Free Republic

The first person to be charged over Victoria's deadly bushfires will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court today. The man, who cannot be identified, is accused of lighting the Churchill-Jeeralang fire which killed 21 people in Gippsland, in Victoria's east. The fire started in plantation near Churchill and quickly spread to nearby communities. The man was arrested last week and charged with arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire, and possessing child pornography. The man did not attend a brief court hearing in Morwell on Friday, but his lawyer told the court the man was in a fragile mental state. The...

In what squeaky-clean city would a fire department lieutenant known as "Matches," convicted of multiple arsons—including one sparked at an elementary school—feel that he's still entitled to his taxpayer-funded pension of $50,000 per year? Oh, don't pretend you don't know the city. It's Chicago, which must be the epicenter of political reform now that Mayor Richard Daley's guys are running the White House and the U.S. Census, and are about to wet the beaks of federal road and bridge contractors. It's also the same city where you'll need 28 quarters in your pocket just to park for two hours at...

For decades, an anti-snitching mentality has hampered law enforcement in Coatesville, but the code of silence may not be fireproof. The string of arsons plaguing the once-thriving steel town in Chester County - 44 fires set in the last 13 months - may be prompting some people to think twice about their reluctance to cooperate with authorities. [snip] Some residents, who declined to identify themselves, said not even the $20,000 in reward money from the Coatesville Arson Task Force would motivate them to cooperate with police. One older woman said that she believed her grandson had information, but proudly added...

We need your help in locating these four fugitives. Click on their names or photographs to see their wanted posters. It has been 10 years since a group known as “The Family” torched a ski resort in Vail, Colorado, causing $26 million in damage and drawing international attention to eco-terrorists—those who break the law in the name of the environment and animal rights. Since that time, we’ve joined our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners in establishing Operation Backfire to bring these criminals to justice. Our efforts have been successful, but four individuals under indictment remain at large. At...

A man accused of lighting the Churchill-Jeerelang bushfire in Gippsland, in Victoria's east has been remanded in custody. The fire started in plantation near Churchill on Saturday and quickly spread to nearby communities. Twenty-one people are confirmed to have died in that fire. The man was arrested this morning and taken to the Morwell police station where he was questioned for several hours. He has been charged with one count of arson causing death, one count of intentionally lighting a bushfire and one count of possessing child pornography. The man did not appear in court.

A media report says a suspect has been charged with lighting one of the wildfires that killed more than 180 people in Australia last weekend. Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday that the man was charged in court on three counts: arson causing death, lighting a wildfire and with possession of child pornography. The report cites no sources.

Bushfire expert David Packham at Melbourne's Monash University has blamed green groups, saying their opposition to controlled clearance in forests known as burn-offs had allowed leaves, bark and dead wood to build up for decades, providing fuel for the fires.

POLICE have released an image of a man sought for questioning over a scrub fire that threatened houses at East Ivanhoe, in Melbourne's northeast. Up to 50 Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) officers fought the three hectare blaze blaze in scrub that began in the Yarra Flats at East Ivanhoe about 3pm (AEDT), police said. It's believed the fire was deliberately lit and police are investigating.

CONTROLLED burning would be declared a key national threat to biodiversity under a new proposal before government that has been slammed as dangerous to life and property. While Environment Minister Peter Garrett yesterday gave Victoria carte blanche to do all it needed to control its deadly bushfires, without review by federal environment laws, it emerged he will be asked next year to decide whether prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads puts plants and animals at risk. A Department of Environment spokeswoman confirmed yesterday it had received a public submission to list controlled burning as a "key threatening process" - the...

A thirsty koala rescued from the Australian wild fires has become a star on YouTube, the video-sharing website, emerging as a lucky survivor of the disaster that has killed more than 180 people. Firefighter Dave Tree stumbled across the female marsupial, nicknamed Sam, as he was battling blazes in Victoria state and was amazed when the parched animal allowed him to approach and guzzled water from a bottle he offered. “Things do survive the bush fire ... are you alright buddy?” he asked in footage captured by a fellow volunteer on a mobile phone. The cuddly appearance of the koala...

PREMIER John Brumby says police are close to arresting an arsonist wanted for what's been called the "murder" of 21 people in Gippsland. More than 400,000 hectres have so far been razed in fires across the state, destroying more than 1033 properties. Questioned on the progress of inquiries by Taskforce Phoenix, Mr Brumby said: "I believe they are close to finalising investigations." Mr Brumby had just met Yvonne Hammer, who lost her home in the small town of Callignee, 175km east of Melbourne, where at least 11 people died. Mrs Hammer broke down as she told the Premier: "It's complete...

AUSTRALIA has been singled out as a target for “forest jihad” by a group of Islamic extremists urging Muslims to deliberately light bushfires as a weapon of terror. US intelligence channels earlier this year identified a website calling on Muslims in Australia, the US, Europe and Russia to “start forest fires”, claiming “scholars have justified chopping down and burning the infidels’ forests when they do the same to our lands”. The website, posted by a group called the Al-Ikhlas Islamic Network, argues in Arabic that lighting fires is an effective form of terrorism justified in Islamic law under the “eye...

Here is a Sky News video report on the incredible brushfires that have swept across the Australian state of Victoria, leaving more than 130 people dead and thousands of people homeless. At least two people have been charged with arson. This report has a lot of video of the devastation and some interviews with residents, as well as a clip of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd moved to tears in an interview about what he has seen. . . . (Watch Video)

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd said arsonists in Victoria had committed mass murder as the death toll in Australia's worst ever bushfires rose to 108 this morning. The final toll was expected to rise further and fires were still burning out of control and putting towns at risk in the Beechworth and Yackandandah regions in the state's northeast. Amid speculation some of the fires were deliberately lit - and with reports yesterday that people were returning to relight blazes after fire crews had left an area - Mr Rudd said: "There are no words to describe it other than mass murder."...

A radical activist who helped set a $1 million fire to protest research on genetically modified crops was sentenced Thursday to nearly 22 years in prison _ even more than the prosecution recommended. Marie Mason decided to "elevate her grievances beyond the norms of civilized society" through fire and destruction, U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney said. The case _ which was prosecuted as domestic terrorism _ was "about an abandonment of the marketplace of ideas," he added. -snip At MSU, Mason and Ambrose targeted a campus office that held records on research related to moth-resistant potatoes for poor parts of...

FIFTY people are confirmed dead in bushfires that have devastated several Victorian communities. Police have just confirmed the new figure. 640 houses have been destroyed. While firebugs are being blamed for several blazes ravaging Victoria, the Country Fire Authority has confirmed that several fires are being deliberately relit by arsonists. CFA deputy chief Steve Warrington said an arsonist is hampering firefighters’ efforts in Churchill with an intense blaze taking hold. "We know we do have someone who is lighting fires in this community. While we often think it's spotting, we also know that there are people lighting fires deliberately," he...

CUMMING, Ga. (AP) - A woman who claimed her house was set on fire because she supported President Barack Obama and her boyfriend have been charged with first-degree arson. Forsyth County Chief Investigator Steve Anderson said Friday that 47-year-old Pamela Graf and her boyfriend, 46-year-old Steve Strobel, are being held in different jails. Graf is in Forsyth County and Strobel in Barrow County, where he was charged with obstruction of justice in the case earlier this week. Graf's home burned on Jan. 18 while she was in Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration. Officials found spray-painted graffiti that included a...

The government says a 20-year prison sentence for a woman who committed arson at Michigan State University would be the toughest punishment ever in a case of so-called eco-terrorism. Marie Mason is due in federal court at 9 a.m. today. The explosion and fire at Michigan State's Agriculture Hall in 1999 was a protest against genetically modified crops. Damage exceeded $1 million. Prosecutors want a 20-year prison sentence for the 47-year-old Cincinnati woman. Mason's lawyer says that would be extreme. Mason has admitted other acts from 1999 through 2003, including fires at homes under construction in southeastern Michigan and Indiana....

Sarah Palin’s church reopens after building damaged by arsonAP Published: February 4, 2009 WASILLA, Alaska (AP) - Hundreds of worshippers flocked to the reopening of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s home church, which was badly damaged in an arson fire in December. “We have been blessed by people’s response to us, far beyond anything we deserved,“ Pastor Larry Kroon told worshippers at Wasilla Bible Church. “God’s grace is the one true renewing resource and it will never run out.“ Palin, the former Republican vice presidential hopeful, was in Washington, D.C., over the weekend and did not attend either of the two...

The information comes through blogger Kevin "Coach" Collins, who writes the Collins Report. Reports have confirmed that Senior Pastor Larry Kroon is expecting services to resume at the building on Sunday, following the Dec. 12 blaze that affected offices, classrooms and the main entry. The blaze is under investigation as a suspected arson and it is Palin's attendance at the church that has suggested a motivation, although investigators say they have not confirmed any links. The church has set up a special website to update members on the restoration process. "Clearly this was an attack caused by Governor Palin's connection...

Arsonist intended murder at Palin's church? Report: Alarm, phone wires cut, fire set at entrance © 2009 WorldNetDaily A leader at Wasilla Bible Church in Alaska suspects the arsonist who started fires that left $1 million in damages intended murder and possibly targeted the church because of the attendance of Gov. Sarah Palin, whose Christian faith became an issue during her 2008 campaign with Sen. John McCain. "Clearly this was an attack caused by Governor Palin's connection to this little Christian church," writes blogger Kevin Collins in his Collins Report. Collins said a church elder, Tom Ryan, confirmed the case...

An exclusive interview with a church Elder has provided The Collins Report with sobering new facts about the arson fire at Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s home church, the Wasilla Bible Church (WBC). WBC Elder Tom Ryan revealed never before reported facts about this vicious crime. FACT: The crime was a six count attempted Murder 1, not a simple arson of a coincidently occupied building. There were 5 adult women and a 17 year old girl in the church during the arson. The old media never reported this crime as attempted murders. Instead they have smothered the truth of this story....

The Jan. 18 fire that destroyed a five-bedroom home in northeastern Forsyth County has been ruled arson, though investigators still are trying to determine who set the blaze and why.(snip) An Obama supporter, Graf said she thinks she was targeted because of her political views. Before the fire, she removed a campaign sign from her yard after receiving a threatening note in her mailbox.(snip) According to sheriff's reports, she has been involved in at least nine documented incidents since September 2006.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Wasilla Bible Church has not had an easy year. The vice presidential nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin, who is a fellow church member, put the church's beliefs under national scrutiny. And just as things started to settle down, a fire last month sparked more headlines. But with one visit to the church, one can learn that from all the bad, comes some good. Wasilla Bible Church is moving forward and is counting its blessings. Fire damage is still visible, especially in the back corner, where Pastor Larry Kroon remembers watching the destruction of the blaze from outside....

"He's never really explained why -- what the motive was. So it's still a mystery for us."

Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/January/09-ag-052.html Arrests Made in Springfield, Mass., Church Arson WASHINGTON – Three individuals were arrested this morning in relation to a church arson on Nov. 5, 2008, in Springfield, Mass. Benjamin Haskell, 22, Michael Jacques, 24, and Thomas Gleason, 21, all of Springfield, Mass., were arrested early this morning on a civil rights violation, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker; U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Boston Field Division; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge...

SNIPPET: "The fundamental truth is that Hamas' road to Iran runs through the international Muslim Brotherhood, and has for two decades. What is often missing in the discussion of the Muslim Brotherhood is that Hamas, according to its own founding charter, is an integral and armed part of the Ikwhan, not separate from it."

Tension in Gaza leads to extra measures in Belgium The Jewish community in Belgium is receiving extra protection. The Jewish community in Belgium is receiving extra protection due to the escalating tension which is spilling over to Belgium from Gaza. Police presence during demonstrations will also be heightened. This was decided by the new Home Affairs Minister Guido De Padt. The concrete measures were discussed at a meeting at the Home Affairs crisis centre, organised by Minister De Padt. The impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and consequences for Belgium were discussed and analysed. In the police zones of...

For at least the seventh time since November, a portable toilet was set ablaze near Russian Hill in San Francisco this morning, according to the fire department. The fire was reported at about 12:45 a.m. near the intersection of Union and Taylor streets and was nearly extinguished by the time firefighters arrived, according to a fire dispatcher. An arson team was out to investigate the scene, the dispatcher said. The fire department warned construction workers on Dec. 9 about an arsonist and asked them to keep the toilets locked and out in the open to prevent damage to surrounding objects....

A religion columnist and journalism professor says the mainstream media's coverage of the fire that gutted Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's home church has been thin, but it's hard to say exactly why it's been underplayed. Investigators say the fire that destroyed Wasilla Bible Church in Alaska on December 12 was likely the work of an arsonist, but the mainstream news media, with the exception of The Associated Press, has largely ignored the story. Terry Mattingly is the editor of the website GetReligion.org, a Scripps Howard columnist, and director of the Washington Journalism Center. He says because the fire occurred in...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An accelerant was poured around the exterior of Gov. Sarah Palin's church before fire heavily damaged the building, federal investigators said Monday. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the accelerant was poured at several locations around the church, including entrances.

Just saw on Greta's show--a clip of Letterman getting big laughs out of Sarah Palin's church being torched by "Joe the Arsonist". I'm posting this in chat, I have already searched youtube for it and nothing yet, have also visited Gretawire.com and not seen it posted. If anyone sees it, please ping.

Sarah Palin’s church was badly damaged by a fire the authorities are treating as an act of arson. The fire, which comes after a heated presidential campaign where Mrs. Palin’s church was ridiculed by major media outlets, has some Christian activists contending secular intolerance and bigotry directed toward Christians remains a serious problem in America. “It’s a scare tactic,” proclaimed Bishop Janice Hollis, pastor of Progressive Believers Ministry. “It is a ploy to make Christians more docile and timid, less likely to fight for their rights.” While it is unclear whether or not the fire at Mrs. Palin’s church was...

The congregants from the Wasilla Bible Church were not looking to cast stones in the wake of the fire that nearly destroyed Gov. Palin’s house of worship. With an investigation in progress, the authorities will not comment or theorize. Given the criticism of the church by the forces of political correctness and the historical background of the election, is it possible that this arson is the work of the Anti-Prop 8 Mafia?

Damage to the Wasilla Bible Church was estimated at $1 million, authorities said Saturday. No one was injured in the fire, which was set Friday night while a handful of people, including two children, were inside, according to Central Mat-Su Fire Chief James Steele.

Federal investigators say an accelerant was poured around the exterior of Gov. Sarah Palin's home church before it was heavily damaged by a fire.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are aiding the investigation of a fire that caused a reported $1 million in damages at the Alaska governor's church. . Federal officials say an accelerant was poured around the exterior of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's church, including by entrances at the 2 1/2-year-old building, which was partly gutted by a costly fire Friday night. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined an arson investigation at the Wasilla Bible Church Monday, where church officials say a fire caused $1 million in damage. The blaze was...

How low will they go?? As low as laser blinding Greek Police: "A riot policeman is aimed at with a laser light pointer during riots outside the Athens Polytechnic. Small bands of Greek rioters hurling firebombs attacked an environment ministry building, shops and banks in Athens on Saturday during an eighth day of protests following the killing of a teenager by police." And that's not all: "A warning from Serb intelligence about the mobilization of an extremist Islamic organization in Greece has put the Greek authorities on high alert. Several days ago, Serb intelligence briefed a Serb parliamentary Committee that...

CNN) -- A "suspicious" fire devastated the church attended by Alaska Gov. and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Friday night in her hometown of Wasilla, the church's minister said.

The September 2, 2008 edition of the Huffington Post features an article titled "Palin's Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview". In it, Palin's political views are attributed to the beliefs she developed while attending the Wasilla Assembly of God since her childhood. The article (FR will not allow it to be linked) includes an "UPDATE" that when accessed describes the church fire.

WASILLA - An overnight fire at Gov. Sarah Palin's church caused an estimated $1 million in damage, and investigators say it could be the work of an arsonist.Firefighters were called to Wasilla Bible Church about 9:40 p.m. Friday and found flames and smoke coming out windows at the back of the three-story structure, said James Steele, chief of the Central Mat-Su Fire Department.

ANCHORAGE, Dec. 13 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's home church was badly damaged by arson, leading the governor to apologize Saturday if the fire was connected to "undeserved negative attention" from her campaign as the Republican vice presidential nominee. Damage to the Wasilla Bible Church was estimated at $1 million, authorities said. No one was injured in the fire, which was set Friday night while a handful of people, including two children, were inside, according to James Steele, the Central Mat-Su fire chief.

Gov. Sarah Palin's home church has been badly damaged in a suspicious fire. Larry Kroon, pastor of the Wasilla Bible Church, estimates damages at more than $1 million to the church. Kroon declined to say if the blaze was politically based or directed at Palin, the failed Republican vice presidential candidate. Kroon says the fire broke out Friday night while a small group of women were working on crafts. They were alerted to the blaze by a fire alarm. Kroon says he was called and by the time he got to the church, smoke was pouring out of the building....

The FBI on Wednesday quintupled rewards for four suspects in the $26 million arson of a Colorado ski resort 10 years ago. The four suspects, who are thought to be the last members of the eco-terror group known as "The Family," are believed to have fled overseas. "The Family" was thought to be affiliated with ELF, the Earth Liberation Front. Together, the four are suspected in "at least 25 domestic terrorism criminal actions totaling over $48 million in damages, including the largest eco-related arson in history, a $26 million arson at the Vail Ski Resort," ... "These individuals are terrorists;...

Malibu -- A 39-year-old man was arrested for suspicion of arson near Malibu Creek State Park, a sheriff's deputy said today. Suren Sahakyan was booked on suspicion of arson at the sheriff's Lost Hills Station and held in lieu of $75,000 bail, said Deputy Byron Ward of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson near Malibu Creek State Park, a sheriff's deputy said Sunday. Suren Sahakyan was booked on suspicion of arson at the sheriff's Lost Hills Station and held in lieu of $75,000 bail, said Deputy Byron Ward of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau. An area resident saw the man on shoulder of Stokes Canyon Road near Mulholland Highway, starting a fire using paper and leaves about 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Ward said. The resident stomped out the fire, and Sahakyan fled but was caught by sheriff's deputies a short distance away.

Extremists are threatening an environmental disaster by sparking a series of catastrophic wild fires. We first posted on this last year. Western intelligence agencies fear that Al Qaeda terrorists are planning a “global fireball” in a new departure in its war on the West. Deliberately lighting forest blazes in Europe, the US and Australia would not only stretch emergency services but leave insurance companies facing multi-billion pound damage bills as the credit crunch bites. The fires would also create a pollution disaster, with billions tons of climate change gases escaping into the atmosphere. The so-called “forest jihad” is being championed...

Fire breaks out in office of one of northern city's mixed neighborhoods Saturday night; investigation points to arson by Arabs A fire broke out Saturday night in a hesder yeshiva (program which combines advanced Talmudic studies with military service) in the northern city of Akko. There were no injuries, but the building sustained damage. The city's firefighting services reported that an initial investigation into the incident pointed to arson. The fire broke out at around 3:30 am in a yeshiva located in one of the city's mixed neighborhoods. Local firefighters were dispatched to the area and managed to put out...

Burdened by debt and driving home from a night of gambling in West Virginia, Sergio Lopez launched a scheme that at the time must have seemed like a good idea. He pulled his Volkswagen Jetta up to a random corner in Silver Spring, doused the interior with gasoline, set it on fire and walked away. He later made a claim to Nationwide Insurance. The car was missing, he said -- someone must have stolen it. Add Lopez, who pleaded guilty in the case this year, to the band of Washington area residents who have torched their cars hoping for a...

With all the fiery rhetoric coming from the Obama campaign about the nastiness of McCain supporters you might imagine that Obama supporters are just the nicest people in the whole wide world. But you would be wrong. As it turns out, the Obama supporters actually have a history of taking violent action and potentially life endangering actions against McCain supporters. I wonder what John Lewis things of that? Pair arrested after large McCain sign torched in Sellwood yard Authorities have arrested two men after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a 4-foot by 8-foot campaign sign for Republican presidential candidate...