Round It All Up
Tuesday, 8. August 2006, 07:41:18
- The friggin' Jawa Report, LGF, Ace and the rest of productive blogosphere (as opposed to slackers like me) are on CNN, YNet, and the rest of the MSM over the Reuters Photoshop scandal. Here is some digging into AP and AFP photography, as well. Those stringers are so lucky to always be at the right place at the right time with the right film and right focus. You would think they knew in advance that rockets were going to be launched. (H/t: Rusty)
The Democratic Underground sees the Mossad and black ops behind the scandal. Nuance. Layers.
- An interesting interview, presumably with Condi on background, gives an insight into the Administration's strategy:
The wider situation is that most governments around Israel no longer want war. But the governments are weak, so terror armies can form within those states. If Israel tries to attack those armies, it ends up weakening the central governments it is trying to bolster. That’s the dilemma.
The U.S. and Europe would like to strengthen those central governments. We don’t have a policy of externally imposed regime change. We’re trying to create conditions to allow those governments to make better decisions and make slow progress toward freedom. But Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah want to hollow out those moderate governments from within.
The first group of Islamists like Al Qaeda have utopian agendas. But Iran and Hezbollah have more realistic agendas, more indigenous support and are thus more dangerous. Think of the way early 20th-century anarchists in Europe led eventually to the Nazis and Leninists.
- Remember those 40 Lebanese deaths that the Lebanese Prime Minister weeped over? There was only one. There is no word if he was launching a rocket at the time of his death: "The area has been a launching point for Hezbollah's Katyusha rockets, about 140 of which were fired into Israel on Monday, the Israeli military reported."
There are theories about why this tearful story didn't get much press.
- Washington Post reporter says Israel is purposely not stopping Hezbullah rockets so the media can show dead Israelis. It is all propaganda, he says.
What I said was accurate, that in an off-the-record conversation with some military analysts, a couple had said to me that they thought it was a smart strategy to leave some rocket pockets in place to help the Israelis shape public perceptions, and give their forces more freedom of maneuver in Lebanon.
No word on his view of Hezbullah tactics and taqiyya. More on Ricks here.
- 11 Egyptians entered the US to attend a university program but have disappeared. The FBI is searching for them.
Unbelievable.
- Lebanon has a peace proposal: 15,000 Lebanese troops will move to the Israeli border to disarm Hezbullah, Israel to withdraw within 72 hours.
- Muslims have Jim Crow laws? Muslims-only drinking fountains? Robert also illustrates that Mohammed didn't like Jews much...but liked their property a lot.
- Russia sells anti-tank weapons to Syria, who supplies them to Hezbullah, when are then used to cause the majority of Israeli deaths in Lebanon.
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Oh, my, this is embarassing.
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were orchestrated by the U.S. government, according to a book to be released later this month by Westminster John Knox Press -- a division of the denominational publisher for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action is the third book on the subject by David Ray Griffin, a professor emeritus of theology at Claremont School of Theology who is also a well-published and prominent process theologian.
- A link for my friend Agnes. It compiles a list of genocidal threats by Islamists against Israel and Jews.
- Syrian Foreign Minister offers to join Hezbullah if Nasrallah asks him. More saber rattling from a country that can not prevent the IAF from overflying Assad's home:
Asked about concerns that the war in Lebanon could spill over into a regional war, Mouallem said: “Most welcome.”
“Syria is readying itself and doesn’t hide its (military) readiness. We will respond to any Israeli aggression immediately,” he added.
Mouallem said later after talks with President Emile Lahoud: “If Israel attacks Syria by any means, on the ground, in the air, our leadership ordered the armed forces to reply immediately.”
Indonesian saber rattling here. Ceasefire by Tuesday or else...
- Los Angeles mayor apologizes to Muslims for supporting Israel.
- Two day old news, but I forgot to post it: BP is shutting down 8% of US oil production to corrosion in the pipeline.
- Ever wonder who the hell supports Cynthia McKinney? I know I have. Black Panthers and the Thug Life Army are two organizations.
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Diaper your goats in Baghdad or be killed. Goat genitalia cause impure thoughts in a tiny minority of the locals. Seriously. It came from NPR before Ace found it.
- Bahrain blocks their citizens' access to Google Earth. For their own good, you understand.
Possibly because through Google Earth, the whole world, let alone the Bahraini users, can zoom in and have a good look at palaces and islands which a normal Bahraini wouldn’t even dream of one day coming close to, let alone stepping foot in, and the glaring confiscation of virtually all but 3% of beaches of the islands.
SobekPundit finds more evil Photoshoppery. Jewish Lizardmen feature prominently.
Update: Lawyer humor. It's not quite a "heh," maybe an "ugh."
Update: If you love rumors, Yoni is your blogger. His source was wrong about Israel attacking Syria. But he has more chances to hit the target:
Hezbullah will use chemical weapons if defeat is imminent
Donkey trains are being used to resupply Hez from Syria
The UAV was carrying 45kg of explosives when it was shot down
Overall, it is an entertaining site.
Update: Jim Crow? Christians are lightening their skin to save themselves from Muslims.
WIDGETIZE
edwardpiercy # 8. August 2006, 08:33
I'm not taling about these new photographers. Maybe some of them were just too hard-pressed to get something out. But what I'm saying is that this doesn't mean that photographers like Hoagland or Capa were just crap. In fact, history has shown us that they were reflective of the truth.
cbjohnso # 8. August 2006, 09:09
Who has free run of a country beset by terrorists, like Iraq? Someone with terrorist connections, and likely terrorist sympathies. So we get wonderful pictures of terrorists shooting at American troops, setting IEDs or bombs going off. We get a deluge of news stories claiming attrocities that likely never occurred.
I think the situation is nearly as bad in Lebanon. Hezbullah threatens reporters and American MSM don't like having their people there. Local stringers are guys like Hajj with an agenda of their own.
I don't believe that the MSM doesn't recognize this flaw; it may be a simple cost/benefit analysis to them.
maxmuller # 8. August 2006, 11:18
...
"We hope this doesn't cast doubt on this program because we think it's important to have international students on our campus and in our community," Conover said"
Translate: We like extra cash flow, hope blowing up America doesn't bother our bank accounts.
Idiot!