Threat Matrix: October 2006

[nwctwx]

Karzai Says bin Laden Not in Afghanistan
-Full Story-

President Hamid Karzai has insisted that Osama bin Laden is not in his country, in the latest installment in a row with the leader of Pakistan who says the Al-Qaeda chief is in Afghanistan.

Other militant leaders including Islamist warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar were also not in the country, Karzai told reporters in a briefing about his visit to the United States that was overshadowed by the spat.

'I can assure you they are not in Afghanistan,' Karzai said yesterday after being asked for his reaction to comments by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf who said Thursday that bin Laden is here.

	Musharraf: Bin Laden Is Alive and Hiding in Afghanistan
	Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency Comes under Fire
	Musharraf Warns West
	Behind the NIE

Thread Forty-One

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[Cindy]

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=23098_The_Forced_Conversion_That_the_Media_Forgot&only

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
"The Forced Conversion That the Media Forgot"

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20061025/wl_csm/ophotog

"Abduction signals troubling trend in Gaza"
By Ilene R. Prusher, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Wed Oct 25, 4:00 AM ET
JERUSALEM -


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Moreover, this and other kidnappings, analysts say, are probably the product of tiny offshoot cells who could be acting independently of the main factions that have long defined Palestinian politics, and who are likely taking a page from the recent kidnapping feats of Hizbullah militants and Iraqi insurgents.

"There are some groups that are taking cues from Hizbullah, but also from the Iraq model as well," says Magnus Ranstorp, an expert on Hamas and other Middle Eastern militant groups at Swedish National Defense College. "Those currents are pulsating in all sorts of directions. We're moving in dangerous and uncharted territory when you have autonomous, independent groups that are learning from other conflict zones and taking advantage of the situation."

The Associated Press (AP) photographer, Emilio Morenatti, was leaving his apartment in Gaza Tuesday when militants grabbed him, shoved him into a white Volkswagen and drove off, according to an AP driver and translator.

Some of the details of the abduction bore similarities to the August kidnapping of two journalists for Fox TV, US reporter Steve Centanni and New Zealander cameraman Olaf Wiig, who were snatched at gunpoint from their vehicle. The two men, like Mr. Morenatti, had been staying in Gaza for several days at time.

After intensive campaigning by family members and colleagues, the two were released uninjured but told a harrowing story of their ordeal, including rough treatment and being moved from house to house. They were forced to make several videos, including one which aired on Al Jazeera and demanded the release of all Muslim female prisoners held by the US.

Those demands represented an unprecedented shift in direction for Palestinian militants - one that has a much more global agenda, rather than one focused solely on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Dr. Ranstorp says whether Palestinian militants may actually be getting help from Al Qaeda-related groups - as Israeli intelligence officials have occasionally indicated - or simply gleaning inspiration from the international Islamic group founded by Osama bin Laden is a question that is almost irrelevant.

"I think it's more the state of mind," he says. "Yes, there will be people who will be sympathetic not just to Al Qaeda, but Hizbullah. The point is that they're improving and improvising. I don't think it really matters whether Al Qaeda is in Gaza or not. If the idea is attacking and killing Westerners, you don't need Al Qaeda to figure out how to do that.""

[Cindy]

Good idea.

[Velveeta]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.evacuate20oct20,0,5379800.story?coll=bal-local-headlines"

"School evacuated after explosion
Gasoline vapors might have caused blast in sewer near St. Clement in Rosedale

---

Update here:

Chemical leak forces school in Rosedale to close for a day
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=807&NewsID=757412&CategoryID=5800&show=localnews&om=1

A chemical leak in the sewer system following an explosion forced the closing of a Rosedale school for half a day at the end of last week.

Baltimore County Fire officials were sent to contain the leak in the sewers in the vicinity of Chesaco Avenue, following an explosion that blew off a manhole cover on Old Philadelphia Road at about 12:30 p.m. Oct. 19, behind the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department.(snip)

"We determined that we had a small quantity of an unknown substance that was within what we call the flammable range, which means there was a strong enough concentration for a fire," Robinson said.

Robinson said a determination had not been made as to what the chemical was, but it was thought to be a hydrocarbon, possibly a petroleum product. He was also unsure as to where it came from, but the school was ruled out, said Caine.(snip)

[Velveeta]

>>>"French "Youths" Practice for Jihad

Oh, with a rocket launcher, I see.
Wake up France.

[Velveeta]

The 20 year old 'knucklehead' knew when Ramadan ended, knew the term "American Hiroshima", knew about dirty bombs - etc. Interesting.

[Velveeta]

Thanks for the update.

[Velveeta]

Mr Choudray warned: “The Pope needs to be careful in what he says because you only need to see what happened to Theo van Gogh and Salman Rushdie.

“People should be aware that certain punishments in Islam are justified for certain actions.”

---

Reads like a threat, not a warning.

[Velveeta]

Have you ever seen the satellite tracker?
http://science.nasa.gov/Realtime/jtrack/3d/JTrack3D.html

Wait a few minutes for it to load, then you can zoom, click on earth and spin it, change the timing to x100 - etc.

You won't believe the number of satellites in orbit.

[Velveeta]

Falcon Dam.
I'll be darned.

[Velveeta]

That should be an interesting election. Thanks.

[Velveeta]

Near North businesses seeing more counterfeit cash (Chicago)
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4695158

Charges Possible Against Alleged Goat Sacrificers (Chicago)
Santeria Suspected On North Milwaukee Avenue
http://www.nbc5.com/news/10152829/detail.html

Man linked to Sears Tower terror plot pleads guilty in weapons case
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4695672

[Cindy]

I was following a manhole cover story in the area last week.

Thanks for this update Velveeta.
Updates appreciated.

[Cindy]

That's cool.
Going to add it to a couple of pages.

[Cindy]

Yep, I thought that was interesting, too.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=alhilali

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===

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1725839/posts


(Australian) Muslim leader blames women for sex attacks
The Australian ^ | October 26, 2006 | Richard Kerbaj

Posted on 10/25/2006 1:58:59 PM PDT by Dundee

THE nation's most senior Muslim cleric has blamed immodestly dressed women who don't wear Islamic headdress for being preyed on by men and likened them to abandoned "meat" that attracts voracious animals.


In a Ramadan sermon that has outraged Muslim women leaders, Sydney-based Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali also alluded to the infamous Sydney gang rapes, suggesting the attackers were not entirely to blame.

(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...

[Cindy]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22rapists+blame%22&sa=N&tab=nw

---

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.thecounselingcenter.net/Articles/sex_offence_myths.htm

Myths About Sex Offenders and Their Victims

Myths About Sex Offenders and Their Victims


1. Myth: Rapists are healthy, lusty young men "sowing wild oats." Rape is a crime of passion.

Truth: Rape is always a sign of weakness, indicating a need to exert power and control over someone else. Rape is not an expression of sexual desire, but is an act of sexual violence. It's about the desire for power and domination. Rapists purposely use forced sex to humiliate and degrade victims. Rapists can be of any age.


2. Myth: Women really want to be raped. After the initial shock, they enjoy being sexual with a "powerful" man. Some women act seductive and alluring to provoke rapists.

Truth: Being raped is universally traumatic, and one of the worst events that a person can experience. No one wants to be raped. Rapists are usually desperate, angry, and insecure men. Most rapists select their victims because they are available or vulnerable (not because of the way they dress).


3. Myth: Rapists rape attractive women who are drunk in bars.

Truth: Rapists rape anyone anywhere. Most rapes occur in the victim's home.


4. Myth: Infants, young boys and men are never sexually assaulted.

Truth: Victims of sexual abuse range from newborn to the elderly, including both males and females of all ages, and all levels of society and lifestyles.


5. Myth: Rapes occur in the summer when people are wearing fewer clothes.

Truth: Rapes occur every time of day and night, summer, fall, winter, and spring.


6. Myth: Rapists are mostly accused falsely by women or girls who went along and regretted it later.

Truth: Rapists blame the victim to avoid taking responsibility for their crimes. Some victims may comply with the rapist's demands because they are in fear for their lives. Compliance is not consent.


7. Myth: If a person was really abused, then he/she would report is right away.

Truth: Many victims of sexual abuse are too frightened or embarrassed to tell someone.


8. Myth: Rapists are just men who were being sexual with a woman. But after the woman turned him on, she wanted to stop. She deserved what she got.

Truth: Appropriate sex stops if and when either partner becomes uncomfortable with what is happening. Everyone has the right to stop sex at any point. No one deserves to have his or her body violated. No one deserves to be raped.


9. Myth: A woman can stop a rape if she really wants to.

Truth: Some women do stop rapes by resisting, running, using self-defense skills, or figuring out how to get help or get away. Most victims are afraid of being killed or maimed during a rape. Rapists use weapons, violence, and threats to control their victims. Rapists are also usually larger and stronger. Rapists are always responsible for their actions. Rape will stop when rapists stop raping. Victims cannot stop rape.


10. Myth: You cannot rape your wife.

Truth: Every person has a right to say no to sex and to have their statement respected without fear of harm. Marrying someone does not give you rights to her body. Having sex with someone when she does not want it is not love or lust. It is violence.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1725634/posts

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http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5976

"The Al Qaeda Bomb is Coming – Vote for your Life!"
by Marc Sheppard
October 25th, 2006

[Velveeta]

I was following a manhole cover story in the area last week.

Right, I saw that and looked for the update. Sounds a bit suspicious given the mysterious chemical.

[Cindy]

I agree.

I really would like to know what is causing this.

(Smiling to myself...if I tried to answer everything
I wonder about, I probably wouldn't get any sleep.)

[Cindy]

Well now, this is powerful.
Read it all.

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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1159193488970


JPost.com » Opinion » Op-Ed Contributors » Article

Oct. 21, 2006 19:38 | Updated Oct. 21, 2006 23:21

"We're Muslim-Americans - kill us, too"
By ASLAM ABDULLAH


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, recently issued a decree to its supporters: Kill at least one American in the next two weeks "using a sniper rifle, explosive or whatever the battle may require."

Well, Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, I am an American too. Count me as the one of those you have asked your supporters to kill.

I am not alone. There are thousands of Muslims with me in Las Vegas, and many more millions in America, who are proud Americans and who are ready to face your challenge. You hide in your caves and behind the faces of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq. You don't show your faces and you have no guts to face Muslims. You thrive on the misery of thousands of Muslim youth and children who are victims of despotism, poverty and ignorance.

During the past two decades, you have brought nothing but shame and disaster to your religion and your world.

You said "not to drop your weapons," not to let "your enemies rest until each one of you kills at least one American within a period that does not exceed 15 days."

But I invite you to surrender, to seek forgiveness from God almighty for the senseless killing you and your supporters are involved in and repent for everything you have done."