Free Republic

No one yet has the full story on the infamous June 29 Northwest Airlines Flight #327 from Detroit to Los Angeles, on which thirteen Syrian musicians acted so suspiciously that passenger and WomensWallStreet.com writer Annie Jacobsen feared she was about to be killed by terrorists. The identity of the band remained unknown for a while until I identified them as the backup band for Canaanite crooner Nour Mehana, whom I dubbed the "Syrian Wayne Newton." Regardless of the behavior of Nour Mehana's band, Ms. Jacobsen's story has focused international attention on the very serious issue of terrorists sizing up our...

(Reuters) - Syria's ambassador to France resigned on Tuesday in protest at a crackdown by President Bashar al-Assad's forces that has killed scores of civilians, the first Syrian diplomat to quit over the crisis. "I recognize the legitimacy of the demands people are making for more democracy and freedom. My resignation as ambassador of Syria in France takes effect immediately," Ambassador Lamia Chakkour said, announcing her decision on France 24 television. "I can no longer support this cycle of violence," she said, reading a statement to the TV channel.