Posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
US arms falling into hands of Taliban
Are Democrats Planning an Attack on Military Retiree Health Benefits?
Thomas D. Segel
The military retirees who suffer multiple ailments and who served their nation faithfully are among our most vulnerable senior citizens. Will they be thrown under the bus next? ....
FDR Got Us Out of the Depression? Hardly.
Tom McLaughlin
Though it’s a necessary evil, there’s nothing government does better than the private sector. Unfortunately, many Americans – including President Obama – haven’t gotten the memo. ....
'Killing both people and car companies' 'If you've got a technology that consumers want, you don't need a law that mandates it'
Click on the title above to hear the audio.
State budget plan in tatters after voter rebuke
GPS system could fail next year, report warns
....The failure would impact not only military operations, but also the millions of people and businesses who rely on the satellite-based navigation systems built into cars, boats and cell phones. ....
Obama seizes control of GM; creates massive Soviet-era car company
Barack Obama, Dick Cheney plan dueling speeches
Read more: "Barack Obama, Dick Cheney plan dueling speeches - Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei - POLITICO.com" - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22748.html#ixzz0G47hyzaf&A
Iran tests missile with range that can hit Israel
'Patriot pastors' called to crush 'hate crimes' bill Ministers ordered to fight for freedom, against criminalization of Christianity
But this Memorial Day weekend he is calling ministers to fight for those freedoms – from their pulpits.....
In Critical NSA Case, Government Still Rests On State Secrets Claim
Stopping An Iranian Bomb
Click here to find out more! Server Virtualization: Top Five Security Concerns
From VM sprawl to compliance, here's a look at the top security issues worrying IT about virtualized servers. The bad news: Despite improved IT understanding regarding virtualization management, many of the security holes are still ones that companies create themselves.....
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sensitive data missing from National Archives
Monday, May 18, 2009
Ending the Pacific War: Harry Truman and the Decision To Drop the Bomb
(Compiler's note: A very interesting read - I recommend it to you. Click on the title above to get to the entire article.)
Source: A friend:
From: "Brig Gen R. Clements USAF ret"
The following article from FPRI provides much insight into just how complex ending the conflict in the Pacific was. It didn't end because we dropped two A-bombs or because the Russians marched through Manchuria and launched an amphibious invasion of the
This is the most complete, concise historical accounting I have seen on the subject.
Harold
Comment:
The Admiral and I have discussed this before. Truman never signed an order to drop the atomic bombs. The operational orders were put into play and signed by Gen Thomas C Handy.
While flying as pilot for BG Fred Irving, 8090th PACUSA Detach 20 AAF, I had an opportunity to talk with General Handy when he came up front and sat in the co pilots seat. We talked from Guam to
"H
"Roger 8546 you are number two following the C-54 on final"
"Roger, I have VIP on board"
Roger 8546 you are number two following the C-54 also with VIP. Follow the C-54 on landing and take next turnoff to the ramp behind the C-54. The C-54 taxied up to the ramp and unloaded a USO troop. I came up behind flying a red four star flag on the C-46F. They thought the general was on board the C-54. You have never seen such a switch of people in your life. I had 12 flag rank officers on board. General Handy and Admiral Pownall, thought it was funny.
bob
....Most Americans today are surprised to learn that in 1945 and for approximately two decades thereafter no significant controversy accompanied the use of atomic weapons to end the Pacific War. A broad national consensus formed around three basic premises: 1) the use of the weapons was justified; 2) the weapons ended the war; and 3) in at least a rough utilitarian sense, the use of the weapons was morally justified as saving more lives than they cost. ....
Obama’s Case Against Obama Why the president’s Notre Dame speech should hearten lifers . . . a little.
Rule No. 1: NO VOTING UNTIL YOU ARE A CITIZEN!
Setback for the legal jihad: Supreme Court says Muslims cannot sue Ashcroft and Mueller
Re-branding madness consumes D.C.
The Obama administration, through a string of delicate shifts in terminology, has softened -- or at least obfuscated -- the essence of the war against Islamic extremism ...
US scholars planning Islamic college
Advisers to the project have scheduled a June vote to decide whether the proposed Zaytuna College can open in the fall of next year, a major step toward developing the faith in America. ....
.... "Who will talk for the religion?" Shakir asked. "We have to train a generation."
Obama to unveil big increase in required mpg New rule will set 42 mpg for cars starting in 2016, sources say
New rules: Work 'til you die Social Security, Medicare facing insolvency
Brazil and China eye plan to axe dollar
Brazil and China will work towards using their own currencies in trade transactions rather than the US dollar, according to Brazil’s central bank and aides to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president.
The move follows recent Chinese challenges to the status of the dollar as the world’s leading international currency. ....
Gen. Jones and the Anonymous Long Knives
EDITORIAL: Intelligence under siege America's spy agencies are being undermined
Hoekstra requests more CIA briefing documents
Justice Dept. won't budge on wiretap document
Madoff Victims Investigated
Assaying the Terrorism Threat: The Next Five Years
by Harvey Kushner
Testimony given before the Future of Terrorism Task Force of the DHS, September 28, 2006 Washington, DC.
.... the radical Islamic threat in the twenty-first century will come from individuals and small groups residing inside this country. I document this infiltration in my latest book, Holy War on the Home Front: The Secret Islamic Terror Network in the United States .
These domestic terrorists will deviate from past terrorist practices. They will not duplicate the behavioral patterns our intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities have come to expect.
Past al Qaeda behavior indicates a desire to commit large scale attacks against the United States......... Traditional al Qaeda fighters stick to tactics and targets that have served them well. They appear unwilling to try something new or copy techniques of other Islamic terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. It is by design that they leave it to others to experiment with new methods of attack, especially disenfranchised minorities inside American prisons. It is a matter of record that al Qaeda sympathizers in our prisons seek out men like "Dirty Bomber" Jose Padilla to convert to radical Islam. .... Inmate recruitment isn't just a problem in America. It is an international network of subversion, conversion, and recruitment,
.... The other significant recruiter for radical Islam is the media, especially the Internet. ....The truth is that the ability of the media to utilize radio, television, and the Internet to reach every nook and cranny throughout the world with its terrorist images makes any trauma, everyone's trauma. Instantaneous, albeit repeated, media images can traumatize as effective as a natural disaster. .... Terrorism being communicated through our media, our media being used by terrorism in an ever-shrinking world, and the new protocols we will require to deal with the trauma witnessed by the new technology will be increasingly as important as having to deal with the terrorist event itself.
....Large scale attacks on high-profile targets such as the US Capital will be avoided in favor of softer targets such as schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. Why? These softer targets are more accessible and familiar to home-grown terrorists desirous of "stepping up to the plate" in the name of radical Islam. It is as simple as that. A change to softer targets by radical converts, who are part of the American fabric, should give us reason to pause.
.... Radical Islamic converts will also find support at institutions of higher education. My many decades as a professor and administrator have shown me that the climate at colleges and universities is nearly always hospitable to the harshest critics of the United States. Institutions of higher education have always occupied a hallowed place in this country. They promote the free exchange of ideas and are rarely subject to government scrutiny. It makes colleges and universities the perfect place for radical Islam to hide, indoctrinate, and welcome new members to the fold.
Thinking outside the box is especially necessary given that the next attack(s) on US soil might come from home-grown terrorists. The latter will shape the direction of the terrorist threat over the next five years.
Iran to mass produce long-range missiles
Teheran is believed to currently have an arsenal of 100-200 long-range Shihab missiles that have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and carry up to one-ton warheads. ....
Google joins Bilderberg cabal Rich, powerful meet secretly in Greece
Attendees of the Bilderberg conference are not allowed to speak a word of what is discussed in the meeting outside of the group. The group has no website and no minutes are kept of the meetings to ensure secrecy.
Last year, however, the Bilderberg Group made a press release available listing topics of discussion and providing a general overview of the gathering.....
Sunday, May 17, 2009
U.S. Has Plan to Secure Pakistan Nukes if Country Falls to Taliban
American intelligence sources say the military's chief terrorist-hunting squad has units operating in Afghanistan on Pakistan's western border and is working on a secondary mission to secure foreign nuclear arsenals if the Taliban or Al Qaeda overwhelm Pakistan.....
Pakistan Is Rapidly Adding Nuclear Arms, U.S. Says
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress have been told in confidential briefings that Pakistan is rapidly adding to its nuclear arsenal even while racked by insurgency, raising questions on Capitol Hill about whether billions of dollars in proposed military aid might be diverted to Pakistan’s nuclear program.
Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the assessment of the expanded arsenal in a one-word answer ....
Obama's Military Tribunals Another Friday, another bow to Bush's antiterror legacy.
(Compiler's note: There two related articles are an interesting read.)
· MAY 16, 2009
President Obama's endorsements of Bush-Cheney antiterror policies are by now routine: for example, opposing the r
White House officials insist that their tribunals will be kinder and gentler, stressing additional due-process safeguards for terrorists on trial for war crimes. But the debate that has convulsed the political system since 9/11 isn't about procedural nuances. It has been over core principles, with Democrats decrying a "shadow justice system" and claiming that "Our Constitution and our Uniform Code of Military Justice provide a framework for dealing with the terrorists."
The latter quote is from a speech by Senator Obama in 2007 denouncing "a legal framework that does not work." He also referred to the civilian criminal justice system and courts martial that Democrats then claimed, and many still claim, are the right venues for antiterror prosecutions. After the Supreme Court's Boumediene decision gave terrorists habeas rights, Mr. Obama again laid into the Bush Administration's "legal black hole" and "dangerously flawed legal approach," which "undermines the very values we are fighting to defend."
At least some people in the White House must now be embarrassed by their boss's switcheroo, though you can't t
Another red herring is supposedly tightening the admissibility of hearsay evidence. Tribunal judges already have discretion to limit such evidence, and the current rules are nearly indistinguishable from those of the International Criminal Court. The sensible exceptions involve evidence obtained under combat conditions or from foreign int
In any event, Mr. Obama deserves credit for accepting that the civilian courts are larg
· MAY 15, 2009
Democrats Discover Gitmo's Virtues
Move the detainees? Not to my backyard
· By KIMBERLEY
'We're not going to bring al Qaeda to Big Sky Country. No way, not on my watch," declared Montana Sen. Max Baucus. "I wouldn't want them and I wouldn't take them," insisted
All Democrats in favor of standing with your president to shout out the evils of
On day two of his presidency, Barack Obama issued an executive order to shut down, within one year, the Gitmo prison that still houses 241 detainees. Four months later, he may be about to be handed his first defeat of a major campaign promise, and by his own party. Faced with the actual politics of bringing terrorists to
President Bush never closed Gitmo because, put simply, the options were to transfer detainees to foreign countries or to transfer detainees here. Attorney General Eric Holder in April embarked on a "please take back your bad guys" road show through the very European countries that had sermonized about
That leaves the
Public outrage has already inspired officials in
Democrats don't dare. The House instead last week yanked from an appropriations bill the $81 million Mr. Obama wants as a down payment to begin the process of shuttering the prison. Worried that even this didn't provide enough cover, they also inserted language barring detainee transfers to the
Appropriations chief David Obey explained that the only reason Congress didn't provide the money is that it first wants to see the administration's "plan." In truth, Democrats don't want to touch this debate -- certainly not now, in the middle of the what-Nancy-knew-and-when discussion. So they're kicking the can back to Mr. Obama.
The Senate is also set to deal with an appropriations bill, and Democrats are growing very wary that Republicans will introduce some awkward amendments that will force them to actually vote to bring terrorists to the
This was not part of the Obama team's calculation. It figured it would get its bucks and make its calls. R
The administration might have the ability to shuffle some funds and do this unilaterally. But it is already four months into its one-year deadline, and transfers take time. The other option is for the administration to start triangulating, blaming Congress for not funding the program, and pushing back the deadline.
If so,
EMP Attack: Critical National Infrastructures
from the covertress blog
The electromagnetic pulse generated by a high altitude nuclear explosion is one of a small number of threats that can hold our society at risk of catastrophic consequences.
The increasingly pervasive use of electronics of all forms represents the greatest source of vulnerability to attack by EMP. Electronics are used to control, communicate, compute, store, manage, and implement nearly every aspect of United States civilian systems.
A Conceptual Illustration of the Interconnectedness of Elements Contained Within Each Critical Infrastructure. Some connections are not shown (diagram provided courtesy of Sandia National Laboratory).
The implicit invitation to take advantage of this vulnerability, when coupled with increasing proliferation of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, is a serious concern.
A single EMP attack may seriously degrade or shut down a large part of the electric power grid in the geographic area of EMP exposure effectively instantaneously. There is also a possibility of functional collapse of grids beyond the exposed area, as electrical effects propagate from one region to another.
The time required for full recovery of service would depend on both the disruption and damage to the electrical power infrastructure and to other national infrastructures. Larger affected areas and stronger EMP field strengths will prolong the time to recover.
Some critical electrical power infrastructure components are no longer manufactured in the United States, and their acquisition ordinarily requires up to a year of lead time in routine circumstances. Damage to or loss of these components could leave significant parts of the electrical infrastructure out of service for periods measured in months to a year or more.
Electrical power is necessary to support other critical infrastructures, including supply and distribution of water, food, fuel, communications, transport, financial transactions, emergency services, government services, and all other infrastructures supporting the national economy and welfare.
Should significant parts of the electrical power infrastructure be lost for any substantial period of time, the Commission believes that the consequences are likely to be catastrophic, and many people may ultimately die for lack of the basic elements necessary to sustain life in dense urban and suburban communities.
The recovery plans for the individual infrastructures currently in place essentially assume, at worst, limited upsets to the other infrastructures that are important to their operation. Such plans may be of little or no value in the wake of an EMP attack because of its long-duration effects on all infrastructures that rely on electricity or electronics.
Cold War-style deterrence through mutual assured destruction is not likely to be an effective threat against potential protagonists that are either failing states or trans-national groups.
[Recall the Taliban's latest threat? -- "Very soon we will take revenge from America ... in Washington, which will amaze the entire world." ]
Read the full report, including where the Commission loses touch with reality, as they discuss preparations to manage the effects after an EMP attack.
Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack: Critical National Infrastructures (pdf,7MB)
Daniel Hannan MEP: The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government
Midnight in the century in Pakistan
Read more: "Midnight in the century in Pakistan - Bernard-Henri Lévy - POLITICO.com" - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22602.html#ixzz0FonZoPL0&A ....
Columbo on Obama
from a friend
Excuse me Mr. Obama, I mean President Obama, Sir. Um . . I know you're busy, and important and stuff. I mean running the county is very important and -- ah -- I hate to bother you Sir. I will only take a minute. Ok Sir?
See, I have these missing pieces that are holding me up, and I was wondering Sir, if you could take time out of your busy schedule and help me out. You know, no big deal, just some loose ends and things.
Hey, you have a nice place here! The wife sees houses like this on TV all the time and says boy she wishes she had digs like this you know? Is that painting real? Really? Wow. I saw something like that in a museum once!
Oh, sorry Sir. I didn't mean to get off the track. So if you could just help me out a minute and give me some details, I will get right out of your way. I want to close this case and maybe take the wife to Coney Island or something. Ever been to Coney Island Sir? No? I didn't think so...
Well, listen, anyway, I can't seem to get some information I need to wrap this up. These things seem to either be "Not released" or "Not available." I'm sure it's just an oversight or glitch or something, so if you could you tell me where these things are -- I -- I have them written down here somewhere -- oh wait. Sorry about the smears. It was raining out. I'll just read it to you.
Could you please help me find these things Sir?
1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- "Not available"
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- Not available
8. Your Illinois State Senate records -- Not available
9. Law practice client list -- Not released
10. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate -- Not released
11. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
12. Record of your baptism -- Not available
Oh and one more thing Senator, I can't seem to find any articles you published as editor of the Harvard Law Review, or as a Professor at the University of Chicago. Can you explain that to me Sir?
Oh but, hey -- listen! I know you're busy! If this is too much for you right now -- I mean -- tell you what. I'll come back tomorrow. Give you some time to get these things together, You know? I mean, I know you are busy.
Ah . . Sorry to bother you Mr. Obama, Sir.
Huge New York rehearsal for next terror strike
As part of an elaborate dress rehearsal for a possible future terror strike, rescue workers exploded simulated bombs in a commuter train tunnel linking Manhattan to neighboring New Jersey, burrowed beneath the Hudson River. ....
Moment teenage soldier went into battle against Taliban... wearing 'I love New York' pink boxer shorts
Schwarzenegger recall petition approved by secretary of state
A campaign to rein in Congress, president Petition calls for Constitution, common sense to prevail
.... "There's only one thing that can stop this madness now," says WND Editor and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Farah. "That is massive – and I mean massive – public expressions of outrage and objection. Members of Congress and the president need to know they are not going to be returned to office in 2010 and 2012 if they continue to follow this failed path of socialism and generational theft. They need to know Americans won't stand for their country being stolen away from them. That's why I am launching this petition campaign." ....
Action line: Click here to SIGN THE PETITION TO DEMAND THAT CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT HALT OUT-OF-CONTROL SPENDING.
Media recognize Obama's failure to support dollar Report concludes: 'Demise may be only a matter of time'
The nation's media – finally – is recognizing and acknowledging what is happening to the U.S. dollar under the direction of President Barack Obama, Jerome Corsi's Red Alert reports.
In a clear sign the dollar collapse is so imminent that the mainstream media can no longer cover up the inept way the Obama administration has managed international economics, the New York Times finally published on Thursday an editorial declaring the end of the U.S. dollar is at hand. ....
Whaddya mean, 'America is not a Christian nation'? Congressmen challenge Obama assertion by drafting 'spiritual heritage' legislation
'Killer Chip' tracks humans, releases poison Saudi inventor applies for rights to GPS-linked lethal security device
You can run, but you cannot hide ... and if you try, one push of a button will cause a lethal poison to immediately begin flowing through your body.
.... The tiny semiconductor device is intended to be surgically implanted or injected into the body, according to the patent application, for the purpose of tracking visitors from other nations by global-positioning satellites and preventing them from overstaying their visas. ....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
6 insurers approved for TARP bailouts
LOS ANGELES | Six major insurers, including Hartford Financial, Prudential Financial and Allstate, received preliminary approval Thursday for billions of dollars in aid from a U.S. bailout fund, after a months-long quest by some in the sector for financial assistance. ....
China's yuan 'set to usurp US dollar' as world's reserve currency
The Chinese yuan is preparing to overtake the US dollar as the world's reserve currency, economist Nouriel Roubini has warned. .... Known as "Dr Doom" for his negative stance, Prof Roubini argues that China is better placed than the US to provide a reserve currency for the 21st century because it has a large current account surplus, focused government and few of the economic worries the US faces.....
U.S. attorney's office tells employees not to log on to Drudge Report
The U.S. attorney’s office in Massachusetts directed employees earlier this month not to log onto the Drudge Report website with government-issued computers due to potential viruses on the site.
Read more: "U.S. attorney's office tells employees not to log on to Drudge Report - Jonathan Martin - POLITICO.com" - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22574.html#ixzz0FijAUQda&A
Why Doth Treason Never Prosper?
from Jawa Report
In the case of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a leading supporter of the waterboarding Inquisition, it's because she's an idiot:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has backed down slightly in her fight with the CIA, saying that she really meant only to criticize the Bush administration rather than career officials.Really? Are you sure Nancy? Let's look at the transcript from your earlier"My criticism of the manner in which the Bush Administration did not appropriately inform Congress is separate from my respect for those in the intelligence community who work to keep our country safe," Pelosi said in a statement.
QUESTION: Madam Speaker, just to be clear, you're accusing the CIA of lying to you in September of 2002?Pelosi. Petard. No assembly required.PELOSI: Yes, misleading the Congress of the United States, misleading the Congress of the United States. I am.
'Extremists' offered identification card Identifies those who support 2nd Amendment, oppose abortion
With little fanfare and no effort for any significant level of publicity, a law firm specializing in defending the constitutional rights of American citizens has begun offering an identification card for "Right-Wing Extremists" – as labeled by the Department of Homeland Security.
And the phones have been ringing off the hook.
The card is from Liberty Counsel and states:
Official Liberty Counsel card-carrying Right-Wing Extremist. If confronted by an agent of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or any other law enforcement official who has read the DHS Intelligence Assessment dated April 7, 2009, on so-called Right-Wing Extremism call Liberty Council at 1-800-671-1776.
Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel, told WND it sends a message, "if the government considers me an extremist because I'm pro-life, pro-veteran, pro-family, pro-self defense and pro-limited government, then I'm proud to wear this as a badge of honor." ....
How to get eligibility ruling from Supremes Lawyer outlines strategy to prompt court decision
An Ohio State University associate professor who includes election law among his specialties says there is a logical legal strategy to convince the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the issue of Barack Obama's eligibility to be president.
Daniel Tokaji, in an interview with WND, confirmed the thesis of a "First Impressions" column he'd written for the Michigan Law Review that a lawsuit in a state court probably would have the best chance at success in obtaining a decision. ....
