London, England
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
NRA LIFE OF DUTY | FRONTLINES EPISODE 5: PANAMA
NRA Life of Duty presented by Brownells and FNH USA have just released and new report from the frontlines of Panama, a difficult location where SENAFRONT agents are putting their lives on the line against an enemy with more money and better weapons.
View more reports on the NRA Life of Duty Network
The Middle East Minefield
By Alan Caruba
I often wonder whether Americans
really care about the outcome of events as regards Israel. I know that a segment
of American Jews are concerned and that evangelical Christians may care even
more.
I can’t escape the feeling, though,
that other than the horror of an Iranian nuclear missile blowing up Israel and
killing its citizens (both Jewish and Muslim), that most Americans are not that
committed to its survival. I suspect that most Europeans are even less
committed.
I cite Israel because of the
hostility of all others in the Middle East, but they may not be as
hostile as things appear. Israel is a major deterrent to Iran’s
ambitions.
Things are never what they seem in
the Middle East.
The major actors in this are the
U.S., Turkey, and Egypt. The main benefactor would be Saudi Arabia whose oil
fields are within the range of Iranian missiles. The Russians are part of the
picture because they do not want to lose a key Syrian port for its naval ships,
but Russia, too, is a major oil producer and anything that might harm its
interests is seen as a bonus.
After 9/11 when the Twin Towers and
the Pentagon were attacked Americans supported an energetic response, but after
George W. Bush committed troops to Afghanistan and Iraq it wasn’t long before
Americans decided it was a bad idea. Too many memories of Vietnam along with too
much cost in blood and treasure took the edge off of the reprisal in Afghanistan
or the deposing of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. Iraq is an oil producer as well, but
is now allied with the Iranians where its president found sanctuary during
Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror.
Leon Trotsky, an associate of Stalin,
once said, “You might not be interested in war, but war may be interested in
you.” Wars occur in various ways, deliberate and accidental, but it is the
latter that would seem the case these days in a Middle East where Hamas engaged
in a lengthy barrage of rockets and then acted surprised that Israel responded,
killing a number of their top people and inflicting a lot of damage in Gaza.
Hamas was acting under the orders
from Iran. The president of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi, a leader of the Muslim
Brotherhood, brokered a cease fire deal, but also decided he wants to be the
next dictator of Egypt. Who saw that coming? The Egyptians had risked life and
limb in Cairo’s Tahrir Square to depose Hosni Mubarack and then turned around
and voted Morsi into office.
What were they thinking? Why didn’t
they embrace a more secular leader? The answer is that Islam is everything in
the Middle East. Muslims cannot change and it is foolish to think they will. If
you loved the seventh century, you will love the Middle
East.
Egypt is important to the U.S. What
happens there determines much of the direction the Middle East takes. That
explains why the Obama administration wants to forgive a billion in debt and to
throw another billion or more at Morsi by way of enlisting him to act as a
counter weight to Hamas. On Nov 24 Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad was on
the phone to Hamas’s Ismail Haniya and with Jihad Islami leaders to assure them
they would be receiving munitions to refill their
arsenals.
Reportedly, Obama has agreed to send
U.S. troops to Egypt’s Sinai to interdict the arms smuggling routes through the
desert to Gaza. Indeed, it was this offer that is said to have gotten Israel’s
Prime Minister Netanyahu to back off a ground invasion, but in this three
dimensional game of chess, Israel, Egypt, and Turkey are all working with the
U.S.
The U.S. Navy has been busy
throughout the brief conflict and earlier. For years it has taken up permanent
residency off the coast of Iran and in the Persian Gulf. Other elements are
presently positioned off the coast of Syria where their Russian counterparts can
also be found.
Bashar Assad has made Turkey very
nervous. Moscow, Tehran, and Damascus want to keep him alive. Turkey borders
Syria, Iraq, and Iran, and is in proximity of Russia, bordering Georgia. It has
its hands full just tending to the thousands of Syrians that have fled there.
The U.S. is providing Turkey with Patriot missiles and AWACs, manned by U.S.
military, and that could become yet another flashpoint.
None of the nations involved want a
really big war to break out.
The wild card is Israel whose very
existence is threatened by Iran. The U.S. is doing what it can to avoid that. So
far the cooperation is working. If Iran announces it has nuclear weapons or
Israeli intelligence determines that's the case, all bets are
off.
The major beneficiary of all of this
is Saudi Arabia and, as the leader of the majority Sunni Muslims worldwide, it
has no love for Shiite Iran. In effect the U.S. intelligence capabilities and
its military have become its mercenary army, eliminating Saddam Hussein,
standing aside when Mubarak and Gaddafi fell and now working to eliminate Bashar
Assad.
The U.S. doesn't mind working with
dictators, so long as they are "our" dictators, friendly to our
interests.
© Alan Caruba, 2012
PJTV: The Rich Ditch Britain: Millionaires Disappearing at Alarming Rate in U.K.
Millionaires have disappeared in the UK since the British government imposed a 50 percent marginal tax rate. Where have they gone? Find out on this PJ News Break as Scott Ott gives you the latest about the fiscal cliff, President Obama's demands to tax the rich, in addition to the death sentences handed down by Egypt for a satirical Youtube video.
"Murder by President" - Wild Bill
Who stopped the rescue of our personnel when Alqaeda attacked in Libya....only one possibility.
Late News...............
'Socialism or Death' a grim reality for Venezuela's military pilots
David Cameron - Beer Prices And Collective Punishment
Yep, the feds are totally unprepared to launch ObamaCare exchanges
Have oil refiners pumped the public? Senators to feds: Find out
Iran May Be Close to a Plutonium Bomb, German Defense Experts Warn
'Major Hasan Syndrome' at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department?
Bowles pessimistic about avoiding 'fiscal cliff'
Wavering: Obama Signs Anti-Carbon Tax Bill
Cops find gun, knives stashed in DC Metro station after fatal stabbing
USGA, R&A clears way for ban on anchoring putters in 2016
'Is Morsi about to turn Egypt into the new Iran?'
BP banned from winning new US government contracts
Fitch downgrades Argentina and predicts default
Poland to ban religious slaughter of animals
Argentina 'launches campaign to undermine Falklands referendum'
'Lost' spitfires could be flying again in three years
Chavez returns to Cuba for cancer treatment
Mexico's mayor-heroine found beaten to death
Obama’s Gaza Ceasefire Leaves Israel Unable to Control its Border
Republicans Getting Massacred In Debate Over Tax Increases
The Problem From Hell: South Asia’s Arms Race
Those Fleeing Obama’s America: Prepare to be taxed
Obama’s Top White House Aides are Almost All Men
Obama to GOP: Don't 'screw up' tax talks
Gun Ban Barack Called Her First
And THEN I said....................from Rico
This is all one big, funny, joke on Americans to fellow Communists Barry (whatever-his-real-name-is), Valerie (Jarret) and David (Axelrod).
Sure he 'cares' about the Middle Class.
- Like the kulaks of Stalin's era, he 'cares' to get rid of them.
So, ignoring what he 'says' and paying attention to what he 'does' it's easy to see that productive work is punished most severely, and sitting upon your ass with your hand outstretched (freeloading) is rewarded most generously.
The Hostess company is being divided up
You probably heard that Hostess Bakery plants shut down due to a workers’ strike.
But you may not have heard how the company is being split up.
The State Department hired all the Twinkies
The Secret Service hired all the HoHos
The generals are sleeping with the Cupcakes
And, the voters are sending all the Ding Dongs to Congress.
H/T Old Dude
Paper games continue.................from Rico
Those 'watching' the precious metals markets (this excludes the CFTC) are well aware of yesterday's options expiry for Gold and Silver on the COMEX, and the Friday "first day notice" just ahead...and some violent 'games' by the Cartel in the paper markets were duly expected.
This morning Blythe apparently unleashed her heavily-caffeinated flying monkeys to 'game' the markets.
- Completely incredible paper volume in view of existing physical supply. In seconds. Good morning!
Oh, did I say 'physical?'
- Yesterday's Manfra 'force majeure' excuse (one of COMEX's five bullion stores) for non-delivery of physical bullion should (in a regulated, unmanipulated market) have sent the spot price of Gold several hundred dollars higher, but it looks like the Banksters have discovered Bennie's secret CTRL+P trick of creating binary electronic digits out of thin air...beats mining with a pick and shovel, eh?
These are no longer markets as price-discovery vehicles, but more resemble playing naked-twister with sociopaths and crooks.
- The MF Global and LIeBOR frauds were just a small 'taste' of what's coming when it is discovered that the paper masters of the universe have hypothecated and rehypothecated physical bullion (both private and sovereign) many times over. [For CFTC regulators read: it's long gone and many are not going to get it back, ever.]
Zombie Congress
Congress has reconvened for a "lame-duck" session, in which the walking dead (members who won't return next year) have a post-mortem chance to leave their mark on the nation's policy -- a budget that never got passed, and an agreement on how to avoid the fiscal cliff and Taxmageddon, and several treaties awaiting ratification by the Senate.
Obama first-term critique! Failure, failure, failure...!...from Mike Haltman at TPC
Looking back on Barack Obama's first-term and forward to his second, will Americans continue to be saddled with the same ineffective leadership described in these examples for four more years?
Read the article at The Political Commentator here.
News.............
Ladies in Waiting, Women Warriors in Combat?
Top Ten Reasons to Oppose Susan Rice
Chicago hits 500 homicides in 2012
Hotel room lock hack may have been used in Texas burglaries
Ansar al Sharia Egypt founder 'honored to be an extension of al Qaeda'
A Complete History Of Gerbiling So Far
Good Neighbors, Bad Border
Millionaires flee Britain to avoid 50p tax rate
Francois Hollande shows true colours with threat to nationalise ArcelorMittal
Mohammed Morsi faces gravest threat of his Egyptian rule
Red-faced China editor speaks out over Onion 'Sexist Man' spoof
Al-Qaeda's East Africa network 'regrouping and rearming in northern Somalia'
Syria: the powder-keg next door
Iran warships in Sudan for ‘routine visit’
The Gaza Operation: Less a War than an Anti-Iran Coup
Thousands of Drones to Monitor YOU!
North Korea Missile Firing Complex Teeming With Activity
Twin car bombs in Damascus kill at least 20
Flashback: Two and a Half Men was and still is a sinkhole of morality! (Video)...from Mike Haltman at TPC
Angus T. Jones of Two and a Half Men suddenly finds religion and tells viewers to stop viewing after his many years on the show dealing with the very same subject matter has undoubtedly made him a very wealthy young man.
Read the article and watch the video at The Political Commentator here.
Jamie Lee Curtis Attends 'Hitchcock' Premiere in Tight-Fitting Off-the-Shoulder White Dress
This reminds me of Ms. Curtis topless in "Trading Places" back in the day.
See: "Jamie Lee Curtis Shows Off Her Busty Figure at the Premiere of 'Hitchcock' in Los Angeles."
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
One Thing Obama's Election Did Not Change..............from Dan Friedman
[Since November 6th the disintegration of Obama’s foreign policy has continued apace and has not skipped a beat. It’s only a matter of time before the consequences hit our shores. df]
Read (or ignore) what you like:
Late News...............
CDR Salamander: So long, fair Sea Control Ship
Tension Easing after Standoff between Peshmerga and Iraqi Troops in Dibis
Planeloads of Syrian currency exposed, but does the Kremlin care?
Sen. Durbin outlines liberal plan to avert 'fiscal cliff'
Gun, Ammo Sales Skyrocket in Wake of Obama Reelection
CDR Salamander: So, is this a down?
10-year-old girl's laptop confiscated after copyright offense
Taking Back the Academy
Communist Party reports on Kim Jong Un being named 'Sexiest Man Alive'
Army Delays Robotic First Sergeant PRC-E8 Program
The AP Won't Let You Call 'Homophobia' Homophobia
The priest, concealed carry, and the stalker
GOP senators: We're "more disturbed" after meeting with Amb. Rice than we were before
Iconic Images from the Most Valuable Camera in the History of Photography
Starbucks’ new super-expensive coffee: Worth it?
Like OMG! Scientists have sequenced Bigfoot DNA !!!!!!
Airbus Ads Jab Boeing With Pinocchio Nose
More Facebook friends cause more stress, study claims
Kabul Bank 'diverted £540 million to group of 12 in massive fraud'
Syria: warplanes bomb olive press factory, killing 20
Report: Actual US Debt Exceeds $86 Trillion
President-for-Life, King of the World paving the way for Messiahship
Obama Continues to Avoid Meeting Congress in the Flesh
Masses clash with police in Egypt, call for Morsi's ouster
Sanitising Hamas in the worship of power
Mystery: Virginia gun violence falls as gun sales soar
Budget talks delay Geithner departure
Egypt's Morsi: "Lie? Moi?"..............from Dan Friedman
[Islamists say “we love death as much as you love life.” Then there’s the corollary: “We love deceit as much as you love truth.”df]
Brietbart Big Peace, 11.27/12
Egypt's opposition parties and groups are calling for mass rallies and "million-man marches" on Tuesday, to protest last Thursday's Constitutional Decree by president Mohamed Morsi, giving himself dictatorial powers. Morsi met with a Judges group on Monday, raising hopes that he would rescind the decree, but he refused to change it in any way. Reportedly, he promised to use his dictatorial powers only for "sovereign matters," leaving lesser matters to be challenged by the courts, but he will be the one to decide what is or isn't a "sovereign matter," so nothing has changed. According to analysts, Morsi's intent is to protect the Constituent Assembly, which is comprised mostly of members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Morsi himself was a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood prior to taking office as president, and so his intent is evidently to have the Muslim Brotherhood control the writing of the new constitution. This is expected to take six months, after which Morsi says he'll give up his dictatorial powers. Al-Ahram (Cairo)
Egypt's 'Hope and Change' candidate Morsi has forgotten all his promises
Many Egyptians voted for Mohamed Morsi as the first democratically elected president in Egypt for 5,000 years because they saw him as a "hope and change" candidate who would reverse the direction of the country after the dictatorship of deposed ruler Hosni Mubarak, and would bring order out of the chaos in the streets and in the economy. But Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood have made one promise after another that they're simply ignoring:
- At first, the MB said they would only present candidates for one-third of the seats of the parliament, but they broke that promise and fought for every one.
- They said that they would not field a candidate for president, but they put forth Mohamed Morsi, who won.
- Morsi had promised to appoint a Copt and a woman as vice presidents, but he ignored those promises.
- He promised to follow the laws, but he ignored the orders of the independent judiciary.
- Then last Thursday, he issued his Constitutional Decree giving himself dictatorial powers.
- On Monday, he refused to change or rescind decree, despite furious opposition.
Muslim Brotherhood members are giving Morsi their full support, and they are a large group, but not a majority. The secularists and the liberals are opposed to Morsi's decree, but so are the Salafists who, while they're Islamists like the Muslim Brotherhood, are not willing to cede so much power to the MB. Morsi is hoping that after 18 months of riots and demonstrations, Egyptians are tired of protesting, and will accept anything he says. He may be right, but the first test will occur with the "million man marches" on Tuesday.
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