All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary.
So terrible, so wicked, so malign, so unjust, so wrong, so... I'm so angry when I read these things. How can we consider us humans and not be enraged at the sight of these crimes?
As Barack Obama tries to persuade American voters thatconverting the U.S. military into an extension of the Peace Corps is a bold demonstration of moral strength, in many ways Spain offers some foreshadowing of what can happen to a country that allows itself to be swept away by the post-modern pacifist rhetoric of its political class.
Since taking office in 2004, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has worked assiduously to craft his own public persona as a “convinced pacifist.” His first official act as pacifist-in-chief was, famously, to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq, a decision that was not only wildly popular with Spanish voters, but also cemented Zapatero’s pacifist credentials on the world stage.
A few months later, facing a barrage of criticism from non-pacifists at home and abroad that his Iraq policy amounted to appeasing Islamic terrorists, Zapatero reluctantly deployed extra troops to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. But just in case the deployment might cast doubt on his commitment to pacifistic ideals, Zapatero dictated strict rules of engagement that forbid Spanish troops in Afghanistan from using lethal force, a “caveat” that today essentially renders useless their presence in the country.
Later that same year, in his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Zapatero shed some light on his pacifist vision for achieving world peace. Using the flowery post-modern verbiage for which he is now famous, Zapatero declared: “Culture is always peace.” He then went on to argue that Islamic terrorists are misunderstood and can only be defeated by sitting down with them in dialogue.
Zapatero has been careful to appoint only pacifists as Spanish ministers of defense. Zapatero’s first defense minister, the controversial José Bono Martínez, proclaimed: “I am a minister of defense and I would rather be killed than to kill.” He then issued orders prohibiting Spanish troops in Afghanistan from using lethal force on Taliban fighters.
DOHA, Qatar – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Sunday he is confident that Saudi Arabia will contribute to the International Monetary Fund's bailout reserves after he promised business leaders in the Gulf that they would have a say in any future new world economic order.
Brown is using a four-day tour of the Gulf to call on oil-rich Middle Eastern countries to be among the biggest donors to the IMF's coffers to rescue failing nations, which at $250 billion have already been depleted by emergency cash calls from Iceland, Hungary and the Ukraine totaling some $30 billion.
"The Saudis will I think contribute so we can have a bigger fund worldwide," he said after a meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullahlate Saturday and business leaders early Sunday.
The British leader told reporters traveling with him that he wants "hundreds of billions" of extra dollars pledged to the IMF fund, noting that the Middle East and Asia, particularly China, have significantforeign exchange reserves.
But analysts have argued that Gulf states will feel little impetus to bolster the IMF fund, given its domination by the United States and the G7 industrialized nations.
From the Opera by Pietro Mascagni. Lim Kek-Tjiang conducts Evergreen Symphony Orchestra.
Life TV: "Islam and the Arts"
Life TV’s "Daring Question," hosted by Rashid and Ahmed, recently ran a show dedicated to examining “Islam and the Arts.” Rashid initiated the program by asking a simple and straightforward question: Would there ever have been a Bach or Beethoven or Mozart if they were born Muslim and raised in Muslim countries?
As typical with the show, Rashid asked the Arabic viewers the central question: “Is Islam against the Arts?” Viewers interested in responding call in and press one digit for yes, another for no. (Rashid went on to say that those interested in learning more about Christianity or simply looking for counseling can press digit X. He then added, somewhat whimsically, that those interested in calling to tell us to “burn in hell” can press digit, “May God forgive you!”)
The show began by depicting various video clips of prominent sheikhs and ulema, including Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Zughbi and Hussein Ya’qub all condemning music and song from an Islamic paradigm. Ya’qub concluded his diatribe against song by saying “If the whole world approves of something, but Islam condemns it, that settles it. Are music and song forbidden? Yes they are—according to both the book [Koran] and Sunna. The matter is settled.”
Rashid’s colleague Ahmed next provided some of the Islamic texts that forbid music. He quoted from Ibn Taymiyya, who, in his Fatwas, asserts that all four madhhabs (schools of jurisprudence) forbid song and music—except during weddings and in the jihad (an odd dichotomy to say the least, and one recently alluded to by Hamas). He further quoted a hadith of the caliph Omar reportedly plugging his ears with his fingers whenever he heard a pipe being played, saying that that’s what Muhammad used to do, and thus eschewing music is “sunna.”
As a former Muslim, Ahmed discussed how he used to buy music tapes in the past, only to grow pious and throw them away, and then “as the dog returns to his vomit,” go buy more tapes. He explained how difficult it was for him as a Muslim, since he was naturally drawn to music, but simultaneously felt that he was sinning.
The hosts further stressed that the reprobate status of music within Islam has nothing to do with whether the music and lyrics are “good” (peaceful, glorifying of God) or not. They are evil in principle. Rashid quoted Bach saying that one of the most sublime aspects of music is to worship God: “So why does Allah forbid it?”
They went on to indicate that the Bible—both Old and New Testaments—is supportive of song and music. They offered anecdotes such as David singing and dancing for “joy in the Lord,” and offered textual evidence such as Psalms 33 and 150.
At the end of WWII, a defeated Germany was divided amongst the victorious United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France. Like the rest of the country, the capital Berlin, sitting right in the middle of the Soviet-controlled Eastern half, was also divided into four parts.
By 1948, it became apparent that the Western Powers' and the Soviet Union's plans to rebuild Germany coulsn't be reconciled. Early in 1948, tensions between the former Allies climaxed. On April 9, 1948, Stalin ordered all American Military personnel maintaining communications equipment out of the Eastern Zone (Soviet controlled Berlin), trains were halted on June 1and June10 and on June 21, a US Military Supply Train was stopped and its passage to Berlin böocked. On the 22nd, the Soviets placed armed guards aboard, attached a Soviet engine and hauled it back to the West. In a final move on June 24, 1948, all land and water access to West Berlin was cut off. There were to be no more supplies from the West.
Diplomacy failed, ground invasions were planned, and World War III was looming. US Military Commander Lucius Clay had developed a plan by which an armed convoy through Soviet Controlled Germany would break the blockade.
British Commander Sir Brian Robertson offered an alternative: air supply. Supplying the occupation forces of 2,2679 was not the problem, but more than 2 million berlin citizens was another matter. The only aircraft the Americans had available for the task were 5 year old Douglas C-47 Skytrains, which would only hold 3.5 tons each. It was decided that it was worth a try. Earlier in April, US Forces airlifted in supplies to replace the ones being delayed by the Soviets. This was what became known as the "Little Lift". At that time, Berlin had two airports, Tempelhof, which was Berlin's main airport and located in the American Sector, and Gatow, in the British Sector. Supplies could be airlifted in by C-47 and there was nothing the Soviet Union could do about because, in 1945 it had been agreed, in writing, that there would be three 20-mile wide air corridors providing access to the city. These were unarguable. The Spirit of Freedom website, which is dedicated to the Berlin Airlift tells:
When the blockade began, the Soviets rejoiced, because they believed the Western powers had only one option, to leave Berlin. But they underestimated the West airlift supplies. Gen. Clay called upon General Curtis E. LeMay, commander of USAFE and asked him if he could haul supplies to Berlin. LeMay responded, "We can haul anything". Two days later Gen. LeMay called upon Brig. Gen. Joseph Smith, Commander of the Wiesbaden Military Post, and appointed him Task Force Commander of an airlift operation estimated to last a few weeks. The only US aircraft initially available were 102 C-47's and 2 C-54 Skymasters. On June 26, the first C-47's landed at Tempelhof Airfield, foreshadowing the great operation that was to come. Smith dubbed the mission "Operation Vittles", because he said "We're haulin' grub." The British called their part "Operation Plane Fare".
It was determined that the city's daily food ration would be 646 tons of flour and wheat; 125 tons of cereal; 64 tons of fat; 109 tons of meat and fish; 180 tons of dehydrated potatoes; 180 tons of sugar; 11 tons of coffee; 19 tons of powdered milk; 5 tons of whole milk for children; 3 tons of fresh yeast for baking; 144 tons of dehydrated vegetables; 38 tons of salt; and 10 tons of cheese. In total, 1,534 tons were needed daily to keep the over 2 million people alive. That's not including other necessities, like coal and fuel. In fact, the largest quantity of anything required was coal. It wasn't needed to heat homes as much as it was necessary for industry. In addition, there was limited electricity, because the city's power plant was located in the Soviet sector, so that was cut off, too. It was determined that in total supplies, 3,475 tons would be needed daily. A C-47 can haul 3.5 tons. In order to supply the people of Berliners, C-47's would have to make 1000 flights each day. Impossible.
Initially, Gen. Clay determined that, with the limited number of airplanes available to him, he could haul about 300 tons of supplies a day, the British effort, was estimated to be capable of 750 tons a day. This leaves a 2,425-ton deficit daily. Realizing that this kind of tonnage could not be achieved using C-47's, Gen. Clay and Gen. LeMay made requests for more C-54's, for they could carry over three times more cargo than C-47's. On June 27, an additional 52 Skymasters were ordered to Berlin.
On June 28, President Truman made a statement that abandoning Berlin was out of the question. He then ordered US B-29 Superfortresses to be stationed at British airfields to show the Soviets that the Western powers were not taking this lightly. We would not abandon these people!
By July 1, C-54's were slowly taking over airlift flights, and they were operating 24 hours a day. Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfort was made exclusive C-54 base, and Wiesbaden was a mix of C-54's and C-47's. To accommodate these two different aircraft, General smith established a block system, giving the bigger, faster C-54's priority. They were also given radio codes to identify each type and the direction it was going. C-47's going East to Berlin were called "Easy", returning C-47's traveling West, were called "Willie". C-54's had the names 'Big Easy' and "Big Willie". Aircraft were also given a spacing of three minutes apart.
The size of the operation had to be increased in order to sufficiently supply this city and keep these people going. It needed to be commanded by someone who had expertise in air transport. That man came in the form of Maj. General William H. Tunner. He was revered as "The transportation expert to end all transportation experts" by LeMay. Tunner had previously established the Ferrying Command in WWII, and successfully organized and commanded the "Hump" operation into China near the end of the war. His reputation was not falsely earned. Tunner hated to see airplanes parked on the ramp not being utilized. This was a waste to him. He longed for efficiency and was about to set the standard for all that followed
Tunner assumed command of airlift operations on July 28, 1948. The airlift had been operating for just over a month. One of the first major changes he made came as a result of "Black Friday". On Friday, August 13, Tunner flew into Berlin to grant an award to Lt. Paul O. Lykins, and airlift pilot who had made the most flights into Berlin up until that time. Weather that day was awful, and conditions in Berlin were impossible. Clouds had lowered to the tops of buildings and heavy rain had disrupted radar. One C-54 had crashed and burned at the end of the runway a second landed behind him and blew its tires trying to stop to avoid hitting the burning C-54. A third ground looped on the auxiliary runway. Pure havoc was reigning supreme. Aircraft were beginning to stack up over Tempelhof and a huge number of airplanes were circling stacked from 3000 to 12000 feet in no visibility conditions. These conditions spur red Tunner to make a fateful decision. He called the tower. "Tunner here, send everyone back to their base and let me know when it's safe to come down". To avoid this stacking problem, a new policy was created. Any aircraft that missed its approach was to continue back to its station via the outgoing center corridor. This created a continuous loop of planes to and from Berlin. If a pilot missed his approach, he would immediately become a departure and head back to his base. The loaded aircraft would get a fresh crew and be sent back as a regular flight. In addition, all aircraft were required to fly by instrument rules to maintain the same speed, interval and altitude. This almost eliminated accidents and became the key to the success of the operation.
Another essential decision was to standardize aircraft, parts, and procedures. It was decided to base these around the C-54. One of the reasons was that it took just as long to unload a 3-1/2 ton C-47 as it did to unload a 10-ton C-54. One of the reasons for this was the slanted floor made truck loading difficult, whereas the C-54 was level and a truck could back up to it and cargo could be unloaded fast. In addition, no pilot was to be away from his aircraft. General Tunner had seen many aircraft sitting idle, loaded and waiting for their crews to return from inside the terminal. He thought this to be a great waste of resources, therefore the order was sent that no pilot should be away from his aircraft from the time it landed until the time it took off from Berlin. Weather and up to date information was brought out to the aircraft while they were being unloaded, so the crews didn't need to go inside the terminal. In addition, several trucks were outfitted as mobile snack bars and staffed by some of the prettiest Berlin girls. This enabled the crews to get coffee, a snack or other goods without having to leave the airplane. This reduced the average turn around time from landing to departing to about 25 minutes.
On September 9, 1948, Mayor Ernst Reuter, who, as an ex-Communist, knew about what he was talking, made his legendary speech in front of what had remained from the Reichstag:
Ihr Völker der Welt, ihr Völker in Amerika, in England, in Frankreich, in Italien! Schaut auf diese Stadt und erkennt, daß ihr diese Stadt und dieses Volk nicht preisgeben dürft und nicht preisgeben könnt! Es gibt nur eine Möglichkeit für uns alle: gemeinsam so lange zusammenzustehen, bis dieser Kampf gewonnen, bis dieser Kampf endlich durch den Sieg über die Feinde, durch den Sieg über die Macht der Finsternis besiegelt ist.
People of the world, people of America, of England, of France, of Italy! Look at this city and see that you can not, that you must not, abandon this city and this people! There is only one possibility for us all: to stand together until this battle is won, until this battle is finally over by defeating the enemy, by defeating the power of darkness.
On May 12, 1949, the Soviets finally gave in and the blockade was over.
It was decided to continue supplying Berlin by air in addition to the land routes in order to build up a sufficient supply of goods. The Airlift officially ended on Sept. 30, 1949, fifteen months after its meager beginnings in June of '48. In total, the US delivered 1,783,572.7 tons, while 541,936.9 tons were delivered by the British totaling 2.3 Million tons from 277, 569 total flights to Berlin. C-47's and C-54's alone traveled over 92 million miles in order to do so. These were astounding figures, considering that in the beginning it seemed impossible to even try. Nevertheless, even the greatest operation is not without risk. A total of 101 fatalities were recorded as a result of the operation, including 31 Americans, mostly due to crashes.
At 00:00 hours today, Tempelhof airport was closed. There may have been sufficient businesslike reasons for the decision, although more than 60% of the citizens of Berlin, including many Tempelhof residents, opposed it. What WILL remain, though, is that, thus, one more memorial of the Second German Dictatorship was safely removed from the collective memory, today, October 31, 2008, at 00:00 hours, 60 years, a month and 21 days after Ernst Reuter beseeched the people of the Free World not to let Berlin down.
First posted at Roncesvalles on Friday. It seems that the video of the airlift doesn't post here, so go there to see it. It's worthwhile.
I began blogging in mid-2005, so this year is my first in the blogosphere during the run-up days to a National Election. What a frenzy! It's all about the election, all the time — or nearly so. Perhaps all general elections cause such turmoil on the web and elsewhere, and I simply didn't notice.
Last week, a friend of mine in Moline, Illinois, phoned. He wanted to share with me some of the not-so-well-covered information on Barack Obama. This friend of mine — I'll call him Bill — doesn’t use the web at all. Instead, he relies on the mainstream media and word of mouth as his sources. Not unexpectedly, Bill didn’t have any information I didn’t already know. In contrast, because I surf the web every single day, I had some information he had never heard....
John McCain's most powerful ad — an open letter to Barack Obama in which an Iraq War veteran criticizes his stand on the war — didn't cost the Republican candidate a dime.
In "Dear Mr. Obama," army veteran Joe Cook stands in front of the camera and scolds the Democratic presidential candidate for calling the Iraq war a mistake. The two-minute video, which was posted on YouTube, has gotten more than 11 million hits and is the most popular election video on the site.
Sick of being left out of the party? Tired of constantly defending yourself against charges of racism, homophobia, sexism, and barbaric insensitivity toward those less fortunate? Had enough destroying personal relationships because of your silly principles? We have the solution. All you need to do is utter one little word and your troubles will be over! WATCH THE VIDEO AND LEARN MORE!
Below is a quote from an excellent article entitled, Your War On Jihad:
"Every one of us that values equality and liberty has a role and an obligation in this war against Islamic supremacism and Jihad. No matter who you are, no matter how busy you are, no matter how many other responsibilities you have, this is your war on Jihad.
"None of us have a choice in this fight. This war is not an option for us; it is not something we can do when we have nothing else to do. Good intentions are not enough. Our nation, our people are at total war in a battle for the very values on which America was founded. We can't expect 'ordinary lives' during this war."
The candidates plunged through the final weekend of their race for the White House, the Republican digging for an upset while his confident-sounding rival told supporters, "We can change this country."
Indeed.
Obama was in Nevada, then Colorado and Missouri, all states that voted for President Bush four years ago.
"We have a righteous wind at our back," he told one audience.
If he wins he is going to be insufferable. His sense of entitlement is DISGUSTING to me.
This election is TIGHTENING, no matter how hard the mainstream media attempts to deny it.
According to a Zogby poll, and via Drudge:
ZOGBY SATURDAY: Republican John McCain has pulled back within the margin of error... The three-day average holds steady, but McCain outpolled Obama 48% to 47% in Friday, one day, polling. He is beginning to cut into Obama's lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all...
So here is the deal. This race is VERY close, and getting CLOSER. How important is it that Obama not ascend to the presidency? Here's something we can all agree on whether US Citizens or International bloggers:
Who understands that we are in a long-term war of ideas against RADICAL ISLAM, ISLAMO-FACISM, etc?
Who would actually tell us this is the case, and not fear using those terms?
Who on the other hand would hide that, deny it, and said they would stand with the muslims?
Who continues to have no platform whatsoever regarding Radical Islam? Whose only claim to fame is that he will pull us out of Iraq and finish the job in Afghan? This doesn't even account for the root of the problem.
Who has stated he will meet unconditionally with States that harbor and support terrorist organizations?
Who has supported Israel?
Who understands what WAR really is? What WAR means?
Who would attempt to spread and indoctrinate the youth further into the philosophy of cultural relativism and multiculturalism - the bitter pill that is destroying European culture?
Who who who?
Everyone has a part to play in this, American or not, because we understand this existential threat, while others accept their suicide.
What can we do? Simple:
The Republican Party is known for it's last 72 hr get out the vote program, this is what propelled Bush to the Presidency in both 2000 and 2004. So let's help support it by donating WHATEVER we have at:
I support Andrew Bostom and Robert Spencer Bostom supports Diana West Diana West supports VB
Does that mean I support ethnic nationalism?
Anyone care to take that one up?
Anyone who has seen my posts and comments knows just how strongly I feel.
Charles Johnson has managed to parlay a righteous dislike for 'white europe' into some logical off the cliff pathway to considering Robert Spencer as supporting some of the unarguably racist commenters at GoV.
I don't know about the rest of you, but enough is enough.
If someone like the eminently sensible, and quite fair Spencer can be smeared in this way, it's time to look critically at the source.
Paint it anyway you want to. Another 'Who is John Galt' moment. The essential truth is that you want to take someone else's money not for more research on Parkinson's, or discovering how and why cells commit suicide, or for way to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities wit no collateral damage, but to give that money to someone else.
We all know what that is.
Obama's New Attack on Those Who Don't Want Higher Taxes: 'Selfishness'
October 31, 2008 10:58 AM
On the stump this week, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has pushed back against Sen. John McCain's description of his tax policies.
"The reason that we want to do this, change our tax code, is not because I have anything against the rich," Obama said in Sarasota, Fla., yesterday. "I love rich people! I want all of you to be rich. Go for it. That's the American dream, that's the American way, that's terrific.
"The point is, though, that -- and it's not just charity, it's not just that I want to help the middle class and working people who are trying to get in the middle class -- it's that when we actually make sure that everybody's got a shot - when young people can all go to college, when everybody's got decent health care, when everybody's got a little more money at the end of the month - then guess what? Everybody starts spending that money, they decide maybe I can afford a new car, maybe I can afford a computer for my child. They can buy the products and services that businesses are selling and everybody is better off.
The best way to help people into the middle class and above is to identify those who will work for it, those who have the need for and want more education, AND THEIR CHILDREN, and then to give them the path to achieve that end.
Giving people a check does NOT make poor people middle class.
Giving them a way to go from technician to MSEE WILL ABSOLUTELY.
With every word, with every further justification and explanation, Sen Obama is explaining very accurately who he is and what he believes.
He doesn't want to take our dreams in order to protect the nation from enemies foreign and domestic, he wants to take our dreams for ourselves and our children in order to DIMINISH them for a check to others ...who will never achieve theirs that way.
He really believes that to hold to the American dream for yourself and your children, IS SELFISHNESS.
I AM SELFISH Oh and by the way....
John McCain spent more time as a POW than Barack Obama has as a Senator
The link below goes to a 12-page PDF document by Walid Phares that analyzes the two presidential candidates on how effective they would be in combating the progressive Islamization of America.
As you can probably guess, McCain wins hands down. He understands much better than Obama what the enemy is, and how it can best be defeated.
I'm sure if you've been reading the IBA for longer than ten minutes, you know McCain is the one to vote for, at least if you're interested in the survival of the U.S. and the free world. But I'm posting it here to help you make a last-minute appeal to those who haven't decided. On the basis of pure survival against a real and growing threat, Phares makes some excellent arguments in favor of McCain, and Phares is a legitimate expert. Here's the PDF article:
