Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Reuters Obscene Reporting On Israeli Terror Attack
Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic reacts to a line in a Reuters news report on the recent bus bombing in Jerusalem:
This is from a just-released Reuters news analysis of President Obama's alleged travails:
Obama is committed to partnering with other countries rather than going it alone as did his predecessor George W. Bush, which both broadens and complicates the decision-making process.This, of course, is wildly inaccurate and misleading. Say what you will about the second Iraq war, but George W. Bush made partnerships with many nations in advance of the invasion, including and especially America's most valuable ally, Great Britain, as well as Australia, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, South Korea, the Czech Republic, and a couple of dozen others. Reuters should correct this inaccurate statement. Tweet
Syrian Protesters Tear Giant Picture Of Assad
Witnesses tell Al Jazeera actual death toll from Syrian troops firing on protesters is closer to 150, not 37, as the regime claims:
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NYT Reports "Islamist Group Is Rising Force In A New Egypt"
The New York Times reports that in a "post-revolutionary Egypt, where hope and confusion collide in the daily struggle to build a new nation, religion has emerged as a powerful political force, following an uprising that was based on secular ideals. The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group once banned by the state, is at the forefront, transformed into a tacit partner with the military government that many fear will thwart fundamental changes... As the best organized and most extensive opposition movement in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood was expected to have an edge in the contest for influence. But what surprises many is its link to a military that vilified it."
“We are all worried,” said Amr Koura, 55, a television producer, reflecting the opinions of the secular minority. “The young people have no control of the revolution anymore. It was evident in the last few weeks when you saw a lot of bearde...d people taking charge. The youth are gone.”
Meanwhile, "Egypt Air wipes Israel off the map – a sign of where Egypt could be headed": http://blogs.telegraph.co.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Joe Biden In 2007: Launching Military Attack Without Congressional Approval Is An Impeachable Offense
I suppose Joe Biden will now lead the effort to impeach Obama for acting in Libya without Congressional approval.
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John Boehnor's Letter To The President On Libya
The House Speaker's letter to the President:
Dear Mr. President:
Thank you for your letter dated March 21, 2011, outlining your Administration’s actions regarding Libya and Operation Odyssey Dawn. The United States has long stood with those who seek freedom from oppression through self-government and an underlying structure of basic human rights. The news yesterday that a U.S. fighter jet involved in this operation crashed is a reminder of the high stakes of any military action abroad and the high price our Nation has paid in blood and treasure to advance the cause of freedom through our history.
I respect your authority as Commander-in-Chief and support our troops as they carry out their mission. But I and many other members of the House of Representatives are troubled that U.S. military resources were committed to war without clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is and what America’s role is in achieving that mission.
In fact, the limited, sometimes contradictory, case made to the American people by members of your Administration has left some fundamental questions about our engagement unanswered. At the same time, by contrast, it appears your Administration has consulted extensively on these same matters with foreign entities such as the United Nations and the Arab League.
It is my hope that you will provide the American people and Congress a clear and robust assessment of the scope, objective, and purpose of our mission in Libya and how it will be achieved. Here are some of the questions I believe must be answered:
In announcing that our Armed Forces would lead the preliminary strikes in Libya, you said it was necessary to “enable the enforcement of a no-fly zone that will be led by our international partners.” Do we know which partners will be taking the lead? Are there clear lines of authority and responsibility and a chain of command? Operationally, does enforcement of a no-fly zone require U.S. forces to attack non-air or command and control operations for land-based battlefield activities, such as armored vehicles, tanks, and combatants?
You have said that the support of the international community was critical to your decision to strike Libya. But, like many Americans, it appears many of our coalition partners are themselves unclear on the policy goals of this mission. If the coalition dissolves or partners continue to disengage, will the American military take on an increased role? Will we disengage?
Since the stated U.S. policy goal is removing Qadhafi from power, do you have an engagement strategy for the opposition forces? If the strife in Libya becomes a protracted conflict, what are your Administration's objectives for engaging with opposition forces, and what standards must a new regime meet to be recognized by our government?
Your Administration has repeatedly said our engagement in this military action will be a matter of “days, not weeks.” After four days of U.S. military action, how soon do you expect to hand control to these other nations? After the transition to coalition forces is completed, how long will American military forces remain engaged in this action? If Qadhafi remains in power, how long will a no-fly zone will be enforced?
We are currently in the process of setting priorities for the coming year in the budget. Has the Department of Defense estimated the total cost, direct and indirect, associated with this mission?
While you said yesterday that the cost of this mission could be paid for out of already-appropriated funds, do you anticipate requesting any supplemental funds from Congress to pay for ongoing operations in Libya?
Because of the conflicting messages from the Administration and our coalition partners, there is a lack of clarity over the objectives of this mission, what our national security interests are, and how it fits into our overarching policy for the Middle East. The American people deserve answers to these questions. And all of these concerns point to a fundamental question: what is your benchmark for success in Libya?
The American people take the use of military action seriously, as does the House of Representatives. It is regrettable that no opportunity was afforded to consult with Congressional leaders, as was the custom of your predecessors, before your decision as Commander-in-Chief to deploy into combat the men and women of our Armed Forces. Understanding some information required to respond may be classified, I look forward to a complete response.
Sincerely,
John A. Boehner Tweet
Ninth Circuit Rejects Latest Effort To Stop California’s Prop 8
Jordan Lawrence of the Alliance Defense Fund reports:
Proposition 8, the California Constitution’s amendment that defines marriage as one man and one woman, remains in effect after today’s order by the Ninth Circuit rejecting the latest efforts by the opponents of Prop 8 to neutralize it while the case challenging it is on appeal.
This is a bit complicated, but it is a significant development in favor of marriage. As many know, last August Judge Vaughn Walker for the federal district court in San Francisco ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional because it did not allow same sex couples to marry. The supporters of Prop 8 appealed the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and also requested a stay of the lower court order. The Ninth Circuit granted that motion for the stay, which allowed Prop 8 to remain in effect. Last January, the Ninth Circuit sent the case to the California Supreme Court to decide a state law question of whether those who propose an initiative have standing to defend it in court when the governor and the attorney general refuse to defend it. The answer to that question will help the Ninth Circuit to decide the merits of the case on whether Prop 8 is constitutional or not.
After the California Supreme Court agreed to decide the standing question, the opponents of Prop 8 renewed their request to lift the stay, which would then have allowed the court order striking down Prop 8 to go into effect (I hope you are still following all of these legal zigs and zags). If the Ninth Circuit had granted that motion, it would have forced California to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. But the Ninth Circuit said no, so Prop 8 remains in effect. The text of the order reads as follows:
Filed order (STEPHEN R. REINHARDT, MICHAEL DALY HAWKINS and N. RANDY SMITH) Having considered all of the factors set forth in Nken v. Holder, 129 S. Ct. 1749, 1756 (2009), and all of the facts and circumstances surrounding Plaintiffs’ motion to vacate the stay pending appeal, as well as the standard for vacatur set forth in Southeast Alaska Conservation Council v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 472 F.3d 1097, 1101 (9th Cir. 2006), we deny Plaintiffs’ motion at this time. [7691622] (KKW).
This is good news for marriage, because Prop 8 remains in effect. ADF has written about the Perry case challenging Prop 8 here, here and here.
TweetTuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sarah Palin Visits Israel, Asks Israel “Why Are You Apologizing All The Time?”
The Jerusalem Post reports that former "American vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin expressed support for Jews praying openly on the Temple Mount on a visit to the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday, officials who accompanied Palin said. Palin and her husband Todd arrived for a two-day visit on Sunday afternoon and toured the Western Wall and its adjacent tunnels. They will visit the Old City again on Monday, tour Gesthsemane and the Mount of Olives, and have dinner with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at their official residence in Jerusalem. Netanyahu has already met in Jerusalem over the last two months with a number of leading US politicians considered as likely candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. World Likud chairman and Likud MK Danny Danon and Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz served as Palin’s tour guides on Sunday night. Palin was told that Jews were not allowed to pray openly on the Temple Mount and about the Arab riots that accompanied Netanyahu’s decision to authorize the creation of an exit from the Western Wall tunnels in 1996. 'Why are you apologizing all the time?' Palin asked her guides. Palin expressed regret that she would not be able to visit Nazareth or Bethlehem during her brief stay in Israel, but promised that she would soon come back for longer."
“It’s overwhelming to be able to see and touch the cornerstone of our faith,” Palin told reporters upon exiting the tunnels. “I’m so thankful to be able to be here, and I’m thankful to know the Israel-American connection will grow and strengthen as the peace negotiations continue.”
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Constitutional Law Professor Rob Natelson: How Can Congress Constitutionally Spend All that Money?
To read this important and interesting article visit http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2011/03/how-can-congress-spend-all-that-money-part-ii/. Tweet
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Hamas Building "Terror Tunnels," Shooting Rockets At Israeli City Of Ashkelon And Other Cities Near Gaza
The Jerusalem Post reports that facing "a possible new conflict against Hamas, concern is growing within the IDF regarding increased efforts by Palestinian terrorist groups to dig tunnels under the border that could be used to infiltrate into Israel and perpetrate attacks. According to IDF sources, the number of tunnels has grown in recent years. Hamas is under orders to dig 'terror tunnels' along the border. Hamas has split into five different regional brigades – north, Gaza City, central Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah. The exact number of tunnels is unknown to the IDF. Tunnels have been used in the past by Hamas and other terrorist groups to infiltrate into Israel. The terrorists who abducted Gilad Schalit from his military post near Kerem Shalom, in June 2006, crossed into Israel through an underground tunnel."
The Jerusalem Post further reports on the Israel's war with Palestinian terror writing that "an escalation in the shelling of southern Israel by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza continued on Sunday, when a Grad-type rocket fired from Gaza slammed into southern Ashkelon in the evening hours. Two residents suffered shock as a result of the blast, and were taken to a clinic for medical treatment... Earlier on Sunday, a mortar and two Kassam rockets were fired at southern Israel, security officials said. On Saturday, a significant escalation in Palestinian shelling of southern Israel occurred when 50 mortars were fired at farming communities in the western Negev. A man and his wife were injured by shrapnel as they sought shelter in a safe zone. As Purim drew to an end on Sunday night, the IDF was expected to respond firmly to the increase in Palestinian attacks. Earlier responses may have been more muted, due to the hope of defense chiefs to spare southern communities more Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks. Also on Sunday, violence continued to flare up along the border with Gaza, as an IDF tank came under missile fire. Palestinian gunmen in the northern part of the strip fired a guided antitank missile at the Merkava Mk 4, which was equipped with the IDF’s new active-protection system known as Trophy."
“Hamas doesn’t recognize our right to exist here – it isn’t a partner for peace, or for any agreement – and the right way to deal with it is force,” said Knesset opposition leader Tzipi Livni over the weekend. “That is why Israel decided on Operation Cast Lead. In everything that is related to the civilians’ ability to cope with the rocket fire and to the activities against Hamas, there are no arguments between opposition and coalition.”
Former IDF Spokeswoman and Likud MK Miri Regev warned that “certain terror groups should not test the IDF again." Again? Why does Israel always wait for it to happen "again" and for lives to be lost before it decides to respond swiftly and strongly to this Islamoterrorist foe bent on her complete destruction.
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