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Locked on 10/06/2008 8:07:44 PM PDT by Religion Moderator, reason:
New thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099235/posts |
Posted on 09/03/2008 6:13:02 PM PDT by nwctwx
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Thanks to Mama Dearest for finding these articles.
Strange chemicals in a river, always makes me nervous.
On the subs, remember when I found the ads to buy them for 10 million and now they build their own.
Thanks M.D. for thinking of me.
bttt
Last month an Arabic satellite TV channel broadcast a chilling video of a group of Iraqi teenagers called the "Youths of Heaven" -- their faces masked and brandishing Kalashnikov rifles, chanting "Allahu Akbar" and vowing to blow themselves up with "crusaders and apostates".
The film of these aspiring suicide bombers, all said to be under 16, was produced by al-Furqan, the media arm of the Islamic State of Iraq, aka al-Qaeda. But such material is rare these days, with film coming out of Iraq looking suspiciously like posed training sessions with little of the live action of ambushes that has been the staple fare of jihadi websites.
Ebola's cell-invasion strategy uncovered
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have discovered a key biochemical link in the process by which the Ebola Zaire virus infects cells - a critical step to finding a way to treat the deadly disease produced by the virus.
Ebola produces severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in its victims and inflicts mortality rates close to 90 percent in some outbreaks. No vaccine or antiviral therapy has been developed against the virus, and it is considered a high-risk agent for bioterrorism.....
New alcohol based hand sanitizer may minimize viral transmission, including norovirus
In the study the researchers formed a synergistic blend of ethanol, polyquaternium polymer and organic acid and tested its capability to inhibit human and animal viruses. When compared with a benchmark alcohol-based hand sanitizer, results showed higher levels of reduced infectivity of human rotavirus, adenovirus type 5, poliovirus type 1, and norovirus, as well as feline calicivirus and murine norovirus type 1 from the new ethanol-based sanitizer.
"Based on these results, we conclude that this new ethanol-based hand sanitizer is a promising option for reducing the transmission of enteric viruses, including norovirus, by food handlers and care providers," say the researchers.
Bacterial pneumonia was main killer in 1918 flu pandemic
It was secondary bacterial pneumonia—not the influenza virus by itself—that killed most of the millions who perished in the 1918 flu pandemic, which suggests that current pandemic preparations should include stockpiling of antibiotics and bacterial vaccines, influenza researchers reported this week.
Typhus outbreak handling draws ire
Stanhope also said the nation's current system of monitoring disease, in which health departments collect specimens and wait for a lab to confirm the disease, rather than monitoring a collection of symptoms in hospitals and alerting doctors to unusual clusters of illness, is badly outdated. He said the country is at risk of a biological attack if it doesn't change the way it monitors illness.
"It leaves us absolutely vulnerable and damned near unable to respond a bioterrorism event," Stanhope said.
Two Christians kidnapped, then killed in Iraq
Tariq Qattan, a 65-year-old doctor, was recently kidnapped by a terrorist group. Then on Wednesday, news emerged that he had been killed, according to Assyrian International News Agency.
His family had reportedly paid around £10,000 in ransom money, but it was not enough to free the Christian man.
On the same day, news also was released about the kidnapping and murder of another Christian, Nafi Haddad. Nafi was kidnapped on Monday and it is unclear whether the captors demanded ransom money.
Thank you MamaDearest.
So much information you provided.
I appreciate it.
Snippets: In 1988 a lorry driver poured 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate into the wrong tank at the Lowermoor treatment works at Camelford in Cornwall - contaminating the water supplied to 20,000 homes.
Locals say the accident led to cases of vomiting, skin burns, brain damage, memory loss and joint problems - and up to 20 deaths. They accuse the Government of covering up the scale of the disaster, which happened in the run up to the privatisation of the water board.
For nearly two decades the victims of the blunder have demanded full investigation.
Outbreak prompts recall of NW alfalfa sprouts
Snippets: Oregon State Public Health Division and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced Thursday a recall of Sprouter's Northwest brand alfalfa sprouts due to a Salmonellosis outbreak.
As of Tuesday, 13 outbreak cases had been identified in Oregon and Washington. All cases reported becoming ill since Aug. 1.
The recalled sprouts were distributed through a number of wholesalers to grocery stores, restaurants, and other retail outlets in Oregon and Washington.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50936
“SouthCom Transformation Promotes New Approach to Regional Challenges”
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
MIAMI, Aug. 26, 2008 –
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Stavridis described the “enormous challenges” facing Central and South America during his mid-March testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. Without large-scale conventional wars looming on the horizon, the bigger regional challenges are poverty, drugs, the risk of regional terrorism and the beginnings of Islamic radical terrorism, he told the committee.
Like a long line of commanders before him, Stavridis recognized that traditional Cold War-era ways of operating didn’t fit in SouthCom’s area of focus, which includes all of Latin America and parts of the Caribbean. “Previous SouthCom commanders have recognized we need to fundamentally change how we do business around here,” Sparling said. “
###
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0825/csmimg/ADRUGS_P1.jpg
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0825/p03s03-usmi.html
“NEW CHALLENGE IN DRUG WAR: SEMI-SUBS
At $2 million apiece, the craft poke out only a foot above water and can carry 12 tons of drugs.”
By Gordon Lubold | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the August 25, 2008 edition
WASHINGTON -
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Military officials, working in conjunction with the US Coast Guard and law-enforcement agencies, say they apprehended about 25 of the hard-to-find semi-subs a couple of years ago but this year are on track to find as many as 60. Another military official says that number could be as high as 100 by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the semi-subs have an estimated success rate – actual delivery of cargo – of about 80 percent, Admiral Nimmich says, adding that he is confident the US can tackle the problem given more focus and resources.
Most of the boats have been intercepted in the eastern Pacific between South and Central America. In the last two years, the vessels have emerged as an increasingly viable way to transport large quantities of drugs that ultimately make their way into the US.
Built of a combination of fiberglass and wood and now steel, the 40- to 80-foot long semi-subs can travel as far as 2,000 miles, carrying a payload that represents, according to Nimmich, “10 hits of cocaine for every senior high school student in the US.””
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Costing an average of $2 million per ship, the semi-subs are typically built under cover of the jungle canopy in South and Central America and can take a year to construct.”
ARTICLE SIPPET: “Although US Southern Command, headed by Adm. James Stavridis, has not received as much attention support as its sister commands, particularly US Central Command, which oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has quietly focused on the drug fight, interdicting about 200 metric tons of cocaine last year.
To make more headway, General McCaffrey says, the American government as a whole needs a broader strategic policy in Latin America that would help address the growth in effectiveness of drug cartels.
If semi-subs represent one way in which narcotics traffickers have adapted, the growing use of tunnels on the US-Mexico border represent another.”
###
http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2008/08/16/1218935054_1441/539w.jpg
“For US, a terror threat lurks in drug smuggling subs
Shift of cargo to arms and people is feared”
By Bryan Bender
Globe Staff / August 17, 2008
KEY WEST, Fla. -
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “These “semi-submersibles,” which exhibit some of the same characteristics as military submarines, mark a significant advancement in the ability of drug smugglers to slip past coastal defenses.
So far this year, the Coast Guard says it has encountered at least 27 such vessels headed toward the southern and western United States, more than in the previous six years combined, while far more are believed to have gone undetected, according to US military and law enforcement officials.
The growing number and increased sophistication of the vessels, officially designated “self-propelled semi-submersibles,” has set off alarms at the highest levels of the US military and the federal Department of Homeland Security. Counterterrorism officials fear that what drug runners now use to deliver cocaine, terrorists could one day use to sneak personnel or massive weapons into the United States.
Navy Admiral James Stavridis, commander of the US Southern Command, the Miami-based military command that concentrates on Latin America, warned in a recent military journal article, “If drug cartels can ship up to 10 tons of cocaine in a semi-submersible, they can clearly ship or rent space to a terrorist organization for a weapon of mass destruction or a high-profile terrorist.””
###
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/08/17/Semi-subs_becoming_drug_security_risk/UPI-82521219002065/
“Semi-subs becoming drug, security risk”
Published: Aug. 17, 2008 at 3:41 PM
KEY WEST, Fla., Aug. 17 (UPI)
###
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49284
“Commanders Discuss Operational Issues at House Hearing”
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2008 –
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Yet, SOUTHCOM’s area of responsibility also includes challenges, Stavridis said.
“There are enormous challenges, starting with poverty, but also drugs,” the four-star admiral noted. Regional terrorists, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, increasingly rely on narcotics trafficking as a way to raise funds, he said.
Stavridis also sees “the beginnings of Islamic radical terrorism” in some parts of his area of responsibility.
On the Caribbean watch, Cuba remains the sole dictatorship in the Americas, Stavridis said, while noting Haiti “continues to be a nation that is trying to overcome extreme challenges of poverty.”
The admiral also cited recent tensions caused by a border dispute between Colombia and its neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela and Ecuador accused Colombia of violating their sovereignty during recent Colombian military operations that attacked terrorists operating along the countries’ common borders.”
###
http://www.southcom.mil/appssc/factFiles.php?id=43
Posted On: Apr 8 2008 10:53AM
SNIPPET: “”On March 6th and 13th, Navy Adm. James Stavridis, commander of U.S. Southern Command, testified before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees as part of the command’s annual posture statement to Congress.
Stavridis emphasized the command’s continuing work to strengthen partnerships in Central America, South America and the Caribbean and addressed current security challenges and concerns in the region. Below are some selected excerpts of Stavridis’ testimony to the House and the Senate:”
SNIPPET: “On the use of semi-submersible submarines
by drug runners:
“In 2006, we were tracking, either via intelligence or capturing, around three of these in the year 2006. In the year 2007, it jumped to about 30. This year so far, in three months, we`ve seen about 30. So, we are seeing more and more of these. We don`t know how many there are that we are not seeing.”
“…they really are essentially garage-level technology. It`s just a diesel engine, a fiberglass hull, a snorkel, a primitive periscope, seating in a crude sense for two to four personnel. We are working very hard on the intelligence front to find out where they are coming from… They can go hundreds of miles.”
On continued military support to Colombia:
“Colombia has made enormous progress on — as a result of Plan Colombia, which came out of the Clinton Administration and was followed in the Bush administration. Murders down 80 percent; kidnappings down 60 percent; terrorist incidents down 60 percent; police presence throughout the country — it`s a much safer country.
As the chairman indicated, the Colombians have just self-financed with a wealth tax — three-and-a-half billion dollars. I fully expect, over the next 24 months, we should be able to move toward a reduction in our very small forces that are there. As you know, Senator, we have a cap of 600 U.S. military. We`re typically, on average, well-below that, in the 500 range.”
On military-to-military relations with Venezuela:
“Historically, the United States and Venezuela have had very close relations. And, it is unfortunate that, at the moment, we do not enjoy that at a government-to-government level. And, at a military-to- military level, Senator, we have no relationship unfortunately. We have tried to reach out to the Venezuelan military. We`ve invited them to conferences. We want to have some level of understanding and dialogue with them, but they have rejected that. They have also – ‘they,’ the government of Venezuela, has not been cooperative in the narcotics fight, and we are very concerned about trans-shipment of cocaine through Venezuela.”
On Venezuela’s military buildup:
“I am concerned about it. It seems like a high level of weapons purchases… 25 high-performance aircraft, 50 new attack helicopters, over 100,000 AK-103 – very advanced – automatic rifles, military transports, diesel submarines – a very advanced technology. I, personally, have difficulty understanding why that level of weapons would be needed by the Venezuelan state, because as we’ve just seen, this is a region that is not prone to going to war, but has the capacity to solve, peacefully, disputes. “
###
http://www.southcom.mil/appssc/news.php?storyId=1007
“SOUTHCOM commander testifies before Congress”
Posted On: Mar 14 2008 2:00PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Wimbish
U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The commander of U.S. Southern Command testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee March 13, saying that there is a low likelihood for military conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean while warning of possible emerging security challenges.
Navy Adm. James Stavridis’ testimony, alongside the commanders of U.S. European Command and the future U.S. Africa Command, was his second in a week. On March 6, he appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee as part of the command’s annual posture statement to Congress.
Stavridis discussed the recent tensions between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, sparked by Colombia’s attack of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels in Ecuador March 1. He said the peaceful resolution, which also involved leaders from other surrounding nations, displayed the region’s aptitude for solving such problems.
“The region came together to solve that problem, and that´s very encouraging,” Stavridis said.
Stavridis also offered the SOUTHCOM take on Venezuela’s recent military weapons and equipment purchases, which have included more than 20 high-performance fighter jets, 50 new attack helicopters, over 100,000 AK-103 automatic rifles, military transports, and advanced diesel submarines.
“I personally have difficulty understanding why that level of weapons would be needed by the Venezuelan state because, as we´ve just seen, this is a region that is not prone to going to war, but has the capacity to solve, peacefully, disputes,” stated Stavridis.””
###
RECAP:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3581401,00.html
YNET NEWS.com (AP): “REPORT: IRAN BUILDS NEW, SMART SUB” (Published August 12, 13:42)<
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/9131.htm
THE MEMRI BLOG.org (”Source: Mehr, Iran, August 12, 2008”): “IRAN LAUNCHES RADAR-EVADING VESSELS, UNMANNED SUBMARINES” (Posted August 12, 2008)
More details UPDATE:
September 3, 2008
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://pittsburgh.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2008/device090308.htm
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Pennsylvania
Defendant in Pennsylvania Collar-Bomb Bank Robbery Case Pleads Guilty.
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, September 3, 2008, that Kenneth Barnes, a resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and using and carrying a destructive device during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Barnes, age 54, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin. Ms. Buchanan stated that “Barnes’ guilty plea today is a significant step towards providing closure to one of the most bizarre crimes ever committed in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The callousness of the defendants’ conduct, coupled with the unusual series of events committed by the participants, complicated and prolonged the investigation.” Ms. Buchanan further stated, “This crime would not have been solved without the dedication and commitment of outstanding law enforcement officers and prosecutors.”
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini advised the court that the evidence gathered from the FBI, ATF, Pennsylvania State Police, and Erie Bureau of Police, and other sources, establishes that on August 28, 2003, employees at the PNC Bank located at 7200 Peach Street, Erie, Pennsylvania were robbed by a lone individual later identified as Brian Wells. According to the information provided to the court, the evidence establishes that the bank robbery was not committed by Wells alone but rather, was actually planned in advance by a group of co-conspirators to include William Rothstein, Marjorie Diehl Armstrong, and Kenneth Barnes. The evidence would establish that the conspirators contrived a series of notes appearing to require Wells (the supposed bomb hostage) to follow a course of instruction in order to complete the bank robbery and have the device disarmed and removed. These notes provided instructions leading to other notes along a route from the PNC bank, across Interstate 90 to wooded areas near Interstate 79 in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Investigators immediately followed the instructions on the notes recovered from the bank and Wells’ vehicle to attempt to gather evidence in the minutes following the bank robbery. When investigators arrived at the Kearsage exit of I-79, they retrieved a note that instructed the reader to travel back onto I-79 south to the McKean Township sign and again walk into the woods for further instructions. At that location investigators found an empty jar without a note in it, with marker tape attached. The tape appeared to have been broken and was attached at the other end to a tree in the vicinity. The evidence would show that somebody removed that note from the time of the robbery to the time investigators arrived.
According to the information provided to the court, the evidence shows that at approximately 1:30 p.m. on August 28, 2003, prior to the bank robbery, a telephone call from a Shell gas station payphone was placed to Mama Mia’s Pizzeria, where Wells worked as a deliveryman, for a pizza delivery order. The evidence establishes that at 1:30 p.m., a witness saw co-conspirator William Rothstein talking on that exact payphone and later observed William Rothstein standing in the vicinity of the payphone with coconspirator Marjorie Diehl Armstrong. Kenneth Barnes was also at the Shell gas station at that time, having driven there with coconspirator Marjorie Diehl Armstrong. Barnes purchased $10 worth of gasoline for Diehl Armstrong’s vehicle and entered the Shell gas station. Barnes’ $10.00 purchase of gas was confirmed by cash register receipts, and surveillance video from within the Shell gas station store depicts Kenneth Barnes present in the store during the same time frame that co-conspirators Rothstein and Diehl Armstrong were observed outside.
Wells left the pizza shop and proceeded to a television tower site, where he met with the co-conspirators. At that time, the device was affixed to his neck and he then proceeded to the PNC bank. After Wells entered the PNC Bank, he raised his shirt and showed the teller a bomb affixed to his torso by a collar device, and demanded money. The teller then provided Wells with $8702.00 in federally insured bank proceeds. Wells then left the bank and the destructive device that was affixed to Wells’ neck later detonated, killing him. Experts with the FBI were able to use the pieces of debris to piece together the device sufficient to gain an understanding of how it functioned and how it was configured within the metal box attached to the collar. The analysis by the FBI’s forensic laboratory experts, disclosed that in addition to the collar and locking mechanism attached to Brian Wells’ neck, the device that exploded and killed Brian Wells was an improvised explosive device, meeting the definition of a destructive device under federal law.
The evidence shows that, although the pipe bombs themselves were relatively simple, the way in which the device was configured was not simple. The device was rigged to the collar assembly in such a way as to make it appear that attempts to remove the device would have detonated it. Portions of the device were meant to appear to be “booby traps” but were not. Moreover, the device was armed in such a way that contact with the device through any attempted manual entry would likely have detonated it. The bomb maker designed the device in such a way that attempts to deactivate the device in the time allotted would have failed.
In August and September, 2005, law enforcement agents interviewed Kenneth Barnes, because it was believed that he had some connection with Marjorie Diehl Armstrong and it was known that he had previously disclosed to the Erie Police, in the course of the Roden homicide investigation, that Marjorie Diehl had solicited him to kill her father. Barnes stated that he had known Diehl Armstrong for 6 to 8 years prior to 2003. Barnes admitted that Diehl Armstrong had solicited him to kill her father because her father was spending Diehl Armstrong’s inheritance.
Barnes stated that Diehl Armstrong was mad at PNC bank among other reasons for allowing her father to obtain all of Diehl Armstrong’s mother’s money after her mother’s death. Barnes admitted that Diehl Armstrong had asked him if he had ever robbed a bank and if she decided to rob a bank, would he be the get away driver. According to Barnes, approximately 2 to 3 months before the collar bomb incident, Diehl Armstrong made statements to him about robbing a PNC bank and on several occasions solicited Barnes to be the get away driver. Barnes also admitted that Diehl Armstrong had asked him a few months prior to the bank robbery if he knew anyone that could make a bomb, specifically, one with a timer that counted down. Barnes said that if he ever had to make one it would be a pipe bomb constructed from pipe, approximately 5 to 6 inches long, filled with some form of powder or C4. When asked by investigators what type of powder he would use, Barnes replied that he would cut open shotgun shells. Barnes’ description is consistent with the pipe bombs that were in the device in this case. Barnes later admitted that he told Diehl Armstrong about different types of explosive powder and how he would build a pipe bomb.
Then, in December 2005, Barnes admitted that he was with Diehl Armstrong throughout the day on August 28, 2003. Barnes disclosed that he knew much more about the collar bomb incident, Diehl Armstrong, Brian Wells, and Bill Rothstein than he originally disclosed to investigators. During this and subsequent interviews Barnes confessed and told investigators that on August 27, 2003, the day before the bank robbery, he, Diehl Armstrong, Rothstein, Stockton, and Wells met at Rothstein’s house and discussed the plans for the bank robbery the next day. Barnes disclosed that the plan was for Wells to wear a device into the bank, because it would intimidate tellers resulting in better compliance. Wells was to give notes to the teller, and after leaving the bank, give the money to Rothstein. This way, if Wells was stopped by authorities, he would not have any money with him, demonstrating to authorities that he was not willingly involved.
Barnes admitted that sometime after 10:00 a.m. on August 28, 2003, Diehl Armstrong picked him up at his residence at 617 Perry Street, for the purpose of the bank robbery and they drove to Peach Street. Barnes admitted that he and Diehl Armstrong then drove to the Shell gas station, that he purchased gasoline for Diehl Armstrong’s vehicle while Diehl Armstrong and Rothstein were standing near the pay phone.
According to Barnes he and Diehl Armstrong parked in her red Jeep Cherokee where they could observe Peach Street and PNC Bank. Using binoculars, Barnes stated that he observed Wells, followed by Rothstein, driving north on Peach Street and pulling into Summit Town Center, where the PNC Bank is located. Barnes saw Rothstein park his large yellowish vehicle near Eye Glass World and McDonald’s and saw Wells enter the bank. Diehl Armstrong then used the binoculars to watch the bank robbery as well. According to Barnes’ admissions, after the bank robbery he and Diehl Armstrong drove to Rothstein’s residence then switched cars and drove Rothstein’s large yellowish car to Interstate 79. Barnes admitted that Diehl Armstrong pulled onto the side of the berm of I-79, got out of the car, and went down over the embankment into the woods. She returned carrying something which she threw in the back seat of the car. In conjunction with his interview, Barnes went for a ride with investigators and showed them the route he traveled with Diehl Armstrong that day.
According to the information provided to the court, the evidence shows, consistent with Barnes’ admission, that another witness, saw a woman, believed by the witness to be Marjorie Diehl Armstrong, straddling the guard rail on I-79 in the vicinity of the I-90 ramp. The evidence shows that this location is several hundred feet from the demand note drop site in the woods off of the south bound berm of I-79. This is the location where a note had been removed prior to law enforcement arriving that afternoon.
The investigation also disclosed that after the December 2005 interviews of Barnes, he told his former girlfriend, “I’m in trouble and I’m not getting out of it this time.” In February, 2006, investigators interviewed Diehl Armstrong and advised her that they had developed new information since their last interview. Specifically, investigators advised Diehl Armstrong that Barnes had told investigators that he was with Diehl Armstrong on August 27 and 28, 2003, the day before and the day of the collar bomb incident.
According to information presented to the court, on March 2, 2006, an inmate spoke with Diehl Armstrong at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Muncy, after Diehl Armstrong returned from SCI Cambridge Springs, where she had been interviewed by federal agents. The inmate stated that Diehl Armstrong was extremely upset about the last interview by investigators to the point she was almost in tears. Diehl Armstrong stated to the inmate, “I hope Ken didn’t tell them anything.” Diehl Armstrong told the inmate, “I won’t tell on Ken and Floyd.”
In March, 2006, investigators interviewed Barnes again, who divulged more information about the collar bomb plot. Barnes stated that approximately one month prior to the collar bomb incident, Roden, Diehl Armstrong, Wells, and another person were at Barnes’ house located at 617 Perry Street discussing the bank robbery while they were standing on his front porch. As part of the initial bank robbery plan, Roden was to be the driver for Wells. Barnes further indicated that Wells had previously been to Barnes’ house four or five times. Investigators then interviewed another witness who confirmed that the meeting on Barnes porch took place.
During the March 13 and 14, 2006 interviews of Barnes, he reaffirmed to investigators the details of the August 27, 2003 meeting at Rothstein’s house. Barnes then stated that on August 28, 2003, after going to Barnes and Noble and the Shell Station, they went to Rothstein’s house. Barnes stated that they were at Rothstein’s house “waiting for Brian Wells.” While there, the collar bomb was taken out from Rothstein’s garage. The garage was located East of Rothstein’s house in his back yard, and was just a couple feet from the dirt road leading back to the television tower. Barnes then described the collar bomb device and his description was consistent with the outward appearance of the device. Barnes then reaffirmed what he had told investigators about where he and Diehl Armstrong went and what they did on upper Peach Street. Barnes also stated that Diehl Armstrong killed Roden after they had an argument about Roden trying to extort money from Diehl-Armstrong based on his threat to expose the bank robbery plot.
In May 2006, Barnes said that on August 28, 2003, the day of the incident, he was with the others at the tower site where the device was affixed to Wells. Barnes admitted that when Wells realized that the device was real, Wells didn’t want to wear it. Barnes claimed that one shot was fired from a gun and the device was then placed on Wells’ neck. Another cooperating government witness would confirm Barnes’ account that when Wells realized that the device was real, he did not want to wear it and a gunshot was fired. Another cooperating witness would testify that at the same time the conspirators were back on the tower site road, one gun shot was heard coming from that vicinity. According to information provided to the court, a cooperating government witness would testify, consistent with Barnes’s admissions, that Barnes conspired with the other participants to commit the bank robbery and that the conspirators knowingly perpetrated the scheme, knowing that a destructive device was to be used. The cooperating witness would confirm that the conspirators including Barnes, met on various occasions leading up to the August 28, 2003 incident. That cooperating witness would specifically disclose the meeting on August 27, 2003, the day before the bank robbery, in which the conspirators, including Barnes, discussed the plan for the next day Investigators then interviewed other witnesses who were acquainted with Barnes and discovered that Barnes had admitted to them that he was with Diehl Armstrong on the day of the incident.
In addition, one of Barnes’ family members cooperated with investigators. While Barnes was in the Erie County Jail, prior to being indicted in this case, this family member regularly visited Barnes. The family member then reported to law enforcement the things Barnes said. The family member would state among other things that Barnes admitted that he was with Wells, Diehl Armstrong and Rothstein on the date of the incident; that Wells was forced to wear the device; that Barnes was solicited to kill Diehl Armstrong’s father for $100,000; that Barnes knew law enforcement would find no evidence from the search at his house because the bomb wasn’t built there; that there is no black man involved in the case as claimed by Wells; that the only person who can “talk” is Diehl and she has two murders under her belt and no one would believe her; that Rothstein and Diehl were at his house the night before the incident discussing the robbery; that all of the bomb making materials were taken to the landfill; that he isn’t worried about the case and would only worry if Diehl Armstrong came back to testify; and that as long as Diehl Armstrong doesn’t talk he’ll be okay.
Barnes admitted that the conspirators communicated with walkie-talkie type radios and that he provided these radios to Diehl Armstrong. Barnes then identified two Motorola radios found by investigators in Rothstein’s van on September 21, 2003, as the one’s that he gave to Diehl Armstrong. Barnes also indicated that he believed that the gun that was fired one-time back at the tower site, was a small caliber revolver. Investigators discovered a small caliber revolver in Rothstein’s vehicle, loaded, with one bullet having been fired from it.
Judge McLaughlin scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years on the destructive device count and a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Ms. Buchanan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Erie Bureau of Police, and the Office of the Erie County District Attorney, for their investigation that led to the prosecution of Barnes. Ms. Buchanan also expressed her gratitude to the numerous individuals who cooperated with law enforcement in the investigation of this case.
blog:
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/193969.php
September 05, 2008
“Reader Love Mail: Jihad Tube Edition”
#
www.youtube.com/user/mamomamo333
#
Well now, this is NOT nice:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHk6rd7yvQ0
“Why I do continue Cyber jihad?”
Video Description - quote:
SubscribeFrom: mamomamo333
Joined: 1 week ago
Videos: 2
Added: September 01, 2008 (Less info)
Fuck you youtubesmackdown!
Category: Entertainment
Tags: JIhad Cyber jihad youtubesmackdown movie fuck america
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizbuttahrir
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ht
#
PROPAGANDA On The Internet:
www.dailymotion.com/mou7eb_al_khilafa/video/x6nbjy_khilafa-hizb-ut-tahrir-1428-1429_news
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/cartoonjihad
http://www.truthusa.com/MoreThanCartoons.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/denmark
#
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022552.php
(AFP)
September 5, 2008
“Al-Qaeda to Denmark: ‘Allah willing, we will wipe you from the face of the earth’”
#
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075859/posts
Purported bomber warns Denmark of more attacks
Las Vegas Sun ^ | Fri, Sep 5, 2008 | The Associated Press
Posted on September 5, 2008 10:27:08 PM PDT by skully
A new al-Qaida video identifies the Saudi purportedly behind a suicide bombing at the Danish Embassy in Pakistan, and he is shown warning in a taped last testament that more attacks will punish Denmark over newspaper caricatures of Islam’s founder.
In the 55-minute video posted on the Internet late Thursday, the alleged bomber is referred to both by a nom de guerre, Abu Ghareeb al-Makki, and by his real name, Kamal Saleem Atiyyah al-Fudli al-Hathli. He appears in an explosives vest as he recounts his plan for the attack.
“As for my final message to the worshippers of the cross in Denmark, I tell them, Allah permitting, this isn’t the first nor the last retaliation,” al-Makki says. “We will wipe you from the face of the Earth.”
(Excerpt) Read more at lasvegassun.com ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/interactive/2008/sep/04/alqaida2
“Al-Qaida in the UK”
Ian Cobain, guardian.co.uk, Thursday September 4 2008
blog:
http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/09/unpredictability-and-disaster/
“Unpredictability and Disaster Response”
By Jay Fraser on September 5, 2008 at 2:00 PM
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Why is all of this important? We need to recognize that whatever or however low the probability of a mass casualty attack is by terrorists, the possibility remains very real.”
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51053
Coalition Captures Senior Terrorism Suspects in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008 – Coalition troops captured more than a dozen suspected terrorists in Iraq today and yesterday, including at least three high-level al-Qaida in Iraq leaders, military officials said.
Of 14 people detained today, one is believed to a senior advisor of al-Qaida in Iraq operations in northern Mosul. Intelligence reports indicate he oversees all attacks there and provides advice for targeting, officials said.
Another wanted man detained today allegedly is involved in coordinating finances for al-Qaida in Iraq in Mosul, and is believed to take part in extortion schemes and kidnappings to raise money for terrorist operations. A third man detained is suspected of conspiring with senior leaders of the same terrorist group in Mosul.
Also today, coalition forces detained two men during an operation against leaders of a bomb network in Mosul. A 48-hour security sweep of Salamiyah, just south of Mosul, netted six suspected terrorists.
The coalition also targeted a bomb network that operates south of Mosul in the Tigris River Valley. Troops captured a suspect yesterday who told them where to find a wanted man from the network who is believed to be a liaison for senior al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists.
Intelligence reports indicate the wanted man was procuring bomb-making materials to distribute to cells in the area, officials said. Coalition forces found him today, hiding in a sheep pen, and called for him to surrender. Despite several warnings, including warning shots, the terrorist refused to comply. Coalition forces perceived a hostile threat and engaged the man, killing him, officials said.
In Baghdad today, coalition forces thwarted an attempt to re-establish al-Qaida in Iraq’s propaganda network after recent operations diminished its capability. Three suspected terrorists were detained, including a wanted man who allegedly has ties to terrorist operatives around the country.
South of Baghdad, coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists today while targeting an al-Qaida in Iraq network that brings foreigners and money into the country to support attacks against Iraqi civilians.
Troops brought six suspected terrorists into coalition custody today after operations in the Hamrin Mountains region targeted an al-Qaida in Iraq cell leader in Sadiyah, northeast of Baghdad.
In Beiji yesterday, coalition troops detained the suspected leader of a terrorist cell at the Beiji Oil Refinery. He is suspected of manufacturing improvised explosive devices, bribery, weapons trafficking and oil extortion. He is the third suspect arrested in connection with the Beiji ring in a week. The first member turned himself in to Iraqi police on Aug. 31. The second was detained by coalition forces on Sept. 3.
Also this week, Iraqi soldiers and national police seized numerous weapons caches in and around Baghdad, including 256 pounds of explosives, three mortar rounds, an 82 mm mortar round, a 60 mm high-explosive mortar round, .50-caliber machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade, four tripods, 30 12.7 mm rounds, three spare barrels, a 2.75-inch rocket tube with explosives and an 180 mm projectile.
A Multinational Division Baghdad explosives ordnance disposal unit destroyed the weapons and munitions in a controlled detonation. The caches were found based on tips from local residents, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51057
Coalition Forces Kill, Capture Insurgents in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces killed more than two dozen insurgents while disrupting terrorist cells along the southeastern and southwestern borders of Afghanistan during operations over the past days, military officials reported.
Coalition and Afghan forces killed six militants today after being ambushed while conducting a reconnaissance patrol in the Farrah province in southwest Afghanistan, coalition officials said.
The insurgents ambushed the patrol from an isolated compound with intense and accurate small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, officials said. Coalition forces responded with ground fire and close air support, killing six militants, they said.
Although no Afghan or coalition casualties were reported, two civilians were killed in the attack and two were wounded, coalition officials said. The victims were immediately treated and medically evacuated to a nearby coalition medical facility, they said.
In addition to the weapons carried by the ambushing force, a weapons cache containing a rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun, AK-47 rifles and an assortment of ammunition was discovered at the site.
Also today, coalition forces killed several militants and detained five during an operation to disrupt an explosives network in Paktika province, along the Pakistan border, coalition officials said.
Coalition forces were searching a compound in the Bermel district targeting a militant known to coordinate and direct roadside bomb attacks against coalition Forces. The targeted militant is also known to be associated with Taliban commanders, both locally and abroad, who bring foreign fighters into Afghanistan, officials said. Several civilians, as well as military members, recently have been injured by these roadside bombs, they said.
As Coalition forces searched the compound, they received small-arms fire from militants inside the building. The force returned fire, killing several insurgents, they said.
A similar incident also happened today in Kapisa province, north of Kabul, when coalition forces came under fire while searching a compound in the Tag Ab district targeting a Taliban commander responsible for smuggling in foreign fighters, as well as conducting bomb attacks against coalition forces.
During the operation, militants fired on coalition forces, who responded with small-arms fire, killing several militants and detaining two.
Multiple AK-47s, hand grenades, bomb-making materials and stock piles of ammunition, to include armor- piercing rounds were discovered at the site and destroyed.
Four militants also were detained after coalition forces searched a militant compound in the eastern border province of Khowst.
Today’s fighting comes three days after Afghan and coalition forces killed 20 militants while conducting operations in Naw Bahar in the southwest province of Zabul.
The troops were conducting a combat security patrol when they were attacked by militants with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The troops responded with small-arms, heavy-weapons and close air support, killing 20 militants. No coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.
-30-
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases).
http://covertradioshow.com/podcast.cfm?pid=52
“Covert Radio Show: Live from Afghanistan”
DESCRIPTION: “Get all the latest in the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda from Pakistan and Afghanistan with Tim Lynch. All this plus, Russian moves inside Central Asia and Havana, reaches out to Mexico City! 60 Minutes”
(Posted September 5, 2008)
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/farc
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/05/colombia-nixes-ortega-offer-to-mediate-with-farc/
“Colombia to Ortega’s offer: No thanks
Uribe touts victories over Marxist rebels”
Martin Arostegui
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
#
Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=89993
YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Colombia Reports FARC Threats in Bogota
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Americas - Colombia
5 Sep 2008
Printer Friendly Email Article
RELATED REPORTS
22 Aug 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: COLOMBIA WARNS OF INCREASED TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN BOGOTÁ
8 Aug 2008
AMERICAN SHOT OUTSIDE BANK NEAR U.S EMBASSY BOGOTÁ
8 Aug 2008
TRAVEL WARNING: COLOMBIA
13 Jun 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: BOGOTA BOMBINGS CAUSE CONCERN
16 May 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: COLOMBIA ADVISES VIGILANCE
U.S. Embassy Bogota issued the following Warden Message on September 5:
The Embassy has received information that the FARC may be targeting large-scale chain superstores and other commercial establishments in Bogota, as well as Columbian government establishments and places of worship in the downtown area, for possible attack by IEDs, including the possibility of a vehicle-borne device.
The FARC may be planning coordinated attacks, to include kidnappings along the roads from Bogota to other parts of Cundinamarca department. In light of this information and recent bombings in both Bogota and Cali, the Embassy urges all Americans in Colombia to take appropriate precautions in their daily activities.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html
“Worldwide Caution”
July 16, 2008
SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world.”
PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org
www.jamatuddawa.org/data1/taqreer/conference/14aug08/dpc14aug0832k.wma
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http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP204208
Special Dispatch Series - No. 2042
September 5, 2008 No. 2042
“Lahore Conference Celebrates Jihad”
SNIPPET: “On August 14, 2008, Pakistan’s Independence Day, the Islamist group Jamatud Dawa - the new name of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by Professor Hafiz Muhammad Saeed - held a conference in Lahore, billed as the “Defend Pakistan Conference.”
Early this year, the U.S. Department of Treasury froze the assets of Professor Saeed and of Lashkar-e-Taiba operational head Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, finance chief Haji Ashraf, and others.”
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/russia
#
BLOG:
Note: The following blog entry is a quote:
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/9624.htm
Proposal In Kremlin: Russian Military Presence In Iran Under Iran-Russia Military Alliance
The Iranian website Asr-e Iran reported that the head of the Moscow-based Center for Studies on Modern Iran, Rajab Safarov, has presented to the Kremlin a proposal to establish an Iran-Russia strategic and military alliance, following the tension between Russia and the West in the Caucasus and the possibility of Georgia and Ukraine joining NATO.
Under the proposal, Russia would form a security pact with Iran and Syria, and would also maintain military bases in Iranian Azerbaijan in northwest Iran and on the Iranian island of Qeshm, near the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf, in order to monitor the movements of the West and NATO in the region.
In exchange, Russia would promise Iran military support in the event of a U.S. or Israeli attack, and would provide it with nuclear technology.
Asr-e Iran said that the Russian proposal should be rejected, because a foreign military presence in Iran would endanger Iran’s independence and sovereignty, and would give Russia an opportunity to actualize its strategic goal and to obtain direct access to the Persian Gulf.
Source: Asr-e Iran, Iran, September 3, 2008
Posted at: 2008-09-04
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