This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
Locked on 09/01/2005 11:36:21 PM PDT by Admin Moderator, reason:
Locked - New Thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475392/posts |
Posted on 08/06/2005 4:45:21 PM PDT by nwctwx
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston
|
Done. Fwd email to DHS. Thanks.
You're welcome GorillaMa.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1473245/posts
"The ongoing challenge that is Hugo Chavez"
Houston Chronicle ^ | August 29, 2005 | MICHAEL SHIFTER
Posted on 08/29/2005 11:51:20 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Oil is over $70 a barrel, FEMA is tied up with the hurricane, and the market sits where it was 4 years ago. I think this country is very vulnerable right at this moment. The EOM note really bothers me. It's addressed to me. I haven't heard from this clown in 2 years.
On another note, I can't figure out why we haven't dealt with Chavez. I think we are worried about a power vacuum if we "take him out." There is a lot of uncertainty about a "transition government."
Seems a bit more errie with all that is going on.
OPINION...
Chavez is probably his own worst enemy.
To solve most of his problems; he should look in the mirror.
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=319815
KASHMIR-EXPLOSIVES
JAMMU, AUG 29 (PTI)
Security forces recovered 15 kilograms
of explosives and apprehended two
"over-ground workers" of militants in
separate operations in Rajouri and
Udhampur districts of Jammu and
Kashmir, official sources said today.
The packets containing high grade
explosives and three batteries were
found inside a forest near Kalaban in
Rajouri district, they said.
Security forces apprehended an
over-ground worker identified as
Murtaza Ali Shah (24). A student of
MSc Information Technology, Shah is a
confidante of self styled district
commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Pir
Panchal Regiment, they said.
Another over-ground worker, identified
as Salam Mohammad, was taken into
custody at Mahore in Udhampur
district and is being interrogated, the
sources said adding he will be handed
over to police.
Dhaka struggles to respond to bombs
By Roland Buerk
BBC News, Dhaka
The recent multiple bomb attacks have thrown the government in Bangladesh off guard, with ministers
struggling to find a coordinated response, analysts say.
Foreign diplomats say they have been surprised that they were not quickly briefed about the 400 small
bomb attacks across the country on 17 August.
Sixty-three of the country's 64 districts were affected in attacks claimed by the banned Islamic group,
Jamatul Mujahideen.
"Usually after any major incident they'll call all the heads of mission into the foreign ministry to reassure
them, say 'please don't alter your travel advice, please don't tell your investors not to come'," said one
diplomat in Dhaka.
"This time they have not done that. Read into it what you will."
A spokesman for the foreign ministry says ambassadors will now be briefed this week.
'Under control'
The bombings have left the government facing a number of questions, not least why it did not crack down
on religious extremists earlier.
The government is confused about what position they want to take
Mohammed Jehangir, analyst
For years, despite a series of explosions and killings, ministers
denied there were any militants in the country.
In February the government changed its position, and banned
two Islamic organisations.
Jamatul Mujahideen and Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh
were alleged to have been behind blasts at the offices of aid
agencies.
After a number of arrests, ministers then said militants were
under control.
But leaflets in the name of Jamatul Mujahideen were found at
the blast sites on 17 August.
And the police have said their investigation is focusing on the
group.
So far 160 people have been detained and it is reported that
some of them have confessed to links with Jamatul Mujahideen.
Bangladesh is governed by a four-party alliance that includes
two Islamic parties, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote.
Analyst, Mohammed Jehangir, of the Centre for Development
Communication, says: "The government is confused about what
position they want to take.
"Our government is a coalition government, so it is very difficult
to take a position against fundamentalists or extremists,
because the fundamentalists are with them.
"If they say extremists are responsible, members of the
coalition will be angry and they will have internal problems."
Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote have insisted they have
nothing to do with the blasts, and that they are opposed to
violence.
Disagreement
Journalists are finding it difficult to gain access to ministers.
The BBC has made repeated requests for an interview since the
blasts, but no minister in charge of a department involved in the
investigation has been available.
Local media organisations have had the same problem.
"Every day I have tried Lutfozzaman Babar (minister for Home
Affairs) and other senior ministers - and nothing," said one
senior reporter in Dhaka.
Mr Babar was criticised for his comments to journalists in the
immediate aftermath of the bombings.
He said the government had information that an attack might
take place on the 14, 15 or 16 August. When it did not happen
security was reduced and the bombers struck the next day.
There was further criticism when two cabinet ministers appeared
to disagree publicly about the blasts.
Industries Minister Moulana Motiur Rahman Nizami, also the
leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, told reporters that the Research and
Analysis Wing of the Indian secret service might have been
responsible.
Later Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, from the Bangladesh
Nationalist Party, told reporters that Moulana Nizami's views
were those of Jamaat-e-Islami, not the government.
Opposition leaders said the men had broken the principle of
cabinet collective responsibility and one of them should go.
Neither lost his job, but since then ministers have appeared
reluctant to speak to the press.
The government finally directed a senior bureaucrat to answer
the BBC's questions.
"I don't agree that there is any problem with the government,"
said Zahirul Haque, the director general of external publicity at
the foreign ministry.
"Of course they will speak as and when they feel it is necessary.
But at the moment it is not possible on my part to say why they
are not talking."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4194578.stm
Published: 2005/08/29 11:37:18 GMT
© BBC MMV
I am glad you found the searches interesting, I found several in the second google, but only glanced at the first one.
One of those non-working eyes nights.
Here
is the envelope details:<<<<<<<<
From your EOM post, it brings to mind the envelopes of anthrax.......
thrasher@reece.net.au<<<<<<<<<<
Isn't the Thrasher a US nuclear submarine?
Interesting that an Australia address is used.
Thanks for posting this.
I hope you feel better in the morning, granny.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050830-123208-5615r.htm
"Schools confront gang violence"
By Arlo Wagner
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 30, 2005
ON THE NET...
PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org
===
===
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05080117.htm
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
Monday, August 29, 2005
IRAN: THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION IS COMPLETE
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
Special to ASSIST News Service
AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has flooded the Majlis (parliament) with former Revolutionary Guards while Ayatollah Khamenei has made key changes in security structures and strategies to entrench the Revolutionary Guards' hegemony over all law enforcement agencies. (Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was established by Ayatollah Khomeini in May 1979 as a force, under the direct command of the clerics, to consolidate the Islamic Revolution.) (Link 1)
The following posting shows clearly how Iran has begun to enact a policy of zero-tolerance towards breaches of the ideals of the Islamic revolution. It does not require much imagination to see how much pain and trauma Christians, other non-Muslims and freedom-loving Persians are destined to experience as Ayatollah Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad forcefully advance their Shi'ite vision of a pure Islamic State.
A NEW ERA OF "ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT"
On Wednesday 3 August, former Revolutionary Guard Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in as the sixth President of the Islamic Republic of Iran by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ahmadinejad pledged to restore an "Islamic government" in Iran, implying, as Iran Focus notes, "...that the previous administrations of Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami had distanced themselves from the policies of the founder of the Islamic state, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini." (Link 2: includes a biography of Ahmadinejad.)
On 14 August, President Ahmadinejad presented his list of cabinet nominees to the Majlis Speaker, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel. According to Iran Focus, only two of the 21 persons nominated by Ahmadinejad for ministerial appointments had previously held ministerial posts, while at least 13 were former commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated agencies, and five were former officials in Iran's notorious Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and revolutionary prosecutor's office.
Hardliners gained control of the parliament in 2004, so it was not anticipated that there would be any difficulty having the nominations passed. However, the inexperience and obscurity of some of the nominees (clearly chosen only for their Revolutionary credentials) did cause concern and four were rejected with calls for stronger candidates. The 17 others were passed.
REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS' HEGEMONY:
OVER THE PEOPLE
On Saturday 20 August, Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered a key change in the high command of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali (Aziz) Jaafari has been appointed to establish "the IRGC centre for strategy" which will "draw up the new strategy and implement the necessary changes to ensure rapid and efficient transformation of the country's civilian infrastructure and resources to military footing under the control of the IRGC". Khameni instructed Jaafari to "identify and propose key individuals and scientists in the Revolutionary Guards for membership in this important centre". Jaafari is to work closely with President Ahmadinejad, with whom he shares a close friendship. (Iran Focus 20 Aug)
OVER THE MILITARY
Iran Focus also reports that Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, the commander of the IRGC, has been asked to "devise a new command structure and military strategy for the IRGC that would give the elite military force unlimited access to national resources and absolute priority over the regular army in case of a foreign military confrontation". (Iran Focus 20 Aug)
OVER THE POLICE
On 10 July, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam to the position of police chief. Moghaddam, who was deputy commander the paramilitary Bassij and commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Greater Tehran, is a long-time ally of President Ahmadinejad. Iran Focus reports that in a decree read out on the state radio Ayatollah Khamenei said the police force's top priority was "to create security all over the country at a level worthy of the Islamic Republic".
Iran Focus comments that the appointment of Ahmadi Moghaddam brings the country's police force under the complete domination of the Revolutionary Guards and signals a readiness to crack down harder on what the ultra-conservatives see as "deviation" from the country's rigid religious laws. Farhad Nasseri, an Iranian analyst based in Dubai told Iran Focus, "This is part of an overall trend to extend IRGC hegemony over all military, intelligence and even civilian institutions. Ayatollah Khamenei is taking no chances. He wants his own men in control everywhere." (Link 3)
On Sunday 28 August, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Revolutionary Guard, Brigadier General Mohammad-Kazem Moazzenian as the new chief of the Intelligence Protection Organisation of the State Security Forces.
POLICE TO ENFORCE "ISLAMIC VALUES"
Under orders from their new police chief, Iran's police have commenced a crackdown on "models of corruption", or in other words poorly-veiled women. (Iran Focus 27 Aug) Jamal Karimi-Rad, Iran's new Minister of Justice vowed on Saturday 20 August, that "improperly-veiled women" will be treated as if they had no Islamic veil at all. "Being improperly veiled and not wearing a veil are no different," declared Jamal Karimi-Rad. "When it is clear from the appearance of a woman that she has violated the law, then the crime is obvious and law enforcement agents can take legal measures against her."
PARAMILITARIES AS LAW ENFORCERS
Iran's State Prosecutor, Ghorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi (a Shiite cleric and former head of the Iran's dreaded secret police, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security), told journalists in Tehran on 25 August, "There are about 18 different law enforcement agencies, and may be even more, in the country." He listed the State Security Forces, certain branches of the Intelligence Ministry, the Revolutionary Guards, and the Bassij militia as amongst Iran's "law enforcement forces". (Iran Focus 25 Aug)
According to Brigadier-General Hossein Zolfaqari: "In circumstances when the police are not present or when they require assistance or when they for whatever reason do not wish to carry out their tasks, uniformed members of the Bassij can in accordance with the law act against apparent crimes."
Iran's new Justice Minister, Karimi-Rad, has also made it clear that members of the para-military Bassij and the notorious Ansar-e Hizbollah, government-organised gangs of hooligans, are regarded as law enforcement agents in clergy-ruled Iran. (Iran Focus 25 Aug)
Since Thursday 18 August, plain-clothes agents of Iran's State Security Forces (SSF) have been conducting stop-and-search operations in Isfahan, central Iran. Iran Focus reports that drivers are stopped and ordered to show their identity cards before their vehicles are thoroughly searched by plain-clothed SSF agents. (Iran Focus 19 Aug)
The State Security Forces have also launched a crackdown against "young people harbouring anti-government sentiments". (Iran Focus 20 Aug) And in a move that will further entrench the isolation of Iranians, police have been ordered, "...to use all means, including helicopters, to locate and confiscate privately-owned satellite dishes, which are illegal in Iran." (Iran Focus 20 Aug)
FOREIGN POLICY
Iran Focus also reports that Mohammad-Reza Jaafari, the commander of Iran's new Lovers of Martyrdom Garrison, which has recruited more than 50,000 potential suicide bombers for "martyrdom operations" recently hinted to the Persian weekly "Parto-Sokhan" that if the US ever attempted to strike Iran' s nuclear installations, then the theocratic state could make use of long-term "sleeper cells" in the West to destroy United States' interests all over the world.
Jaafari also said, "The Imam [Khomeini] said years ago that Israel must be wiped off the face of the Earth, but so far practical steps have not been taken to achieve this. Our garrison must spot, recruit, organise and train martyrdom-seeking persons to be able to materialise this objective. Any delay in fulfilling the strategy of the Imam and the Supreme Leader in this regard will not be to the advantage of Islam or the revolution." (Link 4)
FROM THE MACRO TO THE MICRO
Lest anyone monitoring the big picture be tempted to forget the flesh and blood human beings within it, here is an Iranian story that could doubtless be told by more than one family. It is a situation that will probably become even more common in the new Iran.
The Sabian Mandaean Association of Australia reports that in 2000, Muslim vigilantes kidnapped Miss Layla Zahrooni (then aged 10 yrs) from her school. The Muslims then informed the Zahrooni family that Layla had converted to Islam and could not therefore be returned to an infidel family. (As Mandaeans, the Zahroonis follow the teachings of John the Baptist.) The Muslims placed Layla in an Islamic institution.
In 2004, Layla (aged 15 yrs) succeeded in escaping and finding her way back to her family. But on 4 April 2005, Iranian authorities discovered Layla (16 yrs) in the city of Sosangerd. They seized her from her distraught family and forcibly married her to a Muslim man.
Links
1) Defending The Islamic Revolution -- The Corps Of The Matter
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/08/dfead359-312f-4497-8686-559b29a226a6.html
2) Hardliner takes over as Iran's new president. 3 Aug 2005
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3147
3) Iran puts police under Revolutionary Guards control. 10 Jul 2005
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2796
4) Iran's "suicide operations" chief vows to hit U.S. Interests. 23 Aug 2005
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3429
Elizabeth Kendal is the Principal Researcher and Writer for the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC) www.worldevangelical.org/rlc.html. This article was initially written for the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty News & Analysis mailing list.
Elizabeth can be contacted by e-mail at rl-research@crossnet.org.au.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
UPDATE...
ON THE NET...
http://www.weather.com
http://www.foxnews.com
===
Note: The following post is an exact quote:
---
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1473256/posts
Mayor: Major Breach Flooding and Destroying New Orleans
BayouBuzz.com ^ | 8/30/2005 | Steve Sabludowsky
Posted on 08/30/2005 1:47:40 AM PDT by Prince Charles
Mayor: Major Breach Flooding and Destroying New Orleans
National
Author: Steve Sabludowsky | 8/30/2005 Home : Business
The City of New Orleans Is Devastated. Those were the words of Mayor C. Ray Nagin and based upon a major breach of a levee system, water is flowing into New Orleans flooding it beyond recognition and could very well destroy New Orleans, Jefferson and the surrounding areas.
In a most frightening interview with WWL TV, Mayor C. Ray Nagin gave the worse-case scenario of events that anyone could possibly imagine. In the beginning of the interview, he stated that New Orleans is devastated.
Of most importance is the breach of the levee between Jefferson and Orleans Parish.
We probably have 80 percent of our city under water with some sections of our city the water is as deep as 20 feet.
Both airports are underwater.
The twin spans are destroyed.
The Yacht club is burned and destroyed.
Mayor Nagin also stated he was not sure of the structural soundness of the highrise. He stated that it is possible that the highrise bridge in east New Orleans could be unstable.
(Excerpt) Read more at bayoubuzz.com ...
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
===
http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050829.txt
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
August 29, 2005
Release Number: 05-08-29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RAMADI-BASED TERRORISTS CAPTURED
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Multi-national forces raided a suspected terrorist hideout in Ramadi Aug. 23 and captured a pair of known terrorists based in Ramadi.
Captured were Durayd Jassar Khalifah Hamud (aka Abu Jabbar), a known terrorist leader and weapons dealer for the Numan Brigade and Ali Husayn Muhammad Jasim, (aka Khalid Nazal or Abu Umar), a known IED cell leader in the Numan Brigade.
Multiple intelligence sources led Multi-national forces to Abu Jabbars and Khalid Nazals Ramadi location. Multi-national forces raided the location and detained them without incident.
Abu Jabbar, a key al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the Ramadi-based Numan Brigade, is alleged to have facilitated the purchase, transportation and distribution of weapons for the brigade.
Khalid Nazal was an IED Cell leader who was responsible for numerous IED attacks the Ramadi area.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS-IRAQ,
BY E-MAIL AT MNCI-PAO-VICTORYMAINJOC@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.
-30-
http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050830.txt
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
August 29, 2005
Release Number: 05-08-30
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THREE NORTH AFRICAN TERRORISTS KILLED IN MOSUL
BAGHDAD, Iraq Three North African terrorists were killed during security operations in northern Mosul August 27th. Tips from concerned citizens and recently acquired intelligence led Multi-National forces to the safe house where they found and killed the foreign terrorists.
Abu Mujahir, Tunisian, was a facilitator of foreign fighters and foreign suicide bombers in the Mosul area. He is also alleged to have received and dispersed money from Abu Khallad to finance fighters under his control. Abu Khallads death at the hands of Coalition forces was officially reported on August 27th.
Abu Dur, Algerian, was subordinate to Abu Muhajir and helped him to direct foreign fighters as well as numerous bombing attacks in the Mosul area.
Abu Uthman, Algerian, another subordinate of Abu Muhajir and a foreign fighter facilitator.
The killing of these foreign terrorists and capture and killing of more than 100 other foreign fighters during the last six months in the Mosul area continues to demonstrate the coalitions success in disrupting of the Al-Qaida in Iraq (AQIZ) terrorist network and those who support them, said Col. Billy J. Buckner, Multi-national Corps spokesman.
The safe house where the incident occurred was used to hide foreign fighters from local Iraqis. As Coalition forces approached the house, they were fired on by the terrorists. Coalition forces immediately returned fire and killed all three individuals.
Other Highlights:
During the week of Aug 20 through 26 in operations throughout Iraq, Multi-national forces captured four bomb makers, killed or captured six foreign fighters, found and cleared 115 improvised explosive devices and detained more than 500 Anti-Iraqi Forces.
On Thursday, Multi-national forces killed Abu Khallad, a major facilitator of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in northern Iraq.
Terrorist Abu Zubair, also know as Mohammed Salah Sultan, was killed Aug 12 by Iraqi Security Forces in an ambush in Mosul.
To provide information on terrorists and former regime members call the nationwide tips hotline at 130 (within Baghdad) and 01-130 (outside of Baghdad).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS-IRAQ,
BY E-MAIL AT MNCI-PAO-VICTORYMAINJOC@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.
-30-
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
===
http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050831.txt
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
August 29, 2005
Release Number: 05-08-31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. MARINES AID VICTIMS OF ROCKET ATTACK
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq U.S. Marines transported children to a local hospital following a terrorist rocket attack in Ferris on Aug. 27.
Seven children were wounded and one was killed in the attack.
The wounded children were treated by a local doctor.
Marines are currently building an operating base in the city.
For more information, contact Multi-National Force-West public affairs at mnfwcepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.
-30-
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.