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Al-Zarqawi eluded raid but left clues, source says By Richard Engel NBC News correspondent Updated: 8:05 a.m. ET April 26, 2005BAGHDAD, Iraq - American special forces were tracking Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of Al-Qaida in Iraq, near the town of Ramadi two months ago, but the Jordanian-born terrorist leader escaped by jumping out of a moving vehicle, a senior U.S. military source tells NBC News. Al-Zarqawi did, however, leave behind several key pieces of intelligence, the source said, the most important of which was his laptop computer. Photos of suspected insurgents released by the military last month were taken from the "My Pictures" folder of that laptop, the source said. It was also full of telephone numbers. Also left behind in the car was a bag with about $100,000 in euro currency. Another bag contained mini, plugin harddrives, the source said, and evidently al-Zarqawi was using these to distribute information to his network in Iraq.

Along with those items, he must have left his intelligence. How could he not anticipate the possibility of having his laptop fall in the hands of our forces? And more importantly, why on earth did he not try to at least make a feeble attempt to encrypt his files rather than simple store them on his (hehe) desktop folder "My Pictures"? Windows XP is so user-friendly, even a terrorist thug can use it... (More...)

From the AP wire

Ousted Ecuador President Flies to Brazil By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press Writer QUITO, Ecuador - Ousted Ecuadorean President Lucio Gutierrez flew to political asylum in Brazil on Sunday, four days after he was toppled by massive street protests and sought refuge from angry demonstrators in the Brazilian ambassador's residence. [...] Gutierrez's enemies say he should be tried for abuse of power, corruption and the violent repression of protests that prompted Wednesday's congressional vote to remove him from office. His supporters say he was removed from power illegally, and the Organization of American States has asked Ecuador's new government to explain how Congress justified its decision to remove him for "abandonment of the post" when he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. Congress justified dismissing Gutierrez under a constitutional clause allowing lawmakers to remove a president for "abandonment of the post," even though he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. Backers of the measure argued that since Gutierrez had not faithfully carried out his responsibilities, Congress should declare the presidency vacant.

That's the problem. Congress can just "declare" the presidency vacant and that he did not "fulfill his duties" rather than following their accusations with a judicial process which investigates these claims (Monicagate in the U.S., anyone?). It's no surprise Ecuador has had 3 presidents run out of office since 1997.

In a resolution Friday, the OAS avoided explicit recognition of the government of President Alfredo Palacio, who was sworn in by Congress after Gutierrez was removed. It was not known when the OAS delegation would arrive. So far, no country has recognized the new government as legitimate.

Again, no surprises here.

Luis Gomez of NarcoNews has posted, "Analysis from an Ecuadoran Reader," (Fabián Avila) Enter the NarcoSphere to read his native perspective. (Lo siento gringos, lo es en Espanol) Okay okay, "sorry gringos, it's in Spanish"

Again, from La Hora:

QUITO--"The new government of Ecuador requires no recognition from the international community because it is complying with a disposition of the Constitution for presidential succession," expressed the National Minister of Defense, General(R)Solón Espinosa, Friday. "There has been no recognition for a simple reason, because the present government is complying with a disposition that is evident in the Constitution of the Republic", he affirmed. Espinosa added that the constitution, "says that when the president abandons the presidency of the Republic, the vice president will assume the functions by the time he leaves." - AFP

Meanwhile, Gutiérrez also said via phone to his supporters, that Congress dismissed him "in an unconstitutional way, with 60 votes, without political judgment and without his having abandoned the charge (of the president)."

Roughly translated from the article printed in La Hora.

"I continue being the President of Ecuador. I am with a clear conscience that I have done these things with honesty, because the same old politicians, the Ecuadorian oligarchy do not want the Courts to be depoliticized. I am not a thief, on the contrary, I charged the debt to the debtors, the delinquents. [sic] (--ed. unable to translate)." indicated Gutiérrez, via telephone to LA HORA MANABITA. Gutiérrez admitted that by being isolated he cannot formulate statements to the press; nevertheless, he maintained a dialogue with members of Patriotic Society. "The oligarchy does not want an honest President, a President of the people, to continue in the Presidency", he said and demanded the members of his party be solidly united.

If you can read Spanish, continue reading the rest of the article at La Hora.

From the OAS press release following the convening of the Permanent Council earlier this afternoon:

The Organization of American States (OAS) today decided to send a high-level mission to Ecuador “to work with officials of that country and with all sectors of Ecuadorian society in their effort to strengthen democracy.” The decision to send the mission was made in accordance with Article 18 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and in keeping with an invitation issued today by a delegation of Ecuador during a special session of the Permanent Council. The resolution adopted by consensus also refers to the OAS Charter, noting that one of the Organization’s essential purposes is “to promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of nonintervention." [sic] ... The delegation of Ecuador came to the OAS today “to demand its solidarity” with the Ecuadorian people and government.

I guess "nonintervention" can be translated into "not sending in blue helments like the U.N." but rather provide Democratic cheerleaders to encourage a return to stability of the democratic process. P.S. How the heck do you "demand solidarity"??? Solidarity is such a commie word. You can read the OAS draft resolution on the Ecuadoran crisis here. It's a cute testament to the hope that graduates with degrees in "international relations" have a future in joining organizations who have no power to enforce their friendly little "resolutions" while people riot and loot in the streets.

From Ecuador's La Hora newspaper:

Moscú expresa preocupación por crisis política en Ecuador Moscú--El Ministerio ruso de Asuntos Exteriores expresó hoy, viernes, su "preocupación" por la crisis política en Ecuador y se pronunció a favor de una solución en el marco de la Constitución y el orden en ese país andino. "Moscú sigue con atención el desarrollo de la situación política en Ecuador que se ha agudizado los últimos días", dice la nota del ministerio difundida a la prensa. Según el Ministerio ruso, la crisis en Ecuador es grave por las manifestaciones masivas en la capital y otras ciudades del país que llevaron a la destitución de Lucio Gutiérrez como presidente y su reemplazo al frente de la jefatura del Estado por el vicepresidente Alfredo Palacio. "Expresamos nuestra confianza en que la sociedad ecuatoriana podrá salir de la crisis, evitará la violencia y logrará un compromiso en aras de la estabilización y el desarrollo democrático del país", añade la nota. EFE

I don't feel like translating this morning, so here is the Freetranslation.com rough translation (with a few obvious errors fixed).

The Russian Department of Exterior Matters expressed today, Friday, its "worry" by the political crisis in Ecuador and was pronounced in favor of a solution in the framework of the Constitution and the order in that Andean country. "Moscow continues its attention on the development of the political situation in Ecuador that has been intensified in the last days", the note of the department diffused to the press says. According to the Russian Department, the crisis in Ecuador is serious by the massive demonstrations in the capital and other cities of the country that carried to the dismissal of Gutiérrez as the president and his replacement by the vice president Alfredo Palacio. "We express our confidence in which the Ecuadorian society will be able to leave the crisis, will avoid the violence and will achieve a commitment for the sake of the stabilization and the democratic development of the country", adds the note.

My question is, why the heck does Russia give a flying monkey dookie about Ecuador's troubles? I can't locate the article I read on the newswires yesterday, but after SOS Rice returned from her visit to Moscow, there was talk about Russia's new "soft approach" to politics...something about a "department of cultural relations" to "peacefully" and gently deal with Russia's neighbors. Last time I checked, Ecuador was not a neighbor...unless Putin is stuck in his old Commie Mode and thinks Cuba is still their Caribbean missile silo.

(AP) - Japan's prime minister apologized Friday for his country's World War II aggression in Asia in a bid to defuse tensions with regional rival China, but a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the apology needed to be backed up with action after Japanese lawmakers made a controversial visit to a war shrine. Just hours before Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologized, a Cabinet minister and more than 80 Japanese lawmakers visited a Tokyo shrine to Japan's war dead. China's Foreign Ministry expressed "strong dissatisfaction over the negative actions of some Japanese politicians" in visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which also honor's Japan's executed war criminals.

Historical apologists drive me crazy. It's like me apologizing for American slavery. *Newsflash* My grandfather was born on a boat on the way over from Hungary. My mother's side were poor southern Delaware farmers and never owned slaves. Therefore, no apologies for my ancestors. Everytime a POTUS visits the African continent, someone always asks, "Will this be the time they apologize for enslaving our people?" And each time, someone is disapointed. The POTUS usually talks about how tragic the practice of slave trading was in the history of Western civilization, but nothing more. Muslims want the Vatican to apologize for the Crusades. Now, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is apologizing for his country's "aggression in Asia." Please. It's called "live and learn..." I'll never hold the entire German people responsible for Nazi Germany, nor the Italians for Mussolini's reign, nor Serbia for igniting WWI nor the Romans for enslaving Spartans. Deal with it.

All reporting by Luis Gomez and Dan Feder of NarcoNews (unless otherwise noted). ***'s indicate time elapse between updates. All updates will be added to this blog post so check back here or go to the Narcosphere. (The MSM can go play in traffic for their lack of coverage)

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A few minutes ago, in a private session with the majority of the Ecuadorian congressmen and congresswomen in attendance, has named Alfredo Palacio as the new president of Ecuador. According to reports on Radio Sucre, congresswoman Cinthya Viteri, president of the Congress, swore in Palacio. The former vice president said in his first speech that the people of Ecuador, particularly the people of Quito, decided to end the dictatorship, immorality, arrogance, terror, and fear. A few moments ago, military sources confirmed that Lucio Gutiérrez has abandoned the Carondelet Palace accompanied by his wife and a few aides. The only information known at the moment is that he has requested political asylum at the Panamanian embassy

***UPDATE***

According to Venezuelas Globovision, Lucio Gutiérrez is indeed in the Brazilian embassy, where he has requested political asylum in that country. He seems to have arrived there by helicopter after protesters prevented him from leaving the coutnry by airplane. Protesters hope to prevent him from leaving the country, in order to bring charges against him in Ecuadorian courts. It is still difficult to know quite what is happening in the wake of Gutiérrez abandoning the presidency. Voices on Radio La Luna, one of the main forces behind the movement in Quito, report rumors that members of the military high command, who earlier had declared their support for Gutiérrez despite the obvious popular rejection of his rule, have decided not to recognizes Palacio as the legitimate president of Ecuador. It is not clear where Palacio is at the moment, and for some time now he has not appeared at the presidential palace, Carondelet, or made any statement. Callers from the streets have also reported pro-Gutiérrez agents trying to provoke violence in the streets. All this has led some to wonder if the military is preparing a coup detat against the man who legally took the presidency today with the backing of Congress. Hopefully, Palacios whereabouts will be known soon and nasty rumors of a military coup can be written off as just that.

***UPDATE***

The headline at the website for the Brazilian daily O Globo reads: Brasil dá asilo ao presidente do Equador ("Brazil gives asylum to president of Ecuador.") (The articles can't be accessed without a subscription.) This is somewhat surprising Venezuela had already denied Gutiérrez asylum, and he was expected to try to head to Panama. He is now hiding out in the Brazilian embassy, with Ecuadorian police under orders to arrest him on sight. The coup scenario described above seems to have been, as hoped, merely rumor. As I listen to Radio La Luna, whoever is speaking now just closed an emotional commentary saying: Last night, we slept under a dictatorship. This morning, we woke up to a dictatorship. But tonight we can sleep in peace. The new president, Alfredo Palacio, has already suggested the possibility of holding a new constitutional assembly, in response to popular demands for creating a new country. The Organization of American States will hold a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the crisis in Ecuador.

Enter the Narcosphere... for the Ecuadorian crisis coverage you sure won't find in the MSM...

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***UPDATE*** Uh-oh...according to the AP, the Latin United Nations is setting deadlines for action...

On Thursday, the Organization of American States gave Ecuador a 24-hour deadline to explain how Congress justified dismissing Gutierrez under a constitutional clause allowing legislators to remove a president for "abandonment of the post" while he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. (AP)

¡Ten cuidado, Ecuador! ¡La mala OAS espantosa y grande le atacará! (Translation of "eh" Spanish: "Watch out, Ecuador! The big bad scary OAS will get you!") Somewhat amusingly, Ecuador's legislature outted President Abdala Bucaram for "mental incapacity" in 1997.

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***UPDATE*** (The last until Friday's 3PM convening of the OAS Permanent Council) From an OAS press release:

Permanent Representative of Ecuador, Jaime Barberis, described the recent events in his country and said that the situation in the last hours is by no means a case of “an alteration of constitutional regime that seriously impairs the democratic order.” Barberis added that “it is, on the contrary, a case of presidential succession within the framework established in the political constitution and other laws of the Republic.”

Arizona Republic editor Phil Boas:

Here’s what newspaper editors and writers should know about this new Internet phenomenon. Bloggers don’t have much respect for you. You are the “legacy media,” the MSM. You’re the Roman Catholic Church to their Martin Luther and his new high-speed cable modem.

I love it. Charles has the rest.

Ecuador President Dissolves Supreme Court By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press Writer QUITO, Ecuador - President Lucio Gutierrez declared a state of emergency in the capital city of this Andean nation and dissolved the Supreme Court, saying the unpopular judges were the cause of three days of pot-banging street protests in Quito.

Sounds like they have plan...maybe we should try taking our Tefal to the streets of D.C.? Don't look now, they're at it again...

12.04.05 | France | Karl von Wogau, Chairman of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defence, today urged the EU's plenary session gathered in Strasbourg to ascertain whether or not the sale of weapons by Spain to Venezuela violates the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports of the European Union. During the opening of the plenary session of the European Parliament at its seat in the French city, the German member of the EU parliament warned that the exportation of arms to Venezuela may very well go against the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, agreed to by countries of the EU and in force since 1998. Von Wogau urged the president of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, a Spanish member of the EUP, to “verify to what extent these actions infringe upon the resolutions” of the code in question, so reported AFP. According to the German member of the parliament, the contract may very well violate the fourth point of the aforementioned code, which establishes that member States are to refrain from exporting arms to third countries if it entails a threat against the peace, security and stability of the region. During his address, von Wogau also raised the question as to whether the aforementioned sale is in compliance with the “Principle of Prudence” to which the European Union and its member States must adhere anytime they export arms to third countries. Last Wednesday, US Secretary of Defence Ronald Rumsfeld openly criticised Spain for the sale of weapons to Venezuela, affirming that it had been an “error” on the part of the Spanish government.

Source: V-Crisis See also the article from El Universal.

Spain sold €540.000 worth of chemical warfare agents to Venezuela 07.04.05 | During the first semester of 2004 Spain sold chemical warfare agents and radioactive materials to Venezuela worth €539.603 according to a report entitled "Spanish exports of defence materials and related products and technologies". The report, produced by Spain's Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, was revealed to Europe Press. Venezuela appeared as the twelfth buyer of such defence material to Spain for the period that saw José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero winning the vote over Partido Popular. Chemical Warfare Report's statistics show that Venezuela was the only country under the category "countries to which chemical warfare agents and radioactive materials were sold". Worth noting that the said category includes "biological and nerve agents destined to chemical warfare" of which Venezuela bought €30.374. Another €509.229 consisted of "paramilitary and security material" which encompasses "firearms or gas weapons, bombs, grenades, explosives, armoured and all terrain vehicles, water canons, telescopic sights and night vision devices, etc." Double Use Venezuela was the third buyer of "double use products" (civil and military) accounting for 11.5% of Spain's exports. The government of Venezuela spent €1.613.742 in "substances for the petrochemical and tanning industries". Translated by Aleksander Boyd

V-Crisis H/T: Barcepundit (I insist you read the rest of his post...or else!)

Sergeant Jennings received a wound in the left knee when the patrol was ambushed by rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Despite his wound, he continued to provide aid to the mortally wounded patrol leader and the radio operator. After providing first aid and calling for a medical evacuation, he continued to engage and eliminated two enemy with precision fire from an overwatch position. Despite the shrapnel wound to his knee, he completed a foot movement to a distant intersection where the patrol was again ambushed by small arms fire. He provided fire in support of the patrol and fatally wounded another insurgent with his sniper rifle. During a lull in the fighting, he removed the shrapnel from his knee with his knife and ignored medical attention in order to support the patrol. On 17 November, he fought between posts at the Al Anbar Provincial Government Center helping thwart an attack by the enemy, firing 200 rounds from a squad automatic weapon over the government center wall to cover a blind spot being exploited by insurgents.

I strongly encourage you to read the whole situation report in its entirety. Semper Fidelis!

4 Iraqi kids, collecting trash, killed by bomb (AP) BAGHDAD, Iraq - Four children collecting trash were killed Friday by a homemade bomb in Baghdad, and masked gunmen killed an Iraqi Army officer in a restaurant in the southern city of Basra, police said. The children died in the New Baghdad neighborhood in the southeast section of the city, police Capt. Sabah Hamid Al-Fartosi said. Insurgents frequently use hidden roadside bombs against U.S. and Iraqi Army convoys.

Hey, los terroristas, I have to ask you, "Was it worth it??!!?"

(Click "Battlescape" to watch a Macromedia Flash recreation of the events that unfolded during SFC Smith's selfless act of courage) Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously during a White House ceremony April 4, 2005. The official citation will be made available after the White House Presentation. Baghdad Airport, April 4, 2003. Bravo Company's view of Highway 8 leading East into Baghdad. The berms were created by combat engineers to impede an enemy attack. Click for a bigger picture.On April 4, 2003, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, attacked to seize Objective Lions, the Baghdad International Airport. As part of the Brigade scheme of maneuver, Task Force 2-7 Infantry was tasked to establish a blocking position against a brigade-sized counterattack on the main entrance to the airfield. Task Force 2-7 had been fighting for three consecutive days and had moved through the night before reaching the blocking position. Morale was high, but Soldiers were experiencing fatigue. B Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment (Knight) was in the east-most position oriented along the main avenue of approach ready for the main enemy counterattack. A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (Rage) was attacking to the southeast of the Highway. The main entrance to the airfield was a four-lane highway with a median to separate incoming and outgoing traffic. Large masonry walls with towers approximately 100 meters apart bound the highway. On the morning of April 4, 2003, more than 100 soldiers from the Task Force 2-7 Forward Aid Station, mortars, scouts and portions of B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion were in the median behind the forward most blocking positions. The B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion 2nd Platoon Leader was on a reconnaissance mission with the B Company, Task Force 2-7 Infantry Commander. During his absence, 2nd Platoon received the mission to construct an Enemy Prisoner of War holding area. Sgt. 1st Class Smith was in charge of 2nd Platoon. Sgt. 1st Class Smith assessed the best location to be behind the masonry wall bounding the highway. Two guard towers along the wall were ideally situated to provide overwatch to the holding area. An M9 armored combat earthmover (ACE) knocked a hole in the wall to create an opening to a large courtyard with a louvered metal gate on the north side. With the help of a squad leader and team leader, Sgt. 1st Class Smith checked the far side of the courtyard for enemy, found none, and posted two guards. From the guard post at the gate small groupings of buildings were 100-200 meters to the northeast. To the northwest, a large white building with a white dome was visible. The location seemed perfect as the courtyard was along the northern flank of the blocking position and enemy actions to this point were mostly from the east. Sgt. 1st Class Smith's view from his position in the courtyard. Iraqi troops were firing from the tower on the left, and climbing over the wall in front. Click for a bigger picture.While an engineer squad began to clear debris in the courtyard, one of the guards saw 10-15 enemy soldiers with small arms, 60mm mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). These were the lead elements of an organized company-sized force making a deliberate attack on the flank of Task Force 2-7. Sgt. 1st Class Smith came to the position and identified 25-50 more soldiers moving into prepared fighting positions. Sgt. 1st Class Smith instructed a squad leader to get a nearby Bradley Fighting Vehicle for support. While waiting for the Bradley, Sgt. 1st Class Smith had members of 2nd platoon retrieve AT-4 weapons and form a skirmish line outside the gate. By this time, the number of enemy identified rose to 100 soldiers, now a confirmed company-sized attack. Three of B Company’s M113A3 armored personnel carriers (APC) oriented .50-cal. machineguns toward the opening in the wall and the surrounding guard towers, now occupied by enemy soldiers. Sgt. 1st Class Smith’s actions to organize a defense against the deliberate attack were not only effective, but inspired the B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion Soldiers. He then began to lead by example. As the Bradley arrived on site and moved through the hole in the wall toward the gate, Sgt. 1st Class Smith ran to the gate wall and threw a fragmentation grenade at the enemy. He then took two Soldiers forward to join the guards and directed their engagement of the enemy with small arms. The enemy continued to fire rifles, RPGs, and 60mm mortars at the Soldiers on the street and within the courtyard. Enemy soldiers began moving along the buildings on the north side of the clearing to get into position to climb into the towers. Sgt. 1st Class Smith called for an APC to move forward to provide additional fire support. Sgt. 1st Class Smith then fired an AT-4 at the enemy while directing his fire team assembled near the front line of the engagement area. Running low on ammunition and having taken RPG hits, the Bradley withdrew to reload. The lead APC in the area received a direct hit from a mortar, wounding the three occupants. The enemy attack was at its strongest point and every action counted. Not only were the wounded Soldiers threatened but also more than 100 Soldiers from B Company, the Task Force Aid Station, and the Mortar Platoon were at risk. Sgt. 1st Class Smith ordered one of his Soldiers to back the damaged APC back into the courtyard after the wounded men had been evacuated. Knowing the APC ’s .50-Cal. machinegun was the largest weapon between the enemy and the friendly position, Sgt. 1st Class Smith immediately assumed the track commander’s position behind the weapon, and told a soldier who accompanied him to “feed me ammunition whenever you hear the gun get quiet.” Sgt. 1st Class Smith fired on the advancing enemy from the unprotected position atop the APC and expended at least three boxes of ammunition before being mortally wounded by enemy fire. The enemy attack was defeated. Sgt. 1st Class Smith’s actions saved the lives of at least 100 Soldiers, caused the failure of a deliberate enemy attack hours after 1st Brigade seized the Baghdad Airport, and resulted in an estimated 20-50 enemy soldiers killed. His actions inspired his platoon, his Company, the 11th Engineer Battalion and Task Force 2-7 Infantry. Sgt. 1st Class Smith’s actions to lead Soldiers in direct contact with a numerically superior enemy--to personally engage the enemy with a fragmentation grenade, AT-4, and individual weapon, to ultimately assume the track commander’s position to fire the .50-Cal. machinegun through at least three boxes of ammunition before being mortally wounded--demonstrates conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. His actions prevented a penetration in the Task Force 2-7 sector, defended the aid station, mortars, and scouts, and allowed the evacuation of Soldiers wounded by indirect enemy fire. (All content above from the U.S. ARMY. Click for more details on this honorable soldier.)

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UPDATE: Links to video coverage of interviews with some of SFC Smith's family members and a soldier under his command can be found at Blackfive's. ALSO Be sure to watch the Hall of Heroes Induction LIVE on Army.mil April 5, 2005, at 11 a.m. EST UPDATE: The President's Medal of Honor ceremony speech is online now here.

Volunteers to Patrol Arizona-Mexico Border By JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press TOMBSTONE, Ariz. - About 450 volunteers gathered Friday for a monthlong effort to patrol the Mexican border for illegal immigrants and smugglers, an organizer of the project said. The idea, according to organizers of the Minuteman Project, is for the volunteers to fan out across 23 miles of the San Pedro Valley to watch the border and report any illegal activity to federal agents — an exercise some law enforcement authorities and others fear could lead to vigilante violence. Many volunteers were recruited over the Internet and some plan to be armed. Patrols are to begin Monday. Chris Simcox, Minuteman field operations director, said 450 people were willing to participate in at least one shift in the desert. He wouldn't say how many had registered or had participated in orientation. Others would arrive later in the month, he said. Jim Gilchrist, a retired accountant from California who organized the project, said earlier at least 100 volunteers had registered. There was no immediate way to independently verify the count, and it was difficult to distinguish volunteers from counter-protesters, tourists and the merely curious in this town nearly 30 miles north of the Mexican border — best known as the site of the 1881 shootout at the OK Corral. Gilchrist said the government has said for decades it's responsible for, and will deal with illegal immigration. "We are no longer in the request mode, the suggest mode, or the recommendation mode," Gilchrist said. "We are in the demand mode." During orientation, volunteers heard speakers supporting the project, including Bay Buchanan, chairwoman of the conservative American Cause organization and sister of former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. "You have accomplished an enormous amount already," she said, noting the effort had drawn the attention of Mexican President Vicente Fox, who has vowed to take legal action against migrant-hunting vigilantes in Arizona. Colorado Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, a supporter of tougher border enforcement, praised the group, telling them: "You are not vigilantes, you are heroes in my book." [--ed. I second that, Congressman.] The Arizona-Mexico border is considered the most vulnerable stretch of the 2,000-mile southern border. Of the 1.1 million illegal immigrants caught by the Border Patrol last year, 51 percent crossed into the country at the Arizona border. In Mexico City, authorities Friday said about 70 officials will keep tabs on the project to determine whether migrants are abused. "We want (migrants) to know we'll be on alert to make sure their human rights are not violated," said Arturo Salinas, Mexico's assistant interior secretary. Human rights activists expressed concern the volunteers may abuse immigrants or get into violent confrontations with smugglers. "The newspapers and the TV cameras are hoping something will go wrong and somebody will get hurt or somebody will do something stupid and that will draw attention," said Robert Ordway from nearby Sierra Vista. "That ain't going to happen. We're not here to do that. We are here to support the Border Patrol, support the laws of the country and that's what we're after."

Human rights abuses? How about national sovereignty abuses??? Being a "citizen of the world" does not grant you the (U.N.) mandated authority to ILLEGALLY "migrate" (read: trespass) into my country.

At Least 20 U.S. Troops Hurt in Mass Iraq Jail Attack By Luke Baker BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Dozens of insurgents mounted a sustained attack on Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad on Saturday, detonating two suicide car bombs and firing rocket- propelled grenades before U.S. troops repelled the assault. At least 20 U.S. soldiers and 12 detainees were wounded in the carefully planned attack, which began at around 1500 GMT and lasted for around an hour, the U.S. military said. "A group of between 40 and 60 insurgents attacked the U.S. forward operating base at Abu Ghraib," Lieutenant Colonel Guy Rudisill, spokesman for detainee affairs, told Reuters. "They detonated two VBIEDs (suicide car bombs) and also fired rocket-propelled grenades into the prison camp ... it was a sustained attack," he said. Mortars and small arms fire were also directed toward the prison, on Baghdad's western edge. "The attacks were intermittent. They would fire RPGs and then stop, then they would attack again," Rudisill said. U.S. forces responded with heavy weapons, eventually bringing the situation under control. It was not known how many insurgents were wounded or killed in the battle.

Just a little note to keep in mind: Abu Ghraib is home to approximately 2,000 prisoners--a massive escape would not be in our best interests, needless to say.

NOT Keyword: "animal sex young girls" For those of you (apparently there are quite a few of you) surfers who are stumbling on to my site via Google/Yahoo/MSN looking for information in the UN sex scandal in the Congo, I will be organizing a new post this week with updated information just for you. Hey, gotta give the public what they want.

U.S. Army Iraq Veteran Guilty of Refusing Orders By Andy Buerger Reuters DARMSTADT, Germany (Reuters) - A U.S. military court convicted a 23-year-old Army mechanic of willfully disobeying orders for refusing to perform duties after a year-long tour of Iraq, an army spokesman said Monday. Specialist Blake Lemoine, who returned to Germany in May 2004, said he wanted to quit the army due to religious beliefs. The special military court sentenced Lemoine to seven months confinement, reduction in rank to private and gave him a bad conduct discharge, said Bruce Anderson, deputy public affairs spokesman for the 3rd Corps support command. Lemoine, who had condemned the invasion of Iraq, was charged for repeatedly refusing to obey orders from commanders between Jan. 10 and Feb. 15 at a base in Darmstadt, south of Frankfurt. Lemoine, from Moraville, Louisiana, told a recent news conference in Germany sponsored by anti-war groups that even though he volunteered to join the army, he had changed his mind and wanted to leave. "It was simply a slow realisation that serving in the U.S. military at this day and time contradicts my religion and to continue to do so would make me a hypocrite," he said last week. Lemoine had also been quoted in German newspapers as saying: "The contract with the U.S. army is a slavery contract." He also spoke out against U.S. army violence against Iraqis, saying: "Iraqi civilians are often treated worse than animals." Lemoine joined the army for three years, a term which would have ended on Feb. 13, but extended his enlistment at some point for a further eight-month period.

Absolutely disgraceful. What religion do you subscibe to, soldier? You obviously were not too familiar with the fundamental principles of your religion going into the service if you all-of-a-sudden realized you were being a hypocrite. Unless you became a Quaker, that is. Oh, and nice little jab about being bound by a "slavery contract." Wait a sec, you thought after 6 months of training you were free to come and go as you please? You dishonor the uniform. DIS-MISSED!

Chocolate Crosses Move Into Mainstream By MATT SEDENSKY, AP KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A symbol of Christianity that sits atop church steeples, dangles from necks and hangs on walls is now ending up in the mouths of the faithful, over the objections of some religious officials. A mass-produced chocolate cross is being sold this Easter by Russell Stover Candies Inc. in about 5,000 stores nationwide, which experts say is apparently a first for a major American company. "Obviously they've seen that there's a market for chocolate crosses at Easter," said Lisbeth Echeandia, a consultant for Candy Information Service, which monitors candy industry trends. "I don't see it growing tremendously but I think there would be growth in the Christian market." However, not all Christians are happy about it. Chomping on a chocolate cross can be offensive to some, said Joseph McAleer, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic diocese in Bridgeport, Conn. "The cross should be venerated, not eaten, nor tossed casually in an Easter basket beside the jelly beans and marshmallow Peeps," he said. "It's insulting." Nonetheless, Kansas City-based Russell Stover, the third-largest American chocolate manufacturer, said it is targeting some of the most devout Christians — Hispanic Americans. Pangburn, which Russell Stover bought in 1999, has long had a hold in that market. The milk chocolate cross is about 6 inches high, adorned with a floral bouquet and filled with caramel made of goat's milk, popular in Mexico and Latin America. Its packaging features Spanish more prominently than English. Russell Stover President Tom Ward doesn't expect the chocolate cross to overtake the chocolate bunny, but he does expect it to bring in new customers who "wouldn't buy rabbits." "I think it's a market that's potentially overlooked," said chocolate expert Clay Gordon, who runs the chocolate Web site Chocophile.com. Ward said Russell Stover considered making other traditional images out of chocolate but eventually opted not to. "A molded Jesus, for example, would not be a good call and a cross with Jesus on it wouldn't be a good idea either," Ward said.

Absolutely disgraceful. Add Russell Stover to the list of companies I won't be giving my money. Disgusting.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Goldámez, or more commonly known as just "Romero." From the sermon just minutes before his death:

"...We know that every effort to improve society, above all when society is so full of injustice and sin, is an effort that God blesses; that God wants; that God demands of us."

Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." (Click to learn more)

(AP) Being a practicing homosexual is no bar to becoming a priest, the Scottish Episcopal Church says, a stance that puts it at odds with the Anglican Communion in other parts of the world. [...] The Scottish bishops expressed regret at the decision to request the withdrawal of U.S. and Canadian Churches from the ACC. "We are conscious that as a church we are much indebted in our life both to a significant presence of persons of homosexual orientation, and also those whose theology and stance would be critical of attitudes to sexuality other than abstinence outside marriage." "We rejoice in both," the bishops' response said.

Alright, gay priests now! Hey, it's only forbidden in the Good Book, but what do I know, right? I mean, homosexuality is genetic anyway... 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

"I hope we're not ... making this human tragedy a political issue," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told ABC's "This Week." "We've got plenty of other issues that are political in nature for us to fight about."

(Like steroids in baseball?!!?)

"Mexico has been very responsible in security matters," he said, noting that his government had invested heavily in poor areas, hoping that more job opportunities at home would reduce the number of Mexicans going illegally to the United States to find work.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Continue reading the HI-larryis fun here --> "All in all we're just another brick in the WALL"

"Arab nations have taken serious steps on the road of reform, but the road is still long and we have to go ahead confidently, out of conviction that reform is an uninterrupted process derived from the nation's will and not demanded from others," Mubarak said, opening the three-day gathering.

The denial continues...

MOSCOW (AFP) - Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov, one of Russia's most wanted men, has been killed in Chechnya, according to Russian news agencies who quoted Russian federal forces in the northern Caucasus. [...] Maskhadov has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks against Russian forces in the region and has been blamed by Russia for involvement in many other attacks on non-military targets including the Beslan school hostage massacre last September and a mass hostage-taking at a Moscow theater in 2002.

Maskhadov's death, if true, would mean Russia nabbed their Bin Laden. The other 3 weak paragraphs about this high-profile kill.

The first people I thought of upon encountering these headlines... Bolton Tapped to Be Next U.N. Ambassador This guy was just born to be a diplomat. I mean, who can resist those lusty long lockes? The most famous mullet in the world, some say... Meanwhile... Carter Arrested on Drunken Driving Charges The picture says it all.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Constitution forbids the execution of killers who were under 18 when they committed their crimes, ending a practice used in 19 states. The 5-4 decision throws out the death sentences of about 70 juvenile murderers and bars states from seeking to execute minors for future crimes. The executions, the court said, violate the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The ruling continues the court's practice of narrowing the scope of the death penalty, which justices reinstated in 1976. The court in 1988 outlawed executions for those 15 and younger when they committed their crimes. Three years ago justices banned executions of the mentally retarded. Tuesday's ruling prevents states from making 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for execution. "The age of 18 is the point where society draws the line for many purposes between childhood and adulthood. It is, we conclude, the age at which the line for death eligibility ought to rest," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. Juvenile offenders have been put to death in recent years in only a few other countries, including Iran, Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia. Kennedy cited international opposition to the practice. (Notice the exclusive club of nations we've been admitted to who still legalize killing little children for sport. --ed.) "It is proper that we acknowledge the overwhelming weight of international opinion against the juvenile death penalty, resting in large part on the understanding that the instability and emotional imbalance of young people may often be a factor in the crime," he wrote. (Kennedy, show me where the heck it says we should confer with international law in the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION!??!?! --ed.) In a dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia disputed that there is a clear trend of declining juvenile executions to justify a growing consensus against the practice. "The court says in so many words that what our people's laws say about the issue does not, in the last analysis, matter: 'In the end our own judgment will be brought to bear on the question of the acceptability of the death penalty,"' he wrote. "The court thus proclaims itself sole arbiter of our nation's moral standards," Scalia wrote. (Boo-yea! Did I just see this in print??? --ed.) Justices were called on to draw an age line in death cases after Missouri's highest court overturned the death sentence given to Christopher Simmons, who was 17 when he kidnapped a neighbor, hog-tied her and threw her off a bridge in 1993. Prosecutors say he planned the burglary and killing of Shirley Crook and bragged that he could get away with it because of his age. The four most liberal justices had already gone on record in 2002, calling it "shameful" to execute juvenile killers. Those four, joined by Kennedy, formed Tuesday's decision: Justices John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, Justice Clarence Thomas and Scalia, as expected, voted to uphold the executions. They were joined by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Okay, so if you need to draw a so-called "line" to discern between childhood and adulthood, why is it then, that 17 year-olds can drive, can join the military with parental permission, and get married, yet they cannot be tried for murder? While we're drawing lines in the sand, why don't we just scale back the age in which little children lawfully acquire these privileges to age 8--the famous "age of reason"??? What is going to happen when an individual commits murder at the tender young age of 17 years, 364 days, 23 hours, and 59 mins? Oh wait, he didn't know any better right? After all, he's just a kid. Source: CNN

crappy intermittent no cable internet connection = no posts. the following companies should go play in traffic: - Comcast - Verizon Thanks.

Hey gang, As you could probably tell from my last post, my friend Eric's family is going through a difficult time right now grieving the loss of a loved one. For the next few days (or until Eric comes back), I will be taking a blogcation to the tropical, exotic cyber-isle of Vince Aut Morire I will be hanging out there so make sure you stop by for a visit. I can assure you, you'll encounter the same crazy commodities you're accustomed to here at Whatsakyer?. And since I'm not too good on writing letters or sending postcards (just ask the woman...), you'll have to come visit ME instead! See you there! kyer

Gena Woodward, mother-in-law of my dear friends Eric, and mother of his wife, Merri, respectively, passed away early this morning. I know there are two little children who will be needing extra prayers of comfort for some time now. To my readers, please keep the Staley family in your prayers as they bond together through this difficult time.

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And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:3-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:1-6

Sorry all for the lack of updates but I've been pretty occupied this week. For the most part, I have been taking care of Ashley this week at my house--drug store runs, doctor's visits, fixing soup and toast and the such. Taking care of sickies should be considered a full-time job. But it does have good benefits in the hug department. I'm very thankful I was able to take care of her this week. Anyway, I have a TON of posts in the works--I'm considering one itemized gigantic post. We'll see. I'll try to get postin' either tonight or this weekend. If we have this big snow storm they're calling for, then I'll really have no excuse now, will I? So check back soon. UPDATE: (1-22/23-05) Due to only intermittent internet connectivity (possibly a weak signal, possibly due to the storm?) I have been unable to do much posting. Hopefully soon my connection will improve. Or else Comcast will have a very unhappy customer. ::takes deep breaths, counts to 3million::

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Top PLO Body Calls for End to Attacks Sun Jan 16,11:09 AM ET Middle East - AP By MARK LAVIE, Associated Press Writer JERUSALEM - A top PLO decision-making body called on Palestinian militants Sunday to halt attacks against Israel, charging that the violence gives Israel an excuse to carry out military operations.

No. How about, "...terrorist activity gives Israel legitimate justification for hunting you down and running you over with tanks, air power, and commando units." * "Splodeydopes" was created by none other than Charles at...well...you know the place.

January 12, 2005 BY JIM RITTER Health Reporter Eating lots of red meat and processed meat can increase the risk of colon cancer by as much as 50 percent, a major study has found. But a separate study found eating lots of fruits and vegetables did not protect against breast cancer. Both studies are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In the meat study, American Cancer Society researchers examined surveys of nearly 150,000 adults. Men and women aged 50 to 74 were asked about their eating habits in 1982 and 1992-93, and were followed through 2001. Those who ate at least three ounces of red meat per day in both surveys were 29 percent more likely to get cancer in the distal colon near the rectum than those who ate little or no red meat. Among those who ate the highest amounts of processed meat, the risk was 50 percent higher. Red meat includes beef, pork, ham and liver. Processed meat includes bacon, sausage, hot dogs, ham, bologna, salami and lunchmeat. Three ounces is equivalent to a large fast-food hamburger

::puts down fork:: ... ::grabs bottle of A1 and pours onto plate containing 18oz New York Strip and commences the devouring process:: Give me a break. If you can stomach the rest of the article, it later recommends eating FISH instead of meat. For starters, the article failed to mention that we should eat wild fish rather than farm-raised fish (such as catfish, for example). Why? Because apparently the water supply on these farms are compromised with chemicals and the such. Secondly, if you put a plate of blackened or cajun salmon in front of me and then a nice sirloin cut next to it and ask me to choose, --I'm going to knock you out and eat BOTH OF THEM. Why do I sense PETA is somehow behind this sceme...to gradually scare everyone off of every living food source. Ridiculous.

Sri Lanka Probes Alleged Child Trafficking Wed Jan 12, 1:53 PM ET By TINI TRAN, Associated Press Writer BATAPOLA, Sri Lanka - Police have arrested a 63-year-old Sri Lankan man on charges of trying to sell his two young granddaughters after their home was destroyed and their mother killed by the Asian tsunami — a case that highlights the vulnerability of children in the wake of the disaster. The United Nations (news - web sites) and international aid agencies have expressed concern that child traffickers are exploiting the chaos in countries hit hardest by the tsunami, and trying to abduct and then sell orphans into forced labor or the sex trade. "There is definitely a danger. The opportunity is there. The situation will attract (traffickers)," said Udaya de Silva, a police inspector in charge of crimes against women and children in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. [...] UNICEF said the disaster's aftermath could create a double tragedy — increasing the likelihood that people who have lost everything will be tempted to sell off children who are an economic burden. "There is a clear danger that as time goes by, people will become more desperate," said Sajeeva Samaranayake, a UNICEF program officer for child protection. "They will have other needs."

(more...)

LONDON (AFP) - Britain's Prince Harry apologized after he was pictured on the front page of The Sun newspaper in a Nazi soldier's uniform which he wore to a fancy dress party. Thursday's edition of the Sun features Prince Harry, younger son of Britain's Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, wearing the uniform with an armband showing a swastika, emblem of the Nazi Party. A spokeswoman for the royal family who was contacted by AFP read a statement of apology. "I am very sorry if I caused any offense or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize," Prince Harry said in the statement. A source close to the royal family said the party took place sometime after January 1. Doug Henderson, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North and a former armed forces minister, said Prince Harry should not now be allowed to become a British Army officer. "After the revelations this evening I don't think this young man is suitable for Sandhurst," the army officer training school, he said. "If it was anyone else the application wouldn't be considered. It should be withdrawn immediately," he said. [But wait...it gets better! --.ed] The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the apology, according to Sky television. "We're gratified that the prince has apologized. The incident was in bad taste, especially in the runup to the holocaust memorial day, which the royal family will play a leading role in commemorating," it said. Holocaust memorial day is marked on January 27, the day in 1945 when the Soviet army liberated Auschwitz, the most infamous of the Nazi World War II concentration camps.

Un.be.lieve.able.

An old cowboy sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. As he sat sipping his drink, a young woman sat down next to him. She turned to the cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?" He replied, "Well, I've spent my whole life, breaking colts, working cows, going to rodeos, fixing fences, pulling calves, bailing hay, doctoring calves, cleaning my barn, fixing flats, working on tractors, and feeding my dogs, so I guess I am a cowboy." She said, "Well, I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. When I watch TV, I think about women. I even think about women when I eat. It seems that everything makes me think of women." The two sat sipping in silence. A little while later, a man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?" He replied, "I always thought I was, but I just found out I'm a lesbian."

BERLIN - Islamic extremists accused of plotting to kill Iraq's prime minister in Germany are smuggling battle-hardened fighters from Iraq to Europe, raising a potential new terrorist threat on the continent, according to German officials.

Europe's response? "Oh great. More immigrants." Militants Said to Send Fighters to Europe