And of course it'll be attributed to Mossad's byzantine methods of distorting the truth about those misunderstood Palestinians.

That's pretty damning. But I'm sure the UN has an excuse.

Sometimes my limbic system just takes over, and I'd really love to turn every Palestinian XY being into a tablespoonful of ashes and a grease spot!
*sigh*
If only I still had the codes for the Sat-Mounted Particle Beam Weapon.

Of course this was just a Zionist forgery. Everyone knows that this sort of behavior [war crime?] is beneath the dignity of TMGGPPE (TM) -- The Most Gentle, Generous and Peaceful People on Earth.

I can't stand how the Palestinians get away with doing such things. It's a bloody disgrace. As long as they're killing Jews, who cares? And I just loathe the UN.

Anyone have a direct link to the video?

This calls for an apology on someones part, I'm sorry it wont be me. Hey Kofi, you little shitbird, you gonna step up? Or does the UN have a secret army?

What's a bloody disgrace, Zulu, is Israel's hasbarah people. Every one of them should be fired immediately. World media is a mud fight and Israel still can't bring itself to throw mud. Now she's covered head to toe and thinks she still has her integrity.

jal, the blame lies with the Palestinians, they need to be held accountable for their behaviour.

The UN does not feel any need to apologize to anyone,because the only people who care are the ones they are against(US,GB,Israel etc).All of the other players on the board are complicit in this up to their jaundiced little eyeballs,cheering the Palimonsters all hte way.Kofi smiles in his sleep over these things,little worthless slug-thug that he is

Video direct link
[Link: e.tln0.com...]

That was clear as day. Yet another success for the UN.

The UN was in the right place, at the right time... providing emergency medical evacuation to those horribly wounded militants. /BS

I just can't believe that Israel doesn't have a camera on every corner or at the very least, on every IDF action. They probably have a huge archive of exculpatory footage.

Is there some higher principle that they are following that causes them to decline to participate in the battle for public opinion?

jal,

What are hasbarah people?

D-fens,you may have noticed that the LLL and all of its companions havee no use whatsoever for facts and clear empirical evidence.Frustrating as it is,thay could show Arafat LIVE on tv disemboweling an Israeli infant and the wads of the world would yawn.Their hatred of all that is good knows no bounds and cannot be swayed.

#13 D-Fens

I don't think it really matters what Israel records or doesn't. It's just the media and majority of the world are completely indifferent when Palis do bad things. Bombing busses barely makes the news. Murdering a pregnant woman and her children...whatever. The Palis really can do no wrong, this video isn't going to do anything. Video of palis killing people, mutilating people, etc. wouldn't even matter.

The UN is corrupt. It's time to give it a cold boot.

I just watched it. And I fully understand why it hasn't been getting airtime.

Reuters is corrupt. Since it is a $.10 3.5 inch floppy, lets just bend it in half and get a new disk.

#18 FH

Because it don't show Lyndie getting hosed?

FH,expand please.

#21 mbruce

I think because it's so obvious. there is no gray area at all - it's completely black and white. A [b]UN[/b] ambulance is allowed to be used to ferry "militants". That's bad press for the Palis, but more importantly that's bad for the UN.

#14   D-Fens

"Hasbarah" is a Hebrew word which means "explanation." It's commonly used to describe the endeavor of educating the world about what really goes on in Israel.

Zulu, clearly we're on the same side, but I respectfully disagree. The Pals will do what they do: fight in the most underhanded, evil, filthy, subhuman way possible. They never let us down. Their horrific behavior is a reliable constant and they will never be held accountable by the UN or the EU. This much we know.

So the question isn't "how can Israel get the Pals to act in their own and Israel's interest and stop their senseless, criminal terror war," -- because they won't of their own accord -- it's "how can Israel demonstrate to the world that the Pals are conducting a senseless, criminal terror war so that the asshole countries who support them will get them to stop?"

The answer: They need a PR and media offensive every bit as powerful as the one that just left Gaza. Israel doesn't make any effort to scream bloody murder after each and every bloody murder -- and it must.

Because of their shrieking, the Pals manage to get the UN out of bed to vote and the world press up in arms if Israel kills 8 terrorists. The Pals can kill 25 on a bus and Israel just licks its wounds quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone about it. Israel needs a charismatic, native-English-speaking firebrand spokesperson on CNN and Nightline, not some drab, gray nothing who just murmurs softly in a thick Israeli accent.

mbruce, it is fairly simple. When UN ambulances are used in that manner, they are no longer neutral. They become active participants in armed action against Israeli forces. In other words, fair game. And that is only from a military perspective. From a political perspective they demonstrate that UNWRA is not a neutral actor, and thus not a valid player in the crisis. Not to mention the fact that it means that the Palestinians, far from being noble "freedom fighters," are in fact war crime comitting thugs.

All in all, something that al-Reuters has no interest in broadcasting.

Is this the video of them using ambulances to escape with bodyparts of killed Israeli soldiers?

Does anyone know what the timeline is from this event?

A Palestinian who is tired of the lying mafia gangs, PLO, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the rest must have shot this?

John Loftus said Israel hasn't released the pictures of the Palestinians shooting the 2 teenagers because a Palesinian shot it and the pictures have incriminating evidence to him in them.

Mike

#16, SleepyInSeattle: You hit it right on the nose. Video? Bah. As long as the UN and Palistinean Arabs say it didn't happen, it didn't happen. Because Israel has the capacity to edit the videotape and the others only have their words.

Because, you know, (actual wacked out reasoning defending the validity of Jenininquiry.org's report):

[WARNING: The following sentence may be hazardous to your intellectual health. Unsafe for children and pregnant women.]

"We have a choice: are we more inclined to believe those who have the physical power to manipulate the evidence, or those who have only their words?"

Unfortunately, that's verbatim.

-dg

And yeah, when I see misleading headlines like this, it's abundantly clear that some better Hasbarah work is in order.

Also, D-Fens,
here is a Hasbarah site for you to check out.

OT:

To lift people's moods (something important for trying times such as this), I recommend that LGF's check this out:

Beware, Vikings!

#29   FH

heh The funniest part was the end where you can see that they were just in a water hazard.

#25 FH

"UNWRA is not a neutral actor"

Nor is it a neutral odor. ;)

So let me understand this: Al-Reuters has the video since 5/11 and its only coming out today ???

This is the single most damning piece of evidence i have ever seen...And Hansen is demanding an apology from isreal !!! ???

Kofi Annon is responsible directly for this...He is the most deviant,depraved degenerate parasite on this planet...He should be strung up by his balls...

The Pals have made it abundantly clear that there's no dirty tactic they won't use -- animals, children, women, "pregnant" women, old women as bait, ambulances, taxis, bicycles, boats, tunnels -- to kill Israeli "soldiers." [All Israelis are soldiers, remember?] Israel still refuses to take the gloves off.

Unfortunately, in the media as well as on the battlefield, Israel has brought a pen-knife to a gunfight.

Thought I'd get some spirtitual uplift from Beliefnet.com, but I came up with this L³ trashola under the "Swami's" column from a first class idiotarian:

chrysalis64
5/28/04 1:18:16 PM
To call Asscroft a despicable worm and a loathsome toad is offensive to worms and toads.

Lets call him what he really is - a vicious Nazi and a traitor to our nation's principles of justice and liberty. All the crooked scum in the Bush administration need to be tried for war crimes and treason. Murderers, theives and liars, ALL. The only one with an ounce of integrity is Colin Powell, but he is a coward who is afraid to rock the boat, so he ends up just as guilty and with as much blood on his hands as the rest of them.

God help America if Bush gets RE-SELECTED (he was never "elected" and is planning to commit election fraud again, this time with the Diebold voting machines.)

Pray for peace and justice.

If this pile of garbage was correct about "Asscroft", then not only would she be executed but her whole family would be put into camps. Piles of garbage like her prolly have Che posters and think Castro is a really nice guy and Osama is just a bogeyman Bush invented. After all, we once helped the Afghanis, and so did Osama, ergo: Osama is our puppet, just like Stalin was!

Oops, did I say UNWRA? That should be UNRWA. My mistake.

Access Middle East looks good.

Al-Zahar - new Hamas chief, bears a remarkable resemblance to Mel Brooks.

Good Going, Mossad !

#32 ted

Kofi Annon is responsible directly for this...He is the most deviant,depraved degenerate parasite on this planet...He should be strung up by his balls..

Kofi uses UN ambulances as his Pimp Mobile. The only thing Kofi loves more than his Pimp Mobiles are his balls.

23 patrickafir

I have heard hasbarah defined as outreach. Small difference if any. The Izzys have been notoriously lacking in it since day 1.

The reason ? Not many will be sympathetic so why bother. Place the resources elsewhere.

omfg, IRAN admits to training suicide bombers? Remind me why haven't we fux't them up yet?

via drudge

Thanks FH,I have not seen the Veitch Viking Vid for a while and ut always lightens my day.The "I like the moon "vid makes me weep in girly delight,but that is another story altogether...

#38   Bigsmoke

Yeah, I think that's pretty much the essence of the word as used in this context. And it's pitiable and a sad reflection of the human race that it's been so unsuccessful.

Well, I just sent the link to this video, along with a brief explanation of what it contains, to several major conservative radio commentators in the U.S.. I emailed the link to several major Canadian (my home... I know...) newspaper editors, in the hopes that one of them has some sense. Not much hope there, but you never know...

I urge everyone reading this to publicize this video as much as possible. Write your papers, your politicians, your family, everyone...

This is a MAJOR story (I know I don't have to tell the people here that), and it would begin to shine some truthful light on the massively corrupt United Nations.

It still staggers me that the Oil-for-Food scandal is so marginalized...

Outrageous.

Peace

The religion of peace strikes in Saudi Arabia again. You've just got to love how the house of Sa'ud is finding it increasingly difficult to adequately feed the hand that bites them.

Yes, let's put the U.N. in charge of Iraq.

When porkchops learn to fly.

"Still, the cost of all U.N. peacekeeping is minimal, says Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno, ''when you consider that civil wars cost 120 billion dollars annually.'' "

Especially when you consider that the blue-helmets don't do jack while people are being murdered right in front of them. And they spend their hard earned cash on pedophilic recreational activities.

Profiteering, and child exploitation, yeah these are the guys I want running the world, and lecturing America and Israel about human rights.

OT:

Remember the barrels of red phosphorous found in Canada last week? Recall that:

ABC reports the two people arrested here were Muslims, and that they claimed they were paid $4500 to drive the phosphorous to the U.S. Adams says that in fact, they said they were paid to drive the van to Toronto. They were released with a court appearance set for July.

Red phosphorus degrades to the toxic phosphine on exposure to moist air.

Some speculated that the red phosphorus found in the above incident was to be used for terrorist bomb manufacture. Interestingly, also last week there was an attack on a Vancouver, BC bus with what might be phosphine. Coincidence, or have our friends found a new toy?

The police think the substance used on the bus attack was phosphine.

Initially the authorities were puzzled.

Please note that the u(nited)n(azi) commissioner for keeping pali cockroaches banged up in so called refugee camps, yes the same one who started the jenin 'massacre' libel, has demanded that Israel apologise for even suggesting that u(nited)n(azi) ambulances are used to transport genocide murderers.

Moral of story? Yes!! There is no moral in the un. Morality and the un are an oxymoron, like 'arafart' and 'human being'. I pray daily that the un becomes defunct very soon and its evil administrators and over fed undiplomats all go to hell. The un is evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil.

Direct link to the video:

http://e.tln0.com/ame/archives/reuters_UN_amblulan ces_11_may_04.wmv

It looks suspiscious. Wierd edits in the middle makes it jumpy.

Who filmed this? Why is it referred to as file footage? Did the murderers know they were being filmed and if so, why did they leave it behind?

Whenever I get into a conversation about Israel with other wonderful yet empty-headed inhabitants of the SF Bay Area, the first thing they whine about is the fact that ambulances are stopped at checkpoints. According to them, it's always to the detriment of an injured or sick person. Why would Hamas or whoever leave evidence around that deprives them of one of their biggest propaganda clubs?

Just two days ago I had someone tell me that there was no evidence of Pali terrorists using ambulances and I would love to forward this video but I don't yet feel confident of it's legitimacy so I'm going to wait until I can find out more info.

-RBJ

This comes as no suprise.

Do you guys remember how Koffi and his cronies lied about not having video evedance relating to the Hezbolah killing/kidnapping of three israeli soldiers? And when they finally admitted that did in fact have the video, they refused to give a copy to israel. They would only let the Israelis view the tape at UN offices.

#3 twisterella

and I'd really love to turn every Palestinian XY

You think their women are any better then the men?

They aren't.

UNRWA EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN VIOLENCE AND TERROR

...and here's a question I haven't heard in a while

“Could it be that the media has overlooked the fact that the Red Crescent, which continues to be the source of most of the allegations of IDF "war crimes", is directed by Dr. Fathi Arafat, the brother of PLO leader, Yassir Arafat?”

Straw poll:

Should Israel resign from the United Nations? What would be the consequences?
Should America resign from the United Nations? What would be the consequences?

Where did the video come from?
The days when video footage came from recognised (and neutral) news agency journalists or known stringers attached to these agencies is long gone. Today anyone with a camcorder ($200?) is a journalist and any one with a VCR is an editor.

My guess: A Palestinian with a camcorder openly took the footage - possibly on behalf of the armed men climbing into the ambulance. He then sold it to Reuters, who delayed broadcast because they realised (or were reminded) that it would damage the Palistinian 'struggle'.

the problem here is that to be an accredited camerra man in the west bank or gaza stripyou have to be a palestinian. any non palestinian that tries to film in the area without credentials from the PA will get the usual treatment!

after the Rammala lynchings the PA banned all foreign news services from using any but palestinian photographers!

this explains the paucity of pictures focusng on palestinian suffering in the press, and why a lt of what happens never gets out!

you are not going to get an objective view of the conflict with these journalists practicing self censorship due to the fear of being detained by the PA, or Hamas.

try this article about the PA and press censorship in the most pro-palestinian NGO of them all! PHRMG - to think they would usually blame israel for this!

[Link: www.phrmg.org...]

OT 1: New terror attack in Saudi.

OT 2: (File this under "when pigs fly") Sweden's second-largest morning paper has actually been listening in to sermons at Stockholm's main mosque. Guess what they found? (Won't spoil your surprise much to say the local moslem community is now in seethe-mode)

The Worship of the Key

The issue here is not whether the bad guys here will be sent, in due course, to hell.

Speaking of Jews, of course.

To us, all this is a key issue.

I wonder if J?K can use this in his campaign?

Boosh stole the key to the White House! Shahids unite!

Oh, wait, Gore already is.

OT

HIGH RISK FOR DAMAGING TORNADOES TODAY NEBRASKA, KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA

MARITIME BOUNDARY LAYER MOISTURE...SFC DEW POINTS IN THE LOWER-MID 70S...IS RAPIDLY SURGING NWD ACROSS TX EARLY THIS MORNING. AT 05Z THIS AIRMASS HAD RETURNED TO THE HILL COUNTRY...NEAR THE DALLAS/FT WORTH METROPLEX...NEWD INTO SRN AR. CURRENT INDICATIONS ARE 70S DEW POINTS WILL LIFT ACROSS OK AND KS AHEAD OF DRY LINE BY PEAK HEATING/CONVECTIVE INITIATION. ALTHOUGH A LEAD UPPER SHORTWAVE TROUGH WILL LIFT ACROSS THE SRN PLAINS EARLY IN THE PERIOD...IT APPEARS STRONG HEATING IN THE WAKE OF MID LEVEL CLOUDS/BROKEN PRECIPITATION WILL OCCUR ALONG THE DRY LINE BY EARLY AFTERNOON...CREATING A VERY UNSTABLE WARM SECTOR...ON THE ORDER OF 3500-4000 J/KG. CURRENT THINKING IS AFTERNOON HEATING...IN CONJUNCTION WITH VERY STRONG CONVERGENCE ALONG DRY LINE...WILL PROVE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT FOR POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE SUPERCELL DEVELOPMENT FROM SOUTH CENTRAL NEB INTO SWRN OK. FORECAST SOUNDINGS STRONGLY FAVOR TORNADIC DEVELOPMENT AS VERY STRONG LOW LEVEL SHEAR WILL ONLY INCREASE DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING AS LLJ INCREASES IN EXCESS OF 60KT FROM NERN OK INTO NERN KS. DAMAGING TORNADOES MAY ACCOMPANY SUPERCELLS THAT TRACK ENEWD ACROSS THE PLAINS TOWARD THE MS VALLEY REGION DURING THE EVENING HOURS.

DAY 1 SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK

#55

Every time I read about these treasured keys--totems of a lost paradise before Jewish rule--I recall the words of an anonymous Israeli: "Tell them we changed the locks."

And the houses, the streets, plumbing and air conditioning.

Debka:

At least five foreigners killed in E. Saudi town of Khobar in attack claimed by Al Qaeda, among them nine-year old and Egyptian expatriate. Large number of hostages taken and 2 security officers wounded in multiple shooting attack on offices of Western oil companies and living quarters. Attack not over.

From what I've heard on the radio, five Lebanese were taken hostage and three released immediately after - I'd wager the three are Muslim, and the two remaining are Christian.

The keys to their homes that Palestinian refugees left behind...

I still have the keys to my old apartment which I sold last year --- does that mean I can reclaim it any time I want??

Some Palestinians (home owners) left their houses voluntarily and others sold theirs... but still want to return.

Other Palesetinians were renting property from Jews, but they want to reclaim it as their own!

Also OT, but I have a weird jones for unusual and interesting weather, especially near where I live. 26.5C is considered the minimum sea surface temperature for tropical cyclogenesis, and the the entire Gulf of Mexico has now reached the magic temperature.

DR. Kerry Emanuel at MIT has done a lot of research predicting maximum tropical cyclone intensity from oceanic heat content, which includes not just sea surface temperature but also how deep the warm water is, as intense cyclones cause upwelling, which brings cooler water to the surface, which limits storm intensity if the warm water is shallow.

Also

Climatologies such as these can be used to estimate the limiting intensities for individual cities. One caveat here is that for cities such as Boston, New York, and Tokyo, which lie outside the regions that are thermodynamically able to support hurricanes, one has to take into account the fact that storms moving rapidly out of regions of large potential intensity can strike such cities before they have time to dissipate. An added complication is that occasionally tropical cyclones are ``rejuvenated'' by complex and poorly understood interactions with weather systems outside the tropics. Hurricane Hazel, in 1954, did considerable damage in Toronto owing to such an interaction. Tropical-extratropical interactions will be an important and active subject of research over the next decade and we can hope that better understanding will lead to better estimates of the maximum intensity of rejuvenated storms.

If I were you, I'd add this link to your bookmarks. Maximum Potential Tropical Cyclone Intensity

#13 D-fens wrote:

I just can't believe that Israel doesn't have a camera on every corner or at the very least, on every IDF action. They probably have a huge archive of exculpatory footage.

Agree totally. Footage of homicide bombings - no matter how disgusting - should be made available, at least online.

Footage and photos of Pali use of civilians - especially children - should be made available online.

Footage and photos of Palis 'on parade' in their little Reichfests should be made available.

Incendiary speeches of mullahs and PA leaders - translate with subtitles and throw them online.

Ambulances used to carry terrorists, the tunnels, children's school books vilifying Jews and Israel - all should be made available for the world to see what Israel is up against.

Israel can't do PR. They figure: the world is against us - why bother? But a single image can have tremendous power - think of Nick Berg's beheading.

Sure, there will be Islamists, the radical left and radical right who will claim the images were photoshopped. What do you expect them to say? The majority in western, secular states who are not on the fringe will begin to understand.

These images should be sent to all news media. Not that they would be published - just to see what the media publishes and what it ignores.

Next time a university group hosts a propaganda campaign to harass students in the hallways in agit prop theatre demonstrations of IDF border searches - right next to that demonstration I'd like to see huge photos of the aftermath of homicide bombings. I want to see everything - charred remains, guts strewn on the road, burnt body parts. And with it the sign: THIS IS WHY THE IDF DOES SEARCHES.

#61 Ed Moran

Can you please include the UK weather in your reports?

Thanks... :-)

Boy, the Saudi entity has created a monster it can't control. al Qaeda is really only following the logical extension of Wahabbi philosophy, and the Saud family rose to power by promoting an alliance with the followers of Wahab.

BTW, al Qaeda really is hitting very close to the source of power of the Saud family. Without oil revenue, they are just another clan of camel herders in the desert. The Saudis rely far too heavily on Western engineering talent to extract and process their oil, and al Qaeda is obviously trying to scare the backbone of the Saud economy out.

Too late now, but the House of saud would have done better during the last 20 years encouraging more Saudis to study engineering, and fewer to study Islamic Studies (which, IIRC, from National Geographic, is the most popular college major in Saudi, with ballpark 40% of all students)

Peter Hansen is still demanding an apology for Israel making the accusation that UNRWA ambulances were used by terrorists to ferry body parts and terrorists.

Let Peter know what you think:
h.unrwa@unrwa.org

Showers in Ireland and Scotland, England mainly dry.

UK Met Office forecasts a high of 19C in London with light south winds, typical late February weather in Houston.

Today the winds in Houston will be a bit strong, especially offshore, due to the strengthening surface low that will help fire the big tornado outbreak in the Southern and Central Plains. Winds off the 26.5C Gulf waters will hold Galveston Island below about 30C (but watch for some rough waves!), about 80 km inland (ie, Houston) temps could reach about 34C

I spend a lot less time looking at European weather, although sometimes Atlantic hurricanes, after recurving and losing tropical charecteristics, will slam NW Europe with hurricane force winds (65 knots +) during the Autumn months.

OT - Pat Tillman probably killed by friendly fire

I guess that makes it even more tragic.

What's the countdown until some LLL waste of skin suggests that he was assasinated by the CIA in order to create a martyr for patriotism to take deflect some attention from Bush?

OT: Muslim's Exile Couldn't Silence Moderate Voice (Richmond Times-Dispatch by Alberta Lindsay)

For example, the Wahhabis, founded in Saudi Arabia in the 18th century, advocate a rigid interpretation of the Quran. On the other hand, people in Lebanon, for instance, interpret the Muslim holy book more moderately, he said...Sahli disagrees that the Quran needs updating. "It's the Shariah that needs updating," he said.

OT - A RED ALERT has being issued on several verified sightings of the ‘Red, hairy-nosed Screeching-Moonbat.’ This species is a particularly violent, sociopath variant of the raving-Moonbat. They are found to be rabidly anti-Semitic and a delusional variety of the classic anti-American schizophrenic. Generally seen drooling and ranting incoherently, they migrate on rumor of conspiracy and neocon-Imperialism. This species may be viewed from a safe distance when seen swarming with picket signs declaring ‘Peace’ on one side with ‘Unable to work due to personality issues, GIVE ME MONEY NOW’ on the opposite.

The latest sightings were due to the possibility of a terrorist attack being issued and relate to the ’Bush Knew’ syndrome; now warnings of possible attacks are NOT, repeat NOT, to be issued for a variety of schizoid reasons. Special note: The sad news that Pat Tillman’s death may have been caused by friendly-fire may also aggravate the highly dysfunctional characteristics of this creature.

Abu Ed Moran:

The Saudis have been publishing article after article in the Arab News about their efforts in "Saudiazation" of the work force/economy to cut the reliance on Westerners and 3rd world nationals.

Here is their chance!

A couple of more attacks on Western offices and compounds and we will all pack up and go home.

I would just like to point out that Charles did not allege the "world is outraged" about this.

See, that would make Charles a fiction writer. Also, that would be an untestable opinion. Furthermore, that would be propaganda.

jal - right on

What's a bloody disgrace, Zulu, is Israel's hasbarah people. Every one of them should be fired immediately

Israel's PR is a criminal disgrace. No one in the govt either thinks PR is important, or wants to give power to those who are knowledgeable. Arrogance and stupidity are the requirements of Israeli politicians.

Obviously, this video was faked by the Jewish Hollywood moguls to benefit the Jews in Palestine.

There is no proof that this video is real.

The Neocons must be really happy.

Alon Pinkas was the only decent PR guy I've ever seen, and he's never around anymore.

OT

Walking my dog this morning, I passed a bank of newspaper dispensers that still had Friday's papers in it.

The two headlines from the NYPost and NYDaily News, respectivey:

HOOKED!

and

SHIEK DOWN!

/wrt Abu Hamza-al Masri, nee Mustafa Kamel Mustafa.

:-)

an Israeli HELLFIREshould have vaporized that UN ambulance!!!

I found a photo of one of those little babies shot in the head by the Pali murderers, it ain't pretty - especially when you think about what kind of person could shoot a baby in the head at point blank range -

Freaking animals!!!

go to gruesome shit check out "power of firearms"

At least 16 dead in KSA.

The article lists the nationalities of only nine: one each from America, India, Pakistan, Egypt and the UK. Two dead from the Phillipines and KSA.

All five Lebanese hostages released, but more believed still held.

I apologize for being off topic, but I would like to ask some questions. I am not american, I recognize the global importance of usa, I feel that what happens in your country may have worldwide effects, I feel that I cannot trust media for my information about usa, so I come straight to the source seeking for an honest and thoughtful response from the average (or not the so average) american. This place was introduced to me as a popular and live blog, where one can see how most or at least many people in usa think.

I heard today that Kerry said that he will withdraw american troops from Iraq should he be elected. Kerry at the moment is as likely as Bush is to be elected. I assume, since no one refused it when I asked, that you are at war. Although Kerry's statement has not been yet tested against it's effect on his popularity percentages, I cannot imagine someone, running for presidency with many chances to win, making such a statement unless there is a wide audience that would support it. I am asking you is there such an audience? If there is, does this mean that americans want this war over? If yes why? Are the objectives realized? Is it a dead end? Is it a defeat?

The reason I am asking these questions is that I have been very puzzled about the american public opinion on the matter. It is very awkward for a nation a couple weeks before an imminent, well debated and supported war to be divided as to whether their country should go on war. During the last months, while it is clear that the war is still not over and that additional effort is needed for it to end succesfully, I see a nation that does not fully support its leader, and I must admit that if my country was in war the acceptance of our leader would be over 80%. I am not old, i havent seen much but it strikes me as a historical first the low support of your president, in these circumstances. Now Kerry involves the matter in his campaign. Regularly such matters should remain outside the elections game. I said regularly, but given the fact that it happens and there should be reasons for it happening, could something not be functioning approprietely? Is there a chance that what is happening in usa concerning this war is somewhat not regular, now or while the nation was preparing for the war?

I would like to thank the person that yesterday took the time to answer some of my questions. The analogue to fans, team and coach would explain much, but I hope there is more to it. If there is not you would prove right those that say that the candidate who can spend most (buy the best players) wins the elections (the championship). And I must tell you that when such statements are hosted in european newspapers usually intend to mock your country.

To anyone who would like to answer me, I would like not only some honest and thoughtful answers but also some reassuring ones, because what's being going on is far more important than a football game. That is if there is ground for someone that looks upon americans for a better peaceful world, to be reassured. I would like to be reassured that nothing is or went wrong. I am waiting.

#67 -
3... 2... 1...

One more reason to worship the UN

LLL tinfoil asshat off/

KOMIS -
Here's what is Kerry's official statement on his website. I guess you can take it from there as a starting point.
Strategy for Iraq
Then check out this link.
In other words, no one is really sure what he thinks, not even himself.

From the video, it looks like one guy in the first group of three might be wounded. (Of, he may be faking for the camera. It's happened before with fake funerals. He seemed to have a pretty easy time getting into the ambulance.) This doesn't excuse the other four guys with AK-47s who also hopped in, though...

OT
Bush gets credit from a lefty at the NewYork Times -a certain Nicholas Kristof: Re: the ongoing war in Sudan.

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

OT

Is it just me or is Vancouver a haven for morlocks and anti-semites? A look at the local indymedia seems to confirm this:

[Link: vancouver.indymedia.org...]

Surprise! Libya gets surprise shipment of nuclear materials!

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

Apparently someone forgot to tell the middlemen that Libya was cooperating with the US and international agencies over nuclear proliferation and was no longer in need of nuclear materials/equipment. So, when a shipment of the stuff showed up, Libyian officials informed the US and IAEA.

I'm sure investigators will have a field day with tracking down who got the stuff originally and how it was shipped, etc.

#38, Komis. The policy statements of John Kerry do not add up to a coherant strategy for Americas future. He has said nothing to change my 30 plus year aquaintance with his political acumen that leads me to believe he is anything other than a traitor who is full of shit. If the Dems succeed in electing him, the constitution will need to be changed to give the American media a place in the government that they now hold only in an unofficial capacity. In America there are two wars being fought at the present time One is the war on terror, the other is the war on culture and values. If Kerry is elected, it will be a good sign that both wars have been lost.

yawn.

Nothing will come of it. Nothing ever does.
Even if every media outlet aired it, nothing would come of it.
Reaction, Israel pushed those poor terrorists militants into it. Don't you know these poor people were so peaceful before the cruel land grabbing Israeli's got their (control the world) hands on them??

A Congregational Minister recently stated quite matter of factly that "without Israel the whole Middle East would be a peaceful place."

Hearing that muslims are the RoP enough times has made for successful brainwashing. Hear it enough times and I guess it finds a place in the brains of humankind. Same as the mindset most people have concerning Israel. No one needs proof, they just know it. ; - ((

As far as I am concerned, the die is cast. We have to wait for history to write the whole story. Of course the flip side of this is that people fail to learn the lessons history teaches.

One more OT: re: Saddam and Al Qaeda link:

[Link: www.weeklystandard.com...]

"THE PRESIDENT CONVINCED THE COUNTRY with a mixture of documents that turned out to be forged and blatantly false assertions that Saddam was in league with al Qaeda," claimed former Vice President Al Gore last Wednesday.

"There's absolutely no evidence that Iraq was supporting al Qaeda, ever," declared Richard Clarke, former counterterrorism official under George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, in an interview on March 21, 2004.

The editor of the Los Angeles Times labeled as "myth" the claim that links between Iraq and al Qaeda had been proved. A recent dispatch from Reuters simply asserted, "There is no link between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda." 60 Minutes anchor Lesley Stahl was equally certain: "There was no connection."

And on it goes. This conventional wisdom--that our two most determined enemies were not in league, now or ever--is comforting. It is also wrong. ...

#78 konis:

During the last months, while it is clear that the war is still not over and that additional effort is needed for it to end succesfully, I see a nation that does not fully support its leader, and I must admit that if my country was in war the acceptance of our leader would be over 80%. I am not old, i havent seen much but it strikes me as a historical first the low support of your president, in these circumstances. Now Kerry involves the matter in his campaign. Regularly such matters should remain outside the elections game. I said regularly, but given the fact that it happens and there should be reasons for it happening, could something not be functioning approprietely? Is there a chance that what is happening in usa concerning this war is somewhat not regular, now or while the nation was preparing for the war?

The thing about the US is that it doesn't take wars lightly. This country has a history of isolationism, and a reluctance to be drawn into events elsewhere in the world. Now, that isolationist streak isn't gone, but it is still an undercurrent in US politics.

Polling is highly subjective and it is very easy to sway polling results simply by the wording of the questions asked. If you went strictly by what the Times says, Bush should have been done ages ago, but frankly, the Times is out of step with most of the rest of the country. I know its hard for someone outside the US to understand, but while the Times is the so called paper of record, it's record isn't particularly sterling - and that's going back 60 years. It's institutional biases affect its coverage, underreporting events that showed Communism to be horrible (Duranty's coverage of Soviet Union for example), or the Blair/Raines scandal.

I think something similar occurred during the early 1980s when Reagan was in office. He was responding to a new threat from the Soviet Union by calling for the placement of Pershing II intermediate range missiles in Europe - for European self-defense in case of attack by massed Warsaw Pact forces. Many on the Continent opposed this, and demonstrated vigorously. The US went against the grain, and Reagan managed to succeed anyhow. The nuclear freeze movement essentially died out (OT, but where's the outcry from the nuclear freeze movement about the nuclear proliferation to countries like Libya, Iran, North Korea, and prior to that Iraq? - nothing but crickets chirping on that front - could be that the freeze movement was really anti-Americanism under a different banner).

Iraq is not a war unto itself, but a battle within a much larger worldwide war. People on this site largely take that view, but many who read the Times only see the Iraq theater of operations as a war unto itself. That myopic view is part of the problem.

Pissed off as I am? PHONE Peter Hansen.

Mr. Peter Hansen, Commissioner-General

Gamal Abdul Nasser Street, Gaza City
Post Office Box 140157
Amman 11814
Jordan
Tel: 972 8 677 7333
Fax: 972 8 677 7555

United Nations Liaison Office:
One United Nations Plaza
DC1-1265
New York, New York 10017
Tel: 212-963-2255
Fax: 212-963-7899

KOMIS

I have the same questions, and I've lived here all my life. Like Mark Steyn, I can't understand why the president isn't far ahead of a man who hasn't made one policy statement that he hasn't contradicted 15 minutes later. All I can do is vote for Bush and hope that the polls and the media are wrong. God knows the media hasn't been right about anything in a very long time.

As for this video, the UN needs to rename its ambulances. Terrorist Taxis is more appropriate.

...not so OT and in line with my post # 87

17:46Norwegian oil workers union calls for embargo on Israeli goods; country`s opposition urges global ban on arms sales to Israel (Israel Radio)

Yah, flood $'s and arms to palestinian terrorists (that's ok) so we can ultimately cleanse the world of Israel. And when the RoP comes bombing knocking at every door across the world, they will blame that too on Israel.

BTW: An embargo on Israel especially on weapons is the ultimate goal.

KOMIS

May I ask what country you are from/living in ?

Its America and USA, thank you.

Pretty convincing. Surely it was staged by those perfidious Israeli filmakers.

Yes, so, if the ambulances are fake, why isn't the UN denouncing the misuse of their emblem? Why?

Maybe they are not fake.

Latest Rapid Update Cycle Model shows 3000 J/Kg CAPE for Oklahoma City, helicity at 325 m^2/s^2, and lower 70s (mid 20s C) dewpoints, such that despite surface temps in upper 30s C (upper 90s F) low cloud bases and level of free convection around 700 meters (below 2500 feet). The RUC shows the 800mb CAP almost gone by then. RUC shows DFW still has a hint of a capping inversion at 800mb, and shear a little weaker, but CAPE of 3 KJ/Kg means any isolated storms that do fire will likely rapidly become severe.

The 12Z ETA just came in, and its forecast for Oklahoma City is scary. Similar shear to RUC, but CAPE over 4000 J/Kg. Not as scary as the forecast for Topeka, however. 3500 J/Kg CAPE, but an incredible 550 m^2/s^2 helicity is a recipe for long track and damaging tornadoes. The forecast hodograph is almost a perfect half circle.

Make your own forecast sounding!7 am CDT Norman, OK sounding already slightly unstable with strong shear!

92

Selpaw

The sampson Option still makes me awfully uncomfortable, and I know there are good people in Europe, but as a rule, Bigel's assessment of Europe seems a lot better to me than it did a year ago.

allahu Fubar!

"Michael Moore full of shit" Nick Berg's sister
[Link: www.kentucky.com...]

tip drudge

What a piece of shit.
/OT

Once an ambulance is used like this it a legit target. Start putting 120mm tank rounds through them.

The day before the dedication of our WW2 memorial I grieve the death of ww2 tactics.

In ww1 the technology of killing outpaced the tactics. So 20,000 men would die in one day reguarly. In ww2 tactics caught up and no mercy was shown to the Germans and Japaneese. We fought to win. The japaneese were non signers of the geneva convention and were truly fucking evil. see bataan death march. When we had tactical and technological advantage we used it. I have no ill feelings about nuking them and would do it again if it were my call.

Now the technology out paces the tactics again. The enemy uses children to spot positions and report to mortar crews. We do not fire counterbattery for fear of killing civillians. We do not shoot the spotter. They undercut our advantage by exploiting our fear of killing civillians in combat or knocking a dent in some shrine they are using for cover.

Israel, sadly, has the same problem. They are already hated by 90% of the world and still do not fight to win. What would the world do if Israel declared open war on terrorism and promised to shoot any sonofabitch carrying a gun on sight. Dont jail any more terrorists, they dont wear uniforms and are granted no quarter under the geneva conventions. The russians had the right idea in the moscow theatre raid. The living terrorists were shot point blank in the head. They are fucking pirates and should be hung from the proverbial yardarm.

The next hamas, al allah martyr brigade circle jerk should be laser designated and have 4 2000lb gbus dropped from 40k. Then Israel should claim a gas main broke. Next time same treatment. They will get tired of burying people or all be dead. Build the wall, kick them all the fuck out at gunpoint and then mine a 500 yd dmz and let the UN and Europe shit their pants. Who cares and what the fuck are they really going to do.

Tell Iran to give up their nuke program or we will blockade them.

I'm tired of the half assed, touchy feely approach to these people warn them, if they don't cut their shit start killing them in droves.

#78 KOMIS

America is governed by a two party system which is institutionally entrenched due to the fact that the Presidency is indirectly elected by state appointed electors (the Electoral College). In order to fund the national campaign such a system forces candidates to campaign in and win each individual state.

Those two parties are organized into two factions which roughly break down into socialist/big government(Democrats) and individual liberty/ enterprise supporting Republicans.

Neither party has a majority, they are divided more or less evenly and each year elections are decided by how the "middle/non affliliated," a small minority of voters, can be influenced to swing. It is important to know also that less than half the eligible voter population participates in national elections. Normally the presidency is based upon less than 25% of the eligible voters ( The Electoral College tends to reflect who wins a majority of the popular vote in each state.)

The War on Terrror is generally supported, but the Invasion in Iraq is not universally accepted; it's support depends upon it's success. The Democrats are trying to use its setbacks as a means to regain power. They tend to be supported by our mainstream press, whose reporters are dominantly Democrat party loyalists.

The Republicans are essentially hostage to success on the ground, and/or an appeal to national self defense.

At the moment it is very unclear which side will prevail, that is, convice the undecided minority of voters in the middle.

Ah, Komis,

Let me edit this line from my comment in #99 above:

"In order to fund the national campaign..."

It should read:

Such a system forces candidates to campaign in and win each individual state, and such a requirement requires funding that only a national party can raise, which is the reason why third parties and proportional representation does not occur in the United States.

#100, Genard

One good side-effect of the "winner takes all" method of gaining electoral college votes is that it reduces the power of minor third parties. Think about the consessions that Nader could have gotten from the Democrats if he had won EC votes through a proportional distribution. If that doesn't scare you, imagine Pat Buchannan in the role of Kingmaker. This is why the Europeans have to spend so much time & effort kowtowing to folks like the Greens. I much prefer a system that encourages the main parties to pander towards the middle, instead of to the extremes...

#96 Ed Moran:Abu GOMEX at Magic 26.5C !!!
I don't like it either. It is very painful to imagine that a world could be so damn blind. However the world turned upside down scenario or Sampson as it is often called looks more believable as each day passes.

There is no other 'viable' explanation for this madness, is there?

Lauhawk Genard and everybody,
Thank you for the answer.
In europe people are so anti-Bush and it is impossible to have an unbiased conversation. I have asked people what I am asking you here about the low support of your president at times like these and I have gotten the answers below;
1)It is an agressive, imperialistic war. 2)It is a war far away from the country and nevertheless americans have never recently tasted a real war on their ground. 3)The objectives are not clearly defined.

I find these statements easily refutable as far the explanation of the low support of the president is concerned.

1)There are very few people in usa that believe that the war on Iraq is imperialistic, certainly less than the 50% that does not support bush's policy on the matter.

2)Well the war may be thousands of miles away from USA but the initial incident of it according to the vast majority of the americans took place in your country. It is of minor importance that you have not tasted war the way europe has, because we all know that war is bad and our reactions are shaped by our relative experience. Evey people is capable of judging war based on what they know. You may not have had millions of dead people in your big cities but you have marked the ww2 as the worst experience your country had. So I cannot accept that the war shocked you and therefore you are retreating.

3)The objectives. Well your leadership may have wrongly treated this one. It seems that the objective changed according against to whom your leadership defended it's policy. But that may mean that there are or was more than one objectives. And almost every american would line up behind the one that he believes is the most important. Nevertheless there is the ultimate objective that does not bear any doubt. And that is the effective pressure on terrorism and especialy on the terrorists teritory. I think that is the objective that most of you consider the most important, and it seems that it is being carried out sucessfully.

Although I cannot accept any of the above explanations, I cannot accept the explanation that some people see things the right way and some people the wrong one. I also wonder how is it possible some photos may cause a steer in usa policy. As I have already said in here, how can people that are willing to kill themselves so as to cause any damage to American targets (from 911 proportions, to a small crack of the wall of the US headquarters in Iraq) be gently interrogated? Do not you see it the same way? Moreover what is the big deal with Moore’s film? In Europe most people call it demagogic. Can a presidential re-election be victimized to such a demagogue?

What I am saying is that when you are at war you must be very sure about what you are doing and why. What I am seeing could be described as uncertainty or having been based on weak ground. Most people in Europe would be happy with this. I am not and I hope you will provide me better explanations.

Lastly something that one could take it as a plausible explanation is that you consider anti-Americanism a big problem. Personally I would refute this one too, because it does not explain why some do and some don’t. Moreover USA did not become what it is by looking what the rest of the world thinks of them, although it is widely accepted that there has not been any other time with such a widespread anti-Americanism.
Please lend me your thoughts

Radian

You said that 90% of the world hates Israel. I think this is an overstatement. Israel is not so much hated, and if you look closely you will see that at least the european goverments support it, even if that is being done in a discreet and silent way, even if that is being done against the approval of their people. I would like to ask you how you feel Israel will be benefited if more people turn against it and demand their leaders to stop supporting it? Is the danger so great that you would take such risk?

Genard

"The War on Terrror is generally supported, but the Invasion in Iraq is not universally accepted; it's support depends upon it's success."

That is completely new to me. I always thought that the opposite was valid. And I think that is correct and natural because it means that it is more difficult to begin a war. And war is bad isn't it?

#103 KOMIS

Where are you posting from?

I also wonder how is it possible some photos may cause a steer in usa policy. As I have already said in here, how can people that are willing to kill themselves so as to cause any damage to American targets (from 911 proportions, to a small crack of the wall of the US headquarters in Iraq) be gently interrogated?

In many instances, the abuse was not of terrorists but criminals or, worse, suspected criminals. I support the use of torture on terrorists, and I expect most Americans would agree.

Americans are angry about Abu Ghraib for two main reasons, IMHO. First, the guards brought dishonour on the US military, and clearly enjoyed it. Second, Operation Iraqi Freedom looks (and that doesn't mean it is) a little less righteous when US troops are sodomising criminals with broom handles.

Moreover what is the big deal with Moore’s film? In Europe most people call it demagogic. Can a presidential re-election be victimized to such a demagogue?

I disagree with you about what Europeans (and I am one - sorta; half UK, half US) think about Moore. Many/most think he's some sort of hero.

Michael Moore's films are designed to make people doubt their convictions, and they're very effective. 9/11 bruised America more than anything for three decades, and if Americans have suspicions that Bush had a hand in 9/11, as Moore's film alleges, they sure as hell won't vote for him.

#104 KOMIS

I think this is an overstatement. Israel is not so much hated, and if you look closely you will see that at least the european goverments support it, even if that is being done in a discreet and silent way, even if that is being done against the approval of their people.

Actually, the European govts are more anti-Israel than they let on. They paying for Arab terror attacks against Israel; accuse Israel of "a reckless disregard for human life"; pay for human rights monitoring of the IDF, but pull the plug when they look at PA abuses; suggests sanctions be put on Israel; pays for 'peace plans' that would mean the division of Jerusalem; bankroll Syria and Iran; threaten nuclear action against Israel; etc.

Jed and others,

Just keep in mind the fact that just as a lot of American media passed over Berg's killing in favour of Abu Ghraib so too do they omit anything that could portray the Palestinians in a bad light.
The BBC for one always uses inuendo to imply that the Israelis are lying or spinning some facts. It is always for Israelis ( and in some cases Jews) to prove themselves "innocent".
Their Panorama program broadcast twice a cannard that Israeli soldiers were using a poisonous gas against Palestinians and no Israeli protests helped.

As for the UN well just remember the Hizbollah attack in which they killed 3 soldiers by crossing the border in violation of even UN maps. They were helped by the UNIFILth troops who seem to have supplied UN vehicles with the identification and all, and then tried to hide the video for almost a year.

Greece.

I have read in various newspapers that there is no doubt that the film is a propaganda, and in most newspapers i have read that it is created for domestic consumption in usa. Under that prism its being awarded seems like a trojan horse. A "gift" from europe to the usa.

I am sorry I cannot be convinced that us public got shocked by the photos. From this very blog I followed a link to a site that combines porn and torture (orgish.com or something like that). I mean that today it cannot be very suprising what happened there especially under the given circumstances. Any way it is one thing being angry or annoyed or even shocked by the photos and it is a another thing to change your policy. I would like your comment on anti-americanism as a problem that should worry americans, and its being potentially a factor for Bush not being as supported as he should be.

I don't dig this greek. he doesn't smell right to me.

Well from all the comments questioning Israel's 'hasbarah' maybe #109's reply should show that even the Reuter's video is not immune from the "disbelieving ones" when it comes to showing something negative relating to the Plaestinians.

Any way it is one thing being angry or annoyed or even shocked by the photos and it is a another thing to change your policy.

Who's changing policy?

I would like your comment on anti-americanism as a problem that should worry americans, and its being potentially a factor for Bush not being as supported as he should be.

Not much to say. Anti-Americanism is bad for America... I'm not sure what you're asking.

Komis:

I stand by my figure. The euros fund the plo who kill women and children as a tactic in their war on israel. Check the UN voting records and the 'racisim' conference which was just a bash Israel front. Im an american and offer my perspective. Israel has nothing to loose by systematically killing the terrorist pissants in large numbers. I'm surprised its civillian population doesn't take a more violent approach to them.

If this was happening in Texas or Arizona the population would probably take up arms, people would end up swinging from lamp posts.

Hi Charles and LGF'ers,

A Reuters representative and I sat together early Friday morning May 28th at their Jerusalem bureau to edit down the video clip appearing on our site.

The video is comprised of several segments of longer un-edited material. The material left out, in order to keep the file size minimal, consisted of random similar scenes of armed and unarmed Palestinians thronging the street seen in the clip. This accounts for the somewhat jumpy cuts, as some readers noted. However, nothing relevant has been deleted or distorted from this version.

We welcome comments on this or any other material available at http//www.accessmiddleeast.org, and of course, greatly appreciate Little Green Footballs for posting the link and bringing it to the attention of it's readership.

Best regards,
Dave Bender

Senior Editor
dave@a-me.org
http//www.accessmiddleeast.org

Dave Bender (#114),

Thanks Dave, that should put to rest any "jumpy editing" questions.

The Palestinians are on our side, they're just victims of a terrorist government!

Has FOX picked up this? Any news channel outside of Israel?

@ cyberludite -

Think about the consessions that Nader could have gotten from the Democrats if he had won EC votes through a proportional distribution.

Much scarier, since the GOP is in power, the concessions that would have to have been made to someone like Pat Buchanan.

@ 98 Radian
Six lines in, I am with you on your comments - once used to support terrorists, those ambulances are valid targets. Maybe someday - probably wishful thinking - the "Paleos" will realize that those f'ers with masks and guns are causing any pain or hardship they suffer. Also, don't like Moore, don't see his movie - don't buy his books - don't read news article about him. Make it a sort of out of sight out of mind thing.

#117 Grail

Has FOX picked up this? Any news channel outside of Israel?

I sent it to the BBC - I expect it'll make headline news...

Or not.

Colt
you would if you read 103 and/or 78posting.
And please do cause I am interested in your opinion.

Radian
I never said that europe is not supporting palaestinians. I know that we are giving them money, I am aware that there is a substantial support by non government organizations. I also know that there are many israel-haters. But only minor things has been done on behalf of goverments in the direction of damaging Israel. Those minor things may seem major to you, but for Europeans are considered israel-friendly policy! Many people would like their goverments to take a clear anti-israel policy. I believe that that would be catastrophical for Israel. I hope you are able to see it the same way. Imagine europe not buying from or selling to israel weapons, imagine an inteligence embargo, imagine israeli councils outlawed, any way you see where i am getting. All that I want you to think is that you and those like you, that care for Israel but you are away from it, should be very careful on how you handle affairs that are not exactly yours and they are delicate in terms of catastrophical misunderstandings. You should be aware that you may strengthen extremists that give israel a bad name, and the consequences will be all theirs not yours.

Let me tell you something. Europe is not in this war against terror. Ask everyone in europe if they feel that they are in war, the answer will be no. Europeans are cold blooded calculators. They are arrogant, they feel that they are western coulture alone. They won't take into consideration any american intellectual. They will not mind sacrifysing a third party to preserve their peace and their well being. Not even a country. These may sound very dramatic, but in Europe you get more and more often such cynical remarks. And to europeans do not seem all that cynical as time goes by. They believe that they can live side by side with Muslims as the have done for centuries. On my behalf I am trying to debate against such cynicism. But I want help from overseas. I refers to people like me, to people that believe that usa and europe have a common future, and that is best for the entire planet.

I probably told you things that you have not heard before, but you probably understand that there is reasoning behind it. It was no accidental that binladen offered truce to europe, and for now, it was not accidental that it was turned down. Europeans value their safety more than any ethical value, that would jeopardize it especially when they feel that this war is not theirs.
That is why I asked those questions previously. I want to have a clear view of my big ally, i do not want to take part in the hating game, that will devour our civilization even if that is done in order to preserve it for future generations. I despise any form of sacrifice and thus I despise taking part in a pause of western's civilization's evolution.

Come on your turn to tell me things i have not heard before. That's why i am here.

KOMIS - I'll get back to you.

After seeing the video I have only one question? Where are the unarmed civilians we are always hearing about? It looks as if the IDF could just about fire blindly and just hit terrorists. It's like something from a B movie. It reminds of one documented case where an arab offed a family member then later claimed the IDF had fired into a crowd.

#114   Dave Bender

Thank you for the important contribution of another site that has the honesty and courage to deal in reality rather than propaganda.

Dave Bender, nice site there.

Dave Bender,

Awesome site. I am bookmarking and will visit regularly. Thanks very much for posting this video. There can be no more debate about Pali ambulances helping terrorists now.

Didn't the UN demand Israel Def Minister Mofaz apologize for alleging UN ambulances were used to transport terrorists? Lets hold our breath until the UN apologizes.

davic (#125)

Didn't the UN demand Israel Def Minister Mofaz apologize for alleging UN ambulances were used to transport terrorists?

Yes.

UNWRA's commissioner general Peter Hansen is demanding Israel apologize for allegations made last week by defense minister Shaul Mofaz that UN ambulances had been used to transport IDF soldier body remains to terrorist strongholds, reported IBA news.

Hansen said a letter requesting proof from the Israeli government had so far met with no reply.

Accordingly, Mofaz has no reason to believe there is any truth at all to the extremely unfortunate accusation being made against UNRWA, said Hansen.

KOMIS

The reason I am asking these questions is that I have been very puzzled about the american public opinion on the matter. It is very awkward for a nation a couple weeks before an imminent, well debated and supported war to be divided as to whether their country should go on war. During the last months, while it is clear that the war is still not over and that additional effort is needed for it to end succesfully, I see a nation that does not fully support its leader, and I must admit that if my country was in war the acceptance of our leader would be over 80%. I am not old, i havent seen much but it strikes me as a historical first the low support of your president, in these circumstances. Now Kerry involves the matter in his campaign. Regularly such matters should remain outside the elections game. I said regularly, but given the fact that it happens and there should be reasons for it happening, could something not be functioning approprietely? Is there a chance that what is happening in usa concerning this war is somewhat not regular, now or while the nation was preparing for the war?

Ever since Vietnam, a large chunk of Americans have been unwilling to commit forces to battle. Vietnam was a war that made many Americans question their own merit, and conclude that they were lacking. Hence the 'detente' in the 1970s with the USSR.

The Clinton administration exemplified (and exacerbated) this sentiment. They never committed troops to battle in the interests in the United States, but fought in 'humanitarian' missions. Look at Bosnia, Somalia and Kosovo. In the first, the US did not commit ground troops, but chose to bomb for nearly 3 months. In the second, the US fought one serious battle, won, then withdrew because the US could not stand the sight of dead Americans mutilated by people who'd never attacked them in a country they couldn't find on a map. In the latter, the US again bombed before NATO deployed troops. When the US was attacked by al-Qa'eda, the Clinton administration hit back with TLAMs at tents. When Iraq kicked out the UN inspectors, the US bombed Iraqi targets but nothing more. For eight years, the idea of an enemy was forgotten.

On 9/11, a lot of people set that aside and decided they were at war and would have to fight back. However, a large number still don't realise/accept this basic fact.

You're right to say that this should be outside the political debate. In 1944, the Republicans could have attacked FDR on Pearl Harbour. But they were told by Eisenhower that to do so would create problems for the US in the war, so the Republicans let it go. That is unity.

But as to your main question - why no unity against your enemy? - I couldn't point to one individual thing. Western guilt, post-modern thinking, political correctness, no concept of the enemy, have all contributed. Whatever it is, we need to work it out - fast.

#127

How about disuniting factors such as questions about the actual threat posed by Iraq prior to the invasion, the WMD fiasco (lies and damned lies), lack of proof of a Saddam-Al Qaeda connection, the daddy Bush revenge question, the emerging Neocon conspiracy, lack of planning (foresight) and incompetence, Iraqi prisoner scandals, increased threats to America subsequent to Iraq, etc. etc. Need one say more about why Americans are disunited about this so-called 'Bush war.'

KOMIS

I'll take a few stabs at some answers, well, personal opinions, about your questions and follow up observations. You are very objective and observant.

Yes, I agree with whomever said it above, our two party system requires that the extremists have to court the middle in order to gain and hold power. That is an advantage over proportional representation of multiple factions that goes far to account for the remarkable stability of the American version of democracy.

It's correct to say that Democrats are anti-war, anti-military. They tend to argue like European socialists who want the resources of the GNP to be devoted to welfare. The military is is a waste of money and an international offense to them.

Republicans believe the world is hostile and that the best defense is a strong military. They are not imperialistic, but they believe in pre-emption as a valid form of self defense.

In any case 9/11 convinced Bush that terrorists will use ANY means they have to attack the United States. There were many reasons to attack Iraq, stabalization of world oil supply, counter weight to Saudi Power, preventing Saddam Hussein from conquering the Persian Gulf, etc, but the most important reason was the possibility that Hussein would provide terrorists with WMD. He could attack the United States by proxy. Since there was no possibility of verifying that the WMD were accounted for regime change, the official policy of the Clinton Administration, became the Bush policy.

The fear of the potential alliance of terrorism with a rogue state became the Administration's nightmare and pre-emptive casus belli.

Subsequently I believe the real reason for our invasion of Iraq evolved into a stated desire to "liberate" Iraq and thereby to provide an opportunity for the installation of democracy in the heart of the Middle East. It is a generally held belief that democracies become too self absorbed, prosperous and self interested to be dangerous to the United States. In the Middle East the notion is that democracy may go far to actually undermine Islam, tribalism and the enslavement of women.

If it does that becomes the real and ultimate ideological defeat of terrorism, and that hope is the unspoken reason why we invaded.

Thank you all.

KOMIS

Note the picture in the upper right. Superimposition of IVY MIKE 10+ mt yield H-Bomb across NY skyline.

This technology coined the term megadeath.

[Link: www.aracnet.com...]

Chemical Assault
[Link: www.kdp.pp.se...]

Those are the stakes, to prevent this I stand behind any method the goverment chooses to prevent this. Including preemptive nuclear war against a credible threat. Any country proliferating or creating the bomb should be warned, then blockaded, and destroyed if necessary. Europe is not safe, you fall in the concentric circle of their ballistic missles, we do not. However I'm sure we would honor our NATO treaty with you and respond to an attack with the full force of the unholy trinity at our disposal.
The gloves are off. God help the world if someone does succeed at firing a weapon in an american city. The war on terror would switch to a war of annialiation of all who supported it. The PAX Americana is ending, death is on the horizon, history repeats. We are at the Spanish civil war stage. God help up.

#79 LC

Regarding DU and the discussion of Afghanistan, my favorite was from "leesa" who said:

Enemy? What did they do to us?

Flaming idiot!