were demanding more money.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,264764,00.html

Illegal Immigrants? How did this slip past the editors at the AP? These people are clearly Undocumented Workers.
crosspatch
April 7th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
“Overall, do you approve, disapprove or have mixed feelings about the way the Democrats in Congress are handling the situation in Iraq?”

4/2-4/07
40% - Approve
57% - Disapprove
2% - Mixed

Priceless
1sttofight
April 7th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Apparently the WILL OF THE PEOPLE do not agree with the moonbat democrats.
wardmama4
April 7th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Crosspatch & 1sttofight - Congress has had a LOWER approval rating than President Bush for a long time (I want to say either late 2004 or mid 2005) and one story I read last week (I think) said it is down to 22%. Of course our vaulted, supurb investigative media is right on top of that story and giving all of America the facts.

I saw a poll (not in the traitor military times ‘news’papers) at a conservative (but predominantly military site) that had support of President Bush/OIF at 90%. And this was in 2006.

Can we question their bias now?
crosspatch
April 8th, 2007 at 12:02 am
If you want to see some dismal approval numbers for a wartime President, Harry S. Truman would be the place to look. The parallels with Bush are many. He barely won election. He engaged in an unpopular war in Korea. Many retired military spoke out against him. He instituted sweeping changes in government that had congress up in arms and had the papers complaining he was creating a police state (created CIA, NSA and other agencies, for example).

But Truman’s numbers were worse than Bush’s, particularly in his own party.

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