Biggest Threat to Civil Rights- Poll- The US Government

In a CNN/Opinion Research poll- 56% believe that the US Government is the greatest threat to Civil Rights.  Go figure....

What ever happened to the oath that Federal Office holders are supposed to take- that they will "support and defend the Constitution?" 

The breakdown of the poll was interesting as well.. 37% of Democrats and 63% of Independents, as well as 70% of Republicans all think the Government- the organization that is supposed to guarantee our rights, is the biggest threat to them.

Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate the idea that it is only the "right-wing" nut jobs that feel the government is a threat...  Seems to me that it is your average Joe on the street that feels that way...

By the way, I feel that way as well.

Biggest Threat to Civil Rights- Poll- The US Government

Job Cuts Coming- Because of Obama Budget

For all the jobs that Obama claims to be creating, there are 23,000 minimum that he will directly be getting rid of, because of his budget.

These are not low-end, minimum wage jobs.  Many of these are very high end engineering jobs.  These are jobs at NASA.

Thanks to Obama's budget- cutting the Constellation Program- and the end of the Shuttle program, thousands of jobs at NASA are gone- or going.  Additionally there are a large number of contracting jobs as well as support jobs that are going as well.

This is just the job impact.   There is no way to calculate the damage to the economy or to discovery and invention that will take place, now that Obama is ending manned space flight.

Of course, I am sure this is just part of our Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet's President's plan-- after all, those people made too much money. I am sure he just wants to make sure that their wealth is redistributed to others...

If you want to understand more about Chairman Barack Hussein Obama's plan for managing the country, may I suggest reading the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx.

Job Cuts Coming- Because of Obama Budget

Coming Down from the High- People Snapping from Obama Disillusion?

Earlier today I read a very good article that asked the question, Is Disillusionment With Media-Created Obama Causing People to Snap?

This is definitely a question worth asking. After all, the Obama-mania crowd was sure by now that Gitmo would be closed (and I am sure some were thinking that the Bush Administration would be charged with crimes), the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would be ended, and none of us (on the right at least) will forget the "giddy" women who said Obama would pay her gas and mortgage.

Now we are a year and a month down the road, the mid-term election season is starting and we are nowhere near where Obama promised we would be.

Obama is still blaming the Bush Administration for all problems and claiming successes that are not his (such as Iraq). Gitmo is still in operation. NATO is fighting tough battles in Afghanistan. Unemployment is higher than it was last year.

Amy Bishop was one of these Obama-maniacs. She lost her job and then shot up the Biology Department at UAH. Joseph Stack when to his death angry at GM and the Catholic Church and promoting Communism -- he is NOT a right wing "tea-bagger" like the MSM would like us to believe.

Now is Obama to blame? I don't know. He had an entire year of a Super-Majority in the Senate and majority in the House and he got nothing done. Is the "hype" the MSM created to blame? Probably not. But we can say for sure, that both Bishop and Stack have brought attention to this disillusionment.

Just my thoughts...

Coming Down from the High- People Snapping from Obama Disillusion?

Angrier and Angrier Over Reid's Comments- But Still Not Abusive

The more I have thought about Harry Reid's comment- "Men when they are out of work, tend to become abusive," the angrier I have become (but I have yet to become abusive).

This statement SCREAMS of PROFILING and BIGOTRY - by sex and economic status... "If you are a man, and unemployed, you tend to be an abuser." Ok, now replace the word "man" with any ethnicity and tell me how long Reid would still be Majority Leader.

This statement SCREAMS of SEXISM - ... "If you are a man, and unemployed, you tend to be an abuser." Ok, AGAIN replace the word "man" with "woman" and tell me how long Reid would still be Majority Leader.

This statement SCREAMS of a new GUN CONTROL PUSH - Why you ask? Simple, domestic abuse or domestic violence, even as a Misdemeanor, automatically means that the abuser cannot purchase or posses a firearm. So, "If you are a man, and unemployed," you should be required to surrender any firearms you own when you apply for unemployment, because, "you tend to be an abuser."

I am furious that Reid has not apologized and will not apologize.

I am also furious about the double standard- Try this one...

"If you are a man, and unemployed, you tend to be an abuser." - Senator Harry Reid- NV (D)

Replace the (D) with an (R) and he already would have been forced to resign....

But since he is a (D) I guess he gets a pass...

Readers in Nevada- PLEASE help Harry Reid understand what it is like to be a man an unemployed- Vote for ANY of his opponents this Novemeber.

Angrier and Angrier Over Reid's Comments- But Still Not Abusive

Men Get Abusive When Out of Work?

Senator Harry Reid- today: "'Men, when they're out of work, tend to become abusive,'"

Hmmm... Senator Reid, do you have a study to show this? I know lots of men how are or have been out of work, and I don't know of any of them that have been abusive because of it.

Now, yes, men can get depressed when they loose their jobs, but I don't think you can make the blanket statement that men "tend to become abusive" when they loose their jobs...

Senator, are you trying to prepare us? This November, when the voters of Nevada fire you from your job, are you going to become abusive?

Men Get Abusive When Out of Work?

Constitutionality of Healthcare Reform

Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, Article X- The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The language of the Tenth Amendment seems pretty clear to me. The powers not granted to the Federal Government IN THE CONSTITUION are reserved to the States or to the People.

Now where in the Constitution does it grant the Federal Government the authority to regulate Health Care?

Yes, Congress has the authority to encourage the sciences- but ONLY by creating the patent system. This is directly spelled out within the Constitution. (Article 1- Section 8)

Yes, Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce (Article 1 Section 8)- but healthcare is NOT interstate commerce. With the exception of Tele-medicine which is NOT the methodology used by most people to see a doctor, the patient and the doctor are in the same location and that location resides within an individual state.

So the question remains, where do the Obama administration and the democrats in Congress get the authority to regulate Health Care?

Bottom line- I don't think they have the authority, and I personally believe there will be legal action taken to question the Constitutionality of any Health Care Reform legislation- especially the newly proposed Federal Commission to regulate insurance premiums- That is what the States have Insurance Commissioners' for!

Barack Hussein Obama is supposedly a Professor of Constitutional Law. Perhaps he just views the Constitution as something that is a guideline or a document to ignore when he feels like it- that is certainly what his proposal seems to indicate.

Constitutionality of Healthcare Reform

Israel Introduces New Pilotless Aircraft that Can Reach Iran

Israel today revealed a new fleet of pilotless aircraft that can reach Iran.

The aircraft have a range of 20 hours and can fly far enough to reach the Persian Gulf. Each of the aircraft, known as the Heron TP have a 86 foot wing span and can reach over 40,000 feet in altitude. Basically it is reported they have the wingspan of a 737.

Apparently they have a variety of missions- including spy missions and electronic jamming missions. There was no mention if the aircraft could carry weapons.

The aircraft was build by Israeli Aerospace Industries.

Israel Introduces New Pilotless Aircraft that Can Reach Iran

Former Sec State, Gen. Alexander Haig Dies

Former Presidential Adviser Alexander Haig has died. He was 85. In addition to being a former Secretary of State under President Reagan, he was also a former Supreme Commander NATO Allied Forces Europe (which is probably the coolest job title in the world).

Haig is probably best remembered for his misquote of the Presidential succession order shortly after the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. Haig stated that Secretary of State was third in line- which it had been, until the 25th Amendment had been passed.

Haig servered as Secretary of State for 17 months under President Reagan before resigning.

Former Sec State, Gen. Alexander Haig Dies

On the 2nd Amendment, Bill O'Reilly is a Pinhead

Normally I am not one to jump all over another conservative, but Bill O'Reilly has crossed the line.

On Thursday the 18th, O'Reilly was conducting an interview when the subject of confiscation of firearms during a state of emergency (such as in Katarina) came up. When Bill was told that such confiscations were unconstitutional, Bill stated, “That’s a pretty extreme position.”

Extreme? A government official, such as the Police Chief of New Orleans, having the power to suspend the Constitution and seized people's legally owned firearms in CLEAR violation of the Second Amendment?

Extreme? A minor government official having the power to suspend the Constitution and deprive people of their GOD GIVEN RIGHT or NATURAL RIGHT of Self-Defense which is Constitutionally protected by the Ninth Amendment?

I am sorry Bill. You are the one with the "extreme" viewpoint. Our Constitutional protections are sacred and believing that our GOD GIVEN and NATURAL RIGHTS as well as our Constitutional Rights should be protected at ALL COSTS is NOT EXTREME.

A the belief that gross violations of the Second and Ninth Amendments are WRONG is NOT Extreme.

Sorry, Bill, YOU are the one with the extreme position here.

Maybe YOU should be named a Pinhead because you are certainly NOT a Patriot on this issue.

On the 2nd Amendment, Bill O'Reilly is a Pinhead

1980's Again? - Falklands War II

Argentina is apparently thinking that "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Or that is what it looks like. Despite the fact that the UK put them in their place in the 1982 war, Argentina has decided to attempt to re-assert sovereignty over the islands.

The reason this time? Oil. What could be lots of oil.

The latest moves by Argentina involve declaring a maritime exclusion zone- a step short of blockade. The have started requiring permits for any and all vessels that wish to sail in the waters of the Falklands.

They have also started boarding vessels that are carrying anything that can be used for oil drilling and detaining them. This includes stopping the British Flagged Thor Leader, which was stopped and detained for carrying a load of pipes.

There are also reports that the Argentine Air Force is shadowing the movements of the US owned, but Panama Flagged oil rig Ocean Guardian as it is being moved to the Falklands to begin drilling. Currently (as of the time of this writing) the Ocean Guardian is still listed as enroute to the Falklands.

Estimates are that there could be an oil field of 60 billion barrels around the Falklands. The North Sea field  so far has produced 40 billion barrels.

Argentina is having financial difficulties. They have $13 billion of foreign loans due. Argentina "tore up" an agreement to share oil finds off the Falklands with the UK. For Argentina they want all, and for the UK to have nothing.

1980's Again? - Falklands War II

Report: UK Knew of Dubai Hit In Advance

I have been wondering for days now, why the UK has been "screaming" about this Dubai terrorist hit.

Is it to deflect attention from themselves? According to a report in the Daily Mail (via YNet) the UK knew in advance that the hit was taking place- and that UK passports were being used.

The Daily Mail reported that MI6 was tipped off that Israeli agents were going to carry out an 'overseas operation' using fake British passports. The newspaper quoted a member of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, as saying that the Foreign Office was also told hours before the Hamas terrorist chief was assassinated in Dubai, although the tip-off did not say who the target would be or even where the hit squad would be in action.

A British security source, who met the Mossad agent and has a track record of providing reliable information, told the Daily Mail: "This is a serving member of Israeli intelligence. He says the British government was told very, very briefly before the operation what was going to happen.

"There was no British involvement and they didn't know the name of the target. But they were told these people were travelling on UK passports," he added.

The security source said the tip-off was not a request for permission to use British passports but more a "courtesy call" to let the security services know "a situation" might blow up. The Mossad man said Israeli intelligence chiefs understand British authorities will have to "slap them on the wrist".

Me thinks the lady doth protest too much. [sic]
.

Report: UK Knew of Dubai Hit In Advance

Something I Missed- Capt. Phil Harris of F/V Cornelia Marie Dies

Somehow I missed this bit of news--

Capt. Phil Harris , 53, Master of the F/V Cornelia Marie died on Feb. 9, 2010 after having a stroke while off-loading crab in St. Paul harbour.

Capt. Phil and his sons were a regular part of "The Deadliest Catch."

Discovery Channel says the show will continue to air for this season.

The F/V Northwestern website has been re-done in honor of Capt. Phil.

More can also be found at the Cornelia Marie website.

Something I Missed- Capt. Phil Harris of F/V Cornelia Marie Dies

Report: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina

CBN Exclusive: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina:
"CBN News has learned exclusively that five Muslim soldiers at Fort Jackson in South Carolina were arrested just before Christmas. It is unclear whether the men are still in custody. The five were part of the Arabic Translation program at the base.
The men are suspected of trying to poison the food supply at Fort Jackson.

A source with intimate knowledge of the investigation, which is ongoing, told CBN News investigators suspect the 'Fort Jackson Five' may have been in contact with the group of five Washington, DC area Muslims that traveled to Pakistan to wage jihad against U.S. troops in December. That group was arrested by Pakistani authorities, also just before Christmas"

However, according to other sources, the military is still investigating and Army CID is saying "there is no credible information to support the allegations."
I agree that this could be very disturbing, and after Ft. Hood, I wonder if there is a trend developing-- is there a terrorist cell in the US Army?

Report: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina

Still to Come- From My Notes File

There are a couple of things on my radar. One or two I have been following for a while and another is new, but I thought I would give out a preview of what is in my notes file...

Meir Dagan- Head of Mossad is saying he won't quit- doesn't see the need too, while Dubai is saying they are 99% sure it was Mossad-- I am re-looking at the footage- there are some things that are bothering me, but I can't put my finger on it directly. The door being locked from the inside is still an issue.

Falklands War II?- Argentina is declaring maritime exclusion zones, the Brits aren't happy, and Argentina is boarding ships.

Air France is restarting the investigation of AF 447 and starting a new search for the aircraft. This was an Airbus that went down over the Atlantic on a flight from Brazil last year... There were reports of sudden decompression. Did the plane actually go down from a terrorist bomb?

And of course, the IAEA announcement that Iran is pursuing nukes...

More to follow...

Still to Come- From My Notes File

Joseph Andrew Stack- Plane Crash in Austin- Why He Says He Did It-

Like most people, I have been following the events in Austin. From what we know, Joseph Stack took off in his Piper Cherokee this morning and flew it into a government building housing the IRS.

He took off from Georgetown Airport (KGTU) and flew south to Austin, TX under VFR (visual flight rules). VFR does not require constant contact with Air Traffic Control. Around 10:00 AM CST he flew the Cherokee directly into the IRS building in Austin. One person is still missing as of the time I am writing this...

So why did he do it?

Bottom line, he was a NUT JOB.

After reading his Manifesto, it is apparent to me he is "trying" to make a political statement. The problem is, after reading the document several times, I cannot tell what his political statement is.

Ok, he was angry at the IRS. That much is clear. But he also goes after corporations and the US health care system. He complains that people are not heard by the government and then goes after the G. W. Bush administration. He targets General Motors and the Catholic Church. At the end he promotes communism.

Bottom line, this guy is all over the board. He was obviously disturbed.

But, unfortunately this is being politicized. There are reports of those on the left pointing the the manifesto and calling this guy a "tea-bagger terrorist" (I will not link to those blogs on principle- just to others reporting it).

This was a horrific act by a very sick man. It is unfortunate that there was not another way for this man to get the help he needed. To me though, it appears that this man wanted to blame everyone else in the world for his problems.

Did the man have a "beef" with the IRS? Maybe. I get nauseated every year when I see how much I pay in taxes, and I have had arguements with the IRS myself.

But like the vast majority of people in the US, I don't plan on committing murder or attempting murder and suicide to try to make a point.

Joseph Andrew Stack- Plane Crash in Austin- Why He Says He Did It-

Wet Work in Dubai- Double-Double Cross? Post 9-11 Black-Ops

Since the hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, there has been enormous speculation as to the who.

We know- or we are told by Dubai- that there were eleven with a variety of fake passports from European countries. We know that several of those names match dual citizens from Israel- people with both European passports and Israeli passports. We also know that the pictures on the passports do not match the faces that Dubai is saying belong to the hit-team.

The hit team knew, without question, that they would be on camera. Dubai is known to have money and the most modern hotels and resorts - maybe the most modern on the planet. Dubai is also known as the "playground" of the middle-east, the equivalent of Las Vegas for Americans. What happens in Dubai stays in Dubai- well, maybe not this time.

There are those that are saying this is a Mossad screw-up. The team pictures are everywhere.

There are also those that are saying that there is no-way this could be a Mossad job- the team was too obvious.

But…

Maybe that was the entire point… Conducting a "black-op" in a highly technological society means dealing with that technology. You know camera's are going to be everywhere. They are everywhere in London. They are everywhere in Las Vegas, and as we have seen, they are apparently everywhere in Dubai. So, the question becomes, how do you beat the cameras?

The answer is, you don't- at least not directly. You play to the cameras. That is what this team did. They know where the cameras are and they know they can't avoid them. They know that information is being grabbed at the airport from the passports used. So they use disguises, and try to hide in plain site as much as possible. But, most importantly, they make sure that their faces do not match their names. They have become completely anonymous in that everyone in the world knows that the identity they used was blatantly false. There is no guarantee that the pictures used on the passport were of the actual hit team. The pictures may be of people that look enough like them, that it will pass a "human eye"- but in this age of technology, the if the picture is not of the actual person, it will never hold up the scrutiny of eventual computerized facial recognition or matching. Who knows- maybe the pictures that we are being shown are of people who are actually dead.

The key is plausible deniability. Those named certainly have it. The "that’s not me" has be broadcast around the world, and countries like Great Britain are running in circles screaming for everyone to hear that the passports were fake. We know the names that are listed were NOT the actual hit squad.

So, now we come back around to Mossad. There is an argument that the team was too obvious to be Mossad. Mossad analyst are saying it is too much like the 1997 job. In other words, Mossad would never do something this obvious. Plausible deniability.

There are also statements that Israel would never use passports of Israeli's-- again that would be TOO obvious. But, if we think about it backwords, maybe that is the point. The people who hold the passports have been cleared for all practical purposes.

Right now it is SO OBVIOUS that this job was Mossad that it CAN'T BE Mossad.

Or…

Right now it is SO OBVIOUS that is job was NOT Mossad, that it MUST BE Mossad.

Anyone have a coin to flip? Or should I be asking for a Shekel?

Either way, if I were a terrorist, I certainly would not want to be crossing Mossad.

Wet Work in Dubai- Double-Double Cross? Post 9-11 Black-Ops

Wet Work in Middle East- Mossad? The Mahmoud al-Mabhouh Assassination

UPDATE: More thoughts on the Who of this Who-done-it.

Gabriel Malor over at Ace of Spades Headquarters asked today why he hasn't heard about this story earlier. Well, the reason why it has not been here before today is because I have been working on it-- for the last five days, trying to get the whole story together. This story reads like something from Tom Clancy.

And in the vein of Tom Clancy, I will start with the line from the beginning of the movie Hunt for Red October-

According to repeated statements of the [Israeli] Government...
Nothing of about you are to see [or read]…
…ever happened

It well known that Mossad has a history of participating in assassinations and using forgein passports when they do so. After the brutal murder of the Olympic team in 1972, they took out those responsible. In the 1960's they kidnapped Nazi Adolf Eichmann from Argentina so he could be brought to trial and executed.

In 1997 they attempted to "cap" Kahled Meshaal . The assassination team used Canadian passports. In 2004, New Zealand suspended relations with Israel when two Israeli agents were caught with forged New Zealand passports, and Great Britain formally protested in 1987 and asked for assurances that forged passports from Great Britain would never be used again.

Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, the "now dead" terrorist, was an illegal smuggler of arms for Hamas. He helped found the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades- militant wings of Hamas, and was involved in the kidnapping and murder of two Israeli soldiers, Sa'adon and Sasportas, during the first Palestinian intifada in 1989. It is also believed he was involved in smuggling arms from Sudan to Gaza in 2009.

Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was found dead on January 20, 2010 in his hotel room in Dubai.

I have taken a number of news reports and CCTV footage as relased by the Government of Dubai, sorted it, sifted it and created a timeline of the "alleged" events that occurred prior to al-Mabhouh being assassinated. The names used are those that are reported by the Government of Dubai. ALL passports were found to be forged and therefore the names are likely aliases.

January 19, 2010 (all times are the local time in 24 hour format)

00:09 - Alleged assasination team begins to arrive. First to arrive are "Michael Bodenheimer" on a fake passport from Germany and "James Leonard Clarke" on a forged passport from Great Britain.

00:30 - Gail Folliardand and Kevin Daveron arrive from Paris on Air France flight 526. Both are carrying forged passports from Ireland. The Irish government states that no passport has been issued in either name.

00:30 to 02:26 - Other members of the team arrive. Each are carrying fake passports. The names and "fake" passport countries are: Melvyn Adam Mildiner - Britain, Stephen Daniel Hodes - Britain, Paul John Keeley - Britain, Jonathan Louis Graham - Britain, Evan Dennings - Ireland, James Leonard Clarke - Britain, and Michael Lawrence Barney - Britain. Arrivals are from Munich and Qatar

02:26 - Peter Elvinger arrives. He is using a fake French passport. He was the last of the alleged assassination team to arrive in Dubai. Allegedly, he meets member of team at airport.

During the day each checks into a variety of hotels. They pay cash. They use "international routers" to place calls. According to the Dubai government video, none ever contacted each other by phone, but they all called a number in Austria- supposedly, this is how they relayed information to each other.

10:40 to 11:00 - alleged team members meet at a mall. They are seen entering separately or in pairs and leaving in separately or in different pairs. After this pairs rotated in teams, waiting for Al-Mabhouh’s arrival at Al Bustan Rotana hotel near Dubai airport.

15:00 (about) al-Mabhouh arrives in Dubia-- he is also using a fake passport. He does not have security with him. They could not get tickets on the same flight and he has traveled to Dubai before without security without incident. His security team was to arrive on January 20. He is met by a Palestinian who is a resident of Dubai at the airport. He is allegedly followed by members of the assassination team at the airport.


From the Times -

The team is seen "staking out various hotels in the area to determine where he is going to stay.

In CCTV footage of the victim and suspects released by Dubai police, Al-Mabhouh is shown being tracked by his assassins throughout the day of the murder, who donned an array of disguises, including fake beards and wigs.

Surveillance teams rotated in pairs waiting for Al-Mabhouh’s arrival at the luxury Al Bustan Rotana hotel near Dubai airport"
15:25 - Mahmoud al-Mabhouh checks into the Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel, room 230. He is apparently followed to his hotel room by two members of the "hit squad" wearing sports apparel and carrying tennis racquets-

15:55 - Peter makes call to book room Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel room 237 from another hotel's business center- per the Dubai Government video -- . Room 237 is directly across the hall from room 230. Peter also books his departing flight from Dubai for that night.

16:25 - al-Mabhouh stayed in his room for an hour before leaving to meet people who are believed to be Palestinians from Gaza.

16:30 - Peter checks into room 237. He does not go to the room but allegedly passes the key to Kevin in the lobby.

19:30 - Peter Elvinger leaves Dubai Airport

20:00 - Members of assassination team are allegedly seen on video on hallway of room 230. There is also allegedly a "write" to the door lock, supposedly indicating a change of key coding or a method of entry to the room. There is supposition that the assassination team waited in the room.

20:24 - al-Mabhouh arrives back at his hotel. According to Dubai police, he has been "shoe shopping"

20:30 - al-Mabhouh returns to his room and supposedly is killed at this time. Reports differ as to the methods, however, most are now saying he was stunned and then strangled to death. Nothing is touched in the room. The hit takes 10 minutes.

20:47- hit squad is out of hotel

22:30 - Melvyn Adam Mildiner and Stephen Daniel Hodes depart to South Africa, Kevin Daveron and Gail Folliard depart to Paris

23:30 - Michael Bodenheimer and Jonathan Louis Graham allegedly depart to Hong Kong

January 20, 2010-

00:30 - Evan Dennings allegedly departs to Zurich

06:30 - Michael Lawrence Barney allegedly departs to Frankfurt

08:30 - James Leonard Clarke allegedly departs to Frankfurt

13:30 Mahmoud al-Mabhouh found dead in Room 230 of the Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel - "latch and chain" on door are in place- in other words, door is locked from the inside.

Janary 28, 2010- The body of al-Mabhouh is sent to Damascus for burial. Word of his death is slow to get out, partly because he used fake information to enter Dubai.

January 29, 2010- The first response from Israel- (IsraelNN.com ) Member of Knesset Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) reacted Friday to the elmination of senior Hamas terrorist commander Mahmoud Al-Bahouh by saying, "Every murderer should know that the long arm of Israel will get him at any time and any place.
Later-
“All the security services make, thank God, great efforts to safeguard the security of the State of Israel,” Interior Minister Eli Yishai told the reporters with a smirk on his face.

Science and Technology Minister Daniel Herschkowitz added that Mossad chief Meir Dagan was one of the best directors of the espionage agency ever.

“My impression is that the Mossad knows how to get the job done, and it is a known thing that anyone who lifts a hand against a Jew is putting his life on the line,” Herschkowitz said.
They never come out and say, "we did it"- nor do they really say "we did not do it." Although they have plausible deniability.

From the Jerusalem Post-

On Monday night, Melvyn Adam Mildiner, a British Israeli man who made aliya from London nine years ago, went to bed suffering from what he said is pneumonia.

When he woke up the following morning, Mildiner said, he was stunned to discover that one of the members of an alleged hit squad who assassinated senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in a Dubai hotel last month went under an alias which was identical to his name.

And from The Times-

Mr Mildiner confirmed that the name and number of his passport matched those released by the Dubai authorities. But he said he had no idea how his details had been stolen as his passport, issued in Britain in 2001, had never been lost or missing. “I have my passport. It is in my house, along with the passports of everybody else in my family, and there’s no Dubai stamps in it because I’ve never been to Dubai,” he said.

The photo released in Dubai also does not match his passport picture or photographs posted on his Facebook and Twitter accounts. “It’s not me,” he said. “Which is one silver lining on this entire story because at least I can point to it and say, ’Look, that’s not me.” Colleagues of Susan Hodes, the mother of Stephen Daniel Hodes, said she had been thrown into panic by the apparent theft of her son’s name.

At her workplace Urban & Rural Estates, in Manchester, a colleague said: “It’s not her son. She has got a child called Stephen Daniel Hodes and she is in a complete tizz. Thankfully there was the picture which is not her son. Whether someone has stolen identity or whether there are two Stephen Daniel Hodes I don’t know. She called in the office in a complete panic. It’s just very uncomfortable for her.”

France and Germany both said they were unable to verify the identities of the passport holders named in Dubai. “We are still checking,” a French foreign ministry spokesperson said. “But it would not be surprising if the identity was false.”

Ireland said the three Irish passports appeared to be forgeries rather than stolen identities. “We have run the passport numbers and names through our system and there are no passports in those names or with those numbers,” said an Irish foreign affairs department spokesman. “These purported passports are false.”

According to the Haaretz this whole scenario is similar to the novel "Duet in Beruit"- which is similar to or based on a failed 1997 attempt to assassinate Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal in Jordan. Mishka Ben-David wrote in detail about Mossad methods in the novel.

Was it Mossad? I have no idea. It was profesional. It feels like Mossad. If it was not, it serves Israel's purposes to have terrorist think it was... if it was, same thing. A terrorist is dead. So, give the guys who did it... whoever they are... a medal. 

UPDATE: More thoughts on the Who of this Who-done-it.

CCTV Video from the Dubai Government (which all could be fake for all I know)--
Video part 1-
Video part 2-
Video part 3-

Wet Work in Middle East- Mossad? The Mahmoud al-Mabhouh Assassination

Death Threats at Olympics!

No, it is not the PLO or Hamas or Al Qaeda. It is not death threats against the Israeli team (that would not be news- just par for the course unfortunately).

It is however Animal Rights Activists threatening US figure skater, Johnny Weir.

Weir has been receiving threats and has had to change his plans in Vancouver over concerns for his safety, because he wore a costume with REAL FUR at the US Nationals. He will be wearing a different costume at the Olympics...

Now apparently, he had planned to wear Faux Fur for the Olympics, however, this young man is standing by his principles and refusing to participate in the slaughter of innocent Faux's just for a costume!

I am always outraged every time I walk into a store and see the number of Faux Fur products. Do people have any idea how many cute and innocent Faux's are slaughtered every day to make these products just to satisfy peoples desire for Faux.

Unfortunately, my own father has reportedly participated in this outrage. From what I understand, as a teenager, his friend rebuilt a scooter and covered the seat with Nauga hide [sic]. When a girl asked about the seat cover, my dad's friend said that dad had killed or skinned the Naugas. (Maybe this was just said to impress the blonde girl). For those that do not know, Naugas are closely related to Faux's- their fur is not used, as in the case of Faux's- rather their hides are used to produce Naugahyde.

I applaud Johnny Weir for his refusal to switch to Faux Fur. "It was not because I was pressured to change it, but because I don't like faux fur," Weir explained.

I am outraged that the Animal Rights crowd would threaten a human life for not using Faux.

(It should be noted that I am the founding member and President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Fauxs. We are a small organization, with one member, but we plan on doubling our membership before the end of the next decade).

Death Threats at Olympics!

BREAKING: Biden's Motorcade Involved in Vancouver Accident

Peggy Fleming and Vonetta Flowers were injured... the VP is fine and was not involved personally--

Now-- I am sure at some point, the following will be blamed--

1- Global Warming-- That is why the roads were (fill in the blank-- wet, dry, what ever)
2- GW Bush-- Somehow this will be his fault
3- Cheney-- See item 2
4- Republicans- Again- somehow

FOXNews.com - Biden's Motorcade Involved in Vancouver Accident Injuring Two: "A van in Vice President Joe Biden's motorcade carry members of the official U.S. Olympic Games Delegation was involved in a minor accident while traveling to an event in Vancouver.
Two members of the delegation, Peggy Fleming and Vonetta Flowers, received minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital as a precaution, Jay Carney, communications director for the vice president said in a statement.
They were both evaluated and have since been released.
Neither the vice president nor anyone else in his party was involved in the incident."

BREAKING: Biden's Motorcade Involved in Vancouver Accident

Happy Arizona Statehood Day

Happy Arizona Statehood Day

"Local" On Slopes During Olympic Training Runs

A lynx walked across the Whistler Men's Downhill runs during training runs today. This is the second time the lynx has been seen on the course during the games.

No word on if he plans on competing or just watching.

Also no word if Janet Napolitono's web searching for Olympic terrorism gave her any advanced warning of the "un-authorized" entry.

"Local" On Slopes During Olympic Training Runs

Apolo Ohno Medals- But Not Gold- US Wins Sliver- Bronze

Apolo Ohno wins Silver in the 1500 short track making him the most decorated male Winter Olympian in US Olympic history and ties him with Bonnie Blair at 6 career Winter Games Medals.

Two Korean skaters wiped out in a final turn... when they had it one, two and three...

J R Celski wins Bronze in his first major race since he nearly died from slicing open his leg during a competition.

GO USA!!!!!

Video link to follow when available

Apolo Ohno Medals- But Not Gold- US Wins Sliver- Bronze

Obama Planning to Use Executive Orders- to bypass Congress?

From the NYTimes.com: "With much of his legislative agenda stalled in Congress, President Obama and his team are preparing an array of actions using his executive power to advance energy, environmental, fiscal and other domestic policy priorities."

Yes, the Constitution does give the President the power of the Executive Order. Further the Constitution does allow for recess appointments. However...

The purpose of the Executive Order was partly to allow the President to take action in an era when the carriage ride to Washington may take weeks and mail was carried by horse. During that era, without the ability of the President to make recess appointments, and Executive Orders, the Government would not function (there is something to be said for the Government being unable to do anything--like raise taxes-- but I digress).

However, Obama has already expressed that he will use Executive Order power to DEFY CONGRESS and to DEFY the WILL OF THE PEOPLE. I site as example, when, during the State of the Union, Obama stated he would sign an Executive Order to override a vote of the Senate.

Executive Order is NOT intended for the President to make law what has been voted down by the Congress. The CONGRESS is empowered to make laws- NOT THE PRESIDENT. His use of the Executive Order, depending on what those orders are, could be called dictatorial.

Obama's State of the Union showed him as a potential dictator. "[T]he Senate blocked a bill that would have created this commission. So I'll issue an executive order that will allow us to go forward." Although he may think he is the ultimate power in this country, he is not.

His argument of "obstruction" by Republicans is also a load of crap- He had a super majority until last month and even now he has every vote he needs to pass anything he wants (with the exception of those few issues that require 2/3's majority) within his own party.

Obama had best be careful in how he uses the Executive Order--

"[G]overnments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it," -The Declaration of Independence

William at The Pirates Cove and Stop the ACLU is also discussing this issue. His article is a good read.

Obama Planning to Use Executive Orders- to bypass Congress?

Luge Athlete from Nation of Georgia Dies in Training Run

Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed today on a training run down the Whistler Slider Centre. By my calculations based on the speed shown in the corner of the picture, he had been traveling at 89.6 mph.

Apparently, he lost control of his sled during the on of the last turns on his run, flipped over the track wall and hit a steel pole near the finish. Medics were doing CPR on scene and he was airlifted to the hospital. However, when you have cardiac arrest from blunt force trauma, well, from what I have seen (having worked in several ER's when I was younger) your odds of survival are pretty low.

He is the fourth Olympian to die in the history of the Winter Games-- no athlete has died in actual competition.

The nation of Georgia may withdraw from competition.

A female luger from Romania, Violeta Stramaturaru, was knocked unconscious yesterday on the same track.

There are questions on whether this track is too fast.

Here is Video of the luge crash today involving Nodar Kumaritashvili--

Warning: This could be considered graphic-

UPDATE: NBC News showed this video on the news a few minutes ago and I was able to view it better (in HD and on a big screen). It appears that when he came over the wall he struck the pole with his neck and head and that his head was bent forward on impact. In other words, it really looks like he likely broke his neck. Even at a somewhat slower speed, and even if the pole was padded, in my opinion, it probably would not have mattered, unfortunately. With immediate cardiac arrest, he probably broke his neck at a high level (C1-C2), and if that is the case, no amount of heroics from medics or doctors would help.

Luge Athlete from Nation of Georgia Dies in Training Run

Battle for Marjah Underway

According to Fox, the Battle for Marjah has started.

The US has been announcing plans for action to get civilians out of the area - but with the Taliban how do you really tell the difference...

At any rate, the fighting has started...

My thoughts?

Good Luck and Good Hunting

Battle for Marjah Underway

Biden Taking Credit for Success in Iraq

FOXNews.com - Republicans Object to Biden Taking Credit for Success in Iraq: "I am very optimistic about Iraq,' he [Biden] said. 'I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration.'"

BIDEN TAKING CREDIT!!!! REPUBLICANS OBJECT???? EVERYONE SHOULD OBJECT!!!!! I OBJECT!!!!

HOW DARE HE!!!!! The [redacted] voted AGAINST the Surge-- AS DID BARRY HUSSIEN OBAMA!!!!

For those two [redacted] to state that this could be an achievement of this administration is be biggest [redacted] lie I have heard in I don't know how long!

What next???? D-Day was really OBAMA's Plan??? Praise God OBAMA and BIDEN won the Revolutionary War!!!

Of course I have no idea why I am so outraged-- this is just lying, stealing, Chicago Politics, democrat, crap that they have been spewing since before they took the White House.

Biden Taking Credit for Success in Iraq

One Day to the Winter Olympic Games

Go Team USA!!!!

I have always been a huge fan of the Olympic Games so I am personally excited they are finally here... and yes I will be following and commenting on various sports for the next twelve days.

One Day to the Winter Olympic Games

British Court Reveals Terrorism Suspect Beaten

FOXNews.com: "Intelligence ties between London and Washington have been jeopardized by a British court's disclosure that a terrorism suspect was beaten and shackled in U.S. custody, diplomats and security officials said Wednesday."


Lets get a couple of things straight-

1. I am generally against inhumane treatment of people
2. I believe the Geneva Conventions should always apply

Since the 1800's the US and Great Britain have had each others backs (ok- historians - I am talking about after 1812) and in the 20th Century the situation has literally been one of the US and Great Britain not just cooperating or being allies but really "brothers." The US-Great Britain relations defy the general rule of international relations- "The best relations between countries are comprised of two nations [screwing] each other- or [screw] your buddy." This is unfortunately what the British did to us today.

Unfortunately the damage has been done- but before MORE damage is done, HRH Elizabeth II needs to step in stop some of this- or at least direct her Prime Minister to stop some of this. Yes, HRH is a constitutional Monarch- but She can direct Her Government's actions to some extent.

Now, with regard to the Geneva Conventions-

These are enemy combatants in a war zone. They are passing themselves as civilians in that they are NOT in uniform. They are committing acts of sabotage and espionage against the Government and intentionally targeting true civilians. They are subject, under the rules of war to having rights deprived and subject to execution.

So, fine- execute them.

British Court Reveals Terrorism Suspect Beaten

Iran Shuts Down Gmail

From FOXNews.com - Iran Shuts Down Gmail, Announces National E-Mail Service: "Iran's telecommunications agency announced Wednesday that it has permanently suspended Google's e-mail services and that a national e-mail service for Iranians will be rolled out soon"

In other words, this Islamic Extremist "government" that defies the will of its people in elections, is now doing everything possible to make sure that they control any information into or out of the country.

For those that don't understand the infrastructure of the Internet, this type of blocking is possible. The only "possible" (and by possible I mean chances are slim) way of getting around this would be bi-directional satellite- maybe. Perhaps there is another method but most would probably be controlled by Iran's telecommunications agency.

Next, expect reports to filter out of Iran about people being "lined up against a wall" and "the family being billed for the cost of the bullet."

Iran Shuts Down Gmail

Super Bowl- Why Are You Watching?

I have never been much of a pro football fan-- I do enjoy college ball however.

But being Super Bowl Sunday, I have to ask-- Are the majority of the people watching the Super Bowl watching for the half-time show (the Who was good), the commercials or the game itself? (At some point I will find my favorite commercial and post it here).

UPDATE- Ok- So I love the Budweiser Clydesdale's commercials. Apparently they weren't originally going to air. Personally, I am glad they did.

Super Bowl- Why Are You Watching?

Remembering President Reagan's Birthday

"We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for eight years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger. We made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all."

-President Ronald Reagan, 11 Jan 1989

"I know that for America there will always be a bright new dawn ahead."

-President Ronald Reagan, 5 Nov 1994

From Amazon The Reagan Diaries

Remembering President Reagan's Birthday

Israel Re-Distributing Gas Masks

The Israeli Defense Forces Home Front Command will begin re-distribution of Gas Masks to Israeli citizens.The Jerusalem Post is reporting that areas are closest to threats will receive their masks first. This is "amid growing tension with Syria."

Apparently there was a two year project where gas masks were taken and refurbished.

Israel Re-Distributing Gas Masks

Imam Issues Fatwa Against Facebook

For years, various members of my family kept saying "you should have a Facebook page." My response always was, "I have a blog- I don't need a Facebook page..." Finally, I gave in and in the last week I finally decided to set up a Facebook page.

Now, all of a sudden, a Fatwa has been issued against Facebook--

Haaretz - Israel News:

"Abd al-Hamid al-Atrash, an Egyptian cleric who this week ordered the Muslim faithful to boycott the Arab world's favorite social networking site [Facebook], Army Radio reported.

Atrash heads the fatwa - or religious edict - committee at Cairo's Al-Azhar University, considered one of the highest authorities in Sunni Islam.

The leading Sheikh was reportedly affronted by a survey that claimed one in five Egyptian divorces is caused by infidelity with a partner met through Facebook.

Facebook 'breaks up families,' Atrash reportedly said in his ruling forbidding Muslims from using the popular site."

It is nice to know that I am doing something that angers extremist Imams. Had I known, I may have set my page up sooner. Or maybe the Fatwa is only against the Arabic language Facebook?

Imam Issues Fatwa Against Facebook

The Push To Ease Arizona Gun Laws

From the Arizona Republic: "Two bills, one to allow concealed weapons without a permit and the other to exempt guns made and kept in the state from federal regulation, each has more than a dozen legislators backing them. If passed, Arizona would be only the third state in the nation to allow either of the looser restrictions"

First-
Personally I believe the Constitution says we have the right to keep and bear arms. Period. I agree that having people take firearm safety classes is a good idea, and proficiency demonstration is also a good idea. But the idea of paying a fee for the right to carry concealed bothers the Constitutionalist inside me.

Second-
If the Gun is manufactured and sold in the state of Arizona, the Fed's have NO RIGHT in the Constitution to regulate or legislate them. The idea of the "interstate commerce" clause being able to be used for anything Congress feels like infuriates me. This is another example of Federal overreaching. The interstate commerce clause was intended only to regulate interstate commerce.

The Push To Ease Arizona Gun Laws

Iran Makes Space Launch- Bad News for Israel and the Rest of the World

Iran announced a successful space launch today, stating they shot a payload containing some animals into space.

The problem with this?

If you can orbit a payload into low-earth orbit, you can use the same rocket to lauch a payload containing a nuclear warhead to any target on the planet.

Of course, I am sure that Iran's space program is completely peaceful.  Its not like Iran has ever stated they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.  Oh, wait, they did...

Iran Makes Space Launch- Bad News for Israel and the Rest of the World

Underwear Bomber Cooperating- Why? A Sweetheart Deal?

After being Mirandized, and told he has the right to a lawyer and told that anything he says can be used against him in a court of law, AbdulMutallab is cooperating and talking with authorities.

Apparently his family was flown into the US to talk to this scumbag. Reports are that they said he can trust the US judicial system and that he would be treated fairly.

Now, here is the question of the day-- After being told that anything he says can (and will) be used against him, what is there for him to trust?

I wonder if AbdulMutallab was told, hey if you cooperate will will reduce your charges or drop certain charges or maybe they will drop everything down to "smoking on an aircraft?"

This is of course just conjecture, but why else would this guy talk?

I am almost willing to bet that the Obama administration has given AdulMutallab a deal and that the charges he will face will probably be minimal-- if any at all.

Underwear Bomber Cooperating- Why? A Sweetheart Deal?

Today's "Man-Caused Global Warming" Fraud

From The Guardian: "Phil Jones, the beleaguered British climate scientist at the centre of the leaked emails controversy, is facing fresh claims that he sought to hide problems in key temperature data on which some of his work was based."

Every day it seems there is yet another news article showing the data behind "Man-Made" or Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW) is either faked, wrong or misleading. It has gotten to a point that Meteorologist Anthony Watts is calling it climate-gate Du Jour.

This time it is all about the effects of "heat islands" and if city growth and weather station placement has caused false or abnormally high readings.

(Perhaps the best reading on this subject is the "Surface Station's Project". This project has been documenting the placement of weather surface stations and the "interesting" readings that come from bad placement of surface stations versus the surface stations that are placed in "good" locations.)

Now, I believe that our climate fluctuates and perhaps it is even changing somewhat. But, I do not believe that this "climate change" is man-made or in any way caused by man.

The fact remains that earth has faced warm periods in history. The "medieval warm period" which lasted from 800-1300 AD was so warm that wine grapes were grown by the Romans in Great Britain. This is supported by Roman tax records of the period. This warming period was then followed by "The Little Ice Age"- a period of cold that gripped the Northern Hemisphere."

The largest issue I have with AGW, besides the fact that more and more reports are coming out that data is being faked, is the supposition that Man is more powerful than God or Nature.

To me, AGW is shear arrogance. The idea that 160 years or so of industrialization can "destroy the planet" is ridiculous. The history of our planet is one of eruptions or super-volcano's, of asteroids or comets smashing into the planet and wiping out huge percentages of species, of one disaster after another, of ice ages and warming periods. Yet, through all of this, life still exists.

There are those that would have us believe that driving from point A to point B in a car using gasoline will destroy the world. Rubbish. Whether one believes in God or not, the Universe was created in an instant- in one moment the laws of physics were set aside (based on the inflation theory) and the universe was created- either through the "Big Bang" or because, "And God said, Let there be..." and there was. Man does not have this power.

Yes, I do agree, if mankind unleashed every nuke in every inventory on the planet, we would do damage- severe damage- but we would not "destroy" the planet-- the Earth would recover. After all, the Bikini Atoll still exists, and although it is dangerous for man to live there, life is there.

Mankind builds cities. We dam rivers. We move earth. This takes years for us to do these things. However, Mother Nature or God (depending on your beliefs) can undo man's changes in a matter of moments.

How much time did it take for Katrina to destroy years and years of construction in the Gulf? How long does it take for an earthquake to destroy the works of man? How quickly can a tsunami wipe clean a coast-line that man has taken decades to build up? How many seconds does it take for a tornado to wipe out a sub-division? How long will it take for a volcano to send down a lahar to scour a plain, or bury a city or town in feet of ash? The power of each of these events can exceed the power that man-made device can create.

Now, to be clear, I do believe that we should care for the planet. I love the outdoors. I love hunting, camping (when I can) and photographing nature is a passion of mine. I believe in leaving "no trace" when I am enjoying the outdoors. Recycling is important and I believe that use of alternative fuels makes good sense- especially in that it makes us less dependent on an area of the world where there are a lot of people that hate us or that are enemies of freedom.

However, I am becoming more and more angered over the AGW crowd wanting to damage our economy, infringe upon our freedoms with pointless laws, and politicians, like Obama, who claim "overwhelming scientific evidence" for AGW, and then reading practically daily, of reports based on bogus science, unsubstantiated claims, and "fudged" data.

It is time for these "scientists" to answer for the "fraud" they are perpetuating, the panic they are causing, and the economic damage they are contributing to, all in an effort to line their own pockets.

UPDATE: Penn State will be investigating Professor Mann for his part in Climate Gate

Today's "Man-Caused Global Warming" Fraud

Lockheed L-1011 Joins Kansas City Air Museum

A Lockheed L-1011 landed at the Kansas City Downtown Airport (KMKC) to become part of the the Aviation Museum.

The L-1011 was a big part of the TWA fleet. The museum has a Super-Connie in TWA colors already and although this bird not in any major airline colors, I will bet she will be repainted to TWA livery.

The L1011 flew in Saturday after having to undergo extensive repairs before the FAA would say she was airworthy.

The tail number of this aircraft is N700TS. She will be on permanent display at the air museum

Lockheed L-1011 Joins Kansas City Air Museum

Twice Deported Illegal Alien Arrested for Slashing Two Women

Aaron Noel Camey Valenzuela, 23, currently living in Massachusetts, but an illegal alien from Guatemala, slashed his ex-girlfriend and then another woman who tried to step in to help.

Perhaps if his employer, United Solutions of Leominster, Massachusetts chosen not to hire this person who was in this country illegally this incident may not have happened.

Of course, this guy had already been deported twice. Obviously something in the system is not working, if a guy can get deported twice then come back to commit an assault- or perhaps attempted murder.

Twice Deported Illegal Alien Arrested for Slashing Two Women

Promise of Nuclear Power-- But Zero Budget for Yucca Mountain

In the State of the Union, Obama promised "a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants." This of course angered the environmentalists on the left, who all regard nuclear power as evil.

Well, the left must be happy today, because the possibility of actually building the plants decreased. The budget for Yucca mountain- the spent nuclear fuel disposal facility- was set at zero in Obama's proposed budget.

This is of course just one more example of Obama speaking out of both sides of his mouth- he talks about other nations getting ahead of us in math and sciences, then zero's the budget for continued space exploration. He talks about building nuclear power plants but zero's the budget for disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

This is like saying "we are adding a second bathroom to the house" then purchasing a toilet, setting it in a room and not hooking it up to the plumbing.

Promise of Nuclear Power-- But Zero Budget for Yucca Mountain

Laws Banning Cellphone Use While Driving DON'T work

Imposing laws to protect people from themselves are nothing new. The issue is what happens to those laws once it is found that they don't work. For example- researchers have found that laws that ban cellphone use while driving DO NOT prevent car accidents.

From the New York Times: "Laws banning cellphone use while driving apparently haven’t reduced crashes, according to a study released on Friday that compared the number of total crashes before the ban with the number after. The study found virtually no difference in the numbers, a finding that had the researchers scratching their heads."

Now the question is, will the laws be repealed? Probably not. After all, there is still a lot of money to be made selling headphones and devices to "make us safe." In fact, I am willing to bet that communities will continue to propose "no talking while driving laws" despite the evidence the laws are a failure.

Laws Banning Cellphone Use While Driving DON'T work