Is Obama Denying Israel’s Request for Apache Helicopters?

Middle East • Views: 7,130

There are reports going around the blogosphere that the Obama administration has held up Israel’s request for Apache Longbow “attack” helicopters, but I have yet to find a reputable source that confirms the rumors. If true, this is disturbing, but I’m suspicious that this story is being exaggerated or distorted — if there’s anything to it at all.

Here’s a thread to discuss it, and if anyone can post a legitimate news or government source that confirms the story, I’ll update this article…

Jump to bottom

195 comments
1 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:48:12am

I’ll call the ZOG switchboard and see what’s happening.

/

2 debutaunt  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:49:16am

I thought that Indians were motorcycles.

3 BlueCanuck  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:49:53am

With the amount of ODS running around out there I am calling rumour until we actually get memos on this or credible witnesses.

4 Occasional Reader  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:50:09am

Apaches and F-16s!
(oh my!)
Apaches and F-16s!
(oh my!)
Apaches and F-16s!
(oh my!)

-The Wizard of Ahh, Those Poor Suffering Palis

5 solomonpanting  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:51:41am

I can’t vouch for the source, but ….

6 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:51:46am

I assume then that the web-based World Tribune isn’t a fully credible source?

Seriously asking

7 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:52:24am

Administration blocks helicopters for Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has blocked Israel’s request for advanced U.S.-origin attack helicopters. ShareThis

[Link: www.worldtribune.com…]

It’s all over the web. Not sure how authoritative this is? Seems kinda detailed to be made up?

8 Occasional Reader  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:52:47am
for Apache Longbow “attack” helicopters

No need here for scare quotes, actually; that’s in fact what they’re designated, officially. AH-64; the AH stands for “attack helicopter”.

9 abu lahab  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:53:37am

The only thing I read not long ago about these Apache Helicopters was that Egypt is planning to buy 12 of them. But no reliable source about the Israeli story. (Good sources though about the Egyptian ones)
Here and Here

10 VegasRick  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:53:54am

re: #8 Occasional Reader

No need here for scare quotes, actually; that’s in fact what they’re designated, officially. AH-64; the AH stands for “attack helicopter”.

PIN number?

11 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:54:04am

The luster is off, many of my more elite fellow bloggers on US / Israeli relations are coming to grips with the unfriendly atmosphere now prevailing in what President Obama just yesterday termed a ’stalwart alliance’ between Israel & the US. Blah blah blah, just words. This President is a talker all right, on the topic of whether or not he’s a doer however it is becoming ever more clear that he reserves action only for Israel, everyone else gets a free pass.
Obama Strikes Again - Requests for replacement choppers in limbo

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration has blocked Israel’s request for advanced U.S.-origin attack helicopters.

Government sources said the administration has held up Israel’s request for the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter. The sources said the request was undergoing an interagency review to determine whether additional Longbow helicopters would threaten Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. […]

SNIP

12 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:54:45am

There’s no byline at the World Tribune site, which makes me a mite suspicious.

13 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:54:48am

RAH-66 Comanches
More F-22 Raptors
More F-35 Lightnings

An let the IDF have a few too……

14 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:55:29am

That goes to World Tribune.

15 albusteve  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:55:30am

re: #9 abu lahab

The only thing I read not long ago about these Apache Helicopters was that Egypt is planning to buy 12 of them. But no reliable source about the Israeli story. (Good sources though about the Egyptian ones)
Here and Here

no way….I cannot believe that

16 abu lahab  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:56:21am

re: #15 albusteve

That will be clear after Obama’s visit to Egypt, maybe!

17 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:56:34am

Well the truth is when ever an American Administration ( Republican or democratic) wants to get Israel’s attention, it always squeezes them on Arms and Arms deliveries. It ain’t Brain surgery folks.

18 Killgore Trout  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:56:35am

After a quick check I’m calling shenanigans. The story seems to have originated here…..
Administration blocks helicopters for Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza
It’s an exclusive based on anonymous sources.
A quick check of their front page includes other dubious stories….

Furor grows over partisan car dealer closings

‘Empathy’ is code for judicial activism

Pravda: America’s descent into Marxism is ‘happening with breathtaking speed’

Israel expecting Hizbullah win, Iran-style regime in Lebanon


It’s probably BS.

19 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:56:43am

The only sources I can find on this is the world tribune article people are posting, and two articles from Viet Nam. I don’t read Viet Namese, if anyone does and speaks up I”ll post the links.

I’m betting this is more about the ongoing wrangle about retrofitting Israeli gear on these platforms, and the targetting tech API we would have to somewhat open up to allow them to do so.

20 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:56:44am

re: #15 albusteve

no way….I cannot believe that

Why not? We’ve always given Egypt quite a bit of military support.

21 Idle Drifter  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:57:14am

re: #13 jcm

Might as well try to boost good paying technical jobs this country could use tens of thousands more.

22 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:57:16am

re: #8 Occasional Reader

No need here for scare quotes, actually; that’s in fact what they’re designated, officially. AH-64; the AH stands for “attack helicopter”.

Speed enforced by aircraft….. not scary?

////

23 HAL2010  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:00am

All I can find are blogs which link to the World Tribune as their source.

Never heard of the World Tribune before so I am suspicious.

Any of the Major networks picked it up?

24 albusteve  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:00am

re: #16 abu lahab

That will be clear after Obama’s visit to Egypt, maybe!

I read the first link and it sounds legit…this is just wrong…it’s premier hardware and extremely deadly…wtf do the Egyptians need them for…I’m pissed

25 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:02am

Egypt - AH-64D APACHE Longbow Helicopters (Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued May 26, 2009) [Link: www.defense-aerospace.com…]


WASHINGTON —- On May 22, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of 12 AH-64D Block II APACHE Longbow Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and support for an estimated cost of $820 million.

The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of 12 AH-64D Block II APACHE Longbow Helicopters, 27 T700-GE-701D Engines, 36 Modernized Targeting Acquisition and Designation Systems/Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 28 M299 Hellfire Longbow Missile Launchers, 14 AN/ALQ-144(V)3 Infrared jammers, and 14 AN/APR-39B(V)2 Radar Signal Detecting Sets.

SNIP

26 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:06am

re: #18 Killgore Trout

Some of it might be bullshit, but I smell smoke. And often where there is smoke there is fire. There is an ill wind blowing in Washington DC.

27 Idle Drifter  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:07am

48 hour rule.

28 Killgore Trout  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:15am

re: #19 Thanos

Agreed. There might be some sort of delay over technical issues or something but the story looks bogus.

29 avanti  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:26am

Here’s another

link.

30 albusteve  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:44am

re: #18 Killgore Trout

that’s where I read it this morning and blew it off

31 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:53am

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

32 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:58:59am

re: #18 Killgore Trout

After a quick check I’m calling shenanigans. The story seems to have originated here…..
Administration blocks helicopters for Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza
It’s an exclusive based on anonymous sources.
A quick check of their front page includes other dubious stories….


It’s probably BS.

Thanks.
Hadn’t studied their front page.

33 VegasRick  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:59:27am

re: #23 HAL2010

All I can find are blogs which link to the World Tribune as their source.

Never heard of the World Tribune before so I am suspicious.

Any of the Major networks picked it up?

You are joking, right? The only way the MFMSM picks it up is if is false.

34 Killgore Trout  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:59:44am

re: #26 nevergiveup

A lot of people should learn not to trust their instincts.

35 albusteve  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:59:52am

re: #20 SanFranciscoZionist

Why not? We’ve always given Egypt quite a bit of military support.

these are hardly just choppers

36 Idle Drifter  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:59:57am

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Sounds like a tabloid.

37 HAL2010  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:59:59am

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Had to deal with them before?

Like I said in my previous post, I’ve never heard of them before.

38 abu lahab  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:00:00pm

re: #24 albusteve

Exactly, what for? Not to mention that they are already getting US aid money in billions.
Here is more on the story

39 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:00:18pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Thanks VERY much.
Now I know.

40 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:01:19pm

re: #33 VegasRick

You are joking, right? The only way the MFMSM picks it up is if is false.

Oh, come on!

41 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:01:20pm

re: #34 Killgore Trout

A lot of people should learn not to trust their instincts.

Why, some peoples instincts are pretty good. I expect this Administration to press Israel and hard. And there is one sure way to do that. This story may be bullshit, but these are no friends of Israel in Washington. Anyone who believes in linkage is no friend of Israel.

42 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:01:44pm

re: #36 Idle Drifter

Sounds like a tabloid.

Yeah, but exactly how bad IS it?
Does it reach a place where The Sun never shines?

:D

43 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:01:50pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Okey-doke.

44 VegasRick  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:02:32pm

re: #40 SanFranciscoZionist

Oh, come on!

You disagree?

45 flyovercountry  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:03:14pm

President Obama is in a difficult position. He needed to display support for Israel in order to get elected. Anyone running for office will say and do anything to get elected. Now he has the option of living or not living up to his campaign rhetoric. With another election looming in 3-1/2 years, Does he follow his actual belief system, or does he feign support for Israel. Sooner or later, people will realize who he actually is.

46 albusteve  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:04:17pm

re: #38 abu lahab

Exactly, what for? Not to mention that they are already getting US aid money in billions.
Here is more on the story

“border protection”…bullshit…these machines break things and kill people

47 Occasional Reader  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:04:25pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Not even if Bat Boy confirms the story?

48 VegasRick  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:05:17pm

BBL

49 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:05:24pm

“when the American administration talks about Israel’s duty to stop the settlements - including natural growth - it is a very important step.”


[Link: www.haaretz.com…]

Hear that Israel. No kids and no planes?

50 Walter L. Newton  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:05:26pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

At the bottom of their home page, it says…

Legal Counsel: Roy M. Cohn (1927-1986) Backup Paralegals: Hammer, Rude, Hussein, Nasty and Tong

They certainly have a sense of humor.

[Link: www.worldtribune.com…]

51 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:07:02pm

I’m stumped.

52 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:07:08pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Totally agree. I invoke the 48 Hour Rule on this story.

53 theheat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:07:58pm

According to the sources cited, it’s 50/50 whether it’s true. But if it’s true, what’s preventing Israel form buying military helicopters from a different country? (I assume the US helicopters are probably better, i.e. preferred.)

Seems to me Russia is more than happy to sell all kinds of nasty lethal stuff for money, and they’re not picky about who buys it. Maybe it’s time for Israel to give the US the finger and take their shopping elsewhere. It’s unfortunate for us, losing military contract money (thanks again, Obama!), but I certainly can’t blame Israel if they did.

This “Mother, may I?” shit has to be getting pretty old for the Israelis.

54 Killgore Trout  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:08:02pm

re: #50 Walter L. Newton

Roy Cohn

In the early 1960s he became a member of the John Birch Society and a principal figure in the Western Goals Foundation.

55 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:08:07pm

Maybe someone got his knickers in a twist over our sale to Egypt and things got out of hand.

56 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:08:45pm

re: #28 Killgore Trout

Agreed. There might be some sort of delay over technical issues or something but the story looks bogus.

World Trib smells like someone’s agitprop outlet, but I haven’t yet determined whose it is yet. They do a lot of mideast / fareast reporting, and I’m seeing signs of articles designed for troofers way back, Fjordman liked them in 2005 (they are in his sidebar of his old site) Smells… funny. Still digging

57 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:08:49pm

re: #47 Occasional Reader

Not even if Bat Boy confirms the story?

I miss Bat Boy. One of my now-scuttled early retirement plans was to take a job as a reporter for the Weekly World News, a prospect now dashed by that estimable journal’s demise.

58 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:08:59pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

Oh man, I’ve been reading world trib for a while and take a lot with a grain of salt. I think some of the articles (Navrazov) may be over the top. What articles published by world trib have been dis-proven? Any links boss?

59 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:09:24pm

re: #53 theheat

For better or worse Israel is tired pretty tight to the USA. Both for Political Cover, aid, and arms. Diversification can get pretty expensive.

60 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:09:27pm

re: #31 Charles

Worldtribune.com is not a credible source.

(gee, I love keeping an eye on LGF!)

61 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:09:32pm

re: #44 VegasRick

You disagree?

Yes. If this is real, it will get picked up by real news sources.

62 Killgore Trout  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:11:06pm

re: #56 Thanos

I looked at their list of editors and advisers and didn’t see any familiar names.

63 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:11:52pm

For a while, worldtribune.com was posting LGF articles — by linking to LGF in a frame. That’s a sleazy tactic of coopting the traffic of a popular website to increase ad revenue, and they stopped trying it when I put in some frame-busting code.

No reputable news outlet would do something like that.

64 avanti  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:12:08pm

re: #45 flyovercountry

President Obama is in a difficult position. He needed to display support for Israel in order to get elected. Anyone running for office will say and do anything to get elected. Now he has the option of living or not living up to his campaign rhetoric. With another election looming in 3-1/2 years, Does he follow his actual belief system, or does he feign support for Israel. Sooner or later, people will realize who he actually is.

My prediction ? He’ll piss a lot of folks off trying for the two state solution again. While I disagree that he is a enemy of Israel, I think he’ll put pressure on them to stop settlement expansion if he thinks he can get a deal.
The Israelis have know for years that they were supposed to stop the settlements, but they may get some pressure to do so if he has the political capital to pull it off.
Not sure if the chopper story is true, but it’s just the kind of pressure he could exert to get the settlement issue on the table. I don’t know enough about the issue to comment on the rightness of that course, but that’s what I’ve been reading about the riff between the POTUS and Israel.

65 Occasional Reader  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:12:16pm

re: #57 SixDegrees

I miss Bat Boy. One of my now-scuttled early retirement plans was to take a job as a reporter for the Weekly World News, a prospect now dashed by that estimable journal’s demise.

I have wonderful news for you.

WWN still exists… but online only.

66 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:12:16pm

re: #61 SanFranciscoZionist

Yes. If this is real, it will get picked up by real news sources.

You would think this would be all over the Jerusalem Post if it were true.

67 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:12:29pm

re: #63 Charles

For a while, worldtribune.com was posting LGF articles — by linking to LGF in a frame. That’s a sleazy tactic of coopting the traffic of a popular website to increase ad revenue, and they stopped trying it when I put in some frame-busting code.

No reputable news outlet would do something like that.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

68 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:12:35pm

re: #62 Killgore Trout

I looked at their list of editors and advisers and didn’t see any familiar names.

Oh, I’m not saying that it’s that crowd btw. I’m just saying it smells funny, still digging.

69 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:13:31pm

re: #65 Occasional Reader

I have wonderful news for you.

WWN still exists… but online only.

Look who’s listed in the links at bottom left of the Weekly World News page…

70 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:14:40pm

re: #66 SixDegrees

You would think this would be all over the Jerusalem Post if it were true.

Not necessarily. There are some disputes that Israeli Government would just assume keep under wraps. Not saying they are always successful, but some things are better left unsaid.

71 theheat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:15:06pm

re: #59 nevergiveup

Definitely, and that’s been the case for quite some time. Unfortunately, it also allows the US to dictate policy, to a degree, and our policies are not always in Israel’s best interest.

It’s like the mom who has to deal with an insufferable ass of an ex, simply for the child support money. There’s an old saying: “You take their money, you take their shit.” It applies on a lot of levels.

72 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:16:02pm

re: #69 Charles

Look who’s listed in the links at bottom left of the Weekly World News page…

Right above the National Lampoon.
That says to my ignorant mind, they’re using it as sarc.
Correct?

73 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:16:33pm

re: #66 SixDegrees

You would think this would be all over the Jerusalem Post if it were true.

One would think so. I don’ see anything over there.

74 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:16:52pm

re: #63 Charles

For a while, worldtribune.com was posting LGF articles — by linking to LGF in a frame. That’s a sleazy tactic of coopting the traffic of a popular website to increase ad revenue, and they stopped trying it when I put in some frame-busting code.

No reputable news outlet would do something like that.

Did that happen after they started showing up in LGF spinoff links? Did their framing increase your traffic?

75 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:17:11pm

Ok this is a Bill Gertz production, I don’t trust him at all.

[Link: www.geostrategy-direct.com…]

76 Killgore Trout  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:17:23pm

re: #68 Thanos

I wasn’t looking for any names in particular. Just didn’t see anyone I recognized.

77 Idle Drifter  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:17:48pm

All I can find is this article: Israel on edge as US presses to halt settlements

No real specifics what pressure is being used.

78 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:18:06pm

re: #66 SixDegrees

You would think this would be all over the Jerusalem Post if it were true.

Absolutely — that’s why I’m doubtful about the story. It would definitely have been in Jpost and Haaretz if it were true.

79 Occasional Reader  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:18:21pm

re: #69 Charles

Look who’s listed in the links at bottom left of the Weekly World News page…

HOLY SHIT!

Charles, do you personally know Bat Boy?! Could you get him to guest-blog?

80 nevergiveup  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:19:03pm

re: #77 Idle Drifter

All I can find is this article: Israel on edge as US presses to halt settlements

No real specifics what pressure is being used.

The US knows exactly how to get Israel’s attention.

81 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:20:03pm

re: #65 Occasional Reader

I have wonderful news for you.

WWN still exists… but online only.

Excellent. It was once my favorite source for stories linked in response to all sorts of left-wing nonsense posted as fact, for examples of stories holding at least as much credibility as theirs; more, at the time, because unlike their Internet-only sources, mine was from a source that was produced with actual ink on paper and distributed to millions of loyal readers every weak. Trump!

And I see they’re still carrying Ed Anger’s column. A breath of sanity in a crazy world!

82 Occasional Reader  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:20:42pm

Later.

83 anthean  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:20:53pm

Just to mention … I am one of those people who (three days ago) foolishly linked this story and posted on another site.

It is good to hear that it might not be accurate.

84 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:21:01pm

re: #69 Charles

Look who’s listed in the links at bottom left of the Weekly World News page…

Man, you just can’t beat professional references like that! Welcome to the Big League, Charles!

85 amir  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:21:24pm

re: #78 Charles

I did a google news search in Hebrew and there is nothing on this in the Hebrew language news on the web, other than one site which quoted the world tribune.

86 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:22:04pm

re: #85 amir

Thanks for that.

87 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:23:28pm

Neither AeroNews nor Aviation Week has a word about this, and they definitely would if the story were true.

I suspect that the story is rooted in a distortion of the standard review process for all weapons export requests. This process is really quite involved and a cherry-picking journalist with an agenda could easily turn it into something like obstruction. There is no story here.

88 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:23:50pm

Bill Gertz has broken a few leaks and stories in the past btw, but he’s also pimped quite a lot of stuff lately that seems designed to make him money. He took the fifth in the Chinese Espionage case.

89 wrenchwench  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:23:54pm

re: #29 avanti

Here’s another

link.

That goes to Middle East Newsline, which is directed by Steve Rodan, who is an editor at worldtribunedotcom.

90 HAL2010  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:24:39pm

re: #85 amir

I did a google news search in Hebrew and there is nothing on this in the Hebrew language news on the web, other than one site which quoted the world tribune.

The story must be bogus. If someone actually had this information and leaked it, why would they leak it to the World Tribune and not Jpost or the WP?

91 Walter L. Newton  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:24:49pm

re: #79 Occasional Reader

HOLY SHIT!

Charles, do you personally know Bat Boy?! Could you get him to guest-blog?

Just because [Link: WWW…] a Bat Boy, remember, not all Bat Boy’s are created equal. [Link: WWW…] jumped on the Bat Boy bandwagon. The real Bat Boy lost out to the phony [Link: WWW…] It is a tale of wanton deceit and legal wranglings in which a good citizen Bat Boy was run rip-shod over by big business. Sad story.

92 pingjockey  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:24:53pm

The only problem with a story like this is most of us expected the one to pull something like withholding arms shipments or the like to force Israel to do things not in their national interests.
Goddamn lefties. Probably not true…yet!

93 avanti  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:25:45pm

re: #89 wrenchwench

That goes to Middle East Newsline, which is directed by Steve Rodan, who is an editor at worldtribunedotcom.

A circle jerk then, thanks.

94 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:26:33pm

re: #89 wrenchwench

That goes to Middle East Newsline, which is directed by Steve Rodan, who is an editor at worldtribunedotcom.

Is that incest, or sock-puppet-like masturbation?

95 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:27:10pm

re: #75 Thanos

Who’s Bill Gertz? That’s a paid subscription site and I don’t see how he could charge for it if it’s inaccurate. Wouldn’t he go out of business pretty quick?

96 DEZes  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:28:24pm

Nuttin.

97 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:28:40pm

re: #94 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Is that incest, or sock-puppet-like masturbation?

Charlie Fox…..

98 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:28:40pm

re: #95 MacGregor

Who’s Bill Gertz? That’s a paid subscription site and I don’t see how he could charge for it if it’s inaccurate. Wouldn’t he go out of business pretty quick?

His Intel site is paid-subscription, but not WorldTribune.dot.”con”(?)

99 Idle Drifter  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:29:05pm

BBL.

100 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:30:15pm

re: #98 pre-Boomer Marine brat

I’m under the impression world trib is his free teaser site with links to the paid site for other headlines.

101 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:30:35pm

re: #95 MacGregor

Who’s Bill Gertz? That’s a paid subscription site and I don’t see how he could charge for it if it’s inaccurate. Wouldn’t he go out of business pretty quick?

Lots of sites charge for access and peddle outright lies. Those stories about a young lady who calls a repairman then doesn’t have cash when he shows up, for example…

102 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:30:50pm

re: #95 MacGregor

Who’s Bill Gertz? That’s a paid subscription site and I don’t see how he could charge for it if it’s inaccurate. Wouldn’t he go out of business pretty quick?

Not if he’s reprinting a lot of stuff that’s true from other sites and sources, note Charles comment above. Remember all good agitprop comes in a wrapper of truth. Open it up however, and there’s the turd. It’s one of the reasons I read Syed at the Asia Times regularly - I know that he’s flat out mouthpiece for the Taliban, but you can get grains of truth out.

I’ve noted that Gertz tends to print salacious stuff periodically, probably to keep his subs up.

103 haakondahl  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:01pm

re: #89 wrenchwench

That goes to Middle East Newsline, which is directed by Steve Rodan, who is an editor at worldtribunedotcom.

“Excuse me, it looks like there’s something on your face.”
“Really—where?”
“Here, let me just… KAPOW! … Fact-Check Your Ass!”

104 pingjockey  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:04pm

Later folks!

105 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:17pm

re: #97 jcm

Charlie Fox…..

*mumbling* … I’m not sure I wanna know what he means by that …

/innocence personified

106 MJ  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:41pm

JINSA- The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs- published this story. JINSA is a credible source. They’ve been around since 1973.

About JINSA
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan and nonsectarian educational organization committed to explaining the need for a prudent national security policy for the United States, addressing the security requirements of both the United States and the State of Israel, and strengthening the strategic cooperation relationship between these two great democracies.

Founded as a result of the lessons learned from the 1973 Yom Kippur War, JINSA communicates with the national security establishment and the general public to explain the role Israel can and does play in bolstering American interests, as well as the link between American defense policy and the security of Israel.

Over the years, JINSA has achieved a reputation as a credible and independent resource. Its findings and recommendations are published in a variety of formats including a web site, JINSA Online (www.jinsa.org); regular op-eds called JINSA Reports distributed by e-mail; The Journal of International Security Affairs; periodic think-pieces called Viewpoints; and occasional books, monographs and conference proceedings.

JINSA’s annual programs include sponsoring a trip for retired United States Flag and General Officers to Israel and a study program in Israel for cadets and midshipmen from the Naval Academy, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Air Force Academy. JINSA also arranges interchanges between Pentagon officials and Jewish community leadership and sponsors lectures and conferences at the national military academies and leading national security think tanks. These programs are aimed at facilitating dialogue between security policy makers, military officials, diplomats, and the community at large to increase the understanding of national security issues.

JINSA is a national organization based in Washington D.C. It receives support from more than 17,000 members nationwide and is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of key figures in the national security community and leadership throughout the country.

Here’s the story:
[Link: www.jinsa.org…]

107 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:43pm

re: #94 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Is that incest, or sock-puppet-like masturbation?

Mental note: don’t use wool socks for sockpuppets.

108 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:44pm

re: #100 MacGregor

I’m under the impression world trib is his free teaser site with links to the paid site for other headlines.

Interesting.

109 Bob Dillon  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:31:59pm

[Link: www.defensenews.com…]

Israel Negotiates New Longbow Deal
By BARBARA OPALL-ROME
Published: 23 Apr 2009 10:48

110 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:32:22pm

Iirc, the standard review of an export request includes a question asking whether civilians have been killed in recent operations by the recipient nation, and whether weapons similar to those requested were involved. Since the answer to this is “yes,” in this case, the specific circumstances must be reviewed before the request can be approved. This is a legal requirement dating from the Carter administration.
It is likely that every Israeli request for armaments has been similarly reviewed.

111 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:32:56pm

re: #101 SixDegrees

I was thinking more like wall st journal as an example of paid site with good information. If they were proven incorrect, their sales would drop. Like NYT.

112 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:33:06pm

I fully expect to get hate mail now, saying I’m “shilling for Hussein” because I didn’t immediately get my Obama-hate on about this unfounded rumor.

113 solomonpanting  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:33:13pm

Perhaps there is something to be said for not trusting groups or other entities containing the words “world”, “universal”, or “international” in their names.

114 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:33:33pm

re: #105 pre-Boomer Marine brat

*mumbling* … I’m not sure I wanna know what he means by that …

/innocence personified

I’m sure the term originated with the Navy……..

*ducks*

115 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:34:48pm

re: #106 MJ

Their source is Middle East Newsline — which again is linked back to worldtribune.com.

116 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:35:08pm

re: #106 MJ

JINSA- The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs- published this story. JINSA is a credible source. They’ve been around since 1973.


Here’s the story:
[Link: www.jinsa.org…]

Who/what is “MENL”?

117 debutaunt  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:35:37pm

re: #116 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Who/what is “MENL”?

Look up.

118 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:36:10pm

re: #112 Charles

I fully expect to get hate mail now, saying I’m “shilling for Hussein” because I didn’t immediately get my Obama-hate on about this unfounded rumor.

I’m going to wait until I see it from someone besides Gertz.

“Anyone can be angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, in the right way — that is not easy.”

– Aristotle, “Nicomachean Ethics”

119 SteveC  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:36:12pm

re: #101 SixDegrees

Lots of sites charge for access and peddle outright lies. Those stories about a young lady who calls a repairman then doesn’t have cash when he shows up, for example…

Oh, those stories are true! Used to happen all the time when I worked for a local plumbing firm. Well, not ALL the time, but enough that the owner told all the employees to just give the young lady a receipt and then excuse ourselves. To avoid embarrassment we were supposed to call him, no matter the time of day, and he would come down and discuss it with the customer PERSONALLY….

/Wadda ya mean I’m a sucker?

120 avanti  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:37:04pm

re: #115 Charles

Their source is Middle East Newsline — which again is linked back to worldtribune.com.

And the circle expands.

121 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:37:32pm

re: #115 Charles

Their source is Middle East Newsline — which again is linked back to worldtribune.com.

Ha!
Answers my #116.
Thanks

122 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:38:26pm

re: #110 Shiplord Kirel

Iirc, the standard review of an export request includes a question asking whether civilians have been killed in recent operations by the recipient nation, and whether weapons similar to those requested were involved. Since the answer to this is “yes,” in this case, the specific circumstances must be reviewed before the request can be approved. This is a legal requirement dating from the Carter administration.
It is likely that every Israeli request for armaments has been similarly reviewed.

Yes, that sounds likely. This is similar to the story that circulated saying that Obama was sending millions of dollars to relocate Hamas terrorists inside the US — that turned out be a standard requisition of funds.

It’s ridiculous how much of this disinformation is flying around these days.

123 reine.de.tout  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:38:41pm

re: #110 Shiplord Kirel

Iirc, the standard review of an export request includes a question asking whether civilians have been killed in recent operations by the recipient nation, and whether weapons similar to those requested were involved. Since the answer to this is “yes,” in this case, the specific circumstances must be reviewed before the request can be approved. This is a legal requirement dating from the Carter administration.
It is likely that every Israeli request for armaments has been similarly reviewed.

If this is correct (and I have no reason to believe it isn’t), AND if the sale to Israel is being delayed, then here we have a perfectly reasonable reason for any “delay”, as well as any lack of reporting by reliable sources.

There is enough reall stuff about Obama I do not like. It is unnecessary to make things up.

124 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:38:56pm

Has anyone thought to ask the Gaza rooster?

125 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:39:07pm

re: #102 Thanos

I’ve noted that Gertz tends to print salacious stuff periodically, probably to keep his subs up.

Have any world trib articles been proven incorrect?

126 SteveC  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:39:08pm

re: #115 Charles

Their source is Middle East Newsline — which again is linked back to worldtribune.com.

Bill: “Earle said it’s true!”

Earle: “Bill said it’s true!”

There ya go, two sources! :)

127 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:39:50pm

re: #111 MacGregor

I was thinking more like wall st journal as an example of paid site with good information. If they were proven incorrect, their sales would drop. Like NYT.

If truth were correlated with profitability, the NYT would have zero percent market share and would have ceased publication years ago.

Telling people what they want to hear, in many cases, can be a money maker.

128 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:40:11pm

re: #124 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Has anyone thought to ask the Gaza rooster?

Liveleak Video
129 solomonpanting  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:40:31pm

re: #110 Shiplord Kirel

Iirc, the standard review of an export request includes a question asking whether civilians have been killed in recent operations by the recipient nation, and whether weapons similar to those requested were involved.

North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan respond:

“See. That’s our standard, too. Bring on the nukes.”

//

130 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:41:10pm

re: #128 jcm

BE STILL MY HEART!

131 reine.de.tout  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:41:49pm

re: #124 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Has anyone thought to ask the Gaza rooster?

ArmyWife, sadly, was unable to implement her plan to save him.

132 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:42:22pm

re: #131 reine.de.tout

ArmyWife, sadly, was unable to implement her plan to save him.

*sob*

133 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:43:41pm

re: #131 reine.de.tout

I should get that. But I don’t.

C’mon Toots! Help me out!

134 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:44:11pm

Looks like this is going no where.


Youtube Video
135 SixDegrees  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:44:41pm

re: #125 MacGregor

Have any world trib articles been proven incorrect?

Corroboration by independent sources is the standard. So far, there isn’t any, even from those sources most likely to have their finger on the pulse of such stories.

Also, it’s typically the responsibility of the party making a claim to provide proof of the claim. In this case, that would involve providing named sources and other information that would allow independent verification. Such sourcing is the bread and butter of journalists everywhere, and it is conspicuously absent here.

136 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:44:47pm

re: #128 jcm

When was that?

137 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:44:54pm

re: #124 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Has anyone thought to ask the Gaza rooster?

He was great with dumplings.

138 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:45:25pm

Again, if there were anything unusual about the handling of this request, like a major policy change, the specialized aerospace media would be all over it. So far, they don’t have a word.

139 avanti  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:45:41pm

re: #123 reine.de.tout

If this is correct (and I have no reason to believe it isn’t), AND if the sale to Israel is being delayed, then here we have a perfectly reasonable reason for any “delay”, as well as any lack of reporting by reliable sources.

There is enough reall stuff about Obama I do not like. It is unnecessary to make things up.

Damn, I wish the entire right/left world worked like the Lizards on this site. It’s more fun to just ride a story that looks good for you side like a big dog, but this is the correct way to talk about a issue, my compliments. I’ll see if BHO will give you guys a pass when he sets up the internment camps./s

140 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:45:48pm

re: #125 MacGregor

What, are you the WT’s Cognito?

141 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:46:55pm

re: #137 MandyManners

He was great with dumplings.

*WHACK*

142 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:47:20pm

re: #136 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

When was that?

Operation Cast Iron, the IDF’s invasion of Gaza. We’d sit around and watch that Gaza live cam to see if we’d see any action.

Come dawn, the call to prayer would go out, he rooster would crank up, and in the background you could hear tank fire, M2 .50s, drones and light weapons.

143 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:47:20pm

Interesting, the Serbs like BIll :

ALBANIANS AGAINST AMERICA

According to Bill Gertz of the Washington Times, “U.S. intelligence officials are investigating ties between the terrorists who carried out [the] suicide airliner attacks and associates of Osama bin Laden based in Albania. The connections were described as support for the terrorist operation to hijack U.S. commercial jetliners and crash them into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, according to U.S. intelligence officials. No further details of the support could be learned.”

BIN LADEN AGAINST THE SERBS

Also according to Gertz, “Since the mid-1990s, bin Laden associates have been based in Tirana, Albania’s capital, as well as in at least two other towns … Islamic radicals, including supporters of bin Laden, have been supporting Albanian rebels fighting in the region, including members of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Intelligence officials have said there are reports that KLA members have been trained at bin Laden training camps in Afghanistan.”
“Bin Laden’s group has a network in Albania,” confirmed former CIA counter-terrorism official Vince Cannistraro.

144 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:47:21pm

re: #135 SixDegrees

Corroboration by independent sources is the standard. So far, there isn’t any, even from those sources most likely to have their finger on the pulse of such stories.

Also, it’s typically the responsibility of the party making a claim to provide proof of the claim. In this case, that would involve providing named sources and other information that would allow independent verification. Such sourcing is the bread and butter of journalists everywhere, and it is conspicuously absent here.

I’ll buy that. “Government sources” is not specific. Interested how this plays out.

Alrighty Charles. I’ll stop posting world trib articles in the spinoffs.

145 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:47:41pm

re: #134 MandyManners

His hair was cut by the same stylist who did Dorothy Hamil and Toni Tennille?

146 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:48:28pm

Another Jackson Browne?


Youtube Video
147 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:48:37pm

re: #140 Thanos

What, are you the WT’s Cognito?

Hah! maybe

148 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:50:29pm

re: #141 pre-Boomer Marine brat

*WHACK*

*cluck*

149 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:51:25pm

re: #148 MandyManners

*cluck*

*grin*

150 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:51:34pm

Gates: Nuclear-armed N. Korea not acceptable

The United States will not accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Saturday at an international conference.

“We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region — or on us,” said Gates, speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore.


Only one way to do that now I’m afraid, the messy, expensive way.

151 doubter4444  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:51:50pm

Well, here is this, a sterling list of objective content partners (from the website)
C O N T E N T:
The editors and Advisory Board members at World Tribune.com oversee an authoritative network of seasoned professional newspaper correspondents worldwide:
EDITORIAL BOARD
CONTACT INFORMATION
ADVISORY BOARD
ADVERTISING INFO

The Internet community is a cooperative arena. Going it alone is not an option. The following World Tribune.com content partners have both contributed articles and columns and have helped alert the worldwide web to its exclusive reports:
DrudgeReport.com Middle East Newsline GertzFile.com
Breitbart.com The Washington Times Hoover Institution
NewsMax.com Geostrategy-Direct.com Hudson Institute
WorldNetDaily.com East-Asia-Intel.com Int. Strat. Studies Assoc.

152 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:51:51pm

re: #142 jcm

Oh, I remember it. Loved it. When was it? A year ago? Six months? Time’s fun when you’re having flies.

153 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:53:06pm

re: #142 jcm

I’m early-to-bed, early-to-rise, and that TOTALLY discombobulated my existence.

/but it was memorable

154 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:53:49pm

re: #152 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Oh, I remember it. Loved it. When was it? A year ago? Six months? Time’s fun when you’re having flies.

Last December IIRC….

155 avanti  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:53:52pm

re: #150 jcm

Gates: Nuclear-armed N. Korea not acceptable


Only one way to do that now I’m afraid, the messy, expensive way.

Gates is the man.

156 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:57:58pm

re: #155 avanti

Did he put the “ram” in the “ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong”?

157 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 12:58:01pm

re: #152 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Oh, I remember it. Loved it. When was it? A year ago? Six months? Time’s fun when you’re having flies.

Is that you, Kermit?

158 MandyManners  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:00:53pm

Gotta’ get started on dinner.

159 The Other Les  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:01:31pm

I just stumbled on to something…

The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis will be showing THE LONGEST DAY at 3 PM on Saturday, June 6th.

[Link: theparkwaytheater.com…]

160 Sloppy  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:02:10pm

The story sounds phony to me, too. It’s disturbing, though, that we have a president about whom such a story COULD be true.

161 jcm  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:02:14pm

re: #155 avanti

Gates is the man.

It’s nice words. Making it happen is another kettle of fish.

We’ve played Kim’s game for too long, and we’re in a very, very ugly box with regards to the Norks.

Lesson in what happens when you don’t deal with Thugs straight up.

162 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:12:39pm

re: #151 doubter4444

Gertz used to report for the Times too, we aren’t saying it’s not entirely true, but we’ll wait on second source - and if true it could be highly exaggerated. See the comments above about the pro forma nature of the “were civilians harmed” question.

163 Randall Gross  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:14:30pm

re: #151 doubter4444

Also note that at least three of those are Gertz outlets, and there’s no way in the world I would characterize “WND” as “Sterling”.

164 DEZes  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:14:42pm

[Link: military.discovery.com…]

165 captdiggs  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:19:34pm

re: #160 Sloppy

The story sounds phony to me, too. It’s disturbing, though, that we have a president about whom such a story COULD be true.

Yes, it surely could. Where there is smoke…

I would not think that Obama is above this at all. In fact, starting to strangle Israel by blocking military aid, weapons, etc , is a natural progression in applying *diplomatic* pressure in order to get Israel to bend to Obama’s will, and/or undermine Netanyahu.
Anyone who doubts that Obama is slowly throwing Israel under the bus in order to placate the “muslim world” being is naive.

166 pingjockey  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:20:02pm

re: #161 jcm

Yep. Look at Iran. I actually thought the Iranians would get their bomb done before the Norks. The world has become more dangerous.

167 Drider  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:25:59pm

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to divert your attention to this Whitehouse statement:

[Link: www.whitehouse.gov…]

Please pay close attention to the first sentence in paragraph three.

I post this link under this topic die to the embarrassing and unique circumstances of the story being discussed.
Government employee’s from the Internet office of the mighty Czar will delete this………unique and yet embarrassing circumstance in…3….2….1.

Your brother in arms,

168 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:27:32pm

For many, the World Wide Web is a wonderful place for inflating their egos.
One can have an impact on one’s surroundings.
Truth need not be a concern.

169 CapitalistTool  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:38:47pm
You are joking, right? The only way the MFMSM picks it up is if is false.

Sure they’d post it. The MSM would consider it good news.

170 I Need A Bigger Gun  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:40:51pm

re: #13 jcm

RAH-66 Comanches
More F-22 Raptors
More F-35 Lightnings

An let the IDF have a few too……

Unfortunately, Comanche is long gone. F-22 is cancelled, with only a few more aircraft to be built. F-35 is on its way up, though. Including FMS, I’ve heard numbers of 2700+ as far as production. I do optics work on both the F-22 and F-35; I was pissed when the end of F-22 was announced, but quite a bit of F-22 money will be shifted to F-35, so it’s a wash. I need all of the job security I can get.

171 dominic yeso  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:51:05pm

Israel already has the longbow, they are currently negotiating to upgrade more platforms to the longbow configuration. I didn’t hear anything about a cancellation, stoppage, or denial last week at work (Boeing-Mesa). If I hear anything about it on Monday I’ll post an update for you.

172 Stuart Leviton  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:51:53pm

Shalom Lizards. I am glad you are on top of the Apache story. I saw the following on yonitheblogger’s website this morning and wanted to bring it to you attention.

“This sale should be blocked by Congress. The only use Egypt has for Apache helicopters is to destroy Israeli tanks. So please call your Representatives in Washington D.C. and ask them to block this sale.”

173 dominic yeso  Sat, May 30, 2009 1:56:22pm

For those interested Apache info can be found here ->

[Link: www.boeing.com…]

174 samsgran1948  Sat, May 30, 2009 2:10:49pm

re: #123 reine.de.tout

If this is correct (and I have no reason to believe it isn’t), AND if the sale to Israel is being delayed, then here we have a perfectly reasonable reason for any “delay”, as well as any lack of reporting by reliable sources.

There is enough reall stuff about Obama I do not like. It is unnecessary to make things up.

It’s a problem of “truthiness”. Obama and his homies are so openly contemptuous and hostile towards Israel that a story like this can slide by because it sounds so plausible. My first reaction was: What else would you expect from the Boy Wonder?

I certainly hope it turns out to be false.

175 gtrs  Sat, May 30, 2009 2:37:42pm

well; you know obama IS a muslim; and the ‘nirthers say he was born on mars or some other such planet……………..

176 Dr. Shalit  Sat, May 30, 2009 2:53:03pm

re: #13 jcm

RAH-66 Comanches
More F-22 Raptors
More F-35 Lightnings

An let the IDF have a few too……

jcm -

As we are about to deny the USAF the F-22, wouldn’t surprise me at all to see it built elsewhere - as the Republic P-35 became the SAAB J-1. The question is, where? Some answers I like, others not so much.

-S-

177 gregb  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:05:47pm

re: #17 nevergiveup

I guess we have to pay back all the ammo we bought from them for Iraq? :-)

[Link: www.defensetech.org…]

178 Cato the Elder  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:08:00pm

Are they black helicopters? If they are, there’s your explanation right there. ‘Bama is only holding them back so he can use them on Glenn Beck.

179 gtrs  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:09:09pm

re: #160 Sloppy
like him being born on mars?………………………./

180 doubter4444  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:17:14pm

re: #163 Thanos

Also note that at least three of those are Gertz outlets, and there’s no way in the world I would characterize “WND” as “Sterling”.

Sorry, I forgot the sarc / tag!

181 ryannon  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:24:26pm

re: #124 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Has anyone thought to ask the Gaza rooster?

And that was a cat, not a gull.

182 ryannon  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:31:39pm

re: #156 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Did he put the “ram” in the “ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong”?

Answer at 0:40.

Youtube Video
183 MacGregor  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:32:21pm

Here’s a related article/interview at defenselink. Scroll down a bit.

As you know, the United States, when it sells Israel F-16s or Apache helicopters or other weapons systems, stipulates they can only be used for self-defense, legitimate self-defense. Otherwise those sales must be stopped.

When Israel engages in this kind of policy of targeted killings, is that legitimate self-defense?

Rumsfeld: Well, look, Israel’s got a very difficult problem. It has suicide bombers coming in, going into restaurants and hotels and bus stops, and killing themselves and killing 10, 20, 30 people who happen to be innocent bystanders. I don’t know if that’s targeted killing or not, but it is certainly terrorism and it is violence, and it is something that any country has to deal with.

Where the line comes between calling something defense and calling something something else, is a tough one. A good, vivid example was when Israel went in and took out Iraq’s nuclear capability. And some would say, well, that was a preemptive act. Others would say, thank the good Lord they went in and destroyed that nuclear capability or Saddam Hussein would have, within a very short time, had a nuclear weapon and intimidated the entire region.

Rumsfeld: These are tough calls. I’m not international lawyer. And I’m sure that they and the United States and Secretary Powell, who deals with those issues with Israel, handles them very well.

184 Gusbenz  Sat, May 30, 2009 3:56:18pm

Was is attack in quotes? The Apache is an attack helicopter, plain and simple. Occasional Reader got it right. Not that it matters, Israel holds her own just fine.

185 Blue_Knight  Sat, May 30, 2009 5:02:57pm

re: #18 Killgore Trout

After a quick check I’m calling shenanigans. The story seems to have originated here…..
Administration blocks helicopters for Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza
It’s an exclusive based on anonymous sources.
A quick check of their front page includes other dubious stories….

Furor grows over partisan car dealer closings

‘Empathy’ is code for judicial activism

Pravda: America’s descent into Marxism is ‘happening with breathtaking speed’

Israel expecting Hizbullah win, Iran-style regime in Lebanon


It’s probably BS.

Your reference to the other stories being ‘dubious’ is off. Those other ‘dubious’ stories are appearing on major network sites and include DrudgeReport who had linked them as well. A few still show up on Drudge.

But there’s little else than World Tribune’s story and a some blogs mentioning the Obama denying Apaches to Israel thing at this time.

186 [deleted]  Sat, May 30, 2009 5:06:12pm
187 Charles Johnson  Sat, May 30, 2009 5:16:30pm

re: #186 Ateam

I’m deleting your comment, but I’m not blocking your account because I reviewed your previous comments and you haven’t posted things like this before. But please be aware that if you EVER post anything like that at LGF again, your account will be history so fast your head will swim.

188 Ateam  Sat, May 30, 2009 5:28:25pm

re: #187 Charles

I’m deleting your comment, but I’m not blocking your account because I reviewed your previous comments and you haven’t posted things like this before. But please be aware that if you EVER post anything like that at LGF again, your account will be history so fast your head will swim.

DON’T UNDERSTANND WHY.
MABEY MY POOR ENGLISH, OR NOT KNOWING THE RULES OF THE LINGO USING AT LGF.
even so, if you r banning me, Ill still be a Fan of (off?) LFB

189 Macker  Sat, May 30, 2009 5:43:37pm

re: #188 Ateam

Don’t push your luck with Charles or Stinky.

190 Ateam  Sat, May 30, 2009 5:58:03pm

re: #189 Macker

Don’t push your luck with Charles or Stinky.

Don’t be a quote escape to hell for Charles.
I’m more respectable to his saing then yours comments

191 Ateam  Sat, May 30, 2009 6:25:56pm

re: #187 Charles

I’m deleting your comment, but I’m not blocking your account because I reviewed your previous comments and you haven’t posted things like this before. But please be aware that if you EVER post anything like that at LGF again, your account will be history so fast your head will swim.

It’s about 4.15 in the morning here in Israel
I’m going to sleep

The main thing is this - nobody, including serving POTUS, is right to sacrifice Israel (S. Korea) to d arms of evil.
We r not ready to be Holocaust again.

so sorry.

192 Clubsec  Sat, May 30, 2009 11:08:29pm

The Israeli’s are accustomed to getting screwed.
Waaay back when, after the ‘73 war where we sent them Maverick (EO Scene) missiles that were pivotal in their victory, the IDF visited a production/engineering facility for the birds. I recall the Israelis intense interest in the test equipment for depot support of the weapon system. Where did we get the optics, collimator’s, sources and targets, for the TE? As we surmised they had experiences where their weapons system support supply chain became uncooperative during critical periods (aka ‘the French’). Alas, it continues to this day.
Similarly, we see the situation with Aegis guided missile destroyers for Taiwan held in limbo. AH-64 with Longbow for the IDF.
Foggy Bottom a its best. /double deep and most serious sarc
And yet the Jews voted in overwhelming proportion for ‘The One’.
Lincoln’s Rule is not applicable when the FMSM fails it’s watchdog mission. e.g. You can fool some of the people all of the time and you can fool all of the people some of the time… but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. Except when you have the FMSM in your vest pocket.

“A fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.” N. Boileau c.1674

193 Free_Radical  Sun, May 31, 2009 6:07:55am

*Yawn* good Sunday morning,

As of 8:45 EST (Romeo), a Google news search of ‘Apache Israel’ brings up the WT article and no others (that are relevant.)

Morning Coffee Question: Is the Apache Longbow such a frightening weapon platform because our enemies can’t figure out if they’re fighting American Indians On The Warpath or Medieval English Archers With A Habit Of Killing French Nobility?

194 Sceptic Tank  Sun, May 31, 2009 8:34:25am

Israel knows it is essentially alone with occasional lapses in hostility or real-politic excesses from all countries. This makes for some interesting clandestine alliances.

195 Baldy  Tue, Jun 2, 2009 4:28:09pm

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has blocked Israel’s request for advanced U.S.-origin attack helicopters.
Government sources said the administration has held up Israel’s request for the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter. The sources said the request was undergoing an interagency review to determine whether additional Longbow helicopters would threaten Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
“During the recent war, Israel made considerable use of the Longbow, and there were high civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip,” a source close to the administration said. Administration blocks helicopters for Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza


This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

Create a PageThis is the LGF Pages posting bookmarklet. To use it, drag this button to your browser's bookmark bar, and title it 'LGF Pages' (or whatever you like). Then browse to a site you want to post, select some text on the page to use for a quote, click the bookmarklet, and the Pages posting window will appear with the title, text, and any embedded video or audio files already filled in, ready to go.
Or... you can just click this button to open the Pages posting window right away.
Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT LGF User's Guide RSS Feeds

Help support Little Green Footballs!

Subscribe now for ad-free access!Register and sign in to a free LGF account before subscribing, and your ad-free access will be automatically enabled.

Donate with
PayPal Cash.app
Recent PagesClick to refresh
Once Praised, the Settlement to Help Sickened BP Oil Spill Workers Leaves Most With Nearly Nothing When a deadly explosion destroyed BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, 134 million gallons of crude erupted into the sea over the next three months — and tens of thousands of ordinary people were hired ...
Cheechako
Yesterday
Views: 64 • Comments: 0 • Rating: 0
Texas County at Center of Border Fight Is Overwhelmed by Migrant Deaths EAGLE PASS, Tex. - The undertaker lighted a cigarette and held it between his latex-gloved fingers as he stood over the bloated body bag lying in the bed of his battered pickup truck. The woman had been fished out ...
Cheechako
4 days ago
Views: 165 • Comments: 0 • Rating: 1