Saturday, January 06, 2007

Iran Peaceful Intentions Could Change


By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Iran opposes obtaining nuclear weapons and intends to use its nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under the framework of the Nonproliferation Treaty, Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Friday.

"But," Larijani warned, "if we are threatened, the situation may change."

Ahmadinejad to West: 'You are nobody'By ASSOCIATED PRESSIranian President scorns UN over sanctions, says Iran will humiliate the US.

Ahmadinejad: UN sanction has 'no value at all'By DPA"These corrupted and egotistical powers are just lying. They don't want non-proliferation but want to deprive Iran." Rafsanjani warns West on sanctions



Caricature by Monte Wolverton

Friday, January 05, 2007

Arabs Killing Arabs in Palestine


by Steve Erlanger NY Times JERUSALEM, Jan. 5 — The Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniya, called today for an end to the internecine violence in Gaza, a day after members of his own Hamas militia surrounded the house of a Fatah commander, killed the man and his bodyguards and seriously wounded his wife and brother.

North Korea Preparing for Nuclear Test


By JONATHAN KARL, ABCNews.com WASHINGTON (Jan. 5) -- North Korea appears to have made preparations for another nuclear test, according to U.S. defense officials.
Updated: 08:33 AM EST

"We think they've put everything in place to conduct a test without any notice or warning," a senior U.S. defense official told ABC News.

In October, the U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution that imposed harsh sanctions against North Korea just six days after Kim Jong Il's regime declared that it conducted an underground nuclear test. The sanctions were designed to coerce North Korea into giving up its nuclear program.

Resolution 1718 specifically called for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons completely and irreversibly, as well as to put an end to its biological and chemical weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missile programs.

Caricature by Monte Wolverton

Ellison Uses Qur’an in Swearing-In Ceremony

WASHINGTON, 5 January 2007 — Congressman Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota, the first Muslim elected to Congress

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Pot is called U.S. Biggest Cash Crop


La Times : A report released today by a marijuana public policy analyst contends that the market value of pot produced in the U.S. exceeds $35 billion — far more than the crop value of such heartland staples as corn, soybeans and hay, which are the top three legal cash crops.
California is responsible for more than a third of the cannabis harvest, with an estimated production of $13.8 billion that exceeds the value of the state's grapes, vegetables and hay combined — and marijuana is the top cash crop in a dozen states, the report states.

The report estimates that marijuana production has increased tenfold in the past quarter century despite an exhaustive anti-drug effort by law enforcement.

Jon Gettman, the report's author, is a public policy consultant and leading proponent of the push to drop marijuana from the federal list of hard-core Schedule 1 drugs — which are deemed to have no medicinal value and a high likelihood of abuse — such as heroin and LSD.

He argues that the data support his push to begin treating cannabis like tobacco and alcohol by legalizing and reaping a tax windfall from it, while controlling production and distribution to better restrict use by teenagers.

"Despite years of effort by law enforcement, they're not getting rid of it," Gettman said. "Not only is the problem worse in terms of magnitude of cultivation, but production has spread all around the country. To say the genie is out of the bottle is a profound understatement."

The contention that pot is America's biggest cash crop dates to the early 1980s, when marijuana legalization advocates began citing Drug Enforcement Administration estimates suggesting that about 1,000 metric tons of pot were being produced nationwide. Over the years, marijuana advocates have produced studies estimating the size and value of the U.S. crop, most recently in 1998.

Gettman's report cites figures in a 2005 State Department report estimating U.S. cannabis cultivation at 10,000 metric tons, or more than 22 million pounds — 10 times the 1981 production.

Using data on the number of pounds eradicated by police around the U.S., Gettman produced estimates of the likely size and value of the cannabis crop in each state. His methodology used what he described as a conservative value of about $1,600 a pound compared to the $2,000- to $4,000-a-pound street value often cited by law enforcement agencies after busts.

In California, the state's Campaign Against Marijuana Planting seized nearly 1.7 million plants this year — triple the haul in 2005 — with an estimated street value of more than $6.7 billion. Based on the seizure rate over the last three years, the study estimates that California grew more than 21 million marijuana plants in 2006 — with a production value nearly triple the next closest state, Tennessee, which had an estimated $4.7-billion cannabis harvest.

California ranked as the report's top state for both outdoor and indoor marijuana production. The report estimates that the state had 4.2 million indoor plants valued at nearly $1.5 billion. The state of Washington was ranked next, with $438 million worth of indoor cannabis plants.

California also is among nine states that produce more cannabis than residents consumed, Gettman estimates. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the state's 3.3 million cannabis users represent about 13% of the nation's pot smokers. But California produces more than 38% of the cannabis grown in the country, the study contends.

Nationwide, the estimated cannabis production of $35.8 billion exceeds corn ($23 billion), soybeans ($17.6 billion) and hay ($12.2 billion), according to Gettman's findings.

* eric.bailey@latimes.com

The USS John C. Stennis strike group will this month join the USS Dwight Eisenhower aircraft carrier group and USS Boxer strike force in the Persian G

January 4, 2007 Debka file
The USS John C. Stennis strike group will this month join the USS Dwight Eisenhower aircraft carrier group and USS Boxer strike force in the Persian Gulf “as a warning to Syria and Iran” in face of acts seen as provocative, and to give commanders more flexibility in the region. Continuation of Iran’s banned nuclear activities would come under the heading of “provocative.”
This is the second buildup of US naval, air and marine strength in the strategic waterway in four months. Deployment of the Stennis group puts a total of 16,000 US sailors in the region as well as another nuclear carrier and 7 escort warships, 10 air squadrons, 2 submarines and helicopters to support amphibious landings on enemy soil.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Don't Shoot the Mesenger : Saddam execution video draws criticism

ANITA CHANG Associated Press
Grainy cell phone video of Saddam Hussein's execution triggered international criticism Tuesday, with Britain's deputy prime minister calling the leaked images "unacceptable" and the Vatican decrying the footage as a "spectacle" violating human rights.

British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said those who leaked the footage should be condemned.
"Frankly, to get the kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable and I think whoever is involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves."

No Prime Minister, the reporters should not be condemmed , we have a right to know :
Those that behaved like dogs, and sharks at a feeding are the ones that should be condemmed. Don't shoot the messenger

Prosecutor accused of driving drunk

MIAMI BEACH Herald
Prosecutor accused of driving drunk
The veteran prosecutor who headed the case against the John Doe drug gang in the 1990s was charged with DUI after hitting two people on a motor scooter. The two suffered 'serious' injuries.
By DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com

Is it expecting the people who enforce our laws, to abide by them, asking too much ?
This is a fine example to give to the police officers who look up to State Prosecuters and particularly to citizens who pay their salaries

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Iraqi government orders probe of Saddam hanging

Iraq's prime minister ordered an investigation Tuesday into Saddam Hussein's execution to try to uncover who taunted the former dictator in the last minutes of his life, and who leaked inflammatory footage taken by camera phone of the hanging.
JPost.com

BAGHDAD, 3 January 2007 — A senior Iraqi court official nearly halted Saddam Hussein’s execution when supporters of a militia leader taunted the former president as he stood on the gallows.

Many in Saddam’s Sunni minority, and moderate Shiites and Kurds, have been angered and embarrassed by the video. In it, observers chant “Moqtada, Moqtada, Moqtada!” for militia leader Moqtada Sadr. Saddam by contrast looks dignified on the gallows and replies: “Is this what you call manhood?”
Arab News

I Love Weddings



Imagine the following:

You have just made it through your wedding ceremony & step out onto the church steps. The photographer raises his camera.

Following your family tradition, both of you hold white doves which you will release together. You and your new husband stand shoulder to shoulder with a dove in your hands as your friends and relatives eagerly wait.

The photographer gives the ready signal and you open your hands toward the sky.

Not a dry eye in the house, the camera flashes; the moment is saved for eternity...

Wedding Gown: $2,500.
Photographer: $2,000

Having "the twins" pop out & say CHEESE in front of your family & friends... PRICELESS!

Monday, January 01, 2007

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Saddam Hussein, Died Well but forgot to live Free

It was supposed to be a formal and solemn proceeding carried out by a dispassionate state. But the grainy recording of the execution’s cruel theater summed up what has become increasingly clear on the streets of the capital: that the Shiite-led government that assumed power in the American effort here is running the state under an undisguised sectarian banner.
It left the impression that the government cared more for revenge than for justice, Sunnis said.

“Either it’s terrible incompetence or it’s an act of revenge — a vendetta,” said Adnan Pachachi, a respected Sunni whose political career began long before Mr. Hussein took power. “That was the impression people had.” NY times

He remained with his composure till the very end , in spite of the circus atmosphere, who were these people? and did it take half a dozen masked men to explain to him how he was going to die? Anyone that looked at the video can tell he was taunted.

"God damn you," a guard said.

"God damn you," replied Saddam.

Saddam appeared to smile at those taunting him from below the gallows. He said they were not showing manhood.

Then Saddam began reciting the Shahada, a Muslim prayer that says there is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger, according to an unabridged copy of the video clip, which was posted on a website.

Saddam made it to midway through his second recitation of the verse. His last word was Muhammad. Then the floor dropped out of the gallows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVx1lkhaldY
Al-Jazeeera
December 30, 2006, 5:58 AM (GMT+02:00)
This was announced by US-backed TV al Hurra and Iraqi state television. He was 69.

Furor CNN offers Watch US troops getting shot or killed . On Demand.


Christians are in a tizzy over this, wonder how many churches they will burn down! It's all part of freedom of the press, although I would have it another classification, the family rating was a bit much .
Chase Bank is sponsoring this special on video CNN obtained from the Islamic Army of Iraq
it shows US troops getting shot at, or killed, on demand ! under the category "Family", this should make great watching for the kids, who need a break from the video games, especially if you have a relative serving in Iraq you just might watch him shot by insurgents, courtesy of Chase Bank and CNN. Michele has the story, first reported by Return of Conservatives.

Death for New Years in Bangkok


Four bombs explode in Bangkok
At least six bombs have exploded in central Bangkok, killing two people and injuring more than 20 others. The bombers struck the capital as Thais celebrated the New Year on Sunday evening. Al-Jazzeera

Bombs Away Madrid Barajas Airport, Spain


Obituary making 'Some' Middle Eastern Capitals Marks the death of a "martyr"


thanks Mustapha

Whisper of Peace


In an apparent gesture to Syria, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday he is open to "any whisper of peace" from Israel's enemies. "The state of Israel is open to any whisper of peace from our neighbors and across our borders," he said. Cox & Forkum

1,500 in Minneapolis protest ouster of Sharia government in Somalia

What are 1,500 supporters of Islamic jihad and Sharia law doing in Minneapolis? What are the implications of this for our own national security? Why is no one with any power or influence even asking these questions? by jihadwatch

Iraqi Wife ..Happy Eid and Happy New Years...


You know, as much as I really didnt want to write about what I saw,as much as I just wanna let it all out. The amateur unedited video that trashed the websites left right and center...Did that video show you the democratic side of the Iraqi Government? Did this government adhere to the International Standards of execution? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE, WHY WERE THEY THERE?

A nation that has finished from one dictator and handed over to a worse one. The daily killings and massacres, the torture and the kidnappings. No they are not better than Saddam, they are his clones. Although I promised myself that I wont divulge into this subject, I couldnt resist. I really couldnt. Before this year ends I wanna extend my thanks to someone, someone who ruined this nation. Lets not dwell in the past, lets talk about today. Mr Bush, Mr Bush Thank You, Thank you for bringing democracy and freedom to Iraq. Thank you Mr Bush, Thank you for removing Saddam, you removed him and replaced him with little clones of his shadow.


Unless all those in government will be kicked out and tried for THEIR crimes against humanity. The Interior minister who had a torture chamber hidden in his ministry. Or the corrupt police force that helps insurgents by providing them with weapons and bombs. Or and or and or...There are many aspects that I can go on about. Nearly 3000 American troops were killed in this war and thousands more injured, injured brutally. Hundreds of thousands Iraqis were killed, and hundredS of ThousandS have fled their homes. Can it get worse? Sure it can. Iran is gloating, Syria is gloating. Oh and even WOB is gloating now. Halleluja, 2007, what do you hold for us I wander. What worse can become of this nation, I dunno...

Saudi Arabia Bars Bible-Bearing Flight Attendant


A Bible-bearing Christian flight attendant has been barred by her British employer from flying to Saudi Arabia, where Christianity is illegal. by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu