Osprey Heading Over To Kick Some Terrorist Fanny!!

Osprey Heading Over To Kick Some Terrorist Fanny!!

Friday, April 13, 2007 9:10 PM

OO-RAH!!
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2007 – A Marine aircraft with dual personalities — part airplane, part helicopter — will soon buzz and hover above Iraq’s deserts, providing assault and medical support.

Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway announced at the Pentagon this morning that the MV-22 Osprey aircraft will make its combat debut in Iraq this September, when Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, with 10 Ospreys and 171 personnel, deploys to Al Asad Air Base.

Deployment Aids Surge

Deployment Aids Surge

Friday, April 13, 2007 3:52 PM

Army Deployment Change Helps Sustain Surge

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2007 – The Army will be able to sustain 20 combat brigades in Iraq for at least a year, officials said during a news conference today.

The Army’s policy change, announced by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday, extends the service of all active-duty soldiers in the U.S. Central Command region to 15 months. All active-duty Army units headed to the command also will serve for 15 months.

click and read

Keeping Up The Pressure On the Pelosi Worm

Keeping Up The Pressure On the Pelosi Worm

Friday, April 13, 2007 3:45 PM

Opinion Derived From Fact…Unlike A Leftinistra

Did Nancy Pelosi Violate the Logan Act?
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

That is the complete text of the Logan Act, passed by the U.S. Congress on January 30, 1799, and in force to this day.

Did Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (and others) violate that act during a much-publicized, self-authorized trip to Syria?

The answer, like the law itself, is simple and straightforward:  Yes.

Nancy Pelosi qualifies as “any citizen of the United States,” with no exemption as Speaker of the House.

Nancy Pelosi acted “without authority of the United States,” which, in matters of foreign policy, resides solely and exclusively in the executive branch of the U.S. Government, meaning the President of the United States and his designees.  The President of the United States specifically disapproved of the Pelosi trip to Syria, asked her not to go and criticized her thereafter.

Nancy Pelosi directly commenced “correspondence or intercourse” with officers and agents of a foreign government.

Nancy Pelosi, by her own statements, intended and attempted to influence the “measures or conduct” of that foreign government.  Those measures and that conduct directly relate to disputes or controversies with the United States (and its allies).

That the measures and conduct of Syria are among the worst of nations is of considerable concern from the standpoint of U.S. foreign policy, but is irrelevant from the standpoint of the Logan Act, which does not grade the behavior of countries or delineate among them for the purposes of its strictures.

That Speaker Pelosi says she said nothing on her trip that differs from the positions of the President is also irrelevant, from the standpoint of the law, and either woefully ignorant or ignorant and spiteful, from the standpoint of international relations. 

The current policy of the U.S., as made by the executive branch, is to isolate Syria.  That may be right; it may be wrong; it may not even matter.  It is not, however, anywhere within Speaker Pelosi’s prerogative to tangibly interfere or even interpose herself by meeting directly with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the purposes of any “diplomacy.”

Pelosi’s defenders make much of the fact that she is Speaker of the House of Representatives and only behind the Vice President in order of succession to the Presidency.  That may get heads nodding on television talk shows, but falls with a thud against the words of the U.S. Supreme Court, recognizing the “exclusive power of the President as the sole organ of the federal government in the field of international relations” or “the decision of the executive is conclusive.”

(Contrary to the mistaken assertions of some, presidential succession is not specified in the Constitution, but in statutory law made by Congress, subject to change, as it has changed in the past.  No Speaker has ever succeeded to the Presidency.  Even if one ever does, that will never make the legislative branch the executive branch or allow anyone in the legislative branch to adventure past the separation of powers that is one of the cornerstones of our government.)

It is far more pertinent to ask another question regarding Pelosi’s role as Speaker of the House.  What does it say to this country that she openly violates a law made by the very legislative body of which she is the putative leader?  If she disagrees with the law, for any reason, it is her job to try to change it, not to violate it, no matter how much she may disagree with the foreign policy positions of a duly-elected President.

The Logan Act may be old and no one ever before prosecuted for violating it.  But it is neither ill-founded nor archaic, particularly in a time of world unrest and significant domestic tension regarding U.S. policy toward that unrest.  The law does not preclude all  legislators’ discussions with foreign leaders, such as fact-finding, but only those which have the unauthorized intent to influence those leaders.

As recently as September 2006, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House issued a memo to all members and officers that cautioned against activities that implicate the Logan Act, albeit intended as a warning to outgoing members.  Similarly, in February 2006, the Congressional Research Service prepared a survey of the Logan Act for Congress.  While neither document is particularly respectful of the law, there should at least be no one in Congress claiming not to understand it (including Speaker Pelosi’s Republican fellow travelers).

There is no question that many Americans and many in Congress disagree strenuously with foreign policy positions of the Bush Administration.  Any and all, including Speaker Pelosi, may say so, loudly and often, in Congress, in the public square.  But none of us, including Speaker Pelosi, has the right to conduct any foreign policy, without specific authorization of the President.

Now, Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, are openly discussing a diplomatic trip to “dialogue” with Iran.  In the Byzantine world of foreign relations, that’s like trying to dismantle a nuke wearing only a head scarf for protection.

The Washington Post called Speaker Pelosi’s mission to Syria “foolish.”  Vice President Cheney called it “bad behavior.”  We call it felony

Terrorists Dropping Like Flies

Terrorists Dropping Like Flies

Friday, April 13, 2007 12:44 PM

Poor Taliban…LOL!!!

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – 2nd Kandak, 205th Afghan National Army Corps and Coalition forces, interdicted Taliban fighters 50 kilometers northeast of Qalat on Highway 1, Zabul Province, in the early morning hours of April 12.

The combined force identified a large group of Taliban fighters on a ridgeline near a cave site and then proceeded to destroy the enemy position – killing 16 enemy fighters with Coalition close air support.

Several enemy fighters retreated from the Coalition air strike, using motorcycles to evade advancing ANA and Coalition Soldiers.  ANA and Coalition forces tracked the Taliban fighters to another cave site and requested Coalition aircraft to engage and destroy the position.

As a result of the fighting, 24 enemy fighters were killed, 14 motorcycles and two cave sites were destroyed.  One weapons cache was also recovered during a subsequent search of the caves.

 There were no Afghan civilian injuries reported.

“Taliban fighters and other militant forces are fighting a losing battle,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force- 82 spokesperson.  “The skill and persistence of ANA and Coalition Forces will triumph over the enemies of Afghanistan.”

Kill Them All

Coalition Forces killed two terrorist and detained 17 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq Thursday morning.

South of Haditha, Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained four others while targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell.  During the operation, ground forces encountered two armed terrorists when they entered a targeted building.  Self defense measures were used to eliminate the threat.

During operations northwest of Karmah, Coalition Forces captured four suspected terrorists with alleged involvement in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations.

Also, during several operations overnight in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured nine suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq.

“Coalition Forces will continue deliberate and methodical operations in order to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

Kudos to Marine Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey A. Morin

Kudos to Marine Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey A. Morin

Friday, April 13, 2007 12:39 PM

Top Enlisted Man At CENTCOM
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Marine Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey A. Morin assumed his current post as senior enlisted leader of United States Central Command today during a ceremony in front of the headquarters building here.

From Leaders In Iraq

From Leaders In Iraq

Friday, April 13, 2007 12:36 PM

Esteemed Leaders Lost
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Today, the Iraqi people lost esteemed members of their community who were working together to create a brighter future for Iraq.

We condemn in the strongest terms today’s barbaric attack against the Members of Parliament.  We also send our sincerest condolences to those families who have suffered the loss of a family member, colleague, or friend as a result of this tragedy.

This reprehensible act, directed against a government body that speaks for all Iraqis, was intended to frustrate Iraq’s efforts to build a secure, stable, and prosperous future.  The Coalition stands firmly with the government of Iraq and its Security Forces in ridding Iraq of terrorism.

We will continue to fight those who undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and security.  There will be hard days ahead, but today’s attack has only strengthened our commitment to the Iraqi people and to the government that represents them.

From General Petraeus
“Today’s attack on the Iraqi Council of Representatives was an attack on democracy by individuals who oppose the concept of government that is representative of and responsible to the people of Iraq.  The Soldiers of the Multi-National Force-Iraq extend condolences to the families of the Iraqis who were martyred in this attack and salute the Council of Representatives for their commitment to convene again tomorrow to demonstrate that democracy in Iraq will not be deterred by the barbaric acts of terrorists.”

David H. Petraeus
General, U.S. Army
Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq

Iraq in the Balance

Iraq in the Balance

Friday, April 13, 2007 12:04 PM

No editorializing…just pieces of an excellent work…a few high-lights…

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110009926

Iraq in the Balance
In Washington, panic. In Baghdad, cautious optimism.

BY FOUAD AJAMI
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:01 a.m. EDT

BAGHDAD–For 35 years the sun did not shine here,” said a man on the grounds of the great Shia shrine of al-Kadhimiyyah, on the outskirts of Baghdad. I had come to the shrine at night, in the company of the Shia politician Ahmed Chalabi.

We had driven in an armed convoy, and our presence had drawn a crowd. The place was bathed with light, framed by multiple minarets–a huge rectangular structure, its beauty and dereliction side by side. The tile work was exquisite, there were deep Persian carpets everywhere, the gifts of benefactors, rulers and merchants, drawn from the world of Shi’ism.

It was a cool spring night, and beguilingly tranquil. (There were the echoes of a firefight across the river, from the Sunni neighborhood of al-Adhamiyyah, but it was background noise and oddly easy to ignore.) A keeper of the shrine had been showing us the place, and he was proud of its doors made of teak from Burma–a kind of wood, he said, that resisted rain, wind and sun. It was to that description that the quiet man on the edge of this gathering had offered the thought that the sun had not risen during the long night of Baathist despotism.

 

 

 

A traveler who moves between Baghdad and Washington is struck by the gloomy despair in Washington and the cautious sense of optimism in Baghdad. Baghdad has not been prettified; its streets remain a sore to the eye, its government still hunkered down in the Green Zone, and violence is never far. But the sense of deliverance, and the hopes invested in this new security plan, are palpable. I crisscrossed the city–always with armed protection–making my way to Sunni and Shia politicians and clerics alike. The Sunni and Shia versions of political things–of reality itself–remain at odds. But there can be discerned, through the acrimony, the emergence of a fragile consensus.

Some months back, the Bush administration had called into question both the intentions and capabilities of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. But this modest and earnest man, born in 1950, a child of the Shia mainstream in the Middle Euphrates, has come into his own. He had not been a figure of the American regency in Baghdad. Steeped entirely in the Arabic language and culture, he had a been a stranger to the Americans; fate cast him on the scene when the Americans pushed aside Mr. Maliki’s colleague in the Daawa Party, Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari.

There had been rumors that the Americans could strike again in their search for a leader who would give the American presence better cover. There had been steady talk that the old CIA standby, former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, could make his way back to power. Mr. Allawi himself had fed these speculations, but this is fantasy. Mr. Allawi circles Arab capitals and is rarely at home in his country. Mr. Maliki meanwhile has settled into his role.

In retrospect, the defining moment for Mr. Maliki had been those early hours of Dec. 30, when Saddam Hussein was sent to the gallows. He had not flinched, the decision was his, and he assumed it. Beyond the sound and fury of the controversy that greeted the execution, Mr. Maliki had taken the execution as a warrant for a new accommodation with the Sunni political class. A lifelong opponent of the Baath, he had come to the judgment that the back of the apparatus of the old regime had been broken, and that the time had come for an olive branch to those ready to accept the new political rules.

“…The young men of little education–earnest displaced villagers with the ways of the countryside showing through their features and dialect and shiny suits–who guarded me through Baghdad, spoke of old terrors, and of the joy and dignity of this new order. Children and nephews and younger brothers of men lost to the terror of the Baath, they are done with the old servitude. They behold the Americans keeping the peace of their troubled land with undisguised gratitude. It hasn’t been always brilliant, this campaign waged in Iraq. But its mistakes can never smother its honor, and no apology for it is due the Arab autocrats who had averted their gaze from Iraq’s long night of terror under the Baath…”

Blessed July

Blessed July

Friday, April 13, 2007 11:28 AM

Is this still  relevant?  Just curious.

“…According to a Nexis search, only four news outlets have even mentioned “Blessed July,” which was, in the words of the Foreign Affairs article, “a regime-directed wave of ‘martyrdom’ operations against targets in the West.” All nine articles were editorials or opinion pieces. The New York Times essentially avoided covering the report or the magazine summary of it, as the paper instead excerpted a book co-authored by one of its reporters that relied heavily on the report. Even the Associated Press declined to print a quick mention that preparations for “Blessed July,” again quoting from the magazine article, “were well under way at the time of the coalition invasion.”…”

It is nearly a year old but I am bringing it back up anyway…

Blessed July and Saddam’s Terror Ties

Leftinistra Won’t Meet With Gold Star Dad

Leftinistra Won’t Meet With Gold Star Dad

Friday, April 13, 2007 11:16 AM

Leftinistra Leadership Won’t Meet With Gold Star Dad!!

Now, why would THAT be?  They have the time to meet with the fruitloop Sheehanigan anmd friends, correct?

(CNSNews.com) – Leading Democratic proponents of setting a timetable for pulling troops out of Iraq have refused to meet with the father of a dead soldier who believes a withdrawal would mean his son’s life was “wasted.”

Army SSG Joshua Hager was wounded near Ramadi when an improvised explosive device blew up under his vehicle on Feb. 22, 2007. He died the next day from his injuries.

Hager’s father, Kris Hager, wants opponents of the war to rethink their position because he believes ending U.S. involvement would mean his son’s life was wasted there.

“How do I tell my grandson his father’s life was wasted by Congress?” Hager said in an email.

This shows that the Party of Tolerance are two-faced liars.

7 Signs of Terror Activity

7 Signs of Terror Activity

Friday, April 13, 2007 12:11 AM

Spree Has An EXCELLENT Write-Up On This

PAY ATTENTION!!!  The Leftinistra don’t care about you or I and their BS is going to get people killed!!